HERITAGE
LETTER |
The following article is from items published in the
Hout Bay press. The submitted articles are often shortened
or edited by the publishers, which is their prerogative, however, articles
here appear in full.
D.C. |
| Tar but no Tahrs today thank you. by Dave Cowley |
|
Argus Letters to Editor 29/06/2000 The recent debate of pros and cons for the continued existence of Table Mountains Tahrs has raised the blood pressure of some and amused others. In the main the domestic animal lovers are the ones who are most vociferous but I now feel it is time that someone spoke for those who are affected by imported animals as a whole, captive or liberated - I refer of course to our own indigenous wildlife. Unlike most Western countries - South Africa still has an appreciable amount of wildlife, but sadly the rate at which it is disappearing is a great concern to many including myself. Over millions of years eco-systems reached a relative equilibrium based on natural selection, however, since man rose to prominence, a few thousand years ago, the equilibrium has all but been destroyed and there are few remaining places on earth where it can be restored. South Africa is one of few places where much of its biodiversity still has a chance to recover, but we have to take an informed and resolute stance if we are to save the day. There is no doubt that the introduction of non indigenous animal species has had a devastating effect on our country. The Karoo once teamed with buck which fed on lush Karoo fynbos, today the Karoo has been overgrazed by sheep and in many places it is a desert. I recently visited the Anysberg Nature Reserve between Laingsberg and Ladysmith, it is a 45000 ha oasis of karoo fynbos supporting many species of buck including Gemsbok (the only ones I've seen in the Cape). The stark contrasting desert on the other side of the fence testifies to the overgrazing of sheep and goats who have been put there by man. Such a desert cannot sustain wildlife, other than the odd jackall (which probably threatens lambs) unlike the bush on the other side of the fence. In our own back yards, domestic cats are responsible for the demise of hundreds of thousands of small creatures such as small snakes and lizards. There is little wonder that insects get out of control without them and that the seeds of unwanted plants germinate without the mice and gerbils that the cats have killed. Man counters the pests with insecticides and herbicides which in turn get into our rivers and wetlands to kill invertebrates and fish and so the destruction goes on. The impact of alien animals has a profound effect on a food chain and the Mountain's Tahrs, which will prevent the reintroduction of indigenous klipspringers, have to be removed if we are to start restore the damage of generations of destruction. Not only will the Tahrs have to go but virtually all of the alien trees too if we are really serious about conservation. Our Minister of Environment and Tourism has pledged his dedication to the conservation of our natural environment and we should all support his stand and those of our National Park's ecologists who have many years of experience in safeguarding our wildlife. There is no doubt that tourism can become the engine of our economy but without our beautiful natural environment we will fail. The unique beauty of a restored Table Mountain will place us higher on the international eco-tourism pop charts than all the casinos, cricket, football and rugby World Cup events combined - Lets support our new National Park. Dave Cowley Jun 2000 |
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