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IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
SANParks launches tree planting initiative to restore Newlands Forest
Volunteers and SANParks staff plant indigenous tree saplings along the Woodcutters Trail in Newlands Forest as part of a large-scale rehabilitation effort to restore areas damaged by illegal bark stripping. Image: Supplied / SANParks In a decisive step to heal one of Cape Town's most iconic green spaces, South African National Parks (SANParks) has launched a large-scale planting of indigenous trees in Newlands Forest to restore damage caused by illegal bark stripping. Over 50 indigenous trees, including Cape Beech, Cape Holly, Bladdernut, and Wild Almond, are being planted along the Woodcutters Trail as part of Table Mountain National Park's (TMNP) broader ecological rehabilitation programme. According to SANParks, the planting initiative marks the first phase of a long-term project, with a second phase scheduled for next year. Spokesperson JP Louw said: 'Rehabilitation has become essential due to the effects of illegal and unsustainable bark stripping. 'Bark stripping in the area, often linked to the harvesting of medicinal plant material, has severely impacted mature, seed-producing trees.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In response, SANParks launched an integrated approach in 2023 to address the problem. This includes law enforcement interventions, intelligence gathering, and the implementation of preventative measures such as painting high-risk trees with grey water-based PVA paint to deter stripping. The park has also stepped up patrols and rolled out educational campaigns, including community workshops and dialogues with traditional healers to promote sustainable alternatives. 'The strategy includes intelligence gathering, law enforcement actions, and proactive solutions such as painting mature trees, seed collection, and planting of trees in affected areas, and working with traditional healers to create awareness and find sustainable solutions. 'Partners in these initiatives include the SANParks Honorary Rangers, the Newlands Forest Conservation Group, and the Sugarbird Project.' These volunteer and research groups have worked alongside the TMNP team to collect seeds, monitor stripped areas, and raise public awareness. 'In July 2024, the SANParks conservation team, along with the Cape Research Centre (CRC) and the Biodiversity Special Project (BSP) team, initiated a seedling programme with funding from the French Government and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Seeds were carefully collected and grown to the seedling and sapling stage. 'The City of Cape Town Westlake Conservation Centre generously provided space and horticultural support at their facility for seed germination, resulting in positive outcomes. 'TMNP will be planting over 50 indigenous trees in Newlands Forest, in collaboration with its partners. The species to be planted include Cape Beech, Cape Holly, Bladdernut, and Wild Almond seedlings. 'SANParks would like to express gratitude to its partners for their successful collaboration in restoring this area of Newlands Forest in TMNP. Together, we can do more to conserve this site for both current and future generations.'
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
Table Mountain trails restricted following fire
Mop-up operations are ongoing at the Table Mountain National Park following this weekend's fire. However, the public has been urged to avoid the surrounding trails until further notice. This comes as a religious group was charged with a fine for illegally starting fires. Following investigations, the group was removed from the area. Several fire services had to be mobilised to battle the fire, which was driven by strong winds. South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson JP Louw told SABC News that a volunteer Wildfire Services firefighter had to receive medical assistance for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, there was no damage to property reported following the blaze at Table Mountain. SANParks says starting or causing fires is strictly prohibited at their sites, such as Table Mountain and will result in a summons being issued. The organisation also attributes fires to human action caused by firecrackers, flares, cigarettes and braai coal. However, lightning and other natural processes can also set blazes. In April, over 3,000 hectares of mountainside vegetation were destroyed by a fire on Table Mountain. As a result, SANParks teams had to be assisted with four helicopters that deployed to water bomb hotspots. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The South African
6 days ago
- General
- The South African
Religious groups fined for starting latest fire in Table Mountain National Park
South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued fines to several religious groups found illegally starting fires in Table Mountain National Park, after a wildfire broke out just below Boyes Drive between Lakeside and Muizenberg on Sunday morning. The fire, which ignited in Peck's Valley, quickly prompted a multi-agency response but was successfully contained without any damage to property. However, a Wildfire Services volunteer had to be treated for smoke inhalation. When South Africans connect, we don't just network; we build a community. The Lekker Network is a professional network where every conversation starts with, 'How can I help you?' Come join us & be a part of a community of extraordinary Saffas. According to SANParks spokesperson JP Louw, park rangers found multiple religious groups in the area, allegedly engaging in unauthorised fire-related rituals. These groups were removed from the site and fined for violating fire safety regulations. 