DEPLOYING NEW TECHNIQUES TO TRACK LOST SPECIES
Cobus Theron, Manager, EWT Drylands Conservation Programme, CobusT@ewt.org.za
The hope of finding the De Winton’s Golden Mole is almost as transient as the mist that passes through the dunes of the West Coast. This particular mole, last seen in 1937, is considered a lost species (see Lostspecies.org). The prospect of finding this creature and proving its existence is an appealing proposition but does not come without significant challenges. The EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme is however up for the challenge. We will be teaming up with the University of Pretoria, to use new approaches and innovative technologies to attempt to find out if this species still inhabits the dunes of the West coast.
The De Winton’s Golden Mole is listed as Critically Endangered. It’s dune habitat, in the region of Port Nolloth, is under severe pressure from mining activities. Information on the species is extremely limited and the species is easily confused with Grant’s Golden Mole (which occupies similar environments) on the West Coast. Dune dwelling moles do not leave tunnels and are thus very difficult to locate or trap. Given these challenges, new approaches are required, if we want to find this species.
In November 2019, re:Wild, through their Lost Species expedition project, made a small grant available to the EWT to investigate new approaches for finding the species. The Drylands Conservation Programme will be teaming up with the Samantha Mynhart from the University of Pretoria and will pilot the use of an Environmental DNA (E-DNA) technique to sift through sand samples collected in the dunes near Port Nolloth. If successful, E-DNA techniques will allow us to detect skin cells shed by the moles as they move through the sand. This will enable us to confirm the presence of any of the golden mole species occurring here. We will commence this project in March 2020 when we embark on a Lost Species expedition up the West Coast to collect samples for analysis. If the results are positive, we could not only rediscover the species, but we will also narrow down the search area for future conservation actions. Watch this space!
CELEBRATING WORLD RHINO DAY
Ndifelani Mulaudzi, Trade Officer, EWT Wildlife in Trade Programme
NdifelaniM@ewt.org.za
The EWT and the Lapalala Wilderness School celebrated World Rhino Day earlier this year with Grade 10 learners from 23 high schools, community and NGOs, from the Waterberg region. To date, 104 Grade 10 learners have participated in debates on issues around rhino poaching. This special day provides the opportunity for learners to develop ideas and solutions to address the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa.
For the past four years, we have held our school competition with learners from the different schools in our host regions. In 2015, we held the competition in Mpumalanga (at the Timbavati) where 20 schools participated. Starting in 2016, we moved the competition to Limpopo (Waterberg Area), where over 23 schools have participated. The competition has since grown to become a community event in the Waterberg area.
While this is a one-day event, the preparation and follow-up extend far beyond the day when learners deliver what they have prepared.
This year’s competition attracted 40 children from 23 schools. Each learner had between three to five minutes to speak on the topic What are the social, political and economic impacts of rhino poaching? Develop an argument and present possible solutions to the impact and challenges.
Considering the age of the competitors, the standard was remarkably high. It was most encouraging to hear the passion and enthusiasm of the speakers for a what is a complex subject. Presentations embraced issues of community involvement, the economic importance of tourism and other values of rhinos, law enforcement (and the efficacy of sentences for poaching), biodiversity conservation, and the general lack of a political commitment to addressing rhino poaching.
While the contest offers valuable prizes in the form of laptops (complete with software and virus protection) for the winning speakers, the real prize is the engagement around these critical conservation topics. The participants go on to become ambassadors for rhinos in their local communities, speaking out against poaching, and acting as eyes and ears on the ground. The contest has a significant impact on the participants as it encourages a perception within local communities that biodiversity can deliver tangible socio-economic benefits. Through this competition, communities see the social upliftment and empowering of the younger generation to attain skills of critical thinking and being involved in solving real issues, including rhino poaching.
