Kroniek/Chronicle | March 2016 no.35
Drought Devastation and Opportunity HIPPOS Underwater choristers 8 ecochildren.co.za
POACHERS You can run but you can’t hide 24
BURSARIES Investing in local talent 31 March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 1
Editor’s Note
S
outh Africa remains in the grip of the worst drought in decades. According to the South African Weather Service, 2015 was the driest year on record and 32 temperature records were broken this summer. Recent days have seen temperatures exceed 40°C and the conditions are expected to continue, with little relief for wildlife in the area, as an exceptionally strong El Nino weather pattern maintains its presence. The extreme heat is utterly exhausting and it is terrible to see the wildlife suffer in these extreme conditions. However, it is important to note that nature must be allowed to run its course, although we will witness suffering, this is all part of the natural ebb and flow of life. Having said that I would like to encourage everyone to adhere to all water restrictions in the area and use water sparingly. Within the doom and gloom of the drought and tough economic climate it has been encouraging to see how many people have supported water collections for distressed communities. Schools, NGO’s and corporates have joined hands to distribute drinking water to communities across the country that are experiencing extreme conditions, showing once again that South Africans care about their fellow people. It is up to all of us to set an example of compassion and inclusiveness to help the country move forward. The kind of support that South Africans have shown in these past few months is what inspires us at Eco Children to stay motivated in our mission to sow seeds of change and empower children in our community. A big thank you to all our contributors for more amazing content. From a warthog taking on a leopard to a close encounter with a black mamba and all the Eco Children updates, it has been a busy three months and we can’t wait to see what the next season holds.
Corné
Klaserie Chronicle
Editor Corné Havenga
Sub-editor Catharina Robbertze
Advertising and articles Laura Craig
Layout and design Lynette Strauss
Contributors
Corné Havenga, Colin Rowles, Brad Timms, Peter Lawson, Judy Meeser, Ziggi Hugo, Kate and Cassie Carstens, Derek Solomon, Hans Bornman, Chloe Cooper, Wynand Uys, BirdLife SA, Marian Viljoen, Orla McEvoy, Carlene Frank
Photographs
front page: Kevin Maclaughlin Warren Howson, Lynette Strauss, Brad Timms, Colin Rowles, Jacques de Villiers, Derek Solomon, Jan Pienaar, Kate Carstens, Cassie Carstens, Fred Ruest, Ziggi Hugo, Wynand Uys, Chloe Cooper, Kevin MacLaughlin, Cecilia Theron, Marian Viljoen, Orla McEvoy, John Braithwaite, Jacques Briam
The Klaserie Chronicle is published quarterly and distributed to KPNR owners, as well as Eco Children donors, partners and Chronicle advertisers. For any contributions or queries please email admin@ecochildren. co.za or contact Laura on 082 713 7550. We would love to hear from you!
Eco Children would like to thank all our sponsors, donors and supporters for your continued support. Your contributions, however big or small, are invaluable in our mission to sow seeds of change. 2 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
6
How drought affects the Klaserie
Contents 4 7
Motherly instinct A warden’s boots
13 14 15
24
You can run,
25
New curriculum
Celebrating life Ground-hornbill update Thriving despite the heat
26 Fifth Eco Village
28
10
BROTHERS IN ARMS: Air
reconnaissance and response
in the anti-poaching context
12
29
Hippos Underwater choristers
Brown-headed parrot
20
A to Z
22
Unknown legends of the
Delacoer Travers
ecochildren.co.za
Klaserie Terminology
Lowveld: John Edmund
24
advances conservation
Baboon spiders
16 Wild prides unite 18 Sightings 8
but you can’t hide
Klaserie operations control room
on horizon
New Aussie volunteer joins Eco Children Adopted schools
due for improvements
invests in local talent
30 Queen of conservation 30 Festive holiday workshop 31 Eco Children 32
496 kids kitted in 2015
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 3
M
otherly Instinct
4 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
A series of photos taken by Ziggi Hugo, lodge manager in the Timbavati, was recently featured on the website of Africa Geographic. He tells the story behind the photos.
ecochildren.co.za
“O
n a routine road check we spotted some warthogs coming out of their burrow. We slowly drove past, counting them as they were running out, when we saw a leopard behind us with a piglet in its mouth. Things happened really fast after this. I grabbed my camera and aimed my lens at the leopard, hoping for the best – there was no time to change the settings. This was when the warthog mom smashed into the leopard to save the piglet. The leopard shot off with the piglet but the mother warthog was not giving up and smashed into it a second time. They both took a tumble, but unfortunately the mother warthog was defeated and ran off. The leopard sat for a few seconds with his meal before moving off into the thick bush. I have lived in the bush for a long time and seen some amazing things but I am extremely privileged to have experienced this unforgettable event.”
