South Africa Endangered Wildlife Conservation - Additional Information

The Endangered Wildlife Conservation project operates across 3 locations in two different reserves in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, each location 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.

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