Page 32 - 2019\20 KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK
P. 32
EZEMVELO KZN WILDLIFE
www.kznwildlife.com
PROTECTING NATURAL AREAS Biodiversity Conservation
We are the custodians of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is the provincial agency World Heritage Site, we are the conservation and
mandated to carry out biodiversity conservation ecotourism managers in the iSimangaliso Wetland
and associated activities in the province of KwaZulu- Park, we manage the world famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Natal. The primary focus of the organisation is Park genetic home to the southern white rhino and its
biodiversity conservation – the management of more fantastic story of recovery. We manage Ithala Game
than 120 protected areas which include two World Reserve, Weenen Game Reserve and a host of smaller
Heritage Sites which are the Maloti-Drakensberg parks and nature reserves.
Park World Heritage Site and the Isimangaliso
Wetland Park World Heritage Site. The organisation Our District Conservation Officers work amongst
also applies provincial nature conservation legislation communities outside of protected areas ensuring
and its associated regulations. A secondary aspect is that the conservation legislation of the province is
the management of one of the largest eco-tourism applied and to assist the public with any biodiversity
operation in South Africa. conservation issues they might encounter. Our
marine officers act as agents for Marine and Coastal
The model on which Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife operates Management, a branch of the national Department
is designed to make the organisation as independent of Environment Affairs and apply appropriate marine
as possible. Although it is a parastatal body receiving legislation to protect our dwindling marine resources
a subsidy from the provincial government, it can No biodiversity agency can operate without scientific
supplement this through its own business operations, input and Ezemvelo is no exception. Teams of ecologists,
generating some 40% of its operating budget.
both in the protected areas and in regional offices,
f Amphitheater Drakensberg mountain range
30