The prizes are very helpful to the learners, as they are then equipped with a valuable resource that aids directly with their studies. For example, some, learners have used their laptops for a candidate research project, which is part of the CAPS curriculum to teach the art of research at an early age. The learner who won the competition last year was very grateful to receive the laptop, which we observed on a subsequent school visit. There, we found the learner using the prize to do a project and research for various assignments. She has also used technology that she would have never had at her disposal prior to university. Now, when she goes off to university, she will have a head start in understanding how to use computers to further her education.
The names of the top contestants and the prizes they received are as follows:
- Mmabatho Nkae Mothoa (Ramogabudi Secondary School, Maroteng Village): Laptop, printer, mouse and laptop bag.
- Lebogang Dikgashu (Ebenezer Secondary School, Mahwelereng Township): Laptop, mouse and laptop bag.
- Koketso Augustine Mochoeneng (Ramogabudi Secondary School, Maroteng Village): Camera, 16-GB memory card and printer.
- Isabel Mohumutsi (EDL Rampolo Secondary, Mahwelereng Township): R3,000 voucher for study aid material.
- Tshepang Chauke (EDL Rampolo Secondary, Mahwelereng Township): R3,000 voucher for school uniforms.
- Ted Marothi (Sekoba Secondary School, Mapela Hans Gamasenya Village): R3,000 voucher for school uniforms.
- Marry Nkwana (Nkgoru Secondary School, Nkgoru Village): R2,500 voucher for study aid material.
Thank you to Save the Waterberg Rhino, MyPlantMyRhino Fund, Waterberg Nature Conservancy, Tintswalo Game Lodge, Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, and Waterberg Waves FM for making this competition possible.
THE SHINING STARS OF THE EWT
Belinda Glenn, EWT Marketing and Communications Manager
BelindaG@ewt.org.za
The EWT annual award ceremony is an opportunity to recognise those team members who have excelled in various ways each year. The 2019 edition took place on 27 November, and we are extremely proud of the following well-deserving winners:
- CEO Award: Constant Hoogstad (Senior Manager: Industry Partnerships)
- Programme of the Year: Soutpansberg Protected Area
- Programme Manager of the Year: Lourens Leeuwner (Wildlife and Energy Programme)
- Conservation Achiever: Amos Letsoalo (Wildlife and Energy Programme)
- Conservation Supporter: Claire Relton (Conservation Science Unit/African Crane Conservation Programme), Cynthia Chigangaidze (African Crane Conservation Programme), and Thembi Mlimi (Support Services)
- Outstanding Media Coverage: Drylands Conservation Programme
- Pawprint Brand Ambassador: Cole du Plessis (Carnivore Conservation Programme) and his dog, Lihle
- Newcomer of the Year: Khanya Peacock (Communications)
- Honey Badger Award (Fiercest Field Officer): Oscar Mohale (Wildlife and Energy Programme)
- Maloti Award (Best Conflict Resolution): Ashleigh Dore (Wildlife in Trade Programme)
- Special Recognition: Richard Berridge (Support Services)
- Long Service – 20 Years: Harriet Davies-Mostert (Head of Conservation)
- Long Service – 10 Years: Emma Chisare (Human Resources) and Grant Beverley (Carnivore Conservation Programme)
Congratulations!
A huge thank you to Trappers and Faithful to Nature who donated prizes for our worthy winners.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST
Wishing you a restful holiday season and a happy New Year! Thank you for your wonderful support during 2019.
The EWT has achieved many fantastic conservation successes this year, and this would not have been possible without your contribution.
Please note that our offices close at 14:00 on 19 December 2019, and reopen on 6 January 2020.
FODDER GROWING PUTS A SMILE ON THE FACES OF WOMEN, SAVES RUGEZI MARSH IN RWANDA
Adalbert Aine-omucunguzi, East Africa Regional Manager, and Daniel Munana, Rwanda Field Coordinator, EWT African Crane Conservation Programme (EWT/ICF Partnership)
AldabertA@ewt.org.za and DanielM@ewt.org.za
In Rwanda, like many other developing countries, women are predominantly responsible for management and conservation of resources for their families. They spend vast amounts of time collecting water, fuel wood, food and fodder, and managing crop fields and livestock. Women are also the primary caregivers to children, the elderly and the sick, in addition to ensuring a clean environment around homes. Their traditional and generational knowledge of biodiversity supplies communities with medicines and nutritional balance. As a result of this relationship with nature, women have, over time, acquired knowledge of the land/soil conditions, water, wetlands, and forest resources as well as other environmental features.
