Since the start of 2026, the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue and Training Centre has recorded 25 roadkill incidents in the Kogelberg Biosphere on roads including the R44 and R43.
These incidents include:
4 porcupines
3 grysboks
3 spotted eagle owls
3 caracals
2 tortoises
And several other species that call the biosphere home.
Since 2023, the number stands at 58 deaths, but this is not the full picture. These are only the stats collected by the Rescue Centre – many incidents are never reported, and some injured wildlife are never found.
As development, tourism and traffic increase across the biosphere, so does the risk to the wildlife.
Wildlife death on the roads is one of the less visible conservation challenges facing our biosphere – but one where every driver can help to make a difference to reduce these tragic deaths.
Slow down, keep alert, and take extra care when driving at dawn and dusk.
Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue and Training Centre
And more – another heartbreaking incident on 7 July
Yet another grysbokkie was knocked down and killed on Clarence Drive within the 100 km zone, just before the Disa Circle turnoff. The adult male bokkie had sustained a broken leg. Hopefully, he died on impact and was not injured and just left to suffer.
This is particularly sad as only a few days ago Wayne Jackson posted a beautiful picture of a bokkie, pleading to the public to drive carefully and to watch out for our wildlife.
According to Michele Watson from the Kogelberg Wildlife Rescue Centre, three bokkies have succumbed on the R44 and R43 within the last four weeks. These are only the deaths we know about!
This section of the road from Pringle Bay to Betty’s Bay central shops is treacherous.
There is an urgent need for speed reduction and signage to create awareness that traffic needs to “slow down” as there is “wildlife crossing.” I am aware of the public outcry, which led to the Speed Reduction Petition initiated by the Steering Committee. This is currently following the legal process, but this process really needs to move faster.
We are constantly reminded that Clarence Drive is a provincial road. We expect the Overstrand Municipality to be more proactive and supportive of our endeavour to reduce the speed and to increase traffic calming through Betty’s Bay. We live in a UNESCO-recognised biosphere area with unique flora and fauna. Surely, this must account for our conservation status, which needs better protection.
Lenore Watermeyer