Odonata is the name of the order of predatory insects that comprises the dragonflies and damselflies. The name is derived from the Greek word meaning “toothed jaw”. A descriptive referral to the impressive jaws of the larval form of these flying insects.

Get a quick glimpse every week into CapeNature's firefighting efforts during fire season (October - March) with a self-explanatory infographic highlighting fire locations and hectares of veld affected over a 7 day period. Read all about fire prevention and management here.

Eighteen of the ±62 species of bats in South Africa occur in the Western Cape. Four of these are fruit-eating species, while the rest are insectivorous. The largest bat roost in South Africa is on CapeNature’s De Hoop Nature Reserve and the 300 000 bats that live there are estimated to consume about 100 tons of insects per year, including mosquitoes and agricultural insect pests.

In July 2021, CapeNature announced a partnership with Forge, the 100% Made in Mzansi mobile hiking maps app. The digital maps include super accurate trails and important points of interest, like camping sites, waterfalls and mountain peaks among others, as well as information on opening hours, facilities, contact details and more.

Picnics are a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Packing a good picnic basket can add to your experience in a positive way. Read our tips to help you impress your friends and family this summer when visiting one of your favourite CapeNature reserve spots.

World Wetlands Day is recognised throughout the world on the 2^nd of February each year. This special environmental calendar day marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty with the mission to conserve wetlands.

Anton Bredell, the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, through the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre, today issued a warning on the expected heatwave throughout the Western Cape this weekend.

According to the South African Weather Service, temperatures in the Western Cape will rise above 40 degrees Celsius in some places both Saturday and Sunday.

The management of alien and invasive plant species can sometimes lead to confusion in terms of applicable legislation. There are two national laws that need to be considered, namely the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (CARA) and the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEMBA). All landowners have a responsibility and legal liability in relation to the control of invasive vegetation.

Download the CapeNature visitor app and win a once in a lifetime experience.

All entrants stand a chance of winning a Whale Trail golden pass valued at R15 000 for you and 5 friends. PLUS an R5 000 Cape Union Mart  shopping spree.

Experience nature with the new CapeNature mobile app, the first of its kind for the conservation agency. Get it now for convenient maps, guides, self-check-ins, competitions, and more!

CapeNature is a proud collaborator for the second year of the “Matrics in Antarctica Project” with world renowned adventurer Riaan Manser. On Friday, 14 January 2022 at 15h15 the top 5 to join Riaan in Antarctica will be announced.

Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental affairs and Development Planning today thanked all the firefighters and firefighting entities who worked together to put out the Kleinmond fire after 4 days of extensive and coordinated firefighting.