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Issue 7
The Water and Biodiversity Edition
February – April 2018
Water and sanitation in the rural context in South Africa
Protecting our critical water factories
Controlling Invasive Alien Plants to protect water resources
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 1
What’s Inside
A word from the CEO 2
Guest contribution 3
• Linking Cheetah conservation, human population growth, and family planning
Features 4
• Water and sanitation in the rural context in South Africa
• Protecting our critical water factories
• Controlling Invasive Alien Plants to protect water resources
• Seagrass: an unsung hero
• Emerging farmers set the pace for climate smart farming
Showcasing our supporters: Accelerate 11
Tails from the field 12
• Creating a conservation haven in the magical Soutpansberg Mountains
• Conservation Canine stops poachers in their tracks
• Preserving free-roaming carnivores in rural communities
• Eskom hooking up at heights with vulture chicks
Showcasing our supporters: Relate 15
Green heroes 17
• A portrait of a conservationist
Walking the talk 18
• Saying no to single-use plastic
Science snippets 19
• What role do wild birds play in outbreaks of bird flu?
Wildlife fact file 20
• Cape Clawless Otter
• Heaviside’s Dolphin
• Blue Whale
Showcasing our supporters: Wildlife Campus 21
Meet the pack
• Kulani Rob Nyakani
• Oldrich van Schalkwyk
• Miranda Kambule
Supporters’ corner 24
• Events
• Giving made easy
Pups’ place 28
In closing: Mwitu’s missive 29
Physical Address: Building K2, Ardeer Road, Pinelands Office Park,
Modderfontein 1609, Gauteng, South Africa, Postal Address: Private Bag X 11, Modderfontein 1645, Gauteng, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 11 372 3600 Fax: +27 (0) 11 608 4682 NPO
1 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition
A word from the CEO
The nature of the EWT’s work is to be in the field, making a difference where it matters the
most. As a result, video footage of spectacular landscapes and exhilarating wildlife often
makes for jealous office staff, whose offices do not vaguely resemble pristine beaches,
rolling hills or Big Five reserves.
However, the tiny gems of wildlife that still exist in our urban know what happened to the other two eggs/chicks, or if the
environments are not be overlooked or cast aside. In Johannesburg, Hadeda parents lamented their loss, but I am guessing that the
we are surrounded by millions of trees that are home to thousands of full time job it was to raise one healthy, strong and demanding
birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals. If you just open your eyes youngster was all that they could manage and more than kept
and ears, you will be astounded to see who shares out city with us! their days busy. Darwinian theories aside, we need to trust in the
future that we are building and not stay hung up on the past.
I had a wonderful family move into the tree outside my office window 6. Above all, look around you. See life through the eyes of others;
in November. A Hadeda Ibis couple built their (very rickety and unsafe appreciate other animals’ risks, threats, fears, needs, aspirations
looking) nest in the highest branches (my office is on the top floor) of a and their role in building a colourful and thriving world. Give
Water Pear tree and in time, had produced three large, speckled eggs. more than you take.
During the December break, either one or all of the eggs hatched, and
if the latter, something happened to two of the chicks. Because when The photo that I managed to get is particularly bad as I was creeping
I returned in January, I was greeted by the clicking sound of one very in the dark around the back end of my window, but it’s a tribute to the
hungry, fluffy young Hadeda balancing precariously on an increasingly little squawker that is probably yelling outside your window right now
insecure collection of sticks held together by bird poo and not much and may be annoying you as only a Hadeda can. But I love that sound
else. Throughout the month, the parents of this gangly creature took now. For the little bit of field that was brought into my top story office,
turns to watch over it or collect its food. Despite gale force winds, no matter how less glamourous than a Cheetah he may have been.
hailstorms and torrential rains, the little fluffball held on for dear life Nature is all around us, aren’t we blessed! And he may even make into
and it was with trepidation that I arrived at work every day to gingerly the next edition of the EWT’s Conservation Week video tribute at the
peer out of my window and see if he was still alive. By gingerly, I mean of this year!
creeping up to the window, as, practically from birth, it was clear that
mom and pop Hadeda had instilled in their chick a mortal terror of Thank you for all your emails and comments received on these
human beings and a hissing, fluffing of wings and an open beak to newsletters, please keep them coming.
scare me was what greeted me if they even vaguely saw my shadow
appear. This made me sad. Yolan
Email: yolanf@ewt.org.za
As Mother Nature is all-powerful, the survival skills of this little chick
were remarkable and reminded me again of how natural resilience
exists in so many species whilst human beings appear to be far needier
and less happy with a bed of sticks and a diet of grubs.
I learned a lot from my own “field experience” that I too can share, so
it is not just my staff working with Wild Dogs or cranes that have cool
stories. Lessons from the Hadeda family:
1. The bond between a mother and her child, of almost any animal,
is unique, powerful, all prevailing and should garner respect from
all humans. It is not just humans who will die for their young,
and whose sole purpose is to protect, teach and develop their
offspring. We should respect that a LOT more in our fellow
species.
2. Wild animals naturally distrust and fear humans. With good
reason no doubt. We should not simply accept that as our right
as apex predators, and we should never exploit that fear. Instead,
we should learn to be more humble about the fact that we are
the MOST feared species on earth. By everyone.
3. Life is about a few simple rules. Food and water, shelter, parental
love and protection, learning, and growing. If we don’t grow, we
die. Interpret that in a number of ways.
4. Take only that which you need. And live lightly. Despite Hadedas
sometimes reusing old nests, my neighbour’s home finally
succumbed to the ravages of a Gauteng thunderstorm and there
is now almost no sign at all that any life even existed on those
branches. Fortunately, fluffball was sitting further along the
branches at the time and seemed to have moved out by then.
