Mark’s Wildlife Corner
Mark’s Wildlife Corner
Mark Rutherfoord
Director
New wildlife translocation policy
15 May 2012
With the passing of the new wildlife translocation policy in the Western Cape the doors have been opened, ever so slightly, for us on Gondwana. Western Cape Nature Conservation (Cape Nature) has come to terms that reserves within our unique region have to become more competitive to the rest of the country. After months of negotiations between the trade and Cape Nature, reserves within the Western Cape have been allowed to introduce certain species that have not been permitted in the past. Species such as giraffe and white rhino are now welcome, as it is seen to increase the tourism commercial variability of the reserves and the region. To apply for these permits, game reserves need to submit a comprehensive management plan evaluating the suitability of the reserve for certain species and do an ecological threat analysis, which includes practical mitigation factors for any potential threat. Gondwana has been busy modifying its Management Plan to the new requirements of Cape Nature.
We have a very exciting winter wildlife season ahead of us benefiting from the continued support of our homeowners. The Vernon Family from FC11 has very generously donated three giraffe to Gondwana. The introduction of these giraffe has be a momentous occasion as we have been working together with Cape Nature for almost three years to get such permits. The giraffe were released in the Nauga area and are feeding on the nutrient rich vegetation present in that area.
The Boardman family of Red Rocks 27, have committed to helping us introduce more springbok onto the reserve. This introduction is crucial as we are experimenting with ways to overcome the tick born disease of heartwater which is life threatening for springbok. We will be staggering the introduction of the springbok and monitoring their condition, as they will have to go through a 10-day inoculation process.
April was a big month for our fire management program as were able to burn 2000 hectares. Gondwana is now part of the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association and we had 50 fire fighters who descended on the reserve in the first week of April. We set fire to most of the North Eastern section of the reserve. There is an abundance of Fynbos within that region that requires, for ecological reasons, to be burnt. Our conservation team is eager to now commence a 5-7 year monitoring plan in this area to monitor the recovery of the Fynbos and look specifically at things like potential grazing for wildlife and regeneration of Fynbos year on year after the burn. The impact of fire on both the regeneration of Fynbos and the grazing success of large herbivores is something that has not been done before and we are excited to see the trends to come.
Through the dedicated work of our reserve and conservation teams, Gondwana is undoubtedly becoming the leading reserve in the Southern Cape with regards to veld and wildlife management. With Cape Nature opening it doors to new ideas we are very excited for the future prospects on Gondwana. We will keep everyone updated on the wildlife introduction progress throughout the year as well as the success of our fire management program. I look forward to seeing many of you on the reserve and hope that you will be able to enjoy the new wildlife additions on the reserve.
Gondwana´s 2010 wildlife introductions
24 July 2010
Game Capture season is well underway and we eagerly await the arrival of 3 hippo and over 350 head of general game including Springbok, Bontebok and Kudu. I would like to extend our utmost gratitude on behalf of Gondwana to Rein and Arne van der Horst for their generosity in sponsoring two of the three hippo to be released in the Lehele Dam this winter. This will add another signature species to Gondwana´s wildlife experience. We are pleased to have Albert Swart join the wildlife team where he will also be heading up the Gondwana Conservation Trust (GCT) projects. The first three GCT projects will focus on the study of our elusive Cape Leopard population and the re-introduction of cheetah and Cape Vulture to the area. The Primary goal of the Trust is to participate in meaningful conservation projects focusing on fauna, flora and environmental education. We are very excited to be initiating these important conservation efforts and appreciate the enthusiasm many of Gondwana´s guests and residents have already shown.
The arrival of the hippo as well as other species will be posted onto our facebook page. If you have not become a friend, please feel free to do so by Joining Us on Facebook.
