Share your stories, photographs or videos within the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area with us.
And check the input from Special Management Area members, interested parties and visitors to our area, below.
Video Gallery
Smaller mammals like the Marsh Mongoose and the Egyptian Mongoose
live in the wetlands in the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management
Area. These mongooses are generally shy, and can mostly be seen at
night. The Marsh Mongoose is usually alone, although in our footage
we have seen two roaming the area together. The Egyptian Mongoose
is the largest of the African mongooses.
Honey Badger (Ratel)
Although honey badgers live within the Nuwejaars Wetland Special
Management Area (SMA), they are very rarely actually seen. As a
result, we were lucky to capture any footage at all of the badger
roaming the wetland areas. Honey badgers are known to be tough and
fearless animals, capable of wearing out and beating considerably
larger animals in a fight.They're often thought to kill sheep in
agricultural areas, but in fact usually only feed on sheep that are
already dead. Landowners within the SMA certainly aim to conserve
these fascinating animals.
The Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area is home to numerous
rare and exquisite birds. Fish eagles are commonly found here, and
Marshall eagles are also seen passing overhead. Marsh Harriers are
generally found in the wetland areas within the SMA. And then there
are the smaller species - more easily caught on camera: the wagtail,
the Cape Spurfowl, and of course, the ostrich.
Caracal (Rooikat)
The caracal (rooikat) is often considered a problem animal, preying on
sheep. However, in the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management we
consider the caracal a vital part of the biodiversity. Studies have shown
that dominant cats live in an area, and generally keep intruders away
(as some of our footage shows) - and we try to maintain that balance.
What's more, research has also shown caracal mostly prey on vlei rats
and guinea fowl. Our footage captures a caracal, and its kittens, living
within our wetland area.
Mongoose (Muishond)
Birds (Cape Spurfowl and wagtail)
Hippo
The Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area has a number of
cameras placed across the area. The cameras have captured our
wildlife and birdlife at work, from the bullying hippos to the shy honey
badger. In particular, our videos show what these characters get up to
at the dead of night. From the footage taken at the vlei where they
live, we know the hippo bull to be in good health. He's also very
inquisitive, and the camera has taken the brunt of his curious nature
many a time.
Elim Wine Growers Introduction
The Elim Wine Growers. Spectacular
wines are the order of the day for
four wine producing partners in the
Elim ward.
Within the Special Management Area,
tourists will also be able to visit the
Elim wine ward - the newest wine
ward in South Africa. Situated close
to the small town of Elim, four sets
of vineyards and wine cellars now
produce top quality grapes. These are
Black Oystercatcher Wines,
Strandveld Wines, The Berrio and
Zoetendal Wines.
Their slogan, 'Real wine, Real people',
captures the essence of this small
hamlet, where there is no better
place to experience flavoursome
wines, delectable cuisine and genuine
hospitality.