REMEMBERING DAVID HADDON MITCHELL
Alison Janicke, EWT Head of Resource Development, alisonj@ewt.org.za
David Mitchell was born in Johannesburg on 3 September 1933 and educated at St John’s Preparatory School, Hilton College, and the University of Witwatersrand.
David not only served as a Trustee for the Endangered Wildlife Trust from 1978 to 2013 but was Chairman of the board in the 1980s. David’s career in the building industry, combined with his passion for conservation and the work of the EWT, saw his active involvement in the building of the EWT’s Johannesburg Zoo Head Office, where we spent many wonderful and memorable years.
David was a loyal supporter and contributor to the work and achievements of the EWT, and we will be forever grateful for the legacy of life he left for conservation. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his loved ones.
IS THERE A PLACE FOR GENDER IN CONSERVATION?
Megan Murison, Endangered Wildlife Trust Communications Officer, meganm@ewt.org.za
Why should we, as conservationists, be concerned about gender issues? If our mandate is species and habitat conservation, why and how do we incorporate gender without overstepping our mark? While it may appear to some as if gender and conservation are two completely isolated topics, the nexus between the two is undeniable. Gender inequality and environmental degradation have been linked – in areas where human inequality is high, so is ecological degradation. The impact that gender has on conservation should not be understated nor ignored.
So, what is gender? Unlike the biology of the different sexes, gender roles, behaviours, and the relations between women and men are dynamic. Gender is quite complicated, as it determines the socially constructed assigned roles, practices and opportunities given to certain genders by society. It is also essential to note that gender issues do not mean women issues, and we must try to understand the needs of all members of communities we work with, both men and women.
Our understanding of the connections between gender and the environment is broadening as more research is bringing women into the dialogues around resource use, indigenous knowledge, and decision-making processes. Gender plays a massive role in how women and men interact with the environment around them, concerning land, resource rights, career advancement, salary opportunities at work, and opportunities to participate in and influence decision-making processes.
But why should we, as conservation organisations, care? Long-term outcomes. Women account for 50% of the population, and their voices (knowledge, opinions, experiences, perspectives) need to be included in the conservation conversation. If we were to only listen to 50% of stakeholders, our actions would never be effective or sustainable. They may even cause other harmful effects. A study by Leisher et al. (2016) shows how the inclusivity of women in forest and fishery management groups had positive impacts on conservation targets in these sectors.
Another example is the plight of period poverty. Period poverty is a global sanitation issue and a barrier to the education of girl children. Sanitation and water use are linked, and the link with education may not be as obvious but understanding this link is vital for any progress to be made. Overall, including women and providing for and enabling equal rights and opportunities for basic education, positive progress can be made on environmental issues such as climate change and climate resilience, family planning, habitat resilience, and equality in the greater social community. As they say, knowledge is power.
Conservation initiatives should not be limited in scope and consideration to species and habitats, but also give voice to gender equality and equity issues. We as conservation organisations need to effectively include gender in all of our dialogues, as without the active, equal participation of women and men in all aspects of the work we pride ourselves on, we will never be able to move forward.
STRATEGIC CONSERVATION OF THE PEPPER-BARK TREE IN THE SOUTPANSBERG
Jenny Botha, Programme Manager, EWT People in Conservation Programme, jennyb@ewt.org.za
Traditional medicine has evolved over thousands of years, resulting in the development of an extensive herbal pharmacopoeia. Some of our earliest records of ancient herbal remedies were inscribed on clay tablets in Mesopotamia dating back to about 2,600 BC (Gurib-Fakim, 2006). Traditional medicine is still widely used across the world today. African Traditional Medicine Day was celebrated on 31 August 2020. The World Health Organisation describes traditional medicine as: “the sum total of knowledge, skill and practices based on the theories, beliefs ad experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, that are used to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illness”. Over the past 2-3 decades, there have been sustained efforts through the World Health Organisation and others to integrate traditional medicine into international and national health care systems. This health care modality is now officially recognised and regulated through legislation in South Africa, and a directorate of Traditional Medicine has been established by the National Dept of Health.
