EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife officer, Basil Pather has reminded the public the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve is only open once a month.

The reserve, which is 76 hectares with the largest population of mangrove trees in the Durban area, has remained closed despite the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations.

Pather, who is the conservation manager at the reserve, said the configuration of the reserve didn’t allow for social distancing.

Read also: uMhlanga nature reserve open to the public

“At this point the reserve is only open on every third Saturday of every month from 8am to 1pm to the general public. That’s when our honorary officers give guided walks through the reserve and we are able to monitor the numbers of people more effectively. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic the reserve was open to schools and corporates who would book the reserve during the week however they have stopped entirely.

“Our next open day takes place in September and happens to be on International Coastal Clean-Up. There will be a number of activities on that day with social distancing in mind. I encourage the public not to access the reserve from the beach side as the entrance gates to the reserve remain closed. We’ve fielded lots of queries on Beachwood but unfortunately the configuration of the reserve itself doesn’t allow for social distancing. Our education centre is a communal area where groups form and our boardwalks are circular in shape so you are bound to pass someone on the walk around the reserve,” Pather said.

While the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve remains closed for now, Pather said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were looking at reintroducing the night time dwarf chameleon guided walks in September.  

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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