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IOL News
9 hours ago
- General
- IOL News
Celebrating World Conservation Day: South Africa's commitment to biodiversity
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is one of KwaZulu-Natal's hives of biodiversity. Image: iSimangaliso Wetland Park On World Conservation Day, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) joined the global community in emphasising the crucial need for conserving our planet's natural resources and biodiversity. Observed annually on 28 July, this day serves as a poignant reminder that a healthy environment is fundamental to a robust society. As global populations approach eight billion today, with projections indicating over nine billion by 2037, the pressure on the planet's natural systems has reached unprecedented levels. Critical resources such as air, water, soil, minerals, and biodiversity are being consumed at an unsustainable pace, threatening the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth. In a bid to combat this escalating crisis, one of the most effective strategies has been the identification and management of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). These critical sites play a vital role in promoting the global persistence of biodiversity. KBAs are recognised as the most significant locations on Earth for a variety of species and their habitats across terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems. In South Africa, the KBA programme is a collaborative initiative led by SANBI and BirdLife South Africa, bringing together a host of conservation experts, researchers, and institutions. Since 2017, the country has undertaken a comprehensive and scientifically rigorous process to reassess and update its list of KBAs, aligning with internationally agreed standards. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ The discovery of Cephalostatin-1 highlights the untapped potential of South Africa's marine biodiversity and underscores the need to preserve these waters. Image: File / Pexels Notably, South Africa has the honour of being the first country in the world to apply all eleven global KBA criteria, reaffirming its leadership in biodiversity science and policy. In 2024, the KBA Secretariat approved a remarkable 263 terrestrial sites across the nation. These areas were selected based on the presence of specific species and ecosystems deemed vital for global biodiversity, known as 'triggers.' A total of 3,486 species and 323 ecosystems contributed to the qualification of these areas as KBAs, which encompass diverse landscapes, ranging from the endemic Fynbos of the Kogelberg to the seabird breeding colonies of the Prince Edward Islands, all covering more than 357,000 km². Pangolins are now the world's most illegally traded wild mammal with more than a million poached over the past decade. Image: Alexis Kriel The significance of these sites extends beyond national borders; they are invaluable treasures with global importance. They provide an international framework that prioritises conservation efforts and guides decision-makers, land managers, and communities in protecting the ecosystems that matter most. As South Africa celebrated World Conservation Day, SANBI reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to science-based conservation, encouraging public awareness on the sustainable use of natural resources. The ongoing identification and management of KBAs remains a crucial endeavour to safeguard the nation's megadiverse natural heritage for the benefit of future generations.
Daily Maverick
16-07-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
South Africa's wetlands are disappearing faster than we can restore them
South Africa's vital wetlands are degrading faster than investment in their rehabilitation. As a result, they are facing catastrophic decline. This follows a global trend of wetland decline, a key finding in the new Global Wetland Outlook. 'South Africa's wetlands are in critical decline,' Dr Farai Terrerai, director of biodiversity assessments at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), told Daily Maverick upon the release of the 2025 Global Wetland Outlook on Tuesday, 15 July. This follows a global trend of declining wetlands, with severe impacts for people and the environment. The 2025 Global Wetland Outlook (GWO), published by the Convention on Wetlands and produced by its Scientific and Technical Review Panel, warns that without urgent action, one-fifth of the world's remaining wetlands could vanish by 2050. The estimated cost of that loss, according to the report, is up to $39-trillion in benefits that support people, economies and nature. The report ultimately synthesises recent scientific and economic evidence to examine the extent of wetland loss and degradation, the ecosystem services that wetlands provide, and the actions required to achieve international restoration and conservation targets. Wetlands in crisis and a call to action Wetlands, encompassing a diverse range of ecosystems, from marshes and swamps to coastal mangroves and coral reefs, are indispensable for human wellbeing and the planet's ecological balance. They provide myriad ecosystem services, including water purification, flood control, carbon sequestration and support for an astonishing 40% of known plant and animal species. Despite their immense value, the GWO 2025 paints a grim picture of widespread degradation across all regions, with millions of hectares lost and countless freshwater species pushed to