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www.thevillagenews.co.za
14 October 2020
A fawn is born T
o everyone's delight, the rescued Cape grysbokkie that was found near the old ‘circus grounds’ on Main Road on 15 September, gave birth to a healthy fawn at 06:26 on Thursday morning, 8 October. Mom and baby are both doing well. "We would like to thank Danie and Sonja van Zyl, who have been looking after the bokkie (and now also baby) on their farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley at their own cost. Due to their loving and caring nature, the bokkie is recovering well and the fawn is safe,” said Liezl de Villiers, Senior Manager: Environmental Management Services of the Overstrand Municipality. Whale Coast Conservation, whose eagle-eyed chameleon rescue volunteers first spotted the injured grysbokkie, shared the story of her rescue with The Village NEWS (All hands on deck to
rescue grysbokkie, 23 September issue). The obvious first call was to the chameleon project leader, Whale Coast Conservation’s Sheraine van Wyk, who in turn alerted the Fernkloof Senior Field Ranger, Dean Gardiner. After capturing and sedating the grysbokkie, she was transported to the Bergview Veterinary Clinic where Dr Maarten van Dalsen took X-rays to inspect her injuries more closely. She was found to not only have a fracture in one half of her cloven hoof, but also to be pregnant. Her hoof was put into a splint and she was kept overnight at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve until a suitable safe place could be found for her to recover. Sheraine then made contact with the Van Zyls, who were more than willing to assist with looking after and caring for the bokkie.
They have experience in wildlife rehabilitation and had a perfect space on their farm where she could recover in peace, and eventually give birth safely. The Overstrand Municipality’s Environmental Department would like to thank Sheraine and the Van Zyls, who are giving up their space, time and own funds to feed and take care of the grysbokkie and her fawn. “We would especially like to thank Dr Maarten and his team from Bergview Vet for their professional veterinary assistance and for funding all the vet bills from their own charity fund for the love of our wildlife. Thank you, Dr Maarten that we can always knock on your door and know that we will never be turned away,” said Liezl. Mom and baby will be released in Fernkloof Nature Reserve once they are strong and healthy.
CBD stormwater upgrades on track The stormwater upgrades in Main Road, Marine Drive and High Street, as well as in Mimosa and Prelliwitz Streets in the Industrial Area are on track and progress is currently in line with the planned construction programme.
Several incidents of unleashed dogs terrorising antelope in Fernkloof Nature Reserve have recently been reported. “One terrified grysbok was flushed out of hiding and seen frantically dashing through Voëlklip streets,” says Anina Lee of Whale Coast Conservation. “Tortoises and other small animals are also seen as prey by dogs.”
According to the Overstrand Municipality, no significant challenges have been experienced by the contractor to date. The anticipated completion date for this project is 30 April 2021. Project status report: Phase 1 - Area 1 (Marine Drive and parking area) • Construction on Marine Drive is 90% completed and the parking area is open for vehicle parking. Pedestrian access and movement is possible. Phase 1 - Area 2 (Hamewith building) • The construction is 80% completed. Only the stormwater connection point, from Main Road to the entrance of the Hamewith building still has to be completed. Phase 1 - Area 3a (Main Road)
Dogs threaten fauna and flora
The majority of nature reserves in South Africa do not allow domestic animals into the reserves. There are good reasons for this. Nature reserves are havens created to support, protect and conserve the flora and fauna in these wilderness areas. A balance must be found between allowing access to enjoy nature reserves whilst continuing to protect them. It is anticipated that Main Road will reopen for traffic at the end of October.
• 70% of the construction works has been completed. The anticipated re-opening of Main Road is planned for the last week of October 2020. Phase 1 - Area 3b (Dirkie Uys Street)
• Construction work commenced in the first week of October 2020. Phase 2 - Area 2 & 3 (High Street) • Construction work for this phase will commence during the month of October 2020, as planned.
“Dog walking is one issue where this balance is difficult,” says Anina. “The fact is that dogs in reserves can cause a significant amount of damage, mostly unnoticed by visitors. International research has shown that dogs in natural areas, on or off a lead, result in displacement of many species of wildlife, particularly birds. Not only
does this negatively affect the biodiversity of the area, but in turn impacts on ecotourism, including bird watching, which is an increasingly popular pastime throughout the world. Dogs by their very nature are hunters, whilst birds and small animals, by their nature, are prey.” In Hermanus, dogs on leads are allowed on the Cliff Path (part of Fernkloof since 2000) and on certain routes in the Fernkloof mountains. This is a big concession in a nature reserve – not a right. “We urge all dog owners to respect this concession, to keep dogs on leads and pick up after them. The truth is that dog poo is not harmless to the environment. It may introduce pathogens or simply too many nutrients for the fynbos. Furthermore, many dogs are routinely treated with systemic insecticides such as Bravecto, which is excreted unchanged and could kill any insects in the area, especially dung beetles,” says Anina. “Please respect the privilege of walking your best friend in a world-famous nature reserve.”
