Burning Points – emerging conservation issues in Western Cape parks
As we reflect on 2021/2022, it’s an excellent time to highlight emerging conservation issues that warrant greater understanding and attention. Some of the challenges and concerns we face in Cape parks are large-scale issues that need to be solved through extensive collaborative efforts across multiple spheres and disciplines. Many of these issues are deeply rooted in socio-economic challenges. Increased law enforcement, consultation, and negotiation with stakeholders and policymakers related to resolving these take a lot of time and energy, and leave conservationists drained and overwhelmed. We identified some of the issues likely to have a large-scale impact on our national parks (and staff morale) in the next 5 to 10 years.
1. Bark stripping
A SANParks ranger inspects a tree that has been bark stripped in Newlands forest, Table Mountain National Park. Bark from Cape Beech and Assegai trees is used for the treatment of heart disease and respiratory illness (Photo: Marna Herbst)
Tree bark of specific indigenous species is widely used to aid the treatment of a variety of illnesses. Currently, Cape beech and Assegai bark is being harvested at an alarming rate from trees in Newlands Forest and elsewhere around Cape Town. SANParks is monitoring the impact and treating trees where possible. However, the impact is severe, and indigenous trees are being lost in Newland forest at an unsustainable rate.
2. Succulent poaching
Conophytum species confiscated by poachers that collect these from the Succulent karoo. It is estimated that 1.5 million dwarf succulents have been illegally removed from the Succulent Karoo (Photo: Trevor Adams).
In the Succulent Karoo, there has been a recent increase in the illegal collection of rare, endangered, and localised Conophytum species, which decimates entire populations. By 2021, the South African Police Services had confiscated 415,000 plants. SANBI estimates that more than 1.5 million dwarf succulents have already been removed from the Succulent Karoo.
3. Abalone poaching
Empty abalone shells washing up on Robben Island MPA highlights the poaching problem (Photo: Marna Herbst).
Abalone (perlemoen), Haliotis midae, is highly sought after. It is estimated that >3000 tonnes of abalone are removed illegally from SA waters each year. Abalone is a highly prized delicacy (R1000 per kg) on the Asian market. New fisheries policies that benefit commercial fishing operators have contributed to marginalising local operators and negatively affected their livelihoods, which has resulted in increased poaching.
4. Illegal flower and reed harvesting
Left: Evidence of reed cutting in Agulhas National Park (Photo: Alliston Appel) Right: Bundles of cut flowers in Agulhas National Park (Photo: Marna Herbst).
The Cape Floristic Region is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the world. Illegal harvesting of cut flowers and material used for building (e.g. reeds) in both Agulhas and TMNP is increasingly being observed. Providing sustainable access is complicated in open access parks and parks with public roads.
5. Reptile and tortoise collection
Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) (Photo: Bernard DuPont).
An increase in the illegal collection of reptiles and tortoises has been observed. However, the data is limited and difficult to monitor. These animals are exported under inhumane conditions to a global community of collectors and exotic pet owners. It is estimated that 35-50% of the exported animals die in transit.
6. Penguin decline
African penguins breeding in South Africa has declined by 73%, from ~42,500 breeding pairs in 1991 to ~10,400 pairs in 2021 (Photo: Alison Kock).
The endangered African penguin is in crisis as their population numbers continue to decline. Over the last 30 years, African penguins breeding in South Africa has declined by 73%, from ~42,500 breeding pairs in 1991 to ~10,400 pairs in 2021. It is predicted that the population along the West Coast of South Africa could be functionally extinct by 2030 should no further actions be implemented. SANParks has been involved in consultation on island closures to protect important feeding grounds of African penguins, but finding a balance between protecting critical penguin foraging grounds and minimising impacts on the small pelagic fishing industry remains challenging. While the humans struggle to reach consensus, the biggest loser is the penguin.
This article was written by Dr Marna Herbst, Trevor Adams, Chamell Pluim and Dr Alison Kock and originally published in the 2021/2022 Research Report.
