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| Area Conserved: |
| 437 ha |
| Wine District: |
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| Owner / Contact Person: |
| De Wet Lategan |
| Phone: |
| (023) 3551603 |
| Website: |
| www.bergsig.co.za |
| Membership Date: |
| 28 July 2006 |
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Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 437ha.
Bergsig is a family enterprise and it is the Lategans vision to conserve their unique environment for future generations.
Biodiversity on this estate varies from river sections (with some still in pristine condition, where Breede redfin, Cape galaxies and Cape kurper still occur), to pristine fynbos areas (mountain and lowland types) Substantial efforts and funds were spend on alien clearing over the past few years. |
Bergsig Estate is a family enterprise and it is therefore their vision to conserve the unique environment for future generations. In 2005 they made a purposeful decision to include environmentally-friendly farming, as well as conservation and rehabilitation of the natural environment as part of their business plan.
Unique biodiversity of the farm includes the following:
-Four rivers flow through the farm (Kamps River, Wabooms River, Wit River and Breede River) Some of the river sections, especially the smaller tributaries towards the mountain, still contains indigenous species such as Breede redfin, Cape kurper, and Cape galaxies. Some beautiful mountain fynbos areas still occur on this estate. This includes parts of Zwarmanskop, Kleineberg and Lateganskop. At present the owners are busy with a project to clear all alien vegetation in these areas. During 2005, some R40000 was spend to clear Hakea, Pine, Blue gum and Black Wattle. Up to date 80 % of the alien vegetation has been cleared and by June next year this project should be completed.
A great variety of plants occur on this estate, which include several Red Data Book species, especially from the orchid family. The following mammals have been spotted on the farm: Leopard, Klipspringer, Vaalribbok, Steenbok, Duiker, Grysbok, Dassie, Rooiklipkonyn, Black-backed jackal and Cape clawless otter. A large variety of reptiles occur here, which includes the very rare geometric tortoise. 128 Bird species have been recorded and annual bird watching days are organized on the estate.
Future plans: The eradication of invader plants (especially follow-up operations) will continue. A conservancy (in consultation with CapeNature) will be formed and some of the wildlife that occurred here before (i.e. Bergkwagga) will be re-introduced. They also want to improve working relations with the adjacent nature reserves (Mont Bain and Witteberg). |
