Sappi establishes new nature reserve to protect endangered Karkloof Blue Butterfly
Published On
16 October 2026
New KwaZulu-Natal nature reserve safeguards one of the last known breeding grounds of the endangered Karkloof Blue Butterfly.
Deep in the Karkloof Valley north of Howick, a tiny butterfly with iridescent blue wings is running out of safe places to call home.
After more than 30 years of commitment to the sustainability and well-being of the region’s environmental ecosystem, Sappi, a global leader in sustainable woodfibre products, has taken its protection of this fragile habitat one step further.
Today the Karkloof Blue Butterfly Nature Reserve has been officially gazetted in the government register. The 26-hectare protected area in KwaZulu-Natal that contains one of the last known breeding grounds of the endangered Karkloof Blue Butterfly (Orachrysops ariadne).
Once land is formally gazetted as a nature reserve, future development is significantly restricted, helping to secure long-term protection of biodiversity, wildlife and natural ecosystems. The declaration marks Sappi’s eighth self-established nature reserve, and its fourth in KwaZulu-Natal, a continuation of the company’s commitment to responsible land stewardship across the region.
Long-term preservation of the land and the environment is a key part of Sappi’s sustainability strategy helping to safeguard one of South Africa’s most precious resources for future generations.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Sappi Forests Environmental team with support from Dr. Adrian Armstrong from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and is a testament to the collaborative approach between public and private sector stakeholders.
There are a few species on earth that are particular about where they call home - one such species is the Karkloof Blue Butterfly. To complete its lifecycle, the butterfly depends on the presence of a specific host plant, the Wood’s indigo pea (Indigofera woodii), a few species of nectar plants, and has a symbiotic relationship with the Natal sugar ant (Camponotus natalensis) - a delicate combination of ecological requirements that exists in only a handful of locations.
Dr Armstrong, who has monitored these butterflies for many years, says: “It continues to strike me just how finely balanced their existence is - remove the host plants or nectar plants, disturb the Natal sugar ant colonies, and the butterfly cannot survive. There are no substitutes and no shortcuts. This rich and complex interdependence in our natural ecosystems is precisely why a protected reserve like this one and its appropriate management are so important. Although the butterfly is the flagship species for the reserve, the endangered Natal black millipede, Brown’s wingless grasshopper, and Burnup’s tail-wagger snail also occur, all of which are not found outside central KwaZulu-Natal. I commend Sappi for this important step towards the long-term survival of the butterfly and its endangered mistbelt grassland habitat, and I am thankful for Sappi’s continued commitment to managing the reserve appropriately.’’
Giovanni Sale, Head of Sustainability at Sappi Southern Africa, says: “The Karkloof Blue Butterfly is part of this region’s unique natural heritage, and its survival depends on continued protection of the habitat around it. The declaration of this reserve aligns closely with Sappi’s commitment to the bioeconomy and to conserving the natural ecosystems on which our operations depend.”
Sappi has for many decades embraced its role as a responsible custodian of the natural landscapes within which it operates. Sappi's first formally declared nature reserve was Karkloof Nature Reserve, declared in August 2012. Since then, the company has steadily expanded its network of protected areas to safeguard the natural ecosystems in which diverse fauna and flora can continue to thrive.
Since 2012, Sappi has formally declared the following nature reserves:
• Karkloof Nature Reserve (August 2012) – 223 ha
• Clairmont Nature Reserve (November 2013) – 1,010 ha
• Ngodwana Valley Nature Reserve (April 2017) – 965 ha
• Angle Ridge Nature Reserve (April 2017) – 1,095 ha
• Oosterbeek Nature Reserve (April 2017) – 1,900 ha
• Mount Morgan Nature Reserve (April 2017) – 1,013 ha
• Roelton Nature Reserve (October 2020) – 114 ha
As a business, we must continually challenge ourselves to better understand our environmental impact. This declaration is a continuation of our journey, requiring agile management by foresters and a willingness to go beyond the call of duty, as well as detailed research and strong oversight, all of which are essential to the long-term health of this reserve.
says Wesley Evans, Environmental Officer for Sappi
The opportunity for corporate South Africa lies in embracing the symbiotic relationship between shareholder return and environmental stewardship, particularly within the context of the bioeconomy.
Sale concludes: “The Karkloof Blue Butterfly Nature Reserve reflects Sappi's commitment to conservation in action – this forms part of our commitment to protect an additional 2,000 hectares by 2030. Protecting the habitats surrounding our operations is central to how we do business, and we hope this reserve shows what is possible when industry leads with intention.”
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