The newly declared Wilderness Nature Reserve protects Southern Africa’s rarest raptor, as well as the critically endangered Breede River Redfin, and a vital water catchment.
Wilderness, Western Cape (08 August 2025) – Another win for the Western Cape! A new nature reserve has been declared near Heidelberg, protecting over 643 hectares of land under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act.
Around 615 hectares of the new Wilderness Nature Reserve have been designated as a Priority Biodiversity Area. The land forms an ecological corridor to the neighbouring Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, which is part of a recognised World Heritage Site that falls within SA’s mighty Cape Floral Kingdom.
The new reserve is a safe space for many different species and habitats. Like the Breede River Redfin, which are thought to be relics of an ancient lineage of fish that survived climate and other changes by retreating into cold mountain streams. Or the Black Harrier, Southern Africa’s rarest raptor that needs an undisturbed habitat to nest and hunt.
Beyond the creatures that call the stretch of land home, the newly protected area also supports vital water systems. It forms part of the upper catchment of the Duivenhoks Dam, a water source for communities that live further downstream.
The Western Cape’s Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, celebrates the conservation win:
“This new nature reserve is a win not just for biodiversity, but for the people who rely on the ecosystem services it provides. Our commitment to expanding protected areas is essential in the face of biodiversity loss and climate change. The declaration of Wilderness Nature Reserve strengthens our efforts to connect and protect biodiversity across the Western Cape.”
The win was a joint effort. CapeNature and landowners teamed up to make the declaration official in July, and CapeNature will manage the Wilderness Nature Reserve going forward. One more piece in the puzzle of keeping SA’s natural spaces safe.
Sources: Cape Nature & Two Oceans Aquarium (linked above)
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 