Spring News
Alien Clearing on Flower Valley Conservation Trust's land
With the imminent onset of spring, its great to give a very quick report on happenings in the WBFC! The long awaited radio system is in its final stages of installation, and within the next couple of weeks, those members that are becoming part of the network will be live on air! The repeater has been placed on one of the highest points in the conservancy, and this system will be a huge improvement to the communication network between landowners.
The R 200 000 grant that we have received from Landcare and the Departement of Agriculture is well on its way to being chopped up, sawn down and hacked out. Lomond finished their allocation with great speed and precision, and Flower Valley followed close behind. Danie de Villiers and his team have also showed great commitment in clearing riverbanks of their property Helderfontein. The other farms committed to the project are hard at work, an were hoping that by showing our willingness to use these funds, we will be in a good position to apply for further funding soon!
Honey Badger found on Wolwefontein
Here is a lovely photos taken by Italo on their farm Wolwefontein: The Honey Badger is a rarely seen yet amazing animal. The scourge of beekeepers, due to their appetite for honey and destructive way of ripping hives open to get it, these animals are also voracious carnivores. Snakes, scorpions, lizards and insects all fall prey to the honey badger, but they have also been known to hunt rabbits, hares, small buck and crocodiles up to 1m in length!
It is said that even lion are hesitant to attack a mature badger, due to the fact that their loose skin allows them to turn their body almost completely inside its skin, and sink its teeth into their attacker. Thanks Italo, for the lovely photos, isn’t it great to see the amazing nature that we are all privileged to be a part of in the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
