Durban hiking groups rally to assist Bisley Nature Reserve
Upon hearing about the tragic loss of yet another Zebra in Bisley Nature Reserve earlier in the month, concerned members of two Durban based hiking clubs rallied together to help Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve (FoBNR) with a snare patrol.
Grant Geoghegan, from In Your Footsteps, and Elvira Wortman, from Adventure Hikers, along with Durban resident Jenz Wells, contacted FoBNR’s project lead on anti-poaching and security, Jason Stakemire, to discuss the possibility of putting together an event, and then went ahead to spread the word among their members.
In total, around 25 people travelled up from Durban early one Sunday morning and, following a briefing from Stakemire, were divided up into groups to patrol potential ‘hotspot’ areas within the reserve, each led by a member of the FoBNR team.
The morning was successful, with several newly placed snares located and removed, each of which would no doubt have led to the suffering and loss of an animal.
Following the patrol, the volunteers gathered in the picnic area for a brunch and to discuss their morning’s adventure.
“It is fantastic to have people coming from as far afield as Durban to help protect Bisley’s animals,” said Stakemire, adding that plans were being discussed with the groups to make this a regular event.
He also urged residents to follow Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve’s Facebook page to keep up to date with the happenings in the reserve, and for any groups or individuals interested in helping with future patrols to email bnrpatrols@gmail.com
FoBNR has recently completed the mammoth task of opening and marking recommended birding,
cycling, and hiking trails within the reserve for visitors to enjoy, along with an official launch event currently in the planning stages. A
large map will be installed at the Canterbury gate parking area in the near future.