| Campaigns |
| UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve |
Mission: To create a sustainable future while maintaining social responsibility and promoting environmental regeneration and conservation.Location: Colenso, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa Support started: 2005 Background: Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild is dedicated to researching and conserving animal species all over the world. One of its main priorities is to set up the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The reserve is currently made up of three farms. In total, the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve encompasses 4,000 ha and, with the completion of a fourth farm, will total 5,500ha. Uniquely, the land covers a 1,200 foot gradient from the banks of the Tugela River to the top of mountains and covers a diverse range of ecosystems, including open grassland and bushveldt. Historically, approximately 35 mammalian species inhabited this area, however, due to previous farmland management techniques, many of these native species have disappeared. Numerous species already inhabit the reserve, including kudu, impala, black-backed jackal, warthog, waterbuck and evidence of leopard and caracal have also been seen. Action for the Wild is now establishing a release programme for the reserve; to rehabilitate the land by returning the native species that have previously disappeared with farming. Action for the Wild will translocate species onto the reserve to recreate the historical mammalian assemblage and to help secure the future of these species. Achievements: Eleven species in total have been released so far into the first conservation area, Elworthy farm. These species include serval, zebra, giraffe, red hartebeest, blesbok, waterbuck, common reedbuck, African rock pythons, nyala, three white rhinos and leopard tortoises. Where possible, species to be released have been transferred from neighbouring farms. Originating from such close proximity means these species will already be adapted to this local environment and will prosper on UmPhafa. 2009 saw a baby boom at the reserve with zebra, blesbok and red hartebeest calves all spotted. In addition, there was the birth of our eighth giraffe offspring since 2006. April 2009 saw the release of a male bull white rhino onto the reserve to join our 2 females. We are hoping that this male will breed with our females in the near future. October 2009 saw the release of 31 nyala and many have been seen since around the reserve and we've even had offspring born. Action for the Wild employs three game guards and two project coordinators to survey the park daily to monitor the released animals and ensure they are surviving on the reserve. Future objectives: Action for the Wild plans to release a variety of other species onto the reserve. For 2010 this includes some breeding ostrich. In the long term potentially cheetah, hyena and African hunting dog will be released. Website: www.umphafa.org |
 |
Copyright © Colchester Zoo 2010 All Rights Reserved. Website by Datapartners
Registered office as above. A charity registered at the Charity Commission
No. 1105621 Trustees A C Downing, S D Knuckey, L J Spurgeon, P R Johnson