Bio-diversity

The project is intended to conserve birds and wetlands in Tlokoeng Valley, in the Botha-Bothe district, Lesotho. The focus will be on community-based conservation of the Southern Bald Ibis (Geronticus calvus), a species which is confined to Lesotho, the eastern parts of South Africa and the western parts of Swaziland. These ibises are considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild (Barnes 2000, The Eskom Red Data Book of birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland; BirdLife International 2000, Threatened Birds of the World). Factors contributing to their vulnerable status include the loss of habitat, human interference at breeding colonies, and, in Lesotho in particular, the use of Bald Ibis parts for traditional medicinal and ceremonial purposes (Barnes 2000; BirdLife International 2000). Preliminary investigations in Tlokoeng Valley indicate that threats to the two Bald Ibis roosting/breeding sites include human interference and the killing of the birds for consumption. In addition, the wetlands at Tlokoeng are currently subjected to indiscriminate anthropocentric pressures, apparently due to limited knowledge about their ecological significance. The proposed initiative will be linked with current plans of enhancing eco-tourism at Tlokoeng.

Lesotho