THE mountainous river catchments in the Drakensberg foothills near Mpumalanga's Blyde River Canyon is the new 1 000-hectare home for two eight-month old Bengal tigers who arrived in South Africa from the Bowmanville Zoological Park in Canada earlier this year.
They are the first two residents in a pilot project of an envisaged Endangered Species Park in which endangered animals will be rehabilitated and sustained in a safe environment for eventual re-release into their natural habitat.
The project, funded mainly by Londolozi Productions and John Varty, aims at the long-term goal of creating an alternate gene pool for these animals and sustaining the project as an eco-tourism destination.
According to Varty, Londolozi's owner, the project was initiated due to the fact that since the 1960s, three sub-species of tigers have become extinct. It is estimated that only between 3 000 and 7 000 tigers are now left in the wild.
"In India, where the majority of these tigers are found, their existence is seriously threatened by burgeoning human populations and the subsequent loss of their habitats."
The tigers were immunized against local diseases upon their arrival, and at various intervals blood tests will be done, with the animals being closely monitored by veterinarians and other experts in the field to test whether they can survive on the Drakensberg escarpment and that they are resistant to local parasites. "All viral testing must be negative, or the study will be discontinued," said Varty.
The tigers will range freely in the area which consists mainly of restored indigenous forest, Montane grassland and middle veld grasslands dotted with thickets which is currently being electrically game fenced to conduct the rehabilitation of the tigers. The area is stocked with small to medium-sized antelope.
Other endangered species targeted for future involvement in the project include chimpanzee and gorilla.
Londolozi's general manager, Ollof Bergh, says various sources of alternate funding for the project have been secured, including sponsorship. The proceeds of a documentary which is currently being filmed by Londolozi Productions will also go towards funding the development of the project.
The documentary, to be aired on local pay-channel, M-Net and broadcast to over 87 countries, will cover the pros, cons and overall viability of the project.
The nearby community of Bushbuckridge will also benefit greatly as the Endangered Species Park will result in job creation.
(Adele Mackenzie)
