Heroes, not Villains
7 September 2024 is International Vulture Awareness Day, and CapeNature will be celebrating all vultures everywhere but especially the Cape Vultures that call De Hoop Nature Reserve home.
These extraordinary birds are masters of flight, devoted parents, have extraordinary eyesight, and are fastidious about personal hygiene. They are nature’s clean-up crew, disposing of carrion and thereby preventing the spread of diseases. But many vulture species are at risk of extinction. The 2024 National Vulture Multi-Species Biodiversity Management Plan highlights the threats that they face – deliberate and accidental poisoning, electrocutions and collisions with power infrastructure, disturbance at breeding sites, and harvesting of body parts for use in the bushmeat and traditional medicine trades.
Despite this, the De Hoop Cape Vulture colony has increased steadily over the last 30 years. For this, we thank the dedicated staff at De Hoop, wildlife rehabilitation organizations such as VulPro and Cango Wildlife Ranch, and especially the many conservation-minded farmers in the Overberg area.
Note: Visitors to De Hoop Nature Reserve can book a guided “vulture experience” hike to the vulture viewing platform on Potberg Mountain: https://www.dehoopcollection.com/project/vulture-experience/.
Related News
Spring into Serenity: Explore CapeNature’s Hidden Tranquil Outdoor Escapes!
As spring breathes new life into the landscape, it's the perfect time to explore CapeNature's captivating trails. With options suitable for hikers, walkers, or runners of all levels, you can enjoy the fresh air and vibrant scenery while creating lasting memories.
DFFE RAMSAR site visit and Ramsar information system (RIS) update
The Convention on Wetlands is a global intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. South Africa, together with almost 90% of United Nations member states from all the world’s geographic regions, have agreed to become “Contracting Parties” committing to designating sites as Wetlands of International Importance.
Update on upcoming transitioning period, Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, wants to inform communities from baboon-affected areas that options are being initiated to enable a presence of baboon rangers during the upcoming transitioning period. In addition, if all goes as planned, the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group will be formally established next month.
CapeNature celebrates a decade of connecting communities to nature with Access Week 2024
CapeNature celebrates its 10th annual Access Week between the 21st and 27th of September 2024 this year. The public is invited to access any one of 25 selected Provincial nature reserves across the Western Cape for free during this time. Visitors will be allowed day entry at no cost to enjoy activities such as hiking, bird watching, swimming and mountain biking. CapeNature will also be facilitating a variety of programmes for various community groups during this period.
CapeNature and NRF-SAIAB Team Up for Marine Conservation in De Hoop MPA
In celebration of Marine Protected Area Day, celebrated annually on August 1, CapeNature and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are proud to highlight their ongoing efforts to protect marine life through the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) in the Western Cape’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?