Gabriella Leighton’s work exemplifies a commitment to conserving the planet’s biodiversity in the face of rapid global change. She uses cutting-edge research methods to understand the complex threats facing wildlife. She was awarded the Robert May Prize by the British Ecological Society for her innovative work using Google Images. In 2021, she was awarded a PhD for her research completed at the University of Cape Town’s Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild). Gabriella’s research on the Cape Peninsula caracal shows how urbanisation exposes wildlife to pressures on their ecology and health. She aims to bridge the gap between urban development and traditional wildlife conservation. As the coordinator for the Urban Caracal Project, her goals include establishing baseline information on caracals on the Cape Peninsula, understanding how urbanisation affects their behaviour and health, and assessing threats to the survival of the population. Her skills range from the field to the lab, data analysis, scientific communication and social outreach. Her work provides insights into caracal movement around Cape Town and their exposure to pollutants. Her study on the ecotoxicology of Cape Town’s caracals is the first such study for an urban carnivore in South Africa and was funded by WWF’s Table Mountain Fund. It highlights that species face a multitude of pressures including car collisions, poaching, pathogens and toxic pollutants. Gabriella believes in science communication through public talks, social media, interviews and collaborations with artists. She is also a postdoctoral fellow at Rhodes University, where she continues to expand the boundaries of how we study the novel challenges faced by wildlife in cities.
What’s been your/the organisation’s greatest achievement in your field?
My research with the Urban Caracal Project contributes to the conservation of caracals around Cape Town, as well as raising awareness about urban wildlife in South Africa more broadly. I achieve this through high-quality, novel scientific outputs, and social outreach and science communication. Through the project, a “caracal network” has been created, bringing together expert ecologists, citizen scientists, and welfare and conservation agencies. Not only does this help to gather long-term data on the Cape Peninsula caracal population and the threats it faces, but has also resulted in the successful rehabilitation and release of injured caracals back into Table Mountain National Park. Further, the project has gained international recognition and formed local and international collaborations with scientists and artists to further our work to conserve urban wildlife.
Please provide specific examples of how your organisation’s practices and work have a positive effect on the environment
My work with the Urban Caracal Project has directly benefited caracals and many other species living in and around the biodiverse city of Cape Town, South Africa. As top predators, it is important to understand the risks that caracals in the area face, as they are a good indicator species for the whole ecosystem. For example, my novel work on the ecotoxicology of Cape Town’s caracals, the first such study for an urban carnivore in South Africa uncovered some of the unexpected, cryptic threats for the city’s urban wildlife. This work highlights that species face a multitude of pressures when living near cities; including car collisions, poaching, pathogens, and exposure to toxic pollutants. The pollutants detected in caracals include pesticides like DDT, as well as metals like arsenic and mercury, which likely originate from coal plants and industry. Using the caracal as an indicator species to understand these threats, we can work towards mitigating them.
What are some of the biggest environmental challenges faced by South Africans today?
Rapid urbanisation is a major cause of biodiversity loss globally. This is particularly worrying because many expanding cities in the Global South are situated in highly biodiverse areas. In South Africa, our growing population is becoming increasingly urbanised, with more and more people moving to cities. A critical challenge is balancing the needs of a growing population with biodiversity conservation. The city of Cape Town is situated in a global biodiversity hotspot where the remaining habitat is crucial to safeguarding numerous endemic species. The same is true for many other South African cities, which are surrounded by high species and ecosystem diversity.
Biodiversity conservation therefore needs to be a priority as cities around the country expand. More and more, there is evidence that urban areas can be highly biodiverse systems. There are benefits for both wildlife and for us: there is a strong link between healthy, functioning ecosystems and human health. Development is often unavoidable but it needs to be undertaken with careful, conscientious urban planning. Green cities must prioritise conserving and connecting important wildlife habitat and providing clean, safe ecosystems for humans and wildlife. Importantly, development must balance the needs of people and the ecosystems on which they depend, and at the core of this is sound urban biodiversity planning.
Our theme this year is Celebrating Environment Heroes. What do you believe could be the repercussions for millions of people in South Africa and the continent if we do not tackle problems exacerbated by climate change, encompassing issues like drought, floods, fires, extreme heat, biodiversity loss, and pollution of air and water?
The repercussions of apathy to global change are dire. Failure to address the escalating challenges intensified by land-use change and climate change — droughts, floods, fires, extreme heat, biodiversity loss, and air and water pollution — could have devastating repercussions for millions in South Africa and across the continent.
The loss of biodiversity disrupts essential ecological processes, impacting food production and overall ecosystem stability, particularly around urban areas. Additionally, air and water pollution exacerbates existing public health challenges, leading to an increase in respiratory conditions and waterborne diseases. My research highlights the threat of pollutants, especially in rapidly changing environments. Further, inaction on climate change issues perpetuates socio-economic disparities, leaving many communities unable to cope with mounting challenges.
Recognising and celebrating the efforts of environment heroes is crucial. Their work is instrumental in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the well-being of future generations. By publicising and supporting their initiatives and prioritising sustainable practices that promote biodiversity, we can work towards a more resilient and equitable future for all.