The South African conservation community is mourning the unexpected passing of veteran conservationist Ertjies Röhm, who died on Sunday morning, October 18, 2026.

Röhm dedicated his career to wildlife and environmental stewardship, beginning in the early 1980s with Transvaal Nature Conservation. He later served for many years as manager of the Wildlife Management Unit with the Mpumalanga Parks Board and Friends of Wildlife Management.

His extensive work covered anti-poaching operations, wildlife crime investigations, endangered plant protection, ecological management, wildlife relocations, and the complex challenges of human-wildlife conflict.

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Over the course of his career, Röhm became a respected figure in conservation circles, bringing decades of institutional knowledge and hands-on experience to the management and protection of South Africa’s natural heritage.

In January this year, WeWild Africa paid tribute to Röhm’s lifetime of service as he entered retirement and began a new chapter of his life. Colleagues remembered not only his expertise and contribution to conservation, but also his humour and the stories shared around the fire after long days in the field.

Röhm and his wife, Heleen, relocated to Oudtshoorn in recent months.

His passing leaves a significant gap in the conservation community, where his experience, knowledge, and contribution to wildlife management will be remembered by colleagues and conservationists alike.

As news of his death emerges, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Heleen, their family, and all those who knew and worked alongside him.

We kindly ask that the family be afforded privacy and space to grieve over the coming days, and that their loss be treated with sensitivity and respect.