Mountain Reedbuck at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve have been dying in alarming numbers over the past three months.
According to an anonymous tip sent to the Roodepoort Record, these deaths are not associated with the illegal poaching that has been prevalent in the park and throughout natural areas in the greater Roodepoort region in recent months, as there does not appear to be a clear cause of death.
Rumours have been mounting in recent weeks that the deaths of the wild animals may be attributable to starvation due to bush encroachment and the onset of moribund, a state in which grasses have grown to their maximum capacity and all above-ground material dies off.
The Record set off to investigate and managed to secure an appointment with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos (JCPZ) conservation specialist Phillip Mkhombo, and conservationist Dear Mathwasa, both of whom are based at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve.
“At this stage, there is no proof that the reedbuck are dying from lack of food,” says Mkhombo. “It is highly unlikely. If they were dying due to starvation, we would be seeing other species succumbing in the same manner, and we are not.
Mathwasa echoes the opinion of his colleague.
“It is impossible at this stage to say with any certainty what is causing the deaths. There are several factors to take into account.
“We have managed to secure a fresh carcass which has been sent off to veterinarians at the Johannesburg Zoo for testing to try and determine a cause of death.”
Both officials acknowledge that the conditions at the reserve are not currently ideal, but add that JCPZ are implementing measures to deal with challenges. Bush encroachment, where trees and shrubs are not kept in check and thus compete with grass for already scarce soil nutrients and moisture is prominent.
“There have not been sufficient burns in the reserve to control the growth of trees and shrubs for many years. This has led to bush encroachment in some areas throughout the reserve.”
JCPZ have opted to make use of Expanded Public Works Programme workers to tackle the issue of bush encroachment. Though not quite as effective as fire, it is a skills development and job creation programme, which is in line with the entity’s policies.
“That said, should a fire break out in the reserve, we will control it to ensure no infrastructure or neighbouring properties sustain damage, but as far as practically possible, we will let nature take its course.”
Mkhombo adds that JCPZ has, as a precaution, put out supplementary feed for the buck in the reserve until a cause of death can be determined.
