Large, freshwater birds can be highly mobile, revealing important linkages between wetland systems. We sought to overview the present scientific knowledge on the movements of 34 large, freshwater bird species in Africa using a systematic literature review and summaries of ringing data. Our literature search found only 28 publications on the movement of our focal species, most of which were of European origin. Only eight species in 10 publications have been tracked using telemetry technology, and only four of these studies were African-based. We found that ringing in Europe has contributed substantially to an understanding of movement, possibly because of more directed colour marking, whereas movements of only a few species in southern Africa have been sufficiently elucidated from ringing. Ringing data in southern Africa was biased toward South Africa, and most waterbirds were ringed prior to the year 2000. Overall, the knowledge of waterbird movement in Africa, particularly southern Africa, has advanced little in decades. Ringing remains an important tool for research, but widely available telemetry technology must be applied to waterbirds for effective species-specific habitat conservation. However, funding and skills capacity are significant hurdles that must be addressed to overcome the scientific shortcomings highlighted in this study.

Fleshy-fruited invasive alien shrubs are an increasing problem in the grasslands of South Africa, where they alter vegetation and threaten biodiversity. They are predominantly bird-dispersed in forest systems, but their spread in grassland ecosystems remains understudied, including their dispersal by mammals. Mammals can facilitate seed movement and promote germination, seedling emergence and seedling establishment, contributing to increased invasion. Our study aimed to determine the role of various terrestrial mammals in this process for fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants present in montane grasslands. Faeces of eland (Taurotragus oryx), chacma baboon (Papio ursinus), domestic goat (Capra hircus) and black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) were collected in the grasslands of the eastern Free State, South Africa. Seeds were removed from faeces, identified to species level, and planted in a greenhouse to determine seedling emergence success. Seeds of the invasive fleshy-fruited species silver-leaf cotoneaster Cotoneaster pannosus, yellow firethorn Pyracantha angustifolia and eglantine Rosa rubiginosa (all Rosaceae) were identified from the faeces together with the seeds of the indigenous star-apple Diospyros austro-africana. Seed composition in faeces samples differed significantly between mammalian species. There were no significant differences in seedling emergence between ingested P. angustifolia seed and manually de-pulped controls, while there were significantly higher differences in C. pannosus seedling emergence compared with manually de-pulped controls. Overall, seedling emergence from R. rubiginosa seeds in faeces was low (<= 2%), similar to controls. Diospyros austro-africana had the highest seedling emergence percentage for seeds from jackal and eland faeces. Locally found medium to large terrestrial mammals were shown to be significant dispersers of fleshy fruiting plants in the montane grasslands of South Africa, facilitating the spread of these invasive alien plant species.

African freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.) are an overlooked economic resource currently under threat. In South Africa, these populations have been in steady decline for over 60 years, yet we know remarkably little about their role in supporting local communities. Here, we seek to understand and explain the undocumented crisis facing these eels. Using a researcher-administered survey, our study investigated the importance of African freshwater eels linked to inland fisheries in KwaZulu-Natal Province across the uMngeni and uThukela catchments during 2021-2022. Survey results (n = 154) in urban and rural areas showed most users were male (n = 102; 66%), between 45 and 59 years of age (15%), and isiZulu-speaking (76%). Of the respondents, 75 (49%) were subsistence fishers; of these, 42 (56%) had caught freshwater eels, and 17 (41%) specifically targeted eels. African freshwater eels were utilized in fisheries across the study area. Fishers that targeted African freshwater eels depended on them for income because of the relatively high demand and value. The demand and value were from local and specialized markets, where some African freshwater eels were sold to traditional healers who use eels in medicinal products for various purposes, as well as to traders (local people, e.g., of Indian or European descent) and foreigners (e.g., East Asian). Our study documented the cultural and economic reliance of subsistence fishers on African freshwater eels. The social-ecological complexities and the localized decline of African freshwater eels have dire local and global implications for these species and associated fisheries. We establish the need for protecting African freshwater eels against the backdrop of global market demands. Proactive policy intervention is urgently needed to balance local subsistence with burgeoning international pressures.

