A crucial wetland habitat has been incorporated into the Agulhas National Park in the Western Cape, adding 2 345 hectares of threatened wilderness to the park.

In celebration of World Wetlands Day on February 2, South African National Parks (SANParks) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa, announced the incorporation of the Soetendalsvlei wetland – Africa’s southernmost freshwater lake – into the park. Through a generous donation, WWF took ownership of the Vissersdrift property, on which the wetland lies, for incorporation last year.

The lake is designated as both a Critical Biodiversity Area and an Important Bird Area, supporting over 60 water bird species, including several birds of concern such as the Damara tern, Great White pelican and two flamingo species, along with over 21 000 migrant and resident birds recorded annually.

It also plays a critical role in recharging groundwater, draining into the Heuningnes River, which feeds the De Mond Nature Reserve estuary – a safe haven for migrating birds and breeding fish. Wetlands and estuaries are regarded as the most threatened and least protected ecosystems in South Africa.

“In the conservation world where we are often up against it, it’s important that we take a moment to celebrate our successes, and the acquisition of this critically important wetland area for incorporation into Africa’s southernmost national park is one such milestone. We are proud to have been able to facilitate the expansion of the Agulhas National Park with a wetland that plays such a significant role in a functioning ecosystem,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa.

SANParks and the WWF will reduce alien plant infestation and other environmental threats through a veld and wetland rehabilitation programme that seeks to secure Soetendalsvlei’s ecological functions and pristine beauty.

“This acquisition also protects inland salt pans, many of which are under threat in the Western Cape from urban development, mining and agriculture, along with rare veld types such as the Critically Endangered Central Rûens Shale Renosterveld, Vulnerable Agulhas Sand Fynbos and Limestone Fynbos which face similar threats,” said Luthando Dziba, SANParks Managing Executive: Conservation Services.

To the south lies the Denhami property, which was recently acquired by the National Parks Trust and is also about to be included as part of the core of the park.

Situated 200km east of Cape Town, Agulhas National Park already encompasses popular tourist attractions such as the southernmost tip of Africa and the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, and is popular amongst whale watchers and birders.

Dziba explained that the new properties added substantial cultural and archaeological interest to the park.

“Historically, people used the adjacent salt pans for harvesting salt for local use and later to export to Cape Town. About every 50 to 100 years the vlei’s bed is exposed through droughts, when one could see some of these archaeological and cultural artefacts.”

The vlei gets its name from the Zoetendaal, a Dutch ship that was wrecked off the nearby coast in 1673 on route from Jakarta, Indonesia. The survivors who were able to make it to shore, walked inland and found fresh water at the vlei to keep them alive. They were so thankful that they named it after their ship.