Constitutional Court ruling ends a decade-long battle over controversial oil and gas exploration rights off South Africa’s Wild Coast. Anton Crone – Tue 18 August, 2026. South Africa’s Constitutional Court has brought an end to a decade-long legal battle over Shell’s plans to explore for oil and gas off the Wild Coast, in a landmark...
24 July 2026 – Three community-led initiatives from Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have been shortlisted for the 2026 Wilderness Impact Challenge, a competition that rewards innovative solutions that strengthen Africa’s conservation economy while improving livelihoods. The finalists were selected from more than 80 entries submitted from around the world, with this year’s Challenge focusing on...
by Wesley Gush and Cassie Carstens Two key skills are needed if you to study Secretarybirds in South Africa. The first is the ability to drive vast distances for long hours. These birds occur in most rural regions across the country, and familiarity with dirt roads and remote farming districts is essential. The second is...
South Africa’s proposed new conservation targets fall short of the internationally agreed goal of protecting 30% of land, freshwater and marine areas by 2030, according to conservation group WWF South Africa. A draft version of the country’s third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026–2035, presented at a national conference this week, proposes conserving 21%...
A major new conservation initiative aimed at strengthening biodiversity protection and community resilience in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was officially launched in Gaborone, Botswana, on 12 May 2026. The 30-month project, titled Integrated Management for Biodiversity Conservation and Community Resilience in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, is funded by the European Union through the NaturAfrica programme and implemented by African...
Mount Moco, one of Angola’s most important biodiversity strongholds, has officially been granted legal protection following the publication of Law No. 5/26 in the Diário da República (the Angolan Government’s Official Gazette) on 9 April 2026. The legislation establishes the Mount Moco Conservation Area as a Partial Nature Reserve, marking a landmark moment for conservation in Angola. Feature image: Swierstra’s Francolin, endemic...
By Tarryn Havemann, Mouse-Free Marion Project Development Officer 26 February – The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project has secured a transformational pledge of US$10 million from a Swiss-based international foundation. This commitment represents the largest contribution received to date and marks a major milestone in the journey towards restoring Marion Island to its former ecological condition....
By Faye Knight 28 January – WWF’s Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI) has released its updated list to guide seafood lovers on how to select the most sustainable seafoods and highlights the need for continued caution in what consumers selection. While this update brings good news for the Maasbanker (Cape Horse Mackerel) and the...
We highlight some of our BirdLife South Africa’s key achievements from the year – from saving African Penguins from extinction to tracking a European Roller from Limpopo to China, and much more! Feature image: BirdLife South Africa’s management team. You can support BirdLife South Africa’s work by clicking here
