As its name suggests, the Northern Orange-banded Protea feeds on protea buds. Northern Orange-banded Protea (upperside) (Photograph: Justin Bode) Capys Alpheus extentsus, the Northern Orange-banded Protea orVerdwaalde Oranjeband Suikerbossie. is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The Capys (Protea butterflies) … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
Dr. Lara Fuller, Drakensberg Project Coordinator, South Africa for the African Crane Conservation Programme writes about a new initiative to understand the movement of these vulnerable birds more closely – a subject close to Verloren Valei’s collective heart. Reprinted with … Read more
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
ICF/EWT Partnership Shines at IUCN’s first Africa Conservation Forum From left to right: Dr Harriet Davies-Mostert, Dr Mwangi Joseph, Ms Kerryn Morrison and Dr Ian Little In June 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) convened the Africa … Read more
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
