Page 13 | Endangered Wildlife Trust

Flood Brings Frogs to Life at Medike

By Darren Pieterse, Medike Nature Reserve and Ecology Manager: Soutpansberg Protected Area

Following the recent good rains on the EWT Medike Reserve and the Soutpansberg in general, the Sand River came down in flood for the first time in two years. Almost instantly, a cacophony of amphibian calls accompanied the rising water level. Amphibians are well-known to rapidly take advantage of suitable conditions for breeding, as they never know when the next opportunity may occur, and most species’ eggs and tadpoles are reliant on water to complete their initial life stage (until they metamorphosise into terrestrial froglets that are less reliant on water). Calls are useful for researchers as each species’ call is unique, although some species, such as Tandy’s, Tremolo and Cryptic Sand Frogs, cannot be reliably told apart based on external characteristics. This means that calls or DNA are required to make a positive identification.

Amphibians play a critical role in the ecosystem. They mostly prey on insects such as the flying ants, which abounded during our survey. They, in turn, are eaten by a variety of mammals, birds and snakes. Amphibians are also a good indicator of ecosystem health. Because frog skin is very porous to allow water to be absorbed and carbon dioxide to be released (the skin of toads is less porous), frogs are sensitive to chemicals such as industrial pollutants. As such, frogs are rarely found in areas with chemical pollution.

The recent onset of frog activity was an ideal opportunity for us to assess what species occur on Medike Reserve, and to get an indication of ecosystem health. During our survey, we recorded 14 different species (although the reserve’s list currently stands at 23 species). None of the species recorded are threatened, although the relatively high species diversity does suggest that the freshwater system is still healthy. Two threatened species are expected to occur on Medike Reserve, one of which is only found on the Soutpansberg and nowhere else on earth. We will continue looking for these and additional species.

Of the species recorded, the Red-banded Rubber Frog is the most interesting, as it exudes toxins from its skin to dissuade predators from eating it. It advertises its toxic state through its bright black-and-red colouration, known as aposematic colouration. This frog exudes cardiotoxins (toxins that affect the heart) from its skin, so if you’re going to kiss a frog in the hopes that it will become a prince (or princess), it’s probably best not to kiss this frog.

Painted Reed Frog – Hyperolius marmoratus

African Bullfrog – Pyxicephalus edulis

Banded Rubber Frog- Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Plain Grass Frog – Ptychadena anchietae

Bubbling Kassina – Kassina senegalensis

Russet-backed Sand Frog – Tomopterna marmorata

Eastern Red Toad – Schismaderma carens

Southern Foam-nest Frog – Chiromantis xerampelina

Northern Pygmy Toad – Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti

Tremolo Sand Frog – Tomopterna adiastola – Pair in amplexus

Driving half a million kilometres for EWT

By Ronelle Visagie, Field Officer: Birds of Prey Programme & Wildlife & Energy Programme

During September 2005 I started working for the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme in the Karoo. It was in these beginning years that I drove a Nissan 1400 bakkie for nearly 3 years. The main purpose of the Project at that time was to engage with the farmers regarding the raptors at their farms. It was also expected of field officers to do all power line investigations in our area. I used to drive to a farm and then the farmer had to take me to where I had to work.

During February 2008 I did the first raptor monitoring with the support of the Nissan 1400 in Mokala National Park near Kimberley. The vehicle was too low and too small for driving off-road, but somehow, I managed. Returning from a trip to the Kgalagadi National Park the same month, I collided with a kudu on the gravel road between Prieska and Strydenburg. Fortunately, I sustained no injuries, but there was R22,000 damage to the Nissan. I had driven 27 126 km with the Nissan before the EWT supplied with a Mazda BT50 sponsored by Mazda with 37 805 km on the clock. The very reliable Mazda retired at 431 886 km after many memory-making adventures in the Karoo and Kalahari as we crossed the landscape for 15 years. Just imagine doing vulture nest monitoring in the Kalahari sand with a 2 x 4 and getting stuck on each and every survey.

