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Lydenburg Learners Celebrate World Wetlands Day at De Berg Wetland

Eulalia Jordaan, an MPTA ecological technician, showed the learners the different kinds of plants found in the wetland

On 31 January, the Mpumalanga Wetland Forum chaired by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Bradley Gibbons hosted Grade 7 learners from Lydenburg Primary School as part of a World Wetlands Day celebration at the De Berg Wetland in Mpumalanga.

The De Berg Wetland is South Africa’s 30th Ramsar site and is therefore a wetland of international importance.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2 February to mark the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The theme this year was ‘Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future’.

The event comprised talks by Bradley Gibbons about what wetlands are, how they function, and the importance of wetlands and the impact these water resources have on communities reliant on the water flowing from them. Marius Kruger of Northam Platinum provided an overview of the De Berg wetland and the species of concern found in this pristine area.

The learners accompanied officials from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the EWT and Northam Platinum to the heart of the wetland where they learnt about the difference between grassland, wetland and peat soils, and the various plant species found in the grasslands surrounding the wetland.

Bradley Gibbons, EWT senior field officer, explains the importance of wetlands to learners from Lydenberg primary school

Children feeling the different types of soil found in wetland environments

From Climate Risks to Community Resilience: EWT’s Impactful Action

By Jenny Botha and Eleanor Momberg

Climate smart agriculture training in schools

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) implements a range of initiatives that contribute to mitigating and reducing the impacts of climate change through our programmes across southern and East Africa. Among these are projects to address the impact of climate change on the health of communities.

Human health is inextricably linked to biodiversity and environmental health, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirming in a report published in October 2024 that climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health.

Climate change not only affects the physical environment and functioning of vital ecosystems that buffer us from extreme weather events and directly contribute to human health, but its effects on social and economic conditions are increasingly undermining human health and well-being. The WHO report states that climate change is a threat multiplier that is reducing and potentially reversing decades of health progress.

Humanitarian emergencies such as drought, heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes are increasing in scale, frequency, and intensity. These weather and climate hazards affect health both directly and indirectly, increasing the risk of deaths, non-communicable diseases, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and other health emergencies.

In the past decade, extreme weather events have impacted approximately 1.6 billion people and cost the global economy over USD 2 trillion, according to a recent report released by the International Chamber of Commerce. The WHO reports an average of 489,000 heat-related deaths each year between 2000—2019, with these types of deaths having risen by 70% in people over 65 in two decades. The WHO conservatively projects 250,000 additional yearly deaths by the 2030’s due to climate change impacts, including increases in diseases like malaria.

Climate change is also exacerbating water insecurity globally, particularly as increasing populations and high demand are already stretching water allocations in most countries. Similarly, climate change heightens food insecurity, particularly in areas where people depend on dryland agriculture. In 2020, 98 million more people experienced food insecurity compared to the 1981–2010 average, with 770 million facing hunger, predominantly in Africa and Asia, undermining previous progress in addressing this challenge.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) reveals that 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, low-income countries and small island developing states endure the harshest health and livelihood impacts. In vulnerable regions, the death rate from extreme weather events in the last decade was 15 times higher than in less vulnerable ones.

WHO data further indicates that 2 billion people lack safe drinking water and 600 million suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, with children under 5 bearing 30% of foodborne fatalities. Climate stressors heighten waterborne and foodborne disease risks. Temperature and precipitation changes enhance the spread of vector-borne diseases. Without preventive actions, deaths from such diseases, currently over 700,000 annually, may rise.

Climate change also adds to immediate mental health issues such as anxiety, as well as post-traumatic stress and long-term disorders, and compounds social instability, polarisation, and conflict, particularly in cases of human displacement.

Although no-one is safe from these risks, the people whose health is being harmed first and worst by the climate crisis are those who contribute least to its causes, and who are least able to protect themselves and their families against it: people in low-income communities and vulnerable countries and communities. Capturing risks like drought and migration pressures into climate modelling remains challenging, but there is little doubt that urgent, meaningful action is required at national and international level, focusing on the most vulnerable societies while also addressing the root causes of human-induced climate change.

Addressing climate change’s health burden underscores the equity imperative: those most responsible for emissions should bear the highest mitigation and adaptation costs, emphasising health equity and the priorisation of the vulnerable sectors of society.

What are we doing?

The EWT contributes to addressing climate change through multiple integrated strategies starting with the protection of critical landscapes and ecosystems that, in addition to providing habitats for diverse plant and animal species, also act as carbon sinks and contribute to water, air quality, pollination services, and other vital services that we depend on.

Across our programmes in southern and East Africa, we work with landowners and communities to improve the protection and management of their land, water, and other natural resources. These initiatives include expanding formal protection of areas of high conservation value; clearing of alien and bush encroaching plants; improved rangeland management; rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems; and supporting sustainable land use activities. In 2023-24, we supported landowners and communities to secure formal protection of an additional 180,282 hectares of land of strategic conservation importance across diverse landscapes. In many cases, this enables landowners to access carbon and other sustainable financing markets.

