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Great news!
Out of interest, why are they called 'Burchell's Zebra' and not 'Plains Zebra' in the press release? I thought the name was officially changed.

Nitpick for the day officially complete

This is such great news!!! Been waiting for this to happen! Well done Addo!!!!

O no now everyone is going to find out what a little jewel the Colchester area realy is.

Just joking, that is awesome news. Now when can I book my next trip there I wonder.

Looking forward to explore the Cochester area.

What tremendous news.

Just read the article out to Mr Cherries with a big lump in my throat.

Well done SANParks!

We have absolutely no concept of the amount of money that is needed to build roads, purchase new stock of game and to relocate the hartebeest. (Sure they will find Addo warmer than MZNP!! )

I agree it's great news that the Colchester side has got additional animals and roads for game viewing. We were there last weekend and saw the new roads plus signs of when the buffalo were transferred into the southern section.

The only downside at the moment in my opinion is that the animals are so hard to spot in the colchester area. It's a large area and we didn't see anything other than a few kudu and some red hartebeest whilst driving through. It will certainly be interesting when they take down the fence between the north and south - will game viewing improve? Or will the animals be so spread out that your chances of seeing animals is diminished?

Great news Will there be any dams, watering holes or picnic spots on these new loops?

Hi Carolynn

I can't remember where I asked Megan the same question, but the answer was: NO waterholes in Matyholweni section!
Only one natural spring, but inaccessible to tourists because of the rugged terrain. They don't want to create unnatural waterholes where animals will congregate and negatively impact on the surrounding vegetation (read the thread on Marion Baree waterhole's `new look' for similar reasoning).

I do see a problem though -- will all those animals traipse all the way back to Marion Baree/Gorah concession for a drink every 2-3 days? Will that not cause more soil erosion/degradation of the topsoil?

Maybe Megan will have some more news for us?

God bless,

Friedrich von Hörsten

Thanks for the reply Friederich. It is a pity, as it is always pleasant to sit at a waterhole and see what comes to you , but I do understand that the environment must come first. A long way for the animals to walk for a drink though - hopefully there are some natural waterholes accessable to them after rain.

Hi Carolynn

I looked up the old thread and found that I had not remembered well enough! Here is Megan's exact reply: Maybe one or two waterholes...

Sorry about that mistake -- sounds a bit better, hey!

God bless

Friedrich von Hörsten

Much better, thanks