SHR Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2022

SANParksHonoraryRangers TABLEMOUNTAIN REGION

April–June2022

MESSAGEFROMTHE CHAIRMAN

Iwritethisshortpieceononeofthosebeautiful CapeTownmid-winterdayswhenweallfeelso energisedtobeouttheredoingwhatweenjoy. ReviewingtheactivitiesthatourSHRsand applicantsalikehavebeeninvolvedinoverthe pastquartershowsthatthisspiritisfeltacross theRegion.Ineedtomakementionofa particularweekendinJuneforwhichIcounted 10differentactivitiesthatourmemberswere involvedin.Thisincrediblelevelofactivityis noticedandhighlyappreciatedbySANParksand numerousotherstakeholders.

Thisquarterhasseenusextendthereachof whatwedothroughfurtherdevelopingour collaborations;wewelcomeandthankallour partnersfortheircontributionstotheworkthat wedotosupportSANParksdevelop,manage andpromoteTableMountainNationalPark. Ilookforwardtoseeingyouallonthemountain oratoneofourRegionalmeetings.-Kenneth Carden:Chairman

WEDNESDAYPATROLS&ALIEN HACKS:NEWLANDSFOREST

Withfewerhoursofdaylightavailableandthe seasonaldownpoursofwinter,hackingprogress intheforesthaslessened.However,wehave takendownsomelargertreeswhichvisibly lightensthesurroundingspaceandisvery satisfyingtobehold.Wehavenoticedwithglee manysmallyellowwoodtreesaplings sprouting!Alsohappytoreportthatduring patrolsaroundtheRhodesdamarea,thelitter andfencedamageseemtobeundercontrol althoughsadlythereisalotofgraffititagging takingplacealongtheslute.Barkstrippingand illegalfiresitesremainahugeconcern.Our sincerethankstoallthosewhosupportthis activity,especiallytheSANparkssectionrangers.

FIREPATROL

WiththenewsthatSANParkswouldbe conductingfuelloadreduction(stackburning) activitiesincertainoftheParkareas,therewas muchpublicconcernforthewellbeingofany smallcreaturesthatmighthavefoundthemselves trappedintheflamesorovercomebythe resultantsmoke.Ofspecialconcernwasthefate ofanyreptilesandsmallrodentsattheTokai PlantationsitesoateamofSHRswasquickly assembledandasthesmokesubsidedandthe ashsettled,theteamsetaboutcombingthearea armedwithbuckets,boxesandsnakehooks.No injuredanimalswerefoundalthoughonedead snake(believedtobeamolesnake)was recoveredfromtheashes.Arelievedpublicgave ourSHRsalotofkudosforcaring.

FUNDRAISING

TheSANParksHonorary Rangersaretheofficial volunteersand fundraisersforSANParks andinsupportofTable MountainNationalPark therearekeystrategic fundraisingareasof focus.Utilisingthe SnapScanpayment optionputsour fundraisingefforts whereverweareactiveallowingpotentialdonors todonatewiththeeaseofoperatingtheirmobile phonecameras.

COMMUNICATIONS

TheSHRsofTableMountainRegionmaintaina robustcommunicationsstructureacrossthe variousplatforms.Withadedicatedmembers-only Facebookpage(“TheFynbosRangers”)and severalWhatsappgroupsincludingadutygroup andanewly-relaunchedchatgroup,ourmembers arein-touchandin-tunewitheachotherand theirPark!

RHINOTINS

AnewinitiativehasbeenlaunchedbySHRsto reinvigoratetheoldRhinoTinscampaignthat usescollectiontinsatpointsofsaleinorderto collectanysmallchangepeoplewishtodonate toanti-poachinginitiativesinthePark.Atrip covering194.5kmstoeachoftheninevenues evaluatingthe16tinscurrentlyinplacewas undertakenwiththeendresultthat5fulltins wereremoved.SomeoftheRhinoTinswere foundtobefullofdust,forgottenattheback ofashelforhiddenoutofsightbeneatha shopcounter.Thisleadtoahardre-evaluation oftinplacementsinfavourofhavingthem locatedatthe“rightspots”;placeswhere conservationconsciouspeopletendtogo;all SANParksvisitorvenuesmusthaveatin!The informationathandshowsthatforthepast fiveyears,theRhinoTinscontributedan averageofR6500peryeartoanti-poaching initiatives,withahighofR12000recordedin 2019fromtinchange.Watchthisspacefor moreinformation!

ONTHEDOTCOLABORATION

Alienbushclearingmetanewadversaryinthe teamingupofSHRsandstaffvolunteersfrom OnTheDot(thelargestmultichannelmedia logisticscompanyinSouthAfrica).Onthefirst andthirdFridayofthemonth,theteamgathers totackleanewareaofalienvegetation.Some mightcallit“teambuilding”,weprefertocallit responsiblecorporatesocialinvestment!Whileit maybehardwork,thevolunteersallseemed verygratefulfortheexperience!Joinus!

ANTIPOACHING/SNARE PATROLS

Withthediscoveryofayoungfemalecaracalcat caughtinasnareintheConstantiaarealast month,thescourgeofillegalsnaringonthe urbanedgehasonceagainrisenitsuglyhead, promptingamediacallforstricterlegislation, moreanti-snarepatrolsacrossthepeninsulaand

greaterpublicawareness.SHRsoftheTable MountainRegionhaveadedicatedsnarepatrol teamthatremainsevervigilanttosightingsof illegalsnaresintheParkareasandwhoconduct regularanti-snarepatrolsinboththemost accessibleandthemostinaccessibleareasinan efforttoridtheParkofillegalsnares.They remindusthatsnareremovaliseveryone’s responsibility:ifyouareoutandaboutinaPark areaoronagreenbeltandseesomethingthat evenremotelylookslikeitcouldbeasnare, pleasephotographitifpossible,removeitand reportitslocationtoarangerortotheSPCA.

MOUNTAINBIKEPATROLS

CyclepatrolscontinueintheLowerTokaiPark andsurroundseachweek.Wehopetoadd otherareasoftheparksuchasthefrontof TableMountainandpossiblyCapePoint.Many hikersandthegeneralpubliccomment positivelytothepatrollers,thankingthe HonoraryRangersfortheircommitmentto conservation.

VEHICLESECURITYPATROLS

SHR’sstartedvehiclesecuritypatrolsinMarch 2018aftercyclistsweremuggedontheaccess roaduptotheTVmastonConstantiaberg.To datenofurthermuggingshavetakenplacein thatareathankstothededicatedteamworking inthatarea.Thevehiclepatrolswerethen expandedintootherTMNP‘highcrimeareas’ namely:

•Tokai

•SilvermineEast

•SilvermineWest

•Silvermine‘oldwagontrail’

•RocketRoadaboveSandyBay

•NewlandsForest

•AreaaboveRhodesMemorial, PlumPuddingHillandtheKing’s Blockhouse,overlookingthecitybowl

•KleinplaasdamaboveSimonstown

DuringApril,MayandJune2022theSHR’sdid 45vehiclesafetypatrolsutilisingtheirown vehiclesandtheirownfuel.Thebulkofthese vehiclepatrolswereintheTokaiandSilvermine sectionofthepark.

Accordingtoreliableindependentstatisticsthe followingnumbersofpersonswerevictimsof crimeoverthistimeintheTMNP.

•2018=102persons {in54separateincidents)forthefullyear

•2019=54persons (in23separateincidents)forthefullyear

PEOPLE’STRAILHUT

TheguttersofthePeople’sTrialHuthadbeen damagedandwerenotfeedingthestorage tanks.MarleyPipeSystemsdonatednew guttersandothernecessaryfittings.

Weremovedtheoldgutters,andinstallednew uPVCfaciasandbarge-boardsaswellasthe newgutters.Wefittedpipeworktoconnect thegutterstotherainwatertanks.

Weclearedamajorwaste-waterblockagefrom thekitchensinkandreplacedthedamaged fittingswithnewones,alsodonatedbyMarley. DuramSmartPainthavedonatedpaintforthe exteriorwallsofthehut.Wewilldothe necessarydamp-proofingandpaintingduring thecomingsummer.

Majornewpipeinstallationandclearingwas donetorestorethemainwatersupplyfromthe springtoallthehutsinthearea.

TRAINING

1.Trackingcourse30April2022

OnSaturday30April2022,8TMNPSANParks

HonoraryRangersattendedatrackingcoursein CapePointledbyMasterTrackerJJMinye.We spentafantasticmorningonthebeachat Platboomwhereweweretaughthowto recognisethekeyelementsofspoorleftinthe sand,andfromtherebeabletoidentifywho theybelongedto.Amongstothers,wewere abletoidentifytracksleftbybaboon,Cape clawlessotter,ostrich,elandandfrogs!Itwasa humblingreminderoftheincrediblediversity wehaveinourpark.Onthewaybacktothe carparkwewerefurtherrewardedbythe sightingofnotonebuttwocaracalsinthe shrubjustaheadofus.

2.CRCandSANParksGraduationTea

20May2022

OnFriday20May2022,theSHRshosteda graduationteaattheCRCinTokaiforallthose whohadattendedtheIntroductiontoTMNP course.Thepresentationofthiscoursetoboth CRCandSANParksstaffwasverywellreceived byallwhoattended.GeorgeSmithhandedout speciallydesignedcertificatestoallattendees, afterwhicheveryoneenjoyedsomewell deservedcakeandtea.ManythankstoJackie Kingandherteamoftrainersfortheirtimeand enthusiasminpresentingtheircoursemodules tobothgroups.

MEMBERSHIP

MembershipoftheTableMountainRegion continuestoexpandasmoreandmorepublic awarenessoftheSANParksHonoraryRangers grows.Muchofthisisthroughtheworkthat wedoonthemountainandpeopleseeing whatisdonerealisingthatthereisawaythat theycanalsohelp.Weareplanningto continueexpandingduringtheyear.

DEVIL’SPEAKREHABILITATION

ThisprojectwasacollaborationbetweenSHR’s andFOTMandwasapprovedbyTMNP.

WorkontheDevilsPeaktrailiscompleteand endedupwithintheoriginalfinancialbudget. Weplaced250logsontheupperDevilsPeak andNewlandsRavinetrails.Wealsocleared theentiretrailofvegetationfromthetrailhead andfixedtherockysectionthroughthesaddle riverbed.Itwasincrediblytoseethesupport wereceivedfromthemanyhikers,trailrunners, mountainbikersandotherdonors.Inparticular bigthanksto:

•MaartenTurkstraforsponsoringsomeof thematerialsandtools.

•TableMountainBikersandRobertVogelfor thedonationofaweek’slabour.

CORRIDORRAVINE REHABILITATION

ThisprojectwasacollaborationbetweenSHR’s andFOTMandwasapprovedbyTMNP. ThefootpathalongthePipeTrackandup CorridorRavinewasinaterriblestateof disrepairandneededrebuilding.Wecarried logsforstepsalongthePipetrackabove CampsBaytothestartofCorridorRavine.

TABLEMOUNTAIN GHOSTFROGPROJECT

SANParksHonoraryRangershavebeen approachedbytheEndangeredWildlifeTrustto helpwithaprojecttosavethehighlyendangered TableMountainGhostFrogwhichonly occurinafewstreamsonTableMountain.

Insomecasesthesestreamshavepathsthat crossthemandhikersareinadvertentlydamaging thestreamsandthetadpolehabitat.

