THE completion of a joint multi million-rand rehabilitation project between Rand Water, the Free State Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has seen the Seekoeivlei Wetlands, near Memel in the eastern Free State, restored to its former glory, hailing the return of all three species of indigenous cranes.
"Memel is the only wetland area in South Africa where, historically, the blue crane, crowned crane and the wattled crane could be found in the same location.
"However, due to 100 years of poor agricultural practice and subsequent erosion, they have not - since 1894 - made an appearance there until recently," explains Francois van Wyk, head of catchment management at Rand Water.
Since the inception of the project in 1996 - sponsored by Rand Water for an amount of R2,65m which basically entailed the construction of anti-erosion walls - the crane population has recovered to the extent that Seekoeivlei now boasts more than 300 birds.
Seven hippo, which were relocated from the Greater St Lucia Wetlands in 1998, are also reportedly "doing well".
Van Wyk says Rand Water's board has now also approved further funding for new wetland rehabilitation work.
"We've just started a similar project in the Wilge River catchment area near Harrismith and expect to have rehabilitated the wetlands area within five years -or at least have created a suitable wetlands environment - a process that could take up to 20 years."
(Adéle Mackenzie)
