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Red-billed oxpeckers fly into MZNP


Game Warden

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Reports www.sanparks.org.

A group of 40 red-billed oxpeckers will be flown into the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) near Cradock this week.

 

The introduction of this brown-coloured bird with its characteristic red-bill and bright yellow-ringed eye will benefit both the wildlife in the Park and local stock farmers.

 

Oxpeckers fulfil an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep wildlife free of parasites. The birds may benefit local stock farmers as they frequent nearby farms and feed on stock parasites. This will reduce the need to use pesticides on stock, thus saving on costs.

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Oxpeckers have simply been wiped out throughout most of South Africa, due to cattle dipping. Many people dont fully comprehend the magnitude of this. They released some Oxpeckers in Karkloof in KZN in 2007.

 

We had some guests on the farm once who took photos of the giraffe and we saw two oxpeckers on their back. We were really excited. Many farmers are trying to use eco friendly methods of parasite/pest control, but there is always some £$@% who doesn't care. I would love to release some more in our area, but the risk of losing them is too high.

 

Interesting to see that the breeding facility is at a zoo. For those who dont see the need for Zoos.

Mokopane Centre

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