Page 49 - State of Biodiversity Report 2022/2023

Red duiker survey at Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve
Article by: Sambulo Mhlongo
Email: Sambulo.Mhlongo@durban.gov.za
Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve is located in Berea, Durban. It is named after the Bronze- naped Pigeon, which used to frequent
the valley and is now considered locally extinct. One of the distinctive features of Pigeon Valley is its giant trees, which are characteristic of old growth coastal climax forest. The reserve was established to provide protection for the Natal elm (Celtis mildbraedii) and other rare forest trees species such as the Natal loquat (Oxyanthus
pyriformis) which is range restricted in the Durban area. Pigeon Valley supports a high diversity of plant and animal species, containing more than a hundred tree species and a variety of mammal species including blue duiker, vervet monkeys, slender mongoose, banded mongoose, water mongoose and spotted Genet.
Information currently available suggests that five red duikers (Cephalophus
natalensis) were introduced into Pigeon Valley between 1995 and 2000. The
effective management of animal species is greatly improved by an accurate
and up to date knowledge of population distribution and abundance. Counting The Red duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) found at Pigeon animals to estimate their population sizes is a basic requirement for management Valley Nature Reserve
and conservation. In recent years’ concerns were raised regarding the possible over-population of red duiker in Pigeon Valley. This was due
to observations of individual animals being forced out of the
reserve and road kills being reported. It is for this reason that
a need for population census of the red duiker was identified that aimed to assess red duiker abundance within the reserve to inform management decisions.
A direct survey covering 13.9 ha of the reserve was conducted by seven observers using established hiking trails as transects over two days. The survey estimated 19 Red Duikers which slightly exceeds the reserve’s carrying capacity of 18. The findings indicated potential overstocking which raises concerns about potential impacts on vegetation and road kills. The Natural Resource Division plans to undertake annual surveys to understand long term trends and inform management decisions.
The location of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, Berea Ridge, Durban
STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2022/2023 47