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Whether in the field or behind a desk, we always strive to keep our purpose front of mind: to restore and protect natural ecosystems, ensuring that wildlife thrives for future generations.
None of this would be possible without our exceptional, hard-working team, the incredible partnerships we’ve formed over the years, and our valued network of supporters and volunteers. It goes without saying that this work would be impossible without such passionate and dedicated people in our corner.
Here are just a few of our accomplishments from 2024 - we hope they will inspire you as they have us.
Vultures are nature's cleanup crew, scavenging and disposing of animal remains that could otherwise become breeding grounds for disease. But despite their importance, Vulture numbers across Africa are in rapid decline and their range numbers have decreased by up to 70%. Of the six Vulture species found in South Africa, all have been classified by the IUCN as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
The key focus of Wildlife ACT’s Vulture Conservation Programme in 2024 was to raise awareness surrounding Vultures and their environmental importance, as well as, in our Zululand Project, forming a better understanding of the extent of lead exposure in KwaZulu-Natal’s Vultures. Additionally, a new project has been initiated in Zululand to deploy tracking units to Hooded Vultures for the first time in the province, to determine where they are breeding and inform conservation action.
Another great success was that in May, along with partners Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and FreeMe Wildlife, Wildlife ACT was able to assist in the release of four rehabilitated Cape Vultures into the southern Drakensberg region.
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This year marked the opening of the Mzimkulu Vulture Hide in the Southern Drakensberg, in collaboration with Riverlea Farm, providing the Southern Drakensberg with a sustainable safe feeding site for Vultures. Important partners include Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Project Vulture, Drakensberg Conservation Initiative, Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
The hide was made possible by Invicta Wildlife, CHEP, the European Outdoor Conservation Association, and Laetitia Steynberg. The support of local Underberg farms was also crucial to making this important Vulture Safe Feeding Site a reality.
The hide has been open for public bookings for nine months now and has already had over 180 visitors, who have enjoyed close-up sightings of Cape and Bearded Vultures. Funds raised through visitor bookings allow us to keep the feeding site and hide operational. The hide is also the site of important educational programmes.
It can accommodate six guests at a time, who have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife including Cape Vultures, Bearded Vultures, Yellow-billed Kites, various Eagle species, Sacred Ibis, White-necked Ravens as well as Black-backed Jackals.
Book your seat or book out the entire hide for a more private experience. Bookings can be made via email (vulture@wildlifeact.com) or online. Also be sure to check out our Facebook group for beautiful sightings from recent visitors!
Along with our vital partners in conservation, Wildlife ACT is dedicated to supporting the mitigation of the ever-present threat of poaching through adaptive monitoring as well as assisting in the provision of preventative measures such as dehorning operations.
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In July this year, a three-day dehorning operation took place in July on Somkhanda Game Reserve, funded by Rhino Recovery Fund and others, with the aim of protecting this vulnerable Rhino population.
Situated in Zululand, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Somkhanda Game Reserve was the first Community Game Reserve to welcome a black rhino population as part of WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) in 2007.
A number of key partners were involved in making the operation a success, including Wildlife ACT, PAMCo, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife veterinarian Dr Rowan Leeming, African Wildlife Vets veterinarian Dr Jen Lawrence, Heligistix, Zululand Air Patrol (ZAP Wing), Rhino Recovery Fund, CHEP, Protank, WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, Ford Wildlife Foundation, and Somkhanda Big 5 Tourism.
The decision to dehorn is not made lightly and is implemented as a life-saving relief response to the onslaught of poaching the province has suffered, with the ultimate wellbeing of the individuals and the conservation of their species as the driving force.
This year, the decision was made to combine our Cheetah, Leopard, and Lion projects into the Big Cat Programme, aligning with the government’s development of a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for big cats. This integrated approach supports informed management of Leopards, Cheetahs, and Lions, ultimately aiming to enhance their survival and sustainability.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Forever Wild Foundation, who have partnered with us on Cheetah conservation work, and to Invicta Wildlife Fund and Aurex Constructors for their continued support of our Leopard conservation work.
Wildlife ACT is proud to have continued working in collaboration with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife on Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in 2024. The HiP boundary support team was formed in April 2023, with support from Rhino Recovery Fund, Dry Creek Foundation and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The aim of this project is to ensure that the HiP fenceline is well maintained to reduce breakouts and to prevent poaching incidents. The team’s commitment and hard work has had great results, helping to keep poachers at bay and securing precious wildlife inside the park.
Additionally, we maintained our intensive daily monitoring efforts of endangered and priority species, including continued monitoring of the Southern Ground Hornbill population within the protected area.
Wildlife ACT has also been providing critical support for the MMS security camera traps and the biological camera trap survey, with invaluable backing from The Isibindi Foundation.
The expansion of the Black Rhino monitoring team and the progression of the HiP K9 unit has been a significant milestone, thanks to the support of SRI. The K9 units have undergone advanced training, enhancing their effectiveness in the field. Meanwhile, the Black Rhino monitoring team has successfully contributed to the gathering of vital population data and bolstering efforts to combat poaching, marking a major step forward in conservation efforts.
Throughout 2024, our Community Conservation Liaisons (CCLs) have continued to engage with schools, mentor young people in nature-positive activities, and host bush camps in protected areas. We are proud of the tremendous impact they make through regular engagement.
Wildlife ACT, in partnership with People Nature Connect, is excited to launch a 3-year initiative funded by the The WWF Nedbank Green Trust.
Set in northern KwaZulu-Natal’s iconic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, this project will improve human-wildlife coexistence, strengthen collaboration between conservation and communities and enhance livelihoods by supporting informal sector businesses.
We will work closely with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The Isibindi Foundation, WWF South Africa, and others to strengthen conservation efforts and secure livelihoods. WWF’s involvement is vital to the project’s success, with WWF Safe Systems as a base methodology and WWF BRREP providing crucial financial support.
After a few years of Wildlife ACT experience, these individuals have now officially joined the pack and are already making a big impact. You’ll want to keep an eye on them!
Lexi Theocharopoulos
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Always up for a challenge, when partners in conservation the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) approached Wildlife ACT to request a monitor in Malawi for three weeks, Lexi leapt at the opportunity. She had an incredible time monitoring the African Wild Dogs there and assisted in the collaring of two individuals.
Zime Khanyile
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Zime first joined Wildlife ACT as an intern of the Wildlife ACT’s Community Conservation Programme where she thrived under the mentorship of Zama Ncube. She has now taken on the role of Community Conservation Liaison, based in Hlabisa. Zime’s passion is contagious and she is making profound connections with members of her community, spreading the importance of conservation.
You can donate towards our ongoing projects, or join one of our projects as a volunteer in 2025. We would love to have you!
Happy holidays from all of us at Wildlife ACT. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the year. Every initiative and project requires input from many groups and individuals, and we are so grateful to the many wonderful partnerships over the past year - both new and old. We wish you a peaceful holiday season, and can’t wait to see what lies in store for 2025.
- Team Wildlife ACT
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