Wehavebeenrequestedtobuildacoupleof walkwaysoverthesestreamstoprotectthe tadpolesthatliveinit.

•2020=18persons (in13separateincidents)forthefullyear

•2021=23persons (in15separateincidents)forthefullyear

•2022=11persons (in06separateincidents)forJanuary-June

Ascanbeseenfromtheabovestatisticscrime inthemountainsreduced,duetothejoint effortsofmanyorganisations,andthevehicle patrollershavebeenpartofthesolution.Crime reduceddrasticallyduringtheCovid-19 lockdownbutseemstobetrendingslowly upwardsagainthisyear.

SHR’scontinuetopatroltheabovelistedareas.

LOFFIESDRAAIBUSHCAMP

EachyearTableMountainRegionhostsaweek attheLoffiesdraaibushcampintheKgalagadi TransfrontierNationalPark.10guestsare hostedbyTMNPhostsandguidesonaweek adventurewithinthepark.Thegrouptravels fromTweeRiviereninthesouththroughtoa Kij-KijenroutetoNossob,viaAchterlonie,a historicalstopover.AfteranightatKij-Kijthe grouptravelsnorthtoNossobandthenonto Loffiesdraai.Theadventurecontinueswitha visittoUnionsEndwhereNamibia,South AfricaandBotswanajoin.

Thenextdayisspentinthecampwith sundownersattheKraalpan/Karupwaterhole.

ThegueststhencontinuehomeviaNossob withanightatKij-Kij.Thetripisfilledwith amazingsightingsofKgalagadiwildlifealong withlotsofinterpretivestopstolearnabout thispartoftheworld,itfloraandfauna. Accommodationisveryrusticwiththesleeping areasina“cage”forsafetyreasons.

3.SANParksandtheHonoraryRanger: Introductorycourse11June2022

Thetrainingteamwasdelightedtopresentthe introductorySHRcourseto15applicantson Saturday11June2022.Ofthosewhoattended, wehadtwomembersfromtheBolandregion andsevenbrandnewapplicantsfromourown region.Itwasanenthusiasticandinteractive trainingday-manythankstoallwhoattended andparticipatedinthelivelydebate.Welook forwardtoseeingyoualloutandabouton patrolsoon!

•TuesdayTrailsforthefundraisingefforts andhelpwithportagingofpoles andstakes.

•Batrunfortheirgenerousdonation

•SANParksHonoraryRangersfortheir supportanddonationoffunds.

•Allthepeoplewhopitchedupandhauled logsupthemountain.

•OurindividualsponsorsviaourQuicket fundraiser.

•The“trailapostles”whodidagreatjob withtheactualtrailrehabilitation.

•FrankDwyer&BlakeDyasonfortheinitial trailassessment.

Pleasegocheckouttherevitalizedtrailsand telluswhatyouthinkandpostsomepictures onsocialmedia.Wewillbedoingmoreofthe same,soon.

SHR’s,FOTMvolunteersandpaidpathbuilders carriedtreatedpolesandsteelpegstothe pointofinstallationandstartedworkon rebuildingthepathalongtheexistingroute. Rockswerealsorepackedtocreatenewsteps anddrainagechannelstogetthewateroffthe footpath.Wemanagedtoplaceandfixnew logstepsandfilledinbehindstepswithinsitu material.Wealsobuiltasetoftimberpole stepsupadifficultsection.

Onceagainabigthanksto:

•OurhardworkingtrailapostlesGiftand Alicwhodidanamazingjob.

•AndyDaviesandtherestoftheFOTMteam fortheirdriveanddedication.

•HonoraryRangerTobyAdamsforhissuper workwiththetrailapostles.

•MaartenTurkstrafordonatingstakesand helpwiththdlogpreparation.

•CelticTrailRunsfortheirfundraisingefforts

•TheSpecialEditiontrailracefortheir R7000donation.

•TuesdayTrailstrailrunningclubfortheir R7000donation.

•TableMountainBikersfortheirR4400 donationandsponsoringnewbootsforthe trailapostles.

•Alltheindividualswhomadedonations

•Allthegreatpeoplewhopitchedinatthe communityservicedayandcarriedlogsup forus.

WorkontheCorridorRavinetrailiscomplete andendedupwithintheoriginalfinancial budget.

MEMBERSOFTHEMONTH

KimiBodensteinforhispersistenceinthe removalofunsightlygraffitiandgeneral projectassistanceandmaintenancework acrossthePark.

TobyAdamsforhisdedicationtotrail refurbishmentprojectsatDevil’sPeakand CorridorRavine.

PHOTOGALLERY

Chairperson KennethCarden ViceChairperson Vacant Secretary ZekeMurphy Treasurer GeofftenOever Membership SeanKeyser Communications JonFriedman Fundraising JasonMyhill Training NickySulzer DutyOfficer DaveKruger

KeithMcNair RegionalCoordinator

SANParksHonoraryRangers

TSITSIKAMMA REGION

April-June2022

TSITSIKAMMAORIENTATION

COURSE-APRIL2022

Duringtheweekendofthe29and30th ofApril2022,12HonoraryRanger membersfromtheFreeStateRegion attendedtheTsitsikammaOrientation courseinGardenRouteNationalParkTsitsikamma,StormsriverMouthCamp.

FridaymorningstartedwithPinePienaar

withhisknowledge.Thereafterthegroup wastakentotheNature’sValleyportionof theGardenRouteNationalParktoalso experiencetheunspoiledbeautyofthe forest.Therestofthedaywasusedto reflectandenjoythecompanyoftheteam members.

Sundaymorningthegroupenjoyedaboat rideintothecanyonenjoyingtheforest fromyetanotherperspective.Monday morningthegroupdispersedandwent theirwayshomeagain.Amostenjoyable learningexperiencewashadbyall.Training contributestotheconservationofthisvery specialenvironment.

Fixingbraais

Rocktidalpoolexploration

MEMBERSHIPANDAPPLICANTS

TsitsikammaRegionisveryhappytonote thattheycurrentlyhave39fullandactive memberswith10newapplicants.Weare lookingforwardtomoregrowthinorderto assistGardenRouteNationalPark, Tsitsikammaregionmorethanbefore.

Morningtrainingsession

groupontheirafternoontrainingwalk. AveryknowledgeableJohanSchlechter entertainedthemwiththevariouslayers foundintheforestaswellasthe interestingplantsthatgrowinthisforest. Thehighlightoftheafternoonwas experiencingoneofthebiggestgiantsof theforest,TheBigTree.Theweatherwas quitewindywithabitofrain,butthat

RestoringRoadsigns

UPCOMINGEVENTS/ACTIVITIES

DEVELOPMENTOFSOETKRAAL 4X4TRAIL

InconsultationwithSANParkstheSHR membersarebusywithariskassessment andbusinessplanforthedevelopmentof theSoetkraal4x4trail.

ASSISTANCEWITHTRAINING OFHOSPITALITYSTAFF

Memberswillbeassistingwiththetraining ofhospitalitystaffintheCamp.

OTTERTRAILHIKINGTRAIL MAINTENANCE

DUTIESBYSHRIN

TSITSIKAMMA

TheHonoraryRangersinTsitsikammais alwaysbusywithassistancetoSANParks staff.Thefollowingarewhereassistance hasbeengiveninthelastfewmonths:

1.Ecowalk-pickinguprefuse

2.Repairingandre-installing noticeboards

didnotstopthegroupfromendingoff thedaywithabraaiandfellowshipat thecampsites.

Saturdaymorningthegrouphadtimeto explorethetidalpooland‘wildanimals’ (seacreatures)oftheoceanwhere GeorgeHol,thevice-chairofthe Tsitsikammaregionentertainedthem

3.Tidalpoolactivitiesand touristassistance

4.Maintenancetounits,roofs, bathroomsetc.

5.Assistingwithrescueofseaanimals, robsetcwhencaughtinnetsandropes

6.Assistancewithinjuriesonhiking trails,asandwhenrequired

Refusepatrols

Thewell-knownOtterHikingtrailovernight hutsareinneedofsomemaintenance. Membershavebeenrequestedtoassist withsolargeysersaswellastheinstallationofthese.Newsignsalongthetrail wouldalsobeinstalled.

Rescuingarobfromropesandnets

AttheBigTree

Downthecanyon

Hutstobemaintained

Committee

Chairperson JohanSchlechter

ViceChairperson GeorgeHol

Treasurer SanetVisser

OtterTrail

OURPHOTOGALLERY

Secretary PetroSchlaphoff

PEAPCoordinator/Train‐ingcoordinator NevilleWepener Communications BernardSchlaphoff

Co-optedmanagement member DaisyBester

SANParksHonoraryRangers KAROOREGION

April-June2022

KAROONASIONALE PARKBERGHUT

DieBerghutwasindievroee1980’s gebouasoorslaaphutvirdiestappersop dieSpringbokStaproete.Diedriedag staproetehetdiestapperstotbo-opdie Nieuveldbergegeneem,waarhuldan dietweedeaand,indieBerghutgeslaap het.Metdiehervestigingvanmeer gevaarlikediereindieKarooNasionale Park,moesdieSpringbokstaproeteegter sluit.DithetbetekendatdieBerghutin onbruikvervalhet.Navelejare,het‘n groepSANParksEreVeldwagters,Karoo Streek,in2018besluitomdieBerghutte restoureerenooksommeroptegradeer.

‘nSonkragstelselhoudiekampyskaskoud enhoudieligteindiehutenopdie watergatsaansaandiebrand.In Desember2020isdaar‘nwatergatvoor dieBerghutgebouwaardiedierehuldors kanles.Diewatergatwordgereelddeur wildsoosRooihartebeeste,Zebras,Vaal RibbokkeenElandebesoek.

Leeusisookgereeldebesoekersaandie Berghut.DieBerghutisnieomheinnieen gastemoetbesefdathulingemakindie wildernisbly.

OnthebanksoftheSeekoeiRiverbetween HanoverandColesberg,PCFerreirahas managedtorealiseavisionthatisnothing shortofamazing.Ahumblefarmer,he embracedconservationandtourismonhis landinawaythattransformedthe landscape.

TheKarooRegion’spartnershipwithPCon KhoisanKarooConservancyandtheShy5 weekendhasprovenultrasuccessful.The lastthreeweekendswerefullybooked,and thoroughlyenjoyedbyallinvolved.

SeekoeiRiver,whopromptlycomestogreet bysneakinguptothejettyandsuddenly snortingoutwaterveryclosetous.Here, we’realsotreatedtoBandedMartinswho roostinthereeds,theAfricanFishEagle whosoarsinthepeachyskyandtheAfrican ReedWarbler(Summer)andLesserSwamp Warblerwhocalltheriverbankhome. We’rethenreturnedtothelodge,where tablesladenwithfoodarewaiting,along withfriendlystaffandexcellentservice. Mostofourguestsoptforthenightdrive after,nomatterhowcoldorwindy.They’re usuallytreatedtogreatsightingsofatleast fourofthefive.

Ondaytwo,anearlystartdeliversgreat birdingontheplains,andphotographic opportunitiesabound.SpecieslikeGreybackedSparrow-lark,GreaterKestrel, Burchell’sCourser(whohavesincedecided tosettleandbreedandareraisingtwo young),MelodiousLark,EasternClapper Lark,Sickle-wingedChat,BlueCrane,Blue Korhaan,KarooKorhaanandNothernBlack Korhaanareseen.