In South Africa, over 2,060 plant species have been recorded as being used in traditional medicine – approximately 10% of the total number of species that occur here (Williams V.L., Victor J.E. and Crouch N.R. 2013). Many species are facing increasing pressures in the wild through high levels of use as well as other human pressures, including loss of habitat through urbanization, agriculture, industrial expansion, and other activities. Amongst these species is the Pepper-bark tree, which is now classified as Endangered on the Red Data List.
The Pepper-bark tree is an evergreen tree that typically grows to about 5-10 m in height. It occurs in temperate climates in forests and woodlands in mountains and hills in eastern and southern Africa, including parts of KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, Mozambique, Swaziland and Malawi. Its English and Afrikaans names refer to the peppery taste of the bark and leaves. ‘Salutaris’ means ‘healthful’, alluding to the reason it is so widely sought after not only for traditional medicine but also as an alternative remedy in tablet form on the shelves of pharmacies. The scientific name of Pepper-bark tree is Warburgia salutaris. It is known as Mulanga or Manakha in Venda; isiBaha/isiBhaha in Zulu, Peperbasboom or Peperblaarboom in Afrikaans, and Molaka in South Sotho. The Endangered Wildlife Trust recently embarked on an exciting project to conserve this significant tree in the Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province. This multi-pronged project includes the monitoring of existing populations and improving the natural habitat through the removal of alien and invasive plant species that encroach on its habitat. Over 10,000 invasive Sicklebush (Dichrostachys cinerea) trees have been removed since April/May 2020. The wood was made available to local communities for firewood.
We are also assessing the extent of trade in local markets and will be working with traditional healers to encourage the cultivation of this important species in homesteads. Scientists have confirmed that the same active phytochemicals occur in the bark and the leaves of the Pepper-bark tree. This means that the leaves can be substituted for the bark in traditional medicine. Harvesting the leaves of trees more sustainable than removing bark, particularly if the tree is cultivated in homesteads. The leaves are also starting to appear in some markets, which is encouraging from a conservation perspective.
We would like to thank the Fondation Franklinia for their support of this project, which not only contributes to the strategic conservation of the Endangered Pepper-bark tree, but also ensures that people who depend on traditional medicine will continue to access this important species in the future.
References
Gurib-Fakim A. 2006. Medicinal plants: traditions of yesterday and drugs of tomorrow. Molecular Aspects of Medicine: 27: 1-93
Williams V.L., Victor J.E. and Crouch N.R. 2013. Red Listed medicinal plants of South Africa: status, trends and assessment challenges South African Journal of Botany 86: 23-25.
A LEGACY OF LAND: PAPKUILSFONTEIN PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT
JP le Roux, Field Officer , Drylands Conservation Programme, jeanpierrel@ewt.org.za
The proposed Papkuilsfontein Protected Environment is situated in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The farm forms part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 5 Sustainable Land Management (SLM) initiative implemented by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Dryland Conservation Programme and funded by the United Nations Development Programme and Department of Environment, Forestry, & Fisheries.
The GEF 5 project promotes innovative approaches to protecting the vulnerable ecosystems in the dryland areas. Most farms in the drylands rely solely on agricultural income, which makes them particularly vulnerable to adverse climatic conditions, such as the current drought. One of the ways the project assists farmers, is through encouraging diversification of farming activities that are not weather dependent and that can help build economic resilience in the face of negative environmental and economic conditions.
An SLM exchange is used as one of the strategies to implement projects. The latter is an arrangement where the EWT offers assistance to the farmer, in exchange for an SLM commitment. A Small Grant (SG) is made available to fund an SLM project that the farmer wishes to implement. In exchange for this, the farmer must actively contribute to the implementation of the project, usually in the form of materials or labour. In addition, the farmer must also make a land management commitment, normally this will entail the implementation of certain practices, management plans or conservation actions on the property.
