From April 2023 to March 2024, CapeNature responded to 89 wildfires, which burned an area of approximately 73 671 hectares, of which 22 762 hectares were on Entity managed land.

One day, as Kai, the leopard cub, was lying on his back, warming his full tummy in the sun, he was thinking about the class he had attended with his mom, brother, and sister the previous day. It was about survival, the importance of helping your friends and caring for your environment. It all sounded a bit boring, farfetched and un-adventurous! His mom had caught him dosing off in class.

The public is urged to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines during the upcoming summer holiday season when encountering Cape fur seals. These marine mammals are an integral part of our coastal ecosystem, but it is crucial to recognise that human-wildlife interactions can have severe consequences.

The charismatic true chameleons belong to the family Chamaeleonidae and are found throughout much of Africa, Madagascar, southern Spain, southern India, Sri Lanka and the southern Arabian Peninsula. There are more than 160 species globally, which belong to eight genera. The South African endemic genus of Dwarf Chameleons Bradypodion (meaning “slow-

Join CapeNature and SANCCOB for an unforgettable day at the annual Penguin Palooza on Saturday, October 26, 2024! Set in the beautiful Stony Point Nature Reserve, this free event starts at 10:00 and is dedicated to raising awareness about the Endangered African Penguin. This year, the event will see two lucky people win the opportunity to release a penguin back into the wild. The public is encouraged to enter this incredible competition and will need to enter on the day of the event. Entries will close 30 minutes prior to the release.

A new and healthy sub-population of the Critically Endangered, Northern moss frog was recently discovered in the far south of the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area during a targeted biodiversity survey. With a maximum size of only 14mm, the Northern moss frog, Arthroleptella subvoce, was previously known from only three locations in South Africa, all within the mountains of the Groot Winterhoek Reserve and Wilderness Area.

The Western Cape’s continued commitment to combatting wildlife crime is seeing results after a forty-two-year-old from Durbanville was sentenced on Friday, 27 September, at the Bellville Regional Court to six years imprisonment and ordered to pay R100 000 after being convicted on all 16 charges relating to the illegal trafficking and possession of 56 protected birds, snakes and spiders.

Hey kids. Today Siya the Orange-breasted Sunbird shows Kai just how special the Western Cape is. Find out about our beautiful fynbos by checking out this short version of the story or click here to download the full story.

It’s officially camp season, so get excited! The weather is warming up, the skies are brighter, and we’re ready to welcome you to camp with us at a CapeNature reserve this season!

CapeNature is excited to announce the launch of South Africa's first slow hiking trail at the beautiful De Mond Nature Reserve, just a stone’s throw from the historic seaside town of Arniston. The Damara Trail is a new immersive experience in nature and invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the environment at a leisurely pace. Launched in celebration of World Tourism Day, held annually on 27 September 2024, the trail embraces this year’s theme of peace.

Recent research highlights the significant impact of waste on the Western Cape coastline, with pollution affecting popular beaches and marine ecosystems. Reports indicate that several beaches along the 307 km coastline, including Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, have consistently failed to meet minimum water quality guidelines. This pollution harms local wildlife and threatens the health and safety of residents and tourists. Efforts to manage waste effectively are crucial to preserving the region's environmental integrity.