The Amakhala Game Reserve has unveiled a new wildlife corridor to allow the free movement of wildlife across a continuous range covering a massive 9,000 hectares.
The unveiling coincided with the reserve celebrating its 25th anniversary in September.
The opening of the corridor where the Bushman’s River runs underneath the N2 highway allows the movement of wildlife not seen in these parts for more than 200 years.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, three sections of ribbon were cut by the reserve members.
Current chair Matthew Hart, first chair of the reserve, Richard Gush, and Bill Fowlds, raconteur and one of the original farmers to conceptualise Amakhala as the magnificent game reserve it would become, did the honours.
As the ribbons fell away, the ground team dropped the last section of the fence dividing the northern and southern sections of Amakhala, creating a continuous wildlife area of more than 9,000ha.
The reserve’s general manager, Andy Hughes, said the opening of the corridor was a vital achievement in the larger land expansion plan.
“Without this corridor, those plans cannot become a reality.
“I feel that this will be a catalyst for further developments in expansion to take place in the not-too-distant future.”
Renowned wildlife vet and founding member of Amakhala Fowlds said: “Amakhala’s working model of a communal reserve has been a resounding success.
“The vision is to expand a similar model into the greater landscapes, joining with other reserves into a mega-reserve stretching from Addo to the Fish River.”
The day’s festivities continued at the Sidbury Clubhouse with boerewors rolls, refreshments and plenty of cake.
Each lodge’s chef baked for the occasion, in addition to a special Silver Jubilee cake that was so big it needed two hands to cut.
In his speech during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Hart acknowledged the courage of the Amakhala family’s forebears and the promise of the next generation.
The general feeling was that the Amakhala Game Reserve — the place of many aloes — had taken a significant step forward on the road to the next 25 years of conservation and community in this historic corner of the Eastern Cape.
Present at the Silver Jubilee celebration were 30 representatives of Amakhala’s unique landowning collaboration and more than half of the reserve’s 350 employees. s
Twenty-five pupils from Sidbury Primary also attended. They receive literacy and outdoor education from the Amakhala Foundation which was established in 2009.
Founding member Giles Gush said: “Amakhala is built on three interdependent principles: conservation, community and profitable lodges, which can be illustrated by a three-legged African pot, with each leg equally important.
“Without one of those legs, the pot will fall over.”
Read Weekender in Friday’s Daily Dispatch to stand a chance to win two sets of a one-night stay for two people, which includes accommodation, two game drives and three meals, valued at R18,000.
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