Page 5 | Endangered Wildlife Trust

EWT-led Vulture Safe Zone certified in a national park

By Eleanor Momberg – Communications manager, Endangered Wildlife Trust

EWT-led Vulture Safe Zone in Mokala National Park

An Endangered Wildlife Trust-led Vulture Safe Zone has been certified in the Mokala National Park – a first for South Africa.

The national park, in the Northern Cape, is a stronghold for breeding White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus). It is the first SANParks national park to be certified a Vulture Safe Zone

“The certification is a further step in a working relationship between the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and SANParks to conserve threatened species and restore and preserve the habitats they require to survive,” says the CEO of the EWT, Yolan Friedmann.

The EWT has been working in Mokala National Park since 2008, monitoring vultures and other raptors. In the last three years, the EWT’s Birds of Prey team and park management have been mitigating threats to vultures and related species on the 27,500ha property with the aim to certify it as a Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ).

What is a Vulture Safe Zone?

Vulture Safe Zones are an outflow of what is commonly known as the Asian Vulture Crisis, spanning the 1980s and 1990s, which saw declines of over 99% in the population of vultures in this landscape. Subsequent research found that the mass die-off had been caused by the veterinary NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), Diclofenac. The disappearance of Vultures in India led to the ecological tipping of scales, causing the death of tens of thousands of people due to the spread of pathogens because of the decline in vultures, known as the environment’s clean-up crew.

The urgent need for action to stop the rapid decline of vulture species in Eurasia and Africa led to the development of the Multi-Species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (commonly referred to as the Vulture MsAP). Vulture Safe Zones are recognised in the Vulture MsAP as a means to encourage the responsible management of the environment by actively reducing threats to vultures in identified areas. In South Africa, the EWT has led the implementation of the Safe Zones, spanning the Karoo, the Kalahari and the Eastern Cape.

Among the criteria for a VSZ is that the area must be poison free and carcasses may not be laced with NSAIDs, power lines are mitigated to prevent electrocutions and collisions by wildlife, breeding or roosting populations of vulture species are protected from disturbance; and that breeding and/or roosting populations are monitored annually.

The Mokala Vulture Safe Zone

Mokala is the first of many identified national parks to be certified as a Vulture Safe Zone. In partnership with Eskom, the project has ensured that all power lines are safe and, through a kind donation by the SANParks Honorary Rangers, the team was able to cover the dams with nets to prevent drownings.

Because the reserve is a stronghold for White-backed Vultures, a team led by the EWT has ringed and tagged over 1,100 vulture chicks in the park since it began working there. In October 2025 alone, 90 chicks were ringed and tagged, and 155 active nests were counted in the larger breeding area, which includes neighbouring farms.

“With the Vulture Safe Zone certification in place, Mokala National Park now has ample support to continue critical conservation efforts to protect their resident vulture populations, as well as other threatened birds of prey, including Martial Eagle and Tawny Eagle,” said Friedmann.

** The EWT would like to thank our donors, partners and collaborators for their ongoing and much appreciated support for this important conservation initiative: Charl van der Merwe Charitable Trust, Puy du Fou, Gauntlet Conservation Trust and Hawk Conservation Trust, as well as the SANParks Honorary Rangers

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2024/25 Integrated Report: Saving species, saving lives – a year of empowerment, collaboration and expansion

Endangered Wildlife Trust Integrated report 2024/2025

“The money we are getting here has changed our lives. Our children are now going to school, says Tshifularo Madzhie of Kutama village in Limpopo as he speaks with pride about his job at the EWT’s Medike nature reserve.

Situated in the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Savannah Conservation Landscape, which spans large tracts of northern Limpopo and extends into Mozambique, the EWT-owned Medike nature reserve in the Soutpansberg Mountain Range is a haven for numerous threatened and highly endemic species of reptiles, insects, amphibians and plants. The EWT acquired the reserve in 2018 and has slowly been transforming it into not only a conservation wonderland, but also a distinctive tourist destination where nature-loving visitors participate in developing the story of nature-based solutions uplifting local communities.

Four members of the local communities have received training to become rangers and are now employed by the EWT. In addition, 205 community members are being supported sustainably grow and harvest Pepper Bark Trees, Haworthiopsis and other medicinal plant species.

In the past year, seven more local community members have been employed to build roads and clear alien and invasive species, further restoring the natural systems and creating access for tourism development. Two community members have been employed by Medike nature reserve to strengthen law enforcement.