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 5
How drought affects the Klaserie
Water is essential to life, and the current drought in South Africa has had an undeniable effect on the animals in the Klaserie. Courteney Blunden, Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp owner, shares his thoughts on the current situation. Article by Courteney Blunden, photo by Kevin MacLauglin
T
he winds of change have blown across the Klaserie. The past few years we have been accustomed to good, steady rainfall. This season however, has brought on something different and the bush and its animals find themselves facing a drought. To many, the word “drought” is associated with negative aspects like starvation, desolation and death. These factors
6 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
are a reality especially for the herbivores which live in the Kruger National Park. Elephants will start moving in massive circles in order to sustain their daily intake of plant material. They will dig out bulbs and roots and strip trees of their bark to get to the rich starch and sugary layers beneath. The massive pachyderms will consume vast amounts of leaves, fruits and flowers to substitute their usual bulk supply of grass. Their feeding rampage will be evident in the scars left behind on the trees and grey bush. This seems to paint a fairly grim picture about the place we call home, but not all
is lost. While the herbivores struggle, their counterparts of the wild thrive in these conditions. Big cats, wild dogs, hyenas and even aquatic predators like crocodiles relish the situation. Waterholes become few and far between and the precious ones that remain set the stage for some epic kills and predator-on-predator interaction. Sometimes the impossible becomes possible with species like lion and elephant clashing as, weakened by thirst and hunger, bigger animals are no longer as formidable as they once were. Because of the glut of weakened prey species, predator numbers will increase; with cub and pup success rates going up, helping restore the mega prides and clans that our area has been famous for. New prides of lion may start to emerge as they are forced to follow their prey to unexplored areas; wild dogs and cheetah cover vast areas and may become regular visitors to areas of the park they don’t usually frequent – this adds to the excitement and thrill of being in an open system where anything can happen. As humans, it is not always easy to observe nature in its purest and most cruel forms – drought definitely being one of them. However, there is a reason for everything, and ultimately those who are lucky enough to work in the area or go on safari get to witness its splendour. It is just another chapter of nature’s never-ending story.
ecochildren.co.za
a warden’s
boots
thick dark brown, Kiwi polish, then brushed to a mirror shine, nourished and ready for the next day’s slog. I recall the day we tiptoed after started life as a flat piece of cow belly skin. a wounded buffalo bull, stepping I was tanned and treated, moulded into quietly from stone to stone, being shape, stitched and punched and had a thick rubber sole attached. I was called the cautious not to step on any dry right boot. I was wrapped in a piece of paper leaves. Only to spin on our toes and, with heavily treaded soles and packed in a box with my brother, the left biting the earth, carry the warden, boot, and as a pair we were labelled: “Rouges”. crashing through the undergrowth We travelled in darkness in the comfort of the and up a steep embankment, out box to a small shop in a Lowveld town. We were of the path of the angry beast. placed on a shelf for sale. We were designed I remember the day we followed for adventure, but our destiny was unknown. One fine day, the dark gloomy box was opened, an elephant track for hours in the and staring down at us was a man in green, searing heat, over hills and through wearing epaulets, the warden. He had a smile on valleys. Whenever we came upon some steaming elephant dung, I held his face as he lifted us from the wrapping paper and placed us on the floor side by side. Soon my breath as I was kicked through the sloppy rotting pile of marula skins we were filled with feet clad in khaki socks. and digested vegetation to gauge Our African adventure had begun how old it was. Then there was the time that we carried the warden up a tree, carefully gripping with the Now, at this late stage in life, I think back of edge of our soles onto the small the adventures we’ve had, and appreciate that, bumps in the slippery bark to reach had it not been for the care that the man in green had showed us, our life would have been the top so that he could scan a herd somewhat shortened. Every day after a long hard of buffalo for a trophy to hunt. day of tramping around Africa, coming home I certainly won’t forget wading with dry, dusty, cracked skin, we were coated in through the Klaserie River, feeling Article and photo by Colin Rowles
I
ecochildren.co.za
the cool water seeping through my leather uppers and lace eyelets, then climbing out the opposite bank with water squelching out with each step, and how my skin became hard as it dried in the fierce sun. There have been sad times, like when we’ve had to stand in and around the rotting carcass of an animal while an autopsy is performed or when investigating the cause of death of some poor animal. Returning from these outings we were usually met by the warden’s dog, sniffing the interesting smells clinging to our skin and soles. But there were also wonderful times, like climbing up a kopje at sunset, stepping from rock to rock, sending plated lizards scurrying for cover as we climb, then sitting to watch the sun slip down in the glowing western sky. I’ve had a good life, filled with adventure and excitement. Not like some pointed yuppie shoe, monotonously cruising a pavement in a city or living under a desk in an air conditioned office in the concrete jungle.
