Conservation Projects
Cape Flora Conservation (RECCE) – University of Cape Town – Western Cape
The main objectives of the project are to assess the impact of different land use practices on the cover and composition of vegetation in the Succulent Karoo of Namaqualand and to suggest ways to mitigate this impact. The communal areas of Namaqualand are home to some of the most marginalized rural communities in SA who survive mainly on subsistance agriculture which has a major impact on the composition of the biota of the region. Interventions of alternative livelihood strategies are being investigated, including eco-tourism, to mitigate the affects of heavy grazing.
Project Executant : Prof. Timm Hoffman
Address : Botany Dept., University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701
Phone/ Fax : (021) 6502440/6504046
Email : thoffman@botzoo.uct.ac.za
Website : www.uct.ac.za/depts/ipc/docs/dmr.htm
Wildlife Conflict Prevention Group - EWT
The EWT Wildlife Conflict Prevention Group (formally the Poison Working Group), was established to address the large scale poisoning of wildlife in SA by stopping irresponsible and insensitive practices involving pesticides and environmentally incompatible products. The strategy and focus of the working group has recently expanded to include all forms of human-wildlife conflict resolution, incorporating seven basic programs:
- Crop Protection & Environmental Health
- Animal & Environmental Health
- Wildlife-Human Conflict Mitigation
- Public & Environmental Health & Safety
- Vegetation Management
- International Environmental Health
- Urban Wildlife & Environments
Project Executant : Mr. Tim Snow
Address:Po Box 78 Rosetta, 3301,KwaZulu Natal / EWT: Pvt. Bag X11, Parkview, 2122
Phone / Fax : 0824634104 / EWT (011) 4861102 / 4861506
Email : snowman@ewt.org.za
Website : www.ewt.org.za
Kalahari Raptor Project – Endangered Wildlife Trust
This project`s aim is the conservation of all raptors in the Kalahari and Northern Cape and to balance the ecology to the extent that birds of prey will be as common as they were in the region 60 years ago. Activities include creating an awareness amongst farmers, school children, local communities, service organisations, as well as solving conflicts between farmers and eagles and the investigation of poisons and other mortalities. Surveys into population dynamics, the extensive ringing of birds and recording of new nest sites are also areas of activity.
Project Executant : Mr Abrie Maritz
Address : Po Box 13, Damhoek, Olifantshoek 8450 or c/o EWT – address as above
Phone /Fax : 0833883431 or as for EWT above
Email: abriem@ewt.org.za
Website : www.ewt.org.za
Mondi Wetlands Project – Wildlife & Environment Society
This project is a priority initiative for WESSA and WWF-SA and is one of the few environmental projects tackling South Africa`s critical water shortage at both grass roots and political decision making levels. The original aim of the project was to raise the awareness of wetland managers and the public as regards the strategic importance of wetlands, of which over 50% in SA have already been lost. Practical advice, workshops and presentations have been given to land agency extension officers, wetland managers, farmers, landowners and educational institutions. Fully comprehensive, illustrated field guides have also been developed and made available on the assessment, management and restoration of wetlands. A follow-up phase is in progress which involves implementation of wetland management and re-habilitation plans and promotes the wise use of South Africa`s scarcest natural resource - water.
Project Executant : Mr David Lindley
Address : Po Box 338, Irene, 0062
Phone/Fax : (012) 6676597 / 6675720
Email : lindley@wetlands.org.za
Website : www.wetlands.org.za
Important Bird Areas Project – Bird Life South Africa
This project aims to protect globally important areas in SA for bird diversity, with the grassland biome being the most important habitat as regards our most threatened bird species. The first priority was the Wakkerstroom area where a multi-purpose bio-diversity centre has been established, including eco-tourism facilities in order to ensure the long term protection of the site in co-operation with the local community. The area of Braamhoek, which includes an important wetland, is currently being researched and will be managed as a protected area. It is planned to concentrate on other important areas and install appropriate management as funds become available.
Project Executant : Mr. David Maphisa
Address : Po Box 515, Randburg, 2125
Phone/Fax : (011) 7891122 / 7895188 / 0828598274
Email : braamhoek@birdlife.org.za
Website : www.birdlife.org.za
Enkangala Grasslands Project – WWF-SA
The main objective of the Ekangala Trust is to promote the concept of biosphere reserves and the establishment and maintenance of a biosphere reserve for the high altitude moist grasslands of the Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and Free State Provinces of South Africa. This is in order to ensure the continued functioning of natural systems and associated biodiversity of this threatened biome, taking into account the existing industry and land use, in such a way that it provides for sustained tangible benefits to the affected communities at local, regional and national levels.