Madzhie speaks with pride about his job building roads, the fact that he has obtained his driver’s license in just four months, and being able to build a fence around his family’s home, on top of all the skills he has learnt.

“I am saving my money so that I can attend a security course when this job finishes, so I can apply for a job as a security guard at one of the reserves or in town. This job has given me experience and purpose,” he says as he speaks about giving up poaching and embracing conservation, teaching his community about the environmental harm caused by littering, runaway fires and poaching. “My perception has changed because of this opportunity I have been given.”

Madzhie is one of numerous community members involved in projects managed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, with our partners like the International Crane Foundation. This work not only restores and secures safe spaces for threatened species, but it also facilitates climate adaptation, expands protected area corridors across Africa, and reduces human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, it improves the well-being and ecological resilience of Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Communities are central to the EWT’s conservation success, and our 2024/5 Integrated Report showcases multiple examples of the impact of partnerships with communities to the benefit of conservation and the people who are directly dependent on their environment for their livelihoods.

Through skills training, livelihood support, and local leadership, we’ve helped people build sustainable futures that keep ecosystems healthy. With the declaration of the 11,563ha Western Soutpansberg Nature Reserve in January 2025, the EWT now works collaboratively with landowners and provincial authorities to conserve and manage an additional 31,180ha of habitat. As of the end of the 2024/25 financial year, 114,819ha of critical conservation land across all our Strategic Conservation Landscapes had undergone some form of improved land management change, rehabilitation, or restoration process, which will lead to improved ecosystem function, health, and resilience. This includes 95,000 ha declared Vulture Safe Zones, and work done on about 20,000ha to clear alien and invasive species, control erosion, restore habitats, improve law enforcement, and manage game.

A total of 20 million m³of freshwater had been replenished through community-based initiatives to remove alien invasive species and restore catchments. In a water-scarce region, the conservation of freshwater sources is critical for climate change adaptation, benefitting both the communities and the multiple threatened species in those systems

In the year under review, more than 22,074 people were empowered through various training and development initiatives. The livelihoods of 20,356 people were directly improved through employment or income-generating activities; 1,108 people were trained to provide them with better employment opportunities; and the livelihoods of 610 people were secured by, for instance, placing livestock guarding dogs to protect their livestock.

People are integral to sustained conservation impact and, closer to home, the EWT’s own pack of extraordinary conservationists has achieved other remarkable gains for threatened species conservation.

Highlights in the EWT’s 2024/25 Integrated Report include:

Coordinated the translocation of more than 20 Endangered African Wild Dogs and multiple Cheetah across southern Africa, creating new packs and coalitions to expand the population sizes.
Rescued and saved 81 vultures from a mass poisoning event in the Kruger National Park in May 2025.
Removed over 500 kg of poisons from Vulture Safe Zones.
Supported the training of 200 Soutpansberg community members to attend an AgriSETA-accredited training programme; provided seeds and basic equipment to contribute to their household’s food security.
In partnership with Bionerds, we recorded the first documented breeding calls and mating activity in over 40 years for the Critically Endangered Amathole Toad.
In Durban, the Widenham Wetland was declared a Protected Environment and Treasure Beach was granted Nature Reserve Status to protect the Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog and critical burrowing skink habitat.
In the Drakensberg, spring protection projects at KwaMkhize, Mqatsheni, and Hlatikulu now supply clean water to over 1,000 people, while community-led land-use planning has designated 800 hectares of high-value grassland for conservation and grazing.
Initiated carbon offsetting projects, covering 93,000 hectares with an additional 53,000 hectares in development. These will secure critical grassland habitat whilst providing sustainable income for the farmers.
The EWT entered into a conservation servitude agreement with Lokenburg Farm, specifically to conserve habitat for the Speckled Dwarf Tortoise.
The EWT’s Conservation Canine Unit hosted the first African Canines in Conservation Conference, hosting speakers and delegates from 19 countries, focusing on the use of dogs for conservation research and the science of utilising working dogs for conservation
More than 100 renewable energy applications have been reviewed in South Africa to reduce negative impacts and enhance the positive potential of this sector to sustainably benefit the environment.

To support the rapid growth and expansion of the EWT’s groundbreaking conservation work across Africa, the EWT USA was registered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public benefit organisation, kickstarting a phased approach to expanding our U.S. fundraising market.