the brink. Alarmingly, the GWO 2025 found that since 1970, an estimated 411 million hectares of wetlands (about 22% of the global total) have been lost, with an ongoing annual decline of 0.52%. The lead authors, including lead of the Freshwater Biodiversity Programme at SANBI, Nancy Job, said that these losses significantly affect water availability, biodiversity, climate stability and human wellbeing. The Outlook also found that degradation of wetlands globally now rivals outright loss, with about 25% of the remaining wetlands in poor ecological condition – this proportion is increasing in all regions. It estimates that the world's remaining wetlands contribute up to $39-trillion in benefits each year, yet conservation funding remains far below what is required. There are a number of interacting pressures leading to this, including agricultural expansion, pollution, infrastructure development, hydrological disruption and the impacts of climate change. In the opening remarks of the Outlook, secretary-general of the Convention on Wetlands Dr Musonda Mumba and chair of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel at the Convention on Wetlands Dr Hugh Robertson, state: 'The data presented in this Outlook are sobering.' They revealed that the economic value of wetlands lost over the past 50 years exceeds $5.1-trillion. But this figure fails to capture the full intrinsic worth and profound cultural significance of these vital ecosystems. Reduced access to clean water, increased vulnerability to natural disasters and rising greenhouse gas emissions are just some of the mounting costs associated with the decline of wetlands globally. The Outlook was launched in the lead-up to the Convention on Wetlands COP15 in Zimbabwe next week, when 172 countries will gather at Victoria Falls to strengthen international commitments for wetland conservation. Dr Evelyn Ndhlovu, the minister of the environment, climate and wildlife in Zimbabwe, said during the launch: 'Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems for water and biodiversity. Yet in many countries, including my own, they face growing pressure from land use changes, population growth and the impacts of climate change.' Ndhlovu called for better data, better coordination in response, and to effectively come up with the programmes that will change this status quo. The critical decline of South Africa's wetlands The GWO 2025 highlights that South African wetlands are degrading faster than they can be restored. Terrerai said the rate of degradation in the country continues to outpace investment in rehabilitation efforts. Terrerai said the main drivers of wetland degradation in South Africa align with regional trends in Africa, and include: urban, agricultural and industrial pollution; urban expansion; agricultural intensification; infrastructure development; and invasion by alien species. South Africa is showcased in a case study for developing a national wetland map and piloting an automated GIS-based WET-Health assessment. This GIS-based national assessment using WET-Health 2.0 indicates that wetlands are likely to be in worse condition than current desktop estimates suggest, due to unmeasured field-based impacts. Terrerai said this work, led by SANBI, supports national-level reporting and policy decisions by estimating the historical extent and current condition of wetlands. Terrerai added that a key finding from the Outlook was that wetlands in least-developed and lower-income countries, including many in Africa, were reported to be in the worst ecological condition globally. 'This has significant equity implications, particularly where people depend on wetlands for water, food and livelihoods,' said Terrerai. The GWO 2025 also emphatically states that while restoration is undeniably essential, prevention remains significantly more cost-effective. Terrerai said that even though many of South Africa's wetlands require restoration, protection of pristine wetlands and prioritising those in their early stages of degradation was more strategic than targeting wetlands that were at advanced stages of degradation. South Africa has strong goals for its wetlands as part of its national plan for protecting nature (NBSAP), which follows international agreements. The country is updating this plan to help reach global targets, such as restoring 30% of damaged ecosystems by 2030. However, even though wetlands are really important for dealing with climate change (like helping with floods or droughts), specific targets for wetlands aren't officially included in South Africa's national climate action plans (NDCs), according to Terrerai. Despite this, the NDC process requires different sectors to create their own climate response plans. In response, South Africa has developed strategies for its biodiversity and ecosystems sector that specifically includes protecting and restoring wetlands as a priority for adapting to climate change. Once wetlands are degraded, their restoration becomes an arduous and expensive undertaking. This is the bedrock of the Outlook's urgent call for a fundamental paradigm shift. Pathways forward Robertson said: 'The findings are challenging, reiterating the poor state of many of the world's wetlands, but the report is also hopeful. We need to be hopeful. And there is a pathway.' The Outlook presents four possible pathways to move forward in terms of the financing of all the work that is needed to conserve and restore the many values that wetlands provide people: Improve natural capital valuation