Community Stories

Winter’s weather was a playful trickster, swinging from chilly, rainy days to delightful bursts of summer warmth! This whimsical pattern threw our garden chores into disarray, but we persevered and finally tackled our Winter pruning tasks. As we wrapped up, we were ecstatic to spot our honorary residents—the Cape Dwarf Chameleons—emerging from their winter slumber! These enchanting creatures, endemic to the Western Cape and classified as Near Threatened, have lost much of their habitat to urbanisation and agriculture. We’re thrilled that some have found sanctuary at the Upper Liesbeek River Garden! These remarkable chameleons not only help regulate pest populations, but also showcase their incredible camouflage skills to evade predators like snakes, birds, and domestic cats. Witnessing their vibrant colours and unique adaptations reminds us of the beauty and fragility of our ecosystem. What a joy it is to nurture and protect such extraordinary wildlife!