“The EWT envisions a future where Africa’s wildlife and her people thrive together, and where our long-term strategic objectives have turned hope into intention, laying the foundation for a sustainable tomorrow. To achieve this, our 25-Year Future Fit Strategy is an ambitious, long-term framework designed to secure biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and build resilient communities across nine Strategic Conservation Landscapes in southern and East Africa,” says the EWT’s CEO, Yolan Friedmann. “Our Strategy is not just a roadmap – it is a bold commitment to future generations that is ambitious, inclusive, and enduring.”

“The year under review shows how we are successfully bringing this vision to life, and this report showcases multiple examples of how healthy ecosystems support thriving wildlife and people. We close out this financial year with energy and determination to do more.”

Friedmann adds that the 2024/5 financial year was shaped by transformation and tested the EWT’s tenacity. “Despite global and regional challenges, from geopolitical volatility to socio-economic pressures, our conservation programmes have not only endured but thrived”.

Chair of the EWT’s Board of Trustees, Muhammed Seedat, says the year marked another period of both reflection and renewal.

“The world continues to grapple with the accelerating effects of climate change, habitat loss, and economic uncertainty. Yet, despite these pressures, the EWT has not only sustained its vital conservation work, but expanded its impact across multiple fronts,” he says.

“We are entering a defining decade for biodiversity. We are at a juncture where we have just over four years in which to achieve the international targets of conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030, drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions as we work to build resilience and protect vital resources and halt biodiversity loss in the face of unforgiving climate change. The decisions we make now will determine the health of our planet for centuries to come”.

Thus, the importance of the EWT’s Future Fit Strategy. This, he says, is the EWT’s promise and commitment to a sustainable tomorrow in which no-one is left behind.

read the report

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ReLISA: Restoring South Africa’s Landscapes for Climate, Biodiversity and People

By Christopher Hooten – Project Manager, Endangered Wildlife Trust

Restored savanna landscape supporting biodiversity and livelihoods

South Africa stands at a critical crossroads. Decades of unsustainable land use, combined with intensifying climate pressures, have pushed some of the country’s most important ecosystems to the brink.

Grasslands that supply the majority of the nation’s water, savannas that support iconic wildlife and rural livelihoods, and thicket systems unique to the Eastern Cape now show the accumulated scars of overgrazing, mining, invasive alien plant encroachment, drought and fire.

But, alongside this sobering reality lies a growing movement—one that is evolving from scattered localised rehabilitation efforts to coordinated, large-scale action capable of transforming entire landscapes. At the centre of this shift is ReLISA: Restoring Landscapes in South Africa, a five-year, €15-million initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

ReLISA brings together an exceptional consortium—United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), C4 EcoSolutions and Unique Landuse—with the aim to develop large-scale restoration initiatives, expand protected areas and drive social inclusivity.

On 16 October, on the sidelines of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Ministerial Meeting in Cape Town, the ReLISA project was jointly officiated by Dion George, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE); Carsten Schneider, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN); Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and Nelson Muffuh, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa.

ReLISA project launch with government and international partners

ReLISA is not just another conservation project. It is a strategic intervention designed to unlock private and public investment, drive protected area expansion and place nature-based solutions at the heart of national development priorities. It marks a new generation of restoration programming—one that pairs ecological restoration with economic valuation, financial innovation, and strong community partnerships.

At the heart of the initiative lies a simple but powerful premise: restoration is not only good for nature—it is good for people, economies, and long-term climate stability.

Healing Biomes That Sustain a Nation

South Africa’s landscapes are globally celebrated for their richness and diversity. Yet three biomes, in particular, stand out for their ecological and economic importance. ReLISA’s core areas of focus are the Grassland, Savanna and Thicket Biomes. These landscapes have absorbed the impacts of generations of intensive use. Today, they face additional threats from climate change—prolonged droughts, record-breaking temperatures, wildfires and shifting rainfall patterns. Meanwhile, invasive alien plants continue to spread at unprecedented rates, outcompeting indigenous vegetation and consuming critical water supplies.

Decades of land degradation, notably within Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs), have undermined biodiversity, strained water security, and eroded the natural assets that rural communities depend on. As climate change intensifies, the impacts of droughts, extreme weather, and land degradation are becoming more severe, especially for vulnerable households and farmers. This project emphasises the importance of SWSAs in South Africa, which are critical for maintaining water supply whilst supporting agriculture, communities, and wildlife. By focusing restoration work within, and protecting, SWSAs, water retention in the landscape can be enhanced, erosion reduced and the resilience of ecosystems in the face of climate change improved.