5. Focus on what we have and what can do in the future. I will never
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 2
LINKING CHEETAH CONSERVATION, The EWT is a member of the Population & Sustainability Network, a
global alliance promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH, AND as a critical element of sustainable development. Members of the
Network promote the importance of voluntary and rights based family
FAMILY PLANNING planning interventions to not only benefit infant and maternal health,
but also because they understand the cross-sectoral benefits of family
planning. For some time, the EWT has incorporated family planning
David Johnson, Chief Executive, Margaret Pyke Trust, with the interventions at its project site in Groot Marico, with two other
members of the Population & Sustainability Network.
Population & Sustainability Network
dj@populationandsustainability.org
The latest conservation organisation to join the EWT, and make the
links between improvements in family planning knowledge, rights, and
The EWT was the first conservation NGO in South Africa to recognise
services, population growth, and conservation policy and programme
the importance of Population, Health and Environment (PHE)
design is the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Whilst the EWT is
programmes as a means of acknowledging women’s reproductive and
already involved with Population, Health and Environment (PHE)
health rights, and the role of empowering women in keeping family
programmes, which integrate family planning actions with sustainable
sizes sustainable and small. These kinds of programme provide an
livelihood interventions, it is encouraging to see the approach gaining
important model for marginalised rural areas where community health
traction in the conservation sector.
and wellbeing is dependent on ecosystem health, like many of those
in which the EWT operates. PHE programmes integrate improved
When the CCF joined the Population & Sustainability Network, it marked
sexual and reproductive health services with conservation actions and
the occasion by publishing the importance of human reproductive
support for improved livelihoods. They have been proven to result in
health and rights for cheetah conservation, which it co-authored with
greater health, human welfare and conservation outcomes than single
Network coordinator, the Margaret Pyke Trust. This is perhaps the first
sector approaches, and the EWT is proud to be the only South African
time a paper making the connections between human reproductive
conservation organisation currently implementing such programmes.
health and rights and the conservation of a specific species has been
published.
3 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition
and adolescent Cheetahs remaining in the wild. Currently classified
as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), Cheetahs face threats including habitat loss, declines
in prey, poaching, the illegal pet trade and climate change. Many
conservationists believe their status should be reclassified by the IUCN
as Endangered.
There is very often an overlap of the areas of most conservation
significance, and where the barriers to family planning services are
greatest, and as human needs and settlements grow, so do pressures
on Cheetah habitat. Improving knowledge of contraception and
the provision of rights-based family planning services can only ever
be one part of any conservation programme, but it is an important
consideration nonetheless. It is exciting that another conservation
organisation has recognised these connections, and has committed
to collaborating with expert health partner organisations to address
human and environmental health in an integrated and holistic way.
Read the full paper here: The importance of human reproductive
health and rights for cheetah conservation.
WATER AND SANITATION IN THE RURAL
CONTEXT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Oscar Mohale, Field and Research Assistant, Source to Sea
Programme and Bridget Jonker, Source to Sea Programme
Manager
OscarM@ewt.org.za and BridgetC@ewt.org.za
In a dusty town in the North West Province, young Moremi wakes up
in the morning, washes himself in a corner of the tiny RDP house he
shares with his family, puts on his school uniform and goes outside
to use the toilet. The pit latrine is built behind their house and is a
breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes. The structure has been
moved around so many times it is falling apart. The stench is almost
unbearable and when it rains, the water runs down the hill and fills
the hole, spilling waste everywhere. The latrine is overflowing, they
need to relieve themselves in five-litre buckets in the house, gather
the waste in plastic bags and dump it into the nearby river. The same
river they rely on for their drinking water….
Moremi and his family are not alone. Managing waste is a reality for
many residents in rural settlements across the country, despite the
government’s promise to eradicate the bucket toilet system by the
Dr Laurie Marker of the CCF explained the importance of family end of 2007.
planning to the organisation, “For the last 25 years, the CCF has
worked tirelessly to conserve the global Cheetah population. We have In the 2015/2016 period, R975 million had been allocated to eradicate
always partnered with rural communities to empower and improve bucket toilets, which would cover close to 90,000 households across
their lives, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because the country. In reality, we are not doing well on this target. According
we believe conservation and community development go hand in to the Department of Water and Sanitation, an estimated 2.2 million
hand. As the links between conservation, population growth, and households still use pit latrines, chemical toilets or have no access to
barriers to communities accessing sexual and reproductive health sanitation at all.
services, including rights-based family planning services, have become
increasingly apparent, we knew it was time we took these links into South Africa is generally an arid country and erratic rainfall patterns
account in our organisational strategy.” exacerbate this. This creates problems in supplying water to the 55
million people who live in the country. If water is such a precious
Programmes integrating family planning improvements with commodity in this country, surely we should be far more careful about
conservation actions have been demonstrated to have greater how we treat it and dispose of it. As a result of these water supply and
conservation, health and gender outcomes than traditional single sanitation issues, we have seen social protests across the country. And
sector ‘health’ or ‘conservation’ programmes, although they are not rightly so.
widely implemented. It is therefore significant that the CCF has not
only committed to do so, but has co-authored a paper looking at the Freshwater ecosystems in South Africa are highly threatened, much
links between human reproductive health and Cheetah conservation. more so than terrestrial ecosystems. Almost 60% of river ecosystem
types are threatened, with 25% of these Critically Endangered. Wetland
Over the last 100 years, the global Cheetah population has decreased ecosystem types are of even more concern, with 65% identified as
by around 90%, so that today there are only around 7,000 adult threatened, including a staggering 48% Critically Endangered. This is
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 4
of enormous concern given the crucial
role of wetlands in delivering ecosystem
services such as water purification, flood
regulation and drought mitigation. Some
of the major pressures on freshwater
ecosystems include pollution from
failing Waste Water Treatment Works
and pollution from settlements with no
or very basic sanitation facilities.
