Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004, the property is located at the South-Western extremity of South Africa. It measures nearly 90,000 square kilometers ! It is one of the world’s great centres of Terrestrial Biodiversity. The extended property includes National Parks, Nature Reserves, Wilderness Areas, State Forests and Mountain Catchment Areas. These elements add a significant number of endemic species associated with the Fynbos vegetation, a fine-leaved Sclerophyllic Shrubland adapted to both a Mediterranean climate and periodic fires, which is unique to the Cape Floral Region.
CapeNature has raised the alarm on the growing threat of biodiversity crime in the Western Cape, revealing 12 new cases and 23 fines issued between April and June 2025 alone. Most fines were related to violations of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, with 15 involving wildlife. Four fines were issued under the Marine Living Resources Act.
“These statistics reflect the seriousness of biodiversity crime in the province and our ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance and enforcement,” said Western Cape Environmental Affairs MEC Anton Bredell.
Each act of enforcement helps safeguard the Western Cape’s globally significant ecosystems, he added. Home to the UNESCO-listed Cape Floristic Region, the province harbours one of the world's richest floral kingdoms. However, nearly 16% of its species and over half of its ecosystems are now listed as threatened.
CapeNature’s efforts include multi-agency collaboration with units of SAPS such as the Hawks and the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, alongside various law enforcement and conservation partners. These operations form part of a broader strategy to curb biodiversity crime while enabling sustainable, conservation-based livelihoods.
As biodiversity crime continues to place pressure on already fragile landscapes, CapeNature urges the public to respect protected areas, report illegal activity, and recognise the long-term value of the region’s natural heritage. (LINK AVAILIBLE FOR THIS ARTICLE- IN FURTHER READING)
These areas include OF THE CAPE FLORAL KINGDOM INCLUDE:
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Table Mountain
Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve
Cederberg Wilderness Area
Swartberg
Boland
Boosmansbos Wilderness Area
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness area
Cape Floral Region protected areas
Cape Floristic Region