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 7
Hippos underwater choristers
8 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
Article and photos by Derek Solomon
T
he typical explosive “wheeze honk” sound made by hippos is, I am sure, well known to everyone. This sound can be heard for up to 1.5km and often comes initially from the dominant herd bull. Other members of the pod then surface and join in, creating a chorus that travels down the river or lake with other pods joining in. This call may be in response to a disturbance in or near the herd such as other hippos fighting, lions calling, or the approach of humans. As the sun sets, the hippos begin to wake and prepare to leave the water to go feeding. The honks and loud snorts from various pod members increase in tempo at this time until most of them have left the water. The same happens at dawn as they return from their nocturnal feeding, with more honks and snorts as each hippo splashes back into the water.
Communicating underwater What is not well known is the fact that the hippo also communicates underwater. Research by biologist, Dr William Barklow has shown that a hippo gives what he describes as a “simultaneous amphibious sound”, i.e. the same sound we hear above the surface, made simultaneously beneath the surface. When this happens the hippos underwater tend to surface and typically begin calling in the chorus mentioned above. I have tested this by recording a hippo chorus and playing it when all of the hippos in a pool, bar one, are resting below the surface. Almost immediately all of the submerged animals came up to the surface, obviously responding to an underwater call made by the one that was listening above the water. Originally classified as a member of the family Suidae (pigs and their relatives), recent DNA analysis has shown that the hippo’s closest living relatives are in fact whales and dolphins. Many of the sounds made underwater, not audible to us, sound something like those made by whales and dolphins, though they remain unique to hippos. The eyes, ears and nostrils of a hippo are located on the top of the head, allowing the hippo to remain submerged but still able to see, hear and breathe. In this position the hippo is able to transmit sounds above and below the water simultaneously. These sounds originate from the larynx – the aerial component passes through the large nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose) and then through the nostrils to the air. To make underwater sounds, it is thought that a hippo uses a similar system to that of dolphins, by
ecochildren.co.za
The ability to communicate effectively with other individuals plays a critical role in the lives of all animals and they all communicate with one another in various ways. The methods used vary from visual signals to chemical, tactile or acoustic signals, or a combination of them all. This series will focus on acoustic or sound communication between some of the larger mammals that occur in the Klaserie, starting with the hippopotamus. vibrating fatty layers. The hippo has a large roll of fat situated next to the larynx and when the animal gives its “wheeze honk” above the water, vibrations in the roll of fat below the water probably cause the sound to travel below the surface at the same time. Sounds like this actually travel up to four times faster underwater. Hippos have typical mammal ears that are designed to hear well in air but not at all underwater. The middle ear of the hippo, however, is held in place by several attachments, one of which is connected to that portion of the skull that makes contact with the jaw. For underwater sounds, similar to that found in porpoises, each side of the hippo’s jaw has a very thin portion of bone that is ideally suited for acquiring sound by means of bone conduction as it passes through the water. In this way the sounds are passed up to the inner ear. The various underwater sounds include clicks, croaks and whines. The clicks resemble the sonar clicks of dolphins, but are not as high-pitched as those of dolphins. One series of clicks recorded by Barklow was similar to that of killer whales. Clicks and pulses are commonly given by dolphins and whales to navigate and find food – a technique called echolocation. Hippos on the other hand probably use these clicks for communication rather than echolocation and might be used to let other hippos know where the caller is in murky water. To date, the mechanism for producing underwater clicks and croaks is not known.
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 9
BROTHERS IN ARMS: Allies in the fight against rhino poaching
Air reconnaissance and response The Jabiru J170, ZU OPS known as the “Rhino Jab” is in its third year of deployment to Game Reserves United (GRU). GRU is a coalition of game reserves to the West of Kruger National Park (KNP) and is now incorporated in what is called the “Joint Protection Zone” (JPZ) in the fight against rhino poaching. Article by Wynand Uys
A
nti-poaching air support units have a way of materialising, seemingly, out of thin air. Some are formed at the behest of ground units that feel the need for such assistance and some, like the GRU-Wing, are formed by aviators who feel that they simply
10 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
in the anti-poaching context want to help and whose services are then offered to ground forces. Whatever the rationale behind the formation of an air support unit, there usually exists some kind of unfortunate segregation between the various air support units as well as between the air and ground units. Two years ago, when Jack Greeff, respected counter insurgency veteran now involved in counter poaching in the JPZ, learnt of the formation of the GRU-Wing, he shared classified documents with me from the late 1970’s detailing counter-insurgency (COIN) doctrine for air reconnaissance operations. However, the perceived gap in knowledge between the COIN pilots of the late 70’s and today’s anti-poaching pilots bothered Jack sufficiently that he decided to do something more than share documents with us. Earlier this year, he and
others established contact with veteran pilots and commanders of the Angolan Bush War and emails started circulating, suggesting a workshop where knowledge could be transferred from veterans to the current crop of aerial reconnaissance crews. Furthermore, today’s crews would also be able to compare notes and share tactics with their peers. Jack teamed up with Elise Daffue of stoprhinopoaching. com to organise the workshop with funding from CTM Tile Market. The meeting was supported by SANParks and GRU and conducted in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Logtra Solutions. Operational pilots, wardens, security managers and rangers from state, provincial and private rhino reserves started filling the delegate list. Soon it
ecochildren.co.za
