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This follows last week’s fitting of GPS radio collars by researchers of the Cape Leopard Trust and CapeNature on the first of at least six male and six female leopards planned over the three year study period.

CapeNature host game industry workshop, 8 June 2010

CapeNature has committed to provide a rapid response (within 2 working days) on permit applications received from the game industry as from Monday (7 June 2010).

Have you signed up? Become a preferred CapeNature Tour Operator and enjoy the unique benefits. The Tour Operator Agreement will give associated operators access to CapeNature reserves through booking with our central reservations department

Five women and two men, aged between 23 – 63 years old, all of them from Kleinmond were rescued by CapeNature in the Cederberg last week, after they were trapped by adverse weather conditions in a tiny mountain cottage for three days.

Rescue teams consisting of CapeNature, Clanwilliam SAPS and Provincial Search and Rescue teams from Clanwilliam and Mooreesburg found the seven hikers on Wednesday, 12 May, 7 km en-route back to Algeria (CapeNature office), two days after they were supposed to return from their planned four day hike.

They rounded up the orphaned Cape Gannet chicks and drove them to SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) rehabilitation centre in Table View to provide the orphans with some much needed tender, loving care.

African Renaissance Productions in conjunction with CapeNature for Cape Town TV recently launched a groundbreaking new environmental series.

The De Hoop Collection, the umbrella brand for seven concessions, and CapeNature, the provincial public entity mandated with conserving DeHoop Nature Reserve, have signed a landmark public-private-partnership in the tourism sector.

The Nature Conservation Corporation (NCC), a service provider appointed by the Baboon Management Team (BMT), is doing everything it can to manage baboon-human conflict in the Cape Peninsula, including hosing baboons with water jets, where the situation allows this.

Members of the public who would like to report any illegal activities with regards to baboons can now contact CapeNature 24/7 either by email of mobile phone.  Illegal activities are any activity that contravenes the legislation (Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974 as well as the Western Cape Provincial Regulation) implemented by CapeNature. One of these contraventions includes the feeding of baboons on the verge of any public road and if caught, members of the public could face paying a fine or even landing up in court.

The “Ou Tol” house, situated in the world renowned Swartbergpass, close to Oudtshoorn will soon relive again thanks to the strategic partnership between CapeNature and the private sector.

The H.O.P.E Foundation, an Oudtshoorn-based community and conservation organisation, is making the “Ou Tol” a base from where they will launch several community and conservation inisiatives. The members and sponsors of “Ou Tol” hope to directly involve the Klein and Groot Karoo communities in the conservation of this unique world heritage site.

Both commercial and emerging producers in the Western Cape are increasingly experiencing problems and losses totalling millions of rand per year as a result of predators that attack small and large stock and also cause serious damage to fields, vineyards, vegetable and flower gardens and orchards.  The national figure for losses caused by stray dogs and predators is at least R1,4 billion per year. These losses have a massive impact on the economic survival of producers and also contribute considerably to the loss of food and jobs in certain parts of the Western Cape.

CapeNature's Biodiversity Crime Unit (BCU) in conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS) have earlier this week seized illegal ivory figurines and jewellery, estimated to be worth R7 million,  from a Seapoint curio shop owner, who could now be facing a fine of up to R21 million. The shop owner, a 50 year old man who appeared in the Cape Town magistrate court yesterday was released on bail of R50 000.

CapeNature is celebrating Women's day on the 9th of August, by offering you the chance to win exciting prizes that will pamper you - or someone special!

Authorities involved in managing baboons in the Cape Peninsula have urged communities to be patient and continue to minimise interaction with baboons, whilst the authorities are battling to speed up the roll-out of a new six month baboon monitor programme in some of the baboon hotspots, by 17 July - following the availing of R2 million for baboon management by the City of Cape Town last month.

CapeNature has noticed a growing trend in the instances of fauna and flora specimens (both live and dead) moving through the South African postal system, coupled with an increase in internet trade.  Over the last year the organisation’s Biodiversity Crime Unit has seized hunting trophies, wild animal skins, live invertebrates, wild animal teeth and various other fauna or flora specimens intercepted at various post offices around the Western Cape.  

