One of the white rhino relocated from drought-stricken Mkhuze to the Eastern shores of the Park which gave birth over the New Year
Every year over mid-summer the ancient ritual of turtle nesting on the Park’s
beaches takes place. It is one of the world’s natural wonders, and a
unique tourist attraction.
Following a tender process, six concessions were awarded to local tour operators,
one of which is Kian Barker of St Lucia. Their vehicles are the only ones
now allowed on the beaches.
A science honours graduate of Rhodes University, Barker served in the Navy
for two years before embarking on a career in ecotourism which included four
years as general manager at Mala Mala, one of SA’s top private game
reserves.
His 25km turtle concession extends from Cape Vidal to Levern Point –
where a picnic dinner is served - but he also includes a night game drive
through the Park which adds hugely to the experience as his keen eyes spot
little creatures like chameleons and frogs.
“The 4x4 ban was a bitter pill to swallow for many people but I can
already notice a huge increase in ghost crabs,” he says. “The
beaches are whiter as vehicles no longer churn up the black titanium under
the surface. Hatchlings also no longer have to negotiate tyre tracks on their
way to the sea.”
The turtle tours last from mid-November to the end of January but Barker also
offers a World Heritage Tour which highlights the reasons for the Park’s
global status and how the five eco-systems - and the animals and plants they
support - interact.
* Kian Barker’s Shaka Barker Tours, (035) 590 1162.
Ronel Nel, Park Marine Ecologist
Ulwandle iSouth Western Indian Ocean luyikhaya lezinhlobo ezinhlanu zezimfudu,
zonke ezibikwa njengezisengcupheni yokushabalala ziphele ngokwe IUCN.
Uhlobo oluningi kunezinye ukugudla ugu ufudu oluluhlaza oluvame ukubonwa ababhukudi
emadwaleni olwandle. Ezimbili izinhlobo zalezimfudu ziyaphuma olwandle ehlobo
zizalele ogwini lwase Maputaland.
Ufudu oluluhlaza luphila ngezinhlobonhlobo zezimila ezitholakala olwandle
njenge algae, kanti loluhlobo olunamakhanda amakhulu lukwazi ukuphila ngezinhlonhlobo
zezilokazana ezitholakala olwandle zisuka maphakathi neMpumalanga Afrika.
Kunohlobo olwaziwa nge “leather backs” lujwayele ukubonakala luntanta
emagagasini ludla inhlanzi eyaziwa ngesikhwehlela solwandle (jellyfish). Zijwayele
ukutshuza zizike kangango 1000m zicinga ukudla noma seziyolala.
You don’t expect to see crocodiles while driving along the Park’s
beaches looking for turtles.
But there it was, some 1,5 m in length, lying in a rock pool just north of
Cape Vidal. As the spotlight was turned on, it walked slowly into the sea
in search of a midnight snack.
In mid-December, EKZNW staff spotted a 3m crocodile on the rocks south of
the Vidal. When it swam into the bay, they warned the public but some bathers
still stayed in the sea. The strong current took the croc out to sea.
St Lucia turtle tour operator Kian Barker said earlier this month that he
had seen 11 crocs on the beaches from Cape Vidal to Levern Point during the
turtle nesting season. He said: “They sit on the sand during low tide
and, as the tide comes in, they move into the rock pools to feed. It’s
quite remarkable; in the seven years I’ve been taking tours I’ve
never seen crocs on the beaches until now.”
But according to crocodile expert Tony Pooley, who set up the croc farm at
St Lucia, it is not all that uncommon to see crocs on Maputaland beaches.
“They are equally at home in salt and fresh water, and there’s
plenty of food in the sea.”
One of the white rhino relocated from drought-stricken Mkhuze to the Eastern shores of the Park which gave birth over the New Year
Up close and personal with a Green Turtle – these turtles are common in the waters along the park coast
Ronel Nel, Marine Ecologist for the Park straps a radio transponder on to the back of a leatherback turtle as part of the Turtle Research Programme.