'They were removed from the site and fined for violating fire safety regulations,' Louw confirmed. 'Mop-up operations are currently underway.' While Boyes Drive has since been reopened, SANParks is urging the public to avoid nearby trails and fire-affected areas, citing safety concerns and ongoing operations in the vicinity. Louw warned that Table Mountain National Park remains highly vulnerable to wildfires, particularly during the dry and windy winter season, and emphasised the importance of strict adherence to fire safety regulations. The incident has once again highlighted ongoing tensions between religious worship practices – often conducted in secluded natural areas – and park safety regulations. While SANParks acknowledged the significance of spiritual use of the land, it reiterated that lighting fires in the park is strictly prohibited outside of designated areas. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Metro
12-05-2025
- Metro
Safari tourist on nighttime walk trampled to death by elephants
A tourist on safari was trampled to death by a heard of elephants after taking a nighttime walk. The 68-year-old had been staying at Sirheni Bushveld Camp in South Africa's Kruger National Park when she left her husband sleeping in their accommodation, and took a stroll outside just before 11pm. CCTV cameras captured her walking out of the gates of the camp and onto a dark road, at which point she was met by a herd of elephants with calves. Panicked, the animals charged at the pensioner, trampling her to death. A spokesman for Kruger National Park confirmed the woman – who was staying with her partner in self-catered accommodation – died on Saturday night. Mr JP Louw said: 'SANParks who operate the bush camp have been attending to the unfortunate incident of a visitor who lost her life after encountering elephants. 'In compliance with the law, the matter has been handed over to the police who must be approached for updates, and we will not be making any further comment on it. 'That is both out of respect for the family and also in appreciation of the law.' The SANParks website said that elephants, lions, hippo, buffalo and leopard all walk the fence line at night and warn tourists that if they 'must walk' to take a torch with them. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the woman's death was reported at the Saselamani Police Station and that officers were investigating. He added: 'The circumstances surrounding the incident are still a subject for investigation and we will not be revealing the identity until we have contacted the victim's next of kin.' The nationality of the tourist has not been revealed. Sirheni Bushveld Camp is 360 miles north of Johannesburg, at the top of the Kruger National Park and lies on the banks of the Mphongolo River. It runs two daily trips out into the park, which are accompanied by armed rangers. In January this year tourist Shaik Ahmed, 59, was trampled to death by an elephant in the Kruger as he tried to protect his five and 11-year-old grandchildren. The eldest boy suffered leg injuries after it was swung around by the elephant's trunk but when Mr Ahmed ran to help the child the animal dropped the youngster and killed the man. In July last year, meanwhile, a Spanish tourist who was with his bride-to-be was trampled to death in the Pilanesberg National Park near Sun City, two hours from Johannesburg. More Trending Carlos Luna, 43, had got out of the couple's hire car despite being warned not to and approached a herd of elephants drinking out of a lake. A mother who had two calves charged and trampled him to death as his fiancée screamed in horror. The African elephant, which kills around 500 people a year in Africa, can weigh six tons, stand 13 feet to the shoulder and run up to 25mph. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman's rant at cafe's shoe policy ignites debate over 'rude' tourism MORE: Tourists outnumber locals on 'crammed' Greek island named most crowded in Europe MORE: More than 70 people now infected with parasite after visiting petting zoo
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- The Citizen
Herd of elephants trample woman to death in Kruger National Park
An elderly tourist was trampled by a herd of elephants in the Kruger National Park on Saturday night. Lowvelder reports the 68-year-old woman was a visitor at the Sirheni Bushveld Camp in the northern part of the Kruger. She reportedly woke up and walked out of the chalet she was sharing with her husband just before 23:00. The circumstances surrounding her death are uncertain, and police investigations are ongoing. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw confirmed the incident but declined to provide details, referring Lowvelder to the SAPS. 'SANParks has been attending to the unfortunate incident of a visitor who lost her life after encountering elephants. In compliance with the law, the matter has been handed over to the SAPS who must be approached for updates. Out of respect for the family and also appreciative of the law, SANParks will not provide commentary on the incident,' said Louw. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the matter was reported at the Saselamani Police Station in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality near the Kruger's Punda Maria Gate. 'The information at our disposal is that at around 23:00 on May 10, a female tourist (68), who was a visitor at a well-known lodge, was attacked and killed by elephants. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still a subject for investigation,' said Ledwaba. He added the victim's identity would not be revealed until her next of kin could be notified of the incident. It is also not clear whether the victim was a local or a foreign tourist. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
