Conservation Archives - Page 6 of 62 - Endangered Wildlife Trust

Word from the CEO: Year-End

Word from the CEO

Yolan Friedmann, CEO

It has been a whirlwind year for the EWT and a pretty good one actually. One could lament the fact that year-on-year our planet has smashed all previous records for the hottest year globally on record, as well as the increase in species under thereat of extinction rising form 68% to 73% according to the latest WWF Living Planet Report. But we choose instead, to celebrate the fact that the EWT significantly increased the protection and status of more than 11 populations of threatened wildlife species; whilst discovering populations of other species thought to be extinct. We directly improved the wellbeing of over 6500 people in rural communities; and ensured the formal (declared) protection of nearly 10 000 ha of critical habitat with another 100 000 ha in the process of being declared.

We also reversed the declining state of nearly 4000 ha of critical habitat through rehabilitation efforts that – at the same time – provided livelihood opportunities for vulnerable people. We know that our natural world continues to suffer from the ravages of unsustainable development, increasing resource use and human population growth, and the EWT Strategy 2025-2050 is a bold and ambitious commitment to revere these trends in some of the most important landscapes across southern and East Africa. We are excited to be embarking on this new growth phase in the years ahead, and look forward to sharing the details of the strategy in the new year.

With the tremendous growth in the EWT over the past calendar year, which saw our pack increasing by 50% and our expenditure on projects and conservation activities by a whopping 12%, the EWT attributes this ability to consistently retain, and increase our positive impact on the status of thousands of vulnerable people, wildlife and the environments that they both share, to the loyalty, ongoing support and passion that our partners, donors and colleagues in the sector all share for our work. Over the past 12 months, our web of impactful partnerships has deepened and widened and now reaches across nearly 20 African countries, ensuring that we share our innovation, skills and knowledge with colleagues far and wide, who are also working to save the wildlife and people that are unique to Africa, to mutual benefit.

As we developed our Future Fit Strategy, we took time out this year to reflect on our journey thus far and benefited from the process of considering what worked for us, what challenges we encountered, what relationships were impactful and where resources could be better applied for maximum benefit. Reflection is a powerful tool that ensures continual learning and entrenches a value system that improves understanding and leads to growth. A key aspect of my own reflection when I look back over 2024, is my deep gratitude to the Board of Trustees of the EWT for their unwavering commitment, support and passion for our work. The leadership of our Chairman Muhammad Seedat and his fellow trustees has steered the ship steadfastly in the right direction, ensuring excellence in our governance, strategy and leadership right from the top. Our Executive Leadership team is a powerful, expert coalition of some of the best conservation minds in the region and we are blessed to be lead and served by them. My heartfelt gratitude goes to every one of them for the individual and collective role that they have played in taking the EWT to great heights this year. The EWT staff: the backbone of the Trust and the energy and innovation behind our tireless work that literally saves wildlife and supports people, right across Africa. You are heroes to many and our secret weapon in the race against extinction.

To all our partners and funders: you are the lifeblood that keeps the EWT at the forefront of conservation excellence. Your continued support and faith in our ability to deliver results keeps us doing what we do best, protecting together forever. Thank-you for the support this past year and always.

As we all head off for the much-needed summer holidays – we look back on a year that yielded tremendous results, and forward to a year that kickstarts our most ambitious strategy yet. We are excited about what the next 12 months will bring. We are Future Fit, we are the EWT. Thankyou for being a part of our story.

Wishing all our friends a safe, joyful and peaceful end to 2024 and may 2025 be a prosperous new year for our planet.

Yolan Friedmann,

CEO, Endangered Wildlife Trust

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.

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!

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!