MetdiegoedkeuringvandieKaroo

NasionaleParkbestuur,isdieBerghuttot ‘nnetjieseenbaiegemaklikewegbreek plekkieontwikkel.DieBerghutspognou metdriekleinkamertjiesmettwee enkelbedjieselk,‘nkombuismet warmwaterwasbaken‘ntweeplaat gasbrander,‘nwarmwaterklipstorten‘n spoeltoilet.DiekernvandieBerghutis diebinnebraaivertrekwaarsesmense lekkerkansaamkuierom‘nrondetafel.

Huidiglikworddaargewerkaan‘n moontlikegrootkuierhokwaargastebuite kanbraaiendieongelooflikevistaskan geniet,sonderdathulpotensieleleeukos word.

TansworddieBerghutnieaandiepubliek bemarknie,maarwelaanVriende,Familie enmedeSHR’s.Indienubelangstelomdie Berghutvir‘nnaweektebespreek,kontak onsgerus.

DielangtermynplanisomdieBerghutmet dieLeeurivierBoskamptekombineer.Die prosesisreedsindiefinalefasevan goedkeuring.DitsaldandieeersteSHR BoskampindieSuidelikeStreekworden beloofombaiegewildtewees.

Thedam,anoasisinthesemi-desert,on thefarmNewHolme,attractshundredsof roostingBlueCrane,andalsomanyother speciesonewouldneverexpecttofind there,soapartfromthesought-afterShy5 –nightmammalsAardwolf,Aardvark,BatearedFox,PorcupineandBlack-footedCat –theopportunitiesforbirdingisplenty. OnourfirstvisitinAugust2021,we recorded97birdspeciesfortheweekend. Then,inOctober,some118specieswere recorded;andinFebruary,afterloadsof rainandwithtallgrassontheplains,we recorded115species,includingnew recordsforthefarm.

SomeoftheexcitingbirdsincludedCaspian Plover,GreatSpottedCuckoo(newrecord), MelodiousLark,Burchell’sandDoublebandedCourser,DwarfBittern,Little Bittern,Black-crownedNightHeron,African Snipe,CaspianTern,PurpleHeronand GoliathHeron.

Ourweekendskickoffwithasundowner triptotheonlyhippopotamusinthe

Wereturnforbrunch–anotherproper feast–whereaftersomefreetimeto explorethefarmonyourownisavailable, beforeweheadoutfortheafternoondrive whichusuallyendsbythewatersidefora braaiintheveld.

Daythreestartsoffmuchthesame,butthis timeweheadoutalittlefurtherafield,to someSanrockengravingsinthedolerite hillsontheneighbouringfarm.PC’sstories andinsightintotheveldandtheareaare fascinating,andtheshorthikeonthis morninggivesourguestsachancetoreally getintouchwiththelandscape.

Afterafeastofabreakfastandsome downtimeduringwhichourguestscan walkonthefarm,driveorspendsometime atthebirdhide,weheadoutforanother afternoondrive,andendthedayonaflat-

toppedhillforsundownersandaviewover theentireplain.Here,PCtellsofhisfuture visionforthefarm,anditiseasytosee whatheenvisionswhilepeeringsofarinto thedistance.

Ourfinaleveningmealbackatthelodgeis likethelastsupper,andguestsarespoilt withallthingsdeliciousbeforeheadingout ontheirlastnightdrive.

Thelastmorningseesbreakfastand goodbyes,withnewlyforgedfriendships andheavyheartsleavingthismagicalpiece oflandanditsinspiringowner.

Howwonderfulisitthatpeoplewhoare passionateaboutconservationcanpartner andsharetheirloveofnatureinthisway. Wearegratefulforeachandeveryguest whohasparticipatedinthiswonderful effortsofar,andwelookforwardtoalong andfruitfulpartnershipwithPCandhis familyinfuture.

PELICANWATCHON MALGASISLAND

GitaClaassen

Therealityofitwasthatwe endedupchasingmorerogue fishermenintheirboatsupand downtheislandcoastlinethan anythingelse.

jettywithonlyminorinjuries,ourstuffstill hadtobeoff-loaded,andweworkedlikea humanchaintooff-loadourthings,then loadthepreviousteam’sstuffbackonto thetinyspeckofaboat.Whilethisgoeson, onepersonfromthefinishingteamwilldo aquickhandoveroflifeontheislandwith oneofourfreshteam,thenboltforthe boatwhiletheswellisjustright.

Andthen,it’sallover,theboatpullsaway, wehoisttheladderbackupandoutofthe corrosivewater,andwe’reallaloneona desertedislandintheAtlanticOcean. Webecomeawareofthegannetscircling theairbehindtheoldguanomanager’s housewhichiswherewe’llbestayingfor thenext7days.

southernseabreezedrivesbothstraight towardyou,andyoursensesarecompletely overwhelmed.Simultaneously,youfeel overjoyedatfinally beinghereandwitnessingthethousands ofgannetsinfrontofyou,andyoufeel utterconcernforhowyou’lleverbeableto eatwhileontheisland.

Bydaytwoandthree,youfeeldrugged andgroggyfromthehighlevelsof ammoniaintheair,andwefiguredthis mustbetheexactreasonwhytheydon’t letyoustaylongerthan7days.Perhapsthe factthatlivingsoremotelyonadeserted islandwillprobablyturnyouferalplaysa decidingroletoo.

accurateprojectionsatourheadswould changecourseimmediatelyandstart attackingthepoorchick–oftenkillingit.

Wehadonesealwhosnuckuponthe shoreandscaredthegannets,andeven snatchedanAfricanPenguininthewaterin frontofthehouse.Forthemostpartthey likedtoloungeontherocksinfrontofthe house.TheAfricanPenguinshadanesting holeunderagesofpigeondungintheold shed.Therewasonegiantorbspiderwho hadawebrightattheentranceofthe corridorleadingtothehouse.

littlebutwaveourgull-deterringsticksat themfromtherocks.Poachersareclever andreturnedfortheirbagsafterdark, speedingawayintothenightwherewe couldn’tseethem.

Bitsofmetalfromtheboersoldiers, stirrups,abulletcasing,etc

Whenwesignedupforthisonce-in-a-lifetimeexperience,wehadnoideawhatto expect.Andevenaftersittingthroughthe orientationcourseonzoom,thefactsand storiesshareddon’tfullyprepareyoufor whatliesahead.

Packingwasourfirstmajorconcern.Wehad noideawhattheseaconditionsmightbelike –weknewourthingsmightgetsoakedon thewaytotheisland,andthattheboatmight besmall.Whenthe3-seaterrubberduck pulleduptothejettyonthemorningof3 January,westartedprotesting.Swellsof3m+ wasexpectedouttowardwhereweneeded togo,andwehadthreeWCNPpersonnel, threevolunteersandaweeks’water,bedding, food,clothes,cameraequipmentandlaptops toloadup.Itwasawetandwildride.We wereblackandbluefordaysafterstill;fingers chafedfromclingingtotheropeandany availableclinging-space.

Gettingontotheislandwasanotheradventure.Withaswellthatbig,thepoorboat wassimplytossedabout–thenwewere levelwiththe5mhighelevatedjetty;then wewere3metersbelow.Theladderwas loweredasfarasitwouldgo,butthewater wouldrecedesomuchthatittooksome seriousskillfromourcaptaintotimehis approachtotheladderjustright.Ankles gotcrushedaswejumpedtotheladder andtheboatwouldsuddenlyriseagain andpressagainsttheladderwhilethecaptainferventlytriestopullback. Afterwemanagedtogetsafelyontothe

Areallyrustywagonstandsonthejetty andweloadallourthingsontoit,andstart pullingandpushingitthedistanceoverthe jettyandtowardsthehouse.Everythingin thehouseiscoveredinfinewhitedown thatswirlsintheswishofabroom,anda layerofguanodust.Ourfirstimpressionis thatit’sdirtyandgrimy,sowecleanout theroomsbestwecan,andprecociously settlein.

Theonlyplaceontheislandthatdoesn’t stinkisthesouthshore,whenthesouthern breezesailsoverthewildwavesand remindsyouthatfreshairexists.

Ourdutiesinprotectingthelocalgannet populationfrompredatingGreatWhite Pelicansandothercrittersinvolvedpatrols aroundtheisland,andanear-constant lookout.Afterafewdaysofnopelicans,we reducedourpatrolstomorningsand eveningsonly,forthesimplefactthat AfricanBlackOystercatcherswerebreeding allalongthepathweuseforourpatrol, andthegreedyKelpGullsliketosnatch anythingthatisleftuntendedwhileits guardiansarelookingtheotherwayor disturbed.

CommonStarlingsandSpeckledPigeons wereresidents,andpredatedbythevisiting Yellow-billedKiteandtheKelpGullsalike. SwiftTernsdidtheirroundsmorningand evening,screamingatusonoursideofthe island.Bio-luminescentjellyfishlazed aroundthejetty.

Therearenoreptilesontheisland.It continuouslyfeltlikeanalienplanet.Only, wewerethealiens.

Washingourselveswasanordealandwe resortedtobravingtheicyAtlanticwater underthejettyonce.Thecoldknockedthe breathoutofus,theseawatermadeourhair evenstickier,andthecurrentpushedand pulledusroughlyovertheshellgraveland boulders,butitwasaninvigorating experience,withapodofDuskyDolphins cominginveryclosetothejettywhilewe discoveredwe’renotmadefortheaqualife. Sally,ourfellowvolunteer,hassomedolphin inherlineageandwentfordailyswims.

Sevendaysonadesertedislandgoesby slowlyanditgoesbytooquickly.Ourdays blurredabit,aidedbytheammonia inducedstupor,withonlyourdailyrecordkeepingreallykeepingusontrackasto howfarintothestayweare.Beingstuck ontheislandforaweekwithastranger couldwellhavebeendisastrous,butwehit jackpotwithSallySiveright,whoisnotonly anSHRfromTableMountainNationalPark, butalsoamarinebiologist.Ifyouever spendaweekonadesertedisland,mayit bewithamarinebiologist.What fascinatingtalesshecouldtell!

Butthegannets!Thegannetswereso endearing.Wegottoobservetheir behaviourclosely,whilekeepinga respectfuldistance.Aswelearnedtheir ways,thismadephotoopportunitiesvery successfultoo.

Wefamiliarizeourselveswiththedaily record-keepingandthebuckettoilet;the waterreservoirandthepurificationsystem. Wegingerlyinspectthestateofthe kitchen.Isoakthedishclothsinsoapwater.

Thesethingssoonnolongerbotheredus, aswebecameonewiththeisland,withthe saltyair,theguanodust,thegannetdown, andwiththestench–theever-present stench.

Malgashasalovelylookoutontopofthe toiletroof.Upyouclimbwiththeladder, thenoisegrowinglouderandlouder,and whenyoureachthetopandlookoverthat wallforthefirsttime,thenoiseandthe smellhityouinequalmeasures.The

KelpGullsareawfulbirds–inconservation we’renotallowedtojudgewhogetstobe loved,buttheseblackandwhitebirds wouldoftenbecompletelypinkwithnota spotofwhite;entirelycoveredintheblood ofagannetchickoranothervictim,and ofteneventheirownkind.Wheneverwe didpatrolsandababyKelpGulljumped outofitshidingplace,scramblingoverthe rockstofindanewhidingplace,theKelp Gullswhoweresobusyaimingvery

Asolarshowerbagwasavailable,and worksquitewelltogetmostoftheguano dustandsaltinessoff.Thisstopped botheringussomuchbytheendonthe island,andwesteppedonlandinabubble ofstenchandwithnosenseofsmell.

