Successful Rescue of the Redfin Fish
In a successful rescue operation, more than 4 500 Critically Endangered Tradouw redfins (Pseudobarbus burchelli) were translocated to safe locations in the Barrydale area.
The Department of Water and Sanitation put on hold planned maintenance activities at the gauging weir on the Huis River so that CapeNature could perform the rescue. CapeNature has been monitoring the Tradouw redfin population for some years and this helped with the selection of three release sites.
Redfins were known to already occur at the two chosen sites on the Huis River. The third site, a dam on the farm Joubert Tradauw, was included in order to establish a refuge population of the species in case of any environmental disaster affecting the Huis River.
Threats to the river include over-abstraction of water, siltation, nutrification and pollution. Prior to the rescue operation, a temporary barrier of sandbags was established at the pool above the gauging weir. Staff from Grootvadersbos Nature Reserve and the Grootvadersbos Conservancy assisted CapeNature faunal ecologists with netting, transporting and releasing the fish.
The rescued fish were of all size classes, from hatchlings to breeding adults. By the end of the rescue operation only small numbers of redfins were captured at the gauging weir pool, suggesting that most of the fish had been removed. While it is inevitable that some fish will be lost during the maintenance operation, it is likely that the work will have a long-term benefit for the redfins by deepening the pool and increased habitat for the fish.
Grootvadersbos Nature Reserve team and ecologist Martine Jordaan sorting fish at the weir pool.
The Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation team with CapeNature ecologist Martine Jordaan at the Joubert Tradouw dam.
Grootvadersbos Conservancy team helping to net fish at the weir pool.
Redfins in their new home.
Related News
The secret of CapeNature’s new ambassador is out!
CapeNature is thrilled to announce the identity of its new Cubs Club ambassador, Kai the Cape leopard cub. Kai was introduced to the public and a group of Cubs Club members on Friday, 5 July 2024, for the very first time.
What you need to know: Bouldering in Rocklands Cederberg, South Africa
It’s a crisp, sunny Winter’s morning in a far-flung corner of the Western Cape. Despite the early hour and the cold conditions blanketing the Pakhuis Pass, at the northern-most tip of the Cederberg mountains, the air is filled with cheering and whoops of elation.
Call on communities, interested parties to nominate representatives to serve on Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, is calling on communities from baboon-affected areas, stakeholders, and organisations from the South Peninsula with a direct interest in baboon management to nominate representatives to serve on the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group. Click to read more.
A gift voucher from you is a gift to nature.
The gift worth giving - any season, any occasion, and any time - is the perfect opportunity to make someone feel loved with CapeNature. Our online gift vouchers do not have to be wrapped to spark emotion, doing less has never been more satisfying to nature.
CapeNature Conservation Review 2024 brings excellence in sustainable conservation practices to the forefront
CapeNature showcased its achievements realised through its dedication to fostering sound governance, innovative eco-tourism offerings, successful conservation operations, and exceptional biodiversity protection at its CapeNature Conservation Review 2024.
Call for Nominations to serve on the CapeNature Board
Call for nominations to serve on the CapeNature Board is now open. Four Board appointments (two Finance Management, one Biodiversity Conservation and one Human Resource Management will be effective from 30 August 2024; while a further two Board appointments (Corporate Governance, and Eco-tourism and Biodiversity Economy) will be effective from 15 June 2025. Nominations close on 28 July 2024.
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?