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KOGELBERG
Branch of the Botanical Society of SA
Newsletter:
November 2011
News Editors: Ed & Merran Silberbauer
THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY
ROUND 584
The next attack takes place on Sunday 4th December 2011, from 9am to noon
VENUE: Avril's Dump
TALKS
Saturday 19th November. “GM Crops for Africa” Prof. Jennifer Thomson, who has addressed
us before, will up date us on the importance of feeding Africa. In the Crassula Hall at 6pm.
Liquid refreshments will be served and a voluntary collection taken.
Morning Talk: Saturday 10th December at 10am “A Wealth of Seabirds: conserving
southern Africa's rich seabird heritage “. Peter Ryan, Associate Professor at the Percy
Fitzpatrick Institute at U.C.T. will address us. He is responsible for running a coursework
masters programme in conservation biology. He has wide-ranging ornithological interests, but
much of his research focuses on seabirds and their conservation. In the Nivenia Hall, H.P.G.
Please consult the posters for confirmation of the venue, time and topic; or contact Merrilee
Berrisford 028 271 9314
ANOTHER NOVEMBER WALK
If Amida can find enough Orchids, a walk is planned for the 26th November.
Details (time, meeting place, duration and severity) will be available nearer to the 26th. For these
details please contact either Barbara on 082 338 4109, or
Betsey on 028 272 9761/ 082 337 9244.
REPORT ON HACK NO 583
Fair weather encouraged the annihilation of a hotspot of that foul enemy the Australian myrtle.
Myrtle infestations are a menace which can be eliminated fairly quickly if tackled early.
Unfortunately we have, in Vlei road, an old and well established seed bank. A lot of return trips
will be required before it becomes myrtle free. The same can be said about the rooikrans except
that rooikrans is less of a pest -but only just!
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The rooikrans in this area is mostly in amongst dense thickets of leucadendron. Frik dropped a
large rooikrans on top of a sleeping porcupine. Frik says that this “fretful porpentine” grunted
like a pig – hence ystervark – and pushed off unharmed. Lucky Frik, lucky porcupine.
Next hack at Avril's Dump. This area of some eight hectares is all but clear of biggish Port
Jackson but does need a cleanup. The plan is to go into the area between the 'baboon house' and
'Avril's bump' part of the dump and work westward. All sizes of Port Jackson from seedlings to
three footers (one metre) but not a lot and requires diligent searching. A garden fork and a
popper are the weapons of choice. Try not to get involved in isolated dense outbreaks, rather
concentrate on the scattered bits and pieces which our hack group is so good at handling.
Annual Office Party. This will happen at the Aftermath in December – weather permitting at
2596 Kloof Road. The usual fire and refreshments will be provided. Bring yourselves and
something to put on the fire.
At the November hack were Pieter de Waal, Tom Dreyer, John & Andrea Benn, Jan Joubert,
Robin Borcherds, David Bossenger, John Whitehead, Barbara Jenman, Frik Potgieter, Maarten &
Hilary Mauve with their friend Belinda Paterson, Hermien de Vos, Caroline, Lewis & Ed
Silberbauer. Christine Dreyer made the sandwiches and Merran Silberbauer made the tea. The
aftermath was held at Louise Digby's home.
Ed Silberbauer, Convenor.
PRINGLE BAY HACK NO. 73
On 30th October 2011 eradication of Rooikrans along Peak Road outside the country shop and in
Diagonal Road continued.
The hackers present were Edward Silberbauer, Frik Potgieter, Carol Wilson, Sue Folb, Neil and
Penny Berens, and John Whitehead.
The next hack will be on Sunday 27th November 2011.
As usual we will meet on the pavement opposite Drostersgat, in Central Avenue, Pringle Bay, at
08:30 and will then proceed to the hack site. Everyone who would like to help rid Pringle Bay
of alien vegetation will be welcome. The hack stops at 11:30. Hacking tools are provided.
