THE 45000 HECTARE Great Fish River Reserve Complex near Grahamstown is set to become a prime attraction in the province, with plans to enclose the entire complex with sophisticated 2,4 metre electric game fencing and stock it with additional game, including elephant. An initial R9 million has been set aside to upgrade and replace fencing where necessary, according to chief director of environmental services Albert Mfenyana. His directorate is currently consolidating the management of the Sam Knott, Andries Vosloo and Double Drift reserves – which make up the Fish River Reserve complex. “It is in the planning stages. Enclosing the complex with sophisticated electric fencing is one of the first critical things we are doing to consolidate the three reserves. We are also looking at the habitat and seeing what other game can be introduced,” says Mfenyana. The reserve is already home to a large variety of game, including Burchell's zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, leopard, hippo, many species of buck and black rhino. The black rhino has been found to thrive in the area and there are dozens of the rare animals breeding at the reserve. A few years ago, reserve management introduced 20 black rhino from KwaZulu-Natal to expand the gene pool. Mfenyana said the area also seemed ideal for elephant. Mfenyana said SA National Parks had offered to donate elephants for the reserve. "We also intend to improve the gene pool of some of our other stock there by introducing more of the various types of game from other areas." He said it was hoped that the fencing and electrification of the boundary would be completed by June 2003.