According to the Zimbabwean government run The Herald newspaper, a consortium of Chinese investors has put in a bid to upgrade the Zimbabwean side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP). This was said by the minister of environment and tourism, Mr Francis Nhema, at the end of May.
"There are some Chinese investors who intend to assist us in the development of the park in line with the renovation strategy of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Talks were expected to begin sometime in June," said Mr Nhema.
Zimbabwe has been on a drive to lure foreign investors to assist in the development of Gonarezhou National Park, which forms Zimbabwe's side of the GLTP, along with Kruger National Park of South Africa and Limpopo of Mozambique ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"Consultations involving all the stakeholders are in progress so that Zimbabwe does not lag behind in terms of facilitating a smooth refurbishment process of Gonarezhou," said Mr Nhema.
According to The Herald, the Chinese investors would assist the Government in the renovation of lodges, de-mining, roads construction, electrification of some parts and construction of a border post.
Funds are also needed for the construction of a bridge that would link Gonarezhou and Kruger, which is expected to allow tourists to cross over from the South African side of the park. Mr Nhema said while the Government has continued to provide funds towards the upgrading of Gonarezhou, local tourism players should take some of the responsibility.
"Stakeholders in the tourism sector should also play a crucial role through mobilising funds," he said. (article published on http://allafrica.com)
This makes for very interesting reading…it would be interesting to see what the Chinese investors would want in return?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Pregnant section ranger saves vet husband from enraged buffalo
On Friday June 29, 2007 at about 09h30 Corporal Wilson Baloyi phoned Karien Keet, section ranger at Mahlangeni ranger post, to tell her about an apparently sick and lame buffalo in the veld.
Wilson and fellow field ranger, Reckson Khosa was on patrol, walking along the Matalakuwa spruit when, close to the Fourmiles firebreak, they came across an emaciated buffalo with an injured front leg.
Karien, accompanied by husband Dewald Keet, and also the Kruger National Park State veterinarian, met the field rangers on the road and walked towards the buffalo.
“It was about one kilometer further when we saw him the first time. He was about 30 meters away from us and lying down, but facing us,” says Karien.”
They were watching the buffalo, hoping it would stand up. It didn’t.
“We wanted it to walk to see if we can determine the extent of its injury,” said Dewald. Karien said they made a noises, but “he gave us that typical buffalo couldn’t care look. I then realized that this buffalo bull has a particularly aggressive attitude and is not going to back off.” After some time, and even a few stones hurled at him later, the buffalo stood up and limped away.
Dewald says he could see the animal’s left front leg was severely injured and probably broken.
“At that stage I realized that this was not a tuberculosis-infected buffalo and probably a very simple necropsy was waiting as the chances of this animal recovering was extremely limited and he would have to be euthanized”.
They followed the buffalo in the dense Mopani bush until they came to a clearing where the buffalo had once again stopped about 30 meters away from the group. Dewald, moved into the clearing and was still studying the injured leg with his binoculars when the buffalo decided he has had enough of the spectators.
He started bellowing and viciously charged towards Dewald, who was slightly separated from the group and not armed.
Dewald yelled frantically at Karien and her team to shoot, but with their sight slightly impaired by the Mopani bush this proved easier said than done.
“I had my .375 Holland & Holland, a gift from my father, with me, while Wilson and Reckson had their R1 rifles,” says Karien.
“At first I could not see the buffalo in the dense Mopani shrubs and only when it was about 15 meters from me did I have a clear shot. It was then that I had the opportunity to give the first shot in the head from a right angle. I could see the buffalo was stunned, but he kept on coming. Wilson was standing on my left and Reckson to my right, with both rangers firing at the animal. They were not hitting any fatal parts and he was still coming. When he saw Wilson he turned away from Dewald and was now facing me. I shot him in the head and he dropped about five meters from me,” recounts Karien.
Dewald says when he examined the animal he found the animal had a compound fracture of the shoulder joint and had no chance of recovery.
“Afterwards everybody was very relieved and I felt proud that we all handled the situation very well,” says Karien, who was seven months pregnant with their first child at the time of the incident.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Radio Bat on air again
The Epauletted fruit bats, known to so many visitors in Skukuza as they are a common sight hanging under the eaves of the Skukuza Camp shop and the lapa outside the Skukuza Deli, have been part of an ongoing study for a few years now.
Professors John Winkelmann and Frank Bonaccorso from the biology department of the Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, USA, visited Skukuza recently to do a bit of bat tracking.
The professors and their team of students and volunteers fit tiny radio collars to the bats to see where these elusive creatures disappear to every night.
The light weight collars apparently do not hinder the movement of the bats. Michele says the bats form part of a study that entails looking at their movements and feeding behaviour. Luckily these local bats are easy to find during the day as they roost hanging upside down in the shade. The radio collars transmit a signal that can be detected by a receiver and every evening after sunset, the researchers can determine where the bats are going and which trees they are feeding on. Having witnessed the procedure, she says, fitting the radio collar is a delicate business.
