Wildseries - Golden Gate Challenge

Fund Raising

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is the jewel of the eastern Free State, a protected area overseen by its vigilant mountains. it is nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains, and gets its name from the golden light cast by the sunrise and sunset. The imposing Brandwag rock is at the heart of the park, and keeps watch over the Golden Gate Hotel and chalets.

These 11 600 hectares of unique environment make up a true highland habitat, providing a home to a variety of mammals – Black Wildebeest, Eland, Blesbok, Oribi, Springbok and Burchell's Zebra - and birds, including the rare Bearded Vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare Bald Ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs. Ribbokkop, the highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening.

Golden Gate was proclaimed a National Park in 1963, after the government bought it (4,792Ha) and handed the land over to the National Parks Board. Golden Gate Highlands National Park has been occupied by humans at different points in history and prehistory, shown by evidence of Basotho culture, farmer settlements and numerous fossils findings.

The Wildlands Conservation Trust is an innovative and dynamic non-profit organisation working to conserve the natural heritage of our beautiful country. In order to meet this objective, we work closely with our community, corporate and private partners - as well as other conservation NGOs - on our four core programmes. These are: Conservation SPACE, Indigenous Trees for Life, Biodiversity Management Support, and Green Leaders.

To read more about how you can contribute to these amazing projects, please visit www.wildlands.co.za

VULTURE CULTURE

The Bearded Vulture - Monarch of the Mountains

Scientific name : Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis
Zulu : uKhozilwentshebe
Sotho : Ntsu
Afrikaans : Baardaasvoël

In former times the distribution of this magnificent raptor extended from the Cape of Good Hope, along the eastern mountain spine of Africa into north-west Africa, then through the Middle East and into Europe and central Asia. Now the only population left in the Southern Hemisphere resides in our isolated and rugged Maluti-Drakensberg highlands. This endangered African sub-species has suffered more than 30% decline in recent history and there are thought to be less than 100 pairs left.

Conservation Status

The Bearded vulture is classified as Endangered in Southern Africa, based on the small and declining population size, restricted range, range contraction and susceptibility to several threats in Lesotho and South Africa.

Their populations are threatened by the fact that there is less food available to them because of better rural farming practices and thus less stock mortalities. Their feathers, skins and body parts are used for ceremonial and traditional medicine purposes. They also fall foul to traps and poisoned baits set out by farmers trying to eradicate stock killers, like jackal and feral dogs and are also vulnerable to electrocution on power-lines.

Did you know?

The Bearded Vulture used to be known as the Lammergeier, which in German means ‘lamb vulture’ and referred to what people thought were their lamb-catching tendencies. This inappropriate name has done these large scavenging birds a great disservice.

What Can YOU do to help?

Help dispel the myths that these birds “catch lambs”.
Do not leave poisoned carcasses to kill this bird or other animals.
Work with the conservation authorities to establish vulture feeding sites.
Become a nest site champion and monitor the breeding success of a pair of birds.
Monitor any Bearded Vultures that visit or breed on your land and let us know that they are there and keep an eye out for marked birds.
Report any Bearded Vulture mortalities to your local conservation officer.
Help Bearded Vulture conservationists to spread awareness amongst rural communities, children and farm workers.
Sponsor the tracking of a vulture to obtain valuable scientific information.

THE MALUTI DRAKENSBERG VULTURE PROJECT

This Project was initiated with the initial aim of monitoring nest sites to determine population trends. The project has now expanded to include the implementation of various actions aimed at mitigating the threats to the species. The project has a group of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who monitor the Bearded Vulture throughout its range in Lesotho and South Africa.

The project aims to:

Obtain an accurate estimate of population size and nesting success for Bearded Vultures in southern Africa.
Identify and address any conservation threats, such as a decrease in habitat and food supply, human persecution and disturbances at nests, poisoning, and collisions with powerlines.
Establish the breeding and foraging range of the species and track their seasonal movements.
Encourage the establishment of feeding sites throughout their foraging range to ensure a regular source of “safe” food.
Ensure the long-term survival of the species by protecting at least part of its breeding and foraging range through partnerships between conservation organizations and land users.
Establish whether the population is genetically viable.

The project’s activities require an extensive education and awareness programmes which together with a concerted effort to address the threats to the species will go a long way to ensuring their long-term survival. You have a role to play in ensuring the survival of the Bearded Vulture!

SANParks Honorary Rangers

Volunteers were active in the Kruger National Park as early as 1902 to help alleviate the workload of full-time rangers. The corps was formally constituted in May 1964, but functioned fairly loosely until 1987, when the Association of Honorary Rangers (HR) was formed with 301 members. Currently there are approximately 1 100 honorary rangers that operate nationwide in 31 regions, some of which are active in their nearest park, while others engage in specific projects and initiatives. Being such a large and widespread group, members adhere to a strict code of conduct and are required to complete a selection of courses to prepare them for involvement in the parks. To learn more about the SANParks Honorary Rangers, kindly follow the link to the HR website: http://www.sanparkshr.org
SANParks Honorary Rangers have a long association with the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. It was here in 1987 that the Association of Honorary Rangers was formed. Although honorary rangers from other regions also contribute their services to this park, it is basically members from the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal regions that perform duty here.

Photo: Philip van den Berg

At present the main thrust of the SANParks Honorary Rangers’ involvement is with the conservation of bearded and Cape vultures. Bearded vultures are classified as an endangered species. Three conservation agencies (SANParks, KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife and Lesotho conservation) have signed a treaty to jointly endeavour to save this species through protection of its habitat and by running a public awareness programme.

During the first phase of this endeavour, the KZN Region, in conjunction with Ben Booysen Refrigeration, Pietermaritzburg, supplied a large cold room, estimated at R85, 000. This enables Golden Gate Highlands National Park to supply a constant source of food to the ‘vulture restaurant’. The next step in this project is to provide an information centre with a birdhide. Here the public will not only learn more, but will also be able to observe these beautiful but elusive birds when they come to feed. Free State Region, in conjunction with KZN Region is driving this second phase of the project which will cost an estimated R200, 000. Proceeds raised by the Golden Gate Challenge will be used to erect this building.