Natural History

Eastern Shores (iSimangaliso Wetland Park)

The Eastern Shores is a section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, comprising the coastal strip between Lake St Lucia and the Indian Ocean. The area contains some of the world's highest vegetated coastal dunes, reaching heights of 180 m (590 ft), and hosts the largest population of southern reedbuck (Redunca arundinum) in South Africa. Eastern Shores was the focus of one of South Africa's most significant conservation campaigns when, between 1989 and 1993, a coalition of over 150 environmental organisations successfully opposed Richards Bay Minerals' application to strip-mine titanium from the dunes. The area subsequently underwent one of Africa's largest ecosystem restoration projects, with over 6,200 ha (15,000 acres) of commercial pine and eucalyptus plantations removed since 2000.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Harris's sparrow
• ▸Dignity and Impudence
• ▸Houtman Abrolhos

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