became evident that the original venue would be too small, so the workshop was relocated to the head office of Quemic, the Rhino Convention Centre in Hoedspruit. Recognising that any aircraft taking off is an expensive exercise and with a certain amount of risk involved, the organisers set the primary aim of the workshop to “consolidate what has been experienced and learned to date, in the use of air assets during counterpoaching air surveillance and response operations, so that air assets can be directed to make a greater contribution to reserve security.” It turned out to be a full, two-day conference with 60 participants from as far afield as the DRC, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Going by his military appellation, Capt. Harry Wales’ active participation and strategic thinking also contributed towards reaching the objectives of the workshop. Some of the outcomes that were worked towards were: • • • • •
A better understanding of the capabilities of different aircraft Improved management of aircraft and crews Better use of aircraft as an intervention tool To better equip, train and deploy response units To improve the use of aircraft to supplement field intelligence
Amongst the guest speakers was Don Price, a founding member and officer commanding of the Kariba Tracking Wing that became the Selous Scouts. He later commanded 1 Independent Company at Beit Bridge and was deeply involved in airborne “Fire Force” operations. Don shared knowledge based on his ample experience in, amongst other things, training of combat tracker teams and command and use of air assets. Another guest speaker, Kevin (Cocky) Benecke, is a well-known aviator especially in aerobatics and display flying circles. Having flown helicopters and jet fighters (including the Mirage III) in three different air forces and after serving as a training captain on Boeing 747’s, Cocky is undisputedly a multi-talented pilot, however, he attained legendary status in the 1970’s when it seemed that he had super-human eyesight. He had an unrivalled ability to spot signs of insurgents from the air and could ‘see’ persons or their kit in deep shadow. Whether he had a slight colour discerning defect that gave him the advantage or whether If you wish to support the Jabiru GRU-Wing, please contact our fund manager, WESSA by emailing chris@wessa co.za and gruwing@gamereservesunited.co.za. • Bank: First National Bank • Branch: Howick • Branch Code: 22-07-25 • Account Number: 62402437728 • Account Name: WESSA - Game Reserves United • PLEASE USE Reference “GRUWING” and NAME/COMPANY • All donations can be issued with a tax deductible Section 18A certificate • Existing and historical sponsors and donors are listed at www.gamereservesunited.co.za
ecochildren.co.za
The success of the event is, perhaps, best summarised by this letter from an African Parks pilot in Garamba National Park, northern DRC. he simply knew what to look for was a subject debated by his peers, commanders and medical experts. His counsel was gratefully accepted by the delegates as he explained his tricks of the trade, knowledge that may have been lost were it not for this workshop. Four of the GRU-Wing pilots attended and two of us made presentations. We are grateful to have learnt from our peers and predecessors and left the workshop feeling motivated and better equipped, thanks to the efforts of those who organised and sponsored the event.
“Our challenge comes from assorted highly militarised groups who infiltrate, sometimes in large numbers, to kill elephants and attack villagers. Despite the sustained effort and bravery of our teams we continue to lose elephant and scouts. Although we have had victories, they came at a high price, and reminders of our own inadequacy were just too frequent. It was with this sense of personal loss that I arrived at the conference. Then to suddenly find myself amongst so many old and new friends who truly understood and shared my burden was quite an emotional moment for me. To discover that we are not as thin on the ground as it so often feels, was an inspiration in itself. At every turn I was met with empathy and supportive counsel from the wealth of knowledge and experience at hand. The sense that we are all in this together was a given. I came away from this conference re-energised and better equipped to return to battle. For this I want to thank you and all the participants at the conference most sincerely. Yours Frank Molteno”
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 11
Brown-headed
Article by Peter Lawson, photos by Jacques de Villiers
T
Parrot
his pretty little parrot is reasonably common in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (KPNR), but not always easy to find as small parties often remain motionless in the middle of a leafy tree, and their green plumage blends in with the foliage. They do have yellow underwing coverts, but these are only seen in flight. Interestingly, the scientific name, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus, describes the underwings in Greek as kryptos - ‘hidden’ or ‘concealed’, and xanthos - ‘yellow’. Although Brown-headed Parrots can conceal themselves for long periods, they are easy to locate in flight, which is fast and noisy. They are very noisy when flying and “utter continual ear-piercing, squeaking shrieks” as described by well-known ornithologist from the Natal Parks Board, Jack Vincent, in 1934. When feeding they are also vocal, but not as harsh as when in flight. I just love the description of their voice when perched, by an early ornithologist, Swynnerton in 1908. His words were, “the parties maintain a continuous conversation of comparatively pleasant conversational notes”. To me this makes them sound happy
12 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
and contented, which I believe they are when in fully protected areas such as the KPNR. Sadly, that is not the case away from protected areas as many are trapped for the pet trade and even illegally exported. Brown-headed Parrots, plus other parrot species, are thus scarce or absent outside large reserves. The favoured habitat of this species is open woodland with tall trees, particularly marula/ knobthorn savanna. Food consists of berries and seeds and they have a preference for wild figs, Ficus spp and pods of knobthorn, Acacia nigrescens and umbrella thorn, Acacia tortilis from which they extract and eat the seeds. They also favour the unripe seeds of the common coral tree Erythrina lysistemon. It is lovely to watch how meticulous they are when feeding on these seeds. They pluck a pod with their bill and transfer it to one foot. They
then carefully open the pod with the beak and extract the seeds, one by one, gently stripping off the white outer covering around the seed and dropping it. The empty pods are dropped and during the entire process they are softly chatting to one another. Nesting takes place in the natural cavity in the stem of a large tree. The nest is not lined and the eggs rest on wood chips at the base of the cavity. The female alone does the incubation and her adoring husband feeds her during this period of about one month. He is a good father too and he alone feeds the young birds after hatching, until they fledge after another month or longer. Once the young have fledged, they vacate the nest hole and do not return to it to sleep. No doubt they have had enough of their dark bedroom by then, and hopefully they are grateful to their loving dad for feeding them and to mom for keeping them warm and safe.