Project Executant: Mr. Angus Burns
Address: Po Box 21106, Newcastle, 2940
Phone: (034) 3186158
Email : egtproject@mweb.co.za
Black Rhino Project - WWF-SA
The WWF`s main vision is to promote the long term conservation of Black Rhino in KZN and contribute towards the target of 1000 Black Rhino for the province. This is to be achieved by providing support for the protection of existing rhino populations and the establishment of new Black Rhino populations in KZN through the commitment of private, community and state landowners. Two founder populations have already been established and further relocations are being negotiated. The project is facilitating the development of partnerships between adjacent landowners to increase the range and numbers of Black Rhino outside formal protected areas, thereby increasing net benefits to all concerned.
Project Executant : Dr Jacques Flamand
Address : Po Box 13053, Cascades 3202, Pietermaritzburg
Phone/Fax : (035) 5500666 or (033) 8451359/8451699
Email : jflamand@wwfsa.org.za
Riverine Rabbit Project - EWT
The Riverine Rabbit Conservation Project aims to ensure the survival of the critically endangered Riverine Rabbit by establishing and implementing sound conservation and awareness programs for the species and its unique and threatened habitat. This is to be achieved by initially doing extensive field surveys to establish Riverine Rabbit population and habitat baseline data, to be followed by development and implementation of guidelines and management plans for priority areas within the Karoo region. This will require the co-operation of farmers, their workers, landowners and local communities. Education programs (including the Eco-Schools Program) are being implemented in the area to ensure stakeholders are made aware of the benefits of conserving bio-diversity, while minimising the impacts of human activities.
Project Executant : Dr. Vicky Ahlmann
Address : Po Box 172, Loxton, 6985
Phone/Fax : (053) 3813068 / 3813116
Email : vickya@ewt.org.za
Platburg Raptor Project - Birds of Prey Working Group - EWT
The project sets out to encourage the general public, specifically landowners, farmers, local communities, private nature reserve owners etc, to get actively involved in conserving raptors and vultures in the north-eastern Karoo. This is to be achieved through their participation in active conservation of habitat, the reduction of threats such as unwarranted persecution, agrochemical misuse, poor design of farm dams, unmarked powerlines etc and their active involvement in implementation of initiatives such as vulture and owl restaurants.
Major recent additions to the project include the monitoring of the impact of two major transmission lines across the eastern Karoo on birds of prey and the monitoring of raptor population trends in the recently established Mokala National Park in partnership with SANParks.
EWT-BoPWG Manager: Mr Andre Botha / Project
Address : EWT - Pvt. Bag X 11, Parkview, 2122, Johannesburg
Phone/Fax : EWT : (011) 4861102/4861506
E-mail: andreb@ewt.org.za
Operation Oxpecker
The project aims to re-establish Yellow-billed Oxpecker in the north-eastern parts of South Africa and to re-establish the Red-billed Oxpecker more widely in the Limpopo, Northwest, Mpumulanga, KwaZulu Natal, Northern and Eastern Cape and Gauteng. The project will create awareness among farmers that oxpeckers can become their greatest natural allies in game and cattle farms, by naturally managing tic infestations, thereby reducing their need for environmentally harmful arsenic based cattle and wildlife dips.
Oxpeckers serve as visible indicators of a healthy, poison free environment and eradication of these substances will benefit all other aspects of bio-diversity.
Project Executant: Mr. Arnuad Le Roux
Address: Po Box 1837, Warmbaths/Bela Bela, 0480
Phone/fax: 014-7363933
E-Mail : oxpecker@ewt.org.za
Website : www.ewt.org.za
South African Bird Atlas 2
The SA Bird Atlas 2 is a formal avian diversity and population monitoring project that enlists ornithologists, bird watchers, hunters, conservation officers, reserve managers, bird guides and local communities in recording bird species, numbers and habitat within SA. The project will be conducted in partnership with the SA National Biodiversity Institute and the Avian Demography Unit, attached to the University of Cape Town. It is envisaged that this will be a continuous monitoring program that extends beyond 2011 with latest online information.
Project Executant : TBE
Address: BirdLife SA, Po Box 515, Randburg, 2125
Phone/Fax : 011 7891122 / 7895188
E-Mail : director@birdlife.org.za
Ground Hornbill / Large Birds Project
This project focuses on applied research and conservation to the benefit of all large birds in the Lowveld and Kruger National Park areas and includes raptors, vultures, owls and ground hornbills. By creating a greater awareness and acting as a catalyst for the implementation of conservation action in the area, the project aims to get the landowners, farmers, local communities, private nature reserve owners etc, actively involved in conserving all large bird species. This to be achieved through their active participation in sustainable land practices, conservation of the habitat, the reduction of threats such as unwarranted persecution, agrochemical misuse, poor design of farm dams, unmarked power lines, illegal trade etc.
