Griqua Gnus - Northern Cape newsletter April 2008 (490kb)

Remarkably 15 of southern Africa's 16 ducks and geese have been recorded in the Northern Cape , a province which is generally dry with limited habitat for waterfowl.

In order to promote an interest in and knowledge of the birds of the Northern Cape , SwiftPrint and, wildlife photographer and ornithologist, Mark Anderson have once again produced a very attractive bird calendar.

Each month has a different waterfowl photograph and an informative caption with information about the species in the Northern Cape . Some ducks, such as the Cape Teal and Cape Shoveler , are widespread in the Northern Cape even making use of saltpans. Others, such as the African Black Duck, are not widespread and are mainly found along the Orange and Vaal Rivers . Others, such as the Comb Duck and White-backed Duck, are not common in the Northern Cape .

Each month has been sponsored by a prominent Kimberley business and in this way they are contributing to promoting an awareness of the Northern Cape 's birds and thus their conservation.

The calendars are being sold for R50.00 with proceeds going to the Wildlife & Environment Society (Northern Cape Region).

Copies of the calendar are available directly from Mark Anderson (082-7880961), from SwiftPrint ( 13 Brand Street ), the Book Bin ( 78 Jones Street ), the McGregor Museum , and Annette's Gift Shop at the Big Hole shop.
For more information about the calendar, please call Mark Anderson (082-7880961) or Butch Evans at SwiftPrint (053-8392900).

Two large and colourful boards have been erected at Kamfers Dam, with the aim being to inform visitors to this wetland about its birds.

One board "Kamfers Dam - Kimberley 's wetland gem" depicts the diversity of waterbirds that are found at Kamfers Dam and provides general information about the wetland. The other board "Lesser Flamingos - Kimberley 's pink gems" provides details of the Dam's large, permanent population of Lesser Flamingos.

Acclaimed local wildlife artist, Maggie Newman, provide the beautiful illustrations for the boards. The layout was done by Luke Evans at SwiftPrint.

Kamfers Dam is home to the largest permanent population of Lesser Flamingos in southern Africa , numbering up to 36,000 individuals. They are a splendid attraction and motorists travelling on the N12 are greeted with a beautiful, pink display on Kimberley 's doorstep. The boards have been erected at the main flamingo viewing point, at the subway between the N12 road and the railway line, thus accessible to people travelling through Kimberley .

The flamingos were recently given a boost when Ekapa Mining constructed a large flamingo breeding island at Kamfers Dam, the third such structure in the world. Lesser Flamingos only breed at three localities in Africa and a fourth breeding population will contribute to the conservation of this threatened species.

The production of the two Kamfers Dam boards was a collaborative project between the Department of Tourism, Environment & Conservation, the Wildlife & Environment Society (Northern Cape Region) and the McGregor Museum . The project was funded by the Lomas Wildlife Protection Trust.

For further information, please contact Mark Anderson (082-7880961) or Suzanne Erasmus (082-8497655)

Electronic images of Kamfers Dam, the breeding island, the information boards and flamingos can be obtained from Mark Anderson ( manderson@half.ncape.gov.za )

PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

The following are some of the projects and initiatives in which WESSA: Northern Cape (WESSA: NC) is currently involved:


CONSERVATION Aloe pillansii PROJECT
Five hundred 48-piece puzzles, depicting the basterkokerboom (Aloe pillansii), were printed as part of the “Save the Aloe pillansii tree” awareness campaign of the Aloe pillansii Project (South Africa). This was made possible by funding from the Lomas Wildlife Trust. With the assistance of Willem de Wet, the Socio-Ecologist at Richtersveld National Park, workshops were held for the grade 7 teachers and the Principals at each of the four local primary schools in the Richtersveldt (Lekkersing, Eksteenfontein, Sanddrift and Kuboes), during March 2003. The schools received 25 puzzles each, together with information packs and worksheets. There was excellent response to the project and the schools are keen to use the expertise on hand to initiate further environmental projects. Puzzles were also distributed to three primary schools in Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth. In Kimberley the puzzles were distributed to Laerskool Newtwon, Montshiwa Primary School and Jannie Brink Special School, as well as the Adamantia Landsdiens Club and Saint Mary's Catholic Church Sunday School. Extra puzzles will be sold by the Region to generate funds for further projects.

