CITY BANS DOGS IN PARTS OF ZANDVLEI NATURE RESERVE AFTER ATTACK ON CAPE GRYSBOK

CAPE TOWN: The City has banned dogs in the Park Island section of the popular Zandvlei Nature Reserve after a dog hunted and killed a juvenile Cape grysbok.

The ban applies with immediate effect until January 1.

The dog was not on a leash – a contravention of the reserve rules that determine that residents walking dogs should keep their pets on a leash at all times, the City said.

“This is not an isolated incident of visitors disregarding the rules of the reserve and Park Island. As such, we decided to close this section to dogs to allow the fauna on the island to recover and to prevent further damage to the sensitive faunal populations. Park Island is home to the Cape clawless otter, water mongoose, Cape grysbok, small grey mongoose, the angulate tortoise, snakes, and the Western leopard toad,’ said Marian Nieuwoudt, mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment.

“Our nature reserves are there for the enjoyment and use by the public. But I want to remind all that upon entering, visitors agree to abide by the rules. Dog-walking in Park Island has been allowed by the reserve manager and the area is very popular. It is sad that some dog owners cannot control their pets and that we had to take this drastic step. The ban applies to Park Island only. However, we urge visitors to Wildwood Island to please keep their dogs on a leash,” she said.