During November 2022 I received the Ford Ranger 4 X 4 and the adventures continued. At least I do not get stuck in the Kalahari sand anymore! During July 2023 a small rhino calf that was deserted by its mother hit the left back door – in case you wondered why there is a picture of a rhino alongside a vulture and an eagle on the left back door.

The 500 000 km mark was reached during the vulture ringing week in the larger Kimberley area in October 2024. As I do a lot of field work for the Birds of Prey and Wildlife and Energy Programmes, I do travel a lot in the Northern and Eastern Cape and also in the Orange Free State. Now the challenge is on for one of my colleagues at the EWT to reach half a million km!

Determining how Elephant impact on Vulture breeding sites in the Limpopo River valley: new research

By John Davies, Birds of Prey Programme project coordinator: Raptor Conservation Project

“Go to the banks of the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees, and find out.” These iconic words, published over 120 prior, are always in the back of my mind when travelling to this incredible part of South Africa.

It is in some ways a surprise that the Limpopo Valley, particulary the region lying to the west of the world-renowned Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, is still so poorly known. Perhaps this has been one of the saving graces for many of the species that call it home, resulting in little disturbance throughout certain areas.

A standout feature here are the large tracts of Ana trees dotting the islands and the banks of the Limpopo River, forming ancient forests that form an important habitat for breeding White-backed Vultures, Pel’s Fishing Owls, and is even one of the only breeding sites for Marabou Stalks in the country.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time with Dr Sarah Venter from the Baobab Foundation to do a preliminary investigation on the impacts that Elephant populations are having on these trees. I travelled up to meet Dr Venter in the Soutpansberg, before driving down to Ratho Bush camp. Following our arrival, we immediately spent the last part of the day searching for any Vulture nest trees, looking at whether the nest is active or not, and how much bark has been stripped from the trunk. Fortunately, many of the trees here, and a few on other properties, have had mesh wrapped around their trunks to protect them, and although this is an effective way of reducing bark stripping, it is of course not possible to do this for every tree. The recent drought in Botswana appears to have exacerbated the situation, and a similar trend has started to emerge throughout the area we visited, with landowners also expressing concern about this.

Over the next few days were spent our time walking significant tracts of river, and although it was an amazing experience, it was incredibly alarming to see how serious the situation is, with a large proportion of un-meshed trees having either large parts of their trunks debarked, or completely ring-barked. This is an inevitable precursor to these river giants’ eventual demise.

Considering the threats that species such as White-backed Vultures face at present, particularly with wildlife poisoning taking its toll on the population at a continental level, the risk of losing significant tracts of suitable breeding habitat is not something that can easily be ignored. Although this visit opens the conversation around the next steps to mitigate the loss of riparian forest in the region, there is still a significant amount of work lying ahead before we can start to restore this fragile habitat to its former glory.

The resilience of a Wattled Crane chick

By:Jacquie van der Westhuizen – Field Officer | African Crane Conservation Proramme – Drakensberg

Above: The Crane family just after the chick had flown across the wetland, all big and grown up and the wetland looking beautiful and green.

Have you ever wondered what happens to a tiny, approximately three-week-old Wattled Crane chick in the event of a fire destroying the very wetland that it lives in?

This is a question that the EWT / International Crane Foundation team have been pondering for some time.

Wattled cranes are winter breeders, breeding from April to October, which also happens to coincide with fire season.

On 7 July, a runaway fire destroyed huge portions of timber plantations and wetlands on Mount Gilboa in the Karkloof, KZN Midlands. According to farmers who were fighting the fires, the fire swept through the wetlands at an alarming speed due to them being drier than usual. The devastation was huge – lives were lost, grazing was lost, animals were burnt and had to be euthanised and hundreds of hectares of forest completely destroyed. Every single wetland on Mount Gilboa was completely burnt, except for a small area of reeds about a metre wide around each pond in the wetland where Wattled Cranes were nesting.

I went up to check on the cranes a week after the fire and was totally shocked at what I saw.

