Latest news with #NZG
IOL News
19-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
South Africa's biodiversity: a call to protect endangered species
The endangered Fennec Fox, native to the deserts of North Africa, ranging from Western Sahara, Mauritania to the Sinai Peninsula The world recently paused to reflect on its endangered species, and South Africa confidently stands as a testament to the wonders of nature. As a guardian of some of the Earth's most remarkable flora and fauna, South Africa boasts a biodiversity that is both breathtaking and uniquely its own. From the hidden gems nestled in rocky cliffs to the vibrant canopy of tropical forests, each species plays a critical role in maintaining our vital ecosystems. However, the countdown to extinction is looming for many of these species, and as we commemorated Endangered Species Day, it is crucial to acknowledge the threats impacting our natural heritage. Factors such as habitat destruction due to mining, agricultural expansion. Reflecting on endangered species, South Africa stands as a testament to nature's wonders. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), alongside national and international conservation organisations and partners, has made significant strides in protecting these vulnerable species. Each plant and animal, whether thriving in a natural habitat, a protected area, or within national botanical and zoological gardens, carries a story – one of survival, exploitation, and ultimately, of hope. One of many success stories comes from the National Zoological Garden (NZG) in Pretoria, which last year celebrated the birth of a baby buffed-cheeked gibbon. This remarkable milestone marks a significant contribution to global efforts aimed at preserving this endangered species. The gibbons, Silvester and Lony, were paired through a meticulous introduction process as part of a European conservation breeding programme. Their bond blossomed over time, culminating in the joyous arrival of their offspring, encapsulating what Director of Animal Conservation at NZG, Tracy Rehse, calls 'a lifeline for a species.' Originally native to Cambodia, buffed-cheeked gibbons are classified as endangered, struggling against the dual threats of habitat destruction and poaching. Through initiatives such as the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) studbook programme, SANBI and NZG are helping ensure the longevity of this and many other species, underscoring that 15% of the species at the NZG are currently classified as threatened. Nontsikelelo Mpulo, SANBI's Director of Marketing and Communication, and Commercialisation, expressed hope as she spoke about the ongoing conservation efforts that are made possible through public support. Over 50% of SANBI's national botanical gardens are recognised internationally as conservation gardens, actively managing areas of natural vegetation, alongside their rich biodiversity. According to Mpulo, responsible citizens can play a crucial role in safeguarding South Africa's biodiversity, particularly by monitoring threatened species. 'Start by never buying wild plants or animals from illegal traders. Instead, support ethical nurseries and reputable programs that prioritise sustainability,' she advised. Public engagement remains vital for conservation efforts. Citizens can report suspicious wildlife-related activities, learn about the country's unique biodiversity through visits to botanical and zoological gardens, and contribute to local environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Resources such as the Botanical Society of South Africa, WWF SA, Birdlife SA, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), and WESSA, offer citizens opportunities to be part of a solution aimed at preserving South Africa's rich biomes. As Mpulo poignantly reminds, 'Everything is connected. When we lose a plant, we may lose a pollinator. When we lose a pollinator, we lose food. When we lose food, we lose people. Conservation is not just about saving species; it's about saving ourselves.'
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria zoo welcomes new marine species
The Pretoria National Zoological Garden (NZG) has recently welcomed three Blacktip Reef Sharks and more than 200 colourful marine fish. The zoo is home to the largest inland aquarium on the African continent, and the new additions aim to provide a unique experience and highlight the ongoing plight of marine life. 'The arrival of these animals not only adds to the beauty and diversity of our exhibits but also helps us tell a bigger story about ocean ecosystems and the threats they face,' said Tracy Rehse, Director of Animal Collections at NZG. The sharks arrived at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport from Kenya following a 10-hour flight and were promptly transported to the zoo. Each shark travelled in a 1 000-litre plastic tank fitted with secure lids and was connected to life support systems to ensure proper oxygenation during the journey. Upon arrival, they were carefully introduced to their new environment, gradually adjusting to water temperature, salinity, and pH to ensure a smooth and stress-free acclimation process. Accompanying the sharks were 220 marine fish, including striking species such as Powder Blue Tangs, Skunk-striped Anemonefish, Stars and Stripes Pufferfish, and Green Bird Wrasse. Each fish was individually transported in oxygen-rich marine water and carefully acclimated to their new habitat using controlled floating methods before joining the existing aquarium population. The Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a fast and agile species native to the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive, black-tipped fins and remarkable swimming speed, these sharks are effective daytime hunters that often move in small groups, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. In the wild, they face growing threats from habitat destruction and overfishing and are currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List. While their average lifespan in the wild ranges from 10 to 12 years, they can live for over 20 years in well-maintained aquarium settings, reaching lengths of 1.5 –2m. 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!
