South Africa’s Loskop Dam Nature Reserve has embarked on a pioneering rewilding project, forging a visionary partnership between conservation agencies and international NGOs to revive lost species and create a thriving ecotourism paradise.
Mpumalanga, South Africa (06 May 2024) – A transformative rewilding project is underway at the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, a groundbreaking initiative set against the backdrop of South Africa’s natural wonders. This ambitious endeavour aims to revive lost species and craft an ecotourism haven that celebrates the nation’s rich biodiversity.
At its core, the project seeks to elevate Loskop Dam Nature Reserve into one of South Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuaries, boasting a vast expanse that will rival the country’s renowned Big Five Game Reserves. Spearheaded by a strategic partnership between the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPTA) and The Aspinall Foundation, this collaboration marks a significant conservation milestone. This partnership represents a pioneering venture, setting a precedent for future collaborations between provincial conservation agencies and international NGOs. By marrying expertise and resources, this alliance is poised to redefine conservation paradigms and chart a course toward sustainable stewardship.
In addition, the renaissance of Loskop Dam Nature Reserve will herald the return of species that once roamed these lands—among the anticipated reintroductions are the critically endangered black rhino and various species of majestic cats.
Dereck Milburn, South African Project Director for The Aspinall Foundation, explains why they chose the area. “We fell in love with the area, its potential for conservation, and the fact that it’s so pristine yet understocked from a wildlife perspective,” Milburn remarks. We decided to jump on the opportunity and unlock the area’s conservation and economic potential.”
Central to the project’s vision is the empowerment of local communities. By fostering high-value ecotourism ventures, the initiative promises to uplift surrounding communities and cultivate meaningful career opportunities.
Hekzin Vilikazi, Chief Executive Officer of the MTPA, lauds the partnership as a catalyst for positive change, affirming the agency’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving tangible benefits for local communities. “As the MTPA, we are progressive, we pride ourselves in being innovative and most importantly, we are here to make a tangible difference to the communities who live around our reserves and who own land within our reserves,” Vilikazi asserts.
The project will unlock at least R120 million of funding for the reserve and the surrounding areas. Although the initial focus will be on the uplifting of the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, the plan is to expand the reserve to an area of at least 100,000 ha by incorporating community-owned and privately owned land, by far surpassing areas such as Pilanesberg, Madikwe and other well know protected areas in the region.
Damian Aspinall, chairman of The Aspinall Foundation and WeWild Africa, envisions the project as a trailblazer for similar initiatives across South Africa, advocating for the replication of successful models to bolster conservation efforts nationwide.
“This ambitious restoration and expansion initiative will set a blueprint for other partnerships in other provincial reserves in South Africa, which desperately need investment and private sector support if they are to survive,” Aspinall asserts.
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