In terms of the South African
Constitution, the executive responsibility
to deliver water and sanitation services
falls on local government. Where there
is a backlog in the delivery of water
and sanitation services, and where
municipalities are unable to meet their
constitutional and statutory obligations,
local government is also most likely to
be held legally accountable. However,
national or provincial governments
should also take responsibility for the
failure to perform local government
functions or performing them
inadequately. This is provided for
in the Constitution, where national
and provincial governments have the
legislative and executive authority to see
5 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition
information back into the relevant departments that need to response
accordingly). In the next year, we are looking to pilot innovative dry
sanitation solutions in the areas we work to reduce impacts on the
river systems and to address the imminent public health threat that
comes with failing (or lack of) sanitation systems. If the uptake of these
solutions is positive, we will be engaging with local government to roll
out these solutions at a large scale.
Our work is supported by UNDP and Coca Cola, the Elizabeth Wakeman
Henderson Charitable Foundation, and the Population & Sustainability
Network.
PROTECTING OUR CRITICAL WATER
FACTORIES
Nkosinathi Nama, Amathole Endangered Freshwater Species
Project Coordinator, Source to Sea Programme
nkosinathin@ewt.org.za
A number of catchments in South Africa are recognised as strategic
water source areas. These high rainfall areas channel water into rivers,
lakes, dams, wetlands and groundwater systems. They provide a vital
service to ecosystems and form the foundation of water security for
our country.
South Africa is classified as a water scarce country. With over 98%
of its surface water sources already allocated, South Africa depends
heavily on its catchment areas for water. The national Department of
Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with other civil and research
partners, has identified 21 strategic surface water source areas in the
country that are critical for water security and economic development.
Research conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) highlighted the importance of these areas that make
up only 8% of the country’s surface area but contribute more than 50%
of its surface water.
South Africa’s surface water strategic
water source areas
to municipalities’ effective execution of their functions. Civil society Amathole – Eastern Cape
can put pressure on national and provincial governments to exercise Eastern Cape Drakensberg – Eastern Cape
their mandates, through bringing dysfunctional situations to light and Maloti Drakensberg – Eastern Cape
legally challenging departments that are not fulfilling their mandates. Pondoland Coast – Eastern Cape
There is also an opportunity to enhance public participation in Tsitsikamma – Eastern Cape
decision-making processes and to encourage statutory bodies such as Mfolozi Head Waters – KwaZulu-Natal
the South African Human Rights Commission and the Water Tribunal Northern Drakensberg – KwaZulu-Natal
Southern Drakensberg – KwaZulu-Natal
to play watchdog functions. Members of the public can get involved
Zululand Coast – KwaZulu-Natal
by supporting the work of these organisations and engaging actively in Soutpansberg - Limpopo
stakeholder meetings and public participation processes. Wolkberg – Limpopo
Enkangala Drakensberg – Mpumalanga
Other solutions involve public private partnerships, where government Mbabane Hills – Mpumalanga
collaborates with business to manage sanitation and water delivery Mpumalanga Drakensberg – Mpumalanga
projects and at a smaller scale - innovative local interventions, such as Boland Mountains – Western Cape
dry sanitation systems that can be rolled out quickly at minimal cost. Groot Winterhoek – Western Cape
Social entrepreneurs come up with ideas to society’s most pressing Kougaberg – Western Cape
Langeberg Mountains – Western Cape
social problems. Rather than leaving societal needs to the government,
Outeniqua – Western Cape
social entrepreneurs find what is not working and solve the problem Swartberg – Western Cape
by changing the system, scaling the solution, and persuading entire Table Mountain – Western Cape
societies to take new leaps. In the sanitation space, organisations and
start-ups are creating high quality sanitation solutions that save water,
limit pollution of water resources and are accessible to the poor. The strategic water source areas have been referred to as the country’s
“water factories”. An example of such a water factory, and perhaps one
The EWT is working in a number of catchments, including the Marico of the most important, is the Drakensberg mountain range, which has
River Catchment where water pollution from domestic effluent is a disproportionately high rainfall compared to the rest of the country.
serious issue. We are working closely with the affected communities These water source areas are not only important for water production,
to hold government accountable through supporting active citizenry, but are also important ecologically as they drive and maintain
monitoring the health of the water resource (and feeding this terrestrial, and more importantly, aquatic ecosystem functioning.
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 6
Aquatic ecosystems such as rivers and wetlands depend on high
quality water sourced from catchment areas. Ecosystems such as
estuaries, which are the interface between land and sea, also depend
on catchment areas as sources of fresh water as they provide the flow
of fresh water that sustains their unique ecosystems and supports
estuaries as fish nurseries.
The effects of climate change and poor natural resource management,
coupled with social challenges such as rural unemployment, urban
sprawl and increased economic activities, are placing increased
pressure on these water source areas through increased pollution
and secondary effects from heavier grazing pressure. It is crucial that
various management tools are utilised in tandem to ensure efficient
and holistic catchment management solutions that respond to these
challenges and more.
The EWT, in partnership with other civil organisations and government
departments, is implementing a range of holistic catchment
management solutions in the Amathole Mountains, which are a
strategic water source area in the Eastern Cape. With the support
of the European Union and Rand Merchant Bank, the Amathole
Endangered Freshwater Species Project aims to conserve the integrity
of this precious water source, which is home to five threatened
freshwater-dependent species (two fishes, the Border Barb Barbus
trevelyani and the Eastern Cape Rocky Sandelia bainsii; a damselfly,
the Amathole Malachite Chlorolestes apricans; and two amphibians,
the Amathole Toad Vandijkophrynus amatolicus and the Hogsback
Chirping Frog Anhydrophryne rattrayi), They are all threatened
by invasive alien species and habitat loss/degradation. Through
invasive alien plant clearing along riparian zones (the areas along the
banks of rivers) we have seen tangible increases in indigenous fish
populations. Our work on promoting inclusive eco-economies such as
beekeeping is starting to benefit our local entrepreneurs with the first
honey harvest inspiring others to join this initiative as a sustainable
alternative to the Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) that
they are currently involved in. We catalyse stakeholder engagement
and collaboration through hosting the Amathole Catchment Forum,
where biomonitoring information is shared and NGOs, government
and community members can share experiences and information.
