A very successful field trip
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The Flowers and Orchids Field Trip on 25 January 2025 lived up to expectations. Members of the group pose in typical Verloren Valei setting (Photograph: Greg Jones) This field trip—my first one for Friends of Verloren Valei—was originally scheduled for … Read More

Verloren Valei’s miniature fighting dragon
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The Drakensberg Crag Lizard is one of the many fascinating creatures that inhabit the reserve, writes Steve Vincent. These small lizards—their scientific name is Pseudocordylus melanotus subsp. Transvaalensis—are well adapted to the rugged environment and harsh climate of Verloren Valei … Read More

The resilience of a Wattled Crane chick
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Jacquie van der Westhuizen, Field Officer , African Crane Conservation Proramme – Drakensberg describes how a young chick coped with the devastating destruction of its wetland habitat. The Crane family just after the chick had flown across the wetland, all big … Read More

Lesotho’s water woes hold lessons for wetlands everywhere
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A fascinating and in-depth report by Ground Up looks at the factors influencing the long-term viability of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project reveals that vigorous conservation of wetlands is vital. Katse Dam (Photograph: Wikipedia) As everybody knows, the Witwatersrand is … Read More

Reptile survey results
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The first herpetological survey of Verloren Valei will provide a useful baseline for future work. Pitfall and funnel trap array as installed in Coleochloa setifera – Cheilanthes multifida grassland on Verloren Valei Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (Photograph: P.R. … Read More

A snaring concern
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Lourens Leeuwner, Senior Conservation Manager: Business and Wildlife writes about the growing threat from the bushmeat trade – a problem that Verloren Valei also faces. Reprinted by permission from Conservation Conversations, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s magazine. Read the original article. … Read More

How is South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, doing?
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Christie Craig, Endangered Wildlife Trust/International Crane Foundation, Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology reports back on recent research. Blue crane (Photograph: Endangered Wildlife Trust) In an ever-changing world, conservation scientists face the daunting task of keeping pace with the shifting dynamics … Read More

The Natal Silverline challenge
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This charming butterfly is rarely recorded on Verloren Valei—who will be next to sight it? Natal Silverline (underside) (Photograph: © Justin Bode) Cigaritis natalensis, Natal Silverline/ Natal Bar(Skitterblou streepvlerkie) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. Cigaritis (Silverlines) is a … Read More