Residents were awoken by distraction on their gardens and farms after elephants escaped and damaged some crops. MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube has commended the community for urgently alerting the nature reserve.

“The animals were taken back to the reserve on the same day and were pushed further back from the fence. We appreciate the positive attitude from the community, for informing us and not harming the elephants .We also symphanthize with those who lost some of their crops,” said Shungube.

READ | WATCH: Elephant escapes from KNP

Shungube assured the community that the rangers were working around the clock to ensure that the elephants are retained further back at the reserve to prevent them from escaping especially, now during the marula season.

“We will also embark on an educational campaign in communities across the province to teach them on what to do when an animal has escaped from a reserve to the community. Our responsibility is to conserve nature. We need to teach communities about conservation to prevent extinction of these animals,” added Shungube.

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The entity would like to inform all visitors about the operational disruptions currently underway at the various nature reserves around the province.

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“This is because of the illegal strike taking place at the MTPA’s managed tourism sites. The Executive Management of MTPA is in discussion with organised labour and employees participating in this illegal strike. “We are confident that this engagement will resolve the matter in due course,” said the entity’s spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube.

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MTPA went on to issue an apology for the inconvenience caused by this action. “Our staff is available, on the numbers below, to attend to any enquiries or assistance required during this period. Other tourism sites around the province remain open and operational as normal.”

They would like to encourage those visiting the province to continue to experience those sites for a memorable experience in Mpumalanga.

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