South Africa Endangered Wildlife Conservation - Additional Information

The Endangered Wildlife Conservation project operates across 5 diverse reserves in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, each reserve having its own research focus and unique mix of wildlife that is encountered.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Background

Established in 1895 and one of the oldest game reserves in Africa! Spans over 96,000 hectares and due to the size of the area, it is split into two “sections” - the Hluhluwe Section and the iMfolozi Section. The two areas are not divided by any fencing and allow for wildlife to pass through freely.

Species

Includes the Big 5, as well as African wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, hippos, crocodiles, zebra, baboons and more! The park is also a prime birding destination, with over 320 recorded bird species.

Focus of monitoring*

Hluhluwe Section – African wild dogs, lion, elephant, rhino.
iMfolozi Section – African wild dogs, lion, elephant, cheetah.

Manyoni Game Reserve

Background

The Manyoni private game reserve lies within the Msunduzi valley in northern Zululand. The reserve was formed when 17 landowners agreed to remove their fences to create a “Big 5”, endangered species reserve. The WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project was also a key player in forming the reserve when it chose the area as a release site for a founder population of black rhino.

Species

Includes the Big 5, as well as cheetah, African wild dogs, hyena, jackal, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, bushpig, chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, honey badgers, and various antelope species including kudu, nyala and impala.

Focus of monitoring*

African wild dogs, cheetah, elephant and lion.

Volunteers will also occasionally assist the local team with game counts or vegetation assessments on the reserve.

Tembe Elephant Park

Background

Located in Northern Zululand, adjoining the Mozambique border, Tembe Elephant Park is often associated with being the home to over 200 of the world’s largest elephants. These include legendary “Tuskers” whose huge tusks weigh more than 45kg!

Comprised of over 30,000 hectares of land, Tembe was traditionally owned by the Tembe tribe. When Chief Mzimba Tembe donated the land, this amazing reserve was formed.

Species

Includes the Big 5, as well as hippo, zebra, giraffe and various antelope species including the rare suni antelope which stands at just 35 centimetres high! The reserve is home to a great diversity of vegetation as well as over 340 bird species, due to its mix of both tropical and sub-tropical biomes.

Focus of monitoring*

African wild dogs, lion and suni populations. Additionally, there is typically one elephant monitoring session per week.

uMkhuze Game Reserve

Background

Formed in 1912, the uMkhuze Game Reserve is located in the north western section of the “iSimangaliso Wetland Park”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An area of outstanding beauty, the 40,000 hectares that make up uMkhuze’s are renowned for an incredible diversity of natural habitats.

Species    

Includes the Big 5, as well as black rhino, cheetah, African wild dog and vulture, giraffe, zebra, hyena, warthog, chacma baboons, tervet monkeys, honey badgers, mongoose and various antelope species, including waterbuck, kudu, nyala, duiker and suni.

uMkhuze is also famous for its rich birdlife, and its 420 recorded bird species attract keen birdwatchers from all over the world

Focus of monitoring*

African wild dog populations, as well as cheetah, lion, rhino and elephants populations.

 

*If volunteers spot other endangered or priority species, these sightings will also be recorded