News
Western Cape State of Conservation Report 2020 – Webinar Discussion
CapeNature is proud to present our first annual State of Conservation Report (SoCR 2020) which will be showcased via a webinar on the 20th May 2021. The biodiversity of the Western Cape is characterised by a wide variety of ecosystem types, species abundance and high levels of endemism. This means that many species found here […]
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State of Conservation Report 2020
We are very proud to announce that the first annual State of Conservation Report for the Western Cape is complete and ready for release. This succinct and visually rich report provides an overview of the status of priority conservation indicators as at the end of 2019. The report highlights achievements, challenges, impacts and urgent actions required. Significant […]
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CapeNature participates in the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide citizen science event
By Natanya Dreyer, Team Leader, Learning and Awareness The annual City Nature Challenge is a global community science competition to document biodiversity. The challenge is a bio blitz that engages residents and visitors to find and document plants, animals and other organisms within a specific boundary. Cities around the world compete against one another to […]
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Warm up with CapeNature this winter!
Discover the beauty of winter with CapeNature with our discounted promotion of 40% off self-catering accommodation and camping facilities across the Western Cape. The promotion runs from 1 May to 31 August 2021 and means that you get an additional 40% off our existing price freeze promotion which has been running since 2019. […]
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Restoring Life at Sea
Oil spills at sea are a considerable threat to the South African oceans and coastline as the oil inevitably gets washed out along the shore. The hazards for wildlife include toxicity during exposure or ingestion, injuries such as smothering and deterioration of thermal insulation, and damage to their reproductive systems and behaviors. While the […]
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Go Bouldering at the world-renowned Rocklands site!
Rocklands, in the northern Cederberg, is the world’s premier bouldering destination. Here, a timeless landscape of rugged rock invites outdoor adventurers to explore. Test your skills on the boulders, rope up for sport climbing or go for an invigorating walk. Then let the spectacular views and deep quiet of Rocklands wash over you. Just over three hours from Cape Town, you […]
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CapeNature embarks on exciting partnership this Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated annually on 22 April and brings environmental issues that are of greatest concern to the fore. This year’s theme is “Restore our Earth” and speaks directly to climate action. Waste remains one of the top climate change contributors and CapeNature has made incredible progress in finding innovative ways to contribute to […]
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Sour fig harvesting provides income for communities
CapeNature celebrates International Plant Appreciation Day this year by highlighting the important role that indigenous plants play in the livelihood of communities. The special calendar day falls on 13 April every year and is aimed at highlighting the importance of plants in our daily lives. Much of human nutrition depends on land plants, either directly […]
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Schools gifted with seedlings for food gardens this International Plant Appreciation Day
CapeNature and the Western Cape Government celebrate Plant Appreciation Day together by gifting 12 schools across the Western Cape with seedlings and seeds for their food gardens. The special calendar day falls on 13 April every year and is aimed at highlighting the importance of plants in our daily lives. With 52% of South African […]
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The African sharptooth catfish: a robust survivalist and crafty invader
By Dr Marienne de Villiers, CapeNature Faunal Ecologist Sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus are rather remarkable creatures. They are omnivorous feeders, have high fecundity (can produce many offspring) and survive in a wide range of water quality conditions. In addition, they possess a primitive accessory air breathing organ which enables them to survive out of water for […]
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Sustainable Water Management
By Jeanne Gouws, CapeNature Ecologist Water is a finite resource, which leads to various pressures on this resource driven by the right of every citizen on this planet for access to enough clean water. For example, the drought of 2016 to 2018 in the Western Cape has highlighted the need for the sustainable management of […]
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Escaped crocodiles at Bonnievale
* See update at the foot of the page Following the escape of an unknown number of subadult Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) from a breeding facility outside of Bonnievale on Wednesday morning, CapeNature can report that in addition to the 27 already recaptured, a further seven crocodiles had to be euthanized last night and six […]
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Celebrating World Wildlife Day at the Potberg Cape Vulture colony
By Lusanda Gqaza and Yanga Mbatana (Environmental Education Officers, De Hoop Nature Reserve) On 20 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), proclaimed 03 March (the day of adopting the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, in 1973), as World Wildlife Day. This is a day that […]
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World Wildlife Day 2021
World Wildlife Day is celebrated on 3 March every year as an opportunity to highlight the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. The Western Cape is a very special place with an abundance of unique and irreplaceable […]
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Matrics in De Hoop – In their own words
On the weekend of 19-21 February, 2021, five 2020 Matric learners were hosted by CapeNature and world-renowned adventurer Riaan Manser at the De Hoop Nature Reserve. These five matriculants; Jama Paliso, Hannah Chetty, Abdullah Seedat, Silondukhule Nquma and Lucy can der Meulen were the runners up in a campaign that saw five other students join […]
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Water quality and quantity the key to healthy estuaries
The health of on estuary is a description of the condition of an estuary and are driven by two key drivers, water quality and quantity. Rain falling on the land eventually makes its way to a lake, river, stream, estuary, or ocean. Some rainwater flows slowly, in a thin layer called sheet flow across the […]
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Feel the Summer Breeze with CapeNature!