At the first nest site I checked, the adults had been sitting on eggs due to hatch on about 26 June, but with the wetland being burnt, I honestly did not think a chick could have survived the fire. I found the adults foraging in the burnt wetland close to their nest site. I just sat a watched hoping to see a chick, but sadly nothing. Ever the optimist, I sat and started videoing the pair, hoping to see something on the video that I couldn’t see through my binoculars and to my utter joy, I saw this tiny little grey blob running from the one adult to the other. I’ve never watched a video so many times to get confirmation that it really was a little chick, dirty from the soot and blending in with the burnt grasses.

There have been a few theories tossed around as to how it survived the fire. One is that the adults walked it out the fire, but according to the farmers, the fire went through the wetlands too fast and they would never have got it out in time. It was definitely too small to fly out. Another theory is that the parents took it into the water, left it there hidden near the edge of the pond, maybe under some grass, while they flew to safety and returned once the fire had gone. I am going with the last theory as it is the only one that makes sense to me. We have nicknamed the crane chick Snorkel!

On the 21 September, a huge cold front hit the KZN region and we experienced heavy rain and the worst snow storms in many years. It also snowed up on Mount Gilboa – the snow was up to half a metre deep in places and freezing. Not being able to get up there myself, I was absolutely delighted to get a beautiful photo of our special crane family walking in a snow-covered pasture from a farmer friend that lives on Mount Gilboa.

This little chick had survived a devastating fire and now one of the worst snow storms in years. Can you imagine my delight when I saw it a few weeks ago, almost the same size as its parents, clumsily flapping its wings and then taking flight across the wetlands.

The knowledge that this Wattled Crane chick had survived a fire and a snow storm and had now fledged is absolutely amasing and truly heartwarming!

Above left: Burnt wetlands a week after the fire with bakkie in the foreground.

Above right: two week old chick so one can see how big the chick was when the fire came through.

Above: Wattled Crane family in the snow

Cheetah repopulation initiative in the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve

By: Mark Bishop – publisher and editor of Kruger2Canyon News

In a significant conservation effort, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), a leading conservation NGO with over 50 years of experience in southern Africa, in collaboration with the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve (GMNR), is spearheading a project aimed at revitalising the cheetah population in the GMNR. This initiative is part of the broader Carnivore Range Expansion Project, which focuses on species conservation across South Africa and neighbouring countries.

The EWT’s Cheetah Range Expansion Project Coordinator and Coordinator of Cheetah Advisory Group, Olivia Sievert says the success of the EWT’s work involves collaboration with various reserves—both private and governmental—throughout South Africa. These partnerships extend to Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi.

“Cheetahs are facing a multitude of threats, including habitat loss, conflict with humans, and competition with other predators,” said Olivia. “Relocation efforts are crucial to maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring the species’ viability.”

Discussions began with the Makalali team two years ago, following a dramatic decline in the local cheetah population due to an overabundance of lions in the area, which had led to significant predation on cheetahs and a population crash around 2018.

A project like this one, involves carefully selected cheetahs being relocated to reserves where they can thrive and contribute to genetic diversity. There is an immense amount of ecological, habitat, predator and animal population data considered for any cheetah relocation – it’s not a matter of ‘we don’t have them, let’s put them in’.

As of 2023, with only two cheetahs remaining on the reserve, a new plan had to be developed. Antony Collett, the Warden of GMNR was already in discussion with EWT concerning relocation of cheetah onto the reserve. With only two resident individuals there was little chance that the population would bounce back. GMNR took the decision, in consultation with EWT, to initiate a program to bolster the dwindling cheetah numbers by relocating individuals from larger reserves that had experience with lion interactions.

Four cheetah – a female, her two sub-adult daughters and a male – were identified and successfully relocated from Tswalu Nature Reserve to GMNR. While the male cub tragically fell victim to a leopard, the remaining females have adapted well to their new environment and are now ready to be sired.

