The City of Cape Town is ready to deal with an invasive beetle that poses a serious threat to trees in the metropole and surrounding areas. The City’s Recreation and Parks Department, together with the Invasive Species Unit, have put operational plans in place to deal with the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) which has invaded and damaged thousands of trees in other parts of … [Read more...]
South Africa: home to the world’s most endangered seahorse
The Knysna seahorse is only found in a small section of South Africa and is one of only two seahorse species in the world currently listed as endangered. Locals need to act quickly to save the remaining specimens. Many divers, particularly photographers, have a bucket list of all the species they want to see before age catches up with them and diving is no longer an option. … [Read more...]
Tourists could run drought-crippled Knysna dry
With no proper rain in sight, authorities in Knysna are worried about the added pressure holidaymakers could put on the town’s limited water supply. Experts said the seaside town has only 26 days of usable water left. Thousands of tourists are expected to converge at the popular spots in the coming months. Due to the drought gripping the Western Cape, Knysna was … [Read more...]
Awarding SA’s PET recycling champions
The extraordinary contributions to PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) recycling in South Africa during the course of 2016 by 10 individuals and companies were celebrated at an awards ceremony as part of the PETCO Annual General Meeting, held today at the Radisson Blu Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg. The PETCO awards are designed to recognise individuals, organisations and … [Read more...]
Experts warned about Garden Route fires
A group of scientists led by eminent NMMU botanist Professor Richard Cowling warned nearly a decade ago that the uncontrolled spread of alien vegetation posed a fire threat that could devastate the Garden Route. Contained in an article in the 2009 edition of the Veld & Flora magazine, which The Herald accessed yesterday after an alert from the Endangered Wildlife Trust … [Read more...]
DA’s Maimane to visit fire-ravaged Knysna
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane will on Monday visit Knysna in the wake of the devastating fires which have claimed the lives of seven people, including children and left widespread damage across the region. Maimane will visit residents affected by the inferno and assess the damage caused. More than 12,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to the … [Read more...]
Hope Spots to save the blue heart of the planet
This December marks a big step forward for the conservation of our country's marine habitats. South Africa is a country defined by diversity- from the many cultures that constitute its people, to the astounding variety of ecosystems that exist side-by-side like a showcase of Nature’s beauty. Our coastline especially reflects this incredible diversity. Think of the … [Read more...]
New partnership to encourage Southern Cape recycling
The Eden district is on board for serious recycling and waste minimisation, setting a cool example of the way forward for the Southern Cape area. “PETCO is delighted to experience the beginning of a working partnership between Eden District and PETCO in our efforts to minimise waste and to encourage recycling in the Southern Cape area,” says the company’s CEO, Cheri … [Read more...]
Knysna Hope Spot Public meeting
Tuesday the 27th of May 2014, 10:00 in the Knynsa Council Chambers … [Read more...]
Wild Knysna elephant caught on camera
Green NGO Landmark Foundation recently took some rare photos of an elusive elephant in the Knysna forest, while researching the leopard population status in the Garden Route. The Landmark Foundation works on carnivore conservation in the Eastern and Western Cape. Their main functions are research, rescue, education and extending wildlife friendly habitats. A signature … [Read more...]
Hopes to salvage Kiani Satu sink along with the ship
All hopes to save the ship wrecked off the coast of Knysna plunge as the Kiani Satu sinks into the dark abyss of the Indian Ocean on Wednesday 21 August. After the attempt to float the ship on Saturday 17 August, nature took its course at 4:00 am on Wednesday and dragged the vessel underwater 200m South of Buffels Bay. The carcass of Kiani Satu now lies at a depth of 1000m … [Read more...]
Storm threatens Knysna’s oil spill cleanup
Almost a week later, and the Kiani Satu cargo ship remains stranded off the coast of Buffels Bay, Knysna. Officials are working hard and fighting the elements to float the vessel away from the protected coastline. Saturday morning 3 tonnes of oil had spilled into the ocean. By Monday 15 tonnes had entered the marine protected coastline of the Goukamma Nature Reserve, which … [Read more...]
Knysna saddled with ongoing oil spill disaster
On Thursday 8 August a cargo ship ran aground off the coast of Buffels Bay, Knysna. Oil is seeping into the sea and endangering the marine and coastal wildlife of the Goukamma Nature Reserve. After a mechanical failure Chinese cargo ship, Kiana Satu, beached 50m from the shore at Buffels Bay. The 168m vessel was on course to Gabon couriering 15 000 tonnes of rice and 30 … [Read more...]
