Conservation

Chris Thorpe has very kindly being assisting with a new project on Mansimvula and Ingwelala using biological control to eradicate Opuntia spp (prickly pear).

The Annual APNR census was conducted during the first week of September.

Under the guidance of Lindsey Jones, the Umbabat has partnered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African Wildlife College the education and work experience of four Environmental Monitors.

The reporting from the Reserve this month is once again highlighted by the elephant impact within and around the camp area. Conservation and Maintenance Staff spent the entire month, barring three days, attending to elephant damage to camp infrastructure and breakages of the perimeter fence.

Following on the previous month’s report on the 2017 numbers for the annual game census for the Umbabat, it was highlighted that buffalo numbers have declined noticeably due to the drought. 

Another annual exercise that takes place in the Umbabat is the predator survey, commonly referred to as a “lion call up”.  

The annual game count was conducted by aerial census across the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) in September 2017.

Veld rehabilitation is work in progress, there is initial work undertaken and then depending on success rates of effectiveness, one or more follow up treatments may be necessary. 

In August 2016, Management reported on the shallow contour lines ripped on the Wahlberg Plains on Argyle and the Serengeti Plains on Buffelsbed.

Paige Ezzey (our Conservation Intern) studies, analyses and describes the effects of bush encroachment:

Ingwelala’s Conservation Intern, Paige Ezzey, researched and shares the following facts on artificial water points.

The experts are predicting a long term dry cycle, less than average rainfall and a level of unpredictability.  A vegetation monitoring programme around some of our water holes has been initiated.

Several conservation initiatives currently practised on Ingwelala prompted me to consider writing about natural processes in the environment, and what we understand about these processes. First up is to acknowledge that conservation is not an exact science, we learn from analyzing the results of past and present practices. 

Sodic soils are widespread in South Africa reflecting the predominance of sodium chloride in groundwaters and soil solutions.

Out and about on Op-Goedehoop, you will notice some work been done by the conservation team on the sodic site off leopards rock road.

We frequently receive letters and e-mails from our members. One such communication asked the Board to take action with regard to the problem of the bush encroachment onto the grasslands at Ingwelala.

Veld is the single most important asset in any conservation area. Evaluation of veld conditions is undertaken after the growing season, and plans are put forward for preferred burns that will take place during spring.

The creation of permanent artificial water has played a major role in the transformation of the Central Lowveld, with regard to habitat as well as species distribution changes.