GEORGE NEWS - Exciting developments are in the pipeline for the Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG) with the intended opening of the Birds of Prey rehabilitation centre early in 2021. However, not everybody is happy about this and concerns have been raised by some residents.
GRBG management said that in October this year, the Birds of Prey rehabilitation centre and conservation organisation approached them about relocating the centre to the botanical garden.
After doing due diligence on the NPO, the trust and the municipality agreed to house the rehabilitation centre at the garden, as the work the NPO does is aligned with the garden's aims and objectives.
Birds of Prey focuses on rehabilitating and releasing birds of prey, as well as environmental education on birds of prey and the various issues the birds face.
The centre does not actively breed birds, but does house non-releasable birds. These sometimes breed successfully, in which case the babies are released at various locations across the province. Birds that cannot be released back into the wild due to injury and hand rearing are used to educate the community.
"We look forward to working with this organisation in strengthening our environmental education programmes to include at-risk fauna, such as birds of prey," states the NPO. "We feel that as the Garden Route Botanical Garden is aimed at protecting our natural ecosystems, encouraging the conservation of these birds is part of our responsibility as a conservation organisation. The Birds of Prey rehabilitation centre is aiming to open early in 2021."
Concerns addressed
George Herald was shown a letter written by GRBG Trust chairperson Roger Bath and co-signed by GRBG manager Corné Brink in response to concerns that include aesthetic aspects.
The letter states that the operators of Birds of Prey will be taking steps to improve the overall appearance of the entrance at the Protea gate. The trust has ensured that the quality of the premises being erected is suitable for a botanical garden as well as the purposes of the rehab centre.
"I am sure that when you see the final product of natural wood you will see that it is not unattractive. We would also note that the contract between the garden and Birds of Prey stipulates that the premises being erected will be of a temporary nature and can be removed and the ground restored to its original state.
"Birds of Prey will fund the erection of their bird enclosures themselves and have been operating in George for almost three years.
"They are a non-profit organisation, as is the garden. They will take complete responsibility for running the Birds of Prey rehabilitation centre and this will not fall under the responsibility of the manager of the garden. The garden will benefit from a portion of the entry fees charged by Birds of Prey, which is an important part of our being able to balance our budget to ensure that we can constantly improve the garden that you love."
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