Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Articles
Press Release - 27 October 2007
New Karkloof Conservation Centre opens to birders’ acclaim
The newly opened Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is already being described in glowing terms by local and visiting birders. Singled out for acclaim is the Karkloof Conservation Centre, which is one of the anchor attractions on the route.
The centre has four distinct habitats that showcase the biodiversity of the area and provide focal points for birders.
All three of South Africa’s species of cranes are found in the Karkloof district and enjoy protection by residents of the area. The presence of the Blue, Grey-Crowned and Wattled Crane in a single locale should be enough to draw serious birders and nature-lovers in general to the area, but there are other reasons.
The Centre is centrally located on the Midlands Birding Route and provides an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the route.
The opening of the route represents the culmination of seven years of cooperation
between global pulp and paper producer Sappi and WWF, the conservation organisation, as well as rural communities who live near threatened indigenous forests and wetlands.
The SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership introduced community-based tourism as an alternative to the non-sustainable use of local forests and wetlands. They initiated sustainable eco-tourism programmes as an economically and environmentally sustainable way for rural South Africans to create livelihoods.
The Partnership contributed R 800 000 towards the development of the Karkloof Conservation Centre.
Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF in South Africa, says: “Most of us living in this country do not realize the extent to which a diversity of biological wonders are compressed into a relatively small area such as we find in KZN. From the peaks and forested mountain ravines of the Drakensberg, one can cover rolling grasslands, mistbelt forests through to riverine coastal and estuarine regions within a single day. And on a north-south axis, one can cross from valley bushveld, mangrove forests and dune forests, all the way into thornveld savanna habitats. Each of these habitats supports a host of bird species that are unique to them. The diversity is absolutely extraordinary. However, this route is not only a place to savour the wonders of our country’s natural habitats, but also provides an example of how those habitats can be harnessed to provide livelihoods and dignity for ordinary South Africans.
This centre provides an opportunity for us to savour the wonders of our country’s natural habitats, whilst also witnessing that it is possible for agriculture and biodiversity conservation to exist in harmony. The Karkloof Valley is renowned for the commitment of its farmers to the conservation of the Valleys wetlands, forests and unique biodiversity”, he concludes.
Visitors to the centre will not only be able to find out more about the valleys natural beauty and assets, but also wander through the farmlands to two strategically positioned bird hides that provide visitors with intimate insight into the lives of the many bird species that frequent the valley. A special experience that is a must-do for all visitors to the Midlands area.
Matthew Drew from BirdLife South Africa, who manages the route, says that the Karkloof Conservancy, together with the Wildlands Conservation Trust and SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership have constructed an interpretive Conservation Centre on Gartmore Farm, as well as two hides, on Gartmore and neighboring Loskop Farm. Visitors walk down the connecting trails which will lead them to each of the three destinations. Knowledgeable local bird guides trained by Birdlife South Africa will be available, and add great value, information and peace of mind to any birding outing at affordable rates.
Matthew is particularly excited about the Conservation Centre as it offers birders a great opportunity to learn more about the Karkloof and its special birding sites. These sites are home to some of the countries rarest and most endangered species such as the three South African Crane species and the endangered Cape Parrot. The centre will also undoubtedly provide a first class education opportunity for the various eco-schools education projects in the region.
Andre Oberholzer, Sappi’s Group Head Corporate Affairs says, “The SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership is extremely pleased to have been a part of this significant private/community project. The Karkloof Conservation project forms part of Sappi’s commitment to conserving sensitive indigenous forests and wetlands through building alternative sustainable resources and capacity for rural communities. The Conservation Centre will also become an important destination for the Southern KwaZulu Natal Birding Route, a related project which is also a project sponsored by the SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership.”
About cranes
Cranes are large, beautiful, long-lived birds which have inspired awe since early times. These elegant birds and their trumpeting calls and carefree, bounding courtship dances are evocative of our wildest places. The lifelong devotion shown by mated pairs has resulted in them traditionally being revered as symbols of peace, happiness and longevity.
The Karkloof district has all three of South Africa’s species:
vThe Blue Crane (Anthropoids paradiseus), South Africa’s national bird, the population of which has declined by almost 80% in the eastern parts of the country during the past century.
vThe Grey-Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum), of which the numbers have also decreased dramatically.
vThe Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus), now critically endangered in South Africa.
For more information:
André Oberholzer
Group Head Corporate Affairs
Sappi Limited
Tel +27(0) 11 407 8438
Fax +27 (0) 11 403 8236
Andre.Oberholzer@sappi.com
Marli van Wyk
Communications Manager
WWF South Africa
Tel +27(0) 21 888 2863
Cell +27 (0) 84 212 2000
mvanwyk@wwf.org.za
Matthew Drew
BirdLife South Africa Avitourism
Project Manager
SKZN Birding Route
Cell +27 (0) 82 325 3514
skzn@birdlife.org.za
Issued by:
William Smook
Meropa Communications
Tel +27 (0) 21 683 6464
Cell +27 (0) 83 357 2837
williams@meropa.co.za
Articles
Press Release - 27 October 2007
New Karkloof Conservation Centre opens to birders’ acclaim
The newly opened Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is already being described in glowing terms by local and visiting birders. Singled out for acclaim is the Karkloof Conservation Centre, which is one of the anchor attractions on the route.