Inland fisheries in South Africa are crucial for the livelihoods of local communities, but they face pressures that threaten the sustainability of small-scale and recreational fishers livelihoods, the latter making the dominant economic contribution. However, distinctions between small-scale and recreational fishing rights are unclear. We aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding economically significant fish species, their contribution to fishers, and how they are spatial distributed across the uMngeni and uThukela Catchment Management Areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Additionally, we addressed the fisher perceptions and use of targetted fish species. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted with fishers between 2021 and 2023 across rivers and impoundments. Our findings highlight several key challenges for inland fisheries management. We found that there are difficulties in categorising fishers, particularly in distinguishing small-scale from recreational fishers, an ambiguity reflected in fishers' self-identifications and practices, with 'subsistence' as a self-identifier. This complexity was further highlighted by the ecological and economic significance of key species, with the invasive Cyprinus carpio having the greatest market value and being the most economically important species. Fishers largely viewed these invasive species through an economic lens, perceiving them as valuable resources and adapting their practices to target their harvest. Regarding fishing behaviours, subsistence fishers were a significant group, reporting weekly or monthly fish consumption and exhibiting a clear preference for river fishing over other waterbody types. Finally, gender significantly influenced participation, with males exhibiting higher fishing frequencies. We conclude that the definitions of inland fisheries in South Africa do not align with the realities on the ground, and the fuzzy boundary between defined small-scale, recreational fisheries and undefined subsistence fishers will likely negatively influence policy implementation. In addition, it highlighted the need for integrated management of South African inland fisheries and economics to sustain inland fisheries that support livelihoods and fish conservation.

Artificial barriers in freshwater ecosystems may hinder fish movement by altering their habitat and fragmenting rivers. We assessed the impact of anthropogenic structures on river connectivity in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We mapped the barriers on eight watercourses using the Adaptive Management of Barriers in European Rivers (AMBER) 'Barrier Tracker' application between 2021 and 2022. We logged different types of instream obstacles, recorded their description, and uploaded photographs. We found that the Wilgerfontein and Dorpspruit streams had a higher density of barriers per kilometre stretch and greater disconnectivity in their longitudinal waterways. Culverts were the main cause of disconnectivity and the most abundant after structures categorised as 'other', mainly road bridges. The number of barriers in the Dorpspruit, Wilgerfontein streams and the uMsunduze River were similar, although the assessed lengths differed. The uMsunduze is the main stream and is four times longer than either the Dorpspruit and Wilgerfontein lengths as the two longest tributaries assessed. The high number of instream barriers, particularly dysfunctional culverts, needs to be mitigated. Removal of some instream barriers, installation of fishways, and the upgrading and maintenance of other instream structures can improve river connectivity. Poor river connectivity impedes the persistence of the freshwater fauna in these rivers, especially those that migrate seasonally.

The naturally fragmented Southern Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, have experienced anthropogenic disturbances over time. We determined microhabitat characteristics of state- and privately-owned forests and assessed whether these affected the occupancy of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), a selective feeder, and Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis), a nocturnal generalist. We systematically deployed camera traps across 14 indigenous forest patches of varying sizes, which were placed within three broad clusters based on their location in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. We recorded habitat structure and foliage profiles within a 20 m radius of camera trap locations in both the wet and dry seasons to determine the factors influencing the presence of bushbuck and Cape porcupine. Historically, heavily logged forests had fewer trees higher than 20 m, indicating reduced canopy height. Bushbuck was the most recorded mammalian species across both seasons. Evidence of overuse of forest resources by local people in state-owned forests, coupled with subsistence hunting, may have resulted in a slightly lower occupancy probability of bushbuck during the wet season (0.85 f 0.03) compared to that in privately owned forests (0.89 f 0.02). The dry season occupancy probability of bushbuck in state-owned forests (0.72 f 0.06) was smaller than that experienced in the privately-owned forests (0.80 f 0.05). The Heterogeneity Index and water positively influenced the occupancy probability of bushbuck during the wet season, whereas bare ground cover, stem density of trees (2 - 5 m), and sapling and short woody plants (0 - 2 m) had a negative influence on bushbuck occupancy in the dry season. Cape porcupines displayed significant differences in detection instances between the wet and dry seasons. During the dry season, Cape porcupine occupancy probability in the state-owned forests (0.46 f 0.07) was similar to the privately-owned forests (0.48 f 0.07). Several microhabitat variables influenced the occupancy of Cape porcupines, likely because of their generalist feeding patterns. Hence, our results suggest the need for effective forest conservation management to monitor forest resource use and prevent overexploitation, as various microhabitat variables influence the presence of bushbuck and Cape porcupine. Notably, bushbuck are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures.

