This Letaba Late Iron Age site was particularly important in the development of the earliest trade between the South African interior and the larger Indian Ocean world, as shown by the extremely rare, early Islamic ceramics (dating between the 8th and 10th centuries) that were uncovered at the site. Other important evidence for early trade…
An analysis of tools found at archaeological sites can be analysed for evidence of hunting intensity. At Little Muck, a large portion of stone scrapers (as would be used to treat skins and hides) and a fair proportion of stone tools showing signs of hunting damage were found, but more data is needed to verify…
Cultural heritage management, research and tourism is justly receiving increasing attention in SANParks, with several initiatives (1) promoting and facilitating a diversity of cultural heritage research projects, (2) securing cultural heritage assets and (3) enabling broader access to the many and varied cultural heritage sites in the park, as part of the tourism experience. The…
In several national parks, Snapshot Safari has established a highly effective baseline monitoring platform over the last 5 years with cutting edge technology, a large established researcher network, as well as novel data processing capabilities. Snapshot Safari is an initiative of the Department of Conservation Management, Nelson Mandela University (NMU, George campus), in collaboration with…
Reintroduced populations of black rhino are mainly descendents of small groups of founder individuals. Without adequate supplementation of genetic diversity through the timely introduction of unrelated individuals, these populations are at risk of inbreeding and genetic drift which may impact their long term viability. The majority of black rhino populations within South Africa are small…
By conducting two raptor surveys in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, we have established a baseline database as an indication of changes to the species composition over time. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (KGNP) is an important refuge for raptors and bustards. Several raptors found in the KGNP are regionally and globally threatened, yet population…
This project aimed to determine the current population size of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Addo Elephant National Park (AENP). No specific study has been conducted on population trends since hyena was reintroduced into AENP in 2003 and 2004 from Kruger National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve. Each re-introduction comprised four individuals: two males and…
Four days of walking from George to Knysna enabled connecting with colleagues, with nature, and slowing down to reconnect with self. The all-round health benefits of this camino-type walk can provide an inspired new way of connecting society with national parks and nature. After much COVID-19 related isolation, many people are walking, reconnecting with themselves,…
By analysing pre-COVID data and trends, this study suggests that parks such as the Kruger National Park can triple its entrance fees for international tourists, without compromising visitation acceptability. National parks in Africa could potentially generate more revenue. This could reduce their reliance on fiscal transfers to fund conservation activities in an environment in which…
Diverse approaches are used to monitor black rhinos in the frontier national parks. Dedicated capacity and funding for intense monitoring have resulted in an innovative new financing mechanism for conservation outcomes. The threatened south-western black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) occurs in four South African National Parks of which three are in the Frontier Region –…
The sustainable harvesting of timber from the indigenous forests of the Garden Route National Park has resumed to supply the local furniture industry. Following recommendations of a feasibility study, a pilot project was launched in 2021 to resume sustainable harvesting of timber from the indigenous forests of the Garden Route National Park in accordance with…
SANParks’ annual research report was published on the SANParks website on Friday 8th December 2023. The visually appealing research report is for the period April 2022 to March 2023. It is a compilation of stories written by scientists, technicians, interns and veterinarians from the Scientific Services, Cultural Heritage and Veterinary Wildlife Services divisions of the…