Cape Town is known internationally as a global biodiversity hotspot without parallel. Many species that occur in Cape Town are found nowhere else on earth. However, this biodiversity is under extreme threat from development and loss of habitat, too-frequent fires and invasive species.

Implementation of the City’s Biodiversity Strategy [PDF 1.2MB] and ongoing biodiversity management and conservation projects are crucial to ensure the survival of the Cape’s remaining biodiversity.

The City’s Biodiversity Network has identified about 500 vegetation sites that need to be protected, in order to conserve a representative sample of our unique biodiversity.

Help protect the endangered Western Leopard Toad
The Western Leopard Toad is an endangered species that lives and breeds in the low-lying regions of Cape Town. However, many of their breeding wetlands have been drained, filled in and built on, and their feeding areas are in the midst of urban areas.
 Download an information leaflet on the WLT [PDF 308KB]
 Download a poster on the WLT (for learners) [PDF 436KB]
For more information, please visit www.leopardtoad.co.za, join the community network at www.toadnuts.ning.com, or contact your local nature reserve. You can also send an e-mail to Leopard.Toad@capetown.gov.za.

Do you live or work in the Constantia Valley area of Cape Town? Please help prevent the spread of an aggressive invader, the Guttural Toad. Guttural Toads pose a serious threat to the survival of our indigenous frog and toad species, especially the endangered Western Leopard Toad as they compete for habitat, resources and breeding grounds. Click here for an information flyer. [PDF 122KB]

Apart from managing 24 City nature reserves, various projects and programmes are run by the Environmental Resource Management Department, including:

1)  The Blaauwberg Conservation Area on the west coast, which was recently proclaimed a Local Nature Reserve (October 2006). The area is representative of one of the most intact and diverse lowland habitats near Cape Town

2)  The False Bay Ecology Park, which provides vital ecosystem services, treatment and disposal services for waste, a green lung in the city and opportunities for recreation, ecotourism, social and economic upliftment

3)  The CASE Hanover Park Project, which was initiated to give the youth a new appreciation for the fauna and flora that once occurred on the Cape Flats, but which is now almost completely lost

4)  The successful re-introduction of Bontebok to the Tygerberg Nature Reserve in 2004, which has resulted in a growing population (after being absent since the 1800s)

5)  The Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Project, which is a three year pilot project that aims to involve approximately 15 cities from across the globe to explore the best ways for local governments to engage in effective biodiversity protection, management and utilisation