The study’s primary aim is to investigate the changes in the travel behaviour of national park visitors, in the context of significant recent world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and challenging economic and geopolitical climates. In April 2020, while severe restrictions on mobility were in place in various countries, SANParks measured visitor perceptions and…
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, SANParks has been actively monitoring the factors affecting international and domestic tourism recovery to inform tourism, marketing and financial planning. This is done through utilising secondary data from various sources, including peer-reviewed academic publications, reports and data from international and local industry associations, expert views, news articles and…
The idea behind what was to become the International Savanna Science Networking Meeting was conceptualised in the early 2000s after a small group of scientists met at Shingwedzi to discuss issues related to rivers. At this meeting, the scientists thought that the meeting format could be broadened to include research in savannas more generally. The…
Long-term collaborations can have immense value. Keeping the work fun and relevant where clear objectives for both parties are consistently met has contributed to the longevity of this programme. “You will have to excuse me” said nine year old Rebecca, “I am naturally a very curious person and I ask a lot of questions. Is…
A research group led by Dr Magda Minguzzi and composed of 10 First Indigenous Peoples leaders based in Mandela Bay Municipality and vicinity, and staff and students of the Nelson Mandela University School of Architecture, was established in 2015. The working group is committed to community engagement projects that promote reconnecting First Peoples with their…
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…