In the case of Papkuilsfontein, the Van Wyk family applied for assistance to develop a network of mountain bike trails on the farm to complement their existing guest farm accommodation. The mountain bike trails will contribute to existing activities and will draw a new tourism segment to the farm. This will bring about more visitors which will translate into economic benefits and jobs. In exchange for this benefit, enabled by the Small Grant, the Van Wyk family has agreed to declare their farm a Protected Environment. The declaration process represents a collaboration between the landowner, the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Provincial Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Papkuilsfontein will serve as a flagship project to demonstrate the effectiveness of diversifying income streams, as well as actively integrating a biodiversity conservation approach in a living working farming landscape. The Van Wyk family has been farming on this farm for more than six generations and this has always been done with the mindset of conserving this biodiversity hotspot.
What makes Papkuilsfontein such an important area to conserve, is that it lies on the Bokkeveld Plateau, which is known as the bulb capital of the world. More than 1350 species of flowering bulbs occur here. In some areas the density of bulbs reaches more than 20,000 plant per square meter, more than anywhere else on earth.
Four main vegetation types can be found on Papkuilsfontein, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos, Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld, Hantam Karoo and a small area of Vanrhynsdorp Shale Renosterveld. Each of these vegetation types contains a myriad unique species. Approximately 3000 species occur on the Bokkeveld plateau, with high levels of species endemism. More than 80 endemic species can be found here, most of the endemics are geophytes, together with a few succulents and shrubs. More than 30% of the endemics are Red Data species threatened with extinction.
The amazing species richness of the area makes it a high priority to conserve. Looking forward, innovative approaches to protect areas like this will become more important for sustaining farming, tourism and conservation. We are proud to work with conservation champions such as the Van Wyk’s. The success of the project will encourage other farmers to diversify their activities, reduce their risk and conserve biodiversity on their farms. Watch the video of the project here
For more information visit Papkuilsfontein Website
Biodiversity gems on Papkuilsfontein
Besides the incredible botanical biodiversity, Papkuilsfontein is home to 36 mammal species recorded so far, including leopard, black backed jackal, silver fox, bat eared fox, Smith’s red rock rabbit, porcupines, duiker, Cape Clawless otter, pole cat, baboon, rock hyrax, klipspringer and kudu.
Bird species are well represented, with Blue Crane, Lesser Kestrel, Ludwig’s Bustard, Martial Eagle, Black Shoulder Kite, Jackal Buzzard, Cape Pheasant, Namaqua Grouse, Egyptian Goose, Spurwing Goose, Namaqua Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, Bokmakierie, Fiscal Shrike, and Cape Sugarbird all occurring here. Breeding pairs of Vereaux’s Eagles, Blue Cranes and Black Harriers have been recorded on Papkuilsfontein. The Rameron Pigeon, Cape Flycatcher and Southern Water Shrike may also occur along the riverine vegetation. Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, which borders Papkuilsfontein, has recorded 152 species of birds, most of these probably occur on Papkuilsfontein as well.
Reptiles recorded on the farm include the Angulate Tortoise, Mountain Tortoise, as well as ten lizard, agama and gecko species. The most common snakes in the area include the Black Spitting Cobra, Boomslang, Cape Cobra, Rhombic Egg Eater, Skaapsteker and Whipsnake. Four frog species are found in the adjacent Oorlogskloof River and may occur in the rivers of Papkuilsfontein.
Invertebrates found on the farm include many species of bees, flies, beetles, moths, and butterflies. Many of these are important pollinators and have unique interactions with specific flowering plants. These insects include long-tongued flies that are the important pollinators of species such as Babiana.
WORLD RANGER DAY – A CELEBRATION OF OUR EWT CONSERVATION CANINE RANGERS
Megan Murison. EWT Communications Officer, meganm@ewt.org.za
On the 31 July 2020, we celebrate World Ranger Day. This is a day to acknowledge the courageous rangers who risk their lives daily to protect our wildlife, and to commemorate the lives of those who have died fighting for this cause. This year we would like to celebrate the lives and work of our Conservation Canine rangers, particularly the two amazing dogs who passed away in June 2020, Fury and Annie.
Conservation Canine Fury worked with his handler, Shay Seebran, in the screening of vehicles for wildlife products and ammunition. Their two-year partnership included many happy memories and even a few occasions where Fury saved Shay’s life, such as when they encountered an elephant in the bush on a routine antipoaching patrol:
“Fury and I were patrolling towards an observation post approximately 8 km away, when we came across a very moody bull elephant. Despite everything I tried to defuse the situation and back away, the elephant made it clear that we had been in his comfort zone for too long, and that mock charging was not an option anymore. I unclipped Fury’s lead and chased him because I knew I was not going to outrun the elephant, nor did I want to shoot the animal. I guess Fury’s instinct kicked in and despite his size he charged at the elephant charging at me, putting himself between me and the elephant, miraculously stopping the elephant in his tracks and sending him fleeing in the opposite direction, leaving me speechless and in tears, thanking my K9 for saving my life”
-Shay Seebran
Travelling across South Africa as a team, they spent every second of the day together, leaving an everlasting footprint in the fight to save African wildlife. Fury, a legend in conservation and a well-known friend to many, has left his legacy to be carried on by many conservationists just like him. Losing him was a big loss to Shay and the EWT as a family.
“The legend may be gone, but certainly not forgotten, and I appreciate your service, rest in power son.”
-Shay Seebran
Conservation Canine Annie was sponsored by the EWT and trained at the Southern African Wildlife College. This is where she met her handler, Colin Patrick. Annie was trained to track, and her job was to follow up on poacher spoor at both fence incursions and away from crime scenes. Her legacy is proof that she was a true hero. Annie and her handler Colin were one of the first K9 Conservation teams to develop the ability to track down suspects at night, which changed the game in the fight against rhino poaching, and the team became highly successful at tracking down and arresting suspects. She assisted with over 17 arrests, one of which was a 13 hour follow up, during which they tracked poachers for 43.5 km to successfully apprehend the suspects. An extremely loyal conservation canine since 2018, she never left Colin’s side and travelled with him wherever he went.
“Their bond was unbreakable and one in a million and all were amazed by their connection”.
-Becky Patrick
“It was a privilege and honour to be a part of Annie’s life, to call her my partner and friend. Thank you, Annie, for your dedication and loyalty. Your legacy is an inspiration to all conservationists.”
-Colin Patrick
Fury’s work was funded by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and Tourvest and supported by Royal Canin and Boehringer-Ingelheim. Annie’s work was supported by the EWT through sponsorship from the Relate Trust, MyPlanetRhino, Platinum Life, Royal Canin and Boehringer-Ingelheim, and a big thanks to Tomlin’s family for their ongoing support of the EWT Conservation Canines.
COLOUR CODING FOR CONSERVATION: ASSESSING THE RED LIST STATUS AND GREEN STATUS OF THE BLUE CRANE
Christie Craig, PhD Candidate & Western Cape Field Officer, African Crane Conservation Programme (ACCP)
Our National Bird, the Blue Crane, is an interesting species in the context of modern conservation. They occur in the eastern grasslands of South Africa, Karoo, and Western Cape, with a very small isolated population in northern Namibia (less than 50 cranes). Blue Cranes were once abundant in our eastern grasslands, but in the second half of the 20th century, degradation of these habitats led to a crash in the Blue Crane population – an estimated decline of around 90%. At much the same time, areas of Fynbos in the Western Cape were being rapidly transformed for cultivation, namely wheat and pastures. Blue Cranes found these cultivated lands enticing and flocked to the Western Cape. Their numbers increased so dramatically that we now estimate that over half of all Blue Cranes live in the Western Cape.
