Latest news with #CapeNature
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
De Hoop's Whale Trail gets upgraded ahead of whale season
CapeNature recently announced that their popular Whale Trail in the Cape Overberg has been upgraded for the upcoming whale season. The 55km hiking trail, which stretches along the coastline of De Hoop Nature Reserve, was given a much-needed facelift in time for the start of peak whale watching season which usually begins in June each year. These upgrades were done as part of a short to medium-term strategy created in response to visitor concerns about poor maintenance along the trail. According to CapeNature, the trail was closed for 10 days to allow for the upgrades, which consisted of the repainting of overnight huts, bathroom upgrades as well as structural reinforcements of various visitor facilities. 'These comprehensive upgrades have helped futureproof the Whale Trail's infrastructure and elevate the overall visitor experience,' CapeNature said in a statement. The conservation authority also revealed that a more extensive upgrade is planned for May 2026, when the trail will be closed for two whole months. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Juvenile humpback whale euthanised after stranding near Plettenberg Bay
A juvenile humpback whale weighing about five tons that stranded at Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay has, sadly, been humanely euthanised by marine authorities, assisted by SAPS, after extensive efforts to save the animal proved unsuccessful. According to Knysna-Plett Herald, Dr Gwenith Penry, a marine mammal scientist and permitted stranding responder for Bayworld, Port Elizabeth Museum, said rescue efforts began on Monday at about 14:00 and continued until yesterday before it was decided to euthanise the 7m whale. Penry said all protocols were followed before the whale — which had stranded on a beach between the Gap and Robberg and the Island on Robberg Nature Reserve, also known as The Wild Side — was put down. Despite the efforts of many helpers and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Plettenberg Bay duty crew, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. Emotional effort 'It took four hours to try and move the heavy whale, but each time the whale got into deeper water it turned around and headed for the beach again,' said Penry. When it got dark on Monday, rescue attempts were postponed until yesterday. 'It was a very emotional, and a sad ending for such a beautiful animal,' said Penry. This is the season when humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean to their breeding grounds in Mozambique and Madagascar. Thanks to all involved 'A huge thanks to Plett NSRI who carried the effort yesterday. And to the Plett Stranding Network, Cape Nature rangers and other members of the public who assisted,' said Penry. NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander Jaco Kruger said duty crew, Cape Nature rangers and the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network were activated following reports of the beaching. 'Our NSRI Plettenberg Bay crew responded to our NSRI Plettenberg Bay Station 14 rescue base, while additional NSRI crew responded to the land side at Robberg to hike to the scene. Our NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer, Eric Stratford, and Courtenays Rescuer were launched while additional NSRI crew, Cape Nature rangers and members of the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network responded. On arrival at the scene the approximately 7m juvenile humpback whale was found beaching in shallow surf,' Kruger said. Good Samaritans joined efforts The teams, assisted by bystander good Samaritans, conducted extensive efforts to re-float the whale through the surf zone in a rising tide, including attempts to tow the whale to deeper waters using NSRI rescue craft. Sadly, despite all of the extensive efforts deployed, the whale continued to beach and it was deemed by the authorities to be no longer viable to save. Yesterday morning, marine authorities, assisted by SAPS, humanely euthanised the whale. Samples have been collected by marine scientists for necropsy at the Port Elizabeth Museum. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
20-05-2025
- General
- The South African
Juvenile Humpback whale euthanised after beaching at Robberg Nature Reserve
A juvenile Humpback whale that beached at Robberg Nature Reserve has been humanely euthanised despite extensive rescue efforts by marine authorities, local organisations, and volunteers. At approximately 14:39 on Monday, 19 May, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Plettenberg Bay, CapeNature rangers, and the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network were alerted to a whale appearing to be in distress at The Wild Side of the Robberg Nature Reserve. NSRI Station Commander Jaco Kruger confirmed that both sea and land rescue teams were immediately mobilised. Rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer , Eric Stratford , and Courtenays Rescuer were launched, while teams also hiked to the site. The whale, approximately 7 metres long and identified as a juvenile Humpback, was found stranded in the shallow surf. Teams, along with bystander Good Samaritans, undertook extensive efforts to re-float the whale during the rising tide, including towing attempts using NSRI rescue craft. Despite these efforts, the whale continued to re-beach, showing signs that it was no longer viable to save. On Tuesday morning, marine authorities, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), made the difficult decision to humanely euthanise the whale. Marine scientists collected tissue samples for necropsy to better understand the whale's condition and potential reasons behind the stranding. Commander Kruger commended all involved, including community volunteers, for their unwavering commitment to attempting a rescue. 'Bystander Good Samaritans, and all involved in trying to save the whale, are commended for the extensive efforts,' he said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Science