“First the bats are captured in a mist net that is held out below where they roost. As the bats drop down to fly out into the night, they become entangled in the fine net. Once they are out of the net, the bat is put into a cotton bag and taken to the veterinary lab for the collar to be fitted.
Before the collar is fitted, all the vital statistics of the bat are recorded including the body weight. The bat is kept calm by feeding it a sweet sugar solution. Once the collar is fitted and secure, the bat is returned to the roosting site and released to fly free and feed on its favourite figs.”
Professors John Winkelmann and Frank Bonaccorso from the biology department of the Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, USA, visited Skukuza recently to do a bit of bat tracking.
The professors and their team of students and volunteers fit tiny radio collars to the bats to see where these elusive creatures disappear to every night.
The light weight collars apparently do not hinder the movement of the bats. Michele says the bats form part of a study that entails looking at their movements and feeding behaviour. Luckily these local bats are easy to find during the day as they roost hanging upside down in the shade. The radio collars transmit a signal that can be detected by a receiver and every evening after sunset, the researchers can determine where the bats are going and which trees they are feeding on. Having witnessed the procedure, she says, fitting the radio collar is a delicate business.
“First the bats are captured in a mist net that is held out below where they roost. As the bats drop down to fly out into the night, they become entangled in the fine net. Once they are out of the net, the bat is put into a cotton bag and taken to the veterinary lab for the collar to be fitted.
Before the collar is fitted, all the vital statistics of the bat are recorded including the body weight. The bat is kept calm by feeding it a sweet sugar solution. Once the collar is fitted and secure, the bat is returned to the roosting site and released to fly free and feed on its favourite figs.”
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Tsendze rustic camp site receives three star grading
The recently opened Tsendze rustic camp site in the Kruger National Park received a three star grading from the Grading Council of South Africa. Ben van Eeden regional manager of the Nxanatseni region, believes, while there is always room for improvement, the grading was a satisfactory achievement, especially as it was the first time the camp had been assessed. Most people who have stayed at the camp have been very happy with their experience. Apparently only one person was not very pleased.
The camp was assessed in the caravan and camping category and evaluated in categories that range from external appearance, ablution facilities, scullery, kitchen and laundry areas to a general section that includes factors such as ambiance and level of tourist information.Both the caravan and camping facilities at Shingwedzi and Letaba Rest Camps also achieved three star gradings.
Probably KNP’s oldest pensioner passed away
Laura Mukwevho in Kruger, told me last week that Jerry Sibuyi who’s story we told in one of the previous issues of the Kruger Park Times passed away in June. He was 111 years old. Jerry recalled how he used to herd and milk Lt Col James Stevenson-Hamilton’s, Kruger’s first warden’s cattle in Skukuza.
"Jerry’s South African ID says he was born in 1896. This is probably inaccurate, considering the way administration matters were handled during those times.
Jerry’s records of employment are filed deep in the Kruger archives but his pension number however proved that he indeed once worked in the park as Jerry received a monthly pension of R168.25,” said Laura.
Jerry says he was just a little boy when he and his friends arrived at Skukuza in 1902. His career in Kruger began as a herdboy, then he became a cook for technical services staff who maintained the roads in the park. He also worked at Crocodile Bridge, Pretoriuskop and with section ranger Ted Whitfield at Tshokwane ranger post.
Jerry never married and had no children.
"Jerry’s South African ID says he was born in 1896. This is probably inaccurate, considering the way administration matters were handled during those times.
Jerry’s records of employment are filed deep in the Kruger archives but his pension number however proved that he indeed once worked in the park as Jerry received a monthly pension of R168.25,” said Laura.
Jerry says he was just a little boy when he and his friends arrived at Skukuza in 1902. His career in Kruger began as a herdboy, then he became a cook for technical services staff who maintained the roads in the park. He also worked at Crocodile Bridge, Pretoriuskop and with section ranger Ted Whitfield at Tshokwane ranger post.
Jerry never married and had no children.
Sable and other species in Punda Maria under surveillance
Michele Hofmeyer, science awareness officer in Kruger, writes in the next issue (4-3) of the Kruger Park Times about a research project, led by Professor Norman Owen-Smith from Wits University, who is investigating declining sable antelope numbers around Punda Maria.
The project looks at where the sable antelope move to and what they like to eat. It is being done in both the Punda Maria and Pretoriuskop areas and looks at how the animals compete with buffalo and zebra for food.
Sable numbers have been declining in the Kruger National Park (KNP) since the late 1980s and this is a serious concern for park management.
Four collared animals were recently added to the project. This enables researchers, Liza Le Roux and Dr Valerio Macandza, to monitor their movement, with GPS readings through a cellphone network to a central computer.