The EWT would like to thank the European Union, Rand Merchant
Bank and the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Water and
Sanitation for their continued support in the Amathole Mountains.
CONTROLLING INVASIVE ALIEN PLANTS
TO PROTECT WATER RESOURCES
Nicholas Armstrong, Amathole Freshwater Species
Conservation Project NRM Field Operations Officer, Source to
Sea Programme Not only do IAPs reduce water availability, but they often replace and
nicholasa@ewt.org.za exclude indigenous flora, impacting negatively on all organisms in the
system. In the case of Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), large dense stands
Quite a number of plant species are introduced from a foreign country of trees grow in the areas close to river banks, affecting both water
and the new ecosystems are not adapted to these species. Many quality and water quantity. They exclude the natural grasses, bulbs,
of them are able to flourish and become invasive because they lack succulents and saplings that should grow there through competition
the crucial natural pressures that control their population numbers. for water and light. Indigenous plant resources are no longer available
Without external pressures, these Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) quickly to carry the populations of animals that naturally occur. In addition,
colonise large tracts of land and riparian zones, where water is large tracts of productive grassland are lost, impacting negatively on
abundant. livestock farming in rural areas.
The control of IAP species is critical for the protection of water Invasive Black Wattle stands alter both the physical and biological
resources, both globally and locally. Some invasive species are very conditions of the environment to such an extent that ecosystem
thirsty, extracting excessive volumes of water from both groundwater functioning is impeded. Exclusion of grasses and other herbaceous
and river systems. When growing en masse, this has a significant plants leave the soil exposed and susceptible to erosion every time it
impact on the ecosystem found in a catchment area, especially in rains. These soils are even more erodible because the Black Wattles
sensitive areas. have dried them out.
7 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition
The landscape surrounding rivers in a catchment area stores water The EWT’s Source to Sea Programme is implementing a catchment
like a sponge, and slowly releases it into the river over time. This rehabilitation programme as part of our Amathole Freshwater
helps to filter the water, and make sure that the river does not run Species Conservation Project, in partnership with Working for Water.
dry, especially during the dry season. It also reduces the flooding risk The project focuses on the Amathole Mountain Catchment of the
during very high rainfall periods. Not only do IAPs extract groundwater Eastern Cape, and manages Black Wattle populations in over 2,000
reserves, but they can change the nature of the soil to such an extent hectares of key catchment areas. In this year, we have treated 1215 ha
that it no longer performs the essential function of water flow creating 3862 person days of work and we are already starting to see
management. the benefits of better catchment management with local tributaries
IAP control is a critical intervention for the conservation of our natural flowing again as well as increases in indigenous fish populations, due to
habitats and water resources. As a water scarce country, South improved water quality. Through this work, we are able to contribute
Africans should unanimously rally behind all efforts to control IAPs. The effectively to the protection of a critical water resource, ensuring that
Working for Water programme of the Department of Environmental life’s most important ingredient is available for generations to come.
Affairs has been active since 1994, creating work opportunities for
impoverished South Africans to clear IAPs from water resource areas. The EWT would like to thank the Department of Environmental Affairs,
This programme has been very successful in many areas but the European Union and Rand Merchant Bank for their continued support
challenge remains in how to maintain the areas as alien plant free after of the work we do in the Amathole Mountain area.
the initial clearing interventions. Often landowners and communities
do not have the necessary resources to do follow up clearing.
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 8
SEAGRASS: AN UNSUNG HERO need to declare seagrass-focused protected areas in the region.
To this end, the EWT has initiated a study of the fish assemblages in
the seagrass meadows within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park,
Isabelle Giddy, Marine Project Officer, Source to Sea in partnership with the University of Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo.
Programme We are using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) surveys to
IsabelleG@ewt.org.za assess the fish communities in areas zoned for varying levels of use
(from open access, to only local fishers, to complete no take zones).
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants commonly found in estuaries, This should give us an idea of the level of exploitation of the fishery,
shallow coastal banks and the rooftops of reefs. While seagrasses are with the goal of testing this method as a tool for long-term monitoring
one of the most productive ecosystems in the world (comparable to within the park to inform sustainable fisheries management.
that of coral reefs and tropical rainforests), they are also one of the most
rapidly declining, losing 7% of their known area annually. Seagrasses South Africa hosts a dismal and heavily impacted 7km² of seagrass,
support a diversity of marine life, being particularly important as mostly concentrated in the Knysna estuary and
refuges for juvenile fish, as well as providing a number of ecosystem St Lucia region. The Langebaan lagoon has almost
services, such as bank stabilisation and carbon sequestration. They lost the entirety of its seagrasses due to nearby
are however, a “forgotten” ecosystem, not being outwardly fantastic development. The last stronghold in the Knysna
like tropical rainforests, and therefore neglected. Seagrasses are most lagoon, is also struggling, especially after the
vulnerable to sedimentation and excess nutrients in the water, caused Knysna fires in June 2017, causing sediment, due
by development encroachment in coastal areas. to subsequent erosion, to flow into the lagoon;
blocking the seagrass from light, like volcanic ash
Mozambique is home to one of the largest extent of seagrasses in might do in our skies. The state of the seagrasses
East Africa, covering an estimated 459 km² and including 18 different is also impacted by excess nutrients in the water
species. The island of Bazaruto in Mozambique supports an artisanal due to inadequate waste treatment works and the
fishing community of about 3,500 people who collectively own 72 inability to cope with an increasing population’s
seine-nets varying from 160–350 m in length. Fishing on Bazaruto is sanitary requirements. The threats to seagrasses in
a family business. With everybody participating in some way or the Knysna cannot be lessened by declaring protected
other, the act of fishing has become closely linked to the identity of areas, as sediment and nutrients seep in from
the community. Grandfathers supervise, babies are rocked on their external sources. Knysna is reliant on its reputation
mother’s backs as the women pull the nets to shore, young men as a popular tourism destination and an attractive
do the hardest of the physical work, and women de-gut the freshly lagoon, which is also home to the Endangered
caught fish on the beach. The important livelihood of seine-netting Knysna Seahorse, a seagrass adapted fish.
