The Conservation Services Division comprises a number of units including Scientific Services which conducts the bulk of SANParks’ research and monitoring in the biophysical and social sciences across the parks.
The knowledge generated by scientists and supporting staff within the division and in collaboration with external associates informs park management and promotes the conservation of biodiversity, landscapes and associated heritage assets across SANParks’ network of protected areas.
If rhinos had PR teams, they’d probably campaign for something like: “Love me for my wrinkles, not my horn.” Unfortunately, their iconic horns—made of the same stuff as our fingernails—have become one of the most sought-after wildlife products on the planet. And that has turned them into prime targets in a high-stakes, global crime saga….
Initially, the students stood in awe of a bird in the hand. Watching closely, University of Mpumalanga (UMP) students were guided through the process of bird capture and ringing; starting with how and where to set up mist nets to trap small passerine birds; safely removing caught birds from the nets; how to handle a…
Alien species are organisms not native to an area, often out-compete indigenous species, for food and space, and usually have no natural predators. Langebaan Lagoon Marine Protected Area (MPA), located within the West Coast National Park (WCNP), is susceptible to the introduction of marine invasive alien species, due to a combination of ecological, environmental, and…
30 September 2025 – 02 October 2025
Villa Castollini, Knysna
The Garden Route Interface and Networking (GRIN) Meeting is an annual event taking place in the Garden Route of South Africa, providing a forum for researchers and practitioners (from anywhere in the world) interested in better understanding and managing (or navigating) social-ecological systems and their complex interactions and feedbacks.
Based primarily out of Kimberley, the Arid Research Unit has a long history within SANParks. Established more than 3 decades ago, primarily focused on plant-herbivore-carnivore interactions, the unit has seen considerable flux over time. Currently, the Arid Research Unit supports research and monitoring in parks in both the Arid and Frontier region of SANParks.
The Cape Research Centre (CRC) was established in 2008. It is situated in the Tokai section of Table Mountain National Park on land that was formerly under plantation but is currently being restored to fynbos. The CRC was established to develop internal scientific capacity to serve the socio-ecological research needs…
Garden Route Scientific Services was established to develop internal scientific capacity to serve the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), which includes the previously proclaimed Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Parks, State Forests and mountain catchment areas, as well as the Knysna National Lake Area…
Formal in-house scientific research in SANParks has its roots in Kruger National Park (KNP) where the first staffed research station was established in the 1950s. Today the Savanna & Grassland Research Unit is responsible for managing research and monitoring activities across several national parks…
For general enquiries please contact:
PA to Senior GM: Conservation Management and Area Integrity
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 (0)13 735 4402