Hikers and conservation staff have reported new sightings of Himalayan tahrs on Table Mountain this week, reigniting concern over the exotic species that first appeared in Cape Town nearly a century ago, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Picture: Jean Tresfon / Facebook
Marine and wildlife conservation photographer Jean Tresfon encountered a few of the exotic mammals during a hike this week and shared the sightings on his Facebook page.
Take a look:
According to The Table Mountain Fund, the reappearance is significant. Tahrs graze heavily on fragile fynbos, accelerating erosion and reducing habitat for the many species that depend on the mountain’s unique plant life. Tracking their movements helps park managers protect biodiversity, safeguard water catchments, and maintain safe public access to hiking trails.
The Himalayan tahr population originated in the early 1930s after a few animals escaped from Groote Schuur Zoo. With hooves adapted to steep terrain and no natural predators in the park, they multiplied across the rocky slopes.
Conservationists regard the tahrs as invasive to the Cape’s sandstone ecosystem. Their grazing alters plant communities and displaces native species such as the klipspringer. Over the years, authorities have explored various management options — from targeted culls to potential helicopter translocations — but each has posed ethical and logistical challenges.
Ongoing monitoring and coordinated removal remain key elements of the management strategy. For now, park authorities urge the public to report sightings, avoid approaching or feeding the animals, and stay on designated trails so that rangers can identify activity hotspots and respond safely.
Recent photographs, including one by Jean Tresfon, are helping conservation teams map where the tahrs are most active – an essential step in protecting both Table Mountain’s rare flora and the people who enjoy it.
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