Preying on proteas

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

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A very successful field trip

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

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Verloren Valei’s miniature fighting dragon

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

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The resilience of a Wattled Crane chick

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

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Reptile survey results

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

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A snaring concern

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

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How is South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, doing?

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

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