Hunting the hunter: for the love of Mantids

Bonnie Schuman, the EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme and Bianca Greyvenstein, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University

Praying mantises are weird and wonderful-looking insects that most people seem to be familiar with, with their iconic “prayer” posture and reputation for honeymoons that end badly. However, as a taxonomic group, very little is known about the Mantids regarding their ecology, behaviour, distribution or even the range of species in South Africa. Two people are working hard to change this situation and are hunting these little hunters across South Africa with a view to finding out all there is to know about these poorly understood miniature predators.

Bianca Greyvenstein, Post Doctoral Fellow, and Professor Johnnie van den Berg from the North-West University (NWU) are the leading experts in South Africa on Mantids, specialising in praying mantid (Mantodea) diversity. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) recently invited these two researchers to visit the Papkuilsfontein proposed Protected Environment on the Bokkeveld Plateau near Nieuwoudtville to document the praying mantis species on the property. The EWT, in collaboration with the landowners (the Van Wyk family) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment, Land Reform and Rural Development (DAERL), recently launched an initiative to document the incredible range of biodiversity on the property.

The Northern Cape, in particular, is extremely data deficient with regard to insect diversity, especially in the Mantodea Order, under which these charismatic mantids are grouped. For example, of the approximately 4,000 museum specimens representing 170 species that have been collected in South Africa since 1838, only 0.2% are from the Northern Cape Province. Of these 15 specimens, only one species was collected near Papkuilsfontein.

Due to the poor rainfall season experienced during the winter prior to the survey, the region was extremely dry during this visit, and the diversity of arthropods at this time of year was extremely low. However, the Bokkeveld Plateau is not known to be a biodiversity hotspot for no good reason. Despite the ongoing drought and the heatwave experienced during the survey, surprisingly high levels of mantid diversity were recorded. Sampling focussed on the Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos vegetation type, but the Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld and the Hantam Karoo were also surveyed.

Rresearchers visit the Papkuilsfontein proposed Protected Environment near Nieuwoudtville to document the praying mantis species on the property. Photo credit: Paul Janse van Rensburg

Records reflect that eight superfamilies in the Mantodea order have been documented in South Africa so far, of which no less than six were present on Papkuilsfontein. Of the known 22 families, seven were recorded on Papkuilsfontein, which also represented ten different genera. In addition to recording the Mantids, the NWU team documented eight insect orders, 23 families and 36 species during their short visit in January 2023.

The team will return to the plateau in spring this year, and hopes are high for a good winter rainfall season. Just imagine what awaits discovery on this spectacular property following a good rainy season! The NWU team welcome sightings of Praying Mantises from across South Africa, as these can help shed light on species diversity and distribution. High-resolution photographs will go a long way in aiding the identification of any sightings.

Please share any sightings of Preying Mantises with Bianca at the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Email: biagrey90@gmail.com

The work on Papkuilsfontein was made possible with generous support from the Table Mountain Fund

Paul Janse van Rensburg

Fun Facts about Praying Mantises

Praying Mantises feature prominently in mythology in many cultures, most likely due to the fact that they fold their forelegs in what appears to be a “praying” position.
Praying Mantises are wait-and-hunt predators. They wait patiently for prey to pass close by and then snatch the unsuspecting prey with their long, spiny forelegs.
Contrary to common belief, female Mantids do not always consume their male partners after breeding. If the female is well-fed, the lucky suitor will escape with his head remaining on his shoulders.
Turns out these little predators live on average 260 days, and some of their egg packets or ootheca can have up to 150 tiny mantids that emerge all at once! These little guys will have to shed their skin or moult between five and nine times before they become big, beautiful adult mantids.

Commemorating 50 Years – Spay Campaign in the Waterberg

Commemorating 50 Years of Conservation Excellence – Spay Campaign in Vaalwater

Kedibone Chauchau, EWT’s PR and Marketing Coordinator

Half a century after it was founded, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has achieved immeasurable gains for wildlife conservation. With more than 110 staff members working across 13 African countries, the EWT is arguably one of the most effective and impactful conservation organisations working across such a diversity of species and ecosystems and collaborating with all relevant stakeholders.

Often recognised for its role in conserving charismatic species like the Wild Dog and Cheetah, the EWT was one of the first organisations to galvanise serious conservation action for vultures across the region. Just as important are the benefits of conservation to thousands of people the EWT has worked with through job creation programmes, education, resource protection and provision, and empowerment of people to take control of their environment and their futures.

The EWT’s relationship with communities in the Waterberg has been strengthened through the carnivore conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation work that we do in the area. The Waterberg is a key area for carnivore conservation in South Africa and is home to one of the last free-roaming Wild Dog populations in the country. The EWT works hand in hand with landowners and managers to resolve any carnivore-related issues in the area and teach them and encourage them to teach others how to deal with such issues in a non-lethal way.

One of the ways in which the EWT benefits local communities is through spay campaigns, which are costly and often unaffordable for communities. These campaigns encourage people to bring their dogs in so the EWT and partners can facilitate sterilisation at no cost. In honour of the EWT’s 50th Anniversary, we ran a spay campaign to sterilise 50 domestic dogs and cats in the township of Vaalwater, Limpopo, on 29 and 30 April.

“Sterilising domestic dogs in communities helps to prevent the overpopulation of stray/feral dogs, which can pose a danger to humans. Reducing dog numbers in the area is also critical in preventing the spread the Transmissible Venereal Tumour (TVT) disease or any other diseases amongst domestic dogs and their wild counterparts such as Wild Dogs.” – The EWT’s Carnivore Conservation Programme’s Field Officer, Joseph Hlako.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust collaborated with Prime Crew Animal Rescue and the Welgevonden Environmental Awareness Programme to organise and run the much-needed campaign. With the help of 12 vets, the EWT went well above the target of sterilising 50 dogs and cats. Out of the 185 animals that were brought, 154 were sterilised, including 120 dogs and 34 cats. A special mention to the vets and the individuals that assisted with donations and their time.

The EWT also helps livestock farmers to reduce and prevent predation on their livestock by large carnivores like leopards through the Livestock Guarding Dog project. Game farmers are also assisted with various human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, environmental education, skills development, and other interventions implemented in the communities.

The real power for change lies within each of us – in our everyday engagements with people who learn from us, teach us, and join us in our timeless campaign to protect forever, together.

Update on the disease killing our rabbits: Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus

Update on the disease killing our rabbits:

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus

Johan du Plessis, EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme Manager

In October 2022, a report came through to the EWT of a dead Scrub Hare in the Sutherland-Middelpos area in the Northern Cape. It was not an unusual occurrence, but it was just the first of many cases of hare and rabbit (lagomorph) deaths rapidly spreading as far as Springbok and Fraserburg in the Northern Cape and the Montagu area in the Western Cape. It was clear that something was infecting and killing rabbits much faster than normal.

We knew something very worrying was out there and feared for our indigenous lagomorph species. After testing affected carcasses at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Laboratory, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development issued a media statement on 17 November 2022 announcing what many had begun to suspect – the culprit behind the widespread mortalities of wild hares and domestic rabbits was confirmed as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) – strain RHDV2. There have been more recent reports of wild hares dying in the Merweville and Beaufort West regions and domestic rabbits in Cape Town and surrounds. The presence of RHDV in South Africa, particularly in these areas, is of great concern as our indigenous Red Rock Rabbit, the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit, and other indigenous hare species are all susceptible to the virus, and they are far less prolific than domestic rabbits, and we cannot afford to lose too many or the populations will be under threat.

The virus originated in China in 1984 and has since spread to many countries. This virus is highly contagious but only affects lagomorphs (rabbits and hares). It spreads very easily, normally through direct contact between animals, but the virus is most likely also carried by flies and scavengers feeding on carcasses, and on clothes, shoes, and car tyres. RHDV is a controlled animal disease. We recommend contacting your nearest state veterinarian to take samples if you encounter unnaturally large numbers of dead rabbits/hares on your property. The unnecessary transport and touching of infected carcasses should be avoided as far as possible.

Poster identifying South African Dryland rabbits and hares

During the past few months, the EWT has tracked and mapped all known hare and rabbit deaths. While there have been many reports of dead hares and domestic rabbits, there have fortunately only been a few Red Rock Rabbit mortalities and no reported deaths of Riverine Rabbits. We continue to work closely with the department to record and map all reports and are pleased to note that the number of deaths reported has declined since December 2022.

We urge farmers to report any wild hare and rabbit deaths to ewt@ewt.org.za and include your name, farm name, cell number, and GPS location of the incidents (if possible). Please also contact your local state vet and request that necropsies be done and the specimens sent to Onderstepoort. Farmers with Riverine Rabbits on their farms are requested to monitor the riparian areas and immediately report any Riverine Rabbit deaths to the EWT.

Our Drylands Conservation Programme is also working closely with provincial and state veterinary departments to develop best practice guidelines on managing dead rabbits and hares on your property. These will be released as soon as possible. Until then, please get in touch with the local state vet for assistance with wild hares/rabbits, which can be identified with the help of the attached poster.

Western Cape contact details can be found here: https://www.elsenburg.com/veterinary-services/animal-health-and-disease-control/

Contact Dr Bertus Nel at 0273411045 or nel.bertus@yahoo.com or your closest state vet for assistance in Northern Cape.

Do you need help telling a rabbit from a hare? Here’s a quick reference on the rabbits and hares of South African Drylands

Adventurous Bateleur astounds conservationists

Andre Botha, EWT’s Vultures for Africa Programme Manager

Conservationists from the EWT and its partners, the Chuilexi Conservancy, Niassa Carnivore Project, and WCS/ANAC from the Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) in Mozambique were recently astounded when one of their tracked birds started exploring the wider Mozambique landscape.

On 10 June 2022, an immature female Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) was trapped and fitted with a GSM tracking unit as part of the work to establish a tracking sample of 23 vultures and other scavenging birds in this beautiful northern Mozambique landscape. Contrary to expectations that this bird would remain within the confines of the NSR, she almost immediately started venturing east from Niassa to the coast, where she spent a significant amount of time in the Quirimbas National Park northeast of the city of Pemba, and even roamed further north into southern Tanzania at times, often returning to Niassa.

An immature female Bateleur Eagle being fitted with a GSM tracking unit in June 2022
Measuring the bird to establish life stage
The adventurous Bateleur's movements across more than 1,000 km

In late January/early February 2023, this pattern of movement significantly altered when the bird started heading southwest, briefly skirting the Malawian border before travelling further south and passing east of Gorongosa National Park, across the Pungwe and Save rivers to where her tracking unit shows she is currently spending time in the Banhine National Park, approximately 1,200 km south of Niassa. This scale of movement is usually associated with migratory species or vultures and is rather unexpected in this less adventurous species, although adults are known to cover considerable distances within their foraging range daily.

This scale of movement emphasises how little we know about the movements of this Endangered species and the need for a more detailed study of its movement biology. As with vultures, a better understanding of Bateleur movements will enable us to identify key staging, foraging and other sites where appropriate conservation action can be focused. We will be keeping a close eye on this bold Bateleur – who knows where she may wander next?

A fond farewell to three of our pack members

A fond farewell and best wishes to three of our pack members

Chris Joubert

Cath Vise, Soutpansberg Protected Area Manager

Chris Joubert, our Medike Nature Reserve & Eco-Tourism Manager, will sadly be leaving Medike and the EWT at the end of March 2023, and I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to him for all his efforts in the Soutpansberg.

Chris – thank you so much for all your hard work over the past two years. For the endless hours fixing old infrastructure and questionable plumbing, wrangling multiple contractors to get upgrades done, and keeping Medike and our rangers safe and sound. Thank you, especially for all your efforts in opening up Thomas Wilson Pass – the many long hours in the heat of the bush, enduring all the Mopani Bee bites, early mornings, late evenings, and a lot of excavator issues and breakdowns. The road is spectacular and something you can be extremely proud of. Thank you for taking so much care while manoeuvring an excavator through such a sensitive environment. It is very rough terrain and not easy for building a road, and I am so impressed that you and Frank (the excavator driver) managed to get through some of the areas you did and that we can now drive from Medike West to East, on the most spectacular 4×4 mountain pass. I am sure all who drive it will love and be grateful for it!

Thank you for being the friendly, welcoming face of Medike, for guiding and contributing to the development of our now Green Flag accredited Old Salt Trail, for managing marathon support stations and ensuring trails were good to go, for looking after visiting students, and especially for the role you play in our mountain conservation community.

I’d like to wish you all the best and good luck in your new opportunities. Enjoy the dry, northern side of our mountain and remember that you are always welcome at Medike and will always be part of our extended EWT Soutpansberg family.

