Rationale
(Changed due to Same category and criteria)
This species has a relatively small extent of occurrence (ca 7,800 km2). The southern portion of the range is highly fragmented but much of the rest is only moderately or slightly fragmented and is within a Protected Area. Furthermore, continued decline in EOO is not projected at present. Increases in human population density within the species’ range are expected to be low (Driver et al. 2012) and more than half of the range is located within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The species is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Occurs from the St. Lucia estuary in coastal KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, northwards into southern Mozambique (Tolley and Burger 2007, Bates et al. 2014). Specimens from Arboretum near Richards Bay were probably introduced to the area.
No information on population size or trends is available, but the species is estimated as stable at present.
Threats
The southern portion of the distribution is highly fragmented by subsistence agriculture and large-scale timber plantations, but much of the rest is only moderately or slightly fragmented and future increases in human population density are expected to be low (Driver et al. 2012, Schoeman et al. 2013). Furthermore, a significant part (ca 50%) of the distribution (more than 2,100 km2) occurs within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which is strictly managed by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. No negative changes in the extent or quality of habitat are expected in the park.
Uses and trade
No CITES export permits have been issued for this species (UNEP-WCMC 2017), although it can be found in the European pet trade on occasion. This suggests the source of animals in pet trade could be illegal in origin. Increases in the frequency of animals in pet trade should be monitored. Recent advertisements on the internet and Facebook suggest there is an increasing interest in this species for trade. All trade therefore, should be strictly monitored and CITES regulations enforced.
Conservation
This species is listed in CITES Appendix II; it occurs in some protected areas. No conservation actions are recommended. However, future re-assessments of this species would be improved by additional information on distribution in the southern part of the range. Increases in frequency of this species in trade should be monitored.
[@electronic{181632,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
year = {2018}
}
,@techreport{5228,
address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
author = {Driver, A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.N., Holness, S., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z., Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. and Maze, K.},
institution = {South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs},
title = {National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis Report},
year = {2012}
}
,@book{612,
address = {Pretoria},
author = {Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. and de Villiers, M.S.},
publisher = {Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute},
title = {Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland},
year = {2014}
}
,@book{3009,
address = {Cape Town},
author = {Tolley, K.A. and Burger, M.},
publisher = {Struik},
title = {Chameleons of Southern Africa},
year = {2007}
}
,@electronic{3009,
address = {https://trade.cites.org/},
author = {UNEP-WCMC},
title = {CITES Trade Database},
year = {2017}
}
,@article{3012,
author = {Schoeman, F., Newby, T.S., Thompson, M.W. and Van den Berg, E.C.},
journal = {South African Journal of Geomatics},
number = {2},
pages = {94--105},
title = {South African National Land-Cover Change Map},
volume = {2},
year = {2013}
}
,]
