News

New Conservancy to Protect Biodiversity in the Karoo
A long-cherished dream has come true with the establishment of the 18 000 ha Karoo Gateway Conservancy in the Klaarstroom district. This initiative provides a strong framework for biodiversity conservation in the region through a voluntary agreement among landowners to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way that promotes biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, and sustainable agriculture.

Make space in your heart for penguins at Penguin Palooza 2025
African Penguins are now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with scientists warning they could vanish from the wild by 2035. CapeNature and SANCCOB are collaborating to protect the species at their annual Penguin Palooza event at Stony Point Nature Reserve.

Man convicted and sentenced for attack on Protected Spotted Eagle-Owl thanks to joint efforts
CapeNature welcomes the successful conviction and sentencing of 38-year-old Mozambican national Gustigu Mthini, who was found guilty on four charges following a violent attack on a Protected Spotted Eagle-Owl along the Sea Point Promenade earlier this year.

The Vrolijkheid Nursery Project is Growing Conservation Through Community
The nursery project at Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve has officially entered its early stages of becoming operational, marking an exciting step towards a collaborative conservation and community initiative.

Empowering Communities: How EPWP Transforms Lives Through Skills Development
A well-earned promotion to the permanent position of Maintenance Assistant at Goukamma Nature Reserve was granted to Mr. Graeme Highburg, an EPWP employee at Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve.

Bird Island gets a fresh look with enhanced interpretive signage
Bird Island Nature Reserve has undergone a transformation just in time for World Tourism Day, with the unveiling of brand-new interpretive signage designed to elevate the visitor experience and public understanding of the Island’s unique biodiversity.

2025 Annual Southern Right Whale Aerial Survey
On the 29th of September 2025, the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit of the University of Pretoria will be commencing its 56th annual aerial survey of southern right whales to monitor the health of the population.

Don’t Be Trashy campaign fights waste on land and sea in Western Cape
CapeNature, in partnership with Soapbox and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), is working on the “Don’t Be Trashy” Drive to address the growing threat of waste to ecosystems across the province.

Celebrate the 11th annual Access Week and grab your chance to experience nature for free!
Rediscover the beauty of the Western Cape’s protected areas during the 11th annual Access Week, taking place from 20 to 26 September 2025. CapeNature is celebrating over a decade of breaking down barriers to the Western Cape’s natural spaces, with free day visitor entry to selected reserves across the province.

Catch and release helps to conserve the Western Cape’s indigenous fish
Freshwater ecosystems across the Western Cape are rich in biodiversity, supporting a variety of indigenous fish. However, these species are increasingly threatened by the spread of invasive alien fish species, that prey on indigenous species and compete with them for food, space, and breeding grounds.

Concessionaire opportunities for activity based operators
CapeNature invites prospective parties, specialising in adventure, cultural and heritage, and events sectors, to submit detailed business proposals.

Celebrating innovative, resilient women in tourism
Women are thriving in tourism and wielding influence from the boardroom to hiking trails, where they beat a pathway for others to follow. They occupy 70% of the tourism workforce in South Africa, and their voices are being amplified in the sector now more than ever. A powerful yet often overlooked statistic that underscores their vital role in the sector.