Today, 31 July 2022, marks World Ranger Day and the City of Cape Town is taking the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the important role our Biodiversity staff play in protecting Cape Town’s natural environment. The City’s Biodiversity Management Branch employs over 100 rangers, including senior and junior field rangers, assistant conservation officers, reserve supervisors, biodiversity area coordinators and operational staff and drivers. Read more below:
The rangers who are deployed at the nature reserves under the City’s management have many responsibilities and are well-versed in biodiversity management. Their roles include everything from safety and security duties to reserve maintenance, and the removal of invasive species to carrying out community surveys and managing encounters with wildlife at the reserve if the need arises.
‘We are privileged to have so many committed rangers protecting our natural heritage across all of our reserves. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our rangers for their hard work and for being the proud custodians of our unique biodiversity here in Cape Town.
‘This past week, I paid a visit to the Rondevlei section of our False Bay Nature Reserve as this conservation area celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. I was once again reassured that this treasured piece of our city is managed by some of the most knowledgeable, versatile and passionate rangers. I met and spoke to some of the rangers, and I must say the way the reserve staff go about protecting our natural treasures at Rondevlei is truly admirable,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
The Rondevlei section of the False Bay Nature Reserve is home to 237 bird species, a variety of small mammals and reptiles and its famous hippos. In addition, about 278 species of indigenous plants grow here, 70 of which are endangered or rare.
The reserve was established in 1952 as a bird sanctuary and is comprised of 290 ha of pristine wetland.
The False Bay Nature Reserve consists of 1 964 ha, comprising of six sections, including Rondevlei, which is one of the most important on the Cape Flats from an ecological and tourism perspective. The other sections are the Zeekoevlei, Strandfontein Birding, Pelican Park, Slangetjiebos and Zandwolf coastal reserves.
Rondevlei is a popular conservation area with numerous facilities, including a waterside trail along the shoreline with six bird hides and two large wooden observation towers, a network of footpaths, and picnic spots. It is also home to the Leonard Gill field museum, and an environmental education centre with a lecture theatre and resource centre. The reserve has a venue available, which includes conference facilities, a boma, and secluded overnight accommodation for school groups.
‘We invite residents to pay a visit to Rondevlei to experience the abundance of bird and animal life in the area. For those who will be visiting for the first time, I have no doubt that our staff are ready to assist in making your visit a memorable one,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Rondevlei is located on the Corner of Perth Road and Fisherman’s Walk in Grassy Park and is open every weekday between 07:30 and 17:00 and on weekends (December to February only) from 07:30 to 19:00.
Entrance is free and the reserve can be contacted on 021 400 9593 or rondevlei.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za
Source: City Of Cape Town