To strengthen the population, a coalition of four male cheetahs, led by Stompie (so called because of his short tail), was identified and moved from Inkomazi Game Reserve near Barberton, and recently released onto the GMNR. Stompie joined the coalition of three males – he is unrelated, and formerly a lone male – and they have all been together for the lasty five months. The relocation process involved a meticulous planning and execution phase, with the cheetahs being carefully transported and acclimated to their new surroundings. The hope is that the coalition will successfully integrate into the GMNR ecosystem and contribute to the growth of the cheetah population.

“We are committed to protecting the endangered species that call our reserve home,” stated Antony. “The introduction of these cheetahs is a strategic step towards restoring the balance of the ecosystem and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our wildlife.”

Cheetah cubs typically stay with their mothers for 13 to 16 months, forming strong sibling bonds until they are ready to establish their own territories. This relocation strategy ensures that the males remain a cohesive unit, promoting social stability and survival in their new home.

Collett emphasises the responsibility of reserves as custodians of endangered species, highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices. He noted that in the past the lion population was higher in the GMNR, but that between 22 – 25 lion is considered as the ultimate goal and as a sustainable lion population for the reserve. This change, part of a collaborative effort with the Lion Management Forum, also aims to maintain and contribute to ecological balance and enhance the reserve’s biodiversity.

In addition to managing lion populations, GMNR is implementing a five-year burning protocol and bush clearance program to create more suitable habitats for cheetahs and other plains animals. The long-term vision is to maintain a healthy, sustainable population of big cats, but also to ensure the survival of the cheetahs by opening up more areas, thereby creating more favourable cheetah micro-habitats.

GMNR is presently home to five females (one of which is currently in a large ‘lion-free’ zone’ and which has just given birth to cubs) and the newly introduced coalition of males to add to the one currently on the reserve, which is the father of the newly born cubs. The hope is that the introduced coalition of cheetahs will successfully breed and contribute to broader conservation efforts by helping repopulate other reserves. This marks an ambitious first step toward establishing a self-sustaining cheetah population on the Makalali.

The relocation process involves a short acclimatisation period in a boma, allowing the cheetahs to adapt to their new surroundings before full release. The EWT’s approach ensures that the cheetahs are well-equipped to thrive in their new home.

As the reserve continues to expand – soon to add 6 000 hectares (30 000 hectares in total) including two river systems – the potential for multiple cheetah coalitions becomes increasingly viable. The reserve aims to create a self-regulating population, a rarity in conservation efforts.

Collett is adamant that “as a nature reserve, we need to be protective of the land and the animals in the area.” He emphasised the importance of sustainable wildlife management and habitat preservation in supporting the cheetah population.

The successful introduction of these cheetah will be measured in several phases: their ability to adapt post-release, establish comfortable territories, breed with the existing females, and ultimately, ensure the survival of their cubs. Achieving these milestones would not only signify a triumph for the EWT and the GMNR, but also mark a pivotal moment in the conservation of this iconic species in South Africa.

“We are committed to protecting South Africa’s endangered species and ensuring their long-term survival,” said Olivia Sievert. “The cheetah relocation project is a significant step towards that goal.”

EWT TORTOISE CONSERVATION CANINES – NOSY FOR NATURE

By: Esther Matthew – Specialist Officer | Drylands Conservation Programme

Chelonians includes all tortoise, turtle, and terrapin species. For the purposes of this article, we will use the term “tortoises”.

South Africa is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world and is home to no less than two of the world’s most well-known botanical “biodiversity hotspots”, the Succulent Karoo and Fynbos Biomes. However, few people are aware that South Africa also holds the title as the tortoise capital of the world. South Africa is home to no less than 13 tortoise species, most of which are endemic to the country.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in partnership with the Turtle Conservancy (TC) launched tortoise conservation research projects over the last two years to locate viable populations and implement conservation action for three of South Africa’s most Endangered tortoises in the dryland areas of South Africa, including the Karoo, which is home to nine of the 13 tortoise species found in South Africa.

