South Africa is home to an astonishing amount of biodiversity, on land and at sea. 10% of all known plant species are found here, many restricted to an area of the Cape that comprises one of the world’s six floristic kingdoms. The waters around South Africa harbour around 15% of the world’s marine species, while the country’s range of terrestrial biomes range from forest and grassland to desert, savanna, and the unique bushveld and fynbos.

Protected areas like the famous Kruger National Park provide habitat for some of Africa’s most iconic animals, including cheetah, ostrich, hippo, zebra, giraffe, and the Big Five. Meanwhile, the meeting of major oceans and current systems offshore makes South Africa a prime destination for hungry sharks, seals, whales, dolphins, penguins, and seabirds. This is also a place that boasts a high rate of endemism, with 56% of its amphibians and 70% of its invertebrates found nowhere else on Earth.

In a 2019 study, the South African National Biodiversity Institute found that nearly 14% of the country’s species, and half of its ecosystems, are under threat. One of the major pressures comes from habitat loss and degradation driven by mining, agriculture, urban development, and other land use. Connecting existing protected areas will be key to ensuring the survival – and continued genetic diversity – of South Africa’s vibrant wildlife.