2005/2006 - SANParks

2006South African National ParksThe Geographic Information System for the park has been consolidatedby the collection of spatial data for all existing infrastructure in the park.In addition, information has been added on a regular basis to the parkillegal activity database (1 562 records) and the wildlife observationdatabase (16 231 records).Seven vital attributes of CNP biodiversity were listed with theirdeterminants, threats and constraints as part of a process to determinethe biodiversity objectives of the park. A number of biodiversity relatedsurveys were carried out in the park over the period under review.Surveys included collection of fi sh species in CNP/Sundays Riverwhich yielded three indigenous species, fi ve species alien to thesystem and two exotic species; vegetation surveys in the so-calledlarge herbivore exclusion zone and in the Game Viewing Area, insideand adjacent to a grazing exclosure, veld condition indexes for seven‘grasveld’ sites in the wetland area of the dam; and regular CWACcounts of wetland birds for the Nqweba Dam by the Graaff-ReinetBird Club in association with park staff.TOURISMThe two main entrance gates to the park off the R63 to Murraysburgwere staffed from December 2005 onwards by a local security fi rmto implement access control. Visitor numbers have been recorded forthe fi rst time and projections made from these fi gures indicate that32 281 people visit the Game Viewing Area and 51 580 people visitthe Valley of Desolation annually.Proposals on the implementation and adjustment of tariffs for variousactivities and entry points to the CNP were submitted for approvalwhile staff have been interviewed and appointed with effect from the1st of April 2005 to commence with the collection of conservation feesat the two above mentioned gates. Gate-specifi c publicity materialsupplied to visitors was transformed, updated and reprinted.PEOPLE AND CONSERVATIONEnvironmental education programs carried out at the CamdebooEducation Centre since November 2005 include some twenty groupstotalling 592 people. The majority of these groups originate from withinthe Graaff-Reinet district and many of these are return visits by groupsthat have used the Centre before.Seven local stakeholder groups that are representative of the broadcommunity were identifi ed and approached with a view towards theestablishment of a Park Forum.These groups nominated candidates and a preliminary meeting wassubsequently held to discuss the Terms of Reference of a Park Forum.Park Management will pursue having this forum signed off in the fi rstquarter of 2006/07.PUBLIC RELATIONSThe Camdeboo National Park was given considerable exposure bythe media following the launch of this new national park in November2005. The TV program Groen screened a half hour insert about theCNP on the channel Kyknet.In addition to this the park was further publicised in the broadcastand print media following the death of Dr Anton Rupert towards theend of January. Press releases have been issued concerning plans forfuture expansion of the CNP, park developments and the introductionof conservation fees.The friends of the park (GRENAAT) took part in a snare hunt in theSkuinsveldhoek section of the park and recovered eight snares. ThreeBlesbok that showed advanced signs of swayback (Cu defi ciency) wereculled and donated to the Camdeboo Municipality as a contributiontowards the local AIDS Day initiative. A fi shing competition wasorganised in partnership with some members of the local anglingcommunity. Prizes were sponsored by local business.69