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Mail & Guardian
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The aardvark — long considered relatively secure — has been moved from least concern to near threatened, reflecting growing pressures on its habitat. (Anamilia)
BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Aardvarks, bats and mole-rats among mammal species sliding towards regional extinction

New data shows habitat loss and degradation are pushing mammals closer to extinction — with endemic species facing the greatest risk

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
Freshwater fish, sharks, rays, endemic plants and iconic mammals are among the country’s fastest-declining species, as invasive species, reduced freshwater flows and pollution intensify. (Wikimedia Commons)
CLIMATE CHANGE SOUTH AFRICA

Illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and climate stress driving rapid biodiversity decline in SA

Freshwater fish, sharks, rays, endemic plants and iconic mammals are among the country’s fastest-declining species, as invasive species, reduced freshwater flows and pollution…

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Researchers studied blue waxbills — small songbirds that were most affected in South Africa’s first documented heat-related mortality event involving wild birds, which occurred in late 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)
AFRICAN BIRDS

Heat and humidity is a lethal mix for SA’s small birds

Scientists have warned that humidity, not just temperature, could determine which species survive in an era of escalating heatwaves

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Flood of information: The University of the Witwatersrand’s Global Change Institute and the South African National Biodiversity Institute have developed climate change fact sheets for local governments. Photo: EMS KZN
ADAPTATION PLANNING SOUTH AFRICA

SA municipalities get high-resolution data to tackle climate hazards

Wits and Sanbi have launched fact sheets, helping local governments plan for a climate-stressed SA

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Tree breeding and sustainable intensification (planting more productive trees on less land) are actively being practised in South Africa. (Mondi South Africa)
GARYN TOWNSEND

The little invasive beetle causing big problems for SA’s trees

The search for biological control agents is underway

  • Gemma Gatticchi
2 min read
(Adrian Steirn/Barcroft Images)
EYAAZ MATWADIA

‘Forgotten Five’ in need of rescuing

From pangolins to pythons, species are being threatened by poachers for lucrative markets. A Namibian tells of her bid to make a difference

  • Eyaaz Matwadia
5 min read
Fragile: About 12% of the 3?000 animals in South Africa that were assessed in the report are at risk of extinction.The cheetah was the second-most threatened carnivore after the African wild dog. (SylvainCordier/hemis.fr)
EXTINCTION

We’re killing off life, but there is hope

Sipho Kings reports on the findings of a mega government report on the state of our plants and animals, and what’s being done to secure their future

  • Sipho Kings
5 min read
Government and the private sector are stopping the spread of invasives by about 3% each year, says the writer.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

R6.5-billion lost to alien invaders

In a world-first, South Africa has quantified the damage done by invasive species. Sipho Kings breaks down the new report

  • Sipho Kings
7 min read
GREENING THE FUTURE AWARDS

Nearly one in four plants in SA is under threat

South Africa has become the first of the world’s mega-diverse countries to assess fully the status of its entire flora — a staggering 20 456 species.

  • Sapa Afp
  • Phathisani Moyo
3 min read