children, and butchers in informal settlements (L. Stafford pers. comm.). They
damage crops, domestic poultry and have the potential to transmit disease
(e.g. various prion diseases such as scrapie and chronic wasting disease). Their
impact is considered to be Moderate based on competition and predation mechanisms (Evans et al. 2016), and they are listed as invasive species under the Regulations as Category 1b. Details of their control are covered by Davies et al. (2020),
Chap. 22. See also Potgieter et al. (2020), Chap. 11 for their impact in the urban
context.
5.4.10 Pavo cristatus (Common Peafowl)
Common Peafowl (aka Peacocks) originate from the Indian continent and Sri Lanka,
but have become frequently stocked in residential estates around the world. In
South Africa, these birds have now been recorded in every province and individuals
are frequently seen outside of areas where they were originally stocked. Although
many populations may be maintained and be considered domestic or partially feral,
of particular note is a population on Robben Island which was introduced in 1968,
and has since maintained itself without further interference. To date there have been
no studies on this species in South Africa, but it has been identified as a conflict
species. Some residents love these showy birds, while others loathe them, their
faeces and their loud calls (Zengeya et al. 2017). Individuals are fed by residents, but
birds are not confined and have spread into neighbouring areas. There are vineyards
where flocks of peafowl cause considerable damage to the vines and fruit. The City
of Cape Town has received many requests to remove them from peri-urban areas
where they occur, although they currently are not listed in the Regulations. Evans
et al. (2016) considered impact of this species to be of Minimal Concern with respect
to competition and interaction with other invasive species.
5.5 Reptilia
5.5.1 Invasive Reptiles in South Africa
Currently, all invasive reptiles in South Africa are considered accidental releases
because of inadvertent movement of eggs or adults. However, there are increasing
numbers of reptiles imported (or bred locally) as pets, seen in urban and even rural
settings. South Africa has sightings of escaped Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta,
which have been made in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria, but breeding has not
been recorded (Branch 2014a). The most commonly encountered alien reptiles are
Corn Snakes, Pantherophis guttatus, with 10 of a total of 45 sightings of alien
reptiles in South Africa (Bates et al. 2014). This is perhaps in part because they have
conspicuous colouration and are unlike most other snakes in the region. Other
5 Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasions in South Africa
137
damage crops, domestic poultry and have the potential to transmit disease
(e.g. various prion diseases such as scrapie and chronic wasting disease). Their
impact is considered to be Moderate based on competition and predation mechanisms (Evans et al. 2016), and they are listed as invasive species under the Regulations as Category 1b. Details of their control are covered by Davies et al. (2020),
Chap. 22. See also Potgieter et al. (2020), Chap. 11 for their impact in the urban
context.
5.4.10 Pavo cristatus (Common Peafowl)
Common Peafowl (aka Peacocks) originate from the Indian continent and Sri Lanka,
but have become frequently stocked in residential estates around the world. In
South Africa, these birds have now been recorded in every province and individuals
are frequently seen outside of areas where they were originally stocked. Although
many populations may be maintained and be considered domestic or partially feral,
of particular note is a population on Robben Island which was introduced in 1968,
and has since maintained itself without further interference. To date there have been
no studies on this species in South Africa, but it has been identified as a conflict
species. Some residents love these showy birds, while others loathe them, their
faeces and their loud calls (Zengeya et al. 2017). Individuals are fed by residents, but
birds are not confined and have spread into neighbouring areas. There are vineyards
where flocks of peafowl cause considerable damage to the vines and fruit. The City
of Cape Town has received many requests to remove them from peri-urban areas
where they occur, although they currently are not listed in the Regulations. Evans
et al. (2016) considered impact of this species to be of Minimal Concern with respect
to competition and interaction with other invasive species.
5.5 Reptilia
5.5.1 Invasive Reptiles in South Africa
Currently, all invasive reptiles in South Africa are considered accidental releases
because of inadvertent movement of eggs or adults. However, there are increasing
numbers of reptiles imported (or bred locally) as pets, seen in urban and even rural
settings. South Africa has sightings of escaped Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta,
which have been made in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria, but breeding has not
been recorded (Branch 2014a). The most commonly encountered alien reptiles are
Corn Snakes, Pantherophis guttatus, with 10 of a total of 45 sightings of alien
reptiles in South Africa (Bates et al. 2014). This is perhaps in part because they have
conspicuous colouration and are unlike most other snakes in the region. Other
5 Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasions in South Africa
137