Hope for the blue swallow: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife announces new sanctuary for endangered species

A 181.7 hectare parcel of land in KwaZulu-Natal’s greater southern Drakensberg region will provide a safe haven for some of the province’s most endangered birds and other species.

This after the formal declaration of iNkonjane Nature Reserve by Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Rev Musa Zondi earlier this month.

ALSO READ: Ezemvelo notes rise in day visits

The isiZulu name for the bird for which the nature reserve was claimed – the blue swallow – iNkonjane Nature Reserve provides renewed hope and a crucial sanctuary for this critically endangered bird.

“Located adjacent to iMpendle Nature Reserve, which has four – or 13% – of the country’s estimated 30 remaining breeding pairs of blue swallows, iNkonjane Nature Reserve secures a vital foraging habitat for this small but critically important population of swallows,” said Ezemvelo.

“The proclamation of iNkonjane Nature Reserve marks a meaningful step towards ensuring the survival of this graceful aerial insectivore.”

iNkonjane Nature Reserve is also home to the critically endangered Pennington’s protea butterfly (Capys penningtoni), a highly range-restricted species found only in the greater Mkhomazi River valley.

“This is now the third reserve in KZN established specifically for the protection of threatened butterfly species.

“The butterfly’s survival hinges on the presence of the common sugarbush protea (Protea caffra), the only plant on which the females lay their eggs. The caterpillars develop and pupate inside the buds, emerging nearly a year later,” explained Ezemvelo.

The new reserve also conserves valuable grassland which is suitable for the endangered oribi and mountain reedbuck antelopes, and near-threatened grey rhebok.

The conservation authority said it is hoped that, in time, these species can be reintroduced.

“The establishment of iNkonjane Nature Reserve marks the successful conclusion of a carefully negotiated biodiversity offset agreement between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and uMngeni-uThukela Water,” continued Ezemvelo.

“This agreement was initiated to compensate for the environmental impact of constructing a new wastewater pipeline through a portion of Midmar Nature Reserve.

“Recognising the significance of the offset, the KZN Nature Conservation Board made an exceptional decision to temporarily waive its policy prohibiting servitudes through protected areas.

“This concession was granted on the condition that the residual damage to Midmar’s grasslands be offset through the acquisition of high-conservation-value land and its incorporation into the provincial protected area network.”

iNkonjane Nature Reserve will be managed by Ezemvelo with Impendle Nature Reserve – with no fences separating the two.

“This brings the area of land managed by Ezemvelo to 518 628 hectares – 5.5% of the province and the total protected area extent to 1 016 769 hectares, or 10.78% of the province.

“While still below the global conservation target of 30% land protection, each new reserve marks significant progress toward South Africa’s international biodiversity commitments,” concluded Ezemvelo.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY