The secret of CapeNature’s new ambassador is out!
CapeNature is thrilled to announce the identity of its new Cubs Club ambassador, Kai the Cape leopard cub. Kai was introduced to the public and a group of Cubs Club members on Friday, 5 July 2024, for the very first time.
Kai will be the face of CapeNature, bringing his charisma and charm to the Cubs Club. Nature lovers and Cubs Club members alike will soon become familiar with Kai and his unique personality and love of learning new things. Cape leopards are found in the Western Cape and inhabit rugged mountain areas and fynbos-covered valleys in the province. Smaller in size than other African leopards, they possess unique markings and demonstrate remarkable agility and adaptability.
CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo expressed enthusiasm for the Entity’s newest member and his belief that Kai’s success is CapeNature’s success.
“Cape leopards are apex predators, and their wellbeing indicates a healthy ecosystem. If they do well, it means the entire environment they inhabit is thriving. Kai, as a young cub, symbolises the potential for growth and the importance of nurturing our natural world.
“His quest for knowledge and eagerness to explore captures the spirit of our curious young Cubs Club members who represent our future conservation champions,” says Dr Naidoo.
He adds, “Kai’s name, which means fighter, warrior, and protector of the Earth, reflects his future role as a guardian of nature. His unique appearance, with a black left back foot devoid of spots, emphasises the beauty of diversity and individuality while championing the little differences that make us all unique.”
As the Cubs Club ambassador, Kai will play a pivotal role in promoting environmental awareness and positive conservation behaviours among children. His mission is to inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect nature. Over the next year, Kai will visit CapeNature reserves, participate in public events, and engage with children in previously disadvantaged schools through CapeNature’s curriculum-aligned programs. Exciting competitions and interactive events featuring Kai will be announced on social media throughout the year.
The CapeNature Cubs Club is a digital platform for children aged four to 13, offering educational resources and incentives to engage in environmental action projects. Members receive a welcome pack, birthday accommodation discounts, and invitations to exclusive events.
For more information on the Cubs Club or to sign up, parents and group leaders can email learning@capenature.co.za
Related News
The Big Biodiversity Challenge is back – Learners Tackle Biodiversity Crisis in Provincial Competition
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.
CapeNature's vision - Protecting biodiversity for a sustainable future
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.
Task team briefs Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group on progress and way forward
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.
Record-breaking pine clearing operation strengthens water security at Boosmansbos
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.
The Western Cape’s natural wonders continue to be a key economic contributor to the tourism sector
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.
Elusive Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew recorded for the first time in 46 years!
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.
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?