What happened to the otters? That is the question that the Owl Rescue Centre wants to answer with a research-driven project.

Well-known local resident Werner Nagel witnessed an amazing incident during a recent drive in a game reserve when birds (not of the same feathers) banded together to chase off a puff adder to protect their baby birds.

Last year Hartbeespoort had devastating damage from Leopard moths that target all cycads. They are around again!

The Centre for Biological Control (CBC) of Rhodes University responded to the public's skepticism and statements that the bugs on the hyacinth are not working.

Hyacinth currently covers about 40-45% of the Hartbeespoort Dam, but there is no quick fix, such as herbicides, says the Centre for Biological Control of Rhodes University.

Following the recent fish deaths in Hartbeespoort Dam, Magalies Water said the cause of the deaths could not be determined.

Hyacinth currently covers approximately 60% of Hartbeespoort Dam, and many have expressed concern that the invasive plant might cover the dam completely by December.

Masses of fish died on the eastern shore of Hartbeespoort Dam again over the weekend.

Hartbeespoort twins, Hendré and Teneal Keyser (16), won a silver medal at the recent international Eskom Expo for Young Scientists for their experiment to turn hyacinth into bio-coal.

The rain poses serious risks to vultures and birds of prey, including soaked feathers, nest destruction, and hypothermia.

Eighteen illegal fishermen were arrested, and a large number of boats and kilometres of fishing nets were removed and confiscated when law enforcement units on Hartbeespoort Dam clamped down on illegal fishing on Monday.

Welfare organisations and residents have expressed their concern about the recent shootings of baboons and monkeys in the Kosmos area.

The Proudly Harties organisation is inviting businesses in Hartbeespoort to sponsor a branded litter bin along the main routes in town.

The Centre for Biological Control (CBC) again released 12 000 hyacinth hoppers on the Hartbeespoort Dam last week, hoping to start seeing damage to the plants soon.

The South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) has given the Department of Water and Sanitation 90 days to finalise its Hartbeespoort Dam shore lease policy and transformation plan, process outstanding applications, review previously terminated Permissions to Occupy, and conduct a full audit to regularise occupancy.

Salvinia coverage of the Hartbeespoort Dam is currently almost 15% and hyacinth plants have started rearing their heads.

Despite high court orders, a contempt of court order and an application for a warrant of arrest of municipal managers, Madibeng Municipality continues to spill sewage onto a resident's land without adhering to any of the orders.

Two Cape vultures that were destined for the muti trade were finally released to fly free in the Magaliesberg near Hartbeespoort after a long rehabilitation road at Vulpro in Hartbeespoort.

Samples were also taken from three rivers feeding Hartbeespoort Dam.

Last weekend, the Harties Clean and Restore Project saw an inspiring turnout of volunteers united by one goal: a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

The Magaliesberg Biosphere NPC expressed grave concern over the recent announcement of plans to develop a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) within the Zilkaats Estate, which lies within the buffer zone of the internationally recognised Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, close to the Magaliesberg Protected Environment, tourism venues, the towns of Brits and Hartbeespoort and several densely populated settlements.

Join the annual Harties Clean Up and Restore project on Saturday, 26 July, and help clean our area and restore it to its former beauty.

A nuclear power station is planned on the Zilkaatsnek Estate in De Wildt near Hartbeespoort. The property is located in the buffer zone of the Magaliesberg Biosphere and within the Peglerae Conservancy.

A marine law enforcement officer was injured on Friday after the law enforcement boat got stuck in illegal fishing nets on Hartbeespoort Dam.

The winter WESSA Magaliesberg Biosphere branch and Birdlife Harties water bird count took place last Saturday under extreme cold conditions.

The Brits-Hartbeespoort Rotary Club honoured two environment champions with the esteemed Paul Harris Fellow Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship and community upliftment.

The Owl Rescue Centre in Hartbeespoort is donating thousands of books to children from underprivileged communities, in the hopes of fostering a love and connection with nature and wild animals.

According to the latest statistics of the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) of Rhodes University, hyacinth and salvinia currently only cover about 5.8% of Hartbeespoort Dam.

The Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve celebrated its 10th birthday on 9 June 2025!

VulPro in Hartbeespoort this week said goodbye to Huntus, an Andean Condor, that has been part of the Vulpro family for over 12 years.