Vredefort Dome land-owners convene for informative evening
John Power, a terrestrial ecologist at the North West Provincial Government, presented an informative talk titled “Managing Predators in the Dome and Conserving Animal Diversity.”
The Vredefort Dome Meteorite Park Conservancy hosted an information evening at Doringbos Lodge, outside of Parys, on Thursday, 24 August. The event gave landowners in the area a chance to convene and discuss Dome-related issues. John Power, a terrestrial ecologist at the North West Provincial Government, presented an informative talk titled “Managing Predators in the Dome and Conserving Animal Diversity.”
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
Power’s talk focused on the various predators like jackals, caracals and leopards, their methods of hunting and breeding and how landowners can use various means to protect their animals using non-lethal methods.
Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) declared the Vredefort Dome a world heritage site in 2008. For various reasons, the South African government has never proclaimed it as such. This important site has been a point of discussion for over a decade, with landowners and the government struggling to reach an agreement. Most of the land is privately owned for game farming, livestock ranching and small-scale croplands.
According to Dr Biddie Biddulph, the chairperson of the Vredefort Dome Conservancy, it is vitally important that the Dome is also declared a national heritage site.
“We are currently in advanced talks with the government regarding the proclamation of the Dome. We are passionate about the Dome area and don’t want to see uncontrolled tourism. It is important that we, as a conservancy, protect this site of international significance,” stated Biddulph.
