ABOARD A RESEARCH VESSEL VISITING ANTARCTIC SEA ICE. “NO TRIP IN THE FUTURE WOULD EVER COMPARE” I was thrilled to learn that I was among ten applicants selected as SAPRI (South African Polar Research Institute) trainees to participate in the SCALE (Southern oCean seAsonaL Experiment) winter research cruise in 2022. The opportunity for SAPRI trainees…
EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT KILLER WHALES ARE DISPLACING WHITE SHARKS FROM THEIR TRADITIONAL AGGREGATION SITES IN THE WESTERN CAPE The presence of apex predators profoundly affects land and ocean ecosystem structure and function. While losing top predators can disrupt ecosystems and trigger trophic cascades, the introduction of novel apex predators remains poorly understood. In our study,…
SANPARKS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED MONITORING, COMPLIANCE AND MAINTENANCE EFFORTS ON BIRD ISLAND WITH THE HELP OF SEVEN DEDICATED SEABIRD MONITORS FUNDED BY AN IUCN-SOS GRANT TO WILDERNESS FOUNDATION FOR A YEAR The iconic African penguin is facing a crisis. These charismatic birds, once abundant along the west coast of South Africa and Namibia, have experienced a…
AFRICAN PENGUINS ON BIRD ISLAND, ADDO MPA ARE BENEFITING FROM INCREASED VEGETATION AFTER RECENT GOOD RAINS, WHICH IS ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THEIR BREEDING SUCCESS The breeding success of penguins is closely linked to the availability of suitable nesting habitats, which play a vital role in providing protection and regulating temperature. Unfortunately, the historical, widespread and excessive…
BY BEING PREPARED AND POOLING EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES WE STAND THE BEST CHANCE AT MANAGING BIRD PANDEMICS AND PROTECTING THREATENED COASTAL SEABIRDS In 2017 and 2018, South Africa witnessed a devastating outbreak of deadly, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI; bird flu) virus that killed numerous endangered seabirds. Such widespread mortality in wild birds had not…
SANPARKS HAS EMBARKED ON A PROCESS OF DEVELOPING 12 ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLANS OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS FOR ESTUARIES FALLING WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION Although estuary management within National Parks is broadly addressed within Park Management Plans, there is a specific legislative requirement for Estuary Management Plans (EMPs). The EMP development process is detailed in the…
The Saldanha State of the Bay monitoring program is an inspiring initiative that assesses the health of Saldanha Bay, Langebaan Lagoon, and the surrounding ecosystems. Led by the Saldanha Bay Water Quality Forum Trust, this world-class program brings together industries operating in the area to voluntarily fund and support monitoring efforts. One of the program’s…
South Africa’s native abalone species, Haliotis midae, has experienced a significant decline due to widespread and intensive illegal harvesting. This is primarily driven by high demand from East Asian countries, such as China, where abalone is a delicacy and culturally important dish. To address this, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) collaborated…
A STATE OF KNOWLEDGE REPORT REVIEWED AVAILABLE HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS MANAGMENT CHALLENGES OF THE WONDROUS TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK MARINE PROTECTED AREA Declared in 2004, the primary purpose of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) is to preserve irreplaceable ecosystems and species for the benefit of…
THE NEW MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR NAMAQUA NATIONAL PARK’S MARINE PROTECTED AREA CONSIDERS COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND PROMOTES THE SUSTAINABLE USE AND PROTECTION OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY Management plans are crucial in effectively and efficiently managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). They establish a framework for balancing conservation objectives with sustainable use, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of…
MARINE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT IS AS MUCH ABOUT ACHIEVING ECOLOGICAL OUTCOMES, AS IT IS ABOUT ACHIEVING SOCIAL OUTCOMES Despite their ecological significance, the establishment of MPAs has frequently encountered resistance from communities. A primary reason is rooted in South Africa’s history of exclusion and top-down approaches that have limited people’s access to socially, culturally, historically,…
In July 2021, SANParks scientists, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council, were awarded the prize for the best paper that appeared in the African Journal of Range and Forage Science during 2020. According to the journal, this was based on originality of science, quality and impact of the science, scope of research and effectiveness…