Wesawasuperpodofhumpbackwhales fromthelookoutpointontheislandonday

5.Amassiveshipcamespeedingthrough thebayfromtheharbour,andwent straightthroughthepodof24+whales.

OurRobinsonCrusoeinstinctswerewellestablishedbynow,butapartfrom reportingshipsandboatregistration numbersofthoseoffenders,wecoulddo

Whenagannetreturnsfromitsmulti-day expeditionouttoseatofindfooditwould circlethecolonyacoupleoftimes,while callingitsmate,whostands,headheld high(“sky-pointing”),eagerlyawaiting thereturn.Duringthelastcircle,theflying birdstartsloudlyshouting“JirreJirre Jirre!”inapanic,whilepullingitswings upinanangelformation,stickingitsblueveinedfeetout,stoppingmid-airand fallingstraightdownintothecolony–hopefullywhereit’ssupposedtoland. Whentheylandhome,theygetgreeted withlotsofbeak-crossing;whenthey missedtheirturn-off,theoffendergets peckedwhileduckingthroughindignant birdstryingtoreachitshomenesting mound.Notallofthemlandelegantly either,andtheirmishapsareasourceof constantentertainment.

Inthehouse,anarialphotoof2007 islandshowstheislandcoveredtothe shoreswithbirdsandtheirnests.Now, walkingaround,desertednestingmounds extendquiteawaytothecenterofthe island,andthepopulationhasgonefrom 60thousandbreedingpairstoabout8 thousandthisyear.

Unfortunately,itseems,thepelicansaren’t thetrueculprits.Noraretheseals,orthe nastyKelpGulls.

CapeGannetsarehighlyspecializedsea birds,andtheirfoodsourceisfoundinthe deepsea,wheretheyhavebeencompeting withindustrialfishingrigs–gettingcaught innets,killedbyfishermen,andsimplynot findingthefoodstorestheywereonceable toaccess.Theirnumbershavedrastically decreasedduetocollapseofSardinestock intheAtlanticwaters.They’realsosensitive tohightemperatures,andarecentoutbreakofbirdfluwasevidentonMalgas whilewewerevolunteeringthere.

Asconservationists,wehavetokeepdoing whatwecantohelpthosethatcan’t,and thisprojectisnotonlyanobleeffortinprotectingthisvulnerablespecies,buttrulya memorableexperience–notforthefeinthearted,buthighlyrecommendedforthe adventurousspirit.

SYLVESTERMOUNTAIN BIKE&TRAILRUN2022

Thisyearwasthefifthyeartheeventtook placeandthefourthyearthatitwas presentedasa3dayevent.Participants couldchoosebetweenalongandshort3 dayracewhichincludedaprologue(time trial).Onedayparticipantscouldchoose between7differentdistances,makingthis eventaccessibletopro’sandnovicesandto everyagegroupalike.Theparticipantswere alsogiventheopportunitytostayatthe racevillageatGranthamintheKaroo NationalPark,thebaseofthewholeevent. Aneventlikethisdoesnotonlyexposeour Park,KarooNationalParkandtheKaroo andsurroundingstovisitors,butbringsin muchneededfundsfortheSANParks HonoraryRangersKarooRegioninorderfor ustoassistourPark.

OKFoodsBeaufortWestwasagainthe mainsponsoroftheevent.

ER24provideduswithanunbelievable sponsorbybeingthemedicalassistancefor thethreedays.

TheSylvesterMTBracewasbornto continuethelegacyofthefamousrunaway lionwhoescapedtwicefromtheKaroo NationalPark,Sylvester,alsoknownas

“Spook”,whocapturedtheheartsand mindsofthewholeofSouthAfricaand overseas.

SANParksHonoraryRangersKarooregion sawtheopportunitytogivethepublicthe chancetoexperiencesomeoftheterrain thatSylvesterandthesearchpartieshad toendure.

Eveninthisdifficultandunsuretimes,our loyalsponsorsstuckwithusandsupportedusforthisevent.Wethankevery singlesponsor,helperandSANPArksfor thisopportunitytomakethisexcellent eventpossible.

Thisyear’seventtookplacefrom3–5June atGranthaminKarooNationalPark.

FigureKuzukoLodge,thenewand currenthomeofSylveter,sponsoreda weekendtovisitSylvester,indeedavery specialprize.

Chairperson FlippieVerwey ViceChairperson DeanGous Secretary ChristovanZyl Treasurer AnnelizevanZyl

Committee

OURPHOTOGALLERY Loffies

MtnView Berghut

SANParksHonoraryRangers ADDOREGION

April-June2022

TOURDEADDO

TourdeAddoCycleTour:30Marchto 3March2022

Wednesday30March,14h00,Kuzuko GameLodge:Agroupof16enthusiastic mountainbikeridersarriveatthe luxuriousKuzukoGameLodgetoregister fortheTourdeAddopresentedbythe HonoraryRangersfortheAddoregion andRedCherryEventsinaneffortto raisemoneyfortheAddoNational ElephantParkinaidoftheirconservation andanti-poachingefforts.

Afterreceivingtheirnametagsand registrationnumbers,aswellasagoody bag,thisgroupofnormaleveryday peoplewhowanttoexperiencethewild fromthesaddleoftheirmountainbikes (includinge-bikes),weretransferredtoa typicalbushcampwheretheywere housedintheirown2bedluxurydome tentswith5-staraccommodation including3extravagantmealsandall drinks.Theyweretreatedtoahiking excursiontosomecavesinthearea wheretheyobservedancientBushman rockpaintings.

Afterassemblingtheirbicyclesforthe nextday,allassembledattheelaborate diningtentforsupperandtoreceivea briefingofthecyclerouteforthenext day.AndreduPlessis,theHRChairman fortheAddoRegion,presentedtothe riderstheroleandconceptofthe voluntaryHonoraryRangersinsupportof SanParks.

Thefirstmorningstartedwithahealthy breakfastfollowedbythepreparationof theirbicyclesforthefirstrideinthearea. Thisridewasalmostspoiltbyaswarmof locustsbutbecauseofthesitingofa Cheetahatafreshkill,thetripwas saved.Duringthistriptheridersalso encounteredagroupofrhinosbeing preparedforreleaseinthewild. Thehighlightoftheseconddaywasthe closeupviewingofthelions,Sylvester (famousforhisescapeart)andFielies, hishalf-brotherandtwofemales.The rideendedatthe5-starKuzukoLodge wheretheridersenjoyedalovelylunch. Aftersupper,theriderswerejoinedby theownerofKuzukoaswellasGerhard

deLange,theConservationManagerat Kuzuko,sharingsurvivalstoriesofallfour lions.

Afterbreakfastondaythreetheridersdid ashortridebeforepackingupand transferringtotheDarlingtonsectionofthe ANEP.Thecampsiteissituatednexttothe Darlingtondamwiththemostbeautiful viewofthedam(andthesunsetand sunrise).

Therestoftheafternoonwasspentsettling inatDarlingtoncampsite.Thefirstevening heretheyweretreatedtoavery informativetalkbyformerHR,Ferdivan Brerkel,onthegeologyoftheDarlington andgreaterAddoregion.

DaytwoinDarlingtonwasspentridingthe varioussecondaryrouts,thatthenormal publicarenotallowedtotravel.Thisride endedlateafternoonandduringsupper theridersparticipatedinaneagerly contestedauctiontoraiseadditional moneyforthePark.

Thelastdayendedinavoluntaryridefor thosewhowantedtobravethewetand washedroadsinthenorthwesternsection oftheDarlingtoncamp.Afterlunchthebig pack-upstartedandthe16satisfiedand enrichedridersdepartedforhome. Thenextcycleridestakesplacein 24–28Augustand31August–4 September2022.

TherideisorganizedbyRedCherryEvents: https://tourdeaddo.com/

EMBRACE

EMBRACEisaNationalProjectwherethe strategicobjectiveistopresentaPro-active PreventativeTrauma&StressManagement ProgrammetoRangers,enablingthemto functionattheiroptimallevel.Thisis achievedthrough:

•Buildingofresiliencebydeveloping lifeskills

•Awarenessofsigns,symptomsand negativeeffectsofcontinuousstress

•Knowledgeofdifferentselfhelptools andbeingequippedtoapplywellness skillsandtoolstocounteractthe negativeeffectsofcontinuousstress

•Beingfamiliarwithvariousprofessional servicesavailableandknowhowto accesstheseservices.

Embracesessionswerepresentedby:

•AddoMain:ElizeSmith

•Marine:CecileMyburghand ElizeSmith

•Colchester:CecileMyburgh

•WoodyCape:ElizeSmithand CecileMyburgh

•Kabouga:ElizeSmithand CecileMyburgh

•Darlington:FrancoisZietsman.

Thethemeforthesessionswas

‘Steppingstonestostrongrelationships’ usingTRUSTastheacronymfor Transparent,Reliable,useCaring,Sincerity andTrustworthy.Em-phasiswasonstarting withoneself,takingresponsibilityin ensuringthatthesequalitiesareintegrated inyourselfbeforeitisexpectedofother individuals.

Thesessionswerefacilitatedinapractical waywithexperientialexercisestoassist withintegrationofconcepts.Strong relationshipsareessentialbothinthe workplaceandinpersonalsituations, makingiteasyforalltoidentifywiththe concepts.

Thetopiccoveredwaspopularandreally reachedtheheartsoftheattendees–it becameinterestinglyintimatewhenwe dealtwiththetrustinrelationships.Theyall lookforwardtoanextroundofbuilding solidrelationships.

Participantsonthejeeptrackin DarlingtonDamarea

Theplanningistolookatadditional importantaspectsofrelationshipsforthe

remainderofsessionsduringthisyear, movingfromonesteppingstonetothenext inordertoreachgoals.

Althoughthemesforsessionsareplanned andpreparedthefacilitatorsaresensitive tocurrentneedsinthedifferentgroups.In certaingroupsuncertaintyaboutthefuture wasthepredominantneed,anditwas addressedwiththespecificgroup.

FUNDRAISING

SANParksHonoraryRangersistheofficial fund-raisingarmofSANParks.Withthisin mindtheAddoregioncommissioned NormaSharrett’steamtodotheartwork forlicencediskholders.ThesedisksarebeingsoldatR35each.Orderscanbeplaced withFrancoisZietsmannfrancois481014@gmail.com

ELECTRICGRIDREPAIRS

Jack’spicnicsiteisaverypopularspotfor guestsvisitingAENP.Perfectlysituatedfora toiletbreakbetweenthetwomaingatesof Addo,italsohasveryprettyprivatepicnic spaceswithtablesandbenches,braaisand welcomeshelterfromthesunonahot summer’sday.

Becauseofitspopularitythetrafficthrough theentranceisconstantandthegateand electrifiedwiresofthegridusedincessantly.Thismeansthattheremotegateoftenbecomesproblematicleavingtheelectrifiedgridtoactasthefinalprotective barrierbetweenpicnickingfamiliesand dangerousgame…whohavebeenknown toventureintothisareafromtimetotime.

Thegridhasbeeninasadstateforafew weeks,soourSHRsondutytackledthe taskwhichentaileddisconnectingtheenergiserandstrippingthegridforareassemble.OurSHRteamofFranco,Matt, Lourens,FrancoisandGadget,soonhadthe gridsortedandfullyfunctional.

