Conservation volunteers have raised alarms over damaged sections of Kloofendal Nature Reserve’s perimeter fence, warning that the breaches could allow unauthorised access to the reserve and threaten its wildlife.

Friends of Kloofendal (FrOK) committee member Timon Lamprey said volunteers are aware of several holes in the reserve’s perimeter fence.

“We are aware of several holes in the fence, but the most prominent one is at the bottom of Swift Street where a vehicle drove through the concrete palisade fence,” he said.

Lamprey said the damaged section was temporarily repaired with steel mesh, but warned that it could easily be breached by criminals or poachers seeking access to the reserve or neighbouring properties.

He said he has known about the damage for about a year and reported it to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) reserve manager Phillip Mkhombo. Friends of Kloofendal volunteers have also carried out temporary repairs using wire where possible.

Although only a few recent reports have been received of neighbourhood dogs entering the reserve, Lamprey said there have been no confirmed attacks on wildlife by domestic animals.

• Also read: Poaching surge raises alarm at Kloofendal Nature Reserve

“The biggest issues I am aware of are the poaching of our endangered mountain reedbuck, duiker and scrub hares. Additionally, sewage and pollution flowing into the dam pose a major threat to our terrapins, frogs and other aquatic life,” he said.

Lamprey encouraged residents to report damaged fencing or suspicious activity to Friends of Kloofendal so the information can be escalated to the relevant authorities.

Resident Iona Martin said one of the damaged sections along Coral Place has been in its current state since around September.

She believes renovations at a nearby complex may have contributed to the damage after a skip was positioned against the palisade fence.

Martin said a wire mesh fence was later installed, although she is unsure by whom. She has also seen dogs running through the reserve and alleges that groups of youngsters have used the damaged fencing to gain access to the kloof.

Another damaged section on the opposite side of Coral Place, in Swift Street, has also been patched with wire mesh.

The Roodepoort Northsider asked Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo whether it was aware of the damaged fencing when it was first reported, whether it had received reports of people or dogs entering the reserve through the damaged sections, what impact the breaches have had on wildlife and security, whether repairs are planned, who is responsible for maintaining the fence, and what message it has for residents.

JCPZ spokesperson Jenny Moodley said the damaged wall is situated on private property and that responsibility for repairs rests with the property owner.

However, a Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo sign is installed next to one of the damaged sections in Swift Street, leaving uncertainty over which sections of the reserve’s perimeter fall under the City’s responsibility and which belong to private land.

The Northsider will also seek comment from the private property owner once their identity has been confirmed.