One of the biggest attractions of the sun-drenched country of South Africa is its wildlife and it seems that huge efforts are being made to protect the nation's beautiful animals.

Much like humans, South Africa's mammals are happy to roam across borders, which can make it difficult for neighbouring countries to keep track of endangered species.

In order to combat this problem, officials from a number of southern African countries have met in the South African city of Gauteng to form the Trans-frontier Conservation Areas (TFCA).

This will unite conservation workers and government officials from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Being launched in May 2008 in Durban, South Africa, the TFCA will see people from different countries working together on conservation strategies to protect southern Africa's environment and wildlife.

At the meeting, delegates agreed that conservation issues must be put first and that more effort should be made towards introducing wildlife exchange programmes and cross-border research projects.

South Africa currently houses 20 game reserves which are home to buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants and rhino.

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