An intensively farmed agricultural landscape, such as those the Blue Cranes have chosen to occupy, can be a treacherous place for wildlife, and presents the cranes and conservationists working to protect the species with significant challenges. Threats rife in these areas include powerline collisions, fence entanglements, breeding disturbances, and occasionally conflict with farmers. Climate change and socio-economic factors placing further pressure on the agricultural landscape call into question the stability of this ‘artificial’ population. By contrast for example, the Karoo population experiences much less disturbance and as a result the population numbers have remained quite stable over the years.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is a tool used to categorise the risk of extinction in species, and provides information on their range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and existing conservation initiatives. The categories into which species are placed range in severity from Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered to Vulnerable. Species that are not yet considered threatened but have suffered some declines are categorised as Near-Threatened, while species that have healthy, stable populations are classified as Least Concern. The Red-Listing process is rigorous, and to inform the process biologists need reliable quantitative data to demonstrate actual or future declines in the species. The Blue Crane is listed on the global IUCN Red List as Vulnerable because of the declines in their grassland habitats and the rate of their population decline (30–50%) over three generations (39 years for Blue Crane).
The Red List is an incredibly useful tool for prioritising species for conservation action based on sound scientific evidence. However, it does have its limitations. As we see more positive impacts from conservation interventions, it is becoming clear that many species are in some way dependent on continued conservation efforts, and if these were to stop, the species population could once again begin to decline. These nuances are not accounted for in the red-listing process, which is what led the IUCN and other partners to establish the IUCN Green Status of Species. The Green Status is a way to categorise a species according to its recovery potential, its state of recovery, and its dependence on conservation. In December 2019, The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s African Crane Conservation Programme (EWT-ACCP) took part in a global project run by the IUCN to test the Green Status of real-world species. We ran through the process of assessing the Green Status of the Blue Crane, the results of which, as well as those for hundreds of other species across the globe, are being analysed by the IUCN and will soon be published for comment from the scientific community. We are very excited to have contributed to this exciting project, which will allow us to view threatened species not just in terms of their risk of extinction, but also of their recovery potential.
However, assessing the extinction risk of a species through the Red-List is, and will remain, an important part of understanding the conservation status of a species. In the case of the Blue Crane, with available data showing the population increasing in parts (Western Cape), and stable or slowly declining in others (Karoo and grasslands), it was proposed that the Blue Crane’s Red List status be down-listed from Vulnerable to Near-Threatened. This is every conservationist’s ultimate goal – to see species move down to less threatened categories. However, due to the population crash in the grasslands, and the uncertainty about the long-term viability of the Western Cape population, we considered the down-listing very carefully. In 2012 Sally Hofmeyr, a PhD student in the University of Cape Town’s Animal Demography Unit (ADU) undertook a detailed analysis of Blue Crane monitoring data collected by citizen scientists, which showed an increase overall for the Blue Crane population. As this data are now almost 10 years old, I worked with Sally to update this analysis up until 2019. What we found was rather concerning, as in the last 10–14 years, the Western Cape population stabilised and then began to decline. In the Overberg, where we find the highest density of Blue Cranes, the population has been declining on average by 4% per annum since 2011. More than half of all Blue Cranes are found in the Western Cape, and if we continue to see even a lower rate of decline (2% per annum), we can still expect the global population to decline in the region of 32% over the next 39 years. Given this worrying trend in the Western Cape, the EWT, the International Crane Foundation (ICF), the IUCN Crane Specialist Group, CapeNature and the Fitz Patrick Institute motivated that the Blue Crane remain listed as Vulnerable. The reasons for the decline are unclear, but my PhD project is focused on better understanding the threats and opportunities this species faces in the Western Cape. Armed with this knowledge, we are in a better position to inform and prioritise conservation action to conserve our national bird. This research is funded by the Leiden Conservation Foundation, Eskom and Dave Myers.
