Drive slowly in conservancies

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Residents of the various conservancies in Mossel Bay urge holidaymakers to respect the speed limit.

"Of course, it is the holiday season and people are more carefree, but I urge residents to inform visitors and holidaymakers renting holiday units of the strict speed limits that apply in the Dana Bay Conservancy.

"As residents, we are proud and protective of our wildlife and we are trying our utmost to protect it. This is why we ask everyone's cooperation to be extremely careful when driving, especially at sunrise and dusk," warns the ward councillor for Dana Bay, Alderlady Marie de Klerk.

Small antelope are common, but residents are also particularly concerned about turtles and the chicks of many of the wild birds such as pheasant and guinea fowl, which are often the victims of speeding drivers.

"The little turtles have just hatched; they are barely bigger than one's fist. The chicks and especially the small animals found here are defenceless against the people who do not keep to speed limits."

Residents are also asked to inform their visitors that fireworks are strictly prohibited, especially given the drought. "The veld is very dry and fireworks can easily cause wildfires. Please obey the municipality's ban on fireworks. I urge residents to warn visitors that fireworks, even firecrackers, and Chinese lanterns are not allowed."

It is not only the small deer but also the smaller animals such as mongoose - a valuable ally in the fight against snakes in the neighbourhood - that are at risk of being killed by reckless speeding.