CITY OF CAPE TOWN NATURE RESERVE PARTNER CITY OF CAPE TOWN NATURE RESERVE PARTNER

KENILWORTH RACECOURSE CONSERVATION AREA KENILWORTH RACECOURSE CONSERVATION AREA

The most valuable piece of remaining The most valuable piece of remaining Cape Flats sand . Cape Flats sand fynbos.

INTRODUCING THE AREA INTRODUCING THE AREA

This 52 hectare conservation area lies in the centre of the Kenilworth Racecourse This 52 hectare conservation area lies in the centre of the Kenilworth Racecourse and is the largest conservation area surrounded by urbanisation remaining in Cape and is the largest conservation area surrounded by urbanisation remaining in Cape Town's southern suburbs. It is also the best example of sand fynbos remaining in the Town's southern suburbs. It is also the best example of sand fynbos remaining in the Cape Peninsula. Cape Peninsula.

The area was opened as a racecourse in 1882 and due to the nature of the land The area was opened as a racecourse in 1882 and due to the nature of the land use, allowed for the conservation of the area within the track. In recent years the use, allowed for the conservation of the area within the track. In recent years the conservation area was identified as “irreplaceable” on the Cape Town Biodiversity conservation area was identified as “irreplaceable” on the Cape Town Biodiversity Network. Network.

In 2006, a management agreement between the City of Cape Town, Gold Circle In 2006, a management agreement between the City of Cape Town, Gold Circle and CapeNature was established. A permanent conservation management team and CapeNature was established. A permanent conservation management team was put in place and the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA) was was put in place and the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA) was formed. formed.

BEING RESPONSIBLE BEING RESPONSIBLE

Please: Never: Please: Never:  Smoke only in  Damage or interfere with  Smoke only in  Damage or interfere with designated areas flora or fauna designated areas flora or fauna  Enjoy the activities  Damage property  Enjoy the activities  Damage property allowed  Litter or pollute the area allowed  Litter or pollute the area (see icons above)  Light fires (see icons above)  Light fires  Bring in weapons  Bring in weapons

BIODIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY

Flora Flora The KRCA hosts more than 300 indigenous plant of which 34 are considered to be The KRCA hosts more than 300 indigenous plant species of which 34 are considered to be threatened with extinction. Some of these species include: Diastella proteoides, Erica threatened with extinction. Some of these species include: Diastella proteoides, Erica margaritacea, Leucadendron levisanus, Morea elsiae, micans and Disa barbata. margaritacea, Leucadendron levisanus, Morea elsiae, Restio micans and Disa barbata. Many of these rare species are endemic to Cape Flats sand fynbos of which the Many of these rare species are endemic to Cape Flats sand fynbos of which the conservation area is comprised. Controlled burns were performed in 2005 and annually conservation area is comprised. Controlled burns were performed in 2005 and annually from 2010 to 2013. This led to the rediscovery of a plant species, the cinnamon from 2010 to 2013. This led to the rediscovery of a plant species, the cinnamon sambreëltjie (Hessea cinnamomea) which hasn’t flowered for more than 70 years. sambreëltjie (Hessea cinnamomea) which hasn’t flowered for more than 70 years. Adding to the significance of the site are the nine or so seasonal wetlands in the Adding to the significance of the site are the nine or so seasonal wetlands in the conservation area. conservation area.

Fauna Fauna Apart from the botanical importance of the site, KRCA is also of great faunal significance. Apart from the botanical importance of the site, KRCA is also of great faunal significance. It is home to 11 , including the Critically Endangered micro It is home to 11 amphibians, including the Critically Endangered micro frog (Microbatrachella capensis), the Endangered Cape platanna (Xenopus gilli) and the (Microbatrachella capensis), the Endangered Cape platanna (Xenopus gilli) and the Cape rain frog (Breviceps gibbosus), all of which are endemic to the South Western Cape rain frog (Breviceps gibbosus), all of which are endemic to the South Western Cape, rendering KRCA the hottest hotspot for life on the Cape Flats. Cape, rendering KRCA the hottest hotspot for amphibian life on the Cape Flats.

Home to a presumed 17 reptiles, including the parrot-beaked tortoise (Homopus Home to a presumed 17 reptiles, including the parrot-beaked tortoise (Homopus areolatus), the rare Aurora house snake (Lamprophis aurora) and a small mammal areolatus), the rare Aurora house snake (Lamprophis aurora) and a small mammal community of at least 10 species. A newly discovered species includes the Brant’s community of at least 10 species. A newly discovered species includes the Brant’s climbing mouse (Dendromus mesomelas). The site also supports a healthy bird community climbing mouse (Dendromus mesomelas). The site also supports a healthy bird community of at least 80 species that take up residence or frequent the reserve. One such bird is the of at least 80 species that take up residence or frequent the reserve. One such bird is the rare peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). rare peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).

USEFUL INFORMATION USEFUL INFORMATION

Address: Kenilworth Racecourse, Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth Address: Kenilworth Racecourse, Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth GPS -33.997208 S, 18.478439 E GPS -33.997208 S, 18.478439 E

Opening hours: Under reserve staff supervision only. Booking required. Opening hours: Under reserve staff supervision only. Booking required.

A nominal entry fee is charged. A nominal entry fee is charged.

Public transport: Train, bus or taxi Public transport: Train, bus or taxi

Tel: 021 700 1843 (weekdays 07:30 - 16:00) Tel: 021 700 1843

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Website: www.krca.co.za Website: www.krca.co.za Micro frog Micro frog To be added to the Friends of KRCA mailing list, send a blank (Microbatrachella capensis) To be added to the Friends of KRCA mailing list, send a blank (Microbatrachella capensis) email to [email protected] email to [email protected]

For the latest updates on tariffs, opening hours, maps or any other information, please contact management For the latest updates on tariffs, opening hours, maps or any other information, please contact management or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves. or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.

2021-06-08 2021-06-08