Climate change will have an impact on SANParks’ ecosystems, infrastructure and tourists in significant and unique ways through both extreme events and long-term change. This necessitates planning for specific management interventions that allow for species and ecosystems to respond, protection of both cultural and infrastructure assets, and continued tourism, while responding appropriately to the changing…
Fishing competitions, also known as fishing tournaments, are an integral part of the recreational fishing world. These events range from local community gatherings to nationally recognised tournaments offering substantial prizes. Regardless of their scale, the common thread among them all is a shared emphasis on competition, organisation by public or private entities, entry fees, and…
SANParks is committed to meaningful engagement of stakeholders, especially during the development and revision of park management plans. The co-produced vision and high-level objectives of a park is then typically implemented on behalf of society. However, for parks with sections/ecosystems that are open-access and characterised by overlapping governance regimes, there is an increasing need to…
I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. That is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space. Nothing is more important than taking up space in the society and submitting yourself. – Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi’s powerful words…
The sour prickly pear Opuntia stricta changes soil characteristics, such as nutrients and the level of enzymes, which are involved in nutrient cycling processes, and the abundance and diversity of soil bacterial communities, suggesting that extensive invasions could alter belowground ecosystem function. Opuntia stricta, or sour prickly pear, has spread extensively in the Kruger National…
For many visitors, a trip to the iconic Kruger National Park (KNP) is all about the herds of large game, impressive landscapes and of course, spotting the Big Five. Recounting the trip’s first lion sighting around the evening braai, whilst hyenas call from the other side of the camp fence, is all part of the…
iNaturalist is an invaluable resource to South African National Parks. It provides a treasure trove of visual and digital data that is available at our fingertips. At a time of budget cuts to conservation organisations leading to lower budgets available for monitoring and data collection and collation, iNaturalist is something that we should be making…
Long-term monitoring of the southern ground hornbill population in Kruger National Park (KNP) started in 1969. More recently, citizen science has been at the forefront of this monitoring project. Current data suggest that 180 breeding southern ground hornbill groups are occupying 88% of KNP, making it the largest population in South Africa. A new monitoring…
Invasive alien species are one of the top five threats to biodiversity, including threatened and endangered species and ecosystems. Protected areas and national reserve systems, therefore, become critically important from an invasive alien species management perspective. The first global Assessment on Invasive Alien Species and their Control by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and…
Taxonomic knowledge is an important component of biodiversity conservation. However, expertise for specific groups, including invertebrates, is limited within SANParks. Various national and international institutions and organisations, including individuals in their personal capacity, who conduct research within national parks assist in filling this knowledge gap and greatly supplement our capacity. Dr Dave Edge, South African…
Sixty-five endangered African penguins mysteriously died overnight at Boulders African Penguin colony. Excellent sleuthing skills combined with specialist attention to detail and knowledge found the unlikely cause to be death by bee stings. The incident highlights the value of collaborating with specialists and veterinarians. At sunrise on Friday, 17 September 2021, a group of dead…
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are more than just remarkable places; they are treasures of humanity that hold exceptional cultural and/or natural value. These sites are globally recognized and protected, with the aim of preserving their cultural and natural significance for present and future generations. They signify our shared heritage, showcasing the diverse beauty and importance…