Big Tree and Vulture Nest Protection

 

Due to the high population of elephants on the TNR, since the fences came down four years ago, we have experienced significant tree damage. We have flagged this as a high priority project to protect as many large and vulnerable trees on the property as we can. We intend introducing three methods:

 

1. Beehives

29 vulture nests have been identified and GPS pinned across the reserve. These trees will be fitted with beehives. Hives are purchased from Elephants Alive, the costs include the bees, which will need to be fed if there is a shortage of pollen in dry months. We have already purchased two boxes as a trial. Elephants Alive will install the boxes, monitor the bees, and feed them with a manufactured pollen when necessary.

 

2. Mesh Wrapping

Together with the ecologists, a decision was made to protect our most vulnerable trees on the reserve which are our large Marulas and Knob thorns. We will commence with ‘wire wrapping’ as well as dung pasting, a foul-smelling mixture of manure is painted onto the trees before they are wrapped in chicken wire (this prevents stripping of bark). Elephants Alive marks each tree and monitors the trees for their research. They will also inform us when the wire will require maintenance or loosening as the tree grows. They will re-hire causal labour, who are currently aiding with the wood project to help with this process.

 

3. Rock Packing

Rock packing will commence in parts of the reserve. This method prevents trees from being pushed over. Elephants do this when their food source is under pressure and they “track the nutrients in the trees. The nutrients travel down towards the root system as the leaves droop and wilt at the top.” This is a more expensive method as TNR is short of rocks so these will need to be brought in from outside the reserve.