Dr. Ian Russell, Senior Scientist: Aquatic Ecology, retired after a long and impactful career in conservation science at SANParks at the end of July 2024. Ian was based in Rondevlei in the Garden Route National Park for over three decades, and leaves a legacy of dedication to aquatic conservation. His time in SANParks spans many…
When asked about my prospective career during my foundational grades, my response was definitive and assured: “I want to be a teacher”. Growing up, we were taught that to ensure stability, one should pursue professions such as nursing, medicine, or education. Stability was emphasised as the primary focus by our parents and teachers to the…
The iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a global bioblitz event that happens once a year where cities from around the world flood iNaturalist with observations of nature in green spaces in and around their cities. The first CNC, in 2016, was an eight-day competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco where they made 20…
The staff of Scientific Services don’t spend enough time on data management. This is important because good data management is fundamental to the success of South African National Parks. Scientific Services is mandated to inform biodiversity conservation. With a goal to achieve this, SANParks invests substantial amounts on funding staff to conduct monitoring and research….
In May 2019 South Africa declared 20 new MPAs in the South African Economic Exclusive Zone. This increased South Africa’s marine protection levels from 0.4 to 5%. SANParks was assigned to manage three of the new MPAs, more than doubling the extent of MPA’s under SANParks’ responsibility from 147 540 to almost 370,000 hectares at…
Scientific Services consists of an array of diverse skills, job functions and individuals, with many projects and outcomes depending on teamwork and interaction of these components and people. Recognition of those that consistently go above and beyond hard work, and valuing exceptional individual and team accomplishments and contributions, expresses appreciation and celebrates outstanding achievements. This…
This year we celebrate the achievements and graduation of three colleagues from the Arid and Northern Node of Scientific Services! Dr Mahlomola Ernest Daemane, General Manager of the Node, completed his PhD through University of the Free State in the Faculty of Natural and Agriculture Sciences. His PhD thesis entitled “The spatial distribution of the…
After four years of studying, I left Cape Town at the beginning of 2018 with two qualifications, a dream, and high hopes of kick starting my journey as an environmentalist. However, with high unemployment rates in South Africa and many graduates looking for work, finding a job after completing an Honours degree in Geography and…
Getting to know Erin Crowhurst I have been frequenting the Kruger National Park since I was quite young, which is where my passion for nature began. I chose to study Botany and Chemistry to avoid dissecting animals, but later changed my field to Botany and Zoology. In 2022, I completed my MSc Zoology at the…
Mmathapelo Fumo – new water technologist and laboratory manager for Kruger National Park I am a SACNASP registered Environmental Scientist and completed a BSc Environmental Sciences degree, majoring in geology and botany, at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2015. In 2019, I obtained a BSc Honours in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa….
Let the journey continue – from intern to Junior Scientist: Khensani Nkuna When I started my internship in 2021 with the Scientific Services Department through the WWF Environmental Leaders Program, I had no idea that I would continue to live my dream of working in the Kruger National Park. More recently (2023) I became a…
Esi Bossman: the underwater entomologist I have been picking up insects for as long as I can remember! It is no wonder that I have unwavering love and passion for entomology! I studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, where I completed an MSc in freshwater entomology, focused on the functional feeding group classification of…