The EWT also contributes extensively to policy, planning, and development, including the energy sector, and implements numerous initiatives to strengthen climate resilience and adaptation. This includes partnering with communities to improve human health and resilience to climate change.

In the Western Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province, we collaborate with landowners, communities, and partners to implement diverse projects to strengthen food security and resilience to climate change, improve water management, and reduce the risk of water-borne diseases and contamination of soil and water.

Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH)

The Soutpansberg mountains are highly biodiverse and play an important role in water security in the region. Less than 2% of the mountains were previously formally protected, leading to the EWT establishing the Medike Reserve in the Western Soutpansberg in 2017, and working extensively with landowners to secure protection and improve the integrity of the natural habitats through the removal of alien plants and other measures. To date, the EWT’s remarkable team of rangers has removed 70 hectares of alien and other encroaching plants from the mountains which, together with ongoing maintenance by the landowners, has led to the improved flow of streams and the restoration of a wetland in the area.

We work with primary and secondary schools to improve sanitation and hygiene through the development of interactive lessons and teaching aids on germ transmission and hand washing. As was instilled in all of us during the Covid-19 pandemic, regular washing with soap prevents diarrhea and the transmission of other diseases. To date, we have reached over 700 learners, but ongoing messaging is vital.

We work with secondary schools to reduce health risks and waste arising through the disposal of one-use sanitary pads. Through our Women’s Health project, we have provided over 800 girls and women from three schools with kits consisting of reusable sanitary pads and cleaning materials that will last them 3—5 years. Apart from the substantial reduction of these products into the environment, the project contributes to women’s dignity and helps reduce the costs of basic necessities for girls in communities where unemployment levels are high. Discussions and presentations on menstruation support the girls to gain access to accurate information and open up conversations with their teachers.

In the words of one of the girls who participated in an anonymous, voluntary evaluation of the project,

“They teach that when we going to monthly period, we shall not cry, and is helpful to us, because they teach us about our body and help us to get pads”.

Climate smart agriculture training in schools

Climate resilient agriculture

In 2023, the EWT held a five-day climate-resilient agricultural training course attended by 23 farmers from Kutama in the Western Soutpansberg. After the training course, 14 participants established the Ndouvhada Organic Farming Cooperative, and are now producing vegetables on the CPA’s land. Through this project, the Cooperative received irrigation material and other equipment as well as seeds and other inputs. The Cooperative has also been able to source funding for funding through a state grant facilitated by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LEDET).

We are also supporting a second project started by a group of young agriculture graduates in Kutama to provide Agri-Set accredited training to other community members to enable them to cultivate vegetables and improve animal husbandry. The number of participants has far exceeded our expectations, with 100—150 people regularly attending training every weekday morning over the last seven months. The EWT is supporting the group with equipment and seed packs, repair of water tanks, and other inputs, and we are exploring opportunities to strengthen this initiative in the future.

We are also supporting farmers in Buysdorp to improve the sustainability of their agricultural activities. In June 2024, we collaborated with the University of Johannesburg to hold a workshop to assess the extent of existing farming activities in the area and community members’ visions and future plans. Water security and management emerged as a key theme throughout the workshop, together with the need for training to enable farmers and other community members to reduce harmful agricultural impacts through pesticides and fertilisers, and to develop strategies to reduce loss of crops and livestock through human-wildlife conflict. We are now participating in a follow-up project with the University of Johannesburg and other partners to assess and provide recommendations to improve the sustainability and quality of groundwater in Buysdorp, particularly in light of additional demand to meet increasing urbanisation, agriculture, mining, and other human development needs throughout the region.

Working in partnership with organisations and service providers is vital to the success of all our initiatives. In addition to universities and other Not-for-Profit organisations, we collaborate with the Limpopo department of economic development, environment and tourism (LEDET) to enable us synergise resources and strengthen benefits and support to community partners over time. Building climate resilience is a long-term process and it is important to ensure that small-holder farmers are not left behind.

Small Hands, Big Impact: A Greener Future for Lesotho

Children Lead the Charge in Conservation Efforts

By Danielle du Toit, Field Officer: Birds of Prey Programme

A three-day inititiative by the EWT in October brought together 65 young conservationists from grades four to six in Molumong village, Lesotho.

Led by Danielle du Toit (EWT Birds of Prey) and Mapeseka Makaoae (Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme Community Liaison), the children joined a litter cleanup aimed at fostering a cleaner, healthier environment for their community and local wildlife.

Supported by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), the cleanup was initially planned to focus on rivers and waterways. However, a last-minute cancellation of transport shifted efforts to the school grounds and nearby mountain slopes, areas where litter risks flowing into rivers. Over three days, the children collected an impressive 96 bags of litter—38 on Monday, 20 on Tuesday, and 38 on Wednesday. The waste, primarily plastic packaging and tins, highlights a pressing need for proper refuse management in the village.

