December 2009 Monthly Report

October 2013 MONTHLY REPORT Compliance Management Throughout October a total of 23 recreational fishing and bait collecting permits were checked by the rangers. Of the 23 permits checked, 3 fishermen did not have a valid permit in their possession and were issued a friendly warning. Fransmanshoek Bins The newly installed Fransmanshoek bins at Verleeklip and Die Saal have proved to be relatively successful in reducing the litter load on these fishing spots. The rangers have been regularly inspecting the bins and have found that they are being used. The removal of eight full yellow refuse bags this month is testament to the efficiency of the well placed bins. The Rangers installed the new bins in the hope of reducing the unsightly litter that accumulates at these sites. The idea is that the public will have easier access to the bins and the rangers will be responsible for routinely checking and emptying the bins in an attempt to keep the area clean. Roland showing off the effectiveness of the new bin at Verleeklip Camera Trap Although the leopard has long since moved from the Misgunst dunes, the rangers have left the camera trap at its location in the dunes. The camera trap yielded interesting footage with the capture of a large male Bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus, who has been observed on numerous occasions along with other rams in the Conservancy. They most likely form a bachelor herd and are drawn to the Conservancy due to the cover and forage availability. A male Bushbuck Ram Vleesbaai Primary Snake call out On the 14th Kei and Leandre was called to the Vleesbaai Primary school to remove a Skaapsteker, Psammophylax rhomeatus. The teacher informed the rangers that the children have already killed a Puff adder, Bitis arietans, earlier that morning. The rangers arrived, snake tongs in hand to look for the skaapsteker, which was nowhere to be found. The dead Puff adder was taken back to the office. Before leaving the school Leandre decided to take the opportunity to educate the children about snakes. She told them that they must try avoid the snake when they see one and not kill it. She informed them that the snake did not mean them any harm and should be respected. After the speech Leandre asked the children to contact the rangers when they come across a snake near their homes or the school, so that the rangers can remove the snake in a safe manner. When the rangers arrived back at the office the snake was DNA sampled, the tail was clipped off and put in vial filled with alcohol. The DNA samples are numbered and then sent to Tony Phelps for research purposes. Leandre decided to dissect the snake to see if it was pregnant, she was proven right and 30 eggs were counted in the snake. The snake was skinned and the skin dried for display in the new office. A dead female Puffadder Mossel Bay Advertiser Dave van der Merwe, a journalist from the Mossel Bay Advertiser, took an interest in the Conservancy this month and met up with the rangers at their new Conservancy office. Dave wrote a story on behalf of the Conservancy promoting and thanking the Garden Route Casino Community Trust for the sponsorship of the funds. After an enthusiastic conversation with the rangers, a series of photographs were taken for the story which appeared in the Mossel Bay advertiser later in the month. Break-in at the Beyers Residence At 23h30 on the 11th the Conservancy was contacted following a report of suspicious activity at the Beyer’s house at the Fransmanshoek point. Kei assisted Riekie Janse van Rensburg and his son, Andri, in quickly responding to the report and drove out to inspect the scene. On arrival, the team found a female suspect hiding inside the Beyer’s homestead, who was then apprehended until the police could arrive. The police, upon arrival, then took over the scene and arrested the culprit who was then charged with break-in and entering and her belongings were seized. The public as a watchdog is vitally important in such cases of house break-ins and the Conservancy encourages people to be aware of the activities occurring on the Conservancy. The public and members of the Conservancy should not hesitate in contacting the rangers of the Conservancy if they should suspect any suspicious activity in the future or present. Barn owlet On the 11th a barn owlet (Tyto alba) was brought to the rangers and they decided to hand raise the chick. The details of how the owlet became orphaned are unknown but the little bird quickly crept into the hearts of the rangers. Over the following weeks the owlet, fondly referred to as Walter, grew quickly and kept the rangers busy with setting mouse traps and feedings. Walter is developing well and is growing every day with adult feathers sprouting in full force; soon he will be flying around the office and learning to hunt for himself. The baby barn owl Monthly species profile Widely known as Kankerbos the Sutherlandia frutescens is a common plant in the area used for medicinal purposes. Kankerbos is an indigenous shrub with densely hairy leaves which give it a silvery appearance. Common name: Kankerbos, Cancer bush Scientific name: Sutherlandia frutescens Class: Equisetopsida Subclass: Magnoliidae Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Conservation Status: Not threatened Description: The shrub can grow up to 2m tall, the leaves are covered with hairs giving the plant a silver appearance. The large red flowers growing up to 35mm long are very striking, and the pods containing seeds are large, papery, and hairless structures. The leaves are used medicinally for stomach problems, internal cancers, eye wounds and ailments, colds, chicken pox, diabetes, liver problems and depression to name a few. The leaves are brewed into a tonic that is used for the above mentioned treatment, but leaves are often chewed giving the same effects. Habitat: Kankerbos is spread throughout western and central South Africa, specifically on sandstone and shale flats as well as on coastal sands. Life History: This perennial shrub flowers from July to December and seed pods have been observed during November to February. References: Manning, J., 2007. Field guide to Fynbos. Cape Town, Struik Van Wyk, B., Van Oudtshoorn, B., Gericke,N., 2009. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Pretoria, Briza Publications LEANDRE VISSER KEI HEYNS ROLAND SCHOLTZ FRANSMANSHOEK CONSERVANCY 082 084 2791 [email protected] .

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