Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A Drive through Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria

Rietvlei is situated 25 kilometres from OR Tambo International Airport between Kempton Park and Johannesburg.  The nature reserve is 3800 ha and includes Rhino, hippo,  cheetah and Lion.  The lions are the only animals that are not free roaming.

For more info please go to http://www.friendsofrietvlei.co.za/ or www.rietvlei-reserve.co.za

We spent two hours driving around the reserve and found a few rare birds that you don't see every days.rietvlei

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first encounter was with a male and a female Secretarybird. The Secretarybird is classified as Vulnerable. The bird is instantly recognisable by having an eagle-like body on crane-like legs or as my kid calls it a mean looking chicken. The bird is largely terrestrial and hunts with it long legs while walking through the grass. I have seen this bird take on snakes in the past and its always in the birds favour. Secretary birds consume snakes, other reptiles, amphibians, tortoises, rats and other small mammals as well as young game birds. The Secretary bird is widespread throughout Africa south of the Sahara but are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss.

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The next on the list was the White-fronted Bee-eater. Although this is not uncommon it is good to see so close to Johannesburg. Their status is common resident in grassland and savanna’s and Im sure we will see it right through winter at Rietvlei.

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The next picture is of a yellow billed duck. Quite common and always spotted at Rietvlei I just had to take a few pictures as the colours on this bird are just spectacular.

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African Grey Hornbill

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Ant-Eating Chat

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Our last entry before we left was a Rhino and her calf.

 

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Friday, March 15, 2013

Save our grasslands, save our water sources!

WWF Pongola


You support WWF because you care about our natural environment. And we know we can depend on your support when conservation matters of critical importance arise.
The proposed Pongola Bush Protected environment is under threat from many unsustainable practices, including coal mining. This area (about 9250 ha) is on the verge of declaration as the first Protected Environment in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal area. This region is home to some of the most important and intact grasslands and strategic water source areas in our country. With your support, we can bolster efforts to declare these conservation areas.
We believe that you can make a difference by having your say about this before 22 March 2013, and help protect some of the country’s most important grassland areas and "water factories”.
A recent analysis by WWF indicates that only 8% of South Africa’s land surface generates 50% of our rainfall run-off; much of this overlaps with abundant coal resources. Our Enkangala Grasslands Programme works in the headwaters of the Vaal, Pongola and Tugela to protect these remote areas from threats to water and biodiversity. This strategic water source area, spanning the high altitude grasslands between KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State, provides clean, potable water for Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including several major power stations.
Stewardship partners and landowners have already shown commitment in securing this area of irreplaceable biodiversity value, picturesque natural landscape and water security. We ask you to now do the same.
The intention to declare these areas has been published in the Government Gazette. Protection Environment status will assure effective management and protection of this threatened area.
Please help us by supporting conservation and livelihoods through your actions! Make your voice heard online and/or write a letter. You may also send your signed letter to us by email or fax (+27 086 628 7518). The deadline for submissions is 22 March 2013.
For a Living Planet,

Dr Morné du Plessis
WWF-SA CEO

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Rhino reward of R100 000 in KZN

Rhino reward of R100 000 in KZN: A R100 000 reward has been offered by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife for the capture of the poachers who killed and dehorned a rhino in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park at the weekend.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The original Sounds of Silence @ the iSimangaliso Wetland Park

My recent trip to iSimangaliso Wetland Park was epic and I cant wait to get back. Early on the morning of the 25th I took the loop just out side of Cape Vidal and stopped the car at the Bhangazi Lake view point.

The last time I was in the park this route was not open and thus I ended up doing it every day on this trip.

The Bhangazi Lake is a natural fresh water reservoir that is fed from rainwater from the low-lying wetlands.

This video clip is looking onto the lake on a overcast morning and the sounds are amazing.

Every time I long for the bush now this is the sound I play myself.

 

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Friday, September 14, 2012

Rhino poaching toll hits 381


So we have now hit the mark of 381 rhino mark for the year.

I am actually quite stumped how we as South Africans can solve this problem. Yes their are site like www.stoprhinopoaching.com etc but does pumping money into the issue actually solve this at the end of the day?

Would it not be more constructive to get the buy in from the actual people that are going into these wild life parks to poach.

Its clear to see that over the last couple of months some culprits have been caught as it show that everybody is in the chain,

How can we make a difference and protect our last legacy that we can pass over to our children.

I remember a story last year about a game farmer that had started putting cyanide in the rhino horn. Jan VanDerGrootsloot... Is this what we have to resort to?
Its extremely sad but the truth is I as an individual feel completely helpless to stop this.

My kids are fortune in the fact that they have seen these amazing animals in the wild but quite soon it will only be in Zoo's

Say no to poaching, shame the people that are buying this product.............................



Extract from Iafrica.com

Rhino Poaching
http://news.iafrica.com/sa/816356.html

A total of 381 rhinos have been killed since the start of the year, the environmental affairs department said on Wednesday.

"Thus far, the Kruger National Park (KNP) has lost 236 rhinos to poaching," it said in a statement.

"Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West provinces continue to be the hardest hit by poachers, collectively accounting for the loss of 117 rhinos."

Last year, 448 rhinos were killed, 252 of these in the KNP.

In 2010, 333 rhinos were killed, 146 of them in the KNP.

The department said 199 people had been arrested this year in connection with rhino poaching. Of these 176 were poachers, 10 were receivers of the horns, and 13 couriers.