This research report was recently published in the Urban Ecosystems journal
and includes findings of the 19 native species which were recorded in 12 reserves across Cape Town.
Andrea Schnetler, an intern at the City of Cape Town who has recently completed her Masters in Conservation, completed a successful study focusing on the factors influencing species richness in urban nature reserves such as those found in Cape Town.
The City and various partners provided the camera traps necessary for the research footage.
Cameras were placed at 151 different locations across 12 City of Cape Town nature reserves to capture these animals.
The purpose of using remote-sensing camera traps was to record these mammals while leaving them largely undisturbed.
A total of 19 native
species were recorded in the findings of which 11 were carnivores, seven herbivores and one omnivore.
The different species recorded reflects 49% of the 39 species believed to have been present in these areas historically .
‘Knowing the status of these mammals in our reserves is an important indication of ecosystem health.
These findings are very helpful and we are proud of this informative research piece delivered by our very own staff member.
Obtaining a collection of photographic evidence of these species in each of our reserves has really just confirmed that the City of Cape Town reserve characteristics support species richness', said the City's Mayoral committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
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