relies on seagrass beds, where a diversity of commercially important
resident fish and migratory fish can be found feeding on the seagrass, Over the next three years, the EWT will be working
invertebrates and baitfish. with the Knysna Basin Project, SANParks, the Knysna
Municipality, the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative
Seagrass meadows are not only important to the fishers’ livelihoods and WWF-SA to address the direct threats to the
and identity in Bazaruto, but are also the primary food source for health of this estuary that resulted from the June
Green Turtles and regionally Endangered Dugongs. Above the water, fires.
seabirds, Pied Kingfishers, Egrets and flamingos can also be seen
enjoying the rewards of a diverse seagrass meadow. The tourism lure Both South Africans and Mozambicans garner
of these incredible creatures is also not to be forgotten. Because of the livelihoods and ecosystem services from seagrasses
growing pressures on the seagrass meadows, there is an increasing to varying levels. Seagrasses play an essential role
9 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Editionin removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which impacts
everyone across the world. At the local level, subsistence fisheries rely
heavily on the health of seagrass meadows. However, the seagrasses
are faced with very different challenges. We do not live in silos. The
first step in improving the status of seagrass meadows is to begin to
realise their specific roles and importance to all humans, locally and
globally, and begin to appreciate the secrets hidden in the shadows of
the seagrass shoots.
Our work on seagrasses is supported by the Global Environmental
Facility (GEF), the Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Charitable
Foundation, and Nedbank.
the effects of climate change. Maximum water conservation and the
selection of production systems with minimal water requirements is
EMERGING FARMERS SET THE PACE FOR
set as a priority. The need for these farming practices is on the rise, as
most of South Africa is under increasing water stress. Current farming
practices in South Africa are highly resource intensive and many of the
CLIMATE SMART FARMING techniques are not as efficient as they could be.
The EWT, together with our local partners African Pride Nature
Jean-Pierre Le Roux, Aquatic Conservationist, Source to Sea Conservation Association and Koffiekraal Community Property
Programme Association, identified the need for climate smart farming in the villages
jeanpierrel@ewt.org.za around Groot Marico in the North West Province. One of the villages,
Koffiekraal, lies within a semi-arid region and water is very limited. The
Climate smart farming is an approach to farming that aims to increase project started with a regional analysis of the area, which generated
the sustainability and resilience of farming practices to better manage the information necessary to make recommendations on appropriate
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 10land and water management practices as well as suggestions on
possible agricultural products ideally suited to the region’s climate
Showcasing our
and prospect of conservation and restoration agriculture.
With the analysis done, we identified five emerging farmers with the
help of the traditional council and community property association.
supporters
These farmers would start with the implementation of this new type
of farming. Five farmers grew to 17 after it was decided to include
more of the local farmers. Some of these farmers are women that
have been subsistence farmers for many years. This was a great
addition to the group, as they had local knowledge of the area as
well as experience in planting traditional crops. The young emerging
farmers were included in a range of different training events. They
started with training in permaculture, which brings across the basics
of climate smart farming. Permaculture works on the principal of
ACCELERATE SPORT CONTINUES TO
a farm functioning as a natural system, where the farmer and the
environment’s needs are taken into consideration. The second
SUPPORT CONSERVATION THROUGH THE
phase of the training was run by the South African Institute for
Entrepreneurship. Their Agri-Planner Programme was aimed at more
EWT SENIOR GOLF SERIES
in depth crop production and making the farm profitable. With this
training, the farmers would be able to go from sustainable livelihoods
to economic empowerment. In order to improve budgeting and
personal financial skills, we had Old Mutual come in and provide their
On-The-Money financial literacy course. A group of the farmers also
participated in Alien Invasive Management Training to improve the
condition of their land as well as to equip them with the skills they
needed to contract their services in Natural Resource Management
Programmes.
With their newfound skills, they teamed up with the other farmers, In just its second year, the SA Senior Open has established itself as
sharing their knowledge and implementing both the new and the premier event on the EWT Senior Golf Series. As the only annual
traditional skills on a pilot site. The site that they identified was barren professional golf event in the Bitou Municipality, the SA Senior
and eroded, as most of the farmlands in the area are. Many months Open offers a unique opportunity for corporates and individuals to
of work went into the site, prepping the soil and getting it ready for experience tournament golf.
planting. Climate smart techniques were implemented from the start
to make sure that the farm could survive the harsh climatic conditions Held from 3 – 6 April 2018, the event returns to the Plettenberg Bay
of the area. These techniques included rainwater harvesting, the Golf Course, which is set on a private nature reserve and considered
selection of crops better suited for dry conditions, crop rotation, soil a ‘must play’ course on the Garden Route.
protection in the form of mulch to minimise water loss and to protect
the soil from erosion, a drip irrigation system to apply water directly The event brings together Africa’s best senior professionals over the
to the plants roots minimising evaporation, and crop shelter in the age of 50 to compete alongside international senior professionals. An
form of a shaded net area. As emerging farmers with limited funds, exceptional roll call of former champions, including the likes of John
the concept of organic farming was also implemented, cutting out Bland and Hugh Baiocchi, will all have the aim of dethroning 2017
the costs of herbicides and pesticides, which also have a negative Senior Open Champion Mark McNulty.
effect on the environment. The farmers used plant extracts to ward
off pests and used manure and compost to fertilise the ground. All Proceeds from this event are donated to the EWT’s conservation
of these practices soon showed their reward as they were producing work.
more crops than they could sell and they were able to continue even For further information or to book, please contact Daniel Quinta
during the worst drought the area has seen in many years, which is from Accelerate Sport on 083 308 6682 or daniel@acceleratesports.
better than some of the commercial farmers were doing in the area com, or visit www.acceleratesport.com
using a conventional farming approach.
