Latest news with #BirdLifeSouthAfrica
Mail & Guardian
01-07-2025
- Science
- Mail & Guardian
National bird in peril: Blue crane numbers plummet in Overberg
Blue cranes are uplisted to vulnerable due to threats such as habitat loss, powerlines, fences and poisoning. (Supplied) South Africa's national bird, the distinctive The uplisting of the elegant, pale blue-grey bird, known for its long, black wingtip feathers that trail on the ground, means that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium term. This is according to the While the Karoo boasts the highest number of blue cranes in the country, its decline is of particular concern in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, where they occur at higher densities than anywhere else in South Africa. Data from the long-running citizen science project, 'These dramatic figures are especially concerning given that this region once had a thriving … population,' the conservation organisations said. In the Karoo, Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts figures showed that populations had declined prior to 2017. But, this data is dated given that the organisation's counts are no longer done in this region, they said. To fix this, BirdLife South Africa has formed a working group with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and International Crane Foundation partnership; the Overberg Crane Group and the FitzPatrick Institute to reinvigorate the project, particularly in areas like the Karoo. The citizen science project is conducted twice annually, relying on dedicated volunteers who count birds along fixed routes creating one of the most robust long-term datasets for large terrestrial birds in the country. The organisations pointed to recent research by The key drivers of nest failure in the Overberg are disturbance and high temperatures, research by MSc student Since 1991 the Overberg Crane Group, along with partners such as CapeNature and the Endangered Wildlife Trust and International Crane Foundation, have driven blue crane conservation efforts in the Overberg. This involved engaging actively with landowners to raise awareness and ensure that farming and cranes coexist peacefully. Similar programmes were initiated in the Karoo and Drakensberg, under the auspices of the South African Crane Working Group. The success of these interventions meant that the blue crane population increased and was regionally downlisted to near threatened in 2015, based on data up until 2010. 'As the population was doing well, conservation efforts for blue cranes were reduced in the Western Cape and Karoo. This can be attributed to the fact that conservation resources are limited and work needs to be prioritised to species that need it the most.' All three crane species in South Africa — the blue, wattled and grey crowned — are found in the Drakensberg region. Ongoing 'The uplisting has demonstrated that this species is dependent on ongoing conservation efforts, especially as they occur almost entirely outside of protected areas.' Within the Overberg, blue cranes are primarily found in wheatlands. 'As new technologies are implemented, cultivars are developed and farming methods are adapted, blue cranes populations are being affected,' they said. 'Indications are that an increase in the practice of minimum till and increased canola production may have reduced the availability of suitable feeding and breeding areas for cranes.' More research was needed to confirm this. Blue cranes have become the secondary, or unintended, victims of poisoning in the Overberg and Swartland regions, often from substances intended for other species, such as geese or rodents. Research has revealed that Still, collision with powerlines remains the main threat to blue cranes. The conservation organisations said ongoing mitigation is necessary, especially as new powerlines are added to connect renewable energy to the grid. This is particularly a threat in the renewable energy development zones of the Overberg and Karoo. Blue cranes have a strong association with agriculture across their range in South Africa and a variety of conservation expertise is required to conserve the species. 'Encouragingly, many farmers have already embraced their role as custodians of these birds, showing that agricultural productivity and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand,' the groups said. 'Their commitment forms the backbone of South Africa's blue crane conservation efforts.' Kevin Shaw, the chairperson of the Overberg Crane Group, added that the Red List assessment is the determination of extinction risk. It looks at how well the species is doing over a period of time and measures it against set criteria, allowing assessors to assign a conservation status. 'What is often forgotten is that the survival of a species is governed by two forces: the threats on the one hand and the mitigation efforts to combat these threats. If the population of a threatened species is improving and it is uplisted (as was the blue crane 10 years ago) then we all rejoice, clap one another on the backs on a job well done and walk off to tackle the next species, forgetting that the threats are still there and the only reason why the species 'recovered' was because of conservation actions.' It therefore came as no surprise to him that the blue crane had been uplisted again 10 years later. 