Michele says the sable project was initiated in 2001 and will run until the end of 2008 and anticipates providing clearer answers on the mysterious population dynamics of the sable antelope. Photo: courtesy Dr Markus Hofmeyr
Scoping report of yet another dam dam in the Olifants River catchment area approved
The Mpumalanga department of agriculture and land administration (MDALA) gave Consultants BKS (Pty) the go-ahead to continue “into the environmental impact assessment (EIA) phase” of the proposed Richmond dam in the Klein Dwars River. The proposed dam site is in the Dwars River system, which feeds into the Steelpoort River, downstream of the site of the De Hoop dam.
The first draft scoping report, finalised in April 2006, indicated that the proposed Richmond dam was “only going to serve the Anglo Platinum operations on a temporary scale.” However, “further investigations revealed that the proposed Richmond dam will become a permanent source of water to the Anglo Platinum Mining operation in the Eastern Limb.”
This project entails underground mining operations in the Groot and Klein Dwars valleys where approximately 400 000 tonnes of ore a month will be mined at an operating cost of about R43 million a month. The mine has a life expectancy of about 65 years and according to the report, about 1200 people will comprise the total workforce at the mine.
The proposed dam will have a storage capacity of 13,5 million cubic metres and a dam wall of 31 metres in height, covering an area of 1.52km2.
These reports will be integrated into a draft EIR which, according to the consultants, will be made available for public comment
The first draft scoping report, finalised in April 2006, indicated that the proposed Richmond dam was “only going to serve the Anglo Platinum operations on a temporary scale.” However, “further investigations revealed that the proposed Richmond dam will become a permanent source of water to the Anglo Platinum Mining operation in the Eastern Limb.”
This project entails underground mining operations in the Groot and Klein Dwars valleys where approximately 400 000 tonnes of ore a month will be mined at an operating cost of about R43 million a month. The mine has a life expectancy of about 65 years and according to the report, about 1200 people will comprise the total workforce at the mine.
The proposed dam will have a storage capacity of 13,5 million cubic metres and a dam wall of 31 metres in height, covering an area of 1.52km2.
These reports will be integrated into a draft EIR which, according to the consultants, will be made available for public comment
55 rhinos counted in Kruger
In a first count, the Kruger National Park counted 55 black rhino, using the stratified block counting technique. Using computer software, scientists in the park divided the the southern section of the park into 120, 3km x 3km counting blocks. Rhino specialists Raoul du Toit and Charles Mackey brought their Piper Super Cub and Christen Husky light aircraft from Zimbabwe and worked together with Tshokwane section ranger Steven Whitfield in the Sanparks Bantam ultralight aircraft to do the survey.
A founder population of 90 animals was introduced in the park between the 1970’s and 1990 as part of a donation from the then Natal Parks Board.
“Black rhino are hard to spot in the thickets, as they are often just standing still in between the dense bushes and they don’t often stand in the open,” said Judith Kruger from Sanparks Scientific Services savanna unit in Skukuza, who is leading this project..
So far the team has spotted 55 black rhino in the 120 blocks they surveyed and over 600 white rhinos.
“We are hoping to continue with a second count in October 2008 and, funds permitting, we would like to fly the survey again every two to three years” said Judith.
A founder population of 90 animals was introduced in the park between the 1970’s and 1990 as part of a donation from the then Natal Parks Board.
“Black rhino are hard to spot in the thickets, as they are often just standing still in between the dense bushes and they don’t often stand in the open,” said Judith Kruger from Sanparks Scientific Services savanna unit in Skukuza, who is leading this project..
So far the team has spotted 55 black rhino in the 120 blocks they surveyed and over 600 white rhinos.
“We are hoping to continue with a second count in October 2008 and, funds permitting, we would like to fly the survey again every two to three years” said Judith.
Shangoni section poaching
The Shangoni Ranger Section in the Kruger National Park is doing a lot of hard work cleaning up poaching in the area. Section ranger, David Manganye, welcomed me to do a story about Peter Chauke, not an unknown figure at Shangoni. Peter had been arrested by many of David’s predecessors at the ranger section for poaching. David and his team also arrested Peter’s wife in May for allegedly poaching fish, at night, in Kruger.
In another incident three alleged poachers were after buffalo that had moved from Kruger into the adjacent communal land. The driver of the bakkie was apprehended at the living quarters of the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board living quarters and taken to the Giyani police station for questioning.
“People poach for various reasons – to stay alive or to make money,” says David. Some families have been poaching in the park for years, he adds. They know the park so well they only take food, cooking utensils and weapons on their excursions into Kruger. They know where to find water.
One woman, who had lost an arm to a crocodile one night while fishing inside Kruger, had been apprehended, but, despite her harrowing experience said, “It is in my blood,” knowing she would do it again.
David says he has an agreement with most of the traditional leaders at the bordering villages - Mtitititi, Alten, Muyexe, Mahlathi, Ndindani, Planji, Hlomela, Lombaard, Mangona, Mashobye, Bevula, Nthaveni and Maluleke – that an alleged poacher will be brought before the leader, in addition to being charged in a court of law.
The photo is an example of some of the weapons that are found.
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