Conservationists discuss the way forward

The WDI invited landowners, conservationists, and other role players to a meeting held at the Farmers’ Hall in Vaalwater on Friday, June 2. The WDI comprises the Waterberg Landscape Initiative (formerly known as The Waterberg Rhino), Waterberg Nature Conservancy, Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative, and Lapalala Wilderness.

The Waterberg area predominantly focuses on wildlife and tourism and offers wide open spaces with a sparse population, with towns nestled on its edges. Its popularity as a destination has grown over the past number of years as it offers Gauteng residents a unique African wildlife experience only an hour or two’s drive away from home. The area is also home to endangered species such as rhinos, pangolins, wild dogs, and several plant species and its biodiversity needs to be protected.

Dr. Tamanna Patel, science officer at Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), spoke about the recent report published on the state of provincial reserves in South Africa. According to Patel, there is growing concern that South African conservation areas are not effectively fulfilling their mandate with budget restraints, staff lacking the necessary skills, poor management, political interference, and a lack of resources listed as the main challenges. Very few of the reserves showed a profit. Patel said collaboration and partnerships, additional funding, and qualified staff members will hold the key to addressing these problems.

The Nylsvley Nature Reserve between Modimolle and Mookgophong was one of the better-performing reserves in the study. This important wetland reserve is home to 80 000 breeding birds in season and has international RAMSAR conservation status.

Kelly Abram, co-ordinator of the Waterberg Landscape Alliance, gave a brief overview of the development in the area. In the years before 1830, the natural migration of animals took place between the Lowveld and Botswana in the summer, with some game staying in the Waterberg during the winter. In the years thereafter, the human population grew and hunted much of the game. After 1830 farming began with cattle numbers increasing and tobacco and ground nuts being planted. Fencing was erected which stopped the migration of game and reduced their numbers in the area. From 1870 all game was owned by the state with private ownership of the animals only taking place from 1977. This was tied to conservation efforts to protect the white rhino.

In the 1980s many farms started stocking game and it was seen as having commercial value. During the following thirty years, from 1990 until 2020, the Waterberg has seen much replenishment of game species with former agricultural farms focussing on the wildlife industry and tourism. The amalgamation of large properties, such as Welgevonden, also took place.

According to Abram 63 threatened animal species call the Waterberg home, one of which is the pangolin, the most trafficked species in the world.

“Many owners who purchased their land before 1975 do not realise that their land has protected status,” she said. Around 85% of the Waterberg is in a natural state and unmodified by agriculture or development. She described how biodiversity impacts the health of the environment. “We are in an ideal position to safeguard our own life support system.”

Johan Kruger of Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) reminded the audience why it is necessary to conserve.

“More than 80% of the vegetation types found here are endemic and grows only in the Waterberg Mountain Bushveld area. The Springbok Flats thornveld has zero protection and it is vulnerable. The Waterberg has international recognition that its biodiversity is important. Landowners must understand where their parcel of land fits into the ecological and conservation picture, and what type of land uses are compatible or not.”

Reilly Mooney spoke on the Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative, and John Wesson, chairman of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) North discussed the impact of groups of people who take a keen interest in an area, such as Friends of Nylsvley.

Andrew Bembridge of ENSAfrica Attorneys spoke on the implementation of the legal regime for protected areas and challenges that come forth with dropping fences as seen with properties adjacent to the Kruger Park such as Sabi-Sabi and the Balule Private Game Reserve while Dr. Peter Oberem of the Dabchick Wildlife Reserve spoke on the need for community development and transformation.