Come and explore the vast open spaces across the Western Cape with your friends and family at record low prices. Despite the inflation rate increases and the current recession in South Africa, CapeNature wants to see more and more locals explore and experience the rich natural heritage exclusive to the province. We are all in […]
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SA’s commercial shark industry – are sharks friends or food?
By Alexis Olds and Nicole Horn Marine fish are divided into two groups, those that have a bone skeleton and those that have skeletons made of cartilage. The cartilaginous group are commonly referred to as sharks. The group actually contains sharks, skates, rays and chimaera. For this article, sharks include all cartilaginous species. Approximately 185 […]
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Five 2020 Matric Learners Set to Explore the Jewel of the Overberg
Five 2020 Matric learners have just been afforded the opportunity to explore the unforgettable De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape in the company of world-renowned adventurer Riaan Manser. These five matriculants; Jama Paliso, Hannah Chetty, Abdullah Seedat, Silondukhule Nquma and Lucy can der Meulen were the runners up in a campaign that saw […]
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Tranquillity and solitude in the heart of the Garden Route – a visit to Goukamma Nature Reserve
Story and photos by Alex Aitkenhead, www.alexaitkenhead.co.za Deciding on our holiday adventure in the garden route required careful planning. We wanted to experience the Ancient Knysna forest, surf the warm waters at Buffalo Bay, see new forest bird species, yet miss all the crowds. With the new lockdown rules in place and the closing of the […]
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World Wetlands Day 2021
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February each year to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. South Africa is a water scarce country, and the water in many streams is polluted. Both droughts and floods are common. In this regard, wetlands play a vital role by […]
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The bontebok – a species saved from the brink of extinction
By Nicole Horn, Biodiversity Capabilities The bontebok – a likable, medium sized antelope with a multi-coloured coat and endemic to the Western Cape, is listed as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. It was once on the brink of extinction due to hunting, human settlement and incorrect […]
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Fish migrations: they would swim 500 miles and they would swim 500 more
By Nicole Horn and Alexis Olds Migration is a widespread but highly complicated and diverse component to many fish species lives. Migration can be strenuous and often consists of extremely long journeys. The life history stages of certain species rely heavily on migration. Fish will migrate for several reasons including escaping unfavourable conditions, moving to […]
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CapeNature reserves adjust to Level 3 lockdown restrictions
In line with the updated Alert Level 3 announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 01 February 2021, the following rules will apply to all CapeNature reserves with immediate effect and until further notice: Permitted activities: Reserve accommodation remains OPEN and unchanged (this includes the Whale Trail and Whiskey Creek); Conference venues remain OPEN at 50 […]
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Other News
Western Cape State of Conservation Report 2020 – Webinar Discussion
CapeNature is proud to present our first annual ..
Read more
State of Conservation Report 2020
We are very proud to announce that the ..
Read more
CapeNature participates in the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide citizen science event
By Natanya Dreyer, Team Leader, Learning and Awareness ..
Read more
