Drought in Karoo parks a natural process – SANParks
SANParks has advised that visitors to Karoo and Mountain Zebra National Parks may see thin animals and more carcasses due to ongoing drought conditions. Issued on 27 January 2026, the notice stresses that drought is a natural ecological process essential to the long‑term health of arid ecosystems. The parks lie near Nxuba (formerly Cradock) in the Eastern Cape and Beaufort West in the Western Cape.
Management will monitor conditions and maintain water sources while allowing natural processes to unfold, in line with SANParks policy on maintaining naturally functioning ecosystems. Some animals may move into surrounding mountains where forage is better, and populations typically recover when rains return. No additional human intervention is planned beyond responsible water and population management.
Source: SANParks