The Cederberg, a protected wilderness area managed by CapeNature and home to some of the most iconic climbing and bouldering routes in South Africa, was recently impacted by a wildfire that began on 7 March 2025. The fire ignited near Krakadouw Peak and burned for 13 days, before being fully contained on 20 March. In total, it scorched 20,834 hectares, spanning 97 kilometers of fire line, and included damage to the Rocklands “Bouldering Area” — a popular climbing zone. As a result of the fire, several popular climbing sectors and access routes have been damaged or are temporarily inaccessible. 

Sustainable utilisation is the only way to ensure future generations have access to unspoilt wilderness, where game roams freely and hunting remains a respected part of conservation.

Through this MOU, we are turning intention into impact. Together with CapeNature, Kaapjag is proud to lead the way in showing how responsible hunters can be champions of conservation.

The Western Cape Environmental Education Friends (WCEEF), together with members CapeNature, SANBI, Nature Connect, SANParks, Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town, The Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) and the Two Oceans Aquarium, is thrilled to announce the return of its successful competition for children in grades 6 – 9.

Biodiversity forms the bedrock of life on Earth. It is essential not only for sustaining healthy ecosystems but also for ensuring human wellbeing. Last week, on 22 May, we celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity, to raise awareness, educate, and build understanding around biodiversity issues, while inspiring collective effort to conserve it for future generations.

The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, hosted its second meeting with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group (CPBAG) on 27 May 2025. The Shark Spotters who are implementing selected operational tasks under the banner of the Cape Baboon Partnership, also provided feedback on progress and challenges with the implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan. 

A successful HeliHack operation has cleared 15 194 invasive pine trees from the rugged slopes of the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area – a CapeNature-managed World Heritage Site and crucial catchment area feeding the Duivenhoks Dam.

From 3–5 May 2025, the latest mission to tackle the invasive alien vegetation marked the most successful pine removal in the initiative’s history.

What an energising and inspiring experience at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025! Held from 13–15 May at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, this leading trade show brought together Africa’s top tourism stakeholders from across the continent to connect, collaborate, and champion a shared vision for tourism.

CapeNature was proud to attend this dynamic three-day gathering, contributing to powerful conversations around tourism, conservation, and sustainable travel.

The International Day for Biodiversity, under this year’s theme of “Harmony with nature and sustainable development” is at the heart of a “whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach” to implement the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Global Framework and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, according to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

International Day for Biodiversity is celebrated annually on 22 May, and this year marks 32 years since its inception, when the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) went into effect.

A young female Humpback whale that was stranded on the Island Beach at Robberg Nature Reserve on Monday, 19 May 2025, was humanely euthanised the following morning after multiple failed rescue attempts and a subsequent expert assessment.

The whale appeared to have run aground on a sandbank and Robberg Nature Reserve personnel were on site to monitor the whale and manage public access to prevent further distress or harm. 

Following recent concerns raised by our valued visitors and stakeholders regarding the maintenance and invasive alien plant species on the much-loved Whale Trail at De Hoop Nature Reserve, CapeNature has listened and taken action to help address these challenges.

The Entity would like to use this opportunity to give feedback to our hiking fraternity and affected tour operators.

Through the peak summer season in December 2024 and January 2025, there was a tremendous influx of visitors to CapeNature-managed provincial reserves, with over 146 550 overnight and day visitors passing through many reserve gates. Minister Bredell unpacks why more visitors are seeking nature-based attractions when it comes to deciding on a holiday destination.

One of the Western Cape’s most mysterious mammals, the Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew (Myosorex longicaudatus boosmani), has made a reappearance, 46 years after it was last recorded! Conservationists from CapeNature, Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and Helihack, together with volunteer biologists found one of these tiny mammals in CapeNature’s Boosmansbos Wilderness Area.