ecochildren.co.za
B
aboon spiders
Article and photos by Ziggi Hugo
W
e often encounter large hairy spiders unexpectedly at night and get a big fright. This brings about fear, especially if we have watched over dramatized movies like Tarantula, where spiders are portrayed in a bad light. For younger readers, the Harry Potter movies will conjure up images of massive arachnids in the forest, which can easily stimulate fear of these furry monsters. Baboon spiders fall in the Theraphosidae family of spiders. They are big and hairy and stay in a medium, silk lined tunnel under ground. Some bigger spiders can live in tunnels up to a meter deep while others live under rocks and logs. Golden brown baboon spiders and horned baboon spiders are common in the Lowveld and are mostly seen at night in hot, humid conditions. Sometimes they get flushed out after a rainstorm. They can be aggressive when confronted, lifting their front legs and opening their jaws in defence.
ecochildren.co.za
They will also jump towards the attacker to threaten them and scare them off. They have large fangs up to about 10mm and can give a painful bite. For the most part though, they are harmless and can even be handled. They mostly prey on other insects that they will overpower and eat. Baboon spiders’ enemies include pompilid wasps. They attack the baboon spider, paralyse it with their venom and lay an egg inside the spider’s body. The wasp will then bury the paralysed spider and the larvae will live off the immobilised spider until the next phase in their development. Other enemies are flies and birds but their greatest enemy are humans. Due to ignorance, many people believe baboon spiders to be venomous and will kill them on sight or sometimes unknowingly, via pesticides used in their gardens and homes. We tend to forget that all spiders are beneficial to us as they help to control the numbers of small reptile species, scorpions and lots of other annoying insects found around our homes and gardens. Spiders are to be respected, but not feared as they have an important role to play in the cycle of nature.
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 13
CELEBRATING LIFE Article by Marian Viljoen
I
t seems to me that, whoever we are and whatever our convictions, there is a single question we all need to answer. The way we answer may well underpin how we live our life. The question is seldom made explicit, but is often implicit in both scientific and religious beliefs. This question is: “How often do we contemplate the essence of time, life and death?” We use watches and calendars or other forms of measurement to merely measure time or set time frames. Special events from the past are celebrated and marked on calendars as public holidays. We celebrate days like Freedom Day, Human Rights Day, Easter, Christmas, birthdays or personal achievements. But do we celebrate time, life or death for that matter? 14 April 2015 will be the day in my existence which had a profound impact on my perception of time, life and death. At approximately 15h20, sitting at my desk, lost in a ‘time’ of intense focus on accounts and recons and not aware of my immediate surroundings, I was briefly
interrupted by a man who walked past my office, on his way to Colin’s next door. He stopped and stepped back, standing in the doorway he introduced himself as Gary Freeman. As I was about to get up and greet him, he told me not to move and drew my attention to a movement next to my desk. The urgency in his voice had me frozen to my chair. I glanced across the top of my desk and saw a black mamba sliding across the floor towards me. Too scared to even breathe and with my heart throbbing in my ears, I watched the snake sliding towards my chair. I feared that my legs would start trembling! With adrenaline pumping through my veins, my brain was urgently sending messages to my nerves and muscles to prepare and respond to my survival instinct. But there was no way for me to flee and I had no chance to fight either. In quite a surreal moment, ‘time’ stood still. An indescribable calmness filled my whole being and the concept of time, life and death became a whole new reality. I was captured by the actual beauty of “potential death” in the form of this creature lurking at my feet. Thoughts too many to capture flashed through my mind and I became fully conscious of living in the moment, here and now, aware of the presence and action of every being in my space of time. In a calm and collected way, Gary brought me back to reality and told me to hit the desktop to create tremors on the floor, which might divert the snake away from me. Too scared to even breathe or lift a finger, I tapped the desk slightly with my fingertips. Needless to say, it had no effect. The snake was now next to my feet and its presence touched every conscious nerve in my body. I was waiting for the final blow which possibly could end my time in existence. Urged by Gary to try and hit the desktop again, I lifted my hands and hit it as hard as I could. As fast as only a black mamba can move, it turned around and headed towards the door, but Gary was still standing in the doorway, so it turned around and came back! I hit the desktop again and it moved away, taking cover underneath the server in the opposite corner of the office. In a terrifying moment which felt like a lethal tug-of-war, it gave
