KNYSNA NEWS - Owing to the open-access nature of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), it is enjoyed by many who love the outdoors and adventure seekers as well as many who include their dogs in their activities.
SANParks' mission is to develop, manage and promote a system of national parks that represent biodiversity and heritage assets, through innovation and best practice for the just and equitable benefit of current and future generations.
The GRNP has experienced an increase in people walking dogs in the park over the last year as this is also evidenced by images captured by trap cameras placed in the forest for research purposes.
In order to protect wildlife, SANParks has a code of conduct to guide people who would like to walk their dogs in the park and the onus is on dog owners to abide by guidelines regulating this activity. This can be done through checking regular signage that is posted along the beach and forest areas.
* East of the parking area at the NSRI, up the staircase before the Wilderness Hotel.
* Kleinkrantz parking area, West to 6th Avenue and East up to the first rocks at Gerricke’s Point
* East of the parking area at Myoli Beach and Cola Beach (except during December 1 to January 31, between 09:00 and 17:00).
* Along the vlei where there is reasonable access and no signage prohibiting dogs
In Knysna dogs can be walked along Leisure Isle provided they are on a leash at all times.
Dog handlers are requested to adhere to all the rules and regulations of the beach area, including leashing requirements.
The entry to and exit from a national park by guide dogs and assistance dogs must be covered by a permit issued by SANParks or the Veterinary Wildlife Unit.
Dogs may also spread diseases. Domestic dogs and cats may carry certain pathogens that pose a serious disease risk to wild canids, felids, viverids and mustelids.
Dogs in the park may harass or kill plants by digging and disturb animals, especially breeding birds.
The endangered African Black Oystercatchers are especially vulnerable to dogs (and people).
Adults and chicks become separated and nests and youngsters become vulnerable to trampling and predation by gulls, dogs and man. Their nest is often a shallow scrape in the sand on exposed beaches and is vulnerable to roving and excitable dogs. Incubation of eggs is about 29 days and youngsters take about 45 days to become independent. The breeding success rate is only 20% to 40%.
They normally breed between September and April. The breeding pairs along local beaches are monitored on a regular basis and have been for nearly two decades.
For more information, contact 044 302 5633 (Knysna), 044 877 0046 (Wilderness), 042 281 1607 (Tsitsikamma).
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