Nectarivory has independently evolved many times among birds, yet little is known about the diversity of feeding mechanisms that enable specialized taxa to efficiently collect this energy-rich resource. Multiple avian groups have converged on evolving elongated bills and tube-like tongues adapted for nectar extraction. Old World sunbirds (family Nectariniidae) stand out as having the greatest degree of convergence in bill and tongue morphology with the well-studied and highly specialized New World hummingbirds (family Trochilidae), which fill their tongues via fluid trapping and expansive filling. However, using museum specimens, high-speed video, and fluid modeling, we show that sunbirds use a unique drinking mechanism not found in any other animal: intralingual suction. Using tube-like tongues, sunbirds are able to move nectar from flowers to their mouths by generating a pressure differential along the length of the tongue, a remarkable feat for animals without lips or cheeks. We show how this feeding mechanism works and how it can be modeled mathematically. This discovery raises new questions for both vertebrate and invertebrate groups that feed on liquid food, and we anticipate that our results will be used to evaluate both food capture mechanisms and their efficiencies. For example, knowing the feeding mechanism allows the energy intake rate to be accurately predicted and tested, leading to reliable energy budget models and minimum requirements that, in turn, circumscribe more complex ecological interactions.

Abstract Invasive alien plants can provide economic or cultural benefits to local communities, influencing perceptions and potentially affecting management decisions. Understanding these perceptions is crucial to avoiding inefficiencies, misunderstandings and conflicts in the management of invasive alien species. Our study explored community perceptions and interactions with the fleshy‐fruited invasive shrub Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C. K. Schneid in South Africa's montane grasslands, using mainly in‐person questionnaires, as well as telephonic and online questionnaires, conducted between 2021 and 2022. Results showed that while communities occasionally consumed the fruits, which were mostly eaten by children, acting both as seed predators and dispersers, the fruits were not used for subsistence purposes. Residents generally did not perceive P. angustifolia as problematic, while farmers and conservation practitioners considered it detrimental because of its impact on grazing, recreation and vegetation structure. Fire was considered the least effective control method over mechanical and chemical control, while government‐supported initiatives, such as the Expanded Public Works Programme, were the most preferred form of assistance for management. Understanding how communities interact with and perceive invasive alien plants is essential for aligning ecological goals with social realities and reducing potential conflicts. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

In recent decades, the population of the African Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) in South Africa has rapidly expanded into mosaic landscapes with high human density in KwaZulu-Natal Province. We investigated (1) the basic breeding natural history details of Woolly-necked Storks, (2) whether nest sites were selected in areas of greater residential land cover, and (3) what factors influenced breeding outcomes. We monitored 169 nesting attempts at 96 nest sites during three breeding seasons (2022–2024). Pairs fledged a mean of 1.03 nestlings per annum (including unsuccessful nests), and the apparent nest survival rate was 61.8

In South Africa, a water-scarce country, the construction of dams and weirs is increasing to ensure water security for a growing nation. The human need for this infrastructure is generally prioritised over its environmental impact, particularly for aquatic fauna with migratory needs. Such infrastructure can block migratory pathways for fish, trap sediment, and alter river flow regimes. The Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme (LTBWSS) abstraction weir was constructed on the lower uThukela River in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, in 2017, near the town of Mandini. The riverine stretch where it is constructed is a critical interface for marine, estuarine, and freshwater migrant local fish species. As such, a vertical-slot fishway was incorporated into its design to facilitate the movement of fish over the weir. This study utilised data collected from field surveys at three sites upstream of the weir, four sites downstream of it, and two sites on the Mandini Stream, a tributary of the uThukela, to assess the impact of the weir on local fish community structures. Multivariate statistical analyses were employed to identify the environmental variables influencing fish community structures and select fish species in the region. The results showed that the dominant cover types, dominant substrate, average depth, and water temperature significantly affected fish communities in the study. Individual species were driven by different habitats, water velocity-depth profiles, and physical water-quality variables. Furthermore, the presence of the LTBWSS has influenced three cichlid species, particularly Tilapia sparrmanii, which was previously shown to favour silt substrate. The resulting loss of downstream sedimentation because of the LTBWSS weir has led to the absence of the species, along with synergistic effects on water quality and quantity in the downstream sections of the uThukela River.