Contact John at (028) 273 8807 or Ian at (028) 273 8589, or just turn up at the meeting point.
John Whitehead, Convenor.
BABOONS – ARE THERE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS?
There must be very few residents in the Hangklip/Kleinmond region who have not had some
type of encounter with our wild neighbours. Many of these encounters resulted in an appalling
and expensive shambles in the home and a feeling of enraged helplessness.
Into this aura of negativity came Associate Professor Justin O’Riain head of UCT.’s Baboon
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Research Unit. He pointed out that as he did not live here he was able to approach this emotive
subject from the impartial sidelines.
In one of the most balanced and practical talks we have ever heard, Prof O’Riain took us through
a journey of discovery where with the correct information and an understanding of baboon
behaviour, we can stay several jumps ahead of them.
We were given an overview of baboon biology and details of the mass of ongoing research that
is in progress all over the Cape Peninsula, and in our area.
He pointed out that residents everywhere wanted action and solutions from their local authorities.
One of the stumbling blocks and frequently used excuse is that there is no municipal funding for
baboon control.
Baboons learn by trial, error and by follow their leaders; many erstwhile complicated door and
window fastenings can be overcome by them in time. Therefore it is up to the property owners to
take responsibility themselves e.g. securing their refuse bins, ensuring vulnerable doors and
windows are closed or baboon proof. The sight of fruit in a bowl will tempt any baboon and once
access has been gained, all possible cupboards, fridges etc will be opened and emptied and if the
whole troop is present the entire house trashed.
Why do these animals appear invincible to us?
Baboons are seen as the most successful primate (after humans) in Africa. From the very north
to down here in the south, right through this huge continent, baboons have lived and thrived
during major changes which included the emergence of humans. This is because they are
generalists and opportunists, and highly adaptable. They forage successfully from the shore line
up into the mountains. Another reason for their success is that most of their natural enemies, the
big carnivores, have been removed from most areas, and their eco systems. The local exception
is the Cape leopard but being slighter than their northern counterparts they are unlikely to trouble
the numerically superior baboon troops with their large powerful males. So with limited natural
enemies and rich pickings from the hundreds of orchards, cultivated lands, thousands of homes
and many refuse tips – life is good for local baboons.
One of the reasons we have such a rich collection of wildlife in the Western Cape is the presence
of the mountains. We humans prefer to occupy the flatter parts of the country where we have
farms and dwellings. Consequently those animals that can survive in mountains have persisted
despite massive increases in humans and their houses at lower altitudes. Baboons can survive in
marginal habitat at higher altitude but like us prefer the lower regions for foraging. However
much effort is required to forage for natural food on rocky slopes and so baboons search for food
on the more productive flat land where humans have built their houses. Imagine their joy at
discovering a mountain of energy rich food in our many open waste areas! With time baboons
have overcome their natural fear of humans and discovered fresh food in houses in addition to an
almost endless amount of entertainment in and around houses. Prof O'Riain stressed the
importance of body language in a confrontation. A firm confident stance will earn the respect of
a baboon who will prefer to back off, whereas a scream and retreat will be interpreted as an
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invitation to proceed.
The dilemma for many residents is whether we have the right to destroy a species. The general
consensus appears to be an irrevocable NO. Furthermore, the vast majority of affected people
consider that the inhumane treatment of baboons or any other species for that matter is not
acceptable. We do after all call ourselves humane. Furthermore, despite the many, years and
opportunities where baboons and humans have come together, mostly in conflict, no human has
ever been killed by a baboon. There was one episode where a homeless man fell to his death
after being bumped by a fleeing baboon, but the death was related to the fall and not the animal.
So what needs to happen?
