Suni-Ridge is situated in the environs of the World Natural Heritage Site, The Isimangaliso Wetland Park.  This magnificent area supports a number of rare and threatened endemic species. 

Dr. Craig Widdows (Pr.Sci.Nat) PhD Ecology

The Suni-Ridge area lies within the interface of the Tembe Sandy Bushveld and Sand Forest vegetation types and these habitats hold significant biodiversity importance. Remaining intact representatives of these habitats are becoming increasingly important for the mammals (of which over 90 species have been recorded within surrounding landscape) adapted to these ecosystems given continued habitat loss and degradation. Continued mammal monitoring within the property and surrounds provides a fantastic opportunity to detect community trends and species composition occurring outside of the province’s protected areas network.

Within the rich biodiversity of Suni-Ridge, a number of endemic and rare mammal species occur. Some of these mammals include but are not limited to the following: 

Red data mammal species include: 

 

Aardvark – Orycteropus afer – Least Concern 

African wild dog –  Lycaon pictus  –  Endangered

Brown Hyaena – Hyaena brunnea – Near Threatened

Pangolin –   Manis temminckii – Critically Endangered 

Red duiker – Cephalophus natalensis – Near Threatened

Serval – Leptailurus – Near Threatened 

South African Hedgehog – Atelerix frontalis – Near Threatened 

Spotted hyaena – Crocuta Crocuta – Near Threatened 

Suni antelope – Neotragus moschatus – Vulnerable  

4 toed elephant shrew – Petrodromus Tetradactylus – Near Threatened

Tonga red squirrel – Paraxerus palliates – Near Threatened 

and more.

Protected mammal species include: 

Bat species  26

Brown hyena – Hyaena brunnea

Cat species 5: Leopard, caracal, serval, Africa wild cat, genet

Grey duiker – Sylvicapra grimmia

Honey badger – Mellivora capensis

Impala – Aepyceros melampus

Moles  (ID in process)

Mongoose species -3: Banded mongoose, water mongoose, white-tailed mongoose.

Nyala – Tragelaphus angasii

Pangolin – Tragelaphus angasii

Reedbuck – edunca arundinum

Rodents (ID in process)

Scrub hare   (Lepus saxatilis) mallam

South African porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis

Spotted hyena – Crocuta crocuta

Wildebeest – Connochaetes taurinus

Woodland Dormouse  – Graphiurus murinus

Zebra- Equus quaggaSouth African porcupine   Hystrix africaeaustralisSouth African porcupine   Hystrix africaeaustralisSouth African porcupine   Hystrix africaeaustralis