All of these items were imported without permits into the province. Suspects (including South African citizens and international tourists) caught red-handed often claim that they were not aware of the fact that they indeed required a permit.

Cape Metro – Yesterday, 140 scholars from Wesbank No1.and Mzamomtsha Primary schools decided to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in a local clean-up campaign organised by CapeNature in conjunction with the City of Cape Town.

CapeNature, the statutory conservation authority in the Western Cape mandated to comment on the biodiversity and ecological aspects of proposed development activities in the Province wishes to confirm that the proposed open cast mining activity in Piketberg on the West Coast is entirely inappropriate for the area and could have significant and irreversible impacts on the environment.

Yesterday in Gansbaai, the second 3 day International African Penguin Conference brought together over 70 African Penguin researchers from across South Africa to collaborate and discuss African Penguin status, conservation and management. The African Penguin is currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red data-list and has been battling a rapid decline in numbers over the last number of years.

Leisure Boating recently reported on the launch of a new patrol boat in the Kogelberg, which forms part of a fleet of four patrol vessels that have been provided to Marine Protected Areas (MPA) within the Western Cape, through the WWF Honda Marine Parks Programme. Two of these boats,  6,5m semi-rigid vessels, built by Falcon Inflatables and powered by 2 x 75hp Honda engines were deployed at the Robberg MPA and the Betty’s Bay MPA in the last six months and already they have proven to be successful in aiding marine monitoring and research and also tackling unscrupulous abalone poachers in these areas.

The predation and subsequent killing of about 800 Cape Gannet chicks, (classified as Vulnerable by The World Conservation Union) ‘at the hands of’ their larger neighbours: Cape fur seals on Bird Island, a Provincial Nature Reserve off the coast of Lambert’s Bay in the West Coast has recently caused a stir among tourism organizations in the small town - known as a Mecca for local and international birders.

More African Penguin residents on Dyer Island can now look forward to a home, providing shelter against natural elements and enemies, such as extreme weather and Kelp Gulls - following the initiation of ‘phase 2’ of a housing project that was started on the island in 2005 through a partnership between CapeNature and DICT.

There was no morning mist to cool the West Coast on the morning when more than 40 gannets on Bird Island dropped dead from the heat.

A searing berg blew since dawn and by midday the adult and chick Cape gannets were panting frantically.

CapeNature has initiated a process to bring additional fire fighting teams from the northern part of the country to help fight fires in the Western Cape.The additional fire fighters are expected to arrive before the end of this week and will assist the CapeNature complement of 250, together with two teams brought in from the Free State last month.  

Says Fanie Bekker, CapeNature Executive Director of Operations: “A heat wave is predicted to hit the western part of the Western Cape late this week.”

Encourages more holistic approach to manage human-wildlife conflict

By amending the annual Provincial Notice on Hunting (also known as the yearly Hunting Proclamation) for 2009, CapeNature, the nature conservation authority in the Western Cape, re-affirms the organisation’s commitment to a holistic approach to the management of ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the Province.

Clarifies role in the management of baboons

CapeNature has urged motorist to drive cautiously on the stretch of the N2 between the start of Sir Lowry’s Pass and the Houw Hoek farm stall, towards Grabouw.  The warning comes amid a significant increase in the number of baboons knocked over and left to die on the road by motorists.

Kamanassie Nature Reserve (9km outside Uniondale) - The management of this small but unique reserve, home to the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra (CMZ), have recently received an amount to the tune of two hundred and twenty thousand rand from the estate of a local nature lover, born in Uniondale, Roelof Abrahamse Janse van Rensburg.

Southern Cape - The organisers of a Jewish youth camp near Hartenbos in the Southern Cape (Bnei Akiva, the largest Jewish youth movement in the world) have admitted to wrongdoing and begun making amends for causing the deaths of about 3000 protected birds by cutting down their nesting trees at the campsite.

