The Marloth Park Honorary Rangers (HR) were hard at work throughout October, battling and removing significant amounts of overgrown and invasive vegetation in the area.

The HRs’ invasive plant team has been removing poisonous potato creepers from various sites. The main team worked on Olifant Drive and along Soenie Street. Additionally, other HRs tackled sections of Finch Street and Moddervis Avenue.

This creeper only became noticeable about four years ago, but it has spread rapidly and is now under almost every tree on the eastern side of Marloth Park. With the first rains, it started shooting up significantly, and the seeds are being spread by birds.

Meanwhile, the HRs’ prickly pear queen, Natalie Ellis, with some help, has begun with removal sessions on Thursdays, targeting American prickly pear and queen of the night cactus. “During the game count, we identified certain locations, and the team is removing invasive plants from parkland, block by block. Please ensure that you remove any alien species from your property as well,” the HRs said on social media.

In addition, the Tuesday work parties are determined to steadily tackle the massive triffid infestation along the Kudu Road stream. This creek flows directly into the Kruger National Park, making this work especially important.