These enormous creatures were extinct across much of Southern Africa by 1896 due to over hunting and the trade of their horns. According to site Kruger Park, the animal sanctuary reintroduced 337 white rhino in 1961 and has protected them ever since. Thanks to the conservation policy, Kruger is now home to the largest population of white rhino in the world. A white rhino can weigh over 5000 pounds and relies heavily on watering holes to regulate body temperature by wallowing in mud and also keep their skin healthy and free from insects.
If you're visiting Kruger, a night safari is recommended. This is because the park never sleeps and there are many beautiful animals which only venture out at night. One of the park's largest nocturnal animals is the leopard. According to the Kruger Park site, the reserve is home to around 1000 leopards. These animals remain scarce throughout Africa, however, as they need a large hunting territory to survive and must compete for food with other big predators like lions and hyenas. They feed mainly on impala, a type of antelope.
You can't go to Kruger Park without trying to find a lion. According to site Rhino Africa, of the 'big five' animals visitors most want to see, (lions, leopards, elephants, rhino and buffalo) the lion is still one of the most popular. Kruger is home to around 2000 lions. A pride (a family group) consists of between two to 30 lions, with one dominant male and the rest being females or cubs. Hunting is done as a group and a lion can eat up to 25% of its own body weight in one sitting. Unfortunately in recent years, according to the African Wildlife Federation, Kruger's lion population has been threatened by tuberculosis, thought to be caught from infected buffalo in the area. With no cure or vaccine, the park hopes to section off the sick lions and buffalo from the healthy to eradicate the disease in the area.