IOL News
24-04-2025
- General
- IOL News
National Zoological Garden welcomes new blacktip reef sharks and vibrant marine fish
The National Zoological Garden has added 220 marine fish species like powder blue tangs, skunk-striped anemonefish, stars and stripes pufferfish, and green bird wrasse. Image: National Zoological Garden The National Zoological Garden (NZG) in Pretoria is now the new home of three blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and 220 colourful marine fish. The new editions are part of the garden's ongoing mission to connect people with biodiversity and highlight the importance of marine conservation through education and immersive experiences. 'The arrival of these animals not only adds to the beauty and diversity of our exhibits but also helps us tell a bigger story about ocean ecosystems and the threats they face,' said NZG animal collections director, Tracy Rehse. The National Zoological Garden has added three blacktip reef sharks to its collection. Image: National Zoological Garden Rehse said the NZG recently completed renovating their marine displays, including fixing leaking and broken glass fronts, renovating filtration systems and replacing the pumps. 'During the renovation period, our acquisitions of new fish were put on hold. Now that the repairs are complete, our tanks have been revived through the additional fish received,' Rehse said. The marine animals arrived on March 27 at OR Tambo International Airport from Kenya following a 10-hour flight and were transported to the NZG. The National Zoological Garden has added three blacktip reef sharks and 220 marine fish species to its collection. The marine animals arrived on March 27. Image: National Zoological Garden 'They were unpacked the same evening, and the majority were put directly into the display tanks,' Rehse said. She said that because the NZG is not a coastal aquarium, they manufacture seawater that is conducive to making the fish thrive. This consists of up to 14 different chemicals to get the composition correct. 'We have held marine fish for many years, so no major adjustments needed to be made,' Rehse said about the potential for modifications to house the new marine animals. Rehse added that the new additions have fully settled, thriving, feeding well, interacting with their surroundings, and capturing the curiosity and admiration of visitors. The National Zoological Garden has added three blacktip reef sharks to its collection. The sharks are currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Image: National Zoological Garden Blacktip reef sharks Each shark travelled in a 1 000-litre plastic tank fitted with secure lids and connected to life support systems to ensure proper oxygenation while travelling. Upon arrival, they were carefully introduced to their new environment, gradually adjusting water temperature, salinity, and pH to ensure a smooth and stress-free acclimation process. These sharks are currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List because in the wild, they face growing threats from habitat destruction and overfishing. With the species listed as vulnerable, Rehse said the plan is not to breed, but to use the sharks as 'ambassadors to create awareness of the threats to these species and our coastlines, and to inspire our visitors by showcasing the amazing diversity found under our oceans'. The National Zoological Garden has added three blacktip reef sharks to its collection. The sharks are known for their distinctive, black-tipped fins and speed. Image: National Zoological Garden The blacktip reef shark is a fast and agile species native to the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive, black-tipped fins and remarkable swimming speed, these sharks are effective daytime hunters that often move in small groups, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. They typically live 10 to 12 years in the wild, but in well-maintained aquariums, they can live for over 20 years and grow to be 1.5 to 2 metres long. The National Zoological Garden has added 220 marine fish species like powder blue tangs, skunk-striped anemonefish, stars and stripes pufferfish, and green bird wrasse. Image: National Zoological Garden Marine fish Along with the sharks were 220 marine fish, including striking species such as powder blue tangs, skunk-striped anemonefish, stars and stripes pufferfish, and green bird wrasse. Each fish was individually transported in oxygen-rich marine water and carefully acclimated to their new habitat using controlled floating methods before joining the existing aquarium population. The National Zoological Garden has added 220 marine fish species like powder blue tangs, skunk-striped anemonefish, stars and stripes pufferfish, and green bird wrasse. Image: National Zoological Garden Rehse said the fish are found in tropical Indian Ocean waters. They thrive on the reefs, generally in shallow waters, and eat a variety of algae and invertebrates. Unlike the sharks, none of the new fish are considered threatened. The National Zoological Garden has added 220 marine fish species like powder blue tangs, skunk-striped anemonefish, stars and stripes pufferfish, and green bird wrasse. Image: National Zoological Garden
IOL News
24-04-2025
- IOL News
National Zoological Garden enhances marine collection with new arrivals
The National Zoological Garden (NZG) has new additions of Marine life, consisting of three Blacktip Reef Sharks and more than 200 colourful marine fish. This latest development forms part of NZG's ongoing mission to connect people with biodiversity and highlight the importance of marine conservation through education and immersive experiences. Image: The National Zoological Garden The National Zoological Garden (NZG) in Pretoria has taken a significant step towards enriching its marine life collection with the arrival of three Blacktip Reef Sharks and over 200 vibrant marine fish. This new wave of aquatic inhabitants is set to energise the largest inland aquarium on the African continent, providing visitors with an even more captivating look into the complexities and beauty of ocean life. In a bid to foster greater appreciation for biodiversity and marine conservation, the recent additions underline NZG's commitment to educating the public about the ocean's diverse ecosystems. Tracy Rehse, Director of Animal Collections at NZG, emphasized the importance of the latest arrivals. 'The arrival of these animals not only adds to the beauty and diversity of our exhibits but also helps us tell a bigger story about ocean ecosystems and the threats they face.' The National Zoological Garden has introduced hundreds of colourful marine fish to their aquarium Image: The National Zoological Garden The Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is known for its striking black-tipped fins and hunting agility. Native to the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific, these sharks are not just beautiful; they play a vital role in their ecosystem, preying on fish and crustaceans. Unfortunately, they are currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) due to pressing threats such as habitat destruction and overfishing. Typically, these sharks live up to 12 years in the wild, yet in well-maintained aquariums, they can thrive for over 20 years, potentially reaching lengths between 1.5 to 2 metres. The sharks journeyed to their new home, arriving at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport from Kenya after a 10-hour flight. Each shark was carefully transported in a large 1,000-litre plastic tank equipped with secure lids and connected to life support systems, ensuring they received adequate oxygenation throughout their voyage. Upon arrival, the NZG team meticulously acclimatised the sharks, gradually adjusting water temperature, salinity, and pH levels to facilitate a smooth transition into their new environment. The impressive marine relocation also includes 220 new fish species, such as the Powder Blue Tang, Skunk-striped Anemonefish, Stars and Stripes Pufferfish, and Green Bird Wrasse. Each member of this vibrant group was also transported individually in oxygen-rich marine water and introduced to their new home using controlled floating methods, allowing them to adjust to their surroundings without stress. With the new marine residents now comfortably settled, they have begun to thrive, actively interacting with their environment and captivating the attention of visitors who flock to see them. The NZG encourages the public to explore this fascinating underwater realm right in the heart of Pretoria, reinforcing the importance of ocean life and marine ecosystems.
