FROM THE ESTATE MANAGER

from THE HILLS ESTATE | AUGUST 2020

PROPERTY INVESTMENT

Things that go bump in the night...

is what quite a few of our residents have recently woken up to during the small hours of the morning. Some of those bold enough to brave the freezing temperatures to investigate then unexpectedly made the acquaintance of some of the more, shall we say, peculiar inhabitants that we share our estate with, making a nuisance of themselves by knocking over the refuse bins in search of food. But no reason to be too alarmed. While these critters can respond aggressively when threatened or cornered, and especially when they have young, they are also known to be very shy and wary of us humans.

The bushpig (Potamochoerus Larvatus) is a member of the pig family that is endemic to our woodlands, forests, riverine vegetation, and reedbeds in Southern and Eastern Africa. Bushpigs are mainly nocturnal animals that hideaway in the dense bush or underground during the day which is why we rarely come across them while the sun is up. At nighttime, however, they tend to roam into agricultural areas where they forage for food which is why they are then hunted fairly extensively. Their population in such areas continues to grow despite the hunting efforts largely due to inaccessible terrains, an abundance of food, a lack of predators, and their rapid ability to adapt to hunting methods used. They then also sometimes find their way into residential areas bordering their territory and The Hills is no exception it would seem. Adult bushpigs reach from 66cm to 100cm in height at the shoulder and can weigh anything from 55kg to 150kg. The males are normally larger than the females. They resemble the domestic pig and can be identified by their blunt, muscular snouts, small eyes, pointed, tufted ears, and buckled toes. Their colour varies from reddish-brown to dark brown and they typically become darker with age. Both sexes have a lighter-coloured mane which bristles when the animal becomes agitated. The upper parts of the face and ears are also lighter in colour. Their sharp tusks are fairly short and inconspicuous and unlike their warthog relatives, they run with their tails held down. Bushpigs are very social animals and are

found in sounders of up to twelve members. A typical group will consist of a dominant male and a dominant female with other females and juveniles accounting for the rest. Litters of three to four young are born in the summer after a gestation period of approximately four months. They are omnivorous and their diet includes roots, crops, and carrion. They grunt softly while foraging and make a long, resonant growl when alarmed.

As far as we know, bushpigs have always occurred naturally in our area although their numbers are dwindling as a result of the ongoing development around us and the subsequent reduction in their natural habitat. They seek their refuge in the fenced-off game reserve and it is only recently that they have been spotted elsewhere in the more densely developed regions of our estate. We suspect that they dig their way underneath the game fence at night in search of food and then return to the game reserve again before daybreak. We have investigated various ways of dealing with this and it seems that, in the interest of the safety of the bushpigs and residents alike, they will have to be captured and safely relocated to a suitable destination in the wild. Our wildlife management experts have therefore recommended to us the strategic placement of game capturing cages using their food of choice as bait that will attract them.

In the meantime, however, we suggest that you rather wait for the dawn to come on collection day before taking out the refuse.

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Covid hits a little too close to home!

Covid 19 is quickly becoming an unfavorable word and lockdown is now our new normal. Trying our best by doing our part, by sanitizing, practicing good hygiene, social distancing, thinking if we do this we will never be affected. Little did I know that the virus would present itself in my home after one of my wife’s colleagues became ill and another person succumbed, my wife and I have tested Covid positive shortly afterward and we had to self-isolate. Luckily we only experienced mild symptoms, but as you all know, not everyone experiences the same symptoms.

How do we control the spread?

In my case, the HOA and I acted very fast, informing everyone I was in contact with and taking the necessary measures to stop the spread, not the same can be said for other companies, therefore we ask all residents to please take note, it only takes one delivery, one visitor to cause a spread we cannot stop.

Stay safe, stay home, and adhere to the regulations.

SECURITY

No security officer tested positive for COVID 19 thus far. We use thermometers to test fever, documenting the results daily. If any symptoms get reported even if it is just a runny nose or a scratching throat, they get sent home and asked to self-isolate. We had two officers who had to self-isolate and went for tests, luckily both tested negative.

The driver transporting all the officers and the vehicle is sanitized, we also encourage you to use the sanitizers at the gates following this procedure:

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4:

Sanitize hand. Use the biometric profile to open the boom gate. Sanitize hand Make sure your mask is on at arrival at the gate.

Please be safe and report any suspicious behavior or rule infringements.

Our control room can be contacted in an emergency and we can escalate the problem to all emergency services.

Please find herewith the contact number for security:

Security control room: 0828263761 Landline: 012 996 1610 Security Manager: 0768217567

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