SANParks appoints new manager for Table Mountain National Park: Megan Taplin

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the appointment of the new Park Manager for Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Cape Town born and bred, Megan Taplin.

Megan has an undergraduate and Honours equivalent certification from the University of Stellenbosch, majoring in Nature Conservation and Zoology. She also holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science (WITS University), and brings with her a wealth of experience and good leadership, having worked in the conservation sector for the past 22 years.

Her journey with SANParks started in April of 2003 as a Social Ecologist focusing on local community liaison and environmental education in Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. In 2006, she was appointed as Regional Communications Manager for the Frontier Region Parks (Addo Elephant, Mountain Zebra, Camdeboo and Karoo National Parks) and later as Communications and Marketing Manager for the Region.

She returned to Park Operations with the appointment as Park Manager of Mountain Zebra National Park from 2012 – 2017. In late 2017, she was transferred to the Knysna Area of the Garden Route National Park as Park Manager of the Knysna Section, where she remained until her promotion to Table Mountain National Park Manager on 1 January 2023. She says:

“It is a privilege to be entrusted to lead the team managing this World Heritage site and New 7th Wonder of the World. It will be important to engage with the many different stakeholders and communities to ensure that we meet their needs, while still ensuring we deliver our core mandate of biodiversity conservation. Without benefits to people and the support of our stakeholders, the park cannot persevere into the future. I know the people of the Cape are passionate about their local park and there are many opportunities that can be realised when we combine our efforts.”

SANParks Cape Region – Regional General Manager, Johan Taljaard wished Taplin well as she journeys into her new role as TMNP’s Park Manager and says he is confident that her knowledge and experience in environmental management, as well as community and public relationships, will serve SANParks and Capetonians well going into the future.

Source: SANParks