KwaZulu-Natal gets a new protected nature reserve
KwaZulu-Natal is now home to one more nature reserve after the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve was officially declared one.
UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve gets protected status
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has reported that UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve was officially declared a nature reserve on 3 October 2024, creating yet another link in KZN’s expanding protected area network.
Known for its environmental education, wildlife research as well as voluntourism internship opportunities, the 5 657-hectare reserve, which lies near Northern Drakensberg and the uThukela River, works with endangered species and contributes towards the understanding of ecological and natural processes.
It also protects important cultural sites within an important Battlefields region of KZN and has the potential to provide employment opportunities for local communities.
“Contribution to KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s protected area network”
Rebecca Moore, Zoological Director at Colchester Zoo which owns the private nature reserve, commented on the declaration, revealing that its was an incredibly exciting time for the whole team working on UmPhafa.
“Having been involved with the reserve for the past 20 years, this is a wonderful achievement and a culmination of many years of work. The formal declaration as a protected area highlights the true value of the reserve and the work the team do managing the reserve, ensuring we continue to make an important contribution to KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s protected area network and biodiversity targets. We are grateful to Conservation Outcomes and WWF for their support in helping us to achieve this milestone and are excited to see the developments on UmPhafa in the future.” Moore said.
Cilla Hilcove, KZN Conservation Stewardship Coordinator with Conservation Outcomes also commented, adding:
“UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve is a significant asset for conservation in KwaZulu-Natal, playing an important role in protecting biodiversity and promoting conservation research. Conservation Outcomes is proud to have been a part of this declaration process and could not have done so without the support from WWF.” Hilcove said as per WWF.