The farm has grown over the last few months and now has a solar
powered pump, making it even more environmentally friendly. These
inspiring young farmers are setting their sights on bigger plots of land
where they can implement their skills and even employ people from
their own community. They have also inspired many people from the
community to follow their example, taking climate smart farming to
new highs in the area. With land reform at the top of the national
agenda, it is so important to support emerging farmers so that they
can ensure food security for their communities, the country and
eventually, international markets.
This work has been made possible through funding from the
Foundation for Human Rights, the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), Coca Cola and the Elizabeth Wakeman
Henderson Charitable Foundation.
11 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity EditionTails from the field
of the Roberts family in Australia. This is the first step in a long-
term project to realise the dream of establishing the Soutpansberg
Protected Area (SPA), which will ultimately span in excess of 23,000
ha and will connect the existing Happy Rest Nature Reserve in the east
CREATING A CONSERVATION HAVEN IN and Luvhondo Private Nature Reserve in the west.
THE MAGICAL SOUTPANSBERG By embarking on this journey to protect the area, and purchasing this
special tract of land in the western Soutpansberg’s Sand River Gorge,
MOUNTAINS the EWT is about to change all that. Medike Nature Reserve will serve
as the catalyst for an ambitious project that will bring in neighbouring
properties into the larger Soutpansberg Protected Area, which will
Oldrich van Schalkwyk, Soutpansberg Protected Area safeguard the future of hundreds of threatened species and support the
Manager development of sustainable livelihoods in the western Soutpansberg
OldrichV@ewt.org.za Mountains. In essence, we will work with existing landowners and local
communities to make this one large protected area with the aim of
The Soutpansberg Mountains within the Limpopo Province are South saving species and habitats, providing critical ecosystem services, such
Africa’s most northern mountain range, and are full of mystery and as clean water, and developing climate change resilience.
magic. This is largely because they are home to thousands of species
of insect, plants, birds and mammals that are found nowhere else Environmental threats in the area include illegal killing of wildlife, such
on earth. The EWT has identified this region as being in urgent need as Leopards, for the local bush meat and skin industry, and pangolins,
of protection due to the high presence of Endangered species, its for export trade; illegal and unsustainable harvesting of medicinal
extraordinary variety of important habitat types, its crucial role in plants, as well as the uncontrolled collection of firewood; ongoing
water production, and its value as a centre of cultural heritage for many illegal sand mining in the Sand River; and illegal clearing of indigenous
communities. Despite the significance of the region, the Soutpansberg forest, among others. Many of these threats stem from a lack of socio-
Mountains currently receive little conservation support, with less than economic development in the area, and the EWT’s far-reaching vision
one percent of the area being formally conserved in nature reserves. for this region will result not only in the conservation of its unique
biodiversity and the sustained integrity of its water resources, but in
The EWT is thrilled to have purchased its first ever land and it’s in this sustainable livelihood options for the local communities too. Much
unique habitat, in the form of the Medike Nature Reserve. Medike of the work will revolve around addressing human-wildlife conflict,
comprises some 1,400 ha and was bought through the generosity and supporting the local communities to farm in an environmentally
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 12friendly manner. The EWT will also promote the establishment of a The SPA will act as a demonstration project for the expansion of this
long-lasting conservation-based green economy, linked to innovative work throughout the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and other Man and
local micro-enterprises. Biosphere Reserves across the country and continent. We welcome
contributions and partnerships from other NGOs and corporates to
The Roberts family fell in love with this magical mountain when they grow this dream and to establish this unique area as a conservation
visited it 2014 and their generosity has allowed the EWT to secure the icon.
Medike Nature Reserve and catalyse a bigger conservation vision for
the area. The proposed SPA will result in protected area expansion,
water security, socio-economic development, ‘green’ job creation and
PRESERVING FREE-ROAMING
threatened species conservation in the western Soutpansberg. This
vision has subsequently leveraged further support from major donors
CARNIVORES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: A
including Rainforest Trust and the Nedbank Green Trust, allowing this
dream to approach reality.
Yolan Friedmann, EWT CEO, says, “The purchase of Medike signals a FIRST FOR THE EWT
new era for the EWT, as we embark on one of the most exciting projects
in our history: that of a private landowner and conservator, as well as Derek van der Merwe, Limpopo Regional Coordinator,
driver of community stewardship and socio-economic development as Carnivore Conservation Programme
a both neighbour and a supporting partner. We remain forever grateful
DerekV@ewt.org.za
to our investors in conservation, the Roberts Family Trust, as well as
Rainforest Trust and the Nedbank Green Trust, for taking this vision
Carnivores are essential elements of healthy ecosystems. In South
forward. We also thank Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr for their enormous
Africa, carnivores are afforded high levels of protection in the national
support in all the work of the EWT.”
parks and private game reserves but what is the status of
those living outside of these protected areas? In such areas
like the livestock farmlands and game breeding areas of the
Waterberg there is a high level of conflict between farmers
and carnivores.
Recently, there has been a lot of conflict between rural
communities and large predators in the Waterberg
Biosphere Reserve. These rural communities have resorted
to using indiscriminate and unselective methods such as
poison and snares to persecute problem predators, often
as a last resort with limited other solutions available to
them. From recent surveys in the Waterberg region, seven
Leopards have been poisoned in two rural communities in
the last two years. Two of these Leopards were skinned
and the skin was sold to the illegal muthi markets in South
Africa. We are therefore very worried that these carnivores
outside of protected areas may be targeted as a source of
income because of illegal wildlife trade.
