Northern Cape
With the Richtersveld Conservancy bordering on the Richtersveld National Park, the total number of conservancies in the Northern Cape has grown to eight.
No formal association exists in this province because of considerable geographic and communication problems. Dr Vicky Ahlmann of the Riverine Rabbit Working Group represents the Northern Cape at all NACSA meetings at great expense to herself.
In response to the urgent need to address the rapidly declining population of South Africa’s endemic species, the Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis) and its equally threatened Karoo habitat, landowners in the Karoo have established dedicated Riverine Rabbit Conservancies covering an area of approximately 200 000 ha private farmland.
The Riverine Rabbit is critically endangered and with fewer than 250 mature individuals estimated left in the wild today, the species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The species is endemic to the Karoo and because it only occurs on private farmland its survival lies in the hands of private landowners.
The Loxton Conservancy was established in 2003 and is chaired by Dr Ahlmann. This is the first combined rural-urban conservancy in the province and includes the town and commonage. There are approximately 50 members at present. Dr. Vicky Ahlmann was chosen as the Conservationist of the Year (2005) by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
The Riverine Rabbit (RR) Brakrivier Conservancy in the Victoria West District covers 70 000 ha of private farmland. Members of this conservancy are committed to protect the critically endangered Riverine Rabbit and its habitat on their land. All RR conservancies in the upper and central Karoo region of the Western and Northern Cape received new sign boards that are now indicating the conservancy areas, a total area of approximately 300 000 ha private farmland. The printed media reported on this exciting news during the course of 2005.
Other conservation activities in the Northern Cape:
Re-energising the Plattberg Karoo Conservancy near De Aar;
Recycling project in the Vluytjeskraal Conservancy of Orania;
Warrenton Conservancy: Yellow Fish Project;
Douglas Conservancy: Water quality management project;
Reintroduction of hippos within the recently established 14 000 ha Karoo Gariep Conservancy near Hanover;
Brennanweg Bee Eater Project in Kimberley.
The Northern Cape has no formal conservancy registration policy in place but a Letter of Support from the Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation (DTEC) has been received by some conservancies as acknowledgement.
STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT NORTHERN CAPE
Karoo farmers become custodians of the critically endangered Riverine Rabbit
LINKS TO NORTHERN CAPE CONSERVANCIES