There are five species of dwarf tortoise globally, four of which occur in the South African Karoo and one in Namibia. As their name implies, dwarf tortoises rank amongst the smallest of the tortoise species. South Africa also has one Critically Endangered tortoise species, called the Geometric Tortoise. Unfortunately, over the last 20 years researchers have started to notice an alarming decline in population numbers for all of three of the country’s Endangered tortoise species. This significant impact can be attributed to factors like habitat loss, poaching, and crow predation that has been specifically being observed.

Certainly, the human teams have struggled to find a single viable population of both the Karoo and the Speckled Dwarf Tortoise over the last two years of extensive surveys. More than 20 surveys have yielded depressingly few live animals, and in most cases only shell fragments are to be found. All these species are elusive and well camouflaged, making it difficult for even the well-trained eye to spot. As such, it has been vital for us to look at other survey methods, such as using scent detection dogs.

The EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme, therefore, started training scent detection dogs to assist with tortoise fieldwork projects. Two Border collies, Delta and Dash, have been assisting our team in the field to help locate tortoises with a little guidance from their handler Esther Matthew. Delta has been contributing to this research for the last two years, while Dash only recently started helping after passing his certification. The dogs have helped increase the number of finds, with Delta almost setting a record of six tortoises found in 50 minutes for one of the species. The detection dogs make our search efforts a lot more efficient as we are able to move faster and find hidden tortoises we would likely have missed. Their assistance in the field contributes to data collection for species distribution mapping and monitoring the survival of species in the wild. We can’t wait to see how their “nose work” will continue to benefit the conservation of these unique tortoise species.

The EWT tortoise conservation work is supported by Turtle Conservancy, Dwarf Tortoise Conservation, Rainforest Trust and the IUCN NL. A special word of thanks to Ford Wildlife Foundation for the vehicles that safely gets our staff and working dogs to the remote locations across the Western- and Northern Cape, where we conduct our vital tortoise surveys.

Please note, that landowner permission and valid permits from relevant conservation authorities in each province are always required for the use of conservation detection dogs. Additionally, all tortoises are protected species and listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as well as provincial legislation such as the CapeNature Conservation Ordinance of 1974 and National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004. As such, it is illegal to collect any tortoise species in South Africa, and they may not be kept as pets without a permit. However, please report sightings of these rare species to us at ewt@ewt.org.za.

Targeting Hotspots: Protecting Lesser Flamingos from Power Line Collisions

Science Snippets:

Targeting Hotspots: Protecting Lesser Flamingos from Power Line Collisions

By: Erin Adams and Lizanne Roxburgh

With an increase in human population comes a rising demand for electricity. However, this also brings the heightened risk of wildlife colliding with the structures that distribute that electricity across the landscape. Birds such as the Lesser Flamingo, which is Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, frequently collide with power lines, often resulting in fatalities. Solutions like flashing markers on power lines can help reduce the risk, especially for birds that fly at night, like flamingos. However, these methods are costly, meaning they can’t be applied across the entire range of the Lesser Flamingo’s distribution. The best approach, therefore, is to determine where these markers would be most effective in reducing bird collisions with power lines. In a recent publication co-authored by EWT scientists*, the risk of power line collisions was modelled to address this exact need.

Three main inputs were used to create these models for Lesser Flamingos: 1) a habitat suitability index, 2) species exposure, and 3) threat exposure. The habitat suitability index included food availability, water quality, and water availability. Food availability, for instance, can be estimated based on the extent of green colouration in waterbodies, indicating the presence of the flamingos’ preferred food-cyanobacteria and diatoms. Species exposure accounted for the height at which Lesser Flamingos are likely to fly and the abundance of flamingos at a given site. Higher concentrations of flamingos increase the risk of power line collisions, especially when flamingos fly at lower altitudes. The final part of the model focused on threat exposure, including the height of the power line cables and their proximity to waterbodies where flamingos gather.

The risk of Lesser Flamingos colliding with power lines is based on the height of the power line and the flight height of the flamingo. There is no collision risk above 50 m due to the maximum height of power line cables (figure from Pretorius et al. 2023).

