Protecting vulnerable species

Harmony is a proud member of an EWT working group, established to protect species of conservation concern, known as Species 15 (the name of the species is withheld due to sensitivity). Along with other biodiversity specialists, we collaboratively develop and implement initiatives to help protect Species 15 on Harmony-owned and related properties.

Species 15 is endemic to a small area of South Africa covering three provinces. The main and stable population is found in the northern parts of the Free State, and smaller populations are found in the southwestern parts of Mpumalanga and the western parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Common threats to Species 15 are:

• Habitat loss due to agricultural and mining activities
• Traditional medicine markets and the pet trade
• Being captured out of the wild as captive breeding is difficult

With such a high habitat restriction, these activities threaten to drive these creatures to extinction, and they are therefore classified as vulnerable under the IUCN Red Listing criteria. They are also protected internationally under CITES Appendix 2 and nationally protected through Threatened or Protected Species regulations. Research on how to better protect and manage these species is being actively conducted.

The ongoing study being conducted by Harmony, in conjunction with EWT and other biodiversity specialists, is aimed at identifying the number of Species 15 on Harmony-owned property as well as identifying surrounding properties on which Species 15 could be found. The study further assesses other environmental and social aspects associated with Species 15 that include:

• Land cover
• Vegetation and soil types
• Temperatures and seasonality
• Aspect/slope
• Altitude and geography
• Predators and illegal trafficking
• Food availability
• Behaviour and social structure.

The study aims to better understand Species 15 and, in conjunction with our stakeholders and surrounding landowners; conserve the species in areas devoid of agriculture (cultivation), mining activities and human interaction; and prevent poaching and illegal trafficking.