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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS NO. 214 16 MARCH 2018
214 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Biodiversity Management Plan for Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus Zebra Zebra) 41498
I, Borno Edna Edith MoJews, Minister of Environmental Affairs, hereby, in terms of section 43(3) read with section 43(1)(b) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), publish the approved Biodiversity Management Plan for Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in the Schedule hereto, for implementation.
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S BOMO ED DIT ;01. A MINISTER 0 ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
32 No. 41498 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16 MARCH 2018
SCHEDULE BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE CAPE MOUNTAIN ZEBRA Equus zebra zebra
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Photo: R. Smith
Jointly developed by
Lead Agent: CapeNature Implementing Agencies: CapeNature, South African National Parks, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, National Zoological Gardens, Department of Environmental Affairs, Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Free State Department of Economic, Small business, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Coral Birss1, Carly Cowell2, Natalie Hayward1, Dean Peinke3, Halszka Hrabar4 and Antoinette Kotze5 1 CapeNature 2 South African National Parks 3 Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency 4 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 5 National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
BMP-S: CAPE MOUNTAIN ZEBRA IN SOUTH AFRICA 1
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SCHEDULE
Citation Birss, C., Cowell, C., Hayward, N., Peinke, D., Hrabar, H.H. and Kotze, A. 2016. Biodiversity Management Plan for the Cape mountain zebra in South Africa. Jointly developed by CapeNature, South African National Parks, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, National Zoological Gardens, Department of Environmental Affairs, Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Free State Department of Economic, Small business, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Version 1.0
BMP-S: CAPE MOUNTAIN ZEBRA IN SOUTH AFRICA 2
34 No. 41498 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16 MARCH 2018
SCHEDULE
FOREWORD – Dr Peter Novellie j' This draft Biodiversity Management plan (BMP) constitutes an important t . milestone in the conservation of Cape mountain zebra. It traces the long \ history of conservation measures and research aimed at ensuring the : future of the subspecies, from the early efforts of the first half of the 41111101--N-- twentieth century to the most recent update on its conservation status. This well documented history, together with an extensive consultation process, enabled the BMP to accurately identify the threats currently facing Cape mountain zebra, as well as to formulate a set of objectives designed to counter the threats. Finally the BMP outlines the next important steps, which constitute the governance arrangements for the implementation of the plan, and then its submission to the Department of Environmental Affairs for gazetting for public participation.
From the perspective of a thirty year personal association with the conservation of Cape mountain zebra I see in this plan a significant new approach. Responsibility for the conservation of mountain zebra has
always been shared across a range of authorities and individuals, but never previously has there been such close collaboration between them. The BMP is the product of extensive consultation and information sharing between diverse role players in different levels of government and in the private sector. This collaborative process has not been finally concluded, but will continue after gazetting, and indeed throughout the implementation of the plan. The emphasis on monitoring, data collection and adaptive management in the BMP will ensure an ongoing process of information sharing and joint learning.
In providing for collaborative adaptive management the BMP resonates well with emerging ideas in the scientific literature on species conservation. A threatened species cannot be protected in isolation, only in the context of the social ecological system in which it occurs. Social ecological systems are complex and inherently unpredictable. Traditional species protection measures often assume predictability, requiring conservation authorities to decide in advance whether a given activity may or may not have deleterious consequences for the species.