'The threats are still there, and there may be even different ones because … we don't have a clue on what is going on, on the ground. There is a lot of speculation, but with finite resources , we need to be damn sure, otherwise we could be wasting valuable resources on conservation actions that will not achieve relevant results.' According to Shaw, the biggest problem for the blue crane is that the largest portion of its population occurs on agricultural land. This is not seen as a conservation priority as it does not contribute to the country's target for conservation in terms of land within protected areas. 'Also this is where the largest human impact is, with landowners changing the landscape on a large scale influenced predominantly by agricultural trends and economics,' he said. 'The latter are constantly changing and, without keeping abreast, it becomes difficult to assess where and what the threats are and, subsequently, the best conservation actions to mitigate these threats.' The lack of presence on the ground is a big factor in the species' decline, he noted. 'This not only refers to a fieldworker but government staff as well. In the past, we had agricultural extension staff in the regions, which we knew well and could rely on to indicate what is happening on the ground.' These staff no longer exist. 'Also the [Overberg Crane Group] and the fieldworker were well supported by the then provincial conservation department, now CapeNature. With budget cuts and lack of resources this has dwindled and conservation work has been reduced to work on protected areas with off-reserve conservation left to a few officers having to work over large areas, resulting in predominantly reactive work.' This situation is not restricted to the Western Cape but is relevant to all provinces and is indicative of the state of conservation in the country. 'Also, conservation effort within an agricultural landscape is still something of an anomaly within South Africa, with conservation priorities set to save target percentages of natural vegetation types/percentage of the country within protected areas. This is an easier target to set, easier to defend and easier to strategise to achieve.' The conservation groups said that, with the help of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's planning specialist group, the Endangered Wildlife Trust- International Crane Foundation has coordinated a multi-stakeholder conservation planning process for blue cranes. Other partners involved include the Overberg Crane Group, CapeNature, Wool Growers Association, Kogelberg Biosphere Rehabilitation Centre, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Eskom and BirdLife South Africa. This 'We are confident that, with coordinated, evidence-driven conservation action, we can turn around the environmental status of the blue crane.'
Mail & Guardian
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Environment minister reflects on his – and the GNU's – first year in office
Minister Dion George. (Photo: Environmentza/X) When George, who was sworn into office on 3 July under the coalition President Cyril Ramaphosa put together after his ANC lost its outright parliament majority — said serving in this government 'has required all of us to work collaboratively – sometimes across vastly different perspectives — toward a common goal: delivering real outcomes for the people of South Africa'. In a media briefing to assess how his department has fared over the past year, George said the GNU has created a situation where departments are increasingly working across silos, 'where ideas are strengthened through debate and collective intelligence', and where the urgency of service delivery is matched by a 'shared will to get things done'. This week analysts George said his department had approached its work 'with a recognition that our environmental mandate is not separate from the economic one, or the social one. They are deeply interconnected.' Protecting natural resources, wildlife Among George's 'big six' priority areas is protecting natural resources and wildlife. Here, he cited his department's significant achievement regarding the protection of the critically endangered 'After learning about the sharp population declines and the human impacts causing them, I called for open, lawyer-free discussions that brought together conservation organisations like BirdLife South Africa and Sanccob [Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, industry leaders in the fishing sector and our departmental experts,' he said. This collaborative approach led to a court-ordered agreement to implement island closures around key breeding colonies. 'We amended the small pelagic fishery permit conditions to enforce these closures, ensuring sustainable fishing near vital penguin habitats,' he said. These changes were implemented almost immediately. His department is also tackling the harm caused by bunkering in Algoa Bay, near St Croix Island, once home to the largest African penguin colony in the world. Ship-to-ship refuelling has caused oil spills and underwater noise pollution. After a A coordinated approach has led to prosecutions and a continued decline in rhino poaching incidents, with George noting his department's attention is also turning to species such as 'The lives of these animals are not commodities. They are a vital part of our ecological and cultural identity,' he said. George said his department's efforts were showing that jobs can be created, new industries stimulated and growth unlocked, 'while caring for the planet'. He noted that in the fourth quarter of last year, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors recorded a 'remarkable' 17.2% growth, contributing two-thirds of the total GDP growth for that quarter. In the first quarter of this year, these sectors grew by 15.8%. 'These are not just numbers,' he said. 'They reflect thousands of jobs and livelihoods sustained. We increased the number of fish species available to The department's harbour revitalisation programme has created more than 2 300 work opportunities while through expanded support for sustainable aquaculture, 'we're seeing green technology spark new enterprises along our coasts'. George said the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Mthatha in the Eastern Cape are only the latest signs that the time for talk regarding climate change is over. This is why the department finalised the The department secured George said these were not blanket waivers. 'Each exemption comes with firm conditions, including health interventions for affected communities, real-time emissions monitoring, and a firm commitment to transition to cleaner energy sources. We are holding polluters accountable.' The department is working with the presidency and the department of mineral resources and energy to develop a competitive power market, 'bringing independent power producers into the fold. The goal is clear: to deliver both energy security and environmental sustainability.' South Africa has contributed to international environmental governance, and continues to lead. George said it played a major role in negotiating the At the last climate summit in Baku, South Africa 'brokered a deal that balanced the need for ambitious climate action with the reality of our economic conditions', he said, adding that this agreement unlocked green investment for local projects that will support South Africa's just energy transition. 'And in our G20 Presidency year, we are hosting major environment and climate sustainability meetings, positioning South Africa as a leader on the African continent and beyond. These engagements not only strengthen our global voice but also attract investment and expertise.' George said another of his key focus areas has been making his department's systems more efficient, transparent and responsive. It had launched the regulatory efficiency strategy for environmental turbocharge, a set of reforms to speed up approvals for energy and infrastructure projects, 'while still protecting the environment'. His department had identified 11 renewable energy development zones where significantly simplified environmental impact assessments had reduced approval times from 300 days to 147. 'For lower sensitivity areas, we've introduced fast-tracked authorisations that can be processed in around 70 days,' the minister said. The new national web-based environmental screening tool is 'already helping developers identify low-impact sites for projects, streamlining planning and protecting biodiversity'. Since his appointment, George has finalised 162 environmental appeals, '106 of them since our 100-day feedback session', which is a 'testament to our commitment to fairness, transparency and turnaround times'. Although the department is operating in a constrained fiscal environment, it has launched a departmental spending review and implemented firm cost-containment measures. 'But, more importantly, we have begun thinking creatively about revenue generation,' he said. 'Each branch of our department is tasked with identifying savings and new funding streams.' This includes sourcing international donor support for enforcement and anti-poaching, innovative financing mechanisms for green projects and working with the treasury on sustainable budget models. The minister said the South African Forestry Company or Safcol, SANParks and the South African Weather Service are receiving strategic attention to address governance weaknesses and boost their effectiveness. 'We also celebrated the achievement of a clean audit at iSimangaliso Wetland Park — a symbol of what good governance can look like across our sector,' while flagship projects to elevate the country's environmental brand, improve delivery and stimulate economic opportunity have been initiated. George said the department is finalising the national carbon credits and biodiversity offsets framework, which will allow companies to 'offset emissions responsibly', while directing funds into conservation and community development.
Daily Maverick
11-06-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Race against extinction: Predation, noise pollution the next big threats to African penguins
The African penguin could become extinct in 10 years but environmental groups are trying everything they can to save them. The African penguins we know and love may not be around for much longer. Organisations like BirdLife South Africa, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob), WWF and Cape Nature, however, are doing everything they can to arrest the decline. Their recent World Environment Day celebration at Stony Point Nature Reserve in Kogelberg — the site of one of the Cape's key penguin colonies — highlighted the continued efforts needed to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered African penguin and the benefits African penguins bring to local communities. African penguins are set to become extinct in 10 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2024, the number of breeding pairs at Stony Point Nature Reserve dropped by half — leaving only 676 pairs. While the decrease in breeding pairs cannot necessarily be explained by death, Craig Smith, a senior marine specialist at the WWF, said: 'Penguins are an indicator species.' Penguins' decision not to breed — or to abandon their eggs — means we should have 'grave concern' for ecosystem health. Earlier this year, a landmark settlement agreement between conservation NGOs and the commercial fishing industry created 'no fishing zones' around five key African penguin colonies, including Stony Point, in an effort to protect penguins' food sources. Thus far, food resource competition between penguins and small pelagic fisheries for anchovies and sardines has been the greatest threat to African penguins. But even with the creation of no-fishing zones, the struggle is not over. According to Smith, the West Coast sardine stock is depleted. Anchovies are at their lowest on record. And it's hard to get these species to rebound. A Namibian small pelagic fishery with sardine and anchovy paused its operations to allow the species to recover, Smith said. But seven years had passed and the species had not recovered. If the prey conditions of these key small fish can improve, as long as commercial fisheries maintain reasonable exploitation rates, then it might be enough to mitigate resource competition, according to Alistair MacInnes, the Seabird Conservation Programme Manager at Birdlife SA. But even then, two key threats to penguins remain: noise pollution and predation. Noise pollution 'Since ship-to-ship bunkering… started in 2016, the closest (penguin) colony, St Croix, has suffered a dramatic decline. They've lost 85 to 90% of their population,' said Nicky Stander, the head of conservation at Sanccob. Ship-to-ship bunkering, also known as ship-to-ship fuel banking, is the process of transfer of petrol from one ship to another while at sea. It is a highly risky activity that can result in oil spills. This practice results in an enormous amount of noise because of the increased vessel traffic required for this practice, which can have a significant impact on penguin breeding. Currently, ship-to-ship bunkering is allowed at Agoa Bay. Predation Furthermore, land-based penguin colonies like those at Stony Point and Simon's Town face an added challenge, with threats from inland and from the ocean. Penguins are prey to sharks, seals, mongoose, and even wild dogs. 'If you remove one predator, it can simply get replaced by another,' said Alana Duffell-Canham from CapeNature on the difficulty of contending with predation as a threat. Further, conservationists must consider how 'predators are also important for maintaining ecosystem balances'. Even so, CapeNature had started to install camera traps and was looking for more funding to implement more predation monitoring at Stony Point, Duffell-Canham said. 'We are throwing everything we can at the species,' Sanccob's Stander said. This included blood transfusions, fracture repairs, and chick rescuing programmes. 'Because their status is so critical, we have to try everything possible to save each individual.' Following the court outcome, conservation groups will continue monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of their efforts. Alistar MacInnes from Birdlife SA emphasized the need for every location to collect the same data. There would be formal evaluations — one in six years, and another in 10 years. The six-year evaluation was associated with when most young birds would breed for the first time since the first year of fishing closure. The 10-year evaluation was associated with the previously predicted extinction date for African penguins. If researchers saw improved foraging efficiency by that time, it would indicate a positive turn for the survival of African penguins. Change came slowly and 'the data needed for advocacy and policy change can only come in six years, given the natural cycle of penguins', said McInnes. Penguin conservation efforts had also created opportunities for young people in the nearby Mooiuitsig community. Young people served as WWF's Marine and Coastal Community Monitors, recording data, checking for pollution, and collecting and recording plastic waste. In the end, Smith from WWF asked: 'Penguins are a charismatic species. If we can't protect this species, then what can we protect?' DM
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Bolhuis supports fight to save South Africa's flamingo sanctuary
High-profile security and investigative specialist from Pretoria, Mike Bolhuis, expressed his deep concern over the state of Kamfers Dam in the Northern Cape near Kimberley. The site has become a toxic wasteland. 'Addressing this crisis requires more than promises. It demands sustained oversight, real investment, and the political will to prioritise environmental justice,' Bolhuis said. According to him, if left unchecked, the Kamfers Dam, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, will become a catastrophe that will serve as a warning of what is to come for other critical South African ecosystems already under threat. He has been actively involved in efforts to expose the environmental degradation at Kamfers Dam for several years. He assisted in a rescue operation in 2019 when a mass rescue of Lesser Flamingo chicks occurred at Kamfers Dam due to a severe drought. Many of these chicks were able to survive and were later returned to Kamfers Dam. Bolhuis is lending his full support to the multi-stakeholder effort to save the dam. This collaboration includes three organisations: – BirdLife South Africa, which continues to raise awareness about the ecological significance of the dam, – Ekapa Mining, which has invested in infrastructure and clean-up support, and – Save the Flamingo Association, which has long campaigned for habitat protection and water quality improvements. Local landowners and farmers have also voiced concern, particularly regarding the health risks posed by untreated effluent. The Sol Plaatje Municipality faced serious legal pressure early this year when environmental groups and landowners brought the case before the Northern Cape High Court. In April, the court granted an interdict compelling the municipality to halt all discharges, repair its infrastructure, and submit progress reports. The first report was due end of May. The next court compliance report is due in August. This united front underscores the urgency of protecting Kamfers Dam for the iconic Lesser Flamingos that depend on it, as well as for the health and dignity of nearby communities. As one of only four known breeding sites for the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) in Africa, the dam attracted up to 70 000 flamingos at its peak, including thousands of breeding pairs and hatchlings. Bolhuis pointed out that the collapse is largely attributed to municipal negligence and unchecked pollution, particularly from the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works, which for years released untreated or partially treated sewage into the dam. By late 2024, an estimated 36 million litres of effluent per day flowed into Kamfers Dam. By December last year, the discovery of over 130 bird carcasses, many infected with avian botulism, confirmed a biological disaster in progress. According to Bolhuis, the flamingos have since disappeared. 'The artificial island is submerged, the water is toxic, and the birds are gone,' said Esther van der Westhuizen-Coetzer, a leading wetland ecologist at Ekapa Mining. 'This is a collapse, not a warning sign. We are already there.' According to Van der Westhuizen-Coetzer, 'The May progress report was filed on time, and recent water testing suggests a gradual improvement. It's a start, but only a start. Not anything more.' Bolhuis outlined urgent actions that need to be taken, such as immediate investment in sewage treatment infrastructure and independent as well as regular water quality testing with full publication of results. The consequences are not limited to wildlife. Residents in nearby informal settlements now report chronic respiratory issues due to hydrogen sulphide emissions. While the return of flamingos remains uncertain, conservationists are hopeful that sustained legal and civic pressure will prevent total collapse. BirdLife South Africa has called for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature status of the Lesser Flamingo to be reviewed, citing Kamfers Dam's implosion as a potential catalyst for moving the species from near-threatened to vulnerable status. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
BirdLife Wesvaal: Get to know your camera
BirdLife Wesvaal: Get to know your camera On April 10, club members and friends gathered in Potchefstroom for the fourth meeting of BirdLife Wesvaal. 'We were privileged to host Johan de Klerk and Johan Nel as our guest speakers for the evening. Their presentation, titled 'Get to Know Your Camera,' was both informative and engaging, breaking down the complexities of photography clearly and concisely,' said Pieter Labuschagne, chairperson for BirdLife Wesvaal. 'We truly appreciate their effort in sharing valuable insights and emphasising the importance of understanding camera settings and practicing photography skills. A heartfelt thank you to all members who attended, and a special word of thanks to Zybrand Lombard for organising the evening's speakers.' They also extend their sincere appreciation to the BirdLife Wesvaal management team for approving a R5 000 donation to the Mouse Free Marion Project, in support of BirdLife South Africa's vital conservation initiatives. 'BirdLife Wesvaal is proud to contribute to these meaningful efforts in protecting our natural heritage.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
