wildevoelvlei
Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary
One of the attractions of Imhoffs Gift is the wetland along the northern boundary of the estate, known as the Wildevoelvlei (‘Wild Bird wetland’), which, as its name suggests, is a haven for birdlife. The land to the seaward side of the wetland was incorporated into Table Mountain National Park in 2003, so Imhoff’s Gift today enjoys uninterrupted views across the vleis towards the mountains that will always remain open.
The Wildevoelvlei is a body of water adjacent to Kommetjie Long Beach which is approximately 3.5km around the upper and lower lake with approximately one kilometer of the river down to Noordhoek beach.
Take a leisurely stroll down the vlei, towards the horse paddocks (need more content here)
If you’re lucky you might spot a Cape Clawless Otter. These elusive creatures are extremely shy so if you do happen to see one you are very lucky!
The Vlei hosts more than 133 bird species including Fish Eagles and more recently the return of the Greater Flamingoes which are spectacular to witness!
Tilapia, Springer, Mullet, and Carp (Carp are an alien species) are some of the fish that live in the vlei and are integral to the ecosystem and food for the other wildlife.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
December 2010
Since the early seventies it has been used as a sewerage outfall and is now a permanent water body prone to blooms of blue green algae responding to high nutrient loads.
The City of Cape Town issued a warning to all residents and visitors about the presence of harmful blue-green algae in Wildevoëlvlei.
Wildevoëlvlei is home to a thriving population of blue-green algae, scientifically known as Cyanophyceae. These algae species have the capacity, under specific environmental conditions, to produce toxins that can pose risks to both humans and animals if consumed. Particularly during the warm summer months, the algae population can experience significant growth, giving the water a distinct green hue resembling pea soup. Monitoring and laboratory tests conducted by the City confirmed the presence of blue-green algal toxins in the water.
October 2016
June 2020
On the 17th of June 2020, an amphibian excavator breached the barrier to the sea, causing a significant reduction in the water level of Wildevoelvlei, approximately halving its volume. According to information provided, this opening to the sea had not occurred in the past 20 years. Concurrently, the excavator undertook the task of clearing the storm drain inlets originating from Ocean View, as well as all the inlets originating from Kommetjie Road and the Industrial Estate situated to the east.
Following the heavy rains that occurred shortly thereafter, the vlei experienced an influx of kaolin from the estate located across Kommetjie Road. Additionally, the Ocean View inlet carried various debris into the vlei. Notably, these inlets had previously been obstructed by reeds, which may have acted as a natural filter for the water. As for the inlet from the industrial estate, its condition was uncertain, except for the presence of solid waste.
It was after the initial heavy rains that the first instances of fish mortality were observed along the banks of Wildevoelvlei and Noordhoek beach. During this period, an increased number of fish deaths, numbering in the hundreds, were reported along the vlei’s shores and at the river mouth.
On September 13th, flags were raised to signal the attention of the City of Cape Town’s Storm Water Management team. This proactive effort was spearheaded by Imhoff’s residents, who formed a dedicated group known as The Vlei Rats, aptly named for their role as vigilant observers.
Given that the surrounding land fell under the purview of various governmental agencies, it was crucial to approach the stakeholders with care and consideration. This collaborative endeavor involved engaging with the City of Cape Town, the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries, South African National Parks, Shark Spotters, Cape Town Coastal Management, and the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust, all of whom contributed to the cleanup effort.
To facilitate the mobilization of these teams, it was imperative to provide them with accurate data pertaining to the area in question. This necessitated the collection of historical data and water samples from the affected waterbody, which would be subsequently analyzed and shared.