Today in Cape Town, MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop, announced that Ms Lucille Meyer has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, CapeNature.

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve (close to Stellenbosch) - Fifteen young people, mostly from the Boland and surrounding areas have successfully graduated from a CapeNature initiated fieldguide training project during a ceremony held here today – all of them have already received job offers from the eco-tourism sector. Most of the students were unemployed matriculants prior to the project. "The very best students have obtained a dual qualification as Site Guides and National Field Guides” explains a beaming project manager Leandi Wessels

In an epic rescue effort yesterday, conservation and veterinary staff rallied to save a gin-trapped leopard in the Hantam Mountains near Calvinia. Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) project manager, Quinton Martins, was contacted by Northern Cape Nature Conservation, regional manager, Leon Muller on Monday evening to assist in this situation. Having worked closely with Cape Nature’s Jaco van DeVenter and vet Dr Andre van der Merwe for 5 years, Quinton called them up to assist in what sounded like an impossible mission – a leopard caught in a gin-trap, holding onto a cliff on the top of the Hantam Mountains. To make matter even worse – the trap anchor had been dislodged making it extremely dangerous to approach this wounded animal.

One of CapeNature’s increasingly popular hiking trails – the 23,5 km, two-day Tierkloof trail located in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve (a mere 35 km outside Oudtshoorn) - has been acclaimed as one of the world’s best walking trails in a recently published book Unforgettable Walks to Take Before You Die, by British authors Steve Watkins and Clare Jones. The trail is now placed alongside world renowned trails such as Peru’s Inca Trail, India’s Darjeeling Tea Trek, China’s Giant Panda Walk and Scotland’s West Highland Way.

CapeNature announces Cederberg Heritage Route

CapeNature is proud to announce the latest addition to its stable of eco-tourism offerings, the recently launched Cederberg Heritage Route - within the boundaries of one of the eight World Heritage Sites located in the Cape Floristic Kingdom - the popular Cederberg Wilderness Area - a mere two hours drive north from Cape Town.

Frederick Lukus, an energetic 19 year old, comes from a large farm close to Robertson renowned for producing some of the finest wines in South Africa and, judged by Frederick’s outstanding performance during his training in CapeNature’s National Youth Service Programme (NYSP) - fine wine is not all that gets produced on this farm.

The flyfishing waters of CapeNature's Jonkershoek reserve

Can there be a more relaxing and contemplative pastime than fishing?  Nestled in the picturesque Jonkershoek Nature reserve, just outside Stellenbosh, the flyfishery dams offer superb flyfishing for both the experienced and the novice flyfisher.

Successful mountain rescue at Limietberg

CapeNature’s Deon Rossouw and Ivan Jansen have last week rescued six hikers who got lost on the Limietberg after misjudging their hiking route.

Partnership in Predator Conservation

CapeNature and the Landmark Foundation have established an integrated partnership in predator conservation. This partnership is an ambitious endeavour to see predators conserved across the living landscape. The project is aimed at innovative and proactive management interventions, supported by research and market solutions to the livestock-predator conundrum.

WHALE TRAIL UPGRADES

One of CapeNature’s flagship tourism products, the Whale-Trail will be undergoing an even greener “face-lift” in the months to come. Most of these operations will be taking place between 9-23 February 2008 when the trail will be closed to the public.

Swartbergpas se gesig verander

Diegene wat die laaste maand of so die Swartbergpas aangedurf het, of dalk die Hel gaan besoek het, het sekerlik gesien dat die Swartbergpas, soos wat ons hom vir die afgelope 50 jaar ken, besig is om ‘n gedaantevewisselling te ondergaan.

Indringers kom hul moses teë

CapeNature verwyder deurlopend indringerplante as deel van hulle verpligtinge as omgewingsbewarings-agente. Onlangs het CapeNature se veldwagte veral oliebome verwyder uit Meiringspoort en Gamkaskloof (Die Hel), beide deel van die Swartberg Natuurreservaat.