Exciting news! A Knysna Seahorse (Hippocampus Capensis) was found by the Orca Foundation in the Keurbooms River on the 5th August 2014 during a Seahorse Survey with the help of Prodive. This is the first sighting since the 2007 floods.
Why the Knysna seahorse is considered the most endangered seahorse in the world
The Knysna seahorse is not exploited for traditional medicines. However, according to the IUCN’s red data book, they are listed as the most endangered seahorse in the world. The reason for this is primarily due to their exceptionally limited distribution range as they are endemic to a few southern Cape estuaries. A recent survey of these estuaries, conducted by the Seahorse Research Group as part of the Green Trust funded “Knysna Seahorse Project” confirmed that the Knysna seahorse is only found in three southern Cape estuaries: The Knysna, Swartvlei and Keurbooms estuaries. This means that if these estuaries are not correctly managed and conserved, South Africa’s only seahorse species may be wiped out for good.