At the same time, governments and land users have consistently faced a barrier common to restoration efforts worldwide: how to finance restoration at scale. The project aims to bridge this gap by combining biophysical science with economic valuation and investor-ready project design, building a compelling economic case for restoration in South Africa in order to attract private investment and blended finance opportunities.

ReLISA recognises that restoring these biomes is no longer optional; it is essential. Not only for safeguarding biodiversity, but for national water security, economic resilience, climate adaptation and the well-being of communities who depend directly on the land.

The main target landscapes for the EWT within ReLISA are the Northern Drakensberg, Soutpansberg and the Amatholes. Within these, the EWT strives to further expand the existing protected area network through biodiversity stewardship mechanisms, whilst addressing land degradation and species conservation. Within each of the landscapes there is a dedicated and committed field officer who actively works alongside land users, building relationships and providing input and assistance with rangeland management, restoration and alien plant clearing. The work undertaken within these landscapes is more than just protected area expansion for the sake of numbers, it focusses on key corridors, areas of intact habitat and properties where there are known threatened species, with the aim to create a larger, connected network of protected areas.

What ReLISA Aims to Achieve

The true innovation of ReLISA is its systems thinking. Instead of treating restoration as isolated interventions, the project views landscapes as interconnected ecological, social and economic systems.

Restoration at Scale

ReLISA aims have 100,000 hectares across key landscapes under restoration by 2030, biomes that are essential for biodiversity, water supply, and climate resilience.

Expansion of Protected Areas and the Northern Drakensberg Biosphere Reserve

In conjunction with the expansion of protected areas, the EWT is in the very early stages of setting up the proposed Northern Drakensberg Biosphere Reserve, targeting the grassland biome and incorporating existing protected networks along the northeastern escarpment between Royal Natal National Park and Memel in the eastern Free State.

Economic and Financial Innovation

ReLISA is developing bankable business models for restoration, creating opportunities for impact investors, agribusiness, and other private sector actors to finance nature-based solutions. Funding models include payments for ecosystem services, carbon-focused finance through carbon credits, and potential water-fund mechanisms.

Strengthened Ecosystem Services

Restoration activities will improve water security, stabilise soils, restore carbon stocks, and enhance biodiversity. These improvements directly support local livelihoods, agriculture, and tourism.

Policy Support and Knowledge Sharing

Through strong collaboration with government partners, ReLISA will support policy development and share insights nationally and internationally, helping shape a long-term, sustainable restoration economy.

Looking Ahead

As climate risks accelerate and water security declines, the cost of inaction grows each year. Yet restoration—when done at scale—offers one of the highest returns on investment of any nature-based solution.

With its official launch complete, ReLISA now moves into full implementation. The coming years will focus on expanding restoration efforts, deepening community partnerships, and demonstrating that nature-based solutions can deliver economic, ecological, and social benefits at scale.

Through strong collaboration, innovative financing, and evidence-based action, the project seeks to become a flagship model for sustainable restoration—not only in South Africa, but globally.

EWT field officer working with landowners on landscape restoration

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In Memorium: The EWT bids a fond farewell to Trustee, friend and Board Member Michael Esterhuysen

Tribute image honouring Michael Esterhuysen’s legacy in conservation

Mike Esternhuizen, a much-loved member of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Board of Trustees since 2001, passed away after a long battle with cancer on 4 October 2025. He was 77.

Mike’s relationship with the EWT began when he offered the pro bono services of his advertising and marketing agency, Lesoba, to support the organisation’s marketing and communications, says his widow, Michelle.

He played a key role in shaping the EWT brand, from helping to develop the first Corporate Brochure in 2002 to the website redesign in 2022, with multiple projects along the way.

As a member of the Board, he was one of the founding members of the Social and Ethics Committee.

“Even when he was wracked with cancer, he would always contribute. He was always present in a quiet and unassuming way,” said former Board member and chair of the Social and Ethics Committee, Karin Ireton.

“Having been part of the EWT’s leadership and brand DNA for more than 2 decades, Mike was instrumental in shaping the EWT,” says Yolan Friedmann, EWT CEO. “Mike’s support of and love for the EWT spanned almost the length of my career, and I am blessed to have been influenced by his unwavering commitment, his quiet strength, fortitude and his relentless love for Africa’s wildlife. Mike was one of those who always put his hand up for a new role and made the effort to always show up. Mike was reliable, and you could count on him for anything. I will miss him greatly”.

