Flapping in arid air: South Africa’s Karoo butterflies

Flapping in arid air: South Africa’s Karoo butterflies

Jul 26, 2021 | News

By Shahieda Davids The Karoo in South Africa boasts several natural and unknown wonders, one of which are its delicate and conspicuous butterflies. Across cultures the presence of butterflies has been associated with several meanings, some of it being perceived as...
Abnormal development found in Karoo trapdoor spiders

Abnormal development found in Karoo trapdoor spiders

Mar 4, 2021 | BioGaps, News

Cape Town – A recent study has drawn attention to the abnormal development of trapdoor spiders in the Karoo, with possible links to the use of chemicals in the region now earmarked for shale gas exploration.    Among other hypotheses, PhD student Shannon...
Can fracking and birdlife coexist in the Karoo?

Can fracking and birdlife coexist in the Karoo?

Oct 12, 2020 | BioGaps, News

During dry times, birds in the Karoo descend to water and drinking troughs sometimes in their hundreds. But now competition between sheep and birds for access to this essential ingredient to life has another competitor: mining and industry, the most controversial of...
Karoo BioGaps Project wraps up

Karoo BioGaps Project wraps up

Jun 18, 2020 | BioGaps, News

By Zimkita Mavumengwana & Dane McDonald Cape Town – The FBIP and SANBI is pleased to announce that the Karoo BioGaps Project has come to an end. The aim of the Karoo BioGaps Project was to assemble foundational species data in the Karoo region. This was done...