- IOL News
Long-tailed forest shrew makes appearance for first time in 46-years
The Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew. Image Credit: Cliff Dorse Image: Cliff Dorse One of the Western Cape's most mysterious mammals, the Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew (Myosorex longicaudatus boosmani), has made a reappearance, 46 years after it was last recorded. Conservationists from CapeNature, Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and Helihack, together with volunteer biologists, were ecstatic at finding one of these tiny mammals on the edge of a pristine forest patch on CapeNature's Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. First described in 1979 by scientist Nico Dippenaar, the shrew was recognised as a unique subspecies, geographically isolated from its relatives by the Gouritz Valley. Its limited known range, combined with forest habitat loss and climate change, led to it being listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2016. Armed with little more than Dippenaar's original field notes and habitat descriptions, the team embarked on their fourth attempt in four years to find the shrew. Dippenaar, now retired, wished the group luck and fondly referred to the species as 'a bit of a darling'. The survey took place from May 3-6, with the shrew found on May 4. 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 ✕ Ad Loading Dominique Coetzee and Makoma Mpekwane (CapeNature Conservation Officers, GVB), Dr Andrew Turner (CapeNature Restoration Ecologist), Dr Marienne de Villiers (CapeNature Faunal Ecologist), Cliff Dorse (biologist). Image: Supplied 'At last, I can take this little shrew off my biological bucket list. It's been a bit like a unicorn for me - a mythical creature that I thought I would never get a chance to see in real life,' said Dr Marienne de Villiers, CapeNature ecologist. 'And it's really comforting to know that at least part of its population, in at least some of its forest habitat, is well-protected.' Previous attempts to catch the elusive shrew using standard rodent live traps had been unsuccessful, and it was hoped that the new method would be more rewarding. But getting all the necessary gear up to the remote wilderness area, with no vehicle access, was a challenge. Fortunately for the team, Helihack came to the rescue. This initiative is focused on safeguarding the protected area from invasive alien pines, using helicopters to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. The team was airlifted to a wilderness campsite and then hiked down to set 76 pitfall traps across various habitats. Each trap was prepared with bedding, shelter, and the occasional earthworm to ensure humane treatment. At first, the traps yielded nothing, but one of the final traps revealed a small mammal with a 6 cm tail, unmistakably the long-lost Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew. Weighing just 13.7 grams, it was measured, photographed, and released unharmed into its forest habitat. 'This remarkable discovery was made possible by a group of enthusiastic, motivated, and skilled partners working together to achieve a range of biodiversity goals - from conducting surveys to managing invasive alien plants - all in an effort to keep the superb Boosmansbos in a healthy state for all to enjoy. 'A genetic sample of the shrew will now be analysed to clarify its relationship to lower-altitude relatives, while further research is needed to better understand its life history, behavioural ecology, and the status of its only known population,' Cape Nature said. Intensive surveys of other forest patches may yet reveal more about its distribution. Cape Times
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Science
- IOL News
Long-tailed forest shrew spotted after 46 years
For the first time in 46 years, one of the Western Cape's most mysterious mammals, the Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew (Myosorex longicaudatus boosmani), has made a reappearance, exciting conservationists and volunteer biologists. Conservationists from CapeNature, Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and Helihack, together with volunteer biologists, are ecstatic at finding the tiny mammal on the edge of a pristine forest patch on CapeNature's Boosmansbos Wilderness Area in the Langeberg Mountains. First described in 1979 by scientist Nico Dippenaar, the shrew was recognised as a unique subspecies, geographically isolated from its relatives by the Gouritz Valley. Its limited known range, combined with forest habitat loss and climate change, led to it being listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2016. Armed with little more than Dippenaar's original field notes and habitat descriptions, the team embarked on their fourth attempt in four years to find the shrew. Dippenaar, now retired, wished the group luck and fondly referred to the species as 'a bit of a darling'. The survey took place from May 3-6 , with the shrew found on May 4. 'At last, I can take this little shrew off my biological bucket list. It's been a bit like a unicorn for me – a mythical creature that I thought I would never get a chance to see in real life,' said Dr Marienne de Villiers, CapeNature ecologist. 'And it's really comforting to know that at least part of its population, in a least some of its forest habitat, is well-protected.' A genetic sample of the shrew will now be analysed to clarify its relationship to lower-altitude relatives, while further research is needed to better understand its life history, behavioural ecology, and the status of its only known population. Intensive surveys of other forest patches may yet reveal more about its distribution. But for now, it's enough to celebrate that the special shrew of Boosmansbos is still alive and well. Cape Argus