On the peninsula there are several organisations directly involved with baboon management
including the City of Cape Town, SANParks and Cape Nature who together meet as the Baboon
Conservation Authorities. There are also elected representatives from the various suburbs where
baboons are present who have formed the Baboon Liaison Group and strive to correct bad human
behaviour (e.g. feeding baboons) and put pressure on these authorities to ensure their right to a
safe and secure environment that does not include fighting with baboons for the fruit bowl.. The
City of Cape Town uses money from the rate payers to employ a small army of baboon monitors
who are tasked with preventing baboons from crossing the urban edge. Monitors have proved to
be effective in keeping whole troops out of town for long periods but have little answer to lone
raiding males who readily outflank and outrun them. Electric fencing can be extremely effective
if correctly constructed and maintained and is currently being deployed in various raiding
hotspots on the Peninsula. . Bear bangers have provided the community of Simons Town with
two years of troop free living but the use of this method is subject to a variety of restrictions and
is not recommended for private home owners. O’Riain thinks that many of the tools that have
been tested on the Peninsula could offer relief to the residents of the Overberg with villages like
RooiEls being relatively easy to defend while Betty’s Bay offers a much bigger challenges due to
its sprawling design and proximity to steep slopes that baboons use as a refuge.
On the Peninsula a raiding baboon protocol has been devised whereby diseased, injured and
serious raiding baboons may be humanely euthanized. Most importantly this protocol demands
that the factors that drive raiding are addressed including whether there are management
structures in place to reduce access to human food and further that the baboons’ natural
environment is capable of sustaining them. Clearly there is a mountain of work for the local
authorities to achieve in the area before baboons are once again restricted to natural land and
restored to the status of neighbours and not raiders.
Penny Palmer in consultation with Prof. O'Riain.
Additional Comments from Prof. O'Riain :1) The authorities need to accept responsibility for the health and
safety of their rate paying residents and invest some money and effort
into keeping baboons out of developed areas using tried and approved
methods.
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Thus the relevant people need to be identified and pressure exerted on
them to act.
2) The authorities must baboon proof all of their waste sites with
immediate effect.
3) Until such time as the authorities accept responsibility for baboon
management individual residents will have the responsibility of not
allowing baboons access to their homes. This is best achieved through
baboon-proofing which fortunately equates to improved security from
human intruders too. My suggestion was for a baboon proof show house
but to save on the invasion it would equally good to offer a webpage
including detailed pictures AND the contact details of the suppliers of
all the baboon proofing materials and installation.
3) Bear bangers should not be used by private individuals within
residential areas.
4) Baboons and humans should never share the urban space. It carries
health and safety risks for both parties. Thus the ultimate objective
is baboons in natural areas and humans in town. When the latter hike
then the 2 may meet but it should never been in and around houses.
BEAR TROUBLES IN AMERICA.
An article written by Katharine Lackey has appeared in an American newspaper. Under the
headline “Drought blamed for aggressive bears looking for food” she writes that this summer's
drought in the western states has sent the black bear (less aggressive than the grizzly) to search
for food amongst human habitation.
Quoting several wildlife experts, she continues;' hungry bears have learnt the easy availability of
food especially amongst garbage, the experts urge humans to keep all food in bear proof
containers and deplore tourists who deliberately leave food out to attract the bears. As human
habitation has spread into the rural areas so has been the increase in contact and more bears are
having to be euthanised because they have ceased to be wary of humans and are now breaking
into homes in search of food and have become dangerous. There have been four fatal attacks by
bears on humans this summer.'
Similar to our problem; but here the price is a mess – there it is death.
The Editors.
FLOWER OF THE MONTH
Watsonia Zeyheri is a most prolific post fire flowerer. Presently to be seen on the coastal flats
outside Kleinmond it forms dense localised stands of bright orange. This species favours wet
sandy marsh areas. The flower has a long slender tube that widens abruptly into a broad
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cylindrical upper part. This is an ideal shape for pollination by all sunbirds that can be seen
agilely collecting nectar though out the day. BotSoc Flower Guide 5, Page 131.
