What are we doing to address the wildlife food shortage?

Winter is here in all its glory. Cold temperatures, dry gardens, and munched away landscapes characterise most of the North Coast.

Wildlife in most housing estates face many challenges in winter. Yes, even if it is just a mild coastal one. Unfortunately, our buck now have to venture out of their natural forests, where food used to be found in abundance, and into the homeowner’s gardens in order to find something to eat. This blog gives some more insight into what we can do to help buck and other wildlife in the winter

Why is there a food shortage in winter?

From autumn through to winter we see buck (and other wildlife’s) food source gets less and less. This is because of the colder temperatures and minimal rainfall. Cold weather inhibits new plant growth which means that there will be no/ slow replacement of eaten plant materials, so overtime, as wildlife continues to eat and plants struggle to grow back in a proportional rate- we see the food sources of our wildlife decline over time. Thus, with the decline in available food- buck have to chomp down on your luscious and well-maintained gardens in order to get a good and nutritious meal. A small nibble here and there on your plants isn’t bad, however when buck annihilate entire landscapes; it really does become a problem.

This issue is seasonal and expected but has unfortunately gotten worse recently as new housing developments spring up with ferocity. More houses mean less natural vegetation, this means that there is a big possibility that your garden will become a buck’s buffet.

So what can we do?

As a landscaping company that wishes to preserve the natural environment as much as possible, we always try to work alongside developers or encourage those trained in construction to partner with environmental professionals (like ourselves) to reduce the elimination of [foliage and bush]. Eco Balance as well as most housing estates encourages sand rehabilitation of building sites as well as ‘planting up’ all vacant/ exposed areas. When both parties, construction and environmental, are aware of the wildlife cost as well as the numerous strategies that can be implemented to assist the food shortage- then we are truly making a difference and helping our wildlife.

Do not be discouraged- you, as an important client and homeowner, can play a vital role in helping with the wildlife food shortage too.

IMG-2625 cropped.jpg — Plectranthus ecklonii

How can you help?

You can partner with Eco Balance Landscapes to include some buck food specials in your landscape like Forest edge Dicliptera, Justicia capensis (also known as ‘Money Plant’) and Plectranthus ecklonii as well as Bulbine natalensis and Tulbaghia (also known as ‘wild garlic’) for other animals like porcupines- who enjoy to chomp on roots and bulbs. Another crucial factor to consider is Biodiversity. When Eco Balance designs a new landscape for you, we will encourage you to include more different plant varieties, most housing estates also play their part by having a minimum number of plant varieties needed in each garden. The more variety there is the more biodiverse your garden will be and the more wildlife your garden can sustain and supply to. The last thing that you, as a homeowner, can do is ensure that you stay indigenous- indigenous animals, like the bushbuck and porcupine that reside in most natural forests, can only feed on indigenous food. By staying indigenous and steering away from exotic plants, you actively help increase the edible food for our precious wildlife.

Yes, winter is here in all its glory but that doesn’t mean that our wildlife has to go without food.