Dirk Ackerman, EWT Board of Trustees Vice Chair, said Mike was a stalwart and always “someone we could rely on”.

“He set a fantastic example through his complete dedication. He was unselfish with his marketing expertise and made a high financial contribution to the EWT,” said Ackerman. “His fortuity and character were visible in the fact that he remained on Board despite his health issues. He was tireless and dedicated to the last, and he will be sorely missed.”

Mike’s family described him as a “special, loving, and deeply caring man, and a passionate conservationist whose wisdom and generosity left a lasting mark on those who knew him”.

Mike and his wife built their own marketing agency, which he led as CEO for nearly four decades. Mike’s love for the bush began in childhood, fostered by his father and deepened when he and his family invested in a bungalow at Olifants River Game Reserve almost forty years ago.

In 2019, Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 oesophageal cancer. He met the illness with quiet courage, grace, and determination throughout a long six-year journey. Even after losing his voice following a laryngectomy, he remained steadfast, continuing to participate in life and Board meetings with resilience and dignity.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their five children and three grandchildren.

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Making our mark at the Underberg Agricultural Show

In The Field:

Making our mark at the Underberg Agricultural Show

By Jacquie van der Westhuizen – Field Officer, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

EWT African Crane Conservation Unit stand at Underberg Agricultural Show

The African Crane Conservation Programme, this year, showcased the work we have been doing in the Southern Drakensberg at the Underberg Farmers Association agricultural show held at the beginning of October.

The Southern Drakensberg is the stronghold for Wattled Cranes in South Africa, and houses populations of Grey Crowned and Blue Cranes too – literally Crane central!

Creating awareness about cranes, the importance of wetlands, highlighting the role of communities, educating children and meeting and speaking to farmers were our main goals, something we achieved over and over.

When we arrived on Friday and set up our stand in freezing cold, rainy weather, we dreaded what the rest of the weekend was going to be like. Joking that we were going to have to buy a braai to keep it lit in the middle of our stand to keep us warm, we woke up on Saturday and Sunday to the most beautiful, sunny weather.

We were visited by lots of old friends and farmers, and met a lot of new farmers who will soon become old friends too.

The outcome was amazing and exactly what I had hoped for.

My colleagues Samson Phakathi and Lindo Mgwaba were in charge of setting up a wetland scene that included our trusty taxidermised Wattled Crane and Oribi (all with the correct permits, of course) firmly planted amongst some wetland grasses – yes, they actually went to a wetland and dug up some grasses. It looked amazing and attracted lots of eager children who couldn’t believe how big and soft a Wattled Crane is.

I also had our wooden cranes set up so people could see exactly what the wingspans and heights of the three crane species are. This made a huge impact on show attendees, many of whom joined me in appreciating how majestic, stately and huge these birds are.

Obviously, being at an agricultural show surrounded by farmers, we wanted to give them a practical and useful gift to take away with them. The farmer in Pieter Botha kicked in, and he came up with the brilliant idea to have keyrings made from cattle ear tags! My daughter drew a picture of the three crane species, which we had lasered into one side. The other carries the logos of the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the International Crane Foundation in celebration of our more than 30-year partnership.

A chance to win a beautiful blue crane canvas, candy floss and stunning Wattled Crane zoo biscuits enabled us to collect the details and information of about 60 farmers (and their children) on the cranes they have on their farms.

What a successful weekend of friendship, networking, socialising and creating awareness!

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Timing is everything – how cheetahs outsmart the seasons

Science Snippet:

Timing is everything – how cheetahs outsmart the seasons

By Erin Adams and Lizanne Roxburgh – Conservation Planning and Science Unit, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

Cheetah mother with cubs on open grassland

For female mammals, the breeding season is the most energetically demanding time of the year. Each phase of reproduction (namely conception, gestation, lactation, and weaning), carries its own metabolic cost. To meet these demands, females must optimise their foraging and hunting strategies to align with the availability of accessible prey, which fluctuates throughout the year.

Outside the breeding season, cheetahs typically hunt adult prey during the dry season and switch to juveniles, which are easier to catch, during the wet season. Cheetahs inhabit a wide range of environments: some with distinct wet and dry seasons (seasonal), and others with rainfall throughout the year (aseasonal). The timing of rainfall strongly influences when different prey types become available. Since both breeding and hunting are energetically costly, synchronising these activities with prey availability is crucial.