Amida Johns
TWO BOTSOC WALKS IN THE KOGELBERG
On a Saturday in October a small group of enthusiasts enjoyed a windy walk through a colourful
and well-tended Harold Porter Garden. There were spectacular stands of blue and yellow from
Aristea capitata (A. major) and Wachendorfia thyrsiflora. One of the delights was to see
flowers of Mimetes sp such as M hottentoticus normally growing only mountain slopes. Along
the zig-zag path it was good to see the vigorous resprouting of Proteaceae on the fire-blackened
ground. The Buffelstal walk will take place next spring when we’ll have a guide which will
mean we can walk up the mountain instead of just on the road.
At the end of October Amida alerted us to the vivid display of post-fire flowers in the Palmiet
Valley. Members on the list for ‘Plant Walks’ were contacted and on Saturday November 5th
despite wind and rain, nineteen members and their families met at the Kogelberg Reserve Office.
Present were Janet Meyer, Carol Barker Johnson, Louise Digby with son-in-law, Vic Smith,
Andrea and John Benn, Frik Potgieter, Barbara Jenman with daughter Colette, her husband,
Andrew with sons Liam and Connor, Sally McConnell, Judy New, Betsey and Jan Joubert,
Miranda Scott from Somerset West, Amida and the writer.
Walking along the jeep track past the Johns’ house, heading up the valley, it was soon apparent
that the mass of colour was on the Kleinmond side of the road. Amida explained that the Betty’s
Bay side was burnt by the lightning fire in June 2010 which was too late in the season for bulbs
to emerge and flower; the vegetation was growing back but with only occasional flowers from
bulbs. The opposite side had burnt in the man-made fire (accident or arson?) in March 2011; this
meant plants with bulbs or other underground storage organs had flourished. Even with overcast
sky, the display was dazzling, dominated by the orange of Pillansia templemannii; yellow came
from three Bobartia sp tall B. indica, B. longicyma and B. gladiata (or filiformis?) and
Asteraceae; pink from Watsonia borbonica, the shorter W. rogersii and hybrids of the two
(distinguishable only by experts). Scattered were the woolly white heads of Lanaria lanata,
Tritoniopsis parviflora, Otholobium zeyheri, Dilatris pillansii, and from the same family,
Wachendorfia paniculata which had dominated lower in the valley. The glorious blue of Aristea
sp was seen on both sides, A. bakeri with branched stems, A. juncilfolia and the familiar tall
A.capitata (A.major).
Our excellent guide, Amida, gave a clear account of the geology of the area showing how it
affects the distribution of plants. Then we moved off the track, taking care not to create paths by
walking spread out instead of following. Here we saw the orange Watsonia zeyheri which is a
common roadside plant. The destination was a seep, an area which is a sponge made of a sodden,
fibrous mat. Amida was very definite that no on should set foot on the seep as one footprint
destroys many plants. It is for this reason that visitors to the Reserve are restricted to the paths.
The special plant growing in the seep is Spatalla prolifera a Proteaceae which is on the Red Data
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list. Being post-fire we saw only 10cm high seedlings; thousands are produced but very many die
off. Another Red Data plant in the seep was a yellow Morea sp. At this stage the party split,
some returning via the river path where five or six orchids were seen.
For Amida, the Kogelberg is her back-garden; she knows it intimately and we are very lucky to
have her show us round it. Thanks to Barbara and Betsey for contacting members.
Merrilee Berrisford
RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURES
Month October
2010
Rainfall mm
Temp, °C
Max
Min
2011
99,5
25
10
37
31
9
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/ AND/ OR STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP
If you change your address, wish to resign or change your status, please notify the Botanical
Society Head Office on 021- 797 2090, as they print the labels and keep the records.
We do only the newsletter, e-mails and posting. To receive this newsletter via e-mail (and
save the Branch the costs of printing, packaging and postage) send your address to
merran@telkomsa.net
REMEMBER YOUR ARTICLES AND CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME
The editors reserve the right to edit contributions.
Deadline for the next newsletter is Wednesday, 7th December 2011.
Please address all mail to : Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society of SA, P.O. Box 93,
Betty’s Bay 7141. E-mail : merran@telkomsa.net no graphics please.