14 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
me the opportunity to clear the office and breathe again. I was granted more time to live! Not only has 14 April become a special day to be marked off on my calendar, but every day since then has become a day of celebration. A day to celebrate and embrace life! Not only my life, but the life of every living creature or being. The expansion of my own consciousness has urged me to treat all forms of life with the utmost respect and to think, speak and live life and not death. Also to celebrate time and not take it for granted. Not to waste time on negative thoughts, people, events or actions. To truly live in the moment and be fully conscious of how I spend my time here on earth. Time is of the essence, every moment is a fraction of a lifetime. Every day is a time to celebrate and honour the earth, the place we call our home and to make it a better place for all. The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve to me is not only a place where I work or a place I live, it’s a place which resonates with life in so many ways and forms and I am privileged to be part of it. Right here and now is the time to share it with so many others and to live and let live.
ecochildren.co.za
ground-hornbill update Article by Kate Carstens, photos by Kate and Cassie Carstens
A
ll signs were pointing to a very quiet breeding season. With low rainfall and groups remaining in the furthest reaches of their home ranges well into spring, at best, we projected three to four groups to attempt nesting, given the trying conditions. We could not have foreseen that by mid November, eight nests in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) would be active. We were thrilled! Karan Khaya is always one of the earliest to lay, and this year was no different. On 20 October we flushed the female and noted one egg in the nest, nestled on a lining of mopane leaves. As the nest checks continued, we discovered that Senalala had taken an immediate liking to their new nest and two huge eggs were laid in early November. Hermansburg followed suit with two eggs laid in their new nest also in early November. The second week of November was a bumper one in the field with five more nests becoming active. In the heatwave conditions we were sure to head out early and return before we melted into the car seats! It was also important to not disturb the females from their eggs during these hot conditions, as exposed eggs would be vulnerable to overheating which could be a disaster for the developing embryos inside. As the intensely hot summer progressed, we noted with interest a few ‘dud’ eggs in nests. The importance of the second egg really came to light this season. On two occassions the first egg failed to hatch, resulting in the second chick hatching and thriving. As Christmas and New Year’s day passed, the GroundHornbill groups were still busy provisioning their growing chicks with insects and small vertebrates – not an easy job in these dry conditions. On 20 January we checked up on three nests as their chicks were nearing the 40day mark, and were pleased to discover two of the chicks were looking strong and already showing signs of their feisty personality, pecking hard at the side of the box as we quickly took photographs and left. Unfortunately one chick was predated around the 30-day mark by what appreared to have been a genet. Luckily for our Ground-Hornbills here, predation at the nestling stage is uncommon. With a further six active nests still to monitor in the coming weeks as their chicks approach the 40-day mark, we can only hope they are doing well. Keep a look out for newly fledged juveniles with their groups in the early autumn. They will be begging as they walk through the veld with their group, so they will be hard to miss! If you want to know what a begging Ground-Hornbill chick sounds like, block your nose and say “ha-ha-ha”.
ecochildren.co.za
Thriving despite the heat
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 15
Wild prides
unite This research has largely been supported by the Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group at Rhodes University, and through SATIB Conservation Trust who, under the guidance of chairman, Brian Courtenay have also provided a sponsored vehicle for the project. The project is actively seeking sponsorship for research costs. For more information, or to get involved, please feel free to contact Orla McEvoy at sa_lions.limfresearch@ ru.ac.za or Brian Courtenay at bcourtenay@satibtrust.com.
