On Sunday, South African authorities and nature lovers alike celebrated the centenary of Kruger National Park—a 7,500-square-mile paradise of African wildlife, and a cornerstone of the nation’s conservation efforts.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Willie Aucamp rang in the celebrations at Skukuza Rest Camp inside the massive protected area, saying how “proud” he was to be associated “with those who’ve maintained and managed it so magnificently,” over the last 100 years.
One of the largest and oldest of all national parks in Africa, Kruger was named after the Republic’s first president Paul Kruger, who, inspired by a law organizing the area into private game camps before his term in office, eventually sought to create a large game reserve in the area that is now northern Kruger National Park to protect species of large animal that needed plenty of space to thrive.
Kruger was no longer in office by the time the park was created, but his interest and effort in creating its predecessor, the Sabi Game Reserve, were noted when selecting a name.
Today, Kruger National Park receives 2 million visitors every year, and has become a bastion of biodiversity that spills over into three nations. It is home to more species of large mammal than any other place in Africa, as well as hundreds of bird, reptile, and plant species.
It’s been the testing ground for cutting-edge methods of protecting endangered species and for pioneering wildlife research and animal biology, as well as a role model for balancing wilderness needs, conservation aims, and tourist accessibility, for the continent at large.
“As a united people, we are celebrating this success story, realizing we have the responsibility to take this forward to another 100 years so that our grandchildren and great grandchildren can see what it is like to see when a herd of elephant is walking and hear lions roar in the most pristine natural area in the world,” said Minister Aucamp.
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The centenary was not just focused on celebrating the past, but securing the future, as two days before the anniversary, South African National Parks and Aucamp’s Ministry signed the Beneficiation Scheme Framework Agreement with seven communities that live and have lived historically in and around the area of the park.
“This beneficiation agreement represents… shared commitment to transforming natural resources into lasting opportunities for you, the beneficiaries, and your future generations,” said Aucamp at the camp.
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