Theydidn’tstopthere.Thenextjobonthe listwastorepairthegridsatMatyholweni

TourdeAddoMay2022participants.

Gateandcamp,whichwasdoneon29 May2022.Allinaday’sworkforthese hardworkingSHR’s!

SHR’swhomannedthestandonSaturday throughtoSunday,didusproud.

Inadditiontochattingtothepubliconthe roletheSHR’splayinAddoElephant NationalPark,wesoldK-9buffsand licencediskholdersaspartofourfundraisinginitiative.

permitsarecheckedandmanyaquestion answered.Mostpopularquestionthat wereceiveis“Doyouknowwherethe lionsare?”

Wetakethisinourstride,andassistwhere wecan,aswedomakeadifference!

BirdIsland-TheGood,TheBad,

TheUglyandtheUnknown ForthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftheSHRs fromAddoElephantNationalParkregion,a requestwasextendedforassistanceonBird IslandinAlgoaBay.Amarineprotected area,theislandishometoamongother creatures,theendangeredAfricanPenguin andthelargestbreedingcolonyofgannets intheworld.

TheUgly

Thedeathofgannets,penguinsandtheir young,includingthewheel-barrowloadof litterthatwashedupontherocksand collectedvirtuallyonadailybasis.Plastic andmoreplastic.

TheUnknown

Pushingacartojump-startwith elephantslookingon!

SANParksdisplayoutsidetheWild SideTentatKirkwoodWildsfees

Before After

KIRKWOODWILDSFEES

Afteranabsenceoftwoyearsdueto COVID-19,theKirkwoodWildsfeeswas heldfrom24–26June2002.TheSHR’s andSANParkseachhadastandintheWild Sidetent.Settingupofallstallstookplace onThursday,22June,whereWayne Bosman,JanandLeonePosthumastook chargetogetourstandreadyforthestart oftheWildsfees,whichofficiallykickedoff ontheFridaymorning.

ThecrowdsdescendedonKirkwoodon Saturdaywithstandingroomonlyatallthe open-airconcertvenuesby11am.The

MerchandiseforsaleattheSHR’sstall attheWildsfees

LENDINGAHELPINGHAND

ManytimesSHR’sonweekenddutywith touristpatrolareaskedbytheparktoassist membersofthepublicwhoarestrandedin thepark,astheirvehiclesdonotwantto startduetoaflatbatteryorassistanceis neededwithchangingaflattyre.

Wehavealsobeenaskedtoassistatthe gameviewingentrancegatewhen SANParksstaffareonlunch.Here

Permitchecksatthegameviewing entrancegate.

MAINTENANCE

Thereisalwaysmaintenancethatisneeded tobedone,inandaroundthepark,asour SHR’scanattest.Withover700elephants inthepark,anypoleisfairgame!Stop signshavebeenremoved,andhavetobe re-planted,Telkomandelectricitypoles havebeenpushedover,resultingin “unplannedload-shedding”untilEskom canrepairthedamage.

WealsotrimtheAlbanythicketonthe vergesoftheroadswithintheparktoassist withvisibility.Duringournormaltourist patrol,anylitterwillbepickedupandloose branchesremovedfromtheroads.

RegularWorkPartiesareorganisedby AntonSnymanandGadgetWrightwhere muchneededmaintenanceorrepairsare done.Acaseinpointwasthe maintenancethatwasdoneattheBird HidebeforetheJune/Julyholidays,where allthebencheswerefixedandvarnished.

FirstnotedinEuropeanhistoryby BartholomeuDiazin1488enroutetothe east,theislandwascalledIlhasChaos meaninglevelgroundinPortuguese, probablymostwelcomeaftermanymonths atsea.Theislandandbayhaveahistoryof havingtheirnaturalresourcesplunderedby passingshipsandsettlers.Sadlythis historycontinuedandthewildlifehave beenatarget,insomecasestakentothe brinkofextinction.

Guanocollectors,eggraiders,uncontrolled fishing,abalonepoachers,oilspillsand illegalflusingofbilgesbypassingvessels havealltakenatollonthemarinelifeon theislandandinthebay.Seals,Great Whitesharks,SouthernRightandBryde’s whales,Humpbackwhalesanddolphins, bottlenoseandlong-beakeddolphins amongothersfrequentthesewatersat varioustimesoftheyear.

AsaprotectedMPAunderthecontrolof SANParksthefutureprotectionand conservationofBirdIslandismoreassured andhavingtheassistanceofSHRsan additionaltool.RobandMichelleHolliday hadtheopportunityofbeingthefirst.

TheGood

Thecalm,glassyconditionsoftheocean greetedRobandMichellewhentheyleft fortheislands.Amongstthehighlightsof theiradventurewasthepointinggannets andtheaffectionatepenguins.Theisland, hometoover200000gannetswasabuzz ofmovementandnoise,butthepenguins appeartoignorethisandgetonwiththeir dailylives.

TheBad

Theweatherdidn’tquiteplayalongwith strongwindsonadailybasis.Bigwaves andthevisitingboatsduringthenight createdsomeconcernforouradventurous HonoraryRangers.

Sixgraveswerefoundontheislandand someresearchneedstobedoneto establishexactlywholiesbeneaththerocks piledhightomarktheirrestingplace.The firstrecordedshipwreckatBirdIslandwas theDoddingtonin1755.

Relatingthekeyhighlightsoftheir adventure,Robsaid“Attimeswethought wewereinthewrongplace–aplace wherebrayingdonkeyssurroundedus!” Thepenguinsmakeaverysimilarsound andRobandMichellewerewokenevery morningwiththeirnewfriends.Butthen therewerethegreatsightingsofthe nestinghabitsofthesemagnificentbirds, howtheylive,love,fightfortheirspaceand exist.Manycomical“characters” materialized.

Ontheonesunnyday,RobandMichelle decidedtoplayamakeshiftgameofBoulle (FrenchBowls)onthestonyshore–using roundstonesastheirbowls.Greatfun!

“Itwasafantasticexperienceandan adventure”saidMichelle,“wecannotwait tovisittheislandagain!”

GannetcolonyonBirdIsland

PEAPintheUK

Twoofourmembers,RobandTraceyKoch haverelocatedtotheUK,butstillremain membersoftheAddoRegion,astheyplan tocomeovertoRSAonceayeartofulfil theirdutyrequirements.Bothwereinvolvedinthetouristandhospitalityindustry whentheyresidedinSouthAfricaandthey havejustcontinuedthisworkintheUK. Theyarenowvisitinglodges(guesthouses) intheUK,informingthepublicofthework thattheSHR’sdoaswellasmarketing

WayneBolton,replantingastopsign whichwasremovedbyelephants.

JasonandFrancoisWrightpickingup litteraroundthecamp.

Ourchairperson,AndréduPlessis, fixingabenchattheAddoBirdHide.

AddoElephantNationalPark.Atthesevisits,arequestfordonationsaremade,for ustocontinueourworktoassistthepark. SofardonationstothevalueofR2500has beenreceived.ThankyouRobandTracey forflyingtheSANParksandSHR’sflags high.

Committee

Chairperson

AndréduPlessis

Funny:aconcreteblockmakesavery nicescratchingpost!

ViceChairperson

PierreFerreira

QuirkyteatableatoneofRoband Tracey’svisits.

OURPHOTOGALLERY

Treasurer

FrancoisZietsmann Secretary

MarlieViljoen

Training

MarlieViljoen

Duties

MarlieViljoen

Marketingand Communication

NickyBosman

KudubullhidingintheAlbany

ThicketinAddo

Conservation

JasonWright

Hospitality

AntonSnyman

JackalBuzzard

SANParksHonoraryRangers Diamantveld (MokalaNP)Region

April-June2022

PAINTINGOFKAMEELDORING

TREEHOUSE–27/4/2022

Weasregionwereaskedtopaintthe deckoftheKameeldoringTreehousein Mokala.Itwasagreathonorforusas region.Itwasalsothefirsttimeformany ofusattheTreehouse.

WORKINGONCLASSICROADS

30/4/2022

Wehadtofixsomeroadsandtrimthe treesforourupannualMokalaMTB

Classic.Wewenttodosomeworkonthe 30thofApril.Luckilyforuswedidnothave tomuchworktodo.Wethoughtwewould havealotofworkbecauseofthelarge amountrainthatfellbeginningoftheyear. Everysinglememberofourregionplayeda partingettingtheroadsreadyforour cyclist.

MOTHER’SDAYLUNCH8/5/2022

Weasregionoftenhadmembersofthe publicaskinguswhentherestaurantin MokalaNPwillopenagain.Wedecidedto hostaMother’sDaylunchandseewhat theinterestwouldbefromthepublic.We hadnoideahowbigresponsewewould get.Manyoftheguestssaidtheywill supportusagainifwedecidetodosuchan eventagaininthefuture.Wegavethema starter,buffetstylemaincourseanda desert.Eachmomgotarose.Eachmember didhis/herpartforthisevent.Wealsowant tothankthepublicfortheirhugesupport.

MOKALAMTBCLASSIC

10-12JUNE2022

ThiswasthesixtheventthatSHR DiamantveldRegionorganized.Itonce againturnedouttobeahugesuccess.All rangersandstaffwereinvolvedinthe executionoftheevent(forsafetyofthe ridersandvisitors,accommodation,food, etc.)WhentheParkManagementgoesout fullsteamtoassist,itmustalsobe worthwhileforthem.Weonlyhad49 entriesthisyear,butwecontinuedwiththe race.Thefocusofthiseventistokeepita funfamilyevent.Participationisthuswide openforanybodywholovesthesportand notonlyfortheprofessionalriders.Thisisa specialevent,becauseriderscansaythey wereabletoridethroughtheParkontheir bicyclesbetweenthewildanimals.Weare alsonotabletodothiswithoutthehelpof fellowSHR’s.MembersfromSHRFreeState RegionandonememberfromSHR BankenveldRegioncomestohelpuseach

year.Wewouldliketothankallour sponsors,nomatterhowbigorsmall.We wanttogiveaspecialthankstoyourmain sponsor,OranjeToyotaKimberley.Wehope toseeyouallthereagainnextyear.

Committee

Chairperson

ChrissieDamon

ViceChairperson PieterOlivier

Treasurer MargaretJacobs

Secretary

HestiaSwanepoel

Training

ChrissieDamon

Duties

ChrissieDamon

Marketingand Communication

HestiaSwanepoel

K9representative MathildaSwanepoel

Additionalmember AdaRheerder

SANParksHonoraryRangers MountainZebra (&CamdebooNP) Region

April-June2022

MountainZebraNationalParkis hometoherdsofMountainzebras, Blackrhinos,buffalos,springbok, blesbok,Blackwildebeest,eland,Red hartebeestandgemsbok.

Predatorsintheparkincludelion, hyena,caracalandcheetah.

Theparkisalsoahabitatfor approximately216birds.

Formedhundredsofmillionsofyears ago,theKarooofSouthAfricaisone ofthegreatnaturalwondersofthe world.CamdebooNationalPark providesthevisitorwithinsightsinto theuniquelandscapeandecosystem oftheKaroo,nottomentionthe awesomescenicbeautyofthevistas andmountains.

ASSISTANCETOSANPARKS

APRIL-JUNE2022

TheHonoraryRangersintheMountain Zebra/Camdebooarealwaysbusywith assistancetoSANParksstaff.Thefollowing areareaswhereassistancehasbeengiven inthelastfewmonths:

1.Ecodrive-pickinguprefuseinsidethe campaswellatpicnicareas

2.Repairingandre-installingfencesinthe campingarea

3.Assistancewithqueriesinthe camparea

4.Maintenancetobraais,roofs, bathrooms,gardens,electricfencesetc.