16 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
Article by Orla McEvoy, photo by warren howson
F
or me, the opportunity to research lions in their natural environment, immersed in the bush and devoted to its conservation, is a dream come true. Having commenced this research project last year through Rhodes University and the Lion Management Forum of South Africa (LiMF), I am now starting the second year of my PhD on the management of free-ranging lions on small reserves. Ranging in size from 5,000 to over 100,000 hectares, the growing number of small, enclosed game reserves across South Africa provide a highly versatile conservation space for endangered and vulnerable wildlife populations. This is particularly important for species which often come into conflict with people in densely populated regions, such as lions, whose numbers are still declining elsewhere in Africa largely due to poaching, habitat loss and livestock protection. The scale of impact of reintroduced lions has varied considerably across reserves in South Africa, with differing levels of success. This has provided a unique opportunity to research natural lion behaviour. My research involves monitoring varying lion populations and associated management practises across both smaller enclosed reserves and larger systems such as the Greater Kruger National Park (KNP), in order to highlight and develop best-practice management guidelines for lions on smaller reserves. This is being achieved through a dedicated, nationwide effort of sharing information on lions and monitoring lions across over 30 wildlife reserves and protected areas. Aligning with the aims of the LiMF, this research seeks to amend natural processes which may break down in smaller reserves, and thus reflect conditions of a more open environment. An example of this could be changes in pride structure due to a reduction in competition from lions outside of the pride, as can occur on a smaller game reserve with a single pride. With my home base in the Lowveld, the local lodges at Blue Canyon Conservancy, Moditlo River Lodge and Vuyani Safari Lodge played a particularly important role in the establishment of the project towards the end of last year. Assisted by the guidance of wildlife manager, Tim Parker of Game Ranch Management Services, and the always helpful management and guiding staff at the lodges, the Blue Canyon Conservancy was the first location to implement lion monitoring for the project. The guides at these lodges have received basic training and are collecting vital lion monitoring data at routine lion sightings. Basic records such as group structure and activity are recorded simply and reliably in the field. Volunteer teams assisting with data collection have vastly increased the scope of this project. Since initiating at Blue Canyon in September of 2015, I have travelled and met with wildlife management teams throughout participating reserves in Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and plan to do so for the remainder of this year. During this time, I will coordinate and assist with the lion monitoring, provide training and support and perform research in reserves unable to monitor lions internally. Fortunately, my lion database is already growing. Dedicated research teams and field guide teams across participating reserves have enthusiastically committed to monitoring lions for this project, reflecting a shared passion for the conservation of these big cats.
ecochildren.co.za
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 17
Lion. Photo Jacques Briam
Monarch butterfly. Photo Ziggi Hugo 18 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
sightings
Buffalo. Photo Jan Pienaar
Blue wildebeest. Photo Jan Pienaar
Large-spotted genet. Photo Ziggi Hugo ecochildren.co.za
Lion. Photo John Braithwaite March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 19
Az M to
Klaserie
Terminology
Article by Judy Meeser, photos by Ziggi Hugo
MELANISTIC A morph or altered physical appearance of an animal or bird when there is an increase in the amount of black pigment in the skin, hair or feathers of individuals. Examples of this colouration are regular sightings of melanistic Gabar Goshawks and exciting reports of black leopards in the Lydenburg area and further afield in Malawi.
MUSTH A temporary period of altered behaviour and physical appearance in elephants. Musth is a period of sexual arousal and establishment of dominance. It occurs along with heightened levels of testosterone. The word comes from Hindi (Pakistan), meaning mischievous. It can be recognised by a secretion running from the temporal gland on the forehead down the side of the face. The secretion is a substance called temporin that has a sticky tar-like consistency. The temporal glands become swollen and appear to cause some discomfort to the elephant, who massages the swollen glands with his trunk and rubs the area against trees. Animals in musth also tusk the ground, which may be in response to this discomfort or simply a sign of heightened aggression. Many bulls continually dribble a smelly, testosterone-tainted, greenish urine that wets the back legs, a sure indication that the bull is indeed in musth. African elephant bulls begin to experience periods of musth at about 25 years of age and then for only a few days at a time. As the bull matures, the duration
20 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
Elephant in musth. of the musth lengthens and becomes a regular occurrence. A fully mature bull of 50 years old will experience months of musth that then lessens in duration and consistency as the male ages beyond his prime. Musth bulls walk with a swagger; head held high, ears out and have been known to bully cars and other animals. We have certainly encountered female elephants also excreting a fluid from the temporal gland and are told this could be because of an agitated or excited state they may encounter from stress.
ecochildren.co.za
MONOGAMOUS The term monogamy needs no explanation. Nonetheless, what is interesting are those animals and birds that only have one partner at a time and why, be it only for the breeding season or for life. Black-backed and side-striped jackal pair for life. So much so, that if one partner dies the remaining one stays alone. Steenbok and klipspringers both have very small territories and stay with the same life-long partner. Most of our raptors belong to the K-selected ecological group of species, meaning they are long-lived, slow breeders that invest enormous time and effort in raising very few young. It makes absolute sense then that they are monogamous.
NEUROTOXIN The toxins that attack nerve tissue. These toxins occur in the venom of the Elapidae family of snakes. They have short fangs at the forefront of the mouth and include cobras and mambas. Neurotoxins can overstimulate nerve cells, causing spasms and an increased heart rate, or they can block nerve pathways, causing paralysis of voluntary muscles (blurred vision and speech as well as drowsiness) and respiratory failure. Snakes’ venom is not poisonous – that means ingested toxins – venoms are injected by a bite.
