Craig Spencer of the Balule Conservation Project and Olifants West Gate Warden gives us an update from the front desk on anti-poaching and their African conservation efforts!
Hi once again!
A young Black-Back Jackal pouncing on a mouse in the long grass
Herewith the latest quarterly report from your management team. This report covers the time period from 31st March 2010, until 24th June 2010. Our Olifants West is still looking good and we can thank the late and rather extended rainfall that we enjoyed this year. We are still supporting an impressive grass biomass and the resultant herds of bulk grazers such as buffalo and white rhino.
We have been toying with the idea of submitting some of our animals for the Biggest Looser competition as they are increasingly putting on weight! In the absence of Mac Donald’s “Happy Meals” and KFC drive-throughs, we can only assume it is as a result of the good quality grasses and browsing material that has persisted even as I write – at the end of June! The grasses in shaded areas and ideal soils are still showing signs of photosynthetic activity and many of the trees and shrubs are also still active, meaning that they have retained much of their crude proteins and are still relatively easily digestible. Bottom line = we are in for a good year!
Although we have already conducted our grass and forage surveys for this season and reported on this in the last report, we have been continuing with our routine monitoring of predators and their prey species, as well as increasing our water-point databases, elephant databases and other routine tasks.
The anti-poaching team has had good success during this period and has been boosted by our latest addition to our team – Tim, a student who enjoys reserve management tasks and is a keen walker.
I wish to take this opportunity to introduce your Olifants West Management Team in this report and perhaps I should apologise for not having done so before now. It became apparent that land-owners were not aware that we rely on a team of staff to implement the management actions that are reported in th
John Slabbert (and mongoose)
John completed his studies in Nature Conservation from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town and has been working in Olifants West as a Research Technician for 18 months to date. John is my “right-hand-man” and submitted a thesis last year on the impacts of elephants on the woody vegetation within the OWNR.
Derrick is a certified tracker and has an impressive employment history in Sabi Sands.
This is the face of our anti-poaching team and we have come to rely on Derrick for many security functions including fence patrols and general maintenance (of the fence). Derrick has been instrumental in reducing the snaring problem in Olifants West and is respected amongst the staff at the various compounds.
Derrick Mnisi with confiscated snares
I am sure that Derrick is by far the fittest man on the reserve and to see him cover the vast distances on foot or bicycle every day, should be an inspiration to anyone wishing to follow a career in tracking and anti-poaching.
Derrick can often be seen on his bicycle or on foot – but is always neatly attired in uniform and therefore easy to identify as a member of the OWNR Management team.
Tim Girling
Qualified with a law degree in the UK, but shifted careers to pursue nature conservation in South Africa. We are proud to have Tim with his vast array of Game Ranging qualifications, including advanced weapons handling, FGASA and others that escape me!
Tim is primarily engaged with the Anti-Poaching Team and routine reserve management activities.
You can join the Balule Conservation Project and help with their efforts in anti-poaching through Afreco Tours or Transfrontier Africa.
Tim Girling
