Mpenjati Nature Reserve Honorary Officers

27/05/2026

We are looking forward to a brilliant south coast winter's day in one of our favourite places! Come along with us and explore, learn and discover.

22/05/2026

TODAY WE CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DAY!
🌱 Change begins where you are. Across the world, communities are already taking action for biodiversity.
This , join them and help turn local efforts into global impact.

If you would like to know more about the work that EKZNW Honorary Officers do as a volunteer organisation, please make contact here. You can help us protect and support biodiversity.

25/04/2026

Great news! The juvenile Kelp Gull has been successfully released back into the wild at the Mpenjati Estuary!

After being safely delivered to CROW in Durban and having the hook that was embedded in his beak removed, he spent over two weeks in recovery, healing and getting his strength back.
On Friday he was ready and eager to get out of his container! Interestingly, he remained for a few moments on the beach, assessing his surroundings and then, after a few creaky warmup flights, he was ready to go.

We are so thankful for CROW and the amazing work they do in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing orphaned, injured or displaced animals. Let us all show our gratitude by supporting them in their fundraising whenever we have the opportunity.

While releasing the gull, we came across a discarded fishing line as we stepped onto the beach, and this was followed by a second line with a hook attached. A sharp reminder that the gull, although now free of the hook, line and stick, is not necessarily free from the same threats. Even on a protected beach.

We appeal to all fishermen and women out there on our shores. PLEASE ensure that you take your fishing line off the beach when you leave. For people walking the beach, please assist by keeping your eyes open for washed up lines and hooks.

23/04/2026

Happy Earth Day!

HAPPY EARTH DAY 2026, KWAZULU-NATAL! 🌍✨🇿🇦
​Today isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a celebration of our breathtaking home!

From the misty peaks of the Drakensberg to the golden shores of our coastline and the wild heart of our bushveld, KZN is a masterpiece of nature. 🌿🐘🌊

​As the Honorary Officers of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, we live by:
​"Stewardship is not a service; it is our enduring promise to the wild." 🐾💚

​🛡️ Who are the "Honorary Officers"?
​We are a family of passionate volunteers!

For over 100 years, we’ve been the "helping hands" behind the scenes. We don't do it for a paycheck, we do it because we love our province’s natural heritage! 🇿🇦✨

​As a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 318-823), our mission is simple:
🌍​ Protecting Biodiversity: Making sure our rhinos, leopards, and lilies thrive. 🦏🐆🌸
🌍​ Supporting Ezemvelo: Raising funds, donating equipment, and lending our time to keep our parks world-class. 🛠️🚐
🌍 ​Community Love: Working with YOU to ensure that the beauty of KZN belongs to our children and grandchildren. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🌳

​🌱 How can YOU celebrate Earth Day everyday?
​You don't need a uniform to be a steward of the earth!

Here are three easy ways to keep the "Promise":
🌍 ​Go Indigenous: Plant a local KZN tree or aloe in your garden! 🪴
🌍 ​Clean as You Go: Pick up three pieces of litter while enjoying your local park or beach. 🏖️🗑️
🌍​ Share the Love: Tell us in the comments what your favorite KZN wildlife spot is! (Is it Hluhluwe? iMfolozi? St. Lucia?) 👇💬

​Together, we are the guardians of this beautiful land. Let’s make every day Earth Day in KwaZulu-Natal! 🌟🙌

​

20/04/2026

In response to the many queries asking how to get help for injured or abandoned wildlife on the south coast, we supply the following information. Please note that this refers to birds and wildlife found OUTSIDE of the Mpenjati Nature Reserve.

Please call the C.R.O.W. representative for the south coast area on 063 831 6013.
Please note the condition of the animal, take a photograph, and send this with a pin to the number below. The C.R.O.W. representative will then give instructions according to the situation.

Our communities are the eyes and ears that play a crucial role in the successful rehabilitation and return of wildlife to their natural habitats.

07/04/2026

This morning we assisted with the rescue of a 2nd year juvenile Kelp Gull in the Trafalgar Marine Reserve on the estuary beach. The gull had a fishhook and line caught in their mouth. Trailing at the end of the length of fishing line, was another hook - imbedded into a large stick. The gull was unable to fly and could only walk, dragging the stick and line painfully behind it.

Thanks to two quick-thinking guests from Kingfisher Lakeside Retreat who put out the initial alert, we were able to mobilise and get to the site without much delay. Thanks to Lynne from C.R.O.W.E. (Lynne is also our Mpenjati HO Group Secretary) with her experience, we were able to secure the gull and cut the line and stick. The hook will be attended to by the vet and an assessment will be done, as apparently, there were sightings of the gull on the south end of TMR last week. Hopefully, with some feeding and rest this young gull will be fully healed.

Please ensure you remove fishing line from the beach and rocks whether you are fishing yourself or hiking through. For home disposal, cut the line into pieces shorter than 10 to 20 cm to prevent wildlife entanglement in landfills.

27/01/2026

Have you spotted this little brown butterfly on either of our forest trails in Mpenjati Nature Reserve?

26/01/2026

On Sunday morning the gentle rain lifted and a group of Mpenjati HO's set off on an inspection of the Yengele Trail.
After the summer rains, the Alien Invasives need to be eradicated quickly before colonising more areas.

Insect life was flourishing in the leaf litter, busy with their work of processing organic matter. Such important participants in a healthy forest habitat!

The birdlife was also active with many Burchell's Cougal calls, White-eared Barbets and Olive Sunbirds being prominent. Some minor carpentry is needed along the trail and viewing deck.

Always an interesting nature walk, the Yengele is quite steep in places but manageable for most. If you follow the trail you will reach the shoreline and the estuary which is a healthy protected marine habitat.

12/10/2025

Shad season has been closed since October 1, and fishermen are urged to obey the law and release any shad caught.

The season will remain closed until November 30. This seasonal ban is designed to protect the shad during its peak breeding season.

This seasonal ban is to protect the fish during its peak breeding season.

12/10/2025

We were recently donated a whole day of skilled tree trimming teamwork when Shaun Todd of Southbroom Property Management Services stepped up to the plate when we needed help.

With the Whitehouse roof under threat from overgrown branches and a few dead trees needing to be cut down, Shaun's team took action and with great care and skill, achieved just what was needed.

We thank Shaun and his team for this generous donation of their time and skills - their professional help contributes so much to the preservation of the habitats, wildlife and functions of the reserve!