Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Coordinates: 25°53′49″S 28°17′38″E / 25.89694°S 28.29389°E / -25.89694; 28.29389
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve
View of the Rietvlei Dam from the picnic area
Map
TypeNature reserve
LocationSouth Africa
Nearest cityPretoria, Gauteng
Coordinates25°53′49″S 28°17′38″E / 25.89694°S 28.29389°E / -25.89694; 28.29389
Area4,000 hectares (40 km2)[1]
Established
  • 1929 (1929) - as a conservation area
  • 1948 (1948) - proclaimed[2]
  • 5 March 2014 (2014-03-05) - Declaration of a Nature Reserve[3][4]
Administered by
City of Tshwane
Hiking trailsTwo
  • One 14 km day trail
  • One 21 km trail over three days
WebsiteCity of Tshwane page on Rietvlei

Rietvlei Nature Reserve, located in southern

) road on the north-east. The mean elevation above sea level is approximately 1,525 meters, with the highest point at 1,542 m and the lowest at 1,473 m, the dam’s outflow in Sesmylspruit. The reserve covers a surface area of approximately 4,003 ha or 40 km2, of which the dam constitutes some 20ha. A network of roads criss-cross the entire area, which facilitates access to visitors and management.

Flora and fauna

Trees

Both indigenous and exotic species of trees can be found in the reserve.

Indigenous
Exotic

Birds

Some 404 species of bird utilize the reserve.

Mammals

The reserve carries around 1,600 individual large mammals.

grey duiker, oribi, leopard, buffalo, and hippopotamus can all be found in the reserve.[2][7]
There are also 4 lionesses and 2 male lions kept in a separate enclosure on the reserve. In October 2019, the Rietvlei lions were killed by poachers and since then, no lions have been kept at the reserve.

Threats to the reserve

The reserve is situated in Gauteng, one of the highest population density areas in South Africa. As such it is constantly under threat by human expansion and development.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Rietvlei Nature Reserve: Historic Background". City of Tshwane. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  2. ^ a b Marais, Riaan (November 2004). "A Plant Ecological Study of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng Province" (PDF). City of Tshwane. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Gazetted Name: Rietvlei Nature Reserve" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Protected Areas Register".
  5. ^
    City of Tshwane
    .
  6. ^ Chadwick, Peter. "Gauteng Birding - Rietvlei Nature Reserve". photodestination.co.za. African Conservation. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Rietvlei Nature Reserve: General Information". City of Tshwane. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
  8. Independent Online (South Africa)
    . 26 September 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  9. ^ van Eeden, Pieter H. (2004). "Comments on beak deformities at Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve" (PDF). Afring News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  10. ^ "Rietvlei rehabilitation project aids in water purification". South African National Biodiversity Institute. September 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2008.

External links

Media related to Rietvlei Nature Reserve at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ^ "Login". www.friendsofrietvlei.org. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Home". www.rietvleiguide. Retrieved 27 October 2017.