To address this, LHDA has committed to providing at least three rubbish bins for the school, with plans for additional bins in the broader community. Efforts are also underway to establish a regular refuse removal service to ensure long-term cleanliness.

Connecting Litter Cleanup to Vulture Conservation

The cleanup is closely tied to the broader conservation efforts for the Endangered Bearded Vulture, a species whose survival depends on the region’s health and cleanliness. In collaboration with Wildlife ACT and the Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme, a feeding site has been established to provide critical food sources for these rare birds whose diet consists largely of bones. The site, designed following strict vulture restaurant guidelines, includes fencing to deter scavengers and camera traps to monitor activity.

To complement this, a vulture hide—a small, unobtrusive structure—has been constructed to promote eco-tourism and provide researchers with a unique opportunity to study the species up close. This hide benefits the community by attracting visitors, creating opportunities for environmental education, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the role vultures play in maintaining ecosystems.

Nature’s Cleanup Crew Meets Future Conservationists

The litter cleanup served a dual purpose: improving community health by reducing waste and emphasising the ecological importance of vultures, often called nature’s “clean-up crew.” Through hands-on participation, children learned about the interconnectedness of their actions, local wildlife, and the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in protecting their natural heritage.

With such impactful initiatives, the future of conservation in Lesotho looks brighter—and it starts with small hands making a big difference.

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.

Collaborative Action to Address South Africa’s Snaring Crisis

The EWT pledges less talk and more action to address South Africa’s snaring crisis at the inaugural Snare Mitigation Symposium

140 delegates attended the inaugural Snare Mitigation Symposium

Twenty-two speakers presented at the Snare Mitigtation Symposium

One of the Snare Mitigation Symposium panel discussions

WARNING: SENSITIVE IMAGES BELOW

The importance of less talk and more action to address the snaring crisis in South Africa is key to the conservation of all species.

This, and the need for greater collaboration and partnerships to address the negative impacts from the illegal snaring of wildlife, were among the outcomes of the inaugural two-day national Snare Mitigation Symposium in Pretoria.

The meeting of 140 delegates delved into the impacts, drivers and solutions to this increasing threat to wildlife and the economy. Co-led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks), the inaugural Snare Mitigation Symposium was held at Environment House on 10 and 11 September 2024.

It brought together leading experts in wildlife crime, government officials and representatives of numerous stakeholders across the sector to examine the multifaceted aspects of the snaring crisis. The purpose was to understand existing and potential new complexities, and to share experiences and knowledge to reduce the problem both inside and outside conservation areas, in order to identify and co-create workable solutions for the benefit of people and the environment.

Snaring is motivated by complex socio-economic and cultural drivers and the symposium explored snaring from a myriad of angles and viewpoints. Information gained highlighted that animals are snared largely for personal or commercial use and is occurring at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes. Sadly, many species including leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat.

A key insight from the symposium is that we need more community interaction amongst stakeholders towards achieving positive outcomes for this threat to wildlife. Communities living with wildlife, and those linked to snaring, need to form an integral of the solutions being proposed, and to be undertaken, to address snaring.

No solution will be credible without the involvement of the relevant community voices in co-development of solutions. Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, the people living in the affected areas. Technological advances were showcased to improve snare detection and data collection.

Among the legal solutions highlighted by Ashleigh Dore, the EWT’s Wildlife and Law Project Manager, the need for legal reform to ensure laws applicable to snaring are the same across the country. Ashleigh also introduced a restorative justice approach to respond to snaring. Restorative justice is a holistic, inclusive and problem solving approach to justice that involves all parties involved in or impacted by the crime to (1) identify and respond to harm from the crime and (2) prevent reoffence.

Senior Conservation Manager Lourens Leeuwner, during his presentation on the threats of snaring countrywide, highlighted the results of the EWT’s recent project and proof of concept to determine whether anti-poaching dogs could be used for snare detection. The Canine Conservation Unit had spent several days testing techniques to detect snares in a farming and conservation area in Limpopo. Using two EWT anti-poaching canines, Ruger and Kisha, the team set snares in the veld before sending out rangers to find the items. While rangers only found some of the snares placed for the test, the canines had, in all cases, successfully tracked the scent of the person who had planted the snares and other items, finding most of the snares. As further proof that this technique works, the dogs were taken on a routine patrol of a farm that has problems with poachers using snares to catch wildlife. During this patrol, Ruger discovered a snare that had been planted by a real-life poacher. While there is a lot more work that needs to be done, this is proof that the concept works – an extra tool in the arsenal to combat poaching.

Among the key decisions adopted as outcomes included further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem, and creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity, but also on the economy and well-being of communities.

At a workshop following the event, the host organisations strategised next steps related to key themes and action points identified during the symposium that will include a wide range of stakeholders. Looking to the future, greater teamwork and communication between State, private sector and civil society will be cultivated to find sustainable long-term solutions for both people and wildlife.

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