More rare than rhino: How 500 hectares could help save SA’s most threatened birds, plants

The Haarwegskloof/Plaatjieskraal cluster supports one of the largest breeding hotspots for the endangered black harrier that relies on large, natural, intact habitats in which to breed.

With only a few decades left to save South Africa’s rarest raptor, a conservation partnership has secured the protection of 500 hectares of endangered habitat in the Overberg, Western Cape, which could help to bolster the dwindling population numbers.

The conservation of the key area of Renosterveld offers a lifeline to species – both plant and animal – that would otherwise be at risk of vanishing forever.

One of those species is the black harrier – which, with less than 1 300 left, is considered to be South Africa’s most threatened bird of prey.