Conservation Archives | Page 8 of 62 | Endangered Wildlife Trust

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.

From Kalahari to Malawi: Cheetahs Thrive in New Home

Both females relocated to Liwonde National Park (Malawi) in December are doing exceptionally well. After a brief adjustment period in the boma, they were released into the reserve on December 28th, 2023, at the height of the rainy season.

The rainy season in Liwonde can pose challenges for cheetahs, as large areas of the park occasionally flood, and the game is widespread. However, this appears to have also limited their post-release movements, meaning they had less area to explore and, as a result, settled quickly. We are pleased to report that both females have been thriving since their release. This is especially encouraging for the female who was born and raised in the Kalahari and unfamiliar with this environment – this just shows the adaptability of these remarkable animals!

One of the females exhibited denning behaviour a few months after her release. While we typically encourage den checks to enhance our monitoring and understanding of the population and breeding success, the Liwonde cheetah population has shown successful denning in good habitats over the years. As a result, we recommend minimising disturbances and instead suggest monitors check on this female from a distance using telemetry. Female cheetahs generally den for 50 to 54 days, after which they begin moving with their cubs, often caching them while hunting. By conducting daily monitoring, we can track whether the female remains at the den site, indicating that denning is still ongoing.

Regrettably, the female left the den after approximately 40 days and did not return, suggesting that her denning was unsuccessful. The exact cause of the cubs’ death remains unknown, as is often the case. However, we have recently observed denning behaviour again, and monitors have reported that the female is also showing signs of nursing! While we will watch closely to see if this litter survives the denning period, both females are first-time mothers, which often results in the loss of first litters or lower overall cub survival rates. Nevertheless, the relocation of these females has been a massive success so far, and we look forward to following their progress as they continue to explore this new environment!

We once again thank Manyoni Private Game Reserve and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve for donating these females to this important conservation project. We also thank our partners African Parks for creating a safe haven for this threatened species, and the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust for their diligent monitoring efforts, along with The Bateleurs and Mercy Air Africa for assisting us in transporting these cheetahs to Malawi!

Maps showing the movements of both cheetahs (from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and Manyoni Game Reserve) after their release into Liwonde National Park. Both females have exhibited extensive exploration behaviour, which is to be expected. Hopefully, this will help them find suitable denning areas going forward.

Images of the two females released into Liwonde National Park in December 2023. Due to the limited road network in Liwonde National Park, the vast majority of sightings of these females have been through camera traps placed by Lilongwe Wildlife Trust monitors. However, this can be a fantastic way to remotely monitor their body condition. Thank you to Lilongwe Wildlife Trust for providing us these images!

The female from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve after successfully killing of a young kudu. This female has adapted amazingly well, especially considering she was born and raised in the Kalahari. This just shows how adaptable these animals can be! (photo credit: Tilly Sant’Ana)

The female from Manyoni Private Game Reserve after tucking into a meal of a male impala (photo credit: Tilly Sant’Ana)

Rhino Peak Challenge

Rhino Peak Challenge – Highlights

A total of 48 invited ambassadors, including school participants and a mix representing WACT and EWT, set off at 6:30 am from the RPC start line on Saturday. It started as a misty cool morning, with the Rhino Peak hidden from sight, but still present in everyone’s minds. The weather soon cleared up with the Underberg in full colour and all its glory. You seldom escape the wind on the mountains, and this year was no different. If anything, one of the strongest winds I have ever experienced. But the escarpment and the summiting of the peak is always a special and humbling experience. Not to take on the mountain, but to be part of it. However brief. To be part of nature and something that has stood majestically and purposefully through millennia.

The intensity of the climb and the diversity of people that the challenge attracts was apparent in this years finishing times. With our fastest ambassador home in 3hours 19 minutes, and the longest day on the mountain closer to 14 hours!

But this is why our RPC ambassadors do what they do. To protect, appreciate and conserve. To realise that everything is connected. To be immersed in nature, and all of its harsh and beautiful elements, for a magical moment in time.

Thank you to Spurgeon Flemmington from RMA (Running Man Adventures) for knowing that this mountain and this event would raise millions for conservation.