and integration in decision-making: Wetlands have been systematically undervalued, leading to market failures. The Outlook calls for the use of new tools, which are already available, to capture the true wealth of wetlands, the invisible and visible, not just a limited subset of benefits. The Outlook asks policymakers to value wetlands as critical natural capital and integrate them into climate change, water management and sustainable development agendas; Recognise wetlands as an integral component of the global water cycle for all people: Shifting this perspective highlights wetlands as a global public good, crucial for addressing interlinked climate, biodiversity and water crises; Embedding and prioritising wetlands in innovative financial solutions for nature and people: This involves incorporating wetlands into mechanisms like green bonds, biodiversity credits and debt-for-nature swaps to mobilise significant investment; and Unlocking a private and public financial mix for investment in wetlands as nature-based solutions: Encouraging investments that mitigate negative impacts while delivering positive environmental co-benefits is crucial. The Outlook says public sector finance is vital to scale up these nature-based solutions. Journalist comment For South Africa, applying these pathways requires strong political will, widespread public support and significant financial investment. This means fostering cross-sectoral partnerships and implementing integrated, inclusive spatial planning to address pollution, habitat loss and overexploitation of water resources. By doing so, the nation can move from reactive responses to proactive policies, securing its natural wealth and the billions in benefits wetlands provide. The role of wetlands in Africa's development Dr Anthony Nyong, director of climate change and green growth at the African Development Bank said during the launch of the Outlook that wetlands were a major resource and very critical to Africa's development. 'Though wetlands occupy just 6% of the Earth's surface, they contribute about 7.5% to global GDP, yet this is undervalued… Currently, the report notes that biodiversity conservation across all ecosystems accounts for just 0.25% of global GDP. This shows a serious underinvestment,' Nyong said. Nyong added that between 1975 and now, the world lost an estimated $5.1-trillion in wetland-derived ecosystem services. He cautioned: 'If this trend continues, up to $39-trillion in global benefits could be lost by the year 2050.' Nyong urged that the protection of wetlands in Africa needed to be prioritised and said the continent needed to look into the resources it has. 'At the African Development Bank, we see wetlands as vital natural capital. Africa's economies are nature-dependent. In some countries, over 60% of GDP comes from sectors like agriculture, forestry and tourism. Yet these contributions are often missing from national accounts,' he said. That is why, at COP29 last year, Nyong said the African Development Bank launched a report titled Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations and called for Africa's GDP to reflect its true natural wealth. The African Development Bank is supporting countries to access climate and nature finance and is also helping African countries to develop investable nature-based projects, many of which centre on wetlands. But Nyong said challenges remain, including data and knowledge gaps, weak governance, insufficient funding and a limited pipeline of investable projects. 'This report we are launching today goes a long way in bridging the data and knowledge gap. We cannot say anymore that we didn't know. We know. And so let's put that as we plan our work.' DM
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
‘Bloody Hell!' – Where did it come from? Large python caught in KZN
The reptile will be released into the wild, where it will be safer. Snake rescuer Nick Evans did not expect to see a large python when he was contacted by the municipality after a snake was spotted next to the M19 in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal, last week. Despite the municipality telling him it was a python, Evans said he went there expecting to find a Black Mamba, as 'there are no pythons there'. 'There probably was a python population in the vicinity many, many decades ago, but they've since been wiped out. Although it would be a little unusual to be a mamba too, just more likely,' Evans said. ALSO READ: Illegal side hustle gone wrong: Teens try to sell R20k python for R2k Apart from the New Germany Nature Reserve, the area nearby is an industrial zone, with no suitable hiding place for a python of that size. 'On Thursday, I followed them to the spot where they had been seeing the big snake. When we arrived, I got out of my car, armed with my tongs, ready to catch the mamba. Then they pointed out the snake. 'Bloody Hell!'- I was shocked, it was a python. I put my tongs back and walked into the bush, approaching the basking beast of a snake,' he added. 'Easy catch' What he initially thought would be an 'easy catch' turned into a tug of war match when the reptile was not trying to attack him, but to get away. 