THERE only four known remaining colonies of the Karkloof blue butterfly in existence – and one of these is right on our doorstep on the western border of the Nkandla Nature Reserve.
The other three sites are in the KZN Midlands.
The site, on the road between eShowe and Nkandla, has been monitored for the last 14 years and the community on whose land the butterflies occur, are proud that the population has stabilised.
This is due to the co-operation between the community and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
At a recent report back session, Inkosi BS Shezi and other members from the community were told the good news by EKZNW’s Sharon Louw.
Giving the background to the project, she said the population declined heavily from 250 eggs in 2002 to 57 in 2003.
The rapid decline in egg numbers continued to an all time low of 11 eggs in 2005.
PHOTOS: Larry Bentley
Community involvement
The problem was identified in November 2004 and raised with the Chube community.
The importance of the butterfly and its host plant, Wood’s indigo (Indigofera woodii var laxa), was explained to the community.
Uncontrolled grazing and burning were seen as the major factors affecting the butterfly population.
This meeting led to the area being fenced and fire breaks made around the site.
A Karkloof blue butterfly task team was established for the co-management of the site in 2005.
The Chube Traditional Council and community members started monitoring the site in 2006 and this led to the establishment of a memorandum of agreement being signed in 2008.
Constant monitoring and control of the site by the community has seen the number of eggs recorded over the last four years return to their 2002 levels.
So as to increase the effectiveness of the programme, East Toyota has been approached for material assistance.
Llewelyn Solomon of East Toyota accompanied Sharon on a recent site visit, where he was introduced to Inkosi BS Shezi and the task team.
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