Sights unseen: finding the hidden secrets of the Grootvadersbos rivers
Thanks to an ongoing project funded by the Table Mountain Fund, CapeNature’s aquatic biologists Dr Martine Jordaan and Ms Jeanne Gouws are collaborating with the Grootvadersbos Conservancy to unearth the fishy secrets from the rivers of the Tradouw and Duiwendhoks catchments.
Grootvadersbos Conservancy borders the Grootvadersbos Nature reserve and the Langeberg Mountain Catchment Area (MCA) and is home to a number of mountain tributaries. Due to the mountainous terrain, these streams have, until very recently, been unexplored in terms of aquatic biodiversity.
Joint field surveys are ongoing and to date a number of new distribution localities for native fish have been recorded. The native fish compliment of the area comprise the Breede river redfin, the Cape kurper and the Cape galaxias, all three of which are endemic to the Cape Fold Ecoregion. From a biodiversity perspective these records are very important as the majority of the freshwater fish species of the Western Cape Province is highly threatened and at risk of extinction in the future. The main threats to freshwater fish are loss of habitat due to poor land use practices, pollution, water abstraction and predatory invasive fish species. Many of rivers associated with the conservancy originate on either Grootvadersbos Nature Reserve or the Mountain catchment area and through good land use practices the conservancy is aiding in the conservation of these very species fish in off-reserve areas.
Scientific outcomes of the project include the collection of DNA samples and voucher specimens for researchers working at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and collecting data for use in Red List Assessments. The project also has a strong focus on human capital development and in-field training in fish survey techniques is provided for the conservancy staff. While baseline sampling is still ongoing, the vision is to set up a collaborative long term monitoring program between staff from CapeNature and the Conservancy.
Related News
Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026
The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit.
Huis River aquatic invertebrate survey strengthens partnerships for freshwater ecosystem conservation
In the upper reaches of the Huis River near Barrydale, a recent aquatic macroinvertebrate survey is helping to inform conservation decisions for the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli), including the potential expansion of its range into upstream habitats in the river. The survey was conducted in partnership with
Ongoing efforts to safeguard the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin through monitoring
The Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) is one of South Africa’s most range-restricted freshwater fishes. It is endemic to the Huis–Tradouw River catchment near Barrydale in the Western Cape. The species is listed as Critically Endangered due to its small and fragmented distribution, threats from invasive fish species, pollution, water abstraction, and habitat degradation.
Western Cape conservation efforts highlighted on World Biodiversity Day
Every year on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is commemorated, and is meant to increase awareness about the many wonders of biodiversity, the numerous threats to it, and more importantly, what we can do to reduce or eliminate these threats. It marks 34 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) came into force and reinforces the pledge
The Big Biodiversity Challenge Returns to Inspire Young Eco-Champions
The Western Cape Environmental Education Friends (WCEEF), together with members CapeNature, Western Cape Government, SANBI, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Nature Connect, SANParks, Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, announces the return of its flagship biodiversity competition for learners in grades 6 – 9.
CapeNature urges public not to unnecessarily remove chameleons following Garden Route storms
Members of the public are urged to assist wildlife responsibly following recent severe weather events in the Garden Route, and to avoid the unnecessary removal of chameleons from their natural habitat. Following severe storms experienced in the region over the last two weeks, many trees have lost branches or fallen entirely. As a result, some small animals have been displaced from their natural habitat.