'I had to catch this snake; it had no future here. I grabbed the tail, but as it peed in my hands (as always), it was starting to slip out of my grip. Up stepped [ a colleague] Joseph. He came to help me and grabbed the tail end, just as I was losing it. Together, we pulled, and pulled, and I could feel us 'winning' the tug of war. I let go and moved forward to go for the head, which I quickly got. The wrestling match was over.' ALSO READ: Python on a plate: Slithering snakes as sustainable supper solution? The snake was around 3.5 metres. Evans said the python would be released at an undisclosed location, where it will continue to exist in nature uninterrupted. The Southern African python According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Southern African python, also known as a rock python or African rock python, is the largest snake in southern Africa. The males can weigh up to 44kg and reach lengths of up to 4.25m. The females can be even larger, weighing up to 55kg and reaching lengths of 5.0m. The reptiles can live for more than 27 years. The snakes control dassies and cane rats, especially in KwaZulu-Natal's sugarcane fields, according to SANBI. Southern African pythons are protected and vulnerable, and it is illegal to capture or kill them. READ NEXT: Python kills sniffer dog in Limpopo
The South African
14-07-2025
- The South African
'Cruel hobby': Ex-footballer slammed for killing South African sable
Former professional American football quarterback Jay Cutler's recent hunting trip in South Africa has garnered hate online. The 42-year-old posted multiple photos proudly displaying the sable antelope he killed, sparking widespread outrage on social media. Cutler captioned one of the posts, 'Kicked off the Africa hunt with a beauty. Sable down, and described his day as great. The sable antelope, known for its striking appearance, is classified as a vulnerable species by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The species faces threats from climate change, habitat loss, and poaching. Siyabona Africa also reports that sable antelopes typically live in Kruger National Park and other protected reserves where conservationists have reintroduced them. Social media users widely criticised Cutler, an avid hunter. Instagram user @bradleyhides commented, 'I went to Africa on a safari and saw the most incredible wildlife and never once thought about murdering them.' @MatthewPaulTurner added that Cutler had 'nothing to brag about.' Another user, @reed52804, wrote: 'What a cruel 'hobby,' Jay. Shame on you for killing this beautiful animal. It breaks my heart.' Some users also referenced Cutler's personal life, suggesting that his ex-wife, Kristin Cavallari, made the right decision in divorcing him. The couple officially ended their marriage in 2022, citing inappropriate marital conduct. In 2024, police arrested Cutler in Franklin, Tennessee, after he rear-ended another vehicle and charged him with driving under the influence and illegal possession of a firearm. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Daily Maverick
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Make new friends and explore new hobbies in retirement
Here's a selection of activities from around South Africa to suit a variety of interests and tastes. National The Meetup app connects you to social clubs, games evenings, dances and clubs for hiking, gardening, chess and tennis in your neighbourhood. Johannesburg Activity: Art classes at the Kim Sacks School of Ceramics & Gallery Workshops. Description: Though primarily known for ceramics, Kim Sacks offers various pop-up workshops covering clay, fibre and paper. Address: 153 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood; Email: [email protected]; contact number: 067 704 3926 (office hours) or 083 377 7499 (WhatsApp for workshop info). Activity: University of the Third Age (U3A). Description: U3A offers educational and leisure activities for retired and semiretired people. Members share their knowledge and interests through a variety of courses and groups covering diverse topics, from history and literature to hobbies and current affairs. Address: 6 Randjeslaagte Rd, Highlands North, Johannesburg, 2192 (This is its administrative address; classes may be held elsewhere or online.); Email: [email protected]; contact number: Email is preferred for initial contact, but check the website for general U3A national contacts if needed. Cape Town Activity: Cape Town Swing (beginner classes and social dances). Description: Learn the joyful art of swing dancing! It's a fantastic way to stay active, meet new people and enjoy music. Address: Varies for classes and social dances (check its website for current venues); Email: [email protected]; contact number: Email is preferred. Activity: Silent Book Club – Cape Town Chapter. Description: A unique social activity for book lovers. Instead of assigned readings and formal discussions, participants gather in a relaxed setting (often cafés) to read their own books in comfortable silence, followed by optional casual chatting. Address: Various public venues (check its Meetup or social media for event locations); Email: Often managed through Meetup or direct message via social media. Website/platform: Look for 'Silent Book Club Cape Town' on or Instagram. Pretoria Activity: SANBI Pretoria National Botanical Garden. Description: The garden offers a beautiful space for walking and connecting with nature, and it has pensioner discounts for annual memberships. There are often events, educational programmes and volunteer opportunities that could appeal to gardeners. Address: 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria; Email: [email protected] (general SANBI queries) or [email protected]; for general information see here, or go here; Contact number: 012 002 5201 / 012 002 5200. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