Gondwana´s 2010 wildlife introductions:
- 200 Springbok
- 3 Hippopotamus
- 40 Kudu
- 50 Zebra
- 20 Eland
- 50 Gemsbok
- 20 Red hartebeest
We have been through interesting times seeing out the worst drought in living memory in the Southern Cape. We were however fortunate not to be as hard hit as our surrounding regions and the entire area has just had some reprieve in the form of 75mm of rain in the last month. To date Gondwana is about 55% stocked to its capacity, which has also been a key factor in sustaining through this drought. Our conservative stocking rate has helped keep our wildlife in good condition, yet we still believe and analysis shows that the reserve will be able to sustain what we propose to introduce this year and more. Gondwana is predominately a sour veld reserve, which tends to be more resistant to critical conditions. Sour veld does not carry the nutrient value to that of sweet veld, but keeps its bulk in dry times. By supplementing the mineral needs through lick blocks strategically placed throughout the property the animals can maintain their condition. We are continually evaluating our eco system and managing if for natural sustainability.
A flurry of offspring from our wildlife
26 November 2009
As we enter the summer season, we have been welcomed by a flurry of offspring from a wide range of our wildlife. These progeny are a great indicator that the introduced animals have established themselves on the reserve. We are also encouraged by the increase in population and behavioural development of the species that were always present on the reserve such as the bushbuck, Grey Rheebok, and Caracal to name a few.
Our pride of lion have developed themselves into a successful hunting unit. The initial separation of the male from the females was temporary as sightings are rare without the complete pride. We continue to monitor the predator prey dynamic and are excited to report indisputable evidence of leopard throughout the property.
Our expansion program has now come to fruition with the completion of the external fences and the current dissembling of the fence dividing the two properties. The timing of this was perfect with the late rains stimulating growth in this sweet veld region creating natural movement of wildlife into this new area. We have successfully relocated one of our black rhino into this area according to plan as it is a more suitable habitat for this highly selective browser species. The inclusion of this area has added numerous species to both our mammal and bird list with the guides excitedly reporting a first sighting of the Knysna Lourie and breeding pairs of Klipspringer.
We have established a wonderful team of field guides whose enthusiasm and contributions towards conservation on Gondwana have benefited us all. They are applying their individual passions to better the reserve, such as implementing our first bird hide, Children’s Junior Ranger program and wildlife monitoring. Together with our guides, guests and owners have been enjoying rare sightings of honey badger, aardvark, aardwolf and bushpig. Take a moment to read a few of their ranger diaries now found on the website.
Our reserve manager, Joe Erasmus continues to develop Gondwana and is establishing the implementation of our environmental management policies. This summer will complete the second phase of our annual burning program which forms a critical component of our veld management. We are very excited to initiate a large scale alien removal effort on the reserve starting this November. This will be implemented in conjunction with a rehabilitation program for erosion control and habitat development.
I enjoy seeing you all on the reserve and hope you can visit us again soon to experience what has become a world class establishment.
Gondwana enters a formal research program
12 July 2009
2008 was a significant year for us all on Gondwana. We were able to transfer the free hold titles to our very patient homeowners.
It saw the introduction and release of the only Black rhino in the Western Cape together with a further 500 head of general game species. Our elephant and lion arrived and were placed into their custom made bomas. They were released onto the reserve in early 2009.
Gondwana now accommodates 30 staff members together with 5 families. All the staff accommodation has been completed and now provides private bathrooms, hot water and kitchen facilities for every staff member.
We are proud to announce that Gondwana has entered into a formal research program together with the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) looking at the spatial/ecological utilization of our elephant. Gondwana offers the unique opportunity for scientists to study these incredible species within a fynbos biome. Such a study has never been done before and all parties both private and government are extremely excited about the pending results. These results will be used by conservation authorities as guidelines within the Western Cape to help structure better and more realistic elephant management plans.
Our lions have been an extremely exciting addition to the reserve. The introduction into their boma and bonding process went according to plan and their release onto the reserve has been nothing but remarkable. They have been seen making their own kills of both Gemsbok and Black Wildebeest and seem to have adapted quite comfortably to their new terrain and surroundings.
There is much we still want to achieve on the reserve and hope to report on new game drive roads next quarter as well as to the changes in the wildlife movement and habitat utilization due to the release of the lions.”
