Get cameras ready for City Nature Challenge to record cool wildlife findings
28 April 2023
The City Nature Challenge kicks off tomorrow! Residents have captured all kinds of weird and wonderful wildlife in Cape Town during the last few challenges. The City is encouraging anyone who is interested, to have a look at the types of findings and be inspired to go out between 28 April 2023 and 1 May 2023 to capture their own findings. Various events at City nature reserves and other conservation areas across Cape Town have been arranged to make it easier and more fun for residents to participate. Read more below:
Cape Town participants were able to record 66 144 observations and 4 388 species across the city last year. The 2022 findings featured some interesting animals including a Giant Squid; the Strawberry theridiid, (‘the Strawberry Widow spider species’) that was found in the Table Mountain National Park and is still being described by scientists; a Rocksucker, found in Muizenberg, and beautiful Swollen Restio Beetles, which have rounded orange bodies with stripy bottoms, discovered in Kenilworth.
A sighting of a Caracal was captured last year, always a special animal to spot in Cape Town. The Berg Adder snake is also featured, which is very seldom sighted in the city. Lastly, an Aquila verreauxii (Verreaux's Eagle) was spotted in the Table Mountain Nature Reserve – astonishing, when one considers there is only one pair of these massive eagles left on the Cape Peninsula.
‘Going through some of the past City Nature Challenge findings makes me excited about what is actually out there for us to discover. I plan to join some of the arranged guided walks this weekend, starting out with a guided night hike in Tokai. We will begin our walk at Tokai Park on Orpen Road on Friday evening to see which nocturnal animals we can spot and record. I will also be joining a Bioblitz event at the Meadowridge Common Conservation Area on Sunday. There are many of these local events taking place across the city over the next few days. Go look on the City Nature Challenge Cape Town Facebook page, and join in. Also, those who cannot attend, can make observations in their own neighbourhoods or backyards,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
All that is required of residents when making an observation is to take a photo and upload it onto the iNaturalist app. Experts will then help to identify the fauna or flora.
Cape Town is competing with various international cities to record the most observations of local plant and animal species.
Participants who make the most observations or capture the most species will win various prizes, which include nature reserve accommodation from CapeNature and the City.
Residents in Cape Town are spoilt for choice with an array of nature reserves and conservation areas right on their doorstep. Guided tours at coastal and inland protected areas across the city have been arranged. Here participants will have the opportunity to capture an array of species ranging from reptiles to birds and fynbos to marine life.
Residents are to note the following information about conservation areas around Cape Town:
• Cape Point will be open free of charge to registered participants of City Nature Challenge events only
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
