The Mahem Branch received the branch conservation award at the SA Hunters and Wildlife Conservation Association’s recent congress for its contribution to conservation. Several members own land in the Sneeuberg protected area, which lies within a strategic water catchment area. It is also rich in fauna and flora and falls within a Grassland Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), where members conserve sensitive habitats for, among others, threatened bird species. As part of the SA Hunters’ Sightings initiative, the branch, under the leadership of Cornelia Vermaak, recorded remarkable sightings of rare bird species, including blue cranes. This initiative encourages members to log sightings of rare and elusive species on our app, and the data is used to support conservation initiatives for these species.
Congratulations to Francois (Koedoe) Meyer on receiving his conservation award for his work in pangolin conservation and the release of confiscated animals. He is the conservation coordinator of the Hardekool Branch and often serves as an expert witness to secure harsher sentences for poachers and smugglers of this endangered species. Francois is also the co-chair of the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group. Read the full motivation here.
