The Real Africa (II of III)

So it came to be that forests were replaced by slash-and-burn farming, wetlands were laid dry for construction, mountain slopes were prepared for cultivation, forest giants were converted into ships, wild beasts were destroyed for the production of grain bags, leather apparel and sjambok whips, and the spirit of numerous zebra were broken to serve as draught animals for further exploitation of the land!

But the real Africa is also a land of resilience! Even after 2 000 years of livestock-herding, 500 years of cultivation, and more than 350 years since European colonisation much wildlife still persist in an unrestricted, yet often marginalised, wild state. Despite heavy persecution leopards can still be found less than a hundred kilometres from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront in the rugged mountains on the edges of bustling towns like Stellenbosch and Paarl, while baboons often go on urban foraging sprees to the bins (and fridges) of Cape Town’s southern suburbs. The greater kudu are a common sight through much of the eastern and southern Karoo, while eland and blue wildebeest still make their regular forays across the Molopo River into the Northern Cape Kalahari from the neighbouring Botswana. Hartmann’s mountain zebra returned to the barren Richtersveld deserts. Even the mighty African elephant still finds its last truly wild (unfenced) habitation in South Africa within the confines of the Knysna forests and the Outeniqua Mountain heath-country of the world renowned Garden Route!

A tower of giraffes in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Unfortunately not all species were so lucky to survive against the many heavy demands of settling man; and for them survival laid almost entirely in the hands of compassionate farmers and government proclaimed nature reserves and national parks! These include many of the Cape endemic species like bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, both of whom survived solely by the grace of conservation-minded farmers in the Overberg and Cradock districts respectively. Other iconic species of Africa survived as a direct result of governmental endeavour and public outcry, including the protection of the last thirteen elephants in the Addo Elephant National Park and the gemsbok/oryx in the then Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)! But despite the many successes, the laws often came too late, and giraffe, both black and white rhino, Burchell’s zebra, impala, hippopotamus, lion and numerous others became extinct within the limits of the Cape! Worse still, the blue antelope and quagga were driven to extinction.

A skittish herd of Cape buffalo Syncerus caffer in Buffelsdrift Game Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa.

Finally, the real Africa is a land of innovation, optimism and restoration! After much environmental and socio-political unrest, as various cultures surpassed their predecessors and came to define their own borders within this multi-cultural blend, the Cape was left in a state of wildlife depletion! Vast Karoo plains devoid of springbok, blesbok, black wildebeest and quagga; Fynbos laden mountains devoid of red hartebeest, eland and elephant; and water courses devoid of hippopotamus. But the modern African was not satisfied to have African bush devoid of African wildlife, and so began the quest to ‘rewild’ this forgotten wilderness! Soon it was realised that the mere protection of animal species would not be sustainable if the flora was not protected first! The act of veld conservation and the implementation of rotational grazing systems allowed for some veld restoration which prompted some species to return to some areas where they have disappeared! Another step towards rewilding the ‘lost’ Cape was the onset of the II World War when rifles were confiscated and ammunition became almost unobtainable for a period of around ten years – providing ample time for the remaining antelope populations to escape total decimation! Not only did this act save the greater kudu from decimation, but it actually prompted its spread into far-off district where they had been exterminated!

An endangered Bontebok Damaliscus pygargus pygargus in the Cape Overberg. (Photo: Tim Hauf)

It was not until the year 1990 when the culmination of many events led to a tangible manifestation of the rewilding process within the Cape! Since then many landscapes have been restored, wildlife species have been reintroduced and the ‘Big Five’ once again roam freely across national parks and private wilderness areas in the Cape!

This is the story of a quintessential African wilderness that has been lost and regained! It is a story of hope and restoration! This is Rewilding The Lost Wilderness: Green Heritage of the Forgotten Cape! A tale of hope for all the wilderness areas that has been lost, and an example for all wilderness areas that is still to be regained!

Watch this space for more of The Real Africa Series. Also The South African Series, and the The Cape Town Series in posts to follow.

My fellow Steemians please feel free to let me know what you think and if you have any questions relating to me or my home please don't hesitate to ask. Yours in success!

Marcel van der Merwe II

Rewilding The Lost Wilderness