To the event beneficiary partners, WACT and KZN Ezemvelo, whom we work with to protect this important heritage site and the species and people that rely on it.

To every ambassador that not only takes on the challenge of fundraising but of summiting the peak.

To all the EWT ambassadors and personal incredible donors such as the Ford Wildlife Foundation and Go2Africa for supporting our work. This event would not be possible without you, and conservation thanks you.

DCP showcasing Projects and “furries” with Funders

DCP showcasing Projects and “furries” with Funders.

On the weekend of 31 August and 1 September, the DCP team enjoyed the company of the Table Mountain Fund (TMF) Board and officials at Papkuilsfontein Farm in the Northern Cape. TMF is funding the project: Fynbos on the Edge, which is aimed at exploring and developing opportunities to diversify the farming income, through making the overall business model more sustainable from a financial, agricultural, and ecological perspective. Diversifying and growing income from a single agricultural income to a tourism income targeting a range of visitor profiles is aimed at taking pressure off the natural resources, particularly the natural rangeland. The Papkuilsfontein Farm is located on the Bokkeveld Plateau and is the stage for a phenomenal flower display during August and September. On arrival on the farm, the Board members were introduced to the Van Wyk family, who are the 6th generation who bravely took the step to sign a Protected Environment Stewardship Agreement and enter into diversifying their agricultural income through developing remarkable eco-tourism products such as mountain biking, hiking routes and the Via Ferrata on the farm. The group enjoyed hikes, the Via Ferrata and sundowners on the cliffs before returning to their respective destinations.

Esté and Delta mesmerized the Rainforest Trust Board on 8 September on the Worcester Geometric Reserve. Delta, being the star of the day, ensured that her nose and loving persona captured the imagination of the group of Board members before she was put to work to locate, and indicate, live geometric tortoises. This range restricted species is endemic to the winter rainfall region of the south-western Cape and is listed as one of the top 25 most endangered tortoises (and turtles) in the world. The species face threats such as habitat loss due to urban and agricultural expansion, fragmentation of existing habitat leading to isolated populations, invasive alien vegetation and animals, such as feral pigs, and too frequent fires. The risk of poaching of specimens from the wild is also a significant potential threat. Delta ensured that some of the guests on the day saw a Geometric tortoise for the first time in their lives.

Projects made possible by Table Mountain Fund and Rainforest Trust.

International Vulture Awareness Day, Cape Vulture Conservancy

Every year, people from all around the world, come together on the first Saturday of September to celebrate internation vulture awareness day. Originally started by the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Hawk Conservancy Trust in 2006, it has grown since inception into a global platform to celebrate a group of birds that don’t always get the attention and publicity that they deserve. This year, the Endangered Wildlife Trust in the lowveld region of eastern South Africa, joined up with the Cape Vulture Conservancy, to share knowledge and education about vultures in general, along with the threats they face, and how we can collectively work together to create a better future where the skies are filled with vultures.

Cape Vulture Conservancy plays host to the second largest colony of Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres globally, and as an organisation, they have prioritised the long-term conservation of the colony, and really making this the core of what they do. With over 700 breeding pairs nesting along the cliff faces of the Drakensberg escarpment, it makes for a wonderful backdrop, and a perfect venue for celebrating such an important event.

This year, one of the major aims was to include youth from surrounding areas and the greater Hoedspruit community and afford the chance to not only get to know the property better, but also educate people regarding the plight of these special birds. With roughly 300 school kids attending, and with some travelling from as far as Selwane, to the north-west of Phalaborwa, it undoubtedly was an event that stood out as one of the highlights of the year. The day started with a fun walk covering a 5km section of the property, after which everyone could explore the permaculture gardens, several stalls from organisations such as Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage, Moholoholo Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre, and Animal Relief for Rural Communities. After some introductory presentations from Frikkie Kotze, the manager of Cape Vulture Conservancy, and John Davies from the Endangered Wildlife Trust, everyone got treated to a snake demonstration from the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre, which was a real hit and a great way of ending the day.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust would like to thank the wonderful team from Cape Vulture Conservancy for taking the initiative to not only host and drive this event, but also commit to the long term conservation of these magnificent birds within the region.