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A Quest to Photograph All the Chameleon Species in South Africa Uncovered a Conservation Conundrum

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A Quest to Photograph All the Chameleon Species in South Africa Uncovered a Conservation Conundrum CONSERVATION A quest to photograph all the chameleon species in South Africa uncovered a conservation conundrum. By Morgan Trimble ACTUAL SIZE: 35 cm FIND THEM HERE Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe- Imfolozi Park Flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis). Search the rest camps at night or keep your eyes peeled on a night drive. 32 WILD AUTUMN 2019 www.wildcard.co.za AUTUMN 2019 WILD 33 CONSERVATION hameleons have eyes that the logistics. “As a student, I had time but work independently to give a no money. When I started working, I had near-360-degree view, a bal- money but no time,” joked Tyrone. listic tongue clocking speeds After five years of scouring literature, Cof 20 km/h, sets of fused fingers and toes collecting expert tips, crowdsourcing for a tight grip, a prehensile tail, and spe- sightings from social media and criss- cialised skin cells that create dynamic co- crossing the country to search for species, lourations. Yet many of these charmingly Tyrone finally succeeded. His last quarry elusive creatures evade attention from was a hard-earned picture of the Qudeni nature lovers. dwarf chameleon from the Nkandla Forest “It’s hard not to love the little things,” in KwaZulu-Natal. said lifelong reptile enthusiast Tyrone But Tyrone might need to revisit his Ping, who started photographing reptiles chameleon quest soon. There are several in the field in his mid-20s and soon no- new species on the horizon according to ticed there weren’t a lot of photographs of Krystal Tolley, chameleon expert at the chameleons. He’d trawl the internet and South African National Biodiversity In- find the common ones but a lot of species stitute: “We have about four that we will FIND THEM HERE were extremely poorly represented. describe in the next year, and we are still Monks Cowl Nature Reserve and Golden Gate National Park When he discovered just a single online gathering data on two or three others.” Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon (B. dracomontanum). Search the long grass growing next to the roads. photo of the endangered Elandsberg dwarf Herpetologists have known about them chameleon, he set a challenge for himself, for some time but it takes years of research Kamberg Nature Reserve to find and photograph all of South Africa’s in genetics and morphology to understand Emerald Dwarf Chameleon (not yet formally described). chameleons to share online. Remember- which truly represent new species and to Look in the reedbeds along rivers and dams. ing his boyhood fascination with reptiles, describe them scientifically. Tyrone said, “I thought it would be so cool While the two ‘typical’ chameleon spe- for younger people to actually see photo- cies in South Africa, the flap-necked and graphs of our chameleon species.” Namaqua, also occur beyond our borders, Tyrone’s challenge was no small feat. the 17 ‘dwarf’ chameleons and the handful South Africa is home to 19 species of cha- of yet-to-be-described species are endem- meleons including 17 dwarf chameleons ics. With a rich concentration of endemic (genus Bradypodion) and two typical chameleons comes a serious conserva- chameleons (genus Chamaeleo). Many tion responsibility. The IUCN’s Red List species occupy extremely limited ranges in designates 10 of the 17 described dwarf tiny pockets of habitat. Besides that, cha- chameleons as endangered, vulnerable or meleons employ crafty techniques to stay near threatened. Garden Route National Park hidden. They have a legendary knack for The biggest challenge? Habitat loss. The Knysna Dwarf Chameleon (B. damaranum). camouflage and their slow, jerking move- tiny distributional ranges of many species, They’re easier to find in the summer months. ments help them disappear amid wind- especially those that don’t overlap with In winter, they hide in leaf litter ruffled foliage. conservation areas, put them at risk. Krys- to escape the cold. “No ‘normal’ person had seen them all,” tal explained: “About half of South Africa’s said Tyrone, who works in digital market- chameleons are considered well protected ing. “Even professional herpetologists by our protected area network, with much sometimes hadn’t seen the more rare ones.” of the protection under provincial re- The hardest part was figuring out where serves. About one-quarter are considered to search for each species and working