Rare species face extinction in the biodiverse shrublands of Africa’s Cape Floral Kingdom.
-
Species at Risk
Geometric Tortoise (CR), Black Harrier (EN), Martial Eagle (EN), Secretary Bird (EN)
-
Carbon stored
7,650 mT *
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
South Africa Tortoise Conservation Trust
-
195 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
-
Project Cost: $218,000
195
Rare species face extinction in the biodiverse shrublands of Africa’s Cape Floral Kingdom.
-
Species at Risk
Geometric Tortoise (CR), Black Harrier (EN), Martial Eagle (EN), Secretary Bird (EN)
-
Carbon stored
7,650 mT *
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
South Africa Tortoise Conservation Trust
-
195 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
-
Project Cost: £173,015
195
Encroaching development is destroying unique, fragile habitats on the slopes of South Africa’s Cape Fold Mountains. Despite its small footprint, this landscape boasts more biodiversity than almost anywhere else in the world, thanks to elevation changes that create several small, vibrant ecosystems. As urbanization and agriculture sprawl toward the region’s rare fynbos shrublands, endemic plants and animals are barely hanging on.
Header photo: Geometric Tortoise, South Africa, © Rainforest Trust
Only
Geometric Turtles survive in the wild.
Explore Africa’s Cape Floral Kingdom
Secretary Bird, by Milan Zygmunt
Geometric Tortoise, © Rainforest Trust
Martial Eagle, by Steve Bushman
Black Harrier, by Jan Hejda
Geometric Tortoise, by Gerrit Rautenbach
Save the last remaining habitat of the Geometric Tortoise
We have the opportunity to support the expansion of the Breede River Valley Fynbos Reserve, which we helped create a decade ago. With our local partner, South Africa Tortoise Conservation Trust, we will add 194.7 acres adjacent to the existing 1,080 acre reserve, securing key habitat for the Critically Endangered Geometric Tortoise and other threatened, endemic species.
Through this expansion, the reserve will completely protect the world’s last viable habitat for the Critically Endangered Geometric Tortoise, an extremely rare species with only 800 wild individuals left. The striking pattern on its shell serves as camouflage against predators, but also makes it a popular prize for the illegal pet trade. If poaching and habitat loss in the fynbos continue, the wild Geometric Tortoise could be lost forever.
The reserve also protects habitat for threatened birds, including the Endangered Secretary Bird. Named for head feathers that look like the quill pens of bygone secretaries, these 4-foot tall raptors hunt from the ground, not the air, striking their prey with powerful legs. Other endangered birds of prey, like Black Harriers and Martial Eagles will also nest, hunt, and breed safely in the expanded reserve.
Support lasting conservation in a fragile ecosystem
Our local partner has successfully managed the Breed River Valley Fynbos Reserve since its creation in 2015. They collaborate with other local experts to monitor and maintain the tortoises’ status and develop strategies to best protect them. New infrastructure will control invasive species, implement fire prevention, build community awareness, and develop a program to safely raise tortoise hatchlings before releasing them in the wild.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT >>
Conservation work is critical, challenging, and can be costly. We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project. In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget, excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund. This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics.
Project Modifications
Rainforest Trust conducts extensive research and due diligence on each of the projects that we support, so that once a project is offered for public support we believe it will succeed. We work closely with our project implementers, offer support, and regularly monitor their progress. Given the nature of the work, projects may not progress exactly as intended and may be unable to meet all objectives. To respond dynamically to the needs of our project implementers and the realities of the landscapes in which they operate, Rainforest Trust expressly reserves the right to modify a project as it deems necessary, provided that donor intent is honored by ensuring that that the original project objectives are diligently pursued and that project funds continue to benefit the landscape and species identified in the project overview. Project modifications that we may need to make in certain circumstances include the specific project implementer, the size of the landscape to be protected, the type of protection to be afforded to the landscape, and the development of sustainability mechanisms.
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