Fwd: P/P: W57: MEDIA RELEASE: Snake decline prompts City to request assistance from Capetonians
Trevor Hughes
From: Lisa Poole <Lisa....@capetown.gov.za>
Date: Thu, Sep 9, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Subject: P/P: W57: MEDIA RELEASE: Snake decline prompts City to
request assistance from Capetonians
To: William Mxolose <William...@capetown.gov.za>
Sent to you on behalf of Subcouncil 15
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
MEDIA RELEASE
O7 SEPTEMBER 2010
Snake decline prompts City to request assistance from Capetonians
The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Branch is currently
undertaking research on a unique and interesting snake species. The
rinkhals, a cobra-like snake which derives its name from the crossbars
on its throat, is considered to be locally extinct in Cape Town.
The rinkhals is an important component of Cape Town’s unique
biodiversity. Any species extinction affects the balance of nature and
in this case, losing the rinkhals, which functions as both a predator
and prey species, may mean an increase in toad and rodent populations
and the loss of food for other snakes and birds of prey.
The rinkhals has not been officially recorded in any of the 30 nature
reserves and natural areas that the City manages in over 10 years.
However, this research aims to collect information from beyond
conservation circles in an attempt to locate any populations that may
remain, so that conservation measures can be implemented before it is
too late.
In general it is best to leave snakes alone. Most bites occur when
people either try to catch or kill a snake. If you come across a snake
in your home or garden, contact a professionally trained snake handler
or one of the City’s nature reserves in your area
(www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves). Make sure to keep an eye on the
snake at all times and keep pets and loved ones away.
Managing urban biodiversity would not be possible without the support
of Capetonians and they are urged to assist the City of Cape Town’s
Biodiversity Management Branch by forwarding any rinkhals sightings
that they may have had over the last 10 years to Grant Smith: Tel 021
851 6982; Cell: 084 328 1001; or E-mail
helderbergna...@capetown.gov.za
Editors: A pamphlet with photos which will help in identifying the
snake is available on e-mail.
Request a copy by responding to this e-mail address.
End
Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Owen Wittridge, Manager: Helderberg Nature Reserve,
Silwerboomkloof Natural Heritage Site, Lourens River Protected Natural
Environment, Biodiversity Management Branch, City of Cape Town, Tel:
021 851 6982
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