No dogs allowed in nature reserve

RESIDENTS bordering the Palmiet Nature Reserve have been warned to keep their dogs out of the reserve.

According to the conservation officer at the Palmiet Nature Reserve, Nospiho Ndzimbomvu, dogs attacking wildlife at the reserve has been a problem for years.

“The Palmiet Nature Reserve is a proclaimed nature reserve, it is also a protected area according to the national biodiversity act, the protected areas act, the nature conservation ordinance and the municipal bylaws, so because of that every biodiversity inside the nature reserve is protected, from plants to animals, it can not be harmed or destroyed in any way,” said Ndzimbomvu.

Due to the destructive nature of dogs, whether they are harnessed or not, they are not permitted in the nature reserve.

Ndzimbomvu said attempts have been made to notify residents living on the border of the reserve that there is a problem. Field rangers have reported spores of dog sightings and have followed them back to the households and gave the homeowners a letter to let them know they can be fined or prosecuted if their dogs are found in the nature reserve again.

“The conservation body of the Palmiet Nature Reserve is also mandated to either shoot or give you a fine, or have you arrested by police to be prosecuted. Residents need to be aware of this since Palmiet Nature Reserve is an urban reserve, it has become inhumane to shoot the dogs, so we are trying to encourage the residents to keep their dogs on their premises to avoid fatalities,” said Ndzimbomvu.

Within the last two months, Ndzimbomvu has had three calls that she recorded, about dogs spotted at the David Mclain Road entrance. She responded by sending in four field rangers to conduct after hours patrols from 5.30pm to 6.30pm daily where people have been known to walk their dogs at that times. She also authorised patrols early in the mornings to track the loitering dogs to the households.

“We’ve noticed game, especially the blue duicker population has declined and there is a possibility that the dog’s could have played a role in this. In 2011, we found a pregnant duicker mauled to death at the reserve,” said Ndzimbomvu.

She has sent out an urgent request to keep dogs out of the nature reserve and for residents to keep their gates locked at all times.