SKILDERKRANTZ
PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE
The Heart of Conservation
The Skilderkrantz Conservation Initiative
was conceived by Drs. Carol Anne Blumenthal and Bool
Smuts in 2003 to acquire land for the purpose of expansion
of the Baviaanskloof Mega-reserve, one of South Africa’s
newest World Heritage sites. Skilderkrantz, as part
of the Baviaanskloof, forms an important component in
the Garden Route to Addo Corridor Initiative. This conservation
initiative aims to form a province-wide network of protected
nature reserve areas linking the Addo Elephant Park
with the Garden Route protected areas.
In restoring
and preserving critical ecosystems and biological processes
in this unique area, we strive towards expansion of
Wilderness, harmonious living at the interface with
Wilderness, and the wise and thoughtful use and enjoyment
of our natural resources.
One of our principal
goals is the expansion of habitat for the threatened
Cape Mountain Leopard. As a climax predator, this beautiful
Big Cat represents all the other plants, animals and
inanimate resources which are under threat. In the greater
Baviaanskloof area we have lost 24 (that we know of),
of these magnificent Big Cats in the last five years.
This has been through illegal gin-trapping and hunting
of this protected species by farmers. With our sister
organization the Landmark
Foundation , we are working around the clock to
save this most beautiful of the Big Cats. Go to our
Friends of The Cape Mountain
Leopard page to find out more about the Cape Mountain
Leopard and the 16 big cats we have saved so far.
To date we have brought
8500 ha in the Southern Kouga foothills into the Skilderkrantz
fold by purchase with private funds and are expanding
apace. Some of this is degraded farmland, a very small
part of which is being converted and revitalized to
nature-friendly organic management. The rest, together
with the wilderness areas, will be gradually rehabilitated
to the most pristine wild state achievable.
Skilderkrantz
has opportunities for conservation minded people
to invest and/or volunteer to make
this part of the Baviaanskloof a nature reserve which
is sustainable into the future, making this World Heritage
site truly something for all people for all time and
a sanctuary for many plants and animals, especially
the Cape Mountain Leopard.
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