WILDLIFE PARKS - HISTORY
The wildlife parks of KwaZulu-Natal have a rich and diverse history. Many of our parks were proclaimed a very long time ago and as such have fascinating histories.

HLUHLUWE IMFOLOZI PARK
This park is the oldest in Africa. Hluhluwe and Imfolozi were proclaimed separately in 1895. Their turbulent histories have included temporary deproclamations for veterinary programs and mass slaughter of game under the banner of "disease control"!
It was in this park that the famous Operation Rhino was started, resulting in the white rhino being saved from extinction. It was also here that the first guided wilderness trails in Southern Africa were run. Throughout the park there are many signs of Stone Age settlements. This area between the Black and White Imfolozi rivers was also once the personal hunting area of King Shaka Zulu.

MKHUZE GAME RESERVE
This reserve was proclaimed in 1912. Much like Hluhluwe and Imfolozi, it was deproclaimed and run for 15 years by the State Veterinary Department to get rid of Tsetse flies which cause the livestock disease "nagana". During this time in the 1940's and 50's 38 000 head of game were destroyed, large tracts of bush cleared and tons of DDT and BHC insecticides sprayed to rid the area of Tsetse flies. There was further threat of deproclamation in the 1960's which was met by great public resistance.
Mkhuze has survived all these trials to survive as one of KZN Wildlife`s most popular wildlife parks. This despite it once being a favourite haunt of hunters.

TEMBE - NDUMO COMPLEX
The area now occupied by the Tembe - Ndumo Complex has a long conservation history. Ndumo Game Reserve was proclaimed in 1924 to protect the hippo population as well as other wildlife, in this remote corner of the province. This was only after many species had been eradicated, having been considered "vermin". The reserve was fenced in 1955 and once this was completed species such as Buffalo and Black and White Rhino were re-introduced. Tembe was more recently proclaimed (in 1983). This park was proclaimed to protect the last free ranging elephants in KZN. The proclaimation came about as result of an agreement between authorities and the local communities. Communities derive physical and financial benefits from the park.

ITHALA GAME RESERVE
Ithala is one of the youngest game parks in KwaZulu-Natal. The then Natal Parks Board started buying up farms to make up this Reserve in 1973. Much of the land had to be reclaimed due to poor agricultural practices. There were also two gold mines (now abandoned) in this area. In the late 1800's this land was given by King Dinizulu to white farmers who farmed and hunted there. It was these farming activities that caused much of the soil erosion that led to the farms non-productivity and their eventual sale to the province for the formation of a game reserve. With the exception of lion, all the big game species have been re-introduced and all of the reserve's diverse habitats are now well stocked with appropriate animals. Most of the original species have been re-established.

SPIOENKOP GAME RESERVE
The land expropriated as part of the Spioenkop dam construction was proclaimed a reserve in 1974. With its acacia savanna, southern tall grassveld and valley bushveld it was a prime area to restock with a range of suitable animals. It has developed into a very scenically attractive reserve with its element of bush and water, against the back drop of the Drakensberg Mountains.

WEENEN GAME RESERVE
Weenen, proclaimed in April 1975, was previously agricultural land that was abused and then expropriated by the Department of Agriculture. Reclamation measures have resulted in improvements and most areas appear to be completely rehabilitated. Since the then Natal Parks Bard took control of the area in 1975 it has flourished. Many species of game have been re-introduced and the reserve is now forms the core of large private conservation initiatives both north and south of Weenen.