5.Assistingwithfencepatrolsas requestedbyParkManagement

6.Planningofnewprojectsinsidethepark relatingtotourism

7.Plantingtreesandshrubsinthe campingareatoprovidemoreshade fortheguests.

8.Environmentalassistance–Tree plantingandtrainingstaffandpublicon birdingandphotography

9.Touristroutepatrols

10.Visibilitypatrolsincludingsnarepatrols.

Entrancegaterepairs

MEMBERSHIPANDAPPLICANTS

MountainZebraRegionisaverysmall regionandcurrentlyconsistofonly9full memberswiththreenewapplicants.

UPCOMINGEVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Thefollowingareonlyafeweventsand activitiesinthepipelinefortheupcoming months:

DEVELOPMENTOFBIRDHIDES

InconsultationwithSANParkstheSHR membersarebusywithplanninganew birdhideinthePark.Ameetingandsite inspectionregardingthismatterwasheld intheParkonthe2ndofJuly2022. Variousoptionsforthehidehavebeen discussedandpossiblevenueswere investigated.

BIRDINGWEEKENDAND

PHOTOGRAPHYWEEKEND

AbirdingweekendforBirdWatchers wereplannedforlaterintheyear. Togetherwiththistherewouldbea photographytrainingweekendatthe sametime.StaffofMountainZebraNP wouldformpartofthetraineesforthe photographycourseduringthat weekend.

ENDURANCEHORSERIDING

AnenduranceHorseRidingweekendwas plannedthroughtheCamdebooNational ParkandtheHonoraryRangersfrom MountainZebrawouldassistwiththe mealsandentertainmentforthe weekend.

ENVIRONMENTALEDUCATIONCENTRE

TheplansforanEnvironmentalEducation Centrewerediscussedandthepossible venueforthisCentrewasvisitedinorder todeterminethebestplacingforthe project.

OTHERPLANS

Theteamiscurrentlyalsoplanninga winetastingeveningwhereguestscould learnmoreaboutwinesandpairingof thewines.Keepyoureyespeeledforthis activity.

Cuttingtoclearroadsigns

Guesthouseinspection

Electricfenceandgaterepairs

Plantingtreesinthecampingarea

Waterholeinspectionandproject planning

RepairstoBraaisincampingarea

Birdingweekend

Committee OURPHOTOGALLERY

Credit:WolfgangHasselmann

SANParksHonoraryRangers WESTCOAST REGION

April-June2022

Wearenowinthemiddleofaverydry winterandhopingthattherewillsome laterain.Despitethelowrainfall,weare lookingforwardtoagoodflowerseason. Lesserflamingoshaveindicatedthat winterishereandtheycanbeseeninthe LangebaanLagoon.Ourwinteractivityhas beenthebeachcleanupatTsaarsbank andwehavetothankallwhoparticipated inthisconservationactivity.

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdaywishes,ayearofhappinessand goodhealthtoourApril,MayandJune members:

MerciaSmith3April

DanieKoch3April

LeonGoodman5April

PieterFourie12April

JPCrous13April

BeverleyMoll14April

KarinduPlessis14April

CorneliavanRooyen28April

MikeMoll2May

JanetCelliers14May

LynetteVolschenk14May

AndreKruger21May

NeilvanTonder8June

PaulHenry10June

WendyWentzel13June

SueTonin16June

CathrineKlasen23June

MEMBERS

Welcometoournewapplicantmembers: KarenGouws,PieterGouws,Elize KoortzenandJohanKoortzen.Weare lookingforwardtoworkingtogetherwith youintheWCNP.

Sadly,webidfarewelltoAnneke Binneman,KarinBelo,JeremyHoward, TonyEddyandWesLittle.Annekehas

movedtoEastLondon.KarinBeloand JeremyHowardhavebothemigratedtothe UnitedKingdom.TonyEddyhasmovedto BettysBay.WesLittlehasresigneddueto workcommitmentsandhopestore-join oncehehasretired.

Fullmembersareentitledtopurchasethe SHRuniform.PleasecontactJonssons workwear(capetown@workweardepot–0215035222)ifyouwishtopurchase uniforms.Alltheuniformdetailswith relevantcoloursandcodesareontheSHR InformationunderMemberGuide(shr.cvsos.com).

Theannualmembershipfeefor2022/2023 remainsR260.Thetreasurer,(MikeMoll)will besendinginvoicestoallmembersindue course.PleaseuseWCOAplustheinvoice numberasreference!Seethebanking details(below)fortheSHRaccount.Please makesurethatallthereferencedetailsare correctandforwardtheproofofpaymentto treasurer.wcshr@gmail.com.

Bankingdetails

Nameofaccount:Bank: Branchcode:Accountcode:Reference: SANParksHonoraryRangersNedbank 198765(DieHeuwel,Emahlahleni) 1585-392-448(Currentaccount)

WCOA00000

Shouldamemberhavetroubleaccessing theBoma,contactLianavanAswegenat: liana.vana@gmail.comYouneeda Facebookaccount.Problemswithgetting emailsorloggingontoanySHR Information,pleasecontactthe MembershipSecretary.

Therehavebeensomewonderfulandvery informativenaturewebinarsthisyear.Please notethatasfromAprilonlytheMember FeedbackSessionscanbeloggedonTTS. ThevideosalwaysstreamliveontheBoma andareavailableafterwardsforthosewho can’tmaketheWednesdayevenings.

Thenewmembershipcardshavebeen uploadedandwillbevaliduntil31May 2023.Youcandownloadyourcard,paste yourIDphotoandthenprintyourcard.You shouldbeabletologonto:shr.cvs-os.com

PleaserememberyourusernameistheSHR emailandyourpasswordistheonethat

youhaveset.Ifyouhaveproblems downloadingyourprofile,PLEASEcontact PeterBrooks:peterkb@honoraryrangers.org

TIMETRACKING

Membersareremindedto logtheirhoursona regularbasis:shr.cvsos.comThenewtime trackingyearstartedinApril.Pleasetryto logyourhoursPleasemakesureyouenter correctlyandfillinalltherequiredfields (commentsectionincluded)Ifyouare unabletologyourhours,pleasecontact theMembershipSecretarytomakean appointmenteitherinpersonor telephonically.Thismightseemtobeatime consumingactivitywhichnot onlyverifiesyourpositionasanSHRbut moreimportantlyTimeTrackingdocuments theSHRfinancialandphysicalcontribution towardsSANParksasanentity.

PROJECTEMBRACE

Shouldamemberbeinterestedin becomingaliaisonbetweentheWCSHR’s andProjectEmbraceteam,pleasechat toDriesVenter.PhillipStrauss (phill@honoraryrangers.org)isthe coordinatorofthisprogrammefor WCNPandElizeSmith (embrace@honoraryrangers.org)isthe chairofProjectEmbrace.

AlwayschecktheWestCoastSHRInfoand WCSHRGeneralChatWhatsAppgroupsfor interestingandimportantinformation. Severalotherprojectshavestartedgroups tomakecommunicationbetweenmembers easier.PleasefeelfreetocontacttheRMC ifyouhaveanyqueriesorsuggestions.

“Lief,LeefenLeed”

Weare,asalways,gladandgratefulto knowthatourmembersarewellandsafe! Wewishtoofferourcondolencestoour chair,DriesVenter,whosebrotherpassed awayrecently.OnbehalfoftheWestCoast Region,wealsowishtoofferour condolencestothechairofSANParks

HonoraryRangers,PaulColditz,whose wife,Kobie,passedawayveryunexpectedly whilevisitingfamilyoverseas.Weareglad toseethatCallieVolschenkisfeeling better.WealsotrustthatDanieKochhas

recoveredfromhisoperation.Lastly,we wishDirkHavengaaspeedyrecoveryafter hisstayinhospital.PleaseinformMadam Secretaryand/orRMCaboutnewsof memberswell-beingornot!

LETTERFROMTHECHAIR

DearWCSHR’s

Anothersemesterhaspassedduringwhich wehadtodealwithouryearendand associatedtasksinthefinancialand administrativefields.Wealsoelecteda newRegionalManagementCommittee (RMCelectedeverytwoyears),andthe newRMCteamfortheperiod1April2022 to31March2024is:

DriesVenterChairperson

RoccoNelViceChairperson

MikeMollTreasurerFinance

JohanBothaTreasurerMarketing

BeverleyMollSecretary

LynetteVolschenkMembershipSecretary

AndreKrugerProjectPlanning

JannieJacobsProjectImplementation

Iwishtothankthesemembersthathave madethemselvesandtheirvaluabletime availableforthenextterm.

Tomymindthehighlightsduringthis semesterweretheMarathon,theWader BashLiteandtheestablishmentofa permanentstoragefacility.

TheLangebaanCountryEstateWeskus Marathonwasheldon19March2022.This eventisarrangedeveryyearandhasnow takenplaceon20annualoccasions.2021 wastheonlyyearthathadtobeskipped duetotheCovidregulations.Historically theSHRestablishedandorganisedthe marathonmanyyearsago.Duetoits growthandtheneedtoattractsponsorsit developedwheretheStrandloperAthletics ClubandtheLCEinconjunctionwiththe WestCoastSHR;sarrangetheevent.This year’seventwasverywellattended althoughtheregistrationswereslightlyless thantherecord2019event.Themarathon hasbecomeimportanttonotonlythe organisers,butalsotoLangebaanastown duetotheeconomicstimulation.Weare seeingforwardtothenexteditiontobe heldinMarch/April2023.

DuetotheclosureoftheGeelbekStables wewerenotabletohostthetraditional “WaderBash”birdingweekendin February.Aone-dayeventwasplanned insteadasthe“WaderBashLite”andIam pleasedtoreportthattheeventwasvery wellattendedandexceededour expectations!!WearegratefultoEttienne Kotzeandhisteamforthisinitiative.

TheSHRWestCoastRegionhasformany yearsstruggledtofindpermanentstorage space.Temporaryfacilitieswereusedand contentshadtobemovedregularly.Access tosomeoftheavailablespaceswas difficultforsomeofouroldfogies!!Many ofourmembersalsohadbuiltup“stores andarchives”attheirhomesand garages!!Thisyearwewereofferedabig atticinarecentlyrenovatedbuildingat Mooimaak.Itwasnecessarytobuilda staircasewhichwedid,andwenowhave amplespacetostoreandorganiseour equipmentandmaterial.Thereisnomore needtosearchgaragesforwhateveris needed!AdrianandSueWatermeyerhave offeredtomanagethisnewfacilityfor whichwethankthem.

GoingforwardIwishtomentionthe following:

Weareattemptingtorevivetheannual cyclerace(s)thatwastraditionallyheldin NovemberinconjunctionwiththeLCE.No eventstookplacein2020and2021due tocovidrestrictions.Wearenowrevisiting thefinancialviabilityofarrangingthe event.Atthemomenttheemphasisisonly ontheroadracethroughtheWestCoast NationalPark.Ourappreciationgoesout toRoccoNelundertakingwhatis seeminglynotsuchasimpletask!!

OurRegionhasalsobeenworkingona flowerbookletsincelatelastyear.Ithas nowbeenpublishedandwillbeavailable forthe2022flowerseason.This publicationwasbornefromtheneedby visitorstoidentifytheflowersthatthey havecometoseeannuallyduringmainly AugustandSeptember.Thankyou,Helen Botes,forallyourmeticulousworkand coordination.Ialsowishtothanktheteam thathelpedtodevelopthispublication.

