Research

Why we undertake research

The better you understand something, the better you can manage it. With the natural environment, ecosystems and many species facing increasing, and novel threats, we strive to have as much information about the threats and how to mitigate these in practical and economic ways. These results provide much-needed evidence-based solutions that are relevant to management and policymakers to ensure the most impactful and optimal effect.   

What we research

Our ongoing research projects ultimately investigate how ecosystems respond to various land use management techniques, and establish and test the best tools for conservation expansion, in and outside of protected areas.

Where

Our study area is vast, covering over 7 million hectares across private and protected landscapes in the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape. Arguably the largest office in the world, we work from Addo Elephant National Park in the east to Gordon’s Bay in the west and the Orange River in the North. 

Map of past and current research sites covering the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces, South Africa.

Past and Current Research Areas

• Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve and surrounds (Eastern Cape)
• Cockscomb Mountains (Eastern Cape)
• De Hoop (Western Cape)
• Garden Route (Western Cape)
• Goegap (Northern Cape)
• Gondwana (Western Cape)
• Gouritz Mouth (Western Cape)
• Greater Addo Elephant National Park (Eastern Cape)
• Great Karoo (Western Cape)
• Hex River (Western Cape)
• Kogelberg (Western Cape)
• Langeberg (Western Cape)
• Lower Orange River and Augrabies National Park (Northern Cape)
• Niewoudtville (Northern Cape)
• Overberg (Western Cape)
• Piketberg (Western Cape)
• River corridors (Western Cape)
• Standford (Western Cape)
• Stormsriver (Western Cape)
• Swartberg Mountains (Western Cape)

Current Projects

• LEOPARD AND PREDATOR PROJECT
• CARACAL ECOLOGY
• HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT MITIGATION
• RANGELAND RESTORATION ECOLOGY
• REWILDING ECOLOGY

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