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Little Falls Wildlife Reserve
(City of Johannesburg)
A Joint Venture Proposal
by the
Black Eagle Project Roodekrans & Urban Raptor Conservation Project
in Association with the
Birds of Prey Working Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust
Messrs. Arthur Albertson & Boudewyn van der Lecq
Black Eagle Project Roodekrans & Urban Raptor Conservation Project
P.O. Box 73974
Fairland
2030
Email: arthur.albertson@gmail.co.za
Email: raptors@metroweb.co.za
June 2008

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Introduction
In a joint venture between the non-governmental and non-profit organizations, the
Black Eagle Project Roodekrans and the Urban Raptor Conservation Project in
association with the Birds of Prey Working Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust,
we are committed to the conservation of the Roodekrans Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle
(Aquila verreauxii) pair, as well as all urban and peri-urban birds of prey species.
Central to this objective is the protection of the natural ecosystems on which these
birds of prey and other wildlife species depend for their continued survival.
This document outlines a proposal for the establishment of a fenced sanctuary - the
Little Falls Wildlife Reserve (LFWR) - along the Roodekrans Ridge at Little Falls,
incorporating a number of private and municipal owned properties.
A possible second phase of this initiative will further expand this area through the
creation of a Conservancy, which will allow the LFWR to link up with other
protected areas, namely the Kloofendal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort and the
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (WSNBG).
The ‘bigger picture’ is for the LFWR to ultimately form part of much larger envisaged
sanctuary, namely the Sisulu Urban Wildlife Reserve – a separate proposal initiated
in 2005 by the Sisulu Reserve Working Group. The Gauteng Department of
Agriculture, Conservation & Environment (GDACE), The South African National
Biodiversity Institute (SANBI: authority for the WSNBG) and the Mogale City Local
Municipality, under their National Grasslands Programme, are already mandated to
establish an Urban Wildlife Reserve (UWR) in the area. With the WSNBG at its core,
the UWR would link Kloofendal and Little Falls - via a conservation corridor - to the
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
The primary aim of the LFWR however, is to conserve and rehabilitate the
undeveloped ridge areas immediately adjacent to Little Falls, as a vital hunting
range for the Verreaux’s eagles that have nested within the WSNBG since the early
1940’s.
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World-renowned and a major attraction to visitors of the WSNBG, the well-being of
the eagle pair is precarious and the progressive loss of natural hunting habitat to
urban development is placing ever-increasing stress upon the eagles and prevailing
wildlife populations. To ensure their continued survival, it is of paramount
importance that the ridge system should remain protected from further destruction
and linked to other conservation areas to ensure habitat connectivity and facilitate
the movement and dispersal of wildlife, including their prey species. The creation of
the LFWR is essential to meeting this urgent need.
The Little Falls Wildlife Reserve
The envisaged approximately 215 hectare fenced LFWR, will allow for the effective
management of this sensitive, biologically rich open space area. Its development as
such will transform the area from being a haven for criminals and a liability to
surrounding communities, to that of being a recreational and educational asset to
the citizens of Johannesburg and indeed the whole of South Africa.
Hadeco, being the largest private property owner at Little Falls, in association with
the Little Falls Development Company (Pty) Ltd, (owners of the proposed Little Falls
extension 16 (LFx16) – Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) currently being
reviewed by authorities), as well as local communities and conservation bodies are,
without exception, highly supportive of the reserve concept.
The specialist studies forming part of the LFx16 EIA process highlighted the
importance of the majority of the proposed site on the western side of the
Wilgespruit due to its high conservation potential. Given the size of this portion of
land, and its large common boundary area with the existing Little Falls Pleasure
Resort, discussions were held with the various stakeholders. The conclusion
reached, which was underwritten in the recommendations of the EIA, was that as a
minimum a conservancy should be established. Preferably though, a formal reserve
should be established as this would maximise the conservation of this critical piece
of remaining open space. A significant offshoot from the public participation process
was that all stakeholders are now acquainted and thus ongoing initiatives such as
this one at hand can be investigated in detail.
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Excellent potential also exists for a partnership between various private sector
entities and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) for the sustainable development and
management of the LFWR. Indeed, local businesses or even ‘big business’ could
contribute funds, time, staffing and/or management skills in return for positive
marketing opportunities, potential financial returns on investment, possible tax and
rates rebates as well as rebates in terms of the National Environmental
Management: Biodiversity Act.
The reintroduction of a wide diversity of wildlife species such as zebra, klipspringer
and Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis (principal prey item for the eagles), will also serve
to enhance the LFWR’s aesthetic and tourism potential. Its establishment ahead of
the 2010 Soccer World Cup will help to showcase Western Johannesburg as an
interesting destination in its own right for visitors from abroad.
The CoJ, as the largest landowner, is obviously a crucial stakeholder and its
involvement and support will be essential to the success of the proposed initiative.
It is envisaged that this proposal will serve as a starting point for further
discussions, with a view to reaching an agreement in principle for the inclusion of
the four identified CoJ properties into the LFWR, subject to a detailed feasibility
study and stakeholder consultation process.
Please refer to the attached map, which shows the potential boundary of the LFWR
encompassing portions of the Hadeco-owned property and adjacent CoJ-owned
properties. Phase 2, as also shown, would aim to establish a conservancy
incorporating numerous privately owned properties on the intervening ridge slope
between the LFWR and the WSNBG. In parallel with this additional phase, the
possibility also exists for incorporating the Kloofendal Nature Reserve and other
linked open space areas.
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Objectives and Anticipated Benefits
To establish a secure and viable hunting habitat for the Verreaux’s eagles:
Believed to be at least the third and fourth generation Verreaux’s eagles, the
Roodekrans pair is becoming increasingly dependent upon the Little Falls Ridge and
grassveld slopes as a hunting habitat – deemed one of the least disturbed sites
within a 5km radius of their nesting site.