In a recent study co-authored by scientists from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)*, researchers explored the question: when should “clever” cheetahs breed? The team analysed breeding patterns in cheetah populations across South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, and Namibia. In total, they examined 142 litters from 21 seasonal environments and 106 litters from 19 aseasonal environments. Rainfall data was sourced from WorldClim (a global climate database) while prey breeding data was drawn from existing literature.

Their findings revealed that in regions with seasonal rainfall, over half (58.5%) of conceptions and gestations occurred during the wet season. This timing coincides with an abundance of juvenile prey, which are easier to catch. This is especially important when female cheetahs are heavier, and gestation demands on energy are high. Cubs born during this period enter the lactation phase in the dry season, when cheetah mothers can target larger prey. This is critical, as lactation is the most energetically expensive phase of reproduction, requiring females to consume at least 1.5 kg of meat daily to sustain themselves and their cubs. Targeting adult prey during this time offers a high return on energy investment.

The cubs are then weaned during the following wet season, when juvenile prey is again plentiful. For cheetahs, the timing of weaning appears to be the most influential factor in determining when to breed. It makes evolutionary sense as young cheetahs becoming independent during a period of abundant, easy-to-catch prey, which increases their chances of survival.

Interestingly, in aseasonal environments, where rainfall and prey availability are more consistent throughout the year, no distinct breeding pattern was observed.

This study offers fascinating insights into cheetah behaviour: cheetahs are remarkably adaptable in aligning their breeding cycles with prey availability. This suggests that cheetahs should be able to adjust their breeding if climate change causes prey species to shift the times at which they breed.

Infographic depicting cheetah reproduction in seasonal rainfall regions

*Annear, E., Minnie, L., van der Merwe, V., & Kerley, G. I. (2025). When Should ‘Clever’ Cheetah Breed? Seasonal Variability in Prey Availability and Its Effect on Cheetah Reproductive Patterns. Ecology and Evolution, 15(6), e71655.

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Population genetics using faecal samples provides insights for conservation of the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit

Science Snippet:

Population genetics using faecal samples provides insights for conservation of the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit

By Samantha Mynhardt, Conservation Researcher – Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

Researchers analysing genetic data from Riverine Rabbit DNA samples and Riverine Rabbit in its Karoo habitat at dusk

Left: Researchers analysing genetic data from Riverine Rabbit DNA samples. Right: Riverine Rabbit in its Karoo habitat at dusk

The value of genetic data is becoming increasingly recognised in the development of conservation management programmes.

Population genetic data can improve our understanding of the genetic relationships between extant populations, and may provide insights into the genetic responses of these populations to habitat fragmentation, range restriction and the potential migratory routes between isolated habitats. Furthermore, it may be useful to understand connectivity between fragmented (sub)populations in order to assess the potential resilience of these (sub)populations to climate change and other threats, and to inform conservation priorities. Small, isolated populations are particularly vulnerable to increased rates of genetic diversity loss over time, and this may act as a contributing factor to local extinction.

One of Africa’s most endangered mammals, the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit is characterised by a limited geographic distribution and small population size. The species is known from three populations: one in the Nama Karoo or northern population, where it was first discovered in 1902, and one in the Succulent Karoo or southern population, where it was found in 2003. The third or eastern population was discovered in 2018, approximately 250 kilometres east of the known distribution. A recent population genetic study revealed significant differentiation between the northern and southern Riverine Rabbit populations, as well as differentiation between subpopulations within these. However, only one locality (Uniondale) from the eastern population was included in this study; therefore, the population genetics of this population is still poorly understood.

Over the past few years, the Drylands Conservation team has been collecting rabbit scats for DNA sequence analysis to map distributions and understand genetic connectivity. Our trained scent-detection dog, Delta, helped us distinguish between the scat of different lagomorph species (hares and rabbits) in the field. We extracted DNA from more than 130 lagomorph scat samples across the three Riverine Rabbit populations and conducted DNA barcode analysis to identify the species of origin. Fifty-seven of the samples were identified as Riverine Rabbits (10 in the northern, 32 in the southern and 15 in the eastern population).

The barcode markers we use for species identification are variable among different lagomorph species, but not among individual Riverine Rabbits; therefore, markers with greater variability are required for us to make finer-scale inferences about the genetic relationships among Riverine Rabbit populations. In recent years, SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) markers have become the markers of choice in genetic studies, thanks to advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies that have facilitated the discovery of SNPs across entire genomes. Although each SNP alone might not carry great variability, many SNPs together can yield great power in population genetic analyses.

