https://corridorgazette-epaper.products ... y_2020.pdf
Results of overgrazing of veld is ‘near-catastrophic’
MARLOTH PARK - Dennis Goffinay is
at the forefront of finding a solution to the
overpopulation and health conditions of the
free-roaming game in the residential area
and parkland zones.
This area, however, does not include the
Lionspruit conservancy surrounded by the
residential area.
Earlier this month, Corridor Gazette
requested Goffinay to pinpoint his stance
on this dire situation. This also represents
the viewpoints of the Honorary Rangers of
Marloth Park, Marlothii Conservancy and
Marloth Park Wildlife Fund.
The escalating conservation crisis in
Marloth Park requires immediate action to
avert an animal welfare disaster with dire
implications for the reputation and economic
future of the township.
The crisis began in 2017 when some
property owners obtained a court interdict
against the annual game cull proposed for
that year.
Marloth Park lacks the checks and
balances found in a natural ecosystem and
requires human management if the veld and
wildlife are to remain healthy.
Fencing inhibits large predators from
entering and prevents game from moving out
to greener pastures. Residents and visitors
provide them with supplemental feed and
watering points abound.
Since the Nkomazi Local Municipality
stopped culling in 2017, game numbers have
escalated exponentially.
Separate expert reports prepared in 2018
by ecologists Ralph Kalwa and Prof Reilly,
noted that overstocking of game animals had
led to a deterioration in the condition of the
veld and recommended action to reduce the
numbers of grazers and browsers.
As the dry winter of 2020 progresses,
large areas of Marloth Park are completely
denuded of grass and hungry and sick
animals abound.
Reports by Dr Linmarie de Klerk Lorist
(Skukuza), the Nkomazi state vet, Dr Pieter
Kieviet, and Dawid Rudolph (animal health
department state vet, Nkomazi), as recently
as June pointed to the rising bovine TB
infection rate among kudu, impala, warthog
and banded mongoose.
Animals weakened by hunger are more
susceptible to these and other diseases such
as anthrax. High stocking densities ensure
easy transmission.
Kieviet stated that the results of
overgrazing on the veld are now “nearcatastrophic” and called for the use of
culling to control numbers.
On July 11, he and other experts
assembled for a Zoom webinar organised by
the forum organisations and again stressed
the need for action to reduce game numbers.
They explained why proposed alternatives
to culling, such as removing the fence
between Marloth Park and Kruger National
Park, were not feasible due to noncompatible land-use and the prevalence of
diseases in Marloth.
There have been well-intentioned calls for
mass feeding of the animals to help them
through the remainder of the dry season.
This would further degrade the veld and
compound the problem until a bigger crisis
is faced next year.
Even if the money was available to
provide such feeding, Marloth Park would
soon resemble a desert.
The 2017 interdict was granted due to
safety concerns over the use of firearms
in a built-up area. Since then, alternative
methods of reducing animal numbers such
as capture in bomas and removal from
Marloth have been tried, but produced
negligible results.
The forum organisations believe that
culling operations carried out professionally
are safe and that good reasons exist to justify
a cull as provided for in South African
firearms control legislation.
The emotionally difficult, but rational
choice is to reintroduce culling, carried out
in a safe, professional manner. This is the
most responsible, humane and effective
approach to managing animal numbers,
preventing further suffering through sickness
and disease, and maintaining a healthy veld.
Marloth Park was founded as a wildlife
township and its national and international
reputations rely on the ability of residents
and visitors to enjoy life among its iconic
African animals.
They are why Marloth Park exists.
When they suffer, the township suffers.
Its environment, economy and quality of
life all depend upon maintaining healthy
populations of game.
It is essential that all stakeholders in
Marloth work constructively with the
Nkomazi municipality to reduce game
numbers to levels that can be sustained by
the carrying capacity of the veld.
The awful alternative is currently
unfolding before property owners' eyes.
