CONSERVATION
Conservation
Pringle Bay is situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, surrounded by majestic mountains, and the waters of False Bay. Bordering a nature reserve and falling within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, we have the privilege of experiencing nature in all its splendour, from the rarest of fynbos species found deep in the reserve to the band of francolin marauding through town on a daily basis.
The PRBA plays an important role in conservation in the Hangklip area and contributions to its conservation fund are used to help run various different projects. These projects include the purchasing and management of a camera trap to assist Cape Leopard Trust in their research, providing and maintaining signage around the village and beach aimed at preserving our wildlife and environment, as well as contributing to the equipment of the Pringle Bay Hacking group. Community support is crucial in making these projects happen. DONATE NOW!
CAMERA TRAP
The trap is operated by the PBRA on behalf of the Cape Leopard Trust. It is used to monitor 'resident leopards' as well as other wildlife in the area. In late 2018 and early 2019, after the January 2019 fire, the camera trap was able to confirm a sighting of the resident female 'Rosy' as well as the male.
Leopard Scotty
Scotty the previous male leopard operating in the Kogelberg BiosphereLeopard Scotty
Scotty photographed in 2016, taken by Rooiels leopard cameraFemale Leopard Rosy
This was the first time that the Pringle Bay leopard camera trap was triggered in the presence of a leopard. This leopard is called RosyLeopard Rosy
Photo taken 22 December 2018 in the region of the Small HangklipLeopard Diago
The latest leopard footage of Diago, the new alpha male operating in the Kogelberg Biosphere, who took over from ScottyLeopard Diago
Photo of Diago, taken 28 January 2019Leopard Cub
Leopard cub photographed along the R44 at night timeLeopard Team
Leopard team setting up camera trapHoney Badger
Rare sighting of a honey badger photographed 29 September 2019Porcupines
Two porcupines foraging photographed 1 October 2019OYSTERCATCHER
The endangered Oystercatchers breed on our beach annually around December. We have specially made signs to mark where their nests are, and we ask that people give them a wide berth in order to preserve their breeding sites.
Oystercatcher Breeding Site
Nesting of the Black Oystercatchers normally starts in November and breeding takes place up to AprilOystercatcher Breeding Site
Nests are being marked with a signpost and droppers to keep the public at bayOystercatcher Family
The moment the chicks are born, they are taken to the rocks so that they can learn how to search for foodOystercatcher Family
Normally two eggs, but it seldom happens that both chicks surviveOystercatcher Family
Most of the time the chicks are kept in amongst the safety of the rocks for as long as the tides allowOystercatcher Family
At high tide, the chicks are being taken back to the safety of the dunesHACKING
Pringle Bay Hacking Group
The purpose of the Hack Group is to eradicate, or at the very least, to limit the growth and spread of invasive alien vegetation in the area with a view to protecting the natural fynbos. That is being done by cutting down and poisoning or uprooting alien plants and trees. Many of the trees are too thick to cut by means of a handsaw and for that reason, a chainsaw is used. The vegetation that is targeted consists mainly of Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops), Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), Pepper Wattle (Acacia longifolia), Australian Myrtle (Leptospernumlaevigatum), New Zealand Christmas Trees (Metrosideros excels), Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), Pine Trees (Pinuspinaster), and many others listed in the schedules of the relevant conservation legislation.
The Hack Group meets once per month on the last Saturday of the month in Pringle Bay and targets chosen areas in Pringle Bay. In addition, some members, in conjunction with members of the Bettys Bay Hack Group and Rooi Els, form a Wednesday Hack, every Wednesday morning. They hack where the threat is most urgent within the Kogelberg Biosphere area. It is essential that all residents of the Kogelberg Biosphere take note of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of October 2014. It is our duty to ensure that we secure our heritage, the fynbos, for the generations to come. There are some stiff penalties for landowners who do not comply with the eradication of invasive exotics. The sooner you address the invasion, the easier and cheaper it is to address!
If you want to find out where the hacking team has been busy, scroll down to the monthly Hacking Reports. Find out which invasive aliens have been tackled and share in the team's successes.
Any person who wants to become involved in the fight against the invading exotics is welcome to liaise with Chris Geldenhuys (082 900 8299) the Hack Convenor for Pringle Bay.