The raw sequence data produced included an average of 5.4 million sequence reads per individual. These data were quality filtered and assembled, and ultimately used to identify a total of 7,837 genome-wide SNPs that are polymorphic (variable) across the Riverine Rabbit population. These markers can be used for further population genetic studies on Riverine Rabbits, for example:

Conducting ddRADseq (using the same restriction enzymes to yield the same set of genome-wide SNP markers) in additional samples could facilitate greater insights into the evolutionary history of the species, gene flow (dispersal) analysis and (finally!) more accurate population size estimation.
Developing a marker panel (“SNP-chip”) for Riverine Rabbits, with a relatively small subset of these markers, could facilitate genetic profiling of individual rabbits, which may assist Nature Reserves and private landowners in estimating the number of individuals on their properties, and/or build subpopulation pedigrees through thorough scat sampling at these sites.

We conducted some preliminary population genetic analyses using our small dataset, and the results suggest that the southern population is the youngest, or most derived population of Riverine Rabbits, with the lowest genetic diversity and lowest number of private alleles. The northern and eastern populations appear to be older. Although these preliminary results provide some valuable insights, larger sample sizes will be needed to obtain more robust and fine-scale population genetic estimates and inferences.

So what does all this mean for the conservation of Riverine Rabbits?

From a population genetic perspective, conserving genetic diversity is always a priority, since this is key to a species’ ability to adapt to changing environments and survive. Our study revealed that the species comprises two, rather than three, genetic clusters, and that the northern- and eastern populations may be regarded as a single genetic cluster, or population, with ongoing gene flow between them. This genetic cluster likely represents the ancestral population, with the highest genetic diversity. Therefore, it would be more important to conserve these populations and their associated habitats than those distributed to the south-west (the southern population).

The use of scat samples to monitor Riverine Rabbits, and other elusive or threatened species has opened the door to a new non-invasive and relatively cost-effective approach to monitoring these species. For many years, researchers have been trying to estimate the size of the Riverine Rabbit population. Duthie et al. (1989) speculated that the remaining habitat could potentially support around 1,435 individuals. Collins (2016) subsequently estimated the population size at only 157-207 mature individuals, and the first population genetics study indicated an effective population size in the region of 5000 individuals. These studies were all limited by the challenge of observing these elusive animals in the wild and/or obtaining genetic samples. The use of scat as a source of genetic material can now facilitate larger sample sizes and, therefore, more robust population size estimates.

This project is supported by our longest-standing funder for Riverine Rabbit conservation work, the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz – ZGAP). Together with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and other partners, the Endangered Wildlife Trust recently completed the regional Red List assessments for mammals, including the Riverine Rabbit. A new population size estimate of between 1,955 and 3,472 mature individuals resulted in the downlisting of the species from Critically Endangered to Endangered. We trust that this is a result, whether direct or indirect, of the ongoing conservation work, research, monitoring, and habitat protection that we, with the support of ZGAP, have contributed to over the past two decades.

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Building internal capacity on biodiversity offsets

In the Field

Building internal capacity on biodiversity offsets

By Neha Kooverjee, Sustainable Finance Officer – Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

EWT team during biodiversity offset training workshop

In September, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) held an internal workshop and training session focused on biodiversity offset best practices and the potential for strategic offset banking.

Susie Brownlie, a global thought leader in biodiversity offsets and impact assessment for No Net Loss, facilitated the two-day session aimed at strengthening internal capacity and deepening alignment by unpacking the principles, challenges, and emerging opportunities of this important – yet often controversial – conservation approach.

Offsetting is the last resort in the mitigation hierarchy and is designed to compensate for significant, unavoidable residual impacts on biodiversity, including after every possible effort has been made by the developer to avoid, minimise and rehabilitate harm to biodiversity. It must not be used as a bargaining chip or license to justify destructive projects.

As with any tool, the design and application of offsets can either add genuine value to conservation or, if poorly managed, undermine the very systems they are meant to protect. Offsets, therefore, need to be carefully designed to meet the 10 core principles of best practice according to the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Programme. This includes like-for-like or better, additionality, no net loss (or net gain), long-term outcomes, and stakeholder participation.

The EWT is increasingly being approached to design and implement biodiversity offsets for developers. We are also exploring the potential of strategic offset banking – a proactive approach where biodiversity credits are generated in advance through habitat protection and/or restoration. These credits can then be sold to developers needing to offset their impacts in like-for-like areas. With potential projects and partnerships in the pipeline, this workshop was timeous in equipping relevant pack members with the necessary knowledge to design and implement offsets and offset banks according to best practice.

