URBAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Transvaal Herpetological Association Meeting - 29/10/2016 Francois Swart
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URBAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENTTransvaal Herpetological Association Meeting - 29/10/2016Francois Swart
Francois SwartAge: 45 years young.
Education: University of Pretoria BA (Psych), FGASA Qualified Field Guide, Qualified Snake Handler , Qualified in Reptile Husbandry, Structural Pest Control Operator.
Occupation: Company Exec at the The Specialists Franchise Group, Snake Handling & Herpetology Training Facilitator, Field Guide Training, Honorary Officer of the North West Parks Board, Gauteng Regional Chairman of SAPCA
Activities:General pest control , business management, franchise consultingParticular interest in Non Toxic & Biological Pest Control Consulting on Urban Wildlife Control and Urban Biodiversity ConservationConservation Industry Activities:Part time / free lance Field GuideNorth West Parks Board - Rhino Monitoring Team Leader.Conducting snake awareness talks and presentationsConducting reptile awareness, indigenous reptile identification training in South Africa and other African countriesConducting snake handling and snakebite first aid training in South Africa and African countriesConducting reptile field trips and guidingReptile rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction to natural habitatReptile & general wildlife photography
Agenda Some facts on Urban WildlifeWhat is Urban Wildlife?Areas used by Urban WildlifeProliferation in urban areas, why?Can Urban Wildlife cause problems?Regulatory Landscape & PermitsTraditional vs AlternativeEthicsWhen to intervene?MethodsUrban Wildlife Management ResourcesPublic Awareness & EducationService OfferingsFrogs & ToadsFeral CatsQuestions & Answers
Some facts on Urban WildlifePopulations of undomesticated animals in towns and cities are growing due to shrinkage and loss of their natural habitats.In many cases towns do not yet have enough natural areas or corridors to safely sustain wildlife which causes spill over into suburban developed areas. All wildlife issues are in fact people problems!People are strangeVarying degrees of sensitivity i.e. Judging farmers for their inhumane treatment of jackals on farm land but being outraged when a jackal kills their house pet.People place more importance on an individual animal than doing what is best for a whole species.
What is Urban WildlifeIndigenous animals whose habitat has been encroached upon by humans, development and industry and therefore they now share space with humans, or alien invasive animals that have been translocated and now call our towns and cities homeAlien InvasiveAny Species or subspecies that is not a recognized domestic species and their natural distribution is not in South AfricaIndigenousAny species of animal species native/ endemic to South Africa which occurs naturally in South Africa
Invasives Feral PigeonCommon MynahFeral Cats/DogsEscaped exoticsRose Ringed ParakeetMany species of duckRabbitsGeneral (Pest species)
Indigenous Reptiles and AmphibiansSnakesLizards (Geckos, Skinks, Leguaans)Frogs ArthropodsSpiders & ScorpionsRodentsCane Rat, Porcupine, Various other rodentsTree and Ground SquirrelsBirdsGuinea Fowl, Loeries, Spur fowl and francolin, Weaver birds, Egyptian GeeseSeveral species of OwlsPied Crow, Plovers, Spotted Thick KneeCatsSpotted Genet, Serval, LeopardOther MammalsRock Hyrax( Dassie), Bats, Moles, Vervet Monkeys, Baboons, Bush Babies, Mongoose, Jackals, Hedgehogs, African Clawless Otter, Brown Hyena
Weylandts Nelspruit
Areas used by Urban Wildlife Leafy, older, established suburbsSmall HoldingsFringes of towns and natural corridorsCemeteries Homes SchoolsGreen areas within towns, like parks & wetlandsGolf CoursesDitches and culvertsStorm water drains
Why does Urban Wildlife proliferate in developed areas?Prey & Food SourcesFewer predatorsShelter & nest spacesWaterFood
Can Urban Wildlife cause problems? You decide:Zoonotic diseases (Rabies)Dustbins and waste areasUrine & Faeces (Smell and hygiene)Structural DamageInjury (Bites)Vehicle accidents (Road kill)Vegetation damage / LawnsPet mortalityFear
Regulatory LandscapeNEMA National Environmental Management Act No 107 of 1998NEMBA National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act No 10 of 2004NEMLA National Environmental Laws amendment Act of 2011 and 2013AIS (Alien and Invasive Species) RegulationsGauteng Nature Conservation Bill 2014Provincial statutes and permit systemsRegional Environmental Management FrameworksLocal BylawsJohannesburg & Tshwane BylawsJHB - Perpetrators can be arrested by SAPS and charged under the Public Open Space By-laws. (Published under Notice No 831 in Gauteng Provincial Gazette Extraordinary No 179 Dated 21 May 2004)Offence Code 112213 Section 16(1)(e) No person may: Capture or attempt to capture, chase, shoot at, or injure, throw objects act, tease, molest or in any other way disturb any animal fish or bird. Fine R1000Permit to catch wild animals CPB1Gauteng Directorate of Nature Conservation , Gauteng Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (GDARD) Permits Office
PermitsThe following activities normally requires a permit:Game & other animal capture & releaseExport, import and transport of game (between provinces)Certificate of adequate enclosureCaptivity of protected speciesRecreational & Sport Hunting Possession of carcasses of endangered speciesTOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) & CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora) permitsSpecial permits (Culling)Therefore if you plan to get involved in capture and relocation of Urban Wildlife you will need certain permits as per the provincial requirements in your area.
