This week we share how a park was proclaimed to save the Moutain Zebra, and succeeded in doing so, 80 years on. Additionally, we touch on how restoration is an important part of solving Climate Change, share what’s happening next for the park, and the experience of travelling here.
Hello and welcome to the thirteenth episode of Know Your Nature! A free ReWild Africa newsletter released exploring the National Parks of South Africa (and beyond). Know Your Nature aims to showcase off-the-beaten-track parts of Africa, and to encourage the support of our natural heritage #PreservationBeforeRestoration
Mountain Zebra National Park 🦓
Nestled within the eastern cape of South Africa, it's best described as a feeling, one of deep calmness and tranquillity. As you enter the Mountain Zebra National Park, you can't help but be pulled into the present moment by the towering rocky cliffs that warmly greet you with the glowing light of the setting sun.
Named in honour of the Cape Mountain Zebra, this park was established to rescue the smallest of the zebra species from the brink of extinction. Starting in 1937 with an incredibly small founder herd of only 6 zebras, today they’re listed least concern on IUCNs Red List. The donation of additional zebra by surrounding farmers made it possible for the herd to reproduce successfully.
The renowned wildlife artist David Shepherd donated prints of two of his paintings to help raise the money needed to buy more land. This kickstarted a private fundraising initiative, which saw many different individuals, companies, and NGOs contribute to the park’s expansion and upkeep. Today the park covers some 285 kilometres of land and provides a home for over 350 Cape mountain zebras in addition to many other rare or unusual arid species. The Cape Mountain Zebra is endemic to South Africa and is a subspecies of the Mountain Zebra which occurs in the great escarpment mountain ranges from the southwest of Angola, through Namibia, the Northern Cape of South Africa, & the Cape Fold Mountains in the Western and Eastern Cape. The Cape mountain zebra global populations are continuing to increase – thanks in large part to the efforts of the team at Mountain Zebra National Park.
The Climate Crisis 🌍
Climate Change and ecological restoration are both interrelated, with many of the same causes and solutions. Throughout this KnowYourNature series, we have explored the future of South Africa’s national parks, specifically focused on how they will grow their conservation efforts. Growing and protecting parks, increasing connectivity and providing economic incentives for local people and businesses are all important factors. These efforts mitigate the impact of the Climate Crisis and play a role in reducing biodiversity loss. Beyond the global challenges we face, it is essential we see the opportunity in crisis - it's time to create a new narrative that does not just tinker with the system, but completely changes its structure. Have a look at this tedtalk by George Monbiot who speaks to the restoration economy.
Connecting with Camdeboo 🐾
It’s very exciting to hear and learn more about the vision of connecting Camdeboo National Park with the Mountain Zebra National Park, allowing biodiversity to move as it once used to. Falling between 4 biomes, this corridor shares the vision of “Conservation through Collaboration” aimed at working together to protect the current land uses of the area and in time promote best land-use practices. The Mountain Zebra-Camdeboo Protected Environment is currently 268 343Ha large and is made up of 118 privately owned farms. Land use in the area is focused on the grazing of game and stock for agricultural and / or ecotourism use.
It is through these visions and conversations that we can move the needle towards solving the issue of habitat loss for wild animals. As we move toward the decade of restoration, we are also beginning to see that there are new incentives for growing conservation. However it is critical that we bring the conversation of land use to the various stakeholders of land, community-owned, privately owned and state land. Through these agreements, we can find a just and thriveable future for both local people and endemic species.
We highly recommend adding this park to your bucket list! A big thank you to Drive South Africa, SAN Parks and SA Tourism for making this project a reality.
If this has moved you - please consider supporting the park and/or sharing this article with a loved one.
Watch on and wild regards,
Elvi the Elephant
www.rewildafrica.org