Kim Helfrich
Biodiversity and its future conservation in the Eastern Cape interior stands on the threshold of a breakthrough that could see ancient migratory trails used again by, among others, the endangered Cape mountain zebra.
At the heart of an initiative to create a wilderness corridor between the Camdeboo and Mountain Zebra national parks are Port Elizabeth-based Wilderness Foundation and the custodian of South Africa’s natural heritage, SANParks.
“We are looking at enlarging the area under formal conservation protection by entering into voluntary contractual agreements with private landowners between the two parks,” said Christine Roets, the foundation’s conservation programme coordinator.
The agreements will provide benefits to landowners in terms of environmental protection as well as contributing to conservation of threatened wildlife species including the Cape mountain zebra, currently only fully protected in the park bearing its name outside Cradock.
Other species to benefit from the Camdeboo Corridor are black rhino, also on the threatened list, cheetah and black wildebeest.
Landowners who buy into the initiative will also become part of safeguarding the recently identified Sneeuberg centre of (vegetation) endemism, part of the Amathole-Sneeuberg Montane Belt.
An information session has been set for May 16 at 2pm in the Graaff-Reinet Methodist Church hall where all interested parties will be able to gain more insight into the initiative, how they can contribute and the benefits.
“The meeting is part of the first phase of planning, with a lot of work already having been done by project coordinator Bronwyn Botha, ourselves and SANParks.
The session will serve to answer questions about the proposed corridor’s viability,” said Roets.
kimh@thenewage.co.za
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Article source: http://www.thenewage.co.za/50223-1016-53-Corridor_will_protect_wildlife