Kruger rhino won't be moved this year

Johannesburg - Rhino at the Kruger National Park will not be moved this year, SA National Parks said on Saturday.

"We have missed the window to remove the animals because it is now getting warmer. The best time to move them is in winter," spokesperson  Isaac Phaahla told Sapa.

He said a project plan had been developed but it was still with the board of SanParks, waiting approval.

"Once approved, the plan will be implemented," he said.

Phaahla said the rationale behind the move was to grow the number of the animals while at the same time preserving their safety.

He said a lot of work would go into investigating the places where the animals would be kept.

"The animals will only be moved to an area where they will be properly looked after and protected from poachers. They will only be moved to areas where there is expertise for their well-being," he said.

"The move will probably happen next year."

On 12 August , Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa announced that rhino along the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park would be moved to strongholds both inside and outside the flagship reserve to protect them from poachers.

She said her department was also looking at moving some rhino out of the country.

"Part of the translocation will include the Southern African Development Community, the SADC area in particular... We have already started discussions with Botswana, we are working with Zambia, we are working with other countries, but more intensely those two in particular," she said at the time.