Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is proud to announce the declaration of a new protected area that signals renewed hope for some of South Africa’s most threatened wildlife. The formal declaration of the iNkonjane Nature Reserve by MEC Rev. Musa Zondi marks a significant addition to KwaZulu-Natal’s growing network of protected areas. Named after the isiZulu word for the Blue Swallow – inkonjanesibhakabhaka – the 181.7 hectare reserve provides a critical sanctuary for this Critically Endangered bird (Hirundo atrocaerulea).
Located adjacent to the iMpendle Nature Reserve, which currently has 4 (13%) of the country’s estimated 30 remaining breeding pairs of Blue Swallows, iNkonjane Nature Reserve secures a vital foraging habitat for this small but critically important population of swallows. The proclamation of the iNkonjane Nature Reserve marks a meaningful step towards ensuring the survival of this graceful aerial insectivore.
The Blue Swallow is not the only conservation priority in the new reserve. iNkonjane Nature Reserve is also home to the Critically Endangered Pennington’s Protea Butterfly (Capys penningtoni), a highly range-restricted species found only in the greater Mkhomazi River valley. This is now the third reserve in KwaZulu-Natal established specifically for the protection of threatened butterfly species. The butterfly’s survival hinges on the presence of the common sugarbush protea (Protea caffra), the only plant on which the females lay their eggs. The caterpillars develop and pupate inside the buds, emerging nearly a year later.
The new reserve also conserves valuable portions of Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland and patches of Eastern Mistbelt Forest, both under mounting pressure from afforestation, agriculture, and development. The grassland habitat is suitable for several other threatened species, including the Endangered oribi antelope (Ourebia ourebi ourebi), Endangered Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula fulvorufula), and Near Threatened grey rhebok (Pelea capreolus). In time, it is hoped that these species, particularly the Endangered oribi antelope, can be reintroduced.
The establishment of the iNkonjane Nature Reserve marks the successful conclusion of a carefully negotiated biodiversity offset agreement between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, uMngeni and uThukela Water. This agreement was initiated to compensate for the environmental impact of constructing a new wastewater pipeline through a portion of the Midmar Nature Reserve. Recognising the significance of the offset, the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board made an exceptional decision to temporarily waive its policy prohibiting servitudes through protected areas. This concession was granted on the
condition that the residual damage to Midmar’s grasslands be offset through the acquisition of high-conservation-value land and its incorporation into the provincial protected area network.
The iNkonjane Nature Reserve will be managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife along with the neighbouring iMpendle Nature Reserve. There will be no fences separating these nature reserves, which will allow the free movement of wildlife and the integrated management of a larger conservation unit, allowing for greater ecological resilience.
The addition of iNkonjane Nature Reserve to the protected area estate brings the area of land managed by Ezemvelo to 518 628 hectares – about 5.5% of the province and the total protected area extent to 1 016 769 hectares, or 10.78% of the province. While still below the global conservation target of 30% land protection, each new reserve marks significant progress toward South Africa’s international biodiversity commitments.
Although iNkonjane Nature Reserve is not yet open to the public, visitors are welcome to explore the neighbouring Impendle Nature Reserve.
For enquiries, you can contact Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Communications Manager.
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