BBC visits Sasol Secunda to film serval cats
“The serval population found here at Sasol is the highest ever recorded.”
SECUNDA – The British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Natural History Unit will be visiting Sasol Secunda this week until the first week of December to film the behaviour of the serval population present in the company’s boarders.
The film crew forms part of a larger research project team comprising several organisations and scientists who will be capturing the servals to collect biological data and to fit satellite collars on the animals as part of the company’s ongoing Serval Research Programme.
The research programme, in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and universities, began in 2013 with the aim of understanding the demography of the specie in order to evaluate the potential risk and sustainability of these apex predators.
The film crew will capture the serval’s behaviour in its natural environment and also the research activities taking place during the project.
“The serval population found here at Sasol is the highest ever recorded,” said Mr Daan Loock, prime researcher and manager SHE: Land and Biodiversity, Sasol Environment.
“The only other large population scientifically described is at the Ngorongoro Crater and we feel extremely privileged to research and look after these amazing animals.”
“Sasol is committed to broad biodiversity principles and our aim is to conserve, protect and improve the overall state of biodiversity in our natural environment.
“With the Serval Research Programme we hope to make a positive impact to the field of study and also to the sustainability of the specie,” said Mr Loock.
