Month: November 2020

WILDLANDS, a programme of the WILDTRUST and the Emvokweni Community Trust (ECT) working collaboratively with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and Tracy and Du Plessis Game Capture (TDC) recently welcomed 10 giraffes from the Munyawane and Phinda Private Game Reserves to Somkhanda Community Game Reserve.

During a recent translocation, eight female giraffe (and two males) have been added to the male dominated giraffe population at Somkhanda Community Game Reserve to bolster the population and add new genes.

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Somkhanda’s Reserve Manager, Meiring Prinsloo said, “The current sex ratio of the Somkhanda giraffe population is skewed towards males. This generous donation of additional females will help rectify the sex ratio in our population and enhance our active contribution towards giraffe conservation.”

Latest estimates show that there are only about 111,000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa. Their numbers have dropped by almost 30% over the last three decades in what GCF calls a ‘silent extinction’. The greatest threats to giraffe in the wild are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by a growing human population as well as diseases and illegal hunting/poaching in some parts of Africa. Giraffe are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

To put these numbers into perspective, there is one giraffe for every four African Elephant in the wild. Africa’s elephant population is estimated at approx. 415,000 animals. These figures speak volumes for the amount of work that is still required to save these animals from extinction. We believe in working collaboratively with individuals and organisations who value both people and planet and share our vision of making meaningful change to our environment.

“This operation forms part of our wider mission to restore biodiversity and re-wild areas that have been transformed. We have been particularly successful in linking community reserves and international donors to move large numbers of game into areas where they can thrive. These re-wilding efforts don’t only improve biodiversity, but also support rural development through tourism as the new wild-areas become safari destinations,” Said Dr Roelie Kloppers, CEO of the WILDTRUST.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild. GCF works on, manages and supports giraffe conservation initiatives that concern all four species of giraffe in 16 African countries. In the last few years, GCF has supported giraffe translocations in six countries and successfully translocated over 100 giraffe which has effectively increased giraffe habitat in Africa by over 21,000 km².

Director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Stephanie Fennessy, added that “While giraffe are in real trouble in most parts of Africa, their numbers are increasing in Southern Africa. We now estimate that over half of Africa’s giraffe population lives in Southern Africa. This is due to good game management and successful conservation efforts and initiatives like this one.”

Giraffe may not be part of the Big 5, but they are one of the most iconic African animals and urgently need our help now. Translocations are an effective conservation strategy to establish new populations or strengthen existing ones and are an important conservation tool to safeguard the future of giraffe.

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PHOTO CREDIT: KIRSTEN OLIVER

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Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, co-managed by WILDLANDS – a programme of the WILDTRUST, will for the first-time release two white rhino orphans back into the wild, giving them a second chance at a normal life.

Makhosi (4 years old), who was named by the Zulu Royal family and Mpilo (3 years old) or Ncenga iMpilo in full, a name he was given by the Emvokweni Community Trust, who own and manage Somkhanda, which means fighting for life, have been undergoing rehabilitation at a Rhino orphanage and are now able to be released back into their natural habitat.

Makhosi was the first to arrive at the orphanage in 2016 when the drought that swept over the country left her severely dehydrated and malnourished. Two years later, she was joined by Mpilo when his mother was brutally killed by poachers at Somkhanda when he was only 9 months old.

“Rehabilitating the two calves was not an easy task as rhino are highly dependent on their mothers for the first few years of life, but the team of staff at the orphanage are excited that we have finally reached the stage when we have to let them go back into the wild, where they belong. This is a proud moment for us, this is our mission, and this is what we strive for. Mpilo and Makhosi can finally go back in the wild and begin to contribute back to the wild white rhino populations in South Africa,” added Megan Lategaan who leads the rehabilitation team at the orphanage.

Having survived incredibly tragic and traumatic experiences the two calves formed an inseparable bond and a strong companionship with one another as rhino are incredibly social animals. Releasing them together will ensure that they are happy, healthy, and confident so this process is as closely replicated to what they would have done naturally in the wild. Releasing them together as a pair, gives them that much more confidence as they can then draw on each other’s strengths.

WILDTRUST CEO Dr Roelie Kloppers said, “Since 2007, when rhino poaching saw a sudden and dramatic increase, it has been taxing on all involved to stay motivated and believe there is light at the end of this dark tunnel fuelled by international greed and crime syndicates. Mpilo and Makhosi’s story helps us all remember why it is important to keep our faith and continue to support rhino conservation against this onslaught. We are all looking for good news and a happy ending, especially in a crazy year like 2020. We are extremely grateful to everyone involved in making this return to the wild possible, and hope to tell many more positive and inspiring stories of our wildlife bouncing back in the face of adversity.”

“In preparation for their release the two rhino were dehorned and then habituated in a boma at Somkhanda for over a month, all human interaction and contact was completely stopped and their safety was closely monitored by wildlife rangers and the anti-poaching unit at the reserve to ensure that no harm comes to them until they are ready to go back into the wild,” added Meiring Prinsloo, Reserve Manager at Somkhanda.

Translocating wildlife is a costly activity that requires a lot of financial support and the most experienced logistical support. Moving the rhino back home to Somkhanda was made possible through a generous donation by Albus Environmental and the Aspinall Foundation. Dereck Milburn, Regional Director at Aspinall Foundation said, “If we are to succeed, conservation needs more success stories like this. Where communities play a significant role in protecting our endangered species.”

The team from Conservation Solutions were on the ground to offer logistic and veterinary expertise ensuring that the animals were safe and endured minimum levels of stress during the translocation. Kester Vickery of Conservation Solutions comments, “The fact that two orphan rhino, Makhosi and Mpilo are alive today is a testament to the care, dedication and collaboration between the conservation staff at Zululand  Conservation Trust and Somkhanda Community Game Reserve. Given the current poaching pressure facing the white rhino population in South Africa, every animal is important no matter the cost or effort involved. The release of these orphans back into the wild at Somkhanda really is a story of hope and certainly a step closer to securing the future of these iconic animals.”

Makhosi and Mpilo are a true example of how a tragic beginning can have a positive ending.

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Should you wish to have an interview with our conservation team, please contact Buyi Makhoba-Dlamini at Buyisiwe@wildtrust.co.za or call 081 413 7902