WithregardtoourheritageprojectsIam

pleasedtomentionthatwehavenow reachedastagewhereasitevisittothe VOCBeaconispossibletogetherwith representativesofWesternCapeHeritage Agency,VOCFoundation,Sanparksthrough WCNPManagementandourselves.Iam surethatthiscooperationaugerswellfor futurecooperationwithregardtoother envisagedheritageprojectssuchas maintenancetotheold“Brak”building.

OurRegionhasinpastfewyearsembarked onthemaintenanceofthebirdhidesinthe WestCoastNationalPark.Wehaveoften encounteredproblemswiththeSeeberg birdhidestructure.Wehavenowreceived permissiontoimprovethehidewithinthe presentfootprintwhichmeansaddinga secondviewingdeckWeareveryhopeful thatthisexcitingprojectwillbesupported bythebirdingfraternity!!

Ihaveonlyalludedtoafewofour activities.Iamsurethatasnewprojects developyouwilllearnmorethroughour newsletterwhilstyounodoubtwillalsobe receiveinformationonongoingprojects suchastheannualPelicanWatch.

Thankyoutoeveryonewhohas participatedinouractivitiesandprojects. SHRisyourorganisationandtheprojects areyourwayinmakingacontributionto oursupportforSanparksingeneralandthe WestCoastNationalParkinparticular.

Kindregards

DriesVenter

AnonlineIntroductiontotheWestCoast NationalParktrainingcoursewillbeheld from15–18AugustforalltheSHR PelicanWatcherswhohavenot completedthiscourse.

AllPelicanWatcherswillalsoberequired toattendthemandatoryPelicanWatch orientationwhichwillbeheldaszoom meetingstowardstheendofSeptember and/orearlyOctober.SealWatchon MalgasIslandhasbeenaddedtothe PelicanWatchprogrammeasarequest fromtheMarineSectionoftheWCNP.

SealWatchisamonitoringprogramme wherethemovementsofsealsonMalgas willbeobserved.SealWatchwilltake placeinOctoberandWCSHR’shavebeen giventheopportunitytofillthese4 weeks.Thisextramonthwillalsogivethe WCSHR’sanopportunitytocleanupand upgradefacilitiesonMalgasIsland.Itis hopedthattheResearchbuildingwillbe abletobecomeoperationalagain.

Areminderthatallthatshiftsare7days (MondaytoaMonday).Thismonitoring programmeofnow4andahalfmonths assiststheMarineSectionoftheWCNP duringthebreedingseasonofseabirds.

DELIVERYOFSTOVESTOJUTTEN ANDMALGASISLANDS

Twonewgasstoveswerepurchasedbythe WCSHR’sandWendyandBeverley deliveredthesestovesinpreparationfor thePelicanWatchseasontogetherwiththe MarinesectionoftheWCNPtoJuttenand MalgasIslandsinMay.

TSAARSBANKBEACHCLEANUP 9JULY2022

BIRDINGONTHEBERGwith CRACKLINROSIE26JUNE2022

WewishtothankWendyWentzelforthe WCSHRopportunitytoundertakeaLower BergRivermorningcruiseonherboat

TheWestCoastcoastalregionofSouthern Africahasfallenvictimtolargevolumesof generalwasteasaresultofshipping activitiesalongthisimportantshipping route.SixteenMileBeachandTsaarsbankin theWestCoastNationalPark(WCNP)have beenonthereceivingendofthis unfortunatepractice.

2022/2023

TTheshiftsforPelican Watchseasonhavefilled upveryquicklyandwe havereceivedsupportfrom SHR’sfrommanydifferent regions.TheWCSHR’sweregiven thefirstopportunitytoapplyforaweek onJuttenIslandandaweekonMalgas Islandwithinthenextfewweeks. Itismandatorythatanexperiencedand qualifiedSHRbepresentwitheachshift.

MOOIMAAKSTORAGEFACILITY

Thenewstoragespaceisreadyandwaiting tobefilled.Theattichasbeencleanedup andmarkedout.AbigthankyoutoAdrian andSueWatermeyerforundertakingthe managementofthisprocess.WCSHR’swill nowbeabletogatheralltheassetsand materialsunderthisoneroofattheold farmhouseatMooimaak.Pleasecontact AdrianandSue@phantom1iafrica.com 0828933742ifyouhaveassetsand materialgoodstostoreinthisstorage space.Theyarecurrentlycollatingthe assetsoftheregion.

CracklinRosie.Wearealsoveryproudof ourveteransAlecandJanetCellierswho joinedusonthiswonderfulouting.Any extrafundsgeneratedfromthistripgo towardminormaintenanceofthebuildings onbothJuttenandMalgasIslands.

TheWCSHR’sdecidedtosupportSANParks intheWCNPbyperformingabeachclean-up focussingontheTsaarsbankPicnicAreaand theadjacentbeaches.Twenty-fiveSHR’sand theirvolunteersbravedtheverythreatening inclementweatheron9July2022toperform thetaskwithmuchenthusiasm.

TheChairperson,DriesVenter,welcomed andmotivatedthegroupofnaturelovers whereaftertheywerebriefedbyAndre Krugerandthengotonwiththejob.Three hourslatertheyreturnedwithoverseventyfiverefusebagsheavilyladenwithplastic

PELICAN WATCH

bags,bottles,rope,woodandvariousother wasteitems.TheWCNPRangers,underthe leadershipofWonga,werewaitingfortheparty withtherefusetruckandtolendawelcome handwithloadingtheunwantedtreasure.

Thebraaiheldaftertheeventwasheldin celebrationofajobwelldonebyagroup ofpeoplethatarealwayswillingto supportSANParksandbeofservicetoour naturalenvironment.

“Thumbs-upforWCSHR’s,bepositive,take responsibilityandmakeadifferencewhere youcan!”

SHR81AndreKruger

STORYTELLERSSHOWTHEIR HIDDENTALENTSATTHE TSAARSBANKBEACHCLEANUP

Atarecentclean-upoperationof16Mile Beach,thepicnicandbraaiareaat Tsaarsbank,aswellasasectionofthe southbeachbytheSANParksHonorary Rangers:WestCoastRegion(WCSHR),the firstofmanyfun-filled“storytelling” episodeswasundertookaspartofthe socialsegmentoftheevent.

Fourmembersparticipated,withHoward Little’sstorytellingofStuckwithaLion beingchosenasthewinnerandthestoryis publishedhere:

thefivedayswehadbeenintherestcamp therehadbeennumerousreportsof vehiclesgettingstuck.Asweapproacheda doublecabbakkieonaslightincline,an elderlygentlemanwaswavingatustostop. Astheroadwasverysandyandwewere towing,Iwasreluctanttostop.Inthe bakkiewasthisgentandtwoladies,all lookingverystressedanduncomfortable. Wedidstop,onlytobetoldbythisgent thattheywerestuckandneededhelp.I wasnothappyabouthavingtogetoutand suggestedtohimtogetoutandflattenthe sandhillhehadcausedfromthefrontof hiswheel.Hejustsatandlookatus.Itwas atthisstagethatoneoftheladieswithhim toldusthattheycan’tgetoutastherewas amalelionlyinginthegrassrightnextto them.IguessitisOKfortheliontoattack someoneelseratherthenyou...Intheend withsomecleverpositioningofmybakkie andcoachingthemantousehisdifflock andkeepmovingwegotthemout,muchto thetwoladies’relief!”

TheotherstorytellerswereDriesVenter withCrocodileroadblockonlowwater bridge,Shingwedzi,PaulHenrywithExcessiveexhaustemissionsandSueWatermeyerwithHoneybadgerfridgerobbersat Mopani.

FLOWER BROCHURE

Theverybeautiful SpringFlower Brochuredesigned byHelenBoteshas beenprinted(3000 copies)and deliveredtotheWestCoastRegion.Thisis thesecondrecentpublicationbytheWest CoastRegionandweareveryproudto presentthispublicationtothegeneral public.Membersareremindedtocheckthe rostersentouttoallmemberstoassist withthesellingofthisbrochure@R30per copyattheR27,LangebaanandPostberg Gatesovertheweekendsandpublic holidaysduringtheFlowerSeason(1 August-30September=18daysof volunteeringworkbetween50members). PleasecontactJohanBothacoordinatorof thisproject @0793466418jb.botha@gmail.com. ThisBrochurecanalsobepurchasedat SPARLangebaanforR30(exclVAT)

NATIONALBOARD APPOINTMENT

DearMike

APPOINTMENTASPROJECTLEADER: REVISIONOFSHRPOLICIES

Ialsowishtoconfirmthatyouarenow appointedasprojectleaderforthisprocess. Youarewelcometoappointaprojectteam ofmembersoftheSHRofyourchoicewho maybeabletoassistyouintheproject.I thinkitisimportantthatJimmyTelleandI shouldalsobeincludedintheprojectteam sothatwecanbekeptabreastof developmentandprogress.

AlthoughtheBoardsetatargetdateofthe AGMof2024asthefinaldatefor completionoftheproject,Iamhopingtoat leastreportsignificantprogressduringthe courseofthisyearandtheAGMof2023. Thankyoufortheinitiativetakeninthis processandbestofluckwiththehardwork lyingahead.

Yourssincerely PaulColditz

Chairperson:NationalBoard

SEEBERGBIRDHIDEPROGRESS

Duringthewinterstormsof2021theroof claddingwasrippedawaycausingtheroof toleakexcessively.Theroofdesignis unfortunatelyaflatroofwithsidestructures extendingbeyondtheroof.Therefore, rainwaterremainsontheroofandcannot flowaway.Thiscausesleakagethroughthe roofintothehide.

Wedecidedtonotjustkeeponpatching theroofbuttocomeupwithabetter solution...watchthisspace!!

Committee

Chairperson

DriesVenter

ViceChairperson RoccoNel

TreasurerFinance

MikeMoll

TreasurerMarketing

JohanBotha

Secretary BeverleyMoll

MembershipSecretary LynetteVolschenk

ProjectPlanning

AndreKruger

ProjectImplementation

JannieJacobs

“Duringarecenttripwithmywifetothe KgalagadiinAugust2021.Wehadleft MataMatawithourtrailerintow,tomove toNossopCamp.Thestretchofroadfrom MataMatatothefirstcrossroadoverthe duneswasexceptionallysandyandduring

Itgivesmepleasuretoinformyouthatthe NationalBoardoftheSHRhasapproved theprinciplethatallSHRpoliciesshouldbe reviewedandstandardisedinaccordance withtheprocessandtemplatesuggestedby youandreferredtoinmyemailof26 March2022.

Repatchingoftheroofbeforethestorm in2021

SANParksHonoraryRangers WILDERNESS REGION

January–March2022

THEFIRSTEDITION

Welcometothethisthefirsteditionofthe SANParksHonoraryRangers(SHRs)Newsletter fortheWildernessRegion.TheRegionisoneof 3RegionsthatmakeuptheGardenRoute NationalParkthatliesbetweenGeorgeand Kareedouwintheeast.

TheWildernessRegionisthewesternmost regionencompassingstunningcoastalareas, tallindigenousforests,vastwetlands,and fynboscladmountainstypicaloftheGarden RouteoftheSouthernCape.

