SANBI-NZG will host and celebrate the “Endangered Species Day” event on 15 May 2026, which aims to emphasize the critical need for the protection of threatened wildlife. The event will include public education and awareness, information-sharing sessions, and discussions on conservation actions or ideas designed to reverse the decline of endangered species.
As part of this anniversary, the critically endangered, Orange-fringed river bream (Chetia brevis), also known as the Orange-fringed largemouth, will be a primary focus (a compelling story to share). On the other hand, the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) Target 4 seeks to prevent human-induced extinctions and recover threatened species by the year 2030. In line with the priority actions for Target 4, SANBI-NZG is actively implementing conservation programmes and promoting serious measures to avert the extinction of threatened species, including C. brevis.
Collaboration drives conservation project forward
SANBI-NZG (Pretoria Zoo) is dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity through conservation breeding, educational initiatives, and research activities. As its mandate, the zoo strives to lead in the conservation, exploration, and appreciation of biodiversity for the benefit of all South Africans. It has led the South Africa’s freshwater fish assessment in close collaboration with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and involved the community of freshwater fish conservation practitioners from South Africa’s research institutions and provincial conservation agencies, in the past.
SANBI-NZG and SAIAB have again collaborated on conservation initiatives and efforts aimed at enhancing the threatened C. brevis populations in Pretoria Zoo aquarium facility through a conservation breeding programme, aiming to contribute to species enhancement and recovery. It has become more evident that many fish species around the globe are at risk of extinction due to ongoing rise in human population and invasive species.
brevis is a critically endangered freshwater fish species that is native to the Incomati/Lomati River system in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa and Hhohho Province, Eswatini. Its status has recently been uplifted to critically endangered due to significant population declines associated with invasive alien species and local pollution. Apparently, a recent reassessment in 2025/2026 classified C. brevis as critically endangered on the global IUCN Red List, following its previous classification as endangered in 2016. The species is therefore a conservation priority, with ongoing rehabilitation initiatives, including underway captive breeding and stocking in both South Africa and Eswatini. Due to the increasing concern about C. brevisthreatened with extinction, SANBI-NZG has made all its facilities available to play a crucial role in fostering wildlife conservation and connecting people with nature.
In its aquarium, SANBI-NZG has effectively bred the C. brevis collected from Mpumalanga in 2025/2026 and has healthy fry nurtured under intensive care after successful female mouthbrooding procedures. The primary goal of establishing and maintaining the conservation breeding programme is to facilitate conservation and ensure the survival of the critically threatened C. brevis and assist in the future species reintroduction and recovery.
SANBI-NZG has initiated the fish breeding programme as a proactive measure designed to reverse the biodiversity loss and restoration of C. brevis populations in the wild. The programme focuses on creating sustainable, captive-bred populations that act as a backup for wild populations. The conservation efforts involve planned breeding and harvesting of fish from SANBI-NZG to stock new, predator-free and protected environments to maintain genetic diversity and improved populations of C. brevis. The project provides platform to inspire the nearby communities, showcasing conservation actions from breeding preparations to rearing larvae in a controlled environment. Additionally, SANBI-NZG hosts public education and awareness campaigns and environmental calendar events that support sustainability and animal conservation efforts as well as removing threats to the critically endangered C. brevis.
Species’ role in the natural ecosystems and aquarium
brevis is of significant conservation importance in South Africa due to its status as a rare endemic species. Hence, extensive initiatives are being implemented to prevent its extinction through captive breeding and stocking dams for population restoration. As a specialised predator characterised by its “largemouth,” despite only reaching ~15 cm, C. brevis preys on aquatic invertebrates and small fish, thereby assisting in the regulation of their populations. Endangered Species Day 2026 (May 15) therefore will serve as a critical call to action to celebrate, learn about, and protect not only the critically endangered C.brevis species but also other threatened wildlife and their ecosystems.