CREATING A
WILDLIFE CORRIDOR
ON SOUTH AFRICA’S
ELEPHANT COAST
We are working to create a wildlife corridor that will restore connectivity from the mountains to the ocean in north eastern South Africa
The corridor will connect the 80,000 acre MunYaWana Conservancy to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
This saved land will conserve the region's wildlife, wetlands and forests while giving access to its life-saving freshwater in a climate-changed future.
The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, as the corridor will be named, will enable Black Rhino, African Wild Dogs, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Hyena and other threatened species to once again move across the landscape.
HELP CREATE THE GREATER UKUWELA NATURE RESERVE
The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, as the corridor will be named, will enable Black Rhino, African Wild Dogs, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Hyena and other threatened species to once again move across the landscape.
LOCATION
The reserve, and the vital wildlife corridor it creates, is located within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Global Biodiversity Hotspot in Zululand, South Africa. This area is globally recognized for its extensive biodiversity: it is the second richest floristic region in southern Africa with an estimated 8,100 species within the region of which at least 23% are endemic. Within this hotspot, the Ukuwela Nature Reserve is home to 3 distinct habitats including freshwater wetlands and dry sand forest. In the past 3 years alone our ecologists have confirmed the presence of 912 species including 45 mammals, 20 amphibians, 300 birds and 150 tree species on our ever-expanding species list. It is this species richness that identified the Reserve as a priority for South Africa’s national Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, and to be proclaimed as a nature reserve under the country’s biodiversity legislation.
THREATS
Industrial Agriculture, Development, Mining and Poaching.
This wild tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland, freshwater springs and forest interspersed with rivers, marshes and pans, is under increasing pressure from development. Habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict has already disrupted the movement of key species across this landscape.
OPPORTUNITY
We are working to secure this critically important wildlife corridor in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa. Our project seeks to protect, restore and reconnect this landscape, providing a lifeline to the regions’ threatened species. The corridor’s floodplains and wetlands extend habitat for South Africa’s largest population of hippo and 11 threatened bird species. The Reserve is also an important buffer to the Mzinine river, a tributary into Africa’s largest proclaimed wetland system, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, home to 4 Ramsar wetlands of international significance and a designated International Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The Mzinene River is also a National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area (NFEPA) River.
| Key Mammal Species |
|
Black Rhinoceros (CR), African Wild Dog (EN), Lion (VU), Nile Crocodile (VU), Leopard (VU), Giraffe (VU), Hippopotamus (VU), African Elephant (VU), Suni Antelope (Regionally EN). |
|
Key Bird Species Protected |
|
White-backed Vulture (CE), Cape Vulture (EN), Secretary Bird (VU), Lappet-Faced Vulture (EN), Regionally Threatened: Southern Banded Snake Eagle (CE), Bateleur (EN), Martial Eagle (EN), African Marsh Harrier(EN), Mangrove Kingfisher (EN), Saddle-billed Stork (EN), Yellow-billed Stork (EN). |
| Habitats Protected |
|
Subtropical Freshwater Wetlands (VU) Dry Sand Forest (EN) Western Maputaland Clay Bushveld (VU) |
(CE) Critically Endangered (E) Endangered (VU) Vulnerable
GETTING TO THE GOAL
We have come a long way since we began the project in 2017. In that time we have participate and photograph this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read more here about why dehorning is a critical, practical strategy to protect rhinos from poaching.
Get close to the incredible diversity of birdlife on our two conservancies located next door to the iSimangaliso Wetlands, a UNESCO world heritage site and home to more than 500 bird species. You’ll help a regional bird expert identify, ring and photograph birds.
CAPITAL COSTS
Land Purchase .............…........... $500,000
Fencing ..............…..................... $500,000
Vehicles .................…................. $500,000
Ranger Accomodations ...…...... $500,000
Wildlife Assets ......….....….......... $500,000
TOTAL…………………..………..……………..$2,000,000
RUNNING COSTS
Land Purchase .............…........... $500,000
Fencing ..............…..................... $500,000
Vehicles .................…................. $500,000
Ranger Accomodations ...…...... $500,000
Wildlife Assets ......….....….......... $500,000
TOTAL…………………..………..……………..$2,000,000