Why this monitoring programme is essential

Wildlife monitoring is very essential for keeping track of animal displacement and movement patterns, how they live in the key reserves along with habitat utilisation, population demographics, snaring and poaching incidents (sometimes caught in traps meant for snaring bush meat such as impala) and breakouts. The vital and valuable information gathered, has numerous positive management applications, including the greater understanding of the species, planning of successful introduction and removal strategies of specific endangered wildlife species. 

   Photo - Wildlife ACT, Rhino capture for reintroduction

The Endangered Wildlife Monitoring project formulates critical up to date information that is supplied to local conservation authorities including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and the KZN Wild Dog Management Group.

The project team monitors and volunteers concentrate monitoring efforts on specific endangered species present on the key reserves in South Africa with intensive work carried out in the KwaZulu-Natal area. This enables the project team to keep track of other priority species on the reserves, which potentially have an impact on the well-being of the endangered species (Lion and Hyena) or have a large ecological impact (Elephant).