Kruger: A Park Divided Between Emotion and Ecology

PH Journals Podcast

Carbon Score: 8.5

The Kruger National Park — once the pride of South Africa — is showing cracks in its balance. In this episode, I unpack my recent visit to Kruger and the hard truths behind its management. With over 2 million hectares of land and an estimated 31 000 elephants, 2 000 lions, and 12 000 buffalo, the park faces a growing question: Is tourism alone enough to sustain it, or has emotional conservation replaced ecological science? Join me as I break down the numbers, carrying capacity, and income comparisons between Kruger’s current tourism model and a potential controlled hunting approach — revealing just how massive the economic difference could be. I also discuss my personal frustrations with the current tourism culture, overcrowded sightings, and how we might merge two worlds — tourism and sustainable hunting — to secure Kruger’s wildlife for generations to come. Topics Covered: Kruger’s estimated wildlife populations The park’s annual tourism income vs potential hunting income Predator overpopulation and its ecological impact Tour guide behaviour and visitor ethics The future of true wildlife management in South Africa

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