National Accelerator Centre

Environmental Club

(NACEC)

NAC's Staff Environmental Club is a voluntary organization. Interested staff members contribute a small amount of money each month, which is used to take care of the existing animals and purchase new ones as the need arises. All the animals which roam around the site (with the exception of the Zebra, which belong to the The Quagga Breeding Project) are bought and paid for by NACEC.

DID YOU KNOW...

that up till now we have counted 84 different kind of birds of which 34 are water bird species; that the fish eagle is a regular visitor at our dams; that we have a variety of other animals on site (e.g. fish, snakes, scorpions, mice, mongoose, moles etc); that we have 5 Zebra from the Quagga breeding program, 4 Bontebok, 4 Steenbok, Grysbok & a herd of over 20 Springbok.

Air and water contamination is regularly monitored on our site. Pre-measured radioactive waste water is sometimes released into the small dam. Fish, plant and animal life could have increased radioactive concentrations and may not be used, transported or removed from site without prior permission. A detector is installed at the exit gate. The Neutron Flight Path Area is fenced off and when experiments are carried out, the gates are locked and only authorized persons have access.

We also use this fenced off area as a safe place to keep our newly born animals in. For example, a Bontebok baby was born on 7th October 1997. Although we have had different advice from the wildlife experts, we have decided to play it safe and keep the baby in the paddock for at least three weeks before releasing it on site. The last baby born in 1996 was kept in the paddock for 5 days before being released. Unfortunately the very next day it was found dead. It had been kicked to death. It was never determined who the culprit was - either the zebra or one of the male bontebok. It is out greatest wish to avoid the same happening again to this baby.

BEWARE OF

• snakes, bees, drains, soak-away pits, etc. if you wander in or around the bush and near dumping areas;
• wet or slippery surfaces such as concrete aprons, steel staircases and wooden bridges;
• unattended machinery, electrical switchboards and open rooms;
• tortoises in mating season; some males may be aggressive!
• Swans during breeding season.

PLEASE DO NOT

• disturb or FEED animals or birds;
• drive on or across grassed areas;
• litter - the wind blows it all over the site;
• swim or fish in dams (contamination)
• interfere with plants, trees and irrigation systems;
• enter areas marked "authorized access only" unless YOU are authorized;
• dump refuse anywhere on site (contact Site Services first) - waste containers are for light compactible material only.

PLEASE DO

• park only within the carport perimeters;
• respect all warning and information signs;
• look out for tortoises on the roads and under cars.

If you have any NACEC related queries please do not hesitate to contact any one of the Committee Members.