GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Island Lake in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park has been temporarily closed for all recreational activities as a precautionary measure due to the presence of a blue-green algal bloom that may pose a potential health risk.
South African National Parks (SANParks) is actively monitoring the situation, while awaiting laboratory results to confirm the species present, and whether it is capable of producing toxins.
Algal blooms in standing water are often influenced by environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, organic matter breakdown, bird activity, and recent freshwater inflows.
JP Louw, SANParks spokesperson, said the public will be kept informed of any updates, and the lake will be reopened once it is deemed safe.
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