| Tygerberg Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
 Walking trail in Tygerberg Nature Reserve | |
  Map of theCity of Cape Town | |
| Location | Bellville,South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°52′42″S18°35′50″E / 33.8783°S 18.5972°E /-33.8783; 18.5972 |
| Area | 300 ha (740 acres) |
| Established | 1973 |
| City of Cape Town Nature Reserves | |
Tygerberg Nature Reserve is a 300-hectare (740-acre)nature reserve in the Tierberg range of hills in thenorthern suburbs ofCape Town,South Africa.
In 1657 the 7 km long range of hills became known as Luipaerts Berghen (‘Leopard’s Mountain’), named for the characteristic spots, or “heuweltjies”, which dot its slopes[1] and are visible from afar. These are believed to be fossilizedtermitaria, and occur widely inShale Renosterveld. Since 1661 the range was known as the Tijgerberghen (‘Tiger Mountain’),[1] "tijger" being theCape Dutch word for aleopard. The southernmost section of the Tierberg range is currently protected in Tygerberg Nature Reserve.
The nature reserve represents one of the few surviving pockets of the highly threatenedSwartland Shale Renosterveld vegetation type.[2] The 300 ha reserve has an exceptional number of species. There are nearly five hundred different plant species here, twelve of which are threatened with extinction and eight of which exist only inCape Town. Three of the plant species of Tygerberg exist only within the boundaries of the reserve itself. In addition, there are over a hundred bird species and a variety of wild mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
ThePlattekloof Dam is located just west of the hills, and is being restored to a natural wetland. The park hosts theKristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre with its library and resource centre. This is a popular venue for school excursions and education programmes.[3]
