This is a copy of an email, sent to the yacht club and has good guidelines in hippo handling, decided to post it here…
Hip hippo Ray
Dear All,
I had a chat with Asieff of False Bay Ecology Park this morning re the hippos in the vlei – and how they may/may not affect the upcoming Junior Training camps being hosted at ZVYC.
Nature Conservation are monitoring the hippos’ movements in and around the vlei, and offer the following advice:
It is ok to continue with the clinics over the next couple of weekends, but that the boats MUST be accompanied by motor boats.
The motor boats should patrol the area to be used prior to the oppies going onto the water.
It would be better to use “Stormy Bay” rather than Home Bay – there are fewer reed beds.
To get to Stormy – do NOT go through the gap. The hippos are fond of the island!
Risk times are early morning and early evening – so don’t hang about on the water late in the afternoon
If a hippo is spotted – then one of the motor boats must track him, and the others must escort the sailors home to the club – don’t stay to watch and admire – NOT a good idea!!
The numbers of people on the water are most likely to keep the hippos at bay – they seem more interested in one-off users! (we saw no evidence of them during the Grand Slam with over 100 boats on the water)
Asieff has promised that Nature conservation will also put a motor boat on the water for both clinics, this weekend and next.
The contact number for the Hippo – if you do spot him – 083 499 1717 – they appreciate updates as to his position as it happens.
Rondevlei 2010, dunno who took this for credit sorry
All parents should be reminded of the hippo issue on registration at each of these events, and they will be asked to sign an indemnity for their child.
Coaches must be made aware of all the hippo issues so that they can help keep their charges safe.
Please give me feedback on all this – Andre/Craig, if you are uncomfortable with the situation for the clinic, then please contact Asieff on +27(21)3964281 to discuss it further.
Kind regards,
Nicki
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