Project Executant : Mr. Scott Ronaldson
Address : Po Box 149 , Skukuza 1350 / Bag X11 , Parkview, 2122, Johannesburg
Phone/Fax : (013) 7355550 / (011) 4861102/4861506
E-mail: scottr@ewt.org.za
Website : www.ewt.org.za
Threatened Grassland Species Program
The province of KZN is one of SA's most diverse in terms of its biodiversity components, with many species and ecosystems of great value to the country. However, the conservation status of many of these systems is extremely poor, with few threatened species being adequately conserved in the current system of protected areas, and many habitats and ecosystems are currently being heavily transformed through agricultural developments. Using flagship species including Oribi, Cranes and Blue Swallows, the project collects and provides research data to facilitate education and input to landowners and local municipalities, to help preserve grassland biodiversity. The project also liaises closely with the Wildlife & Energy Group by assisting with power line incident investigations and avifaunal assessments of new power lines that could impact on grassland species.
Project Executant: Mr. Andre Rossouw
Address: Po Box 1312, Howick, 3290
Phone/Fax: 033 3306982
Email: andrer@ewt.org.za
Website: www.ewt.org.za
Wildlife Trade Monitoring (TRAFFIC)
TRAFFIC is the joint wildlife trade monitoring program of WWF-SA and IUCN – The World Conservation Union. The TRAFFIC Network works in co-operation with the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and collaborates with a wide range of other partners. TRAFFIC actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides this information to a diverse audience worldwide, as a basis for effective conservation policies and programs. TRAFFIC has developed it`s role in addressing wildlife trade issues in a wider context. The South African program is currently undertaking research into the trade of Patagonian Toothfish, Medicinal Fynbos species, indigenous birds and rhinoceros. It also plays an active part in the development of nature conservation legislation.
Project Executant : Mr David Newton
Address : Pvt. Bag X 11, Parkview, 2122
Phone/Fax : (011) 4861102 / 4861506
Email : trafficza@uskonet.com / david.newton@ewt.org.za
Website: www.traffic.org
Birding Route Development Program - BLSA
The project has the objective of protecting and conserving important bird habitats through the development of a network of fully functional and internationally recognised birding routes. These tourism routes generate income for communities, local business and previously disadvantaged individuals that are granted an opportunity to develop their own micro businesses in servicing bird watchers that visit their sites on the birding routes. Bird guides are sourced from local communities and are all individuals that have not had the opportunity to gain employment in the formal sector. The project was initiated in 2002 and is currently engaged in the various stages of developing 11 birding routes.
Project Executant: Mr. Martin Taylor
Address: 4 Northcrest, 1A Tudor Rd., Gillitts, 3610
Phone/Fax: 072 277 7254
Email : tourism@birdlife.org.za
Website : www.birdlife.org.za
Biodiversity & Wine Initiative
The Biodiversity & Wine Initiative is a pioneering partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector (The Botanical Society of SA & WWF-SA). This project is focussed not only on preserving critical areas of natural habitat, but also on incorporating best biodiversity management practices into the SA wine industry.
SA is the world's ninth largest producer of wine and around 90% of production occurs within the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is globally recognised as a biodiversity hotspot and holds World Heritage Site status, as a home to more than 10 000 plant species and tens of thousands of animal species.
A study by Conservation International & BOTSOC confirmed initial concerns that the wine industry footprint was impacting significantly on highly threatened ecosystems in the region and as a result key players in the wine industry, conservation and agriculture sectors were brought together to address these concerns.
Project Executant: Ms. Inge Kotze
Address: Botanical Society of SA, Pvt. Bag X10, Claremont, 7735
Phone/Fax: (021) 8882843 / 8882888
Email : ikotze@wwf.org.za
Ludwig's Bustard Project
Ludwig's Bustard has a range centred on the dry biomes of the Karoo and Namib and is currently listed as Vulnerable, because of an estimated decrease of up to 20% in the population over three generations. This stems mainly from mortality caused by collisions with overhead power lines in these areas.
The project plans to gather the crucial data necessary to assess the current conservation status of Ludwig's Bustard and to plan effective mitigation in the long term, by deploying mitigation devices in collision hotspots or on known flight pathways.
This project will also benefit other large terrestrial birds that collide with power lines as collision data on these will also be collected during power line surveys and referred back to Eskom for mitigation.
Project Executant: Assoc. Prof. Peter Ryan / Field Researcher: Jessica Shaw
Address: DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, PFIAO, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701
Phone/Fax: 021 6502966 / 021 6503295
Email : peter.ryan@uct.ac.za / jessica.shaw@uct.ac.za
Website : www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za
Please note that the Mazda Wildlife Fund website is outside of Mazda. Clicking on the link will open a new window.
