THE good attendance of and feedback on a presentation by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Dr Gareth Tate on its Bird of Prey Programme in Graaff-Reinet in August last year has spurred on a second talk in Cradock next week.
Tate, along with his colleague Cobus Theron, who will speak on the Dry Land Conservation Programme, will be at the Schreiner House Museum on Tuesday 21 January at 10:00.
The presentations may be of interest to local farmers and Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE) landowners, birding clubs, local environmentalists or anyone who wants to find out more on the two programmes as they have special significance to the area.
Karoo farmers and other landowners have partnered with South African National Parks (SANParks), the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE), EWT and the SANParks Honorary Rangers to create a Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) in the Great Karoo.
The Karoo VSZ spans across approximately 23 000km² in and around three major protected areas, namely the Karoo, Camdeboo and Mountain Zebra National Parks as well as the MZCPE. The long-term goal is to encourage Cape Vultures back to their historical ranges throughout the Great Karoo and ultimately recover this population through the establishment of a VSZ that links key protected areas.
During the first phase, the project team will conduct an assessment of current threats in co-operation with over 400 farmers, game breeders and private reserves in the area. Working actively with committed landowners, the threats will be addressed in the second phase. The Karoo VSZ initiative can be regarded as one of the largest conservation initiatives where farmers partner with conservation organisations like SANParks, SANParks Honorary Rangers, EWT and MZCPE.
- Space is limited, anyone interested in attending may RSVP to Maryke Stern on 083 3363 066 or via e-mail Maryke.stern@sanparks.org. – REPORTER
