KZN Wildlife Pushing for Legalisation of the Trade in Rhino Horn

While this issue does not pertain to St Lucia, we, at St Lucia News, imagine all residents within our community are closely following the countrywide plight of our beautiful rhinos. Gleaned from a variety of news publications throughout this week, St Lucia News can provide its readers with some updates on the subject.

Update: Rhino Card Holders' Discounted Entry into Eastern Shores

After an informative, albeit unresolving, conversation with KZN Wildlife's Rhino Club, St Lucia News has been able to obtain more information in response to rumours surrounding the future of Rhino Card holders' discounted entry into Eastern Shores Game Reserve.

Possible Review of Beach Driving Ban

Speaking at Thula Thula Private Game Reserve on Thursday 16 February on numerous conservation issues, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife CEO, Dr Bandile Mkhize, aired his opinion on the controversial 4x4 beach driving ban implemented in January 2002.  “I don’t believe it can’t be done” was his exact phrase when referring to this matter. 

Holiday Home Eviction Order in World Heritage Site

On Thursday 9 February The Mercury newspaper printed an article about a Mr van Tonder who was last year ordered by the wetland park authorities to “stop construction, remove his holiday cottage at Bhanga Nek and rehabilitate the area to the state it was in prior to construction”. The newspaper article goes on to say that the park authority “secured the order after launching eviction applications against both van Tonder and his neighbour Cules Hamman...” 

Rhino Card Holders' Entry into Isimangaliso Wetland Park

There are rumours circulating the streets of St Lucia of the possibility of Isimangaliso putting a stop to Rhino Card holders gaining discounted entry into the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. 

Fatal Car Accident Provides Motive for St Lucia Community School

In the wake of a fatal car accident last month, in which a St Lucia school girl was seriously injured and another killed, comes plans for St Lucia's very own community school.

Water Buffalo - Literally (follow up)

Photo courtesy of Stacey Farrell

Earlier this week we reported on the buffalo that briefly took up residence in the St Lucia estuary, only to die two days later.  Sean, one of the St Lucia Advantage Boat Tours skippers, kindly took the time to furnish us with some more information for our follow-up to this strange story.

Triple Tail Season Officially Underway

St Lucia resident and avid angler, Llewellyn Baxendale, had a good day’s fishing on Monday, 6^th Feb, when he landed himself a Lobotes, otherwise known as a ‘triple tail’, measuring 65cm and weighing 6kg.  This might not sound like a record breaking catch to the layman, however, in angling circles, it is indeed a prize catch.

Water Buffalo - Literally

Photo courtesy of Stacey Farrell

On Wednesday evening, 1 February, the Advantage Estuary boat spotted a buffalo swimming in St Lucia estuary.  Their initial thought was that it was trying to get to the other side; normal for a buffalo.  It was getting dark and as no boats are allowed on the water after dark, no further investigations could be carried out until Thursday.

As far as we know, there weren't any sightings of the buffalo until late Thursday afternoon, at approximately 16h30, when Stacey Farrell of Heritage Tours and her guests spotted it during their late afternoon cruise.

Past Cure-All: Current Health Risk

According to a recent news article on iol.co.za, a flesh eating bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus is a threat to swimmers and surfers, especially when swimming close to river mouths (of which there are many on our coast and one, the Umfolozi, close to St Lucia), after a storm or with an open wound.

Dr Peter Breedt, a doctor in Hillcrest, Durban, became gravely ill after surf skiing from Durban's uShaka Beach to the Bluff and back in November.  When entering the water he noticed a sulphury smell but thought nothing of it until his health took a turn for the worse. 

NEW! St Lucia Community Car Pool

St Lucia News is happy to announce a new initiative in St Lucia – the town's very own community car pool group which can now be found on facebook. Check it out on:  St. Lucia Community Car Pool! St Lucia Community Car Pool was created in an attempt to build a community spirit in our small town, while saving everyone some money and reducing our community carbon footprint.