Endangered Wildlife Trust: Lesego Mthethwa from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), a proud Penryn alum, gave a talk to students about the importance of carnivores and birds of prey in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Mthethwa not only raised awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species and preserving biodiversity, but also shed light on the wide range of conservation careers.
Christian Literature Fund: “Today, on Endangered Species Day, we are reminded of our God-given responsibility to care for His creation. In South Africa, a land rich in biodiversity, we are blessed to share our home with incredible species like the majestic African rhino, the elusive Cape mountain leopard, and the critically endangered Vaquita dolphin. Yet, these creatures are facing dire threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
As Christians, we are called to be stewards of the Earth. In Genesis 2:15, the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. This heavenly mandate compels us to protect not only the beauty of our natural world but also the delicate balance of ecosystems that sustain life.”
Samara Karoo Reserve: “This Endangered Species Day, we celebrate the remarkable recovery of the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra), a species once on the brink of extinction. With fewer than 100 individuals left in the 1950s, their numbers have climbed to above 5,000 today, thanks to decades of conservation efforts. Despite this progress, the species remains listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, facing ongoing threats from habitat fragmentation, genetic isolation and limited range expansion.
Samara contains thousands of hectares of suitable habitat for these special zebras on the Samara Mara grasslands, and we are proud to play a role in their protection.”
NSPCA: “Every year, pangolins, tortoises, parrots, and countless other animals and animal parts are smuggled out of their natural habitats, and sold into the illegal wildlife trade.
These aren’t just isolated crimes. Tragically, they’re part of a global network that’s pushing our most vulnerable and endangered species toward extinction.
The loss of a species isn’t just the loss of an animal. It is a loss of balance, beauty, and our South African heritage.”
SAPPI Group: “Jabulani Hlophe, Environmental Manager at Sappi Forests in KZN highlights our efforts to protect vulnerable species in light of Endangered Species Day. Our Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Programme, initiated in 2014, showcases our dedication to biodiversity.
Our monitoring programme has identified 44 threatened species on our plantations, including amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals, plants, and reptiles. In 2024, we recorded over 200 species across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga, including the first discovery of the long-toed tree frog at our Pinewoods plantation in KZN.
Partnering with the Agricultural Research Council, SANBI, SANParks and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, we focus on cultivating rare indigenous plant species. Since 2014, we have supplied approximately 15,000 cultivated Warburgia salutaris saplings annually to traditional healers and local communities, leading to a reduction in the unsustainable harvesting and poaching of these plants.
In 2021, we expanded our programme to include Ocotea bullata, Prunus africana, Curtisia dentata, and 3 medicinal bulbs. Today we have added 8 additional rare species to the project and we undertake sustainable harvesting workshops with traditional healers and associated communities. Our Sappi Shaw Research Centre continues to develop propagation protocols for a number of rare, threatened and endangered species. Our vision is to establish grafted seed orchards and gene banks to preserve wild genetics and provide sustainable seed sources for future reintroduction initiatives. Join us in celebrating Endangered Species Day and our efforts to protect our biodiversity. Together, we can make a difference!”
Picture of the most endangered animal in the world, the Northern White Rhino, courtesy, Save the Rhino International.