Traditional vs Alternative methods of Urban Wildlife ManagementTraditional methodsAnthropocentric attitude of man, man seeks conquest not unity.Physical, Chemical, BiologicalP = Exclude , restrain, relocate, kill, habitat alterationC= Poisons, Repellents, Antifertility CompoundsB= Interactions, Disease, ParasitesAlternative methodsPreserves the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic communityProactive Management Strategy seeks to avoid the problem of over abundanceExclusionPreserves natural habitatCreates a sustainable resourceCorridor creationReconnects human society with the natural world they live in
EthicsThere a many ethical considerations in Urban Wildlife ManagementSome species cannot ethically be relocated or excluded due to overabundance and lack of available food sources / habitat and the effect that the situation has on residentsNavigate the ethical landscape with care. A wrong decision or wrongly executed decision can have severe backlash Main stream media, social media
When to intervene? Trapping and relocation is not the first option for a solutionInjury, deathStressAttracting of non targetsCapturing of lactating femalesCreates new problems at the release siteTerritoryFood resourcesApplying Exclusion is the recommended intervention
Catch & Relocation and Release methodsManual catching & ReleaseTrainingToolsTransportLive Trapping & ReleaseTrap typesBaitingTransportDarting (Vet or Vet technician)
Culling This method is only in last resort situations when all other control and management measures have failed and the presence of the animal has turned into an intolerable infestation with severe effects.Make sure of the following:You have a portfolio of evidence that all other control and management measures were taken but failedAll necessary permits are in placeStick to bag limits or any other criteria specific to the species being culledPermission in writing from the land ownerMust take place at a convenient time when people are not aroundThere must be a plan for the proper and legal disposal of the culled animal carcassesMedia access? Personal opinion is never.
Urban Wildlife Management ResourcesVarious people can assist with recommendations or with the capture and relocation of Urban WildlifeEnvironmental ConsultantsLocal Municipal Conservation OfficerSPCAZoos and Animal ParksAccredited Snake Catchers with permits & experienceAccredited Animal Handlers with Permits & experienceLocal animal rehabilitation centres
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres Make sure that they are above board, accredited and have the correct credentials.FreeMe (Gauteng)Lorypark (Gauteng)Wildlife In Crisis (Gauteng)Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation (Hoedspruit)CROW (KZN)Tenikwa (Eastern Cape)Etc.
Successful Urban Wildlife ManagementSome guidelinesCorrectly identify the speciesAlter the habitat to make les attractive to the specific speciesAsk for helpUse a control method appropriate to the location, time of year and other environmental conditionsMonitor
Public Awareness & EducationRaise awareness, educate, talks and info sessionsHousekeeping (gardens, waste areas, buildings)Pets (Inside or outside)Depending on the buy-in, make changes Animal friendly gardensGreen areas and corridorsExclusionCo-habitation vs Us & ThemBenefits (Social, Environmental, Biodiversity)
Service OfferingsAnimal trapping, removal and relocationAnimal IdentificationExclusion / ProofingDamage RepairsCarcass RemovalDeodorization and DecontaminationCeiling space and attic cleaningMonitoring
Frogs & Toads 33% Critically endangeredRed Toad & Bull FrogMajor source of food for birds and other reptilesCritical ecological nicheBiological indicator of environmental healthNo Chemical or physical control can thus be doneOnly manual gathering and relocating back to local sourceNo transporting due to Chytridiomycosis caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a zoosporic fungusChytridiomycosis has been linked to dramatic populationdeclines and extinctions in Amphibian species worldwide
Feral Cats
Feral CatsFeral Cats are responsible for millions of reptile, bird and small mammal deaths each year.Caused extirpation of several species on Marion Island after introduction of 5 cats in 1949. Eradication is ongoing.They carry a multitude of diseases and parasites.Control Options:Trap and euthanizePublic perceptions, inhumaneCost, volunteers, short termTrap, Neuter , Release (TNR)Current Best PractiseSPCA responsibility
Responsible use of RemediesAct 36 Of 1946 Agricultural Remedies Act.Anti Coagulant rodenticides vs OwlsNeonicotinoids vs BeesOrganophosphates vs Everything (Chlorpyrifos ban 2010)
RoadkillReptiles, Birds Mammals
Thank YouQ&A
Bushveld Mosaichttp://www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za/Contact: Ian Gordon-Cummings Phone: 083 655 7057Contact: Maria Cazzavillan Phone: 011 432 2535
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