Wildlife population in Kruger is increasing

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said not a single large mammal species in South Africa's Kruger National Park is currently under threat. Good rains over the last 15 years and improved conditions in the Park even caused a surge in aninmal population.

• Black Rhino - estimated to number between 590 and 670 > estimated increasing rate 7% per year
• White Rhino - estimated to number between 9460 to 12,120 > estimated increasing rate 11% per year
• Buffalos - 22,260 in 2000, to 37,500 this year > estimated increasing rate 5% per year
• Elephants - 8350 in 2000 to an estimated 13,700 this year; estimated increasing rate 4% per year since 2004
• Lions - estimated at between 1620 and 1750 > stable, but noteable increasing rate
• Leopards - estimated (numbers from the 1980ies) at around 1000 creatures
• Burchell's zebra - numbers have risen to between 20,870 and 33,240
• Giraffe - numbers have risen to between 7090 and 10,950
• Impala - numbers have risen to between 99,830 and 163,570

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