I read with great interest the article about the recurring water hyacinth problem at Hartbeespoort Dam, (Comaro CHRONICLE, page 4, Crisis at dam).
As an ex-dinghy sailor, I know how troublesome it can be – both to the fish life and recreationally. The innovative idea with two-litre cold drink bottles that is being suggested in the article got my horizontal- thinking juices flowing!
I don’t know how viable this idea is or how nutritious the hyacinth might be but … perhaps the two-litre bottle suggestion could be taken a couple of steps further! Once caught in the buoyant nets, the hyacinth could be “harvested” and transported in refrigerated trucks to the drought-stricken farming areas as fodder for the dying animals? These plants would surely be extremely hydrating as water plants and, if edible to those animals, would bring welcome relief!
Might be worth investigating with Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, as it is right there?
Barbara Plank
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HARTIES CRISIS: Residents commit to rehabilitation
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