MESSAGES of condolences have been pouring in following the news of the passing of nature lover Warren Friedman, known to most as Mr Palmiet. The Palmiet Nature Reserve made the announcement of Friedman’s death on its Facebook page last week.
The message read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a legend of the Palmiet Nature Reserve, Warren Friedman, our honorary Head Ranger. His knowledge of flora and fauna was encyclopaedic and matched only by his willingness to share this knowledge with others. His death is not only a tremendous loss to his friends and family but also to the world of nature and our own dear Palmiet Nature Reserve.”
Also read: State of Palmiet reserve irks committee
Friedman did an extraordinary amount of voluntary work in the reserve. He was popular among Palmiet’s rangers and staff, honorary rangers, visitors and school groups.
A close friend, Dr Mary Lange, said Friedman left their part of the world a better place, and he did this with humility, enthusiasm and a sense of humour.
“Over the years that I was privileged to work with Warren, he led thousands of young people, teachers and community members through the Palmiet Nature Reserve as he shared his knowledge of the fauna, flora, geology and archaeology.”
Lange said Warren not only was a fountain of knowledge, but in her experience, he also put his words into action.
“…Whether it was cultivating the grassland patch at the entry to the reserve, or ensuring dogs couldn’t get into the reserve and hunt, or whether he was growing indigenous plants or spending many hard, sweaty hours assisting me and the rangers at the iGwalagwala Cliff archaeological dig, or showing me new finds in the reserve, such as the historical wells and elephant path.
She described Friedman as a person who was generous with his knowledge.
“I admired how respectfully Warren always spoke of his wife, Shirley. I have missed Warren immensely this year as Jean Senogles and I have continued the school programmes, and we will continue to miss him as we try to honour his memory by continuing his work with the same passion and good humour,” she said.
Snake catcher Nick Evans pays tribute to Friedman
Evans said he first met Friedman when he was a teenager.
“I was walking in the Palmiet, upriver from the hall. He was leading a group on a trail, and I saw they had stopped ahead of me. They were watching a Vine Snake feeding on nestling Paradise Flycatchers, which he pointed out to me, which was quite the sighting!” recalled Evans.
Also read: Baby Black Mamba found at a Westville home
“From then on, we became close friends. I had the great pleasure of walking in the Palmiet with Warren for about ten years. On each walk with him, I’d learn something new, either about the history of the reserve, geology, a plant or an animal. His knowledge on all things nature was remarkable. He was like a walking encyclopedia. Walks were made even more enjoyable with his great sense of humour.
“His knowledge of indigenous plants and how beneficial they are, along with his enthusiasm, encouraged me to turn my garden indigenous, and he supplied me with a good few plants and an endless amount of advice,” said Evans.
He said one of the interesting facts about Friedman is that he is one of the few people he knows who let Black Mambas live around his house, and in his roof.
“Living on the reserve, he had a few visit. I was rarely allowed to capture them. He loved them and acknowledged that they were his free rodent control. It was only if Shirley, his wife, whom he adored, insisted, was I allowed to remove them. (I was happy for them to stay, but happy to catch them, too!)”
Evans said he will always treasure the many fantastic sightings on their many day and night walks in the reserve.
“Black Mambas, an enormous Vine Snake, Nile/Water Monitor Lizards, countless chameleons, scorpions, a variety of mammals, and most memorably, a pair of Water Mongoose patrolling the river one night.”
“While on walks with him, he was always ripping out alien plants, or picking up litter. He put a lot of effort into maintaining the health of the grassland at the main entrance.
“His passing was a terribly sad and painful moment for us who knew him. We will honour his legacy in the reserve.”
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channelor follow us on TikTok.
