Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (officially, the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board) is a governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Their headquarters is in Queen Elizabeth Park situated on the northern slopes of Pietermaritzburg, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial capital. Prior to 1994, it was known as the Natal Parks Board.
History
The first known person to provide protection to wildlife in the region was Zulu King Shaka, who prevented excessive hunting of game animals in the Umfolozi River valley in the early 19th century. However King Shaka used this area for his own hunting purposes and cannot be classed as a 'preservationist'.
Voortrekkers, who entered the region now known as KwaZulu-Natal in the early 19th century, also had conservation policies. The Voortrekker leader Piet Retief had rules excluding the unnecessary shooting of game, and veld burning was strictly controlled.
Zulu King Mpande is known to have afforded protection to the Ongoye Forest. He is also said to have issued an edict preventing the killing of large game animals.
The Durban Botanic Garden was founded in 1859, and although founded for studies into economically important exotic plants, soon became a centre for the study of local plants, and ultimately led to realising the importance of protecting areas of natural vegetation.
In 1866, the Natal Government drew up the first game laws at a time when Zululand was still independent. Zululand was annexed in 1887 and this allowed the exploitation of game animals by immigrants.
Finances
In 2022/23, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife received in grants from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The auditor-general stated that "a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the KZN Nature Conservation Board's ability to continue as a going concern."