Around the globe, changing landscapes and habitat transformation are major factors affecting wildlife. In recent years, South Africa has experienced significant population growth and migration, leading to the transformation and expansion of both rural and urban areas, with the loss of natural areas. We used locality records to determine whether southern African pythons (Python natalensis) persist despite ongoing land transformation in South Africa, assess the threats they face and identify vegetation types in which they occur. We retrieved locality records of southern African pythons from literature, institutions and citizen science sources, both before and after 2015, to determine occurrence, and we used geographic information system software to map their distribution. Pythons showed an association with the forest biome, followed by the Indian Ocean Coastal belt, with slightly more records from protected areas than from non-protected areas. We substantiated anthropogenic threats, including road mortality, electric fencing and fires. We documented 16 species of animals feeding on pythons, as well as three species that killed them without consuming them. Considering the important ecological niche that these snakes fill, as both predators and prey, it is vital that they receive as much protection as can be afforded to them. We suggest mitigation strategies for some of the anthropogenic threats southern African pythons face.

The Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida has a fragmented distribution in southern Africa, but regional breeding occurrence has never been investigated. Using an exhaustive search of historical and modern sources, we collated breeding records and mapped breeding distribution and seasonality to shed light on their complex dynamics in the region. Between 1901 and 2026, we found 140 breeding records from seven countries, of which over half were from South Africa. The mean +/- SD nesting colony size was 16.1 +/- 14.6 nests across the breeding range. South Africa and Namibia had marked seasonality in breeding, with records exclusively during the summer rainy season. A lack of seasonal patterns in Botswana supports the likelihood of opportunistic breeding there. In Zambia, nesting in the late rainy season indicates different movement patterns from populations at higher latitudes, where some may migrate north into the Zambian breeding area while northern birds are still nesting. These findings further reveal complex regional dynamics that could be addressed with tracking research.

It is essential to recognise that humans pose conservation challenges and are integral to the solutions for conserving species. Understanding human perceptions of wildlife will facilitate the development of effective conservation strategies. Although global efforts to study and manage negative human-wildlife conflicts have grown, research on people,s perceptions of wildlife is relatively scarce, particularly concerning owl species. Here, we systematically reviewed the primary literature on human perceptions and cultural beliefs of owl species worldwide to identify trends and research gaps. Our systematic review was conducted using the guidelines developed by the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) guidelines. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included from 1997 to early 2025. A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria, with the majority conducted in Africa, followed by Asia and then South America. We found that owl perceptions ranged from mixed, negative, to positive. Human perceptions of owls were shaped by various socio-demographic factors, including educational level, age, and gender, and were strongly influenced by cultural beliefs and folklore. In some cultures, owls are admired as symbols of wisdom and good fortune; in others, they are feared as omens of death, bad luck, or witchcraft. Education and awareness campaigns were found to be key in shifting negative perceptions and promoting conservation. Despite regional variations, the literature suggests that targeted interventions and community engagement are vital to improving human-owl coexistence and supporting conservation outcomes.

Raptor populations in Africa are rapidly declining, yet causes of mortality are insufficiently known for most resident species understudied beyond poisoning. This study aimed to investigate the causes of raptor mortality on the African continent. We compiled 1012 mortality records from 43 raptor species tracked with GPS transmitters in Africa between 2003 and 2026 to identify the main causes of mortality, estimate the relative contribution of anthropogenic vs natural causes of mortality, and the factors affecting mortality. Human-induced mortality accounted for 58.8% of known mortality in migratory raptors (n = 233) and 74.3% in non-migratory raptors (n = 241). The main causes of known mortality were direct killing (24.4% of 474 records), poisoning (23.6%), and electrocution (10.1%). Predatory raptors were at higher risk of direct killing than vultures, had higher risk in urbanised than rural landscapes, for non-migrants compared to migrants, and during the non-breeding season compared to the breeding and migration seasons. Vultures had a higher risk of poisoning among adults compared to immatures and in more rural/protected areas relative to urbanised areas. Among poisoned vultures (n = 103), 40.2% were poisoned intentionally. Electrocution occurred at similar rates in vultures and predatory raptors, and more frequently with more urbanisation. The proportion of tracked birds for which cause of mortality could be identified increased over time but remained lower for non-migrants compared to migrants. Our results show the predominantly anthropogenic origin of raptor mortality in Africa, stressing the need for stronger conservation actions directed against direct killing, poisoning, and electrocution.

