Urgent - Prevent poaching crisis due to COVID-19

Our gratitude to all who support our most critical work to prevent poaching is truly sincere! Thank you.

Each time we are able to prevent an animal from being snared is to us and of course, to all the wild, a great victory, but it's even more than that: It is also one of the most humane things we could do with our time and passion for wild, as the suffering of an animal that has been snared, is too dreadful to contemplate. But thankfully with careful monitoring, guarding, and surveillance, their protection is possible. This is the reason why your support is so important!

Last week our Night Guard reported that someone had entered the property and moved along the fenceline, jumped over to the neighboring property, and that this intruder headed out through another property. Early the next morning our day guards patroled with this in mind, seeking out any signs of poaching, such as new human footprints, pathways marked, and the twine that is left behind should a snare be removed from where it was hung - and of course snares themselves, if left behind.

The horrible risk that was encountered was that a whole line of snares had been set, but most were removed by the poacher who was interrupted, except the few that were then found. The snares were confiscated and added to our pile of other snares retrieved during the past years. We were pleased!  Our wild was once again protected. 

During the April holiday (long weekend) the risk is again high. We have therefore employed another wildlife guard who will be assisting during some day patrols and alternating with helping during night patrols. This has been one of the most comforting steps we have taken this year as we are always critically aware of the risks that our wild experiences during holiday times.

As a slightly different benefit, we are pleased that the income the young conservationist will earn will be appreciated as his family will also benefit from the income he earns for his work. 

Thank you once again for helping us prevent suffering by keeping our Wild and all the biodiversity safe. 

Just two days before Christmas Nature has given us the most precious gift. Our orphaned Wildebeest “ FlowerPatch” now an adult, has become a new mother. Her tiny baby was born in the early morning close to my office window. Sometime later I took the new mother some wildlife pellets. As I stood near, the baby walked up to me and nuzzled my hand while calling softly. I do not encourage close encounters with our wildlife, but this was unexpected and my heart melted in a moment! 

The new baby and her mother have a long and somewhat poignant history: About 2 years ago, I fed Flower Patch's mother (the baby’s grandmother) for the last 3 months of her gestation as she was very old and rather thin. I did the feeding at 10pm at night when I called her to keep her separate from the rest of the herd. Then, Flower Patch was born. Sarah named her.  

Sadly, during a poaching event, (that was 2 years ago) the mother was snared and although we freed her, she succumbed to stress and did not survive. Thus Flower Patch who was still tiny, but just able to survive without milk, was reared by the Zebra. Stripy especially, took care of her.

Now a new chapter begins with the new tiny wildebeest. Many other wild babies are also being kept safe from poaching - thanks to your support we have not had any further incidences and during the festive season, our guards have worked diligently to keep our wildlife safe. We ourselves do patrols but it is with your help that we have managed to have such a successful outcome. 

Wishing all a wonderful 2023 and thanking you again for your support!