Community unity addresses game park concerns

The Nigel Game Park and its animals will receive some much-needed attention thanks to the efforts of concerned community members

Over the past two months, the park has become an area of great worry.

Ward 88 Clr Wollaston Labuschagne arranged a site meeting at the park on October 11 to address the concerns.

Residents, representatives from the Nigel SPCA, local business owners and the team from the Nigel Clean-Up group attended.

Some concerns identified at the meeting included damaged fencing in many places around the park, the old wire fencing – which has not been removed, causing animals to get caught in it – and the poor condition of the antelope.

No new bloodlines have been introduced for many years, causing inbreeding and the removal of some antelope. There is also insufficient grazing.

In addition, at the duck pond island, there is no shelter for the ducks and geese, and there is also a need for water dousing in the park area.

“We observed that the blesbok are in poor condition. The main reasons for the poor condition are a total lack of grazing and inbreeding,” said Labuschagne.

He referred the concerns to the CoE parks and cemeteries division for a long-term solution and received this feedback:

“The department has considered various strategies for managing the antelope populations at the Nigel Game Park, including the potential sale of these animals. This approach is a proactive measure to mitigate risks like inbreeding and poaching. The plan involves selling excess livestock, which will address the immediate concerns and allow new male animals to be introduced to diversify the bloodlines.”

In the interim, Labuschagne collaborated with AFGRI Nigel and started the Sponsor a Bokkie initiative whereby residents get a quote from AFGRI on the cost of feeding the number of animals they would like to support.

Residents make an EFT payment to AFGRI, who will keep the feed for collection or drop it off at Laerskool Hannes Visagie next to the park.

With the help of Nigel residents and business owners, game supplements from AFGRI Nigel have been obtained and handed to the responsible park officials to place out according to feeding times.

“Although this is a short-term solution, the animals at the park are being fed while concerns are raised with the CoE and long-term solutions are sourced.

“The Nigel Game Park is a unique landmark because there is no other similar park in the CoE. It is, therefore, our responsibility to raise awareness and ultimately implement a game management plan,” said Labuschagne, adding that the response and support from residents is greatly appreciated.

Danie Wessels and the local farming community offered to fence a section of the park, which will only allow the blesbok and springbok in to feed and keep the zebras out. They will also guide resolving the inbreeding concerns and implement game management.

The Nigel Clean-Up group, Moolies Garden Services and CoE Waste Management will cut the grass, prune the trees and pick up litter.

A duck shelter will be set up with the donations received.

Veterinarian Cindy van der Westhuizen from the Welgelegen Animal Clinic also supports this initiative and will see that animals are spray-dipped.

“We are grateful for the support from everyone while we source a long-term solution between the community and the municipality to improve the park and ensure the ongoing well-being of the animals,” Labushagne said.

Residents who want to get involved can call Ilze Willemse on 079 850 4791, Andre Moolman on 076 811 4953 or Jolene Wolmarans on 083 962 7111.