Latest news with #CapeNature
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Hundreds rally in Simon's Town against proposed baboon removals
Animal activists marched against the removal of baboons in Simon's Town. Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete / Independent Media Hundreds of conservationists and animal rights supporters gathered in Simon's Town on Friday to protest against the proposed removal of five baboon troops from the Cape Peninsula. The demonstration followed growing public anger over the recent announcement by the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team, comprising the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, and SANParks, which confirmed that nearly a quarter of the Peninsula's managed baboon population could be removed. Protesters, many dressed in black and carrying signs that read 'Stop the killing' and 'Baboon lives matter,' marched from Simon's Town to the local municipal offices. Chants of 'Viva baboons' and 'Phantsi killing' echoed through the streets as residents voiced their frustration at what they called the authorities' failure to protect local wildlife. Activits handed over a memorandum of grievances to the City about the removal of baboons. Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete According to the task team, the decision to remove the troops was based on increased human-baboon conflict, a decline in the welfare of the animals, and their growing reliance on human food. The five troops in question are from Simon's Town, Constantia, and Glencairn. Officials cited public safety concerns and the difficulty of keeping the animals out of residential areas despite ranger efforts. They also warned that injuries caused by electric shocks, snares and vehicles are rising. Activists argue that the proposed removal is not only inhumane but also avoidable. They say that authorities have ignored the core recommendations of the 2023 Baboon Strategic Management Plan, including waste control, fencing and law enforcement. Instead of implementing these non-lethal strategies, authorities have moved toward removal and possible culling. Jenni Trethowan from Baboon Matters, one of the leading voices in the protest, said she was moved by the size of the crowd. She described it as one of the largest public demonstrations in years on the issue. 'We didn't expect so many people to come out, but I think it shows how angry the community is. We feel ignored. The baboons are being punished for human failure,' she said. Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation chairperson Lynda Silk, a local resident, said the animals had become scapegoats. 'It's like we like to dump our aggression somewhere, and baboons are voiceless and they don't fight back. 'They pick up a lot of human anger and irritation.' Chad Cupido, another activist, delivered a memorandum to the local municipal office demanding immediate action. He said the Joint Task Team had a constitutional and moral responsibility to prioritise humane solutions. The memorandum called for waste management improvements, stricter enforcement of by-laws, fencing, accountability for residents who feed baboons or shoot at them, and better education and signage in known baboon areas. Cupido warned that continuing with removals without addressing the root causes of conflict could deepen mistrust between the public and conservation authorities. 'These baboons are sentient, social beings. What we're witnessing is a systematic breakdown of their social structures and territories. Removing them without trying everything else first is unethical and unacceptable.' He also noted the broader implications for environmental governance. 'This is about more than baboons. It's about transparency, accountability, and the right of communities to have a say in decisions that affect their environment.' The protest follows weeks of tension after reports surfaced of baboons being shot with pellet guns in residential areas. Although the City has denied issuing culling permits, the lack of clarity over the future of the troops has intensified concern. Residents say they fear a quiet removal process is already under way. Authorities have not yet responded to the memorandum, which includes a request for a moratorium on all removals until a full public consultation process is conducted. Protesters gave the task team ten working days to reply. The City, CapeNature and SANParks have all previously stated that their approach prioritises both human and animal safety, and that removal is only considered when no other measures have succeeded. But activists remain unconvinced. 'If there's still more that can be done, then do it,' Trethowan said. 'Don't give up on co-existence just because it's hard.' The memorandum was accepted by a Joint Task Team official. [email protected] Activits handed over a memorandum of grievances to the City about the removal of baboons. Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Science
- The Citizen
SA organisation uses dogs to sniff out endangered tortoises
The species' natural habitat shrinking due to agriculture and urban expansion. Collie dog, Delta, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, sniffs at a critically endangered Geometric tortoise, that he helped locate on a private reserve in the Boland district of the Western Cape on June 30, 2025. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) Snout pressed to the ground, a border collie named Delta zigzagged through the shrubs on a private nature reserve near Cape Town, frantically sniffing for critically endangered tortoises. The dog stopped abruptly in front of a small bush and lay down, signalling a find as Delta's handler moved in to search the surrounding area. Hidden in the tall grass was a tiny reptile, its shell marked with yellow star-like patterns — a clear sign it was a geometric tortoise, a species found only at the southern tip of Africa. 'It's an adult female, you can tell by its flat belly,' said Esther Matthew, the dog's handler and a conservation officer for South Africa's Endangered Wildlife Trust. ALSO READ: South Africa's oldest Giant Aldabra tortoise turns 120 She explained that the organisation uses canines to sniff out the endangered species by 'building positive association with the tortoises' odour', throwing Delta a foam frisbee as a reward. Dogs are five times more effective than humans at this type of search and 'also help us find the smaller tortoises which are often overlooked, the hatchlings and the juveniles', Matthew said. 'We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of finds with the dogs. Shrinking numbers Their help has become crucial in studying and protecting the geometric tortoise, found only in South Africa's Western Cape province and on the verge of extinction. The species' population was already as low as 1,500 individuals in the wild in the early 1990s, according to biologist Andrew Turner, who works for the conservation authority Cape Nature. It is now estimated at only several hundred animals with 'declines pretty much across the entire remaining range of this species', he told AFP. ALSO READ: Shell-ebrity: world's oldest tortoise turns 190 (ish) On the nature reserve, Delta and Matthew — helped by colleagues searching the bushes with sticks — found a dozen of the hardy reptiles. 'We record all the tortoises we can find, all the data, measurements and weight,' Delta's handler explained. 'Creating corridors' With the species' natural habitat shrinking due to agriculture and urban expansion, these surveys have become all the more critical, Turner said. 'There are very few places left in the Western Cape that still support these tortoises. It's really just a couple of nature reserves and pieces of good habitat left on people's private property,' he added. 'The remaining patches of vegetation are not really connected to each other anymore. There are farmlands in between, roads, towns and industries, so there is limited ability for the tortoises to disperse and rescue other populations.' This fragmentation makes them all the more vulnerable to droughts, predation and fires, which scientists argue have become more frequent and intense thanks to climate change. Poaching — of the tortoises and the plants they feed on — is also a threat, Turner said. ALSO READ: Hawks bust 2 for dealing in tortoises and lizards 'They are down to such small levels that they actually need as much assistance as they can get,' he said. To save the species, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has looked at building 'partnerships' with landowners and communities living in the animals' habitat. 'The biggest thing is… creating corridors where species can work through,' explained Zanne Brink, who leads the organisation's dry lands conservation programme. 'Our biggest challenge is to get enough information to prevent critical biodiversity areas from being lost to unsustainable land use.'
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Dogs on the trail of South Africa's endangered tortoises
Dogs on the trail of South Africa's endangered tortoises Snout pressed to the ground, a border collie named Delta zigzagged through the shrubs on a private nature reserve near Cape Town, frantically sniffing for critically endangered tortoises. The dog stopped abruptly in front of a small bush and lay down, signaling a find as Delta's handler moved in to search the surrounding area. Hidden in the tall grass was a tiny reptile, its shell marked with yellow star-like patterns -- a clear sign it was a geometric tortoise, a species found only at the southern tip of Africa. 'It's an adult female, you can tell by its flat belly,' said Esther Matthew, the dog's handler and a conservation officer for South Africa's Endangered Wildlife Trust. She explained that the organization uses canines to sniff out the endangered species by 'building positive association with the tortoises' odor', throwing Delta a foam frisbee as a reward. Dogs are five times more effective than humans at this type of search and 'also help us find the smaller tortoises which are often overlooked, the hatchlings and the juveniles', Matthew said. 'We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of finds with the dogs.' A critically endangered Geometric tortoise walks through the bush on a private reserve. A conservation official talks about a critically endangered female Geometric tortoise, that they found with specially trained dogs on a private reserve in the Boland district of the Western Cape. A general view of flowers in the genus, Oxalis, growing on a private reserve. A conservation official, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, talks about a critically endangered female Geometric tortoise. Collie dog, Delta, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, works to sniff out critically endangered Geometric tortoises. Dog-handler Esther Matthew, and Collie dog, Delta, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, play a short game of frisbee as a reward for locating a critically endangered Geometric tortoise on a private reserve. Shrinking numbers The help has become crucial in studying and protecting the geometric tortoise, found only in South Africa's Western Cape province and on the verge of extinction. The species' population was already as low as 1,500 individuals in the wild in the early 1990s, according to biologist Andrew Turner, who works for the conservation authority Cape Nature. It is now estimated at only several hundred animals with 'declines pretty much across the entire remaining range of this species', he told AFP. On the nature reserve, Delta and Matthew -- helped by colleagues searching the bushes with sticks -- found a dozen of the hardy reptiles. 'We record all the tortoises we can find, all the data, measurements and weight,' Delta's handler explained. 'Creating corridors' With the species' natural habitat shrinking due to agriculture and urban expansion, these surveys have become all the more critical, Turner said. 'There are very few places left in the Western Cape that still support these tortoises. It's really just a couple of nature reserves and pieces of good habitat left on people's private property,' he added. 'The remaining patches of vegetation are not really connected to each other anymore. There are farmlands in between, roads, towns and industries so there is limited ability for the tortoises to disperse and rescue other populations.' This fragmentation makes them all the more vulnerable to droughts, predation and fires, which scientists argue have become more frequent and intense thanks to climate change. Poaching -- of the tortoises and the plants they feed on -- is also a threat, Turner said. 'They are down to such small levels that they actually need as much assistance as they can get,' he said. To save the species, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has looked at building 'partnerships' with landowners and communities living in the animals' habitat. 'The biggest thing is... creating corridors where species can work through,' explained Zanne Brink, who leads the organization's dry lands conservation program. 'Our biggest challenge is to get enough information to prevent critical biodiversity areas from being lost to unsustainable land use.'—AFP
Sinar Daily
13-07-2025
- Science
- Sinar Daily
Dogs on the trail of South Africa's endangered tortoises
Hidden in the tall grass was a tiny reptile, its shell marked with yellow star-like patterns - a clear sign it was a geometric tortoise, a species found only at the southern tip of Africa. 13 Jul 2025 06:00pm A conservation official, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, talks about a critically endangered female Geometric tortoise in the Boland district of the Western Cape on June 30, 2025. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) BOLAND - Snout pressed to the ground, a border collie named Delta zigzagged through the shrubs on a private nature reserve near Cape Town, frantically sniffing for critically endangered tortoises. The dog stopped abruptly in front of a small bush and lay down, signalling a find as Delta's handler moved in to search the surrounding area. Trained dogs are being used in South Africa to help locate and then track a critically endangered species of tortoise. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) Hidden in the tall grass was a tiny reptile, its shell marked with yellow star-like patterns -- a clear sign it was a geometric tortoise, a species found only at the southern tip of Africa. "It's an adult female, you can tell by its flat belly," said Esther Matthew, the dog's handler and a conservation officer for South Africa's Endangered Wildlife Trust. She explained that the organisation uses canines to sniff out the endangered species by "building positive association with the tortoises' odour", throwing Delta a foam frisbee as a reward. Dogs are five times more effective than humans at this type of search and "also help us find the smaller tortoises which are often overlooked, the hatchlings and the juveniles", Matthew said. "We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of finds with the dogs." Shrinking numbers The help has become crucial in studying and protecting the geometric tortoise, found only in South Africa's Western Cape province and on the verge of extinction. The species' population was already as low as 1,500 individuals in the wild in the early 1990s, according to biologist Andrew Turner, who works for the conservation authority Cape Nature. It is now estimated at only several hundred animals with "declines pretty much across the entire remaining range of this species", he told AFP. On the nature reserve, Delta and Matthew -- helped by colleagues searching the bushes with sticks -- found a dozen of the hardy reptiles. "We record all the tortoises we can find, all the data, measurements and weight," Delta's handler explained. 'Creating corridors' With the species' natural habitat shrinking due to agriculture and urban expansion, these surveys have become all the more critical, Turner said. "There are very few places left in the Western Cape that still support these tortoises. It's really just a couple of nature reserves and pieces of good habitat left on people's private property," he added. "The remaining patches of vegetation are not really connected to each other anymore. There are farmlands in between, roads, towns and industries so there is limited ability for the tortoises to disperse and rescue other populations." This fragmentation makes them all the more vulnerable to droughts, predation and fires, which scientists argue have become more frequent and intense thanks to climate change. Poaching -- of the tortoises and the plants they feed on -- is also a threat, Turner said. "They are down to such small levels that they actually need as much assistance as they can get," he said. To save the species, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has looked at building "partnerships" with landowners and communities living in the animals' habitat. "The biggest thing is... creating corridors where species can work through," explained Zanne Brink, who leads the organisation's dry lands conservation programme. "Our biggest challenge is to get enough information to prevent critical biodiversity areas from being lost to unsustainable land use." - AFP More Like This
IOL News
11-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Dogs on the trail of SA's endangered tortoises
Collie dog, Delta, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, works to sniff out critically endangered Geometric tortoises on a private reserve in the Boland district of the Western Cape. Image: RODGER BOSCH / AFP Snout pressed to the ground, a border collie named Delta zigzagged through the shrubs on a private nature reserve near Cape Town, frantically sniffing for critically endangered tortoises. The dog stopped abruptly in front of a small bush and lay down, signalling a find as Delta's handler moved in to search the surrounding area. Hidden in the tall grass was a tiny reptile, its shell marked with yellow star-like patterns - a clear sign it was a geometric tortoise, a species found only at the southern tip of Africa. Collie dog, Delta, working as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Dryland Conservation Project, sniffs at a critically endangered Geometric tortoise, that he helped locate on a private reserve in the Boland district of the Western Cape. Image: RODGER BOSCH / AFP Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "It's an adult female, you can tell by its flat belly," said Esther Matthew, the dog's handler and a conservation officer for the Endangered Wildlife Trust. She explained that the organisation uses canines to sniff out the endangered species by "building positive association with the tortoises' odour", throwing Delta a foam frisbee as a reward. Dogs are five times more effective than humans at this type of search and "also help us find the smaller tortoises which are often overlooked, the hatchlings and the juveniles", Matthew said. "We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of finds with the dogs." The help has become crucial in studying and protecting the geometric tortoise, found only in South Africa's Western Cape province and on the verge of extinction. The species' population was already as low as 1500 individuals in the wild in the early 1990s, according to biologist Andrew Turner from CapeNature. It is now estimated at only several hundred animals with "declines pretty much across the entire remaining range of this species". On the nature reserve, Delta and Matthew - helped by colleagues searching the bushes with sticks - found a dozen of the hardy reptiles. "We record all the tortoises we can find, all the data, measurements and weight," Delta's handler explained. With the species' natural habitat shrinking due to agriculture and urban expansion, these surveys have become all the more critical, Turner said. "There are very few places left in the Western Cape that still support these tortoises. It's really just a couple of nature reserves and pieces of good habitat left on people's private property," he added. "The remaining patches of vegetation are not really connected to each other anymore. There are farmlands in between, roads, towns and industries so there is limited ability for the tortoises to disperse and rescue other populations." This fragmentation makes them all the more vulnerable to droughts, predation and fires, which scientists argue have become more frequent and intense thanks to climate change. Poaching -- of the tortoises and the plants they feed on -- is also a threat, Turner said. "They are down to such small levels that they actually need as much assistance as they can get," he said. To save the species, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has looked at building partnerships with landowners and communities living in the animals' habitat. Cape Times
