Honorary Rangers

Projects

Foot Patrols

iKapa HRs regularly do foot patrols throughout TMNP which extends from Cape Point to Signal Hill including some of the favourite hiking trails at Silvermine, the back table of the mountain as well as Newlands Forest.

Working closely with TMNP, iKapa HRs assist as “eyes and ears” in Table Mountain National Park, especially in the north sector where the cable car is and which is a high visitor area. HRs help with patrols, and report any unusual occurrences During high season in December iKapa was supported by General Motors which provided a Hummer to help with visitor safety patrols.

Full Moon Patrol

iKapa HRs patrol Lions Head every full moon when hundreds of visitors ascend the mountain to take in the splendid view of the setting sun and rising full moon. Many of the public are ill-equipped for walking on the mountain and the HRs keep an eye out for any problems that may arise. In the event of an emergency situation occurring Park Rangers are contacted through the Park radio network which will call in emergency personnel.

Cape Clawless Otter Research

IKapa HRs assist with data collection of Cape Clawless Otters on the Peninsular which is fed through to TMNP.

African Penguin Nest Box Project

A total of 200 nest boxes were handed to Table Mountain National by iKapa Honorary Rangers, in partnership with Dyer Island Conservation Trust; US-based Species Survival Plan and ordinary members of the public, including schools.

The specially designed nest boxes are a response to the decline in the Red Data-listed African Penguin population. The population of African Penguins has experienced a dramatic decline in recent years to only 120 000 birds with the population at Boulders dropping from 3500 birds in 2005 to 2600 in 2007. The nest boxes will help conserve the Boulders Colony population of African Penguins by protecting eggs from predators and juveniles from heat exhaustion, which is having an impact on these charismatic sea birds. Schools will receive an informative African Penguin nest box poster sponsored by Creda Communications, and a map of the numbered nest boxes with sponsor’s names will be on display at Boulders Penguin Colony. This project will be part of on-going research as Boulders.

Cape Point Light House Painting

The historic Cape Point Lighthouse is regularly defaced with visitors’ graffiti. iKapa HRs paint this historical landmark at least 4 times a year. The lighthouse is no longer used as a beacon but is the central control room for all of the lighthouses situated around the SA Coast.

Path Maintenance

Cape Point, Newlands Forest, Silver Mine are the paths and boardwalks regularly maintained to ensure the safety of walkers.

Invasive alien species clearing

IKapa HRs had special training in the invasive specie in TMNP which is designed to help them with alien species mapping, monitoring and clearing.