‘Friends’ plan to dampen potential fires at reserves

A non-profit organisation dubbed Friends of Groenkloof and Klapperkop Nature Reserves have united to spearhead a major fundraising campaign to provide essential firefighting equipment to safeguard these nature reserves.

This follows as recent blazes have impacted the wildlife at the Tshwane nature reserves.

The organisation now seeks to bolster the reserves’ preparedness in the face of potential future wildfires.

In just over a week, two destructive fires swept through the nature reserves, bringing attention to the urgent need for improved fire prevention and mitigation efforts.

According to spokesperson Angelique Geeringh, this effort will include a community-driven initiative to name a rescued baby hartebeest.

Geeringh said on October 5 a fire erupted at Groenkloof Nature Reserve, seemingly caused by a candle that had been carelessly left in an anthill.

“The blaze stretched the firefighting team’s resources to their limits, further underscoring the challenges they face with ageing and insufficient equipment.”

She said a week before on September 27, a fire broke out at Klapperkop Nature Reserve after a carelessly dropped match that ignited the dry grass.

“Despite the quick response of the Nature Conservation Firefighting Team, the flames spread rapidly, fuelled by the dry conditions, turning the area into a raging inferno that took hours to control.”

Geeringh said both incidents highlight a growing concern that the current firefighting equipment used by Nature Conservation is between 15 and 20 years old.

She added that much of it is outdated, with several critical pieces no longer fully functional.

“To prevent future disasters and improve response times, a comprehensive list of urgently needed equipment has been compiled, and efforts are now underway to fundraise for these essential tools,” she said.

She explained that the fires have caused significant ecological damage, with large swathes of grazing land destroyed.

“This loss has put additional pressure on the reserves, requiring the purchase of supplementary feed to support the remaining wildlife. The impact on wildlife has been heartbreaking.”

Geeringh said while teams managed to rescue a newborn red hartebeest calf, which is now receiving special care at a rehabilitation centre, many smaller animals were not as fortunate.

“Several tortoises, hares, and baby ostriches perished in the fires, with the loss of the ostrich chicks being particularly devastating as these birds only hatch once a year.”

She said The Friends of Groenkloof and Klapperkop Nature Reserves are stepping up to aid Nature Conservation, launching a major fundraising campaign to ensure the reserves are equipped to handle future fires.

“These beautiful nature reserves are treasures in our community, and protecting them is a shared responsibility,” Geeringh said.

She added that with the collective support of local residents and a focus on fire prevention, they can ensure that these natural sanctuaries continue to thrive for future generations.

For more information on how you can contribute to this worthwhile cause, please check out their Facebook page FriendsofGroenkloofNatureReserve or send a WhatsApp message to 082 553 7041 or email angelique@geeringh.com.

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