The centre has four distinct habitats that showcase the biodiversity of the area and provide focal points for birders.
All three of South Africa’s species of cranes are found in the Karkloof district and enjoy protection by residents of the area. The presence of the Blue, Grey-Crowned and Wattled Crane in a single locale should be enough to draw serious birders and nature-lovers in general to the area, but there are other reasons.
The Centre is centrally located on the Midlands Birding Route and provides an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the route.
The opening of the route represents the culmination of seven years of cooperation
between global pulp and paper producer Sappi and WWF, the conservation organisation, as well as rural communities who live near threatened indigenous forests and wetlands.
The SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership introduced community-based tourism as an alternative to the non-sustainable use of local forests and wetlands. They initiated sustainable eco-tourism programmes as an economically and environmentally sustainable way for rural South Africans to create livelihoods.
The Partnership contributed R 800 000 towards the development of the Karkloof Conservation Centre.
Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF in South Africa, says: “Most of us living in this country do not realize the extent to which a diversity of biological wonders are compressed into a relatively small area such as we find in KZN. From the peaks and forested mountain ravines of the Drakensberg, one can cover rolling grasslands, mistbelt forests through to riverine coastal and estuarine regions within a single day. And on a north-south axis, one can cross from valley bushveld, mangrove forests and dune forests, all the way into thornveld savanna habitats. Each of these habitats supports a host of bird species that are unique to them. The diversity is absolutely extraordinary. However, this route is not only a place to savour the wonders of our country’s natural habitats, but also provides an example of how those habitats can be harnessed to provide livelihoods and dignity for ordinary South Africans.
This centre provides an opportunity for us to savour the wonders of our country’s natural habitats, whilst also witnessing that it is possible for agriculture and biodiversity conservation to exist in harmony. The Karkloof Valley is renowned for the commitment of its farmers to the conservation of the Valleys wetlands, forests and unique biodiversity”, he concludes.
Visitors to the centre will not only be able to find out more about the valleys natural beauty and assets, but also wander through the farmlands to two strategically positioned bird hides that provide visitors with intimate insight into the lives of the many bird species that frequent the valley. A special experience that is a must-do for all visitors to the Midlands area.
Matthew Drew from BirdLife South Africa, who manages the route, says that the Karkloof Conservancy, together with the Wildlands Conservation Trust and SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership have constructed an interpretive Conservation Centre on Gartmore Farm, as well as two hides, on Gartmore and neighboring Loskop Farm. Visitors walk down the connecting trails which will lead them to each of the three destinations. Knowledgeable local bird guides trained by Birdlife South Africa will be available, and add great value, information and peace of mind to any birding outing at affordable rates.
Matthew is particularly excited about the Conservation Centre as it offers birders a great opportunity to learn more about the Karkloof and its special birding sites. These sites are home to some of the countries rarest and most endangered species such as the three South African Crane species and the endangered Cape Parrot. The centre will also undoubtedly provide a first class education opportunity for the various eco-schools education projects in the region.
Andre Oberholzer, Sappi’s Group Head Corporate Affairs says, “The SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership is extremely pleased to have been a part of this significant private/community project. The Karkloof Conservation project forms part of Sappi’s commitment to conserving sensitive indigenous forests and wetlands through building alternative sustainable resources and capacity for rural communities. The Conservation Centre will also become an important destination for the Southern KwaZulu Natal Birding Route, a related project which is also a project sponsored by the SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership.”
About cranes
Cranes are large, beautiful, long-lived birds which have inspired awe since early times. These elegant birds and their trumpeting calls and carefree, bounding courtship dances are evocative of our wildest places. The lifelong devotion shown by mated pairs has resulted in them traditionally being revered as symbols of peace, happiness and longevity.
The Karkloof district has all three of South Africa’s species:
vThe Blue Crane (Anthropoids paradiseus), South Africa’s national bird, the population of which has declined by almost 80% in the eastern parts of the country during the past century.
vThe Grey-Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum), of which the numbers have also decreased dramatically.
vThe Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus), now critically endangered in South Africa.
For more information:
André Oberholzer
Group Head Corporate Affairs
Sappi Limited
Tel +27(0) 11 407 8438
Fax +27 (0) 11 403 8236
Andre.Oberholzer@sappi.com
Marli van Wyk
Communications Manager
WWF South Africa
Tel +27(0) 21 888 2863
Cell +27 (0) 84 212 2000
mvanwyk@wwf.org.za
Matthew Drew
BirdLife South Africa Avitourism
Project Manager
SKZN Birding Route
Cell +27 (0) 82 325 3514
skzn@birdlife.org.za
Issued by:
William Smook
Meropa Communications
Tel +27 (0) 21 683 6464
Cell +27 (0) 83 357 2837
williams@meropa.co.za
See Also
Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
Location Info
Special thanks for images
Charlie MacGillivray (Gartmore Farm) and Pat Cahill
Charlie MacGillivray (Gartmore Farm) and Pat Cahill
Eco-tourism = Community + Environment