These levels of persecution, as well as the methods used,
are unacceptable and have major detrimental effects on
healthy populations of carnivores living in close proximity
to people. Our project aims to implement proactive, non-
lethal conflict reduction methods so that humans and
carnivores can coexist in rural livestock farmlands. Solutions
should ideally prevent predation while enabling livestock
owners to effectively coexist with carnivores present on
community land. One such solution is the use of Livestock
Guarding Dogs (LGDs) to protect herds from predators.
The use of Anatolian LGDs to protect livestock is not a new
idea, dating back 6,000 years to Turkish herding practices.
In Africa, they were first utilised successfully in Namibia to
prevent Cheetah predation on livestock. We have refined
management techniques to suit the South African scenario,
which follows very different livestock farming practices
from those in Namibia. We also use Africanis bred Maluti
dogs for livestock guarding. This indigenous African breed
has been used historically to safeguard livestock in Lesotho.
Compared to Anatolians, they are hardier, more affordable
and easier to source. This method has reduced human-
carnivore conflict between 52 and 90%, and increased
tolerance from landowners and community members
towards carnivores.
Our solution places LGDs on farmland. This ensures that
farmers are actively involved in the management of the
dogs and ultimately the conservation of predators on their
13 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Editionfarms through the implementation effective livestock husbandry taken to mitigate predation, which almost always ends up in these
strategies. In order to maximise project success, farm owners, farmers beautiful and majestic animals killed by farmers in retaliation.
and herders are actively involved in the care and raising of the LGDs
according to best practices developed by the EWT. The method is This work is made possible by Bakwena, Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson
relatively easy to implement, as once farmers have trained their and Phumelela Gaming.
LGDs, they remain with the herd at all times, and less time needs to
be devoted to herd management. The solution is also beneficial to
CONSERVATION CANINE STOPS
consumers, as the farm management methods on these predator-
friendly farms greatly reduces the likelihood that any predators are
killed in the process.
The effectiveness of these dogs was recently highlighted by an
POACHERS IN THEIR TRACKS
Anatolian puppy named Jumbo. For the first time since the project
inception, we have been placing LGDs in rural communities. We Dr Kelly Marnewick, Senior Trade Officer, Wildlife in Trade
placed Jumbo in the Rebone community north of the Waterberg, with Programme
a subsistence farmer who had lost cattle to Leopards. Since Jumbo’s kellym@ewt.org.za
placement, there has been no reported livestock losses on the farm.
Furthermore, the baboons that used to drink at the kraal and harass Conservation Canine Annie, a member of the EWT’s Wildlife in Trade
the cattle have also moved away from the area and no longer drink Programme (WIT) team, recently helped anti-poaching units nab two
at the water trough. This has illustrated that the mere presence of alleged rhino poachers and potentially saved another rhino’s life! In
the puppy was enough to deter carnivores and other damage-causing mid-January, Annie joined a multiagency anti-poaching operation with
animals from getting close to the livestock. Sadly, the puppy got sick Moholoholo field rangers, the Black Mambas, Hemmersbach Rhino
and had to be taken to the vet. Under the vet’s instructions, the Force, Hoedspruit Farm Watch, Protrack, and the South African Police
puppy was to be kept at a different location to monitor its recovery. Service (SAPS). This operation was coordinated through the Balule
Less than a month after the puppy had been removed from the farm Operations Centre. After rangers noticed an incursion into Balule
the unthinkable happened: one calf was killed by a Leopard on 1 Olifant’s West Nature Reserve, Annie and her handler, Colin Patrick,
January 2018. Thereafter it only got worse for the farmer as a second jumped into action and tracked through the night, over a distance of
and third calf was killed on the 3 January 2018. Was this sequence of more than 20 km through Big Five country. This finally culminated in
events a coincidence or did the removal of Jumbo give predators an Annie leading the anti-poaching units right to the alleged poachers.
opportunity to predate on livestock again? To us, it confirms
that the presence of Jumbo was enough to deter a Leopard
from predating on the farmer’s livestock.
Sadly, after the three calves were killed, the farmer resorted
to poisoning two of the calf carcasses. Fortunately, the
community came forward and let us know about the
poisoning. We were able to get access to the two carcasses
and burn then before any scavenging could take place and
prevent the death of any carnivores in the area. Despite
the farmer resorting to lethal control, we will still assist him
going forward and should his attitude toward poisoning
carcasses be changed we will consider providing him with
another LGD in the future, as poisoning is a huge threat to
LGDs in the field.
This story highlights the potential that the LGDs have when
placed on farms. It also shows the devastating effects that
carnivores can have on farms if necessary steps are not
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 14Two suspected rhino poachers were arrested, and a .375 rifle with
silencer, 15 rounds of ammunition, an axe, four large knives, and
other poaching equipment were seized.
Annie was placed with Colin seven months ago through the WIT
Conservation Canine Project, which focuses on the provision of
trained canines to fight wildlife trafficking within protected areas and
at ports of entry and exit. Annie and Colin went through extensive
training at the Southern African Wildlife College before deployment.
The EWT would like to congratulate Annie, Colin and the rest of
the huge team that brought these poachers to book. With effective
teamwork from brave, dedicated people (and dogs) like these, it will
become harder and harder for rhino poachers to do their work.
The Conservation Canine Project has been made possible through
the generous support of United States Fish and Wildlife Services, the
Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust, The MyPlanet MyRhino Fund, Relate
Bracelets, and many individual donors.