Suzette Britz

Emily Taylor, EWT Communications Manager

Suzette joined the EWT in October 2021 during a whirlwind time for the Communications and Marketing Department with lots of projects that needed design assistance and us a short way into our biggest project of the year – the annual Integrated Report. She hit the ground running – calm, collected, and extremely capable – she took it in her stride and, despite the pressure, produced incredible work time and again. In 2022, Suzette was tasked with a mammoth project – revamping our digital platforms and website. For those of you who saw our previous site, I’m sure you will agree that the new site is streets ahead, both to look at and to use. Few people realise the work that goes on behind the scenes in a project like that, and despite performing all her day-to-day graphic work, she delivered a flawless product in record time.

As a fairly new manager, it was a great relief to have her working beside me – taking on any task I threw at her capably and calmly. I never had to worry that she wouldn’t deliver or impress. We have received nothing but praise for our digital and print materials produced during Suzette’s time with the EWT, and she leaves a truly remarkable legacy with designs that will be used and loved for years to come.

Thank you, Suzette, for your hard work and commitment, your calm in sometimes turbulent waters, and your support and friendship. The EWT is honoured and grateful for all you have achieved in your time with us, and we wish you all the best for your bright future. You will always be part of the EWT family.

Sean Kelly

Dr Andrew Taylor and Shadi Henrico, EWT Wildlife in Trade Programme

Sean Joined our EWT canine unit in September 2021 to work with us on our IUCN SOS project to deploy conservation dogs to reserves with important populations of threatened species. Sean brought many years of dog handling experience with him and strengthened our team considerably. He is very energetic and is constantly on the go, and even when not working with the dogs, he makes sure everything involving the infrastructure needed for the dogs is functioning. As one would hope for in a good dog handler, Sean always put the dogs first and even took on the responsibility of housing two of our working dogs at home when we were short of kennel space. We are very thankful to Sean for his hard work and commitment to our dog projects and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.

Kafue Lechwe numbers on a steep decline on the flats

A dead Endangered Kafue Lechwe Antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis)

Saziso Moyo, EWT-ICF Partnership African Crane Conservation Programme

The Endangered Kafue Lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis) is the predominant antelope species of the Kafue basin. These lechwes are semi-aquatic, medium-sized antelopes that live in large groups close to water bodies or marshes. The antelope engage in competitive displays and courtship rituals, known as lekking, to entice visiting females who are surveying prospective partners with whom to mate. The lechwe population in the Kafue basin has steadily declined from an estimated 80,000 in 1975 to about 23,000 in 2018, leading to its inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. For this reason, the International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust (ICF/EWT) Partnership has, in addition to the crane species we focus on, included the Kafue Lechwe on the list of important species to monitor and conserve. To achieve this, it has become increasingly important to investigate all potential factors contributing to the decline of the Kafue Lechwe population.

During the dry season in 2022, the Kafue Lechwe were dying daily, sometimes as many as 10-20, with the females and young being among the most affected. The ICF/EWT research team and field patrol officers detected this during mandatory monitoring activities.

A team of veterinarians from the University of Zambia (UNZA), the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and the Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI) was put together by ICF/EWT to investigate the cause of the alarming mortalities. The DNPW permitted the team to hunt down three lechwes to collect substantial samples of the internal organs. The reports revealed that the lechwes had various health issues, including bacteria and endo- and ectoparasites. The vet team argued that the bacteria and other health issues uncovered were not enough to kill the lechwe, but a combination of the disease load and poor nutritional value of their remaining food source could be acting together to cause the high number of deaths observed.

The report specifically indicates the presence of bacteria such as E. coli, Moraxella spp, and Klebsiella spp. The E. coli is because of the open defecation practised in the fishing villages. The villages have open pit toilets released directly into the water during flood season, presenting a significant public health issue for the people living in fishing villages and for the lechwe that drink from these water holes. Other causes of high mortality rates in the lechwe are human encroachment and the competition for food with the cattle that now number around 80,000 on the Kafue Flats.

The next step will involve presenting these results to relevant stakeholders and authorities for further action. Solutions may include developing a sanitation programme for the villages and a comprehensive management plan for the Kafue Flats for the well-being of people and wildlife.

Additionally, this calls for a deliberate, aggressive monitoring programme of the Kafue Lechwe involving the institutions mentioned above. Monitoring will help us to understand the stress factors and the potential mitigation measures to implement to ensure a thriving wetland for ALL.