The scientists found that habitat suitability and flight height were the best predictors of where Lesser Flamingos are at most risk of colliding with power lines. Flamingos were only at risk of collision with power lines when flying lower than 50 meters (see Figure) and within 3 kilometers from the water’s edge. High-risk power line sections were identified within 3 kilometer buffers around waterbodies, prioritised by habitat suitability for Lesser Flamingos. This approach has significantly reduced the number of power line spans identified for proactive marking with flashing markers. As a result, marking power lines can be done cost-effectively while maximising protection for Lesser Flamingos. This modelling approach can also be adapted for other bird species at risk of colliding with power lines.

*Pretorius, M. D., Galloway-Griesel, T. L., Leeuwner, L., Michael, M. D., Durgapersad, K., & Chetty, K. (2023). Defining Collision Risk: Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Power Line Collision Sensitivity and Exposure for Proactive Mitigation. Birds, 4(4), 315-329. https://doi.org/10.3390/birds4040027

On the Greens for Wildlife: alexforbes & EWT Golf Day

By Tammy Baker. Donor relations officer for The EWT.

The highveld weather was at its very best on the 17th of October at the Dainfern Golf Estate, as our fourballs lined up for their shotgun start.

The day just got better from there as we were treated to a beautiful aerial display by an African Harrier Hawk and some spirited, competitive golf under the glorious Joburg sun.

After a few good hours out on the course (which ran a bit long for some new to the game) and a some sundowners on the deck, we kicked off our prize-giving with a heartfelt address from Avishal Seeth of Alexforbes. Avi thanked everyone for attending and reminded us of the importance of conserving our precious wildlife and the landscapes that we depend on, for the next generation and many more to come.

The crowd was filled with well-known regulars and many new faces. Our skilled auctioneer and friend, Michael Scholz, aka the 40-year-old rookie, was in top form during the auction, helping us exceed our fundraising target.

A big thank you to Colette Van Dyk and the team at Alexforbes for sponsoring the day and bringing in your own fourballs. Thank you to our loyal supporters and all our new ones. Special thanks to aha Hotels and Lodges, our long-term cherished donors, as well as new partners, Dream Resorts and Hotels, for sponsoring some incredible prizes. Thank you to Painted Wolf Wines for joining us, and to ReWorx, our new supporter. Thanks to everyone who made this day such a success, including Indaba Hotel, Trappers Traders, Grill House Sandton, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Greenfinch lodge, Renaissance spa Sandton, Kloofzicht Lodge and spa, Glenburn lodge and spa and African Hills Safari Lodge.

Cricket and Canine Heroes: Jocks of the Bushveld

By Tammy Baker. Donor relations officer for The EWT.

On Saturday, 5th of October, 22 dedicated “Jocks”, passionate about both cricket and conservation, took to the pitch at CCJ Auckland Park to raise funds for wildlife preservation. The Skukuza Snakes won the toss and chose to bat first in their 30-over match. Strong partnerships lead them to a competitive score of 275.

During the innings break, friends and families of the Jocks of the Bushveld were treated to an exciting conservation canine demonstration by the incredible scent detection dog, Remi. This canine superstar showed off his remarkable skills, detecting substances like ammunition, pangolin scales, lion bones, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and even succulents! Remi’s handler, Fudhail, captivated the audience with updates on the critical work he and his scent and tracking dogs, Kisha and Remi, are doing in the Pilansberg to safeguard our precious wildlife.

After a well-deserved lunch and a few refreshing beers, it was time for the second innings. Maria’s Pundas took to the field, hoping to chase down the Snakes’ score. However, the Snakes’ bowlers delivered key wickets, stifling the Pundas’ efforts to build the necessary partnerships. Despite their best efforts, the Pundas fell short by 35 runs, finishing with a total of 240 runs.

With the cricket match concluded, it was time for the highly anticipated Jocks race-a gruelling lap around the field, where the weary cricketers competed in four groups: the Wild Dogs, Wildebeests, Buffaloes, and the Hippos. The cricketers gave it their all, and the crowd cheered on both winners and those who just fell short.

