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…
One-third of the world’s sharks, rays, and chimaeras are threatened with extinction according to IUCN Red List criteria, primarily due to fishing pressure. These iconic species are essential for maintaining the structure and function of marine ecosystems, have high cultural and societal value and contribute significantly to the global economy, mainly through tourism. By combining…
Closed-canopy forest often occurs within a matrix of fire-prone biomes, such as fynbos, shrubland or grassland, as patches or pockets that are less exposed to fire. These forest pockets typically occur in ravines and other topographical positions in the landscape that are protected from fires driven by desiccating bergwinds. The aim of this study was…
Disa newdigateae was recently rediscovered in the Garden Route National Park, after it had been presumed to be extinct. Someone posted a picture of an unknown orchid on Facebook. Marthinus Vosloo, an orchid enthusiast, mountain explorer, all round nature lover and CREW (The Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers) volunteer, saw the post. He went…
We live on an increasingly urban planet. More than half of all people live in urban areas, and urbanisation is a major threat to biodiversity globally. However, cities can still support permanent wildlife communities. Cities offer rich sources of food, and if a species is a risk-taker they can thrive in these highly transformed and…
If you are planning a trip to a National Park or protected area in South Africa, you might be wondering if you can bring your drone with you. Unfortunately, the answer is usually no. Drones (or recreational unmanned aerial vehicles) are not allowed in most National Parks and protected areas in South Africa, and for…