Friends of Golden Harvest Park have asked for a sponsor to help them fence off the park’s ‘koppie’.
The non-profit organisation’s committee members Leon Bradley and Pippa Wepener explain why humans must be kept off the hill.
The problem is not groups who use the koppie responsibly, Bradley says, but rather those who misuse it. “People come here and have parties,” he says. “They leave bottles, plastic and even condoms.”
This threatens the plant life and wildlife on the koppie.
The koppie used to have a fence around it, but now only the poles remain.
The plan is, by using the existing poles, an 800m fence will be constructed around the entire perimeter to keep people out.
The fence will be about 2m high, made of high tensile steel wire.
It will cost about R240 000.
According to Wepener, even people who walk their dogs endanger the koppie by accidentally stepping on birds’ eggs.
Vagrants also allegedly sleep on the koppie, and make a mess.
Furthermore, she alleges that drug deals are made there – out of sight of patrolling law enforcement.
Wepener explains that many small mammals, and at least 57 species of birds, live on the koppie.
The spotted eagle owls and barn owls recently released in to the park will not breed until they have enough small mammals to eat. “When we fence the koppie, many of the mammals will start breeding again and we will hopefully once again see hedgehogs, tortoises and mongoose roaming the park in safety.” The organisation promises to promote whichever company sponsors the fence.
Details: Friends of Golden Harvest Park info@foghp.co.za
