The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is located in Pretoria and is about 3,800 hectares (38 km2)[1] in size. Located within the reserve is the Rietvlei Dam. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve surrounds and include the Rietvlei dam and is situated south east of Pretoria, in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, between the R21 highway (OR Tambo Airport highway) on the western side and the R50 (Delmas / Babsfontein) road on the north-east (Figure 2.2). The site lies in the quarter degree grid square 2528CD (Rietvlei Dam), between 25º50’S and 25º56’S latitude and 28º15'E and 28º19'E longitude. The mean elevation above sea level is approximately 1 525 meters, with the highest point at 1 542 m and the lowest point at 1 473 m (at the dam’s outflow). The reserve covers a surface area of approximately 3 870 ha or 38 km² and a network of roads cross the entire area, which makes the reserve accessible to visitors and management. Flora and fauna[edit] Trees[edit] Both indigenous and exotic species of trees can be found in the reserve. List of trees in the reserve[3] [show] Birds[edit] There are an estimated 319 species of birds that make use of the reserve, of which 272 species have been confirmed.[3] Mammals[edit] The reserve carries around 1600 individual mammals. Blesbuck, Black wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Eland, Common zebra, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Springbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, Steenbok, Grey Duiker, Oribi, Leopard, Buffalo, White Rhino, and Hippopotamus can all be found in the reserve.[2][4] Currently there are also 4 lionesses and a lion kept in a separate enclosure on the reserve. List of mammals in the reserve[3] [show] Threats to the reserve[edit] The reserve is situated in Gauteng, one of the highest population density areas in South Africa. As such it is constantly under threat by human expansion and development. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality's proposed Benoni landfill site.[5] Upstream pollution of the Rietvlei Dam and wetland areas.[6][7] See also[edit] Rietvlei Dam Protected areas of South Africa References[edit] ^ Jump up to: a b "Rietvlei Nature Reserve: Historic Background". City of Tshwane. Retrieved 2008-10-19. ^ Jump up to: a b Marais, Riaan (November 2004). "A Plant Ecological Study of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng Province". City of Tshwane. Retrieved 2008-11-25. ^ Jump up to: a b c Rietvlei Nature Reserve (Booklet issued to visitors at the reserve). City of Tshwane. Jump up ^ "Rietvlei Nature Reserve: General Information". City of Tshwane. Retrieved 2008-11-25. Jump up ^ "Rietvlei Dam under threat from planned site". Independent Online (South Africa). 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2008-11-28. Jump up ^ van Eeden, Pieter H. (2004). "Comments on beak deformities at Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve". Afring News. Retrieved 2008-11-28. Jump up ^ "Rietvlei rehabilitation project aids in water purification". South African National Biodiversity Institute. September 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-28.[dead link] External links[edit] Media related to Rietvlei Nature Reserve at Wikimedia Commons City of Tshwane page on Rietvlei Friends of Rietvlei Rietvlei Nature Reserve travel guide from Wikivoyage

• published: 19 Feb 2015
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