out poorly protected and most of these are in 34 WILD AUTUMN 2019 www.wildcard.co.za FIND THEM HERE CONSERVATION Agulhas and Bontebok National Parks Swartberg Nature Reserve and Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve Swartberg dwarf chameleon Little Karoo dwarf (B. atromontanum). Look in fine- chameleon (B. gutturale). leaved bushes in the montane Look in dry, scrubby trees. fynbos, particularly among restios and daisies. Table Mountain National Park Cape dwarf chameleon (B. pumilum). Comb the bush, especially restios, on the lower slopes where it’s less windy. West Coast National Park Western dwarf chameleon Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Bradypodion sp (B. occidentale). Search the (not yet formally described). At night, search small restio vegetation at viewpoints. branches of forest trees overhanging the paths. 36 WILD AUTUMN 2019 AUTUMN 2019 WILD 37 CONSERVATION HERPER Reptile and amphibian enthusiast. You’ll hear this term on internet forums and among reptile hobbyists. GET the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.” you handle them in an incorrect way, D Illegal collection from the wild for the you can break their ribs quite easily. They RE pet trade poses another threat. “Don’t buy also get very stressed,” said Tyrone. If you EA a chameleon,” pleaded Tyrone. “And if you must help a chameleon safely cross a road, G find a chameleon crossing a road, the worst Tyrone advised letting it crawl onto your thing you can do is take it home thinking it open palm and depositing it gently in the can live nicely among the rose bushes.” It’s nearest bush. P unlikely to survive but if it does, you risk Tyrone’s next challenge is completing a U contaminating the gene pool or creating an book about his chameleon quest. “It actual- alien population. ly feels more difficult than finding the -cha Ram Binocular Harness / “Chameleons are delicate animals. If meleons in the first place!” he confessed. • Deluxe binocular harness H20 10x42 • Safe and comfortable • BaK-4 prisms carrying of binoculars • Multi-coated optics R249 R2 299 TYRONE PING’S QUEST 5 YEARS 2 international flights 17 road trips 8 domestic flights 4 provinces Origins Jacket Canvas Ubok Boot • Men’s & ladies’ Breezy Hat • All leather 3-piece upper • Waterproof & breathable • Cotton canvas • Full-length footbed 38 402 KM AIR & ROAD TRAVEL • Packs conveniently broad brim • Arch support into a pouch • Mesh crown 1 000s OF PHOTOGRAPHS R849 R199 R2 299 GARY NICOLAU NICOLAU GARY Bush Canvas & Leather Bag French Travel TIPS FOR A CHAMELEON HUNT • 34x30x12cm Co ee Press • 510g Cotton canvas sling bag • Rustproof & BPA-free & leather trim • Durable press Search at night with a strong torch when enthusiast Tyrone Ping. • Dishwasher safe R649 chameleons are asleep. The colouration It’s much more difficult to find chameleons R999 of their relaxed bodies reflects pale white during the day. Sometimes they use a path in the torchlight. They stand out once you to move between bushes, so keep an eye know what to look for. on the trail when hiking. Search branch tips. Chameleons often It’s easier to find chameleons in the Wingman • Spring action jaws crawl right to the end of a branch. If a 200ml Spray-On summer. In the cold, they venture into the • One-hand opening blade RW80 PowerBank • Pump action spray predator, such as a snake, approaches, the thicker sections of the bush. • 8,000mAh charging for 2 devices at once 14 • For many fabrics & products • Built in charging/recharging cord shaking branch cues the chameleon to To snap the perfect chameleon photo, • Lithium Polymer battery for safety drop to the ground to escape. R899 R169 “never touch or mess around with them”, R599 Consult the Chameleons of Southern advises Tyrone. A stressed chameleon Prices subject to change without notice. While stocks last. Subject to availability. Africa guidebook to get a feel for their will lose its natural colouration, turn dark, Products may vary from images shown. O ers may not be available at all stores. E&OE. favoured habitat. “Think about their hiss and even try to bite. “When I find a little feet and what size branches they’ll sleeping chameleon, I gently blow on the be on. They’ll be in a nice tree with lots animal. They wake up, open their eyes, I trappers.co.za /TrappersOutdoor of fine little branches,” suggests reptile snap the picture and leave.” 38 WILD AUTUMN 2019 Stores countrywide Prices subject to change without notice. While stocks last. Subject to availability as not all items may be available at all stores. Products may vary from images shown. Ts&Cs apply. E&OE.
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