TheSHRsappointedtotheWildernessRegion participateinadiverserangeofactivitiesto assistSANParksManagementwhereverand wheneverrequired.

Thisnewsletteraimstohighlightsomeofthese activitiestoencourageawareness,andeven perhaps,toencouragethosefolkwishingto contributetotheconservationofthisvery specialenvironmenttojoinourranks.

MEETTHERMC!!

Over2,000SHRsoperatein 31regionsandservein19 NationalParksacrossSouth Africa.AsaNon-Profit Organisation,theSHRs complystrictlywiththeKing IVTMreportonCorporateGovernance. Administrativestructuresaredirectedbya NationalBoardthatdevolvesresponsibilities throughoutthecountry.RegionallevelSHRs electaRegionalManagementCommittee (RMC)thatoverseetheactivitiesoftheSHRsin thatRegion.

Thenamesofthoseelectedtoservetheir2 yeartermontheSHRWildernessRegionRMC arelistedaboveintheletterheadtothe Newsletter.InthisandfollowingNewsletters wewillbeintroducingthesemembers.

InthispublicationwestartwithMarthinus SchoemanwhojoinedtheSHRsin2010.His interestwasinitiallykindledbyattending severalbirdingeventshostedbytheSHRsin theKrugerNationalPark.

ShortlyafterjoiningtheWildernessRegion,he waselectedaschairpersonwhereheservedfor aperiodof6years.Hehasalwaysbeen involvedinaregionalmanagementcapacity ofsomekind.

HismaininterestsasaSHRaretopromote conservationonalllevelsandtoguidenew membersofourorganisationtodiscovertheir ownareasofinterestwithintheactivitiesof theSHRs.

Afterbeinginvolvedinthecorporateworldfor morethanfortyyearsheisastrongsupporterof simplifyingadministrativeprocedureswithinthe organisationandpromotingmoredelegated responsibilitytotheRegions.

Marthinusmanagesthemembershipportfolio ontheRMCandoverseestherecruitmentof newSHRs.Interestedpersonscancontacthim byemailing skoenman@telkomsa.net MoreinformationontheSHRscanbeobtained byvisitingtheofficialwebsiteat https:// www.sanparksvolunteers.org/

OFFROADFUNDRAISINGTRIPS

TheSHRsWildernessRegionorganiseOffRoad fundraisingtripsforthepublicintoselected areasoftheGardenRouteNationalPark.These routesarecarefullyplannedinliaisonwiththe GardenRouteNationalParkmanagementto minimiseimpactanddisturbance,butalsoto givethepublicanexperienceonroadsseldom travelled.AlltripsareguidedbySHRswho trainedandexperiencedtouristguides registeredwiththeDepartmentofEconomic DevelopmentandTourism.

Thereare3routeoptionsthatarerotated accordingtoavailability,namely:

•MountainView-atriptakingapproximately7 hours.LeavingtheTarentaalpicnicareaatEbb andFlowrestandcampsitewetakestunning scenicroutestotheFarleighForestStation.The routemeanderspastwaterfalls,coolindigenous forest,andvibrantfynbos.

routethattakesusalongtheKnysnariver. ViewsoftheKnysnaHeadsandBuffaloBayare stunning.WeeventuallyexittheNationalPark passingthroughtheindigenousforestnear Rheenendal.

Dependingondemand(andweather conditions)wecanarrangethreegroupson differentroutesperday.Both3and7Hour tripscanbearrangedaccordingtodemandfor all3routes.

Duetothesensitivityoftheareas,wedrive through,wemayonlytake10vehiclespertrip. Cost:3Hourtrips@R300-or7Hourtrips@ R500pervehicle.Guestswithoutawildcard payconservationfeesthatarecurrentlyR50per adultandR25forchildren12yrsoryounger.

Only4x4or2x4vehicleswithdifflockare permittedonthesetrips.

crewwereprofessional,andwelandedsafely withourequipment,aswellasfoodandwater forthe7days”.

“Atfirst,weweregreetedwiththestrongguano scent,andwethoughtthatwewerenotgoing tosurvive.However,thedesiretomakea differencetoSouthAfrica’sBirdoftheYear2022 madetheadjustmenteasier.Westayedinthe oldguanocollectors’buildingsandspentthe dayspatrollingthesmallisland,chasing,and herdingthepelicans.Arecordwaskeptof pelicanvisits,includingtheirnumbersand attacks.Inaddition,countsoftheCrownedand BankCormorantnestsweremade,aswellasthe incidenceofpredationbyKelpGullsandseals. Thedatacollectedisusedfor research.”programme.Thisisamanagement interventionaimedatcontrollingpredictors.

•Windmeulnek-atriptakingaminimumof7 hours.WeentertheNationalParkatBarrington, drivethroughFarleighandontothePlatboshut. OurroutethenmeanderstoCorneliuskopand onwardstotheWindmeulnekhikinghutafter whichwethenleavetheParkatKaratara.

•Goudveld(JubileeCreek)-atripwitha durationofapproximately7hours.Wevisitthe oldGoldMineatMillwoodandthenfollowa

WILDERNESSSHRSSPREAD THEIRWINGSINTHEWEST COASTNATIONALPARK SouthAfricanNationalParkseachhavetheir owncorpsofSHRswhovolunteerforservicesin thatPark.Regulartrainingcoursesareheldso thatSHRsareupdatedwiththedevelopments andsystemsinthePark.Thesecoursesareopen toSHRsfromotherNationalParksinthe country.ShouldtheSHRsuccessfullycomplete therequirementsofthecoursethentheyare certifiedtooffertheirservicesinthatRegion. Thisbroadenstherangeofhelptothevarious NationalParksandenablesSHRstowidentheir experience.

TwoSHRsfromtheWildernessRegionrecently spentaweekintheWestCoastNationalPark onMalgasIslandparticipatinginthePelican Watchprogramme.Thisisamanagement interventionaimedatcontrollingpredationby GreatWhitePelicansonthevulnerableCape GannetandCapeCormorantsduringthe NovembertoJanuarybreedingseason.

BarendandElsaMeintjeswerepartofateam ofsixSHRsfromvariousRegionsthat undertooktheassignment.Theother4SHRs wereassignedtoJuttenIslandsituatedcloseby.

“Accessacrossthe roughseaswas quiteanexperience tostartofftheweek stay”,saidElsa, “buttheboat

“Itwas7daysofmany joysbutalsosomesad sceneswhenyoucame acrossdeadchicks pulledoutofthenest byagullorabroken eggthatmighthave hatchedthenextday.Thetragedyisthata Gannetonlylaysoneeggperyear.Itwasalife enrichingexperience.It’snotwhatwedidfor theMalgasGannets,butwhattheymeanttous. Thousandsofdifferentbirdslivinginharmony amidmanydangers,ofwhichthePelicans,Seals andGullsarejustafew.Indeed,avaluable exampleforourpeople”.

MoreinformationonthePelicanWatch Programmecanbeaccessedatthefollowing sites https://westcoastescape.co.za/the-pelicanwatch/ https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id=831 https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3v7vIVu311E

TheofficialWestCoastNationalParksitecanbe accessedat https://www.sanparks.org/parks/ west_coast/

DOYOUHAVEALIENINVASIVE PLANTSPECIESINYOURGARDEN?

OnWednesday,16thMarchaninteractivetalk onAlienInvasivePlantSpecieswasgivento theSedgefieldBranchoftheVroueLandbouvereniging(VLV).Thepresentation beganwithanintroductiontoalieninvasive speciesandtheirimpactonournatural ecosystems.Thiswasfollowedbyabrief discussionofthethreecategoriesintowhich theseplantsaresorted,andthevarious controlmethodsusedtomanagethese invasiveplantspecies.

Interestingdebatefollowedastowhetherall invasiveplantspeciesarebad,andthe

FormoreinformationregardingOffRoadTrips sendanemailto helenbsmn@gmail.com

economicbenefitsof severalofthese “baddies”. Withtheintroduction done,itwastimeto presentanddiscuss the12samplespecies collectedfromgardens inSedgefield,suchas madeiravine,pampasgrass,lantana,oleander, Brazilianpeppertree,andsweetpricklypear. This‘showandtell’wasalivelyandprickly affairignitingmuchexcitementandgaspsof dismayastheladiesrealisedthattheir‘pride ofthegarden’and‘deliciouspricklypear’were ontheWANTEDlistandoughttobe eradicatedforthwith!!

Thepresentationwasasuccessandenjoyedby all,elicitingmuchpositivecommentonhow muchhadbeenlearntandadeeper understandinggainedofthedamageand impactalienplantinvaderspecieshaveonour unique,precious,andthreatenedfynbosbiome.

THEPIEDKINGFISHERTRAIL

JoanMusto

Afavouritetrailofmineisthe5kmcircuitof thePiedKingfisherTrail.Thiseasy,flatroute showcasesdifferentaspectsoftheWilderness areatakingintheriver,restcampandbeach. Thecircuitcanbetraversedineitherdirection andtherearenumerousentryandexitpoints.

So,let’sbeginwithinEbb andFlowSouthCamp andwalkoutthemain gate,headingdownthe brick-pavedroad.If you’reearlyenoughand beforeanycarsgoby, theremaybeabushbuck tobeseen.

CrosstheN2atBuxton

Closeandfindavantage pointonthedunewhere youcanenjoyyour morningcoffee.Run downthedunetothe beachandhead westwards.Thebesttime forabeachwalkisat lowtidewhenthesand

isfirmunderfoot. ContinuetotheTouw Rivermouth.Iftheriver isflowingouttosea, thengothroughthe parkinglottocrossover usingtheN2bridge.

Iftherivermouthis closedwithasandbar, headacrossthesandsto passundertheroad bridgeandcutacross thepicnicareato WatersideRoad.From hereyoucanexplore WildernessVillageand takerefreshmentsatone ofthemanyfineeating establishments.

ONTHEWATER’SEDGE

TheGardenRouteNationalParkishighlyfragmentedintoseparatesectionsallborderingon residentialandagriculturalareas.Beingthe “eyesandears”fortheSANParkswithinthese fragmentsisperhapsoneofthemostcritical responsibilitiesoftheWildernessSHRs.Water patrolsconductedbySHRsinresponsetopublicobservationsarefrequentandsometimes evenexciting.

SHRsrespondatrelativelyshortnoticetocalls viatheinternalcommunicationstructures.

SANParksmanagementstaffarenotifiedimmediatelyifitisevidentthatlawenforcement measuresarerequired.Cellphonecoverageis notalwaysthebestandsituationscouldescalateandneedtobehandledwithtactandcommonsense.Bearinmindthatitisanunfortunaterealitythatunemploymentand homelessnessforcepeopletoexploitresources fromlakesandriversfortheirsurvival.

SHRsareregularlyinvolvedinanti-poaching activitiessuchas:

•checkingforskippers’andfishinglicenses. •removingIllegalcrabandfishtrapnets •checkingbaglimits,aswellas •castnetactivities.

Thephotographsbelowshowaconfiscatedcanoewitha35metrenetremovedfromthe DuiweRiverandthecontentsofseveralbags confiscatedfrompoachersontheBrown HoodedKingfisherTrail.

Committee

Chairperson

BarendMeintjes

ViceChairperson

ZaneErasmus

Secretary

ChristineThomson

Treasurer

WillemvanZyl

Membership

MarthinusSchoeman

TechnicalProjects

DavidOdd

OffRoadEvents

HelenBosman&LynneMcEwan

Training

PatrolsJoanMusto