Our project in Rwanda has taken advantage of women’s relationship with nature to empower them to grow fodder and reduce vegetation harvesting pressure on Rugezi Marsh. This followed a realisation that women and children were walking long distances on steep slopes and spending many hours harvesting vegetation from Rugezi Marsh to feed livestock. This was in addition to their routine heavy domestic chores. To address this plight of women, as well as reduce pressure on Rugezi Marsh, our project promoted the growing of Napier Grass to provide fodder. We conducted sensitisation campaigns that targeted both men and women, but in the end, women showed a greater interest in the programme. Most of the men confessed that they had allowed or asked their wives to engage in the fodder growing programme. This was not surprising because fodder collection and livestock feeding under a zero grazing system is the responsibility of women.
We provided Napier Grass seedlings to 559 households and provided training on its management. Two years down the road, women from some of these households could not hide their delight when asked how fodder growing has helped them. Below are examples of what they had to say:
Uwiragiye Chantal from Rusarabuye Sector: “Fodder growing saved my time. I used to spend two to three hours in the marsh harvesting grass, but for now, I have it at the comfort of my home. Our animals are well fed because we have enough fodder for them. Rugezi Marsh will recover because we have stopped harvesting grass from it.”
Uzabakiriho Jeannette from Butaro Sector: “I am very happy that the project gave us fodder. My life and that of my family has changed since we started producing fodder on our farm. Feeding my animals has become easy and less time consuming. As a result of feeding animals well, we have more milk for our children and a surplus for sale. We now have more income from milk compared to when we had to gather grass from Rugezi.”
Nyambere Celine from Rusarabuye Sector: “My family is no longer in conflict with neighbours and local leaders. In the past we used to illegally harvest grass from Rugezi, and the local leaders would run after us. At times our hungry animals would escape into our neighbours’ gardens. All this used to generate conflict, but now we are free and my animals feed well. The whole community has benefited because we are giving planting materials to other community members. Some people come to visit our gardens to learn how to grow Napier Grass.”
Ngendahimana Dative from Ruhunde sector: “My children and I no longer move long distances to harvest grass from Rugezi Marsh. We are able to feed our animals using home grown fodder and they are healthy. They are giving more milk, some of which we sell. “
These testimonies are evidence that fodder growing has relieved women of the burden of walking long distances to harvest it from Rugezi Marsh. It has reduced their daily workload and put a smile on their faces.
This work is made possible by the MacArthur Foundation and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).
TACKLING THE RHINO PEAK CHALLENGE
On Saturday, 5 October, a small group of intrepid adventurers tackled the Rhino Peak Challenge, ascending the iconic Rhino Peak in the Southern Drakensberg to raise funds for rhinos, cranes and vultures.
This unique conservation fundraiser supports three beneficiaries – the EWT, Wildlife ACT, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – all of whom are working tirelessly to protect the futures of these incredible species. This year, the event raised a whopping R834,000 in pledges! That’s double what was raised in 2018 (R383,938) and 2017 (R303,788).
Our heartfelt thanks go to Spurgeon Flemington and the team from Running Man Adventures for their commitment to conservation and organising this event each year, to the runners for their willingness to take on this challenge, and to the people who made pledges in support of this wonderful fundraiser.
Thanks also to Cape Union Mart and K-Way, who sponsored gear for our CEO, Yolan Friedmann. A special mention must also go to EWT field officer, Thabo Madlala, who was the first non-elite athlete home, with an impressive time of 3 hrs 27 minutes!
