Rangers will receive training for the new quad vehicles, to afford them the best way to effectively utilize the vehicles for their specific terrain within the KNP.
SANParks received an initial grant funding of R254.8 million from HGBF in 2014 to support anti-poaching operations in the KNP. This incorporated the establishment of ‘Air Mobility’ capacity’ and included the purchase of the first helicopter in September 2014.
The new fleet to the total value of R3.6 million comes with a 2 year motor plan.
Subsequent to that initial funding, the Howard G Buffet Foundation granted SANParks a further R37.7 million to purchase a second Airbus AS350 B3e helicopter, with similar specifications of night flying capability, to further increase the capacity of SANParks’ rhino anti-poaching flight operations in the KNP. The commissioning of that helicopter took place this year on 19 March.
SANParks’ Senior General Manager: Strategy and Business Planning – Teboho Mokoena officially receives the Quad vehicles on behalf of Rangers from Polaris Sales Manager: National, Mark Chittenden. Polaris will be in charge of the maintenance and servicing of the vehicles.