Five CapeNature Reserves to Visit for Wellness

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.