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With the Kruger National Park to the east, and the Drakensberg to the west, the Lowveld area is rich in biodiversity, with many rare and interesting species.
The Lowveld is also blessed with numerous retired scientists who have spent their lives researching animals such as lions, elephants, hyenas and eagles. WESSA Lowveld regularly invites these icons to address the Region and the general public, thereby increasing knowledge and understanding of these species and generating revenue at the same time.
The main project that the Lowveld Region has embraced in recent years is aimed at reducing the poaching of rhinos, and it has received financial support from various sources – both locally and internationally. WESSA Lowveld has also raised money by organising concerts, auctions and talks.
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Lowveld Areas Projects
Zululand K9 Units
In recent years, most of the poachers appear to have moved south and are targeting the rhino in Ezemvelo reserves, which are the source populations from which all others have their genesis.
To help combat this, WESSA Lowveld is sponsoring tracker dogs and their handlers who are based in these reserves and have been successful in tracking and arresting poachers.
READ ON
WESSA Lowveld is now in the planning stage of establishing the Project Rhino K9 Unit to be based outside Hluhluwe Village. Four Bloodhound-Doberman pups are with foster parents in the Lowveld learning their basic manners and building up confidence before they go into training when they are ten months old.
WESSA Lowveld recently facilitated and funded a week-long visit by the Manager of Umfolozi Game Reserve and one of his Section Rangers, to the Kruger National Park and the South African Wildlife College to gain an understanding of the use of dogs in combatting poaching.
Project 2
Project 2
Branches & Affiliates
Please check back soon for updated information.
Newsletters
Newsfash February 2026 – National Wetlands Day & Frogging Event
Get in touch
| LOWVELD AREAS | NAME | |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Chair & Board RR Representative | Dr Llew Taylor | llewtaylorsa@gmail.com |
| Regional Treasurer | Christa van Rensburg | christa@jvrcvr.co.za |
| Regional Secretary/Projects | Saskia Labuschagne | |
| Regional Vice Chair | Dr Jacobo Dongo | jacobadongo@gmail.com |
| Conservation | Dr Jeremy Anderson | conserva@global.co.za |
| Avifauna | Rael Loon | rmloon@icon.co.za |
| Environmental Compliance | John Richardson | jodurichardson@gmail.com |
| Municipal Liaison, White River Nature Reserve | Tiffany Briggs | tiffany@mfafa.co.za |
| University Liaison | Prof Dan Parker | Daniel.Parker@ump.ac.za |
| Youth Sub-committee Chair | Tshepo Sedibe | |
| Liaison membership & newsletter | Liza Steyn |
Lowveld areas activites and projects in pictures
Click on any image to start the slideshow.
Make a donation
Your donation of any amount helps support WESSA local initiatives for the environment, undertaken by active volunteers in our five regions.
You’ll also help train young South Africans in conservation and ecology, and raise awareness of environmental issues in our communities.
Please chose donation amount:
If you would prefer to give by EFT or direct deposit, our banking details are as follows:
| Account: | WESSA Membership |
|---|---|
| Bank: | First National Bank |
| Branch & Number: | Howick 22-07-25 |
| Account Number: | 62 219 969 732 |
| Swift Code: | FIRN ZA JJ |
| Deposit reference: | Donation + Surname & Initials or Membership Number |