Event organiser Byron Lotter of the Maria’s Pundas addressed the teams after the game, thanking them all for their support and highlighting the importance of supporting a cause such as the EWT. “We all love the bush and take our families there as often as we can. That’s why we support conservation and the EWT – so that our children’s children can enjoy Africa and all of her precious resources for generations to come”, said Byron.

Thank you to all the Jocks and their families for their participation, and special thanks to Byron, Lawrie, and your family for your generosity and your deep love and for Africa and its wildlife. Conservation thanks you.

Environmental Education and Butterflies – Start them Young

By Renier Basson (Senior Field Officer), Drylands Conservation Programme

When you first think of threatened or endangered species, you might immediately picture Rhinos, African Wild Dogs, Pangolins, or even some other charismatic bird, reptile, or amphibian. However, did you know that many insect species in South Africa are also threatened? Most of these insects are found in in the Western Cape, particularly in the Fynbos biome. Among these, butterfly and beetles receive far more attention than any other insect group. All 23 Cape stag beetle species (family Lucanidae, genus Colophon) are currently threatened, primarily due to climate change, habitat destruction, and illegal poaching – yes, even insects are poached!

Regarding butterflies, the most threatened species belong to the families Lycaenidae (coppers, opals and skollies) and Hesperiidae (skippers and rangers). These butterflies are all relatively small and inconspicuous, with tiny, isolated populations scattered throughout the landscape. Some threatened butterflies inhabit areas smaller than 100 square meters! Habitat destruction, mainly caused by alien invasive vegetation and landscape transformation, poses a significant threat to these species in the Western Cape.

To help conserve these butterflies, the Drylands Conservation Programme, in collaboration with Bionerds, has launched projects funded by Disney and Table Mountain Fund. These initiatives aim to protect six butterfly species in the Lycaeinidae family: the Moorreesburg Opal (Chrysoritis thysbe schloszae), Dickson’s Copper (Chrysoritis dicksoni), Bearded Skolly (Thestor barbatus), Dickson’s Skolly (Thestor dicksoni warren), Kaplan’s Skolly (Thestor kaplani), and Strutt’s Skolly (Thestor strutti). All of these are listed as Critically Endangered, and their populations are rapidly declining. Protecting our threatened butterflies requires safeguarding their habitats, which includes habitat protection activities such as clearing alien invasive vegetation. While physically protecting habitats is crucial, educating the public is equally important!

One key component of the project is environmental education aimed at schools near the six butterfly populations. Bionerds has created a colourful, interactive booklet titled “Threatened Butterflies of the Western Cape” for learners from grades 4 to 7. On September 19, Field Officer Renier Basson visited W.F. Loots Primary in Wolseley to present on the ecological importance of butterflies and the threats they face. The Strutt’s Skolly, found in the area, was a focal point of the presentation. Renier began by explaining, “What is a butterfly?” covering topics from taxonomic classification and morphology to metamorphosis, pollination, and threats. The 51 learners from grades 5 and 6 were engaged and inquisitive, asking numerous questions.

After the presentation, Renier handed out the booklets , and the students eagerly participated by reading important sections aloud. They also answered questions from the first few pages, which sparked curiousity and encouraged them to share their newfound insights. Questions included broad topics like “What do adult butterflies eat?” and “Where do butterflies lay their eggs?” To further engage the students, Renier showcased pinned and framed insects. With five display boxes filled with insects, the learners were divided into groups to maximise their time exploring each box. They had to identify butterflies in the boxes, which proved challenging as some moths closely resemble butterflies. The students were also encouraged to ask questions about the insects they observed. The excitement on their faces as they received new boxes was priceless!

Incorporating environmental education for children into all conservation programmes is essential. Children are curious, enthusiastic, and passionate about nature, making them open to listening about the natural world. Start them young!

A special thanks to our partner Bionerds. This project is made possible through Disney Conservation Fund and the Table Mountain Fund.