The ongoing construction activities within the immediate proximity of their nesting
site, on the outskirts of the WSNBG, namely the Silverstar Casino, the upper
portions of Featherbrooke Estate, the six mega litre Mogale Water Reservoir and
Sugar Bush Estate, is a true reflection that the eagle pair have been observed to
hunt less frequently within what was previously deemed ideal hunting habitat
closest to their nesting site.

The eagles have been observed to be increasingly frequenting the Little Falls
environs. Their presence on a more regular basis would be a welcome draw card for
the Strubensvalley communities and it could benefit local enterprises in the same
way that their presence at the WSNBG has benefited the Ruimsig area.
The number of private and residential estates inclusive of commercial retailers
bearing logos and or names with reference to the Verreaux’s eagles is testimony to
the potentially wide ranging benefits resulting from the presence of wildlife within
an urban environment.

To protect the naturally occurring indigenous plant and animal diversity:
The envisaged LFWR encompasses an area identified by GDACE as a highly
sensitive “Untransformed Ridge” containing species of high conservation value,
including habitat for a number of rare and endangered species. Virtually the entire
LFWR area is also zoned as an “Irreplaceable Site” on account of its importance for
the maintenance of ecological processes such as hydrology, pollination and wildlife
dispersal, thus requiring a strict ‘no-go’ development policy. The creation of a
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protected area is consistent with GDACE’s policies and conservation objectives as
well as National policies for the protection of South Africa’s biodiversity.

To rehabilitate the natural habitat of Little Falls towards its optimum ecological
condition:
The widespread presence of vagrants and criminal elements, using the area as a
place of refuge, is posing a constant and ever increasing danger to local residents.
Uncontrolled access onto the grassveld slopes and ridges can create a noticeable
disturbance to naturally occurring wildlife, including the eagles’ prey species. Loss
of habitat or even just degradation of this habitat can cause a significant decrease
in the number of prey species. This obviously has a direct impact on the eagles.
Although the focus of this document is related to the birds of prey and their
associated ecosystem, this does not detract from the importance of maintaining the
open space in order to preserve other known sensitive and/or endangered species –
both plant and animal.

The construction of a concrete palisade perimeter fence will allow for the proper
control of public access, thus limiting the potential for human-related disturbance.
Although initially expensive, this form of boundary will in the long run require less
maintenance and will improve security for the greater area whilst controlling the
movement of animal species. This will also allow for management intervention
aimed at removing alien plant species and snares and allow for the reintroduction of
species historically occurring in the area. This is also a necessary precursor to the
reintroduction and establishment of viable hyrax populations as a prey-base for the
eagles.

To provide a unique recreational and educational facility for local communities:
Safe open space areas are now a rarity in Johannesburg and sadly, there are very
few environmental education facilities. The creation of the LFWR will provide city
dwellers, many of whom are deprived of any contact with nature, with the
opportunity to experience and learn about a functional wildlife ecosystem in an
urban environment. The potential also exists for the use of the area as a venue for
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skills development and training in the fields of wildlife management, leadership
development, tourism and hospitality.

To add aesthetic, educational and tourism value through the reintroduction of
large wildlife species:

A detailed scientific study will determine the diversity and number of large wildlife
species that can be sustained within the envisaged fenced area. Provisional wildlife
carrying capacity calculations have been developed. These follow on from from the
already substantial scientific studies undertaken as part of the LFx16 EIA process.
All these reports are available on request and will be used as ‘building blocks’ in the
collation of information that will be needed to get this initiative up and running.
This preliminary study indicates that the area can sustain a viable wildlife
population. The presence of species such as zebra, springbok, reedbuck and
klipspringer will add significant aesthetic value to the reserve, thus creating further
opportunities for environmental education and training.
A diverse wildlife population will help to attract local and international visitors, with
positive benefits for local retailers and opportunities for hotel and tourism
enterprise development. Future expansion through a second phase, incorporating a
conservancy area will allow for an even greater wildlife carrying capacity, thus
increasing exposure to this unique conservancy and multiplying the benefits.
Ultimately, the LFWR and Phase 2 conservancy will also help to maintain or even
improve the value of properties in the area. Establishing the Little Falls area as a
relatively safe and desirable place to invest and live in will help to offset negative
property market trends.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the following people for their support and input in
the planning of this initiative:
Bronwen Griffiths (WEB Environmental Consultancy)
Stuart Barnhoorn (Hadeco)
Dries Roux (Little Falls Development Company (Pty) Ltd.)
Koos Coetsee (J J Coetsee TRP (SA) Town Planner)