The workshop delved into the practicalities of implementing offsets, such as site selection, stakeholder engagement, financing mechanisms, and long-term management. It highlighted the risks of vague environmental authorisation conditions, insufficient budgets, and reputational damage if offsets fail to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes. It also underlined the benefits: that such investments can strengthen landscape resilience and water security against climate change; build trust with communities and regulators; demonstrate genuine corporate responsibility to shareholders and society; and leave a legacy of ecological and social benefits that extend beyond the life of a development project.

Key takeaways over the two days included the need for capacity building on the mitigation hierarchy and biodiversity offsets for project developers, financial institutions and provincial authorities to support effective design and implementation. Further, whilst conservation banking offers potential for more strategic, aggregated conservation outcomes, the location and potential demand need to be carefully considered. This is where the EWT’s unique advantage in South African landscape planning and related spatial datasets is of great value.

The workshop reinforced the importance of a unified, informed approach to biodiversity offsets across the EWT: when guided by science, aligned with conservation priorities and implemented with rigour, they can secure ecologically critical habitats, mobilise private capital for conservation, and help achieve global biodiversity goals, such as protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.

Whether we are acting as an implementing partner, advising on offset design, or driving development of offset banks, the EWT’s credibility and impact depend on applying best practices and engaging with stakeholders transparently and ethically. The session laid the groundwork for future collaboration, advocacy, and innovation in this critical area of conservation, where we move beyond damage compensation to leaving our landscapes richer, more resilient and better prepared for the challenges of the future.

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The Buzz on Bees: Why These Pollinators Are Crucial to Our Ecosystem

By Amos Letsoalo – Wildlife and Infrastructure, Senior Field Officer, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

** Note: EWT Head Office staff have been working from home since the end of September due to construction work taking place at the Conservation Campus in Midrand, Gauteng.

Beehive settling inside garden compost bin

When I stepped out into my garden one morning in mid-October, I was surprised to see swarms of bees buzzing around, particularly near a dustbin I was using for composting. I watched as they clustered around it, and eventually some of them began to flit between the flowers. Initially, I thought they were just passing through, but as the day went on, they remained. The next morning, I checked again and found that they had settled in. Some bees were busy collecting nectar from the flowers, suggesting that they might have found a new home in my garden.

My new residents have settled in well in the half-empty composting bin, which I have moved from its original home to a quieter spot so they won’t be disturbed. Now they spend their days buzzing between my flowers, collecting nectar and pollen. It was their choice of my garden to live in that got me thinking about the importance of bees in our lives.

Why Bees Matter

Bees are amongst the most vital creatures in our ecosystem, playing a crucial role in pollinating plants and maintaining biodiversity. Without bees, many of our favourite foods and flowers would disappear. That is why it is essential to protect them.

Bees are pollination powerhouses responsible for pollinating around a third of the world’s crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without bees, many of these crops would be unable to reproduce, leading to food shortages and economic losses.

Bees contribute to ecosystem health by pollinating flowers and plants, which in turn support a wide range of wildlife. By pollinating plants, bees help maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Bees are economically important because of their contributions to the global economy, not only through pollination services, but also the production of honey, which is used in a variety of products.

Why Bees Are in Danger

Habitat Loss: Bees rely on flowers and plants for food and shelter. However, habitat destruction and urbanisation have reduced the availability of these resources.
Pesticides and Chemicals: The use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture can harm bees and other pollinators.
Climate Change: Climate change is altering the timing of plant-bee interactions, making it harder for bees to find the resources they need.

How We Can Help

There are a number of ways in which we can ensure the survival of bees. One of these is to create bee-friendly habitats by planting flowers and other plants in our gardens to provide a source of food and shelter for bees. Another is to avoid the use of pesticides and other chemicals in your garden. Rather, opt for organic or integrated pest management methods. Supporting local beekeepers through the direct purchase of honey and other bee products supports an industry that is critical to people and the environment.

My Personal Commitment

Since the swarm of bees moved into my garden, I’ve made a personal commitment to protect and support these incredible creatures. By providing a safe and welcoming environment, I hope to contribute to the well-being of these vital pollinators, as my garden has a number of flowering plants.

Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem, and it’s essential that we take steps to protect them. By understanding the importance of bees and taking action to support them, we can help ensure the long-term health of our planet. So, let’s all do our part to protect these incredible pollinators!

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