KAMFERS DAM
The matters of the quality and level of the water in Kamfers Dam and the funding from the Flamingo Casino (Sun International) remain unresolved. There is also some concern over the proposed bulk sampling of the old Kamfers Dam mine dumps, as the proximity of and possible effects on Kamfers Dam itself were apparently not taken into consideration in the EMPR. The Flamingo Environmental Trust, on which WESSA: NC has a representative, has produced a brochure with the view to approach suitable donors.

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EDUCATION
This Region is highly active in environmental education (EE) and has a representative on the Kimberley Environmental Education Working Group (KEEWG). Last year a number of EE Forum meetings were held with the National Environmental Education Project (NEEP) co-ordinator of the Dept of Education, staff of the Dept of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Dept of Agriculture, Land Reform, Environment and Conservation and other organisations, such as Keep Kimberley Clean, to co-ordinate environmental education projects in the Northern Cape. Many co-operative projects were also tackled, including Arbor Day celebrations, many clean-up campaigns, the painting of rubbish and an Environment Week programme. The chairman judged a poster competition for schools and presented special museum lessons for two groups of learners from farm schools. Many other exciting activities are planned for the rest of the school year.

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GRIQUA GNUS
The Region produces a monthly newsletter, the Griqua Gnus (GG). The newsletters provide information on the region’s outings and public meetings, as well as any other regional-related environmental activities. In addition, other articles on a diversity of topics articles are included.

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PUBLICATIONS
Beginners' guides to the Plant and Animals of the Kimberley area.

Last Years two new booklets were launched to an enthusiastic group of people at Magersfontein Battlefield Museum. The Beginners’ guide to the plants of the Kimberley area and the Beginners’ guide to the animals of the Kimberley area were well received and immediately put to use during a walk through the lush green Magersfontein veld. The booklets were written and edited by field experts at the McGregor Museum staff, and printed by ShareNet, an environmental education networking project co-ordinated by WESSA.

The guides are aimed at explaining how to identify the common plants and animals in the natural veld around Kimberley. Interesting anecdotes and facts accompany the text and sketches provided for identifying each species. The booklets are indispensable resources for teachers and school libraries, and are especially suitable for environmental projects and trips into the field to learn more about the ecology of our natural environment. These guides add to the curriculum by using local plants and animals to teach Grade 7 to 12 learners about the local ecology.

Every school should have at least one copy of each guide in their school library, as well as copies for biology and science teachers. So hurry and get a copy now.

The booklets are available from Suzanne Erasmus, Tania Anderson and Corné Anderson at the McGregor Museum, Egerton Road, Kimberley, at the low price of R12,00 each. For further details contact Tania Anderson at tel. 053 839713 or Suzanne Erasmus at 053 8392717.


Hidden Splendour - A guide to the natural history of the Kalahari and surrounds. This guide is written in a popular style for the layman and amateur naturalist. It offers detailed information on the natural history of the Kalahari and surrounds. It should be of value to those with a passion for plant and animal life, and anyone with an interest in the environment and conservation. The guide includes:

• sections on the landscape, early travellers, mineral wealth, water sources and archaeology of the Northern Cape north of the Orange River
• descriptions of the National Parks, Nature Reserves and conservation areas, and sites of special interest to visit
• interesting information on the various vegetation types, plant species and the animal life that is found in each vegetation type
• an interesting range of colour photographs, colour paintings, black & white sketches, and colour maps illustrating the above
• checklists of the common birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants
• useful contact addresses and further reading for additional information.

A5 size; 80pp; paperback. Price R35.00. To place orders, contact the above address or telephone numbers.

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