Hello! iSimangaliso Wetland Park has been in the news lately for a few different reasons, reflecting both their conservation success and ongoing ecological challenges.
Here are some of the key news fronts:
✅ Conservation and Governance Success
* Clean Audit: The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority recently achieved its 3rd consecutive clean audit (reported in October 2025). This is a significant accomplishment in public sector financial management and compliance.
* Rhino Conservation: There have been recent updates and celebrations around their efforts in conserving rhinos for current and future generations.
* Lion Reintroduction: An older, but still relevant, update is the successful introduction of new male lions (from a genetically distinct bloodline) into the uMkhuze section of the park to enhance the genetic diversity of the existing pride.
🌊 Ecological and Community Challenges
* Lake St. Lucia Estuary and Back-Flooding: This remains a major and long-standing issue.
* There is continued public and political concern over the ecological crisis in Lake St. Lucia, including siltation, invasive reeds, and declining fish populations.
* The complex issue of back-flooding of community farms and sugar plantations, caused by the closure/management of the St Lucia and Mfolozi River mouths, is still being actively reviewed and addressed by the park authority and government.
* Infrastructure Renovation: Due to recent rainfall damage, popular visitor jetties like the Sugarloaf Jetty and Sunset Jetty are currently undergoing renovations and are temporarily closed to the public.
🌳 Visitor Experience and Development
* Commercialisation Strategy: The Authority is actively embarking on a Commercialisation Strategy to ensure business opportunities from the park are shared fairly among local communities and small/big businesses.
* Tourism: The park remains a highly attractive destination, with updates on various activities like whale watching (seasonal - June to November) and turtle tours (seasonal - November to February), alongside the usual boat cruises and game drives.
The park is actively balancing conservation efforts, ecological restoration, community engagement, and responsible tourism development.
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Petrus Viviers
+27 81 342 7371
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