"The Kruger National Park covers an area of almost 19,633km2 - that's roughly the size of Israel," notes Bryn Pyne-James, senior general manager for SANParks fund-raising. "Protecting an area that large against poachers with ground-based vehicles alone is impossible, but with air support we have a chance."
Efforts to bring aerial support to the KNP stems back to 1980s, but it wasn't until 2005 that they were able to obtain a plane light and strong enough to meet their needs. "We initially used a 4-cylinder Bantam light aircraft, which we traded up for a 6-cylinder Bantam," says ranger Steven Whitfield. "It proved to be a very important anti-poaching tool. Rangers must be able to spot carcasses and pin down the culprits quickly to effectively combat poaching. If we can find them quickly and use the aircraft to force them into hiding or slow them down, ground-based rangers have a chance to catch up. The plane has massive deterrent value."
Unfortunately, the KNP lost their Bantam aircraft last year when it was destroyed in an accident. The park desperately needed a replacement, and hoped to purchase a Bathawk - a plane similar to the Bantam, but produced locally. A chance encounter between Vox Telecom CEO Jacques du Toit and Bryn Pyne-James, quickly led to Vox's decision to make up the shortfall needed to purchase the plane, and cover its operating costs.
"Conserving our natural environment is one of the core aims of our corporate social investment programme, and this was one of the most rewarding investments we could make," says Vox Telecom head of marketing Clayton Timcke. "This is providing the real, practical support the KNP needs to protect its rhino."