African Woolly-necked Storks (Ciconia microscelis) were conventionally considered shy and secretive, occurring in natural wetlands and swamp forests. However, these storks rapidly colonised urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, since the early 1990s. We studied the spatial use of Woolly-necked Storks in the colonised region using telemetry, hypothesising that the abundance of urban food (e.g., supplementally-fed anthropogenic food, refuse, and natural prey in residential gardens) has led them to be highly sedentary. Using measures of utilisation distribution size, nesting foraging trips, and nocturnal roost site fidelity, we found that adults had much more limited spatial use than immatures. Furthermore, adults strongly selected for urban and rural residential habitats, whereas immatures showed weaker selection for more types of habitats, yet seasonal effects were weak for both age groups. Urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal clearly confer meaningful fitness benefits to breeding adult woollynecks that are not yet realised during the immature life stage. Immatures move widely during the post-dispersal period because they are not constrained by breeding considerations, and their spatial use may be influenced by social aspects. Given KwaZulu-Natal’s rapid natural habitat loss and urban sprawl, our findings offer a fairly unusual perspective on the effect of urbanisation on wildlife and their persistence in urban mosaic landscapes with natural and managed green spaces in South Africa.

Traditional species-area relationships (SARs) provide limited insights into biodiversity by focusing solely on species richness. This study examined multifaceted diversity-area relationships (DARs) in naturally fragmented Southern Mistbelt Forests of South Africa, incorporating species richness, functional diversity (FDARs), and phylogenetic diversity (PDARs). We used model averaging to fit multiple models across 32 forest fragments, revealing distinct and non-uniform responses of DARs to fragment area. The SARs showed a positive relationship with area, whereas FDARs and PDARs displayed weak or even negative associations. Community assembly patterns were largely driven by environmental filtering and neutral processes, without evidence of competitive exclusion. These findings emphasise the importance of preserving functional and evolutionary diversity, alongside species richness, to maintain ecosystem function. Conservation strategies must account for diverse biodiversity facets to protect avian communities in naturally fragmented landscapes.

Research using natural history collections to track anthropogenic activities has recently been on the rise. Natural history collections have been utilised beyond their traditional taxonomic and systematic roles, generating data that shape present and future research. We evaluated the value of natural history collections in answering questions about the changes in the occurrence of freshwater mollusc species in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, over the past 124 years. The historical records were sourced from four natural history collections databases in South Africa. Specimen records were curated and validated against two independent online platforms. The number of shells and diversity among collections were compared, and trends in the database were analysed. We recorded a significant decline in the number of specimens collected between 1897 and 1960, and after 1980 and 2021, respectively. The majority of freshwater mollusc specimens that were collected belonged to Bulinus tropicus (Krauss, 1848) (307 records), followed by Pseudosuccinea columella (Say, 1817) (270 records) and Radix natalensis (Krauss, 1848) (268 records), while 34% of specimens collected received one observation each. Three species database records exhibited positive observation trends, while two species showed negative database record trends. We also found that potentially declining species database records accounted for 52% of the total freshwater molluscs in KwaZulu-Natal. The broad-scale compositional shift of endemic species and the greater prevalence of invasive species may be exacerbated by inadequate sampling and a lack of long-term monitoring programs at selected sites. We argue that random sampling and donations are insufficient to sustain the growth of these collections. National programs, such as the River Eco-Status Monitoring Programme (REMP) and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (FBIS), have the opportunity to identify and include new key biodiversity sites for biomonitoring of biodiversity. Thus, an increase in financial and skills investment is advocated to monitor biodiversity and the emergence of future diseases.

African pythons are the largest and among the most charismatic species of snake on the continent. Surprisingly little is known about the details of their diets. This may be due to the difficulty of compiling a list of prey items for a generalist species. We used data collected from historical literature and citizen science platforms, in the form of social media, to compile a baseline list of species that the southern African python (Python natalensis) feeds on, including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. Data collected from social media significantly increased the list of prey species compared with those only known from historical literature records. In addition, the data revealed a shift from avian prey to more mammalian species and an increase in human-animal conflict involving larger pythons. Hunting behaviours were observed and caudal luring documented for the first time in this species. Social media can be a useful data source that, when used correctly, can provide a rich source of raw data that can be usefully analysed and combined with other sources in order to answer questions, as well as enrich and validate prior knowledge about cryptic and difficult-to-research species.