Wildlife

As a pro-active step to deter poachers from targeting rhino in the World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) recently implemented a rhino de-horning programme throughout the Western Shores section of the Park. This is reflective of the Park’s commitment to put rhinos and their safety first,

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values.

In a powerful recognition of his role in conservation and sustainable development, Andrew Zaloumis has been named the winner of the WWF SA Living Planet 2015 Award.

November in iSimangaliso Wetland Park heralds the beginning of one of the most special and awe-inspiring miracles of this world heritage site – the nesting of endangered turtles on the 220km golden shoreline. Annually, between the months of November and March, leatherback and loggerhead turtles haul their massive bodies out of the Indian Ocean and up to the base of the dunes, to lay their eggs.

Recent news of the proposed Ibutho Coal’s Fuleni opencast coal mine, sited a mere 40 to 70 metres from the southern boundary fence of the historic iMfolozi wilderness area, sent shock waves that were felt worldwide that this historic reserve could be lost to mining.