Grysbok Trail - NMMU Private Nature Reserve Traditional Cache

This cache was placed in honour of iPajero.

The following strict rules apply:

Introduction:

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University campus was declared a Private Nature Reserve in 1983. The campus covers 830Ha, and is dominated by the Dune Fynbos Thicket Mosaic vegetation community, which, despite some problems with invasive Australian Acacias (Rooikrans and Port Jackson willow), is in a very good condition. This vegetation community is one of the most threatened fynbos habitats as a result of agricultural clearing and the development of coastal towns and resorts. The NMMU Nature Reserve represents the easternmost extension of Dune Fynbos, with the nearest example at Cape St. Francis. The NMMU Nature Reserve makes a significant contribution toward the conservation of this vegetation type. There are at least 150 plant species occurring on the Reserve, and a total of 128 bird species have been observed in the Reserve, of which 18 species have been recorded breeding on campus. Twenty-two mammal species have been recorded on the Reserve including a surprising variety of large mammals. Of these, two species are listed in the South African Red Data Book- the Blue Duiker which is listed as endangered, and the Honey Badger which is listed as vulnerable.

The Grysbok Trail was established in 1995, and is designed to act as an environmental education tool and recreation resource for NMMU and the broader community. The trail is part of the NMMU’s commitment to making its resources available to the broader community.

 Trail Options:

Short Loop: (2,5km)
The Short Loop starts at the Biology Building car park and follows the Long Loop but cuts back at the Bird Hide (after about 1,6km) It goes past the Game Camp back to the Biology Building car park.

 Long Loop: (3,2km)
The Long Loop also starts at the Biology Building car park, past the Bird Hide to a look-out and then to a picnic area. It crosses the road to Technical Services and passes the Chemistry and Physics Building, the library and finally back to the Biology Building car park.

Vegetation:

The Cape Recife dunefield (which includes the NMMU campus) is one of two dune fields in the Eastern Cape that supports the Dune Fynbos. This vegetation type is threatened by development and alien vegetation invasion. Of the 17500 Ha of this vegetation still in existence, only 1500 Ha are conserved, and the NMMU Nature Reserve accounts for 48% of this total. The Reserve, which was heavily infested with exotic Acacia species, is now totally clear of these alien species, except for scattered regrowth in parts of the Reserve. This condition of the veld greatly adds to the importance of the conservation of this threatened vegetation type, particularly as the surrounding land is heavily invaded by aliens. Look out for markers along the route which identify the plants.

Reptiles and Amphibians:

A number of reptiles and amphibians can be found on the NMMU campus. Clicking stream frogs and painted reed frogs call in large numbers at water bodies, and can often be heard in the late afternoon and early evening. Tortoises are often seen, particularly in the summer months – the angulate tortoise is abundant. Few venomous snakes occur on campus but one of them, the puff adder, is particularly common. The spotted gecko is also widespread, sheltering in old giant land-snail shells.

Mammals:

A total of 22 mammal species have been recorded on the NMMU Nature Reserve, including the “endangered” Blue duiker and the “vulnerable” Honey badger.

Five species may be readily seen in the Reserve, these are:

1.     Raphicerus melanotis ( Grysbuck, Grysbok, Ingxungxu):
Shoulder height~ 54cm. Reddish brown in colour, the coat sprinkled with white hairs, giving it a grizzled appearance; the face, neck, legs and flanks are yellowish brown, the underparts buffy. The ears are large, greyish on the back and buffy white inside. Only the males have horns, which rise vertically from the head with a slight forward slant. They occur solitarily, in pairs or a female with her offspring. They are territorial. They are browsers, taking leaves and wild fruits. Predominantly nocturnal, they are active around sunrise and sunset, and lie up during the day in thick cover. Young are born throughout the year with a peak from September to December.

 2.    Antidorcas marsupialis (Springbuck, Springbok, Ibhadi):
Shoulder height ~ 75cm. Introduced into this area. The upper parts of the body are a bright cinnamon brown colour with a characteristic dark reddish brown horizontal band along the flanks, separating the reddish brown colour from the pure white underparts. The face is white with a reddish brown line running from the eyes to the corner of the mouth and a similarly coloured patch on the forehead. Both sexes have lyrate horns that are heavily ridged for over half their length and are smooth towards the tips. They browse and graze. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and some parts of the herds are active throughout the day, but they usually rest in the open during the hottest hours. The males are territorial.

3.    Lepus saxatilis (Scrub hare, Kolhaas, Umvhundla):
Total length ~ 50-60cm. Prefers a habitat that affords substantial cover of tall grass, bushes or scrub. The upper parts of the body are covered with soft, woolly, greyish or buffy coloured fur, finely speckled with black; the underparts are pure white. The fluffy tail is black above and white below, the nuchal patch orange-buffy. Nocturnal and solitary, it lives on grass, preferring to feed where it is fresh and green. Young are born throughout the year.

4.    Galerella purverulenta (Small grey mongoose, Klein grysmuishond, Umhlangala): Total length about 65cm. Occurs in open karroid areas as well as in forest. Dark grey. The tail, which is about half the total length, is the same colour as the body and may or may not have a distinct dark tip. Holds tail horizontally when running. Diurnal and solitary, it rests during the heat of the day in holes. Insects and mice are important in its diet. Litters of up to two are born in holes during the summer.

5.    Cynictis penicillata (Yellow mongoose, Witwasmuishond, Igala):
Total length 50-60cm. Tawny yellow or reddish brown in colour. The tail is covered with long hair and has a distinctive white tip. Predominantly diurnal. Lives in colonies of up to 20 in warrens, but scatters to forage. Lives on insects, but will take other invertebrates, mice and occasionally birds and carrion. Litters of up to five are born in the warrens during the summer.

Snake bite!!!!

 1.             Try to remember what type of snake has bitten you. Although being bitten by a snake is a terrifying experience, knowing what snake has bitten you will make treatment quicker and safer.

2.            Keep still and try to stay calm. If you have water available, wash off any venom on the bitten limb. Try to keep the leg or hand which was bitten lower than the rest of the body and keep it as still as possible.

3.            Make a pressure bandage from a torn shirt or some cloth if you don’t have a bandage available. A pressure bandage is made of a pad of cloth which is bound tightly to the bite. It must be tight, but not so tight as to cut off all circulation. The aim of a pressure bandage is to keep the poison in the limb, so that it does not spread to vital organs. At the same time it allows for some blood flow to keep the tissue in the limb alive.

4.            Do not make a tourniquet – this can result in tissue death in the limb.

5.            Do not cut the wound to suck out the poison – this can result in more damage and infection than the initial bite.

6.            Get medical help

7.            Even if a snake is not very venomous, it is important to get help, as some people are more sensitive to snake venoms than others.