SOUTH AFRICA

Rescue South Africa’s Lost Snake From the Brink of Extinction

Project Cost: $284,071

Funding Raised: $284,071

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Nearly one acre of forest is lost every second

37M+ ACRES SAVED

Thanks to generous support from our donors, we have successfully reached our fundraising goal for this project!

Save a Lost Snake Species

Endemic to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the Endangered Albany Adder is arguably South Africa’s most threatened snake species. This extremely range-restricted dwarf viper had not been seen for a decade when a research team supported by Rainforest Trust rediscovered it during a field study in  2017. On the final day of work, the researchers witnessed a solitary female Albany Adder crossing the road. Header Photo: Endangered Endangered Albany Adder, by Michael Adams/EWT.

COUNTRY
South Africa

ACRES
23,440

COST PER ACRE
$12.12

SPECIES
Albany Adder (EN); Black Harrier (EN); Blue Crane (VU); Secretarybird (VU)

(EN)=Endangered, (VU)=Vulnerable

ACRES PRESERVED BY
Designation

PARTNER
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

CARBON STORAGE
820,801 mT*
*(metric tonnes of CO2 equivalents)

Prevent Habitat Destruction

Unfortunately the team also discovered that what remains of the species’ core Coega Bontveld habitat is quickly disappearing because it is the location of an active cement mine. After negotiations, a local South African organization and the mining company reached a resolution to set aside this piece of land for conservation.

Located within the Port Elizabeth Complex Key Biodiversity Area, this area also supports numerous endemic plants and globally threatened birds including the Endangered Black Harrier, Vulnerable Secretary Bird and Blue Crane.

 

Be a Part of Our Solution

To save the Albany Adder, Rainforest Trust and our longtime partner, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, are working to establish a 23,440-acre nature reserve as the first protected habitat for the viper.

Rainforest Trust is thrilled to help establish this first protection for the Albany Adder. Ensuring extremely range-restricted endemic species and their habitat remains one of our top conservation priorities. Photos: (Above) Vulnerable Blue Crane, by Michael Potter/Shutterstock; (Below) Endangered Albany Adder, by EWT.

 

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