Showcasing our
supporters
Conserving our heritage one bracelet at a ESKOM HOOKING UP AT HEIGHTS WITH
time VULTURE CHICKS
Trappers recently embarked on a new adventure with social enterprise,
the Relate Trust and has launched their own cause bracelet in support Megan Murison, Senior Field Officer, Wildlife and Energy
of the EWT. Programme
MeganM@ewt.org.za
Sold through Trappers stores nationally for R50 each, proceeds of All photo credits: Arno Ellmer
these beaded bracelets contribute directly towards the EWT to
conserve and protect threatened species and ecosystems in southern For the last few years, Eskom Distribution Limpopo Operating Unit
Africa – our heritage. “Trappers and the EWT have a long established has assisted the Limpopo Department of Economic Development,
partnership based on an alignment of core values. As an outdoor Environment & Tourism (LEDET) with a cherry-picker truck (a truck
lifestyle brand, Trappers respects nature and supports the EWT’s with an articulated lift) to ring White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus)
conservation efforts,” commented Vanessa Marx, Trappers: Marketing on Atherstone Nature Reserve (ANR), in Limpopo Province. Banding/
Manager. ringing of birds is a process that permanently marks wild birds with
unique metal rings. The ringing of birds has been a research method
Relate’s core philosophy rests on the concept that lots of small used in southern Africa for almost 60 years as a relatively inexpensive
purchases add up to make a big difference. Locally made and proudly way to study different aspects of avian biology, such as movements
South African, all Relate products contribute not only to charitable and population sizes. The first birds to be ringed in South Africa
causes (like the EWT), but the senior citizens who thread the bracelets, were a group of 31 Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) nestlings at
the young Relate production staff who are upskilled in their chosen the Kransberg colony in Limpopo in 1948. Bird ringers are qualified
future careers, and various enterprise development initiatives. through the South African Ringing Scheme (SAFRing), who adhere
to a strict code of ethics on how to handle wild birds. SAFRing was
Neil Robinson, CEO of Relate Trust, adds, “It is hugely important to historically coordinated by Patrick Morant with the help of the EWT’s
protect and preserve all life on this planet, and with partnerships like then CEO, Dr. John Ledger. The uniquely marked metal rings are
these, we are able to do so while creating employment and learning placed around the leg of the birds and all of these data are curated
opportunities in the process.” by SAFRing.
Each year, Joseph Heymans (LEDET) and a group of qualified bird
ringers ring and tag the White-backed Vulture chicks at ANR. As a
tree-nesting species, these birds have nests resting in the crown of
trees at varying heights from 8 to 25 m! Generally, the preferred
tree species are Marula, thorn, and Shepherd’s trees. Recently, John
Maake (Eskom Distribution Limpopo Operating Unit) met with the
bird ringers at the ANR. At each nest, Joseph will verify the age and
size of the chick to determine if the bird is large enough to ring (the
chick needs to be big enough to be able to carry the metal ring). If the
chick fits the profile, two of the qualified bird ringers climb into the
bucket of the cherry-picker truck to access the nest, put the vulture
15 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Editionchick inside a bag, which is slowly lowered to the people on the ground, who
ring and tag the chick. The chick is then hoisted back up and put safely into
the nest.
Information gathered from rings and tags is vital to aid with monitoring of an
endangered species such as the White-backed Vulture. Population sizes can be
monitored and the data collected feeds into the measuring of the conservation
success of this species. If any birds with these metal tags are found, members
of the public are kindly asked to relay any information to SAFRing (http://
safring.adu.org.za/).
Thanks must go to those involved, including Joseph Heymans, Kobie Raijmakers,
Shonie Raijmakers, Arno Ellmer, John Maake (Eskom) and Eskom Distribution
Management for approving the support to this project.
Did you know? White-backed Vulture
nests are made up of a platform of sticks, lined
with grass and green leaves, situated in the
crown or fork of a large tree. Generally a single
egg is laid, which is incubated for 56 days.
Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity Edition 16Green heroes Clive Walker entered the battle for the rhino with the founding of the
EWT in 1973. He co-founded the Rhino and Elephant Foundation and
the African Rhino Owners Association, and served on the IUCN African
A PORTRAIT OF A CONSERVATIONIST Rhino Specialist Group for close on 19 years.
Now, together they have embarked on their latest conservation
Conita Walker is married to South African conservationist Clive Walker adventure at Walker’s Islands, a small sanctuary where their family is
and has been a driving, dedicated force behind their combined careers creating a ‘living’ museum and botanical garden.
for almost as long as their 50-year marriage. With the founding of
the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve in 1981, she became the alternate In her recently released book, A Rhino in my Garden, Conita tells the
director there, and managed the ‘bush camp’ operations for over 23 story of the love match that lured her from the world of international
years. In 1985, she assisted in establishing the Lapalala Wilderness air travel to plunge, somewhat naïvely, into the life of a conservationist.
School, which to date has seen more than 80,000 children, teachers It’s a tale of adventure, mishaps, humour and heartbreak.
and university students pass through its doors.
Conita’s life began on a remote missionary station; she survived the
WWII bombing of Berlin, witnessed the defeat of political systems in
both Europe and South Africa, and eventually found her true mission
in the rescue and hand rearing of Black and White Rhino orphans.
These rhinos became her life’s work. The Walkers’ commitment to
preserving these magnificent creatures continues to this day, and they
form an invaluable part of what is now one of the leading private rhino
sanctuaries in South Africa.
A Rhino in my Garden is an intimate and loving portrait of the life of a
conservationist, from the inside.
We chatted with Conita to find out a little more about the woman
behind this incredible book.
What would you do if you won R100 million in the lottery?
I would invest in children’s literacy programmes. I’d also support
day visits to our Living Museum by rural children both primary
and secondary, and support the Eco Schools programme of the
Lapalala Wilderness School. I’d establish a functional ‘bush lab’ for
the biodiversity research of the Waterberg, and financially support
my husband’s desire to record in book form his journey in art and
photographic form from the founding of the EWT. And I would
establish a capital fund to support our Waterberg Living Museum in
future development.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Our two sons, Renning and Anton, and in old age, having them close
at hand.
17 Conservation Matters - Issue 7: The Water and Biodiversity EditionYou can also read
