BK NEWSLETTER

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Dear {name}, how are you? How is this new situation, with all the changes that it brings, affecting and challenging you?

We at Bartholomeus Klip feel particularly challenged by the ways in which this pandemic is driving us in a direction opposed to what we so proudly stand for: warm, personal, old-school hospitality. While we have not been able to operate for four months now, we have been hard at work designing new experiences at BK that aim to keep a balance between our trademark hospitality and the protection of our staff and guests. You can read more about our new protocols here: www.bartholomeusklip.com/covid/ We hope to be opening our doors real soon!

Of course, nothing else is changing at BK, apart from the seasons. The Elandsberg Nature Reserve is looking particularly beautiful, thanks to a combination of winter rains and early spring sun. Our BK Bites and Wagyu home-delivered food is still going strong, as is our community soup kitchen. And we have exciting news about our tortoise rescue project ...

Love from the BK team xx

FULL BOARD | B&B | HERON HOUSE | WILD OLIVE

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[ TORTOISE PROJECT ] We have started to release tortoises that hatched at the predator-proof rescue camp we set up after a fire swept through the Elandsberg Nature reserve in 2012, back into the reserve. The four first to be released are the biggest of the tortoises that hatched in 2013 and 2014, and are the first captive-raised Geometric tortoises to be released back into their natural habitat. It is hoped that by supplementing the population at Elandsberg we can raise the population number back to what it was before the fire in 2012.

The criteria that were used to determine which tortoise to release was size (approximately 10 cm) and weight (approximately 190 grams) rather than age. It is hoped that this size and weight will provide them protection from most predators. All four have had telemetry trackers attached to their shells and will be tracked 3 times a week for the next 3 months by Jackie and Bernard.

Their weight (the tortoises', not Jackie and Bernard's ;-) will be measured weekly to monitor condition and their position noted by GPS to map their movements. If the four juveniles are not predated and pick up weight over the coming months we plan the release of three more hatchlings in October (spring). The two groups will be compared to determine the best release season by comparing their weight gain. By the end of the year the original four will have been tracked and monitored in the wild for six months and the weight and movement observations will be the template for future releases.

[ WAGYU ] We still have premium Wagyu beef from our own Wagyu herd available, and can deliver anywhere in or near Cape Town and the Cape Winelands. To order: www.bartholomeusklip.com/wagyu or WhatsApp 0828294131

[ BK BITES ] We have recently added new options to our home-delivered Breakfasts & Dinners: BK Braai Pack, Lamb Shepherd's Pie and a Pasta Box. To view all options and order online, go to bartholomeusklip.com/bkbites or order via WhatsApp at 0828294131. We deliver anywhere in or near Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.

[ SOUP KITCHEN ] Six staff members have over a period of 600 hours produced 20,000 frozen meals, 1,540 loaves of bread and 10,000 litres of soup, which we donated to the Goedgedacht Trust and the Hermon community, as well as to the elderly residing at Elandsberg Farms. Should you wish to support our efforts, kindly contact Lesley at info@bartholomeusklip.com or 0828294131.

[ ELANDSBERG NATURE RESERVE ] Every July we conduct an aerial census to count the numbers of game animals in the reserve. Research has already determined the ecological carrying capacity of the veld and we strive to keep the animals below that number to prevent damage to the vegetation on Elandsberg, with its special plants. Excess game is caught periodically and sold to other nature reserves. This year the eland numbers are too high - 109 animals where we would prefer 80, so a capture operation will need to be planned for the spring.

The rivers and streams have started flowing after the widespread rains that fell recently, causing the main dam at Bartholomeus Klip to overflow and many plants in the reserve to start flowering.

[ PHOTO : Lotononis prostrata ]

[ PHOTO : Babiana odorata ]

On the recommendation of the Cape Leopard Trust we have upgraded the camera trap at Elandskloof river and will be doing long-term monitoring for leopards at this point in the reserve. The new Bushnell trail camera caught this clear picture of a Jackal Buzzard in flight during the day.

[ PHOTO : Spotted Eagle Owl ]

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