Haller Park Nature Trail: The Greatest Rehabilitation Success Story

The Haller Park Nature Trail is probably one of the biggest rehabilitation success stories in the world. Located south of the Bamburi cement factory along the Mombasa Malindi road, the project was an effort to rehabilitate the wasteland that the area had become after years of mining. With the backing of the Bamburi Portland Cement Company, Rene Haller (for whom the park is named) set to work on the seemingly impossible task in 1971.

The first order of business was to find some form… any form of plant that could grow on the barren land. After a long search in the large quarry, he managed to find the Casuarina equisetifolia that could survive the humus-deprived limestone desert and intense tropical heat. Following months of trial and error, and the successful growth of the species, Haller introduced saplings in a reforestation project.

He completed the Forest Ecosystem by introducing fungi, termites and ants. Termites fed on dead wood while ants feasted on mealybugs and aphids that attacked the vegetation.

Not stopping there, Haller had ponds excavated with bulldozers and introduced Tilapia fish. After their successful survival, other species of fish were incorporated into the ecosystem. The result was a lush expanse of absolute beauty.

But like everything else, challenges come from every project. Over time, it was discovered that the fish did not fare so well. After research and consultation, Haller knew that a hippopotamus would solve this problem. He will see, a hippopotamus will scatter its droppings and urine into the ponds, which would restore the nutrients in the water for plankton to flourish. This in turn will mean more food for the fish. With the hippopotamus walking, playing and paddling, the sediments in the pond are in constant movement, thus preventing the accumulation of toxic gases.

This is how the famous “Sally” the hippopotamus came to live in the park. She was later joined by “Potty”, a male hippopotamus. There was also the ‘Baobab Farm’ which had sheep, goats, chickens and cattle. With the growing population of animals and plants, the need for “garbage collectors” grew, so to speak. This is how the crocodiles were introduced to the park, as they fed on fish pond waste and carcasses from ‘Baobab Farm’.

Over time, there was the introduction of different species of plants and animals. A walk through the nature trail will show you turtles with some up to 100 years old, giraffes, buffalo, elands, oryx, monkeys, a variety of around 160 species of birds, among others.

Haller Park is home to the famous Owen and Mzee. It all started when Owen, a hippopotamus, was orphaned during the 2004 tsunami. He was rescued and brought to Haller Park where he was adopted by Mzee, a 130-year-old tortoise. They developed a bond so close that it captivated the world. He has spawned a series of children’s books, a website, and a blog.

The nature trail also leads to the butterfly pavilion which was started in 1998. It is part of the rehabilitation process to save butterflies displaced by forest destruction. The pavilion has 16 different species of butterflies and a butterfly farm. Every animal in the park has a role to play in this thriving ecosystem.

Have the opportunity to enjoy the delicacies of the Baobab Farm and the crocodile farm, which can range from crocodile, antelope or ostrich steaks and Bamburi Tilapia. The Haller Park Nature Trail is the perfect place for the whole family for educational and bonding reasons.

The green expanse of vegetation and trees create an aura of peace and tranquility. A trip to Mombasa would not be complete without a visit to this spectacular sanctuary. This nature trail will not only leave you in awe and relaxed as you take in the scenery and animals, it will also remind you that all is not lost for our planet. That we should not give up saving mother earth and this park is proof of that.

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