Page 8 - Waterfall City Issue 10 October 2024

Waterfall City News

WATERFALL

CITY’S WILDLIFE

boosted with the introduction of buck

Four Springbuck grazing in the Waterfall City greenbelt
W aterfall City, renowned for greenbelt ecosystems, a significant part always been home to free-roaming

duikers and steenbok, along with
of its ongoing greenbelt rehabilitation
its remarkable integration
other smaller mammals, which use the
of urban development
project.
and natural landscapes,
continues to lead by example in The Waterfall City greenbelt Jukskei as an access corridor, more of
these and other antelope species have
sustainable land management. The 2023 Waterfall City is home to over 300 been introduced in small numbers to
Waterfall City Field Guide – a 170-page hectares of greenbelts. The Jukskei bring back some semblance of a typical
publication – highlights the City’s deep River winds through the development, ecosystem. These include:
connection with its natural environment. but invasive species introduced from • 4 Blesbuck - 3 ewes and 1 ram
upstream often impact the river’s (introduced in 2022)
This guide, along with its recent 2024 ecosystem. Birds, insects, and the • 5 Springbuck - 4 ewes and 1 ram
update, details the rich history, ecology, wind exacerbate the problem by (introduced in 2023)
and geology of Waterfall City while spreading these plants throughout • 4 Each Steenbok and Common
showcasing its extensive biodiversity, the natural areas of the precinct and Duiker - 2 males and 2 females each,
including indigenous trees, shrubs, vacant land. In response, Waterfall (introduced in 2024)
wildlife, and more. An impressive City has continued efforts to eradicate
261 species of birds have been sighted invasive species as part of an ongoing “The introduction of these herbivores
on the development, including the programme to rehabilitate our is not just about adding wildlife for
recently seen Lesser Flamingo, Verreaux’s greenbelts and grasslands. aesthetic reasons; they play a crucial
Eagle and Klaas’s Cuckoo. role in managing the greenbelt’s
The introduction of buck vegetation,” explains Ruan Spies,
Several mammals can also be found species Environmental Manager at Waterfall
here, such as hares, hedgehogs, small A significant aspect of Waterfall City Management Company. “These
antelope, mongoose, genet and jackal, City’s commitment to preserving and species graze on grasses and other
to name a few. Waterfall City has since enhancing its grassland ecology is the low-growing plants, helping prevent
embarked on an ambitious project to introduction of native buck species. the buildup of moribund vegetation
introduce more herbivores to enhance its While the City’s green spaces have (dead or decaying plant matter) that

6 Waterfall City Issue 10 2024