Our ‘Get to Know’ blog series gives readers an in-depth look at the people, places and activities that make educational tours amazing. Today’s post features a destination available on our popular South Africa tour.
uger National Park is one of the largest safari parks in Africa sprawling across more than 7,500 square miles. Containing more than 147 mammals, it’s also one of the largest homes for rhinoceros in Africa (if not the world) with roughly 350 black rhinos and 7,000 white rhinos grazing on the park‘s grasslands. But sadly, those numbers are declining as the African rhino is fiercely hunted by poachers. Their horn is considered as valuable as gold on the black market. If you catch sight of the once extinct rhino on this tour, that’s a precious luxury few people can claim.
For more than 2,000 years, rhino horn has been a popular commodity in the Far East. According to ancient lore, it’s believed to cure cancer, bone disease and even skin diseases. It’s also used to treat fevers and as an aphrodisiac. But there’s still no scientific proof for any of these. Still, these reasons are why rhino horn is so coveted and what drives poachers to hunt these Big Five Game animals (so called for being among the most difficult to hunt on foot, along with the leopard, lion, Cape buffalo and African elephant.)
With ongoing conservation efforts, Kruger National Park is battling against the unlawful slaughter of its black and white rhinos. Because poachers find it easier to slay the animal than tranquilize it to remove its horn, conservationists have been humanely de-horning rhinos to make them less attractive. Other measures include improving veterinary care to injured animals and boosting the park‘s security overall. Your visit to the park is also a big help in the protection of these endangered rhinos. Thanks to tourist revenue, park officials can teach communities about the importance of a healthy rhino population and train locals as community wardens. Know that your entrance fee goes towards this worthy cause, and your reward may be a rare view of these very rare breeds.