OSTEOPHAGIA The practice of certain herbivores to seek out and eat bones. This is more prevalent in the dry season and is believed to occur when individual animals like giraffe and tortoises crave calcium and phosphorus which are missing from their diet. They will then take to chewing on old bones. Too much chewing on old bones can damage a giraffe’s teeth which are adapted to chew leaves, branches and the best bits of a tree or shrub that only very selective browsers with well-adapted mouths and protected eyes and faces can get to.
ecochildren.co.za
N
NICITATING MEMBRANE This adaption to the eyes of some birds, amphibians and reptiles is often referred to as the third eyelid. The top and bottom eyelids are the first and second. The third eyelid almost acts as a windscreen wiper and cleans the eye in the challenging conditions these animals encounter. It can be opaque or transparent. Birds that fly at high altitudes in cold air need this to moisturise and protect their eyes. Diving birds and crocodiles need to clear the water and debris off their eyes. Geckos in dry climates need to moisturise with the membrane – some geckos even have the adaptation of being able to lick their eyes.
NECROPHAGOUS Refers to the eating of carrion or dead tissue, thereby aiding the decomposition of carcasses. Although vultures and hyenas eat carrion they would not be classed as necrophagous feeders but rather as tertiary feeders. Necrophagous feeders are blowflies and other insects and their larvae, such as maggots. As disgusting as these creatures seem, they are incredibly important to the cycle of life by checking the spread of disease and, at the same time, spreading disease to remove the sick and weak.
O
OPLINOPHAGY
The practice of eating predominantly snakes. Snake eagles are specially adapted to catching and feeding on snakes as are some mongoose and certain snakes such as the file snake.
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 21
unknown legends of the lowveld
John Edmund Delacoer Travers 1876 — 1954
JOHN EDMUND DELACOER TRAVERS was born in the Western Cape, grew up in England and returned to South Africa with ÂŁ100 and not much more. He lived in the Lowveld with his wife, Ethel Maude, for more than 40 years and the two of them were well-loved during their lifetime and long after.
22 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
B
orn in 1876, John’s father was a captain on the Union Castle Line, and although the family normally lived in England, John’s mother was in South Africa for her confinement. Soon after his birth, the family returned to England where he was educated at Hailebury. After completion of his education, John felt the call of the land of his birth and decided to emigrate to Natal. His father paid his fare, gave him £100 and advised him that henceforth he would have to fend for himself. From Natal he was attracted to the Eastern Transvaal by the tales of game and gold. He supported himself in secretarial positions at Pilgrim’s Rest between periods of hunting below the berg. When the Anglo-Boer War broke out, John joined Steinaecker’s Horse at Komatipoort, under command of Colonel Baron Ludwig Francis Christian von Steinaecker. He saw service in that unit with many friends who were later to become Lowveld pioneers, such as the Willis brothers and Harry Wolhuter.
Post Anglo-Boer War After the war, Travers became the agent for the Transvaal Estates & Development Company in the Acornhoek area, where he collected rentals on a commission basis from Shangaan squatters living on the farms owned by the company. This work he carried on for many years and through it he came to know the area and the local people like the back of his hand. Conversely, he became known and respected by the Shangaan and later became a legendary figure to succeeding generations. His local name was “Maticket”. In 1904 he bought the farm, Champagne for 5 shillings a morgen and later planted orchards of Triumph grapefruit and Washington navels there. About 1908 he was experimenting with ostriches between Pilgrim’s Rest and Lydenburg on the farm Rozenkrans with Mr. Edgar of the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates, but these did not prove a success. In later times people travelling through Rozenkrans often wondered how ostriches came to be there. At the age of 36 in 1912, John decided to return to England in search of a wife. He was fortunately successful in his quest, but his bride-to-be did not follow him to South Africa until 1914, when they were married in Durban.
ecochildren.co.za
Married and farm life John was never discouraged with these disappointments and philosophically accepted his losses as being part and parcel of his lot as a pioneer farmer. In the meantime John had befriended his old chief, Colonel von Steinaecker, who had been down on his luck and desperate for assistance. Von Steinaecker first tried to obtain a permanent commission in the British armed forces, but was unsuccessful. He then tried tobacco farming on the farm London, northwest of Bushbuckridge, but when this failed he moved in with John Griffiths, the Native Commissioner at Bushbuckridge. After a while Griffiths’ wife gave him an ultimatum to choose between her and von Steinaecker. John Travers then extended him his hospitality until the First World War (1914-1918). As the war progressed von Steinaecker became aggressive and said that Germany would win the war. Travers eventually gave him notice to leave, and when he refused the police were called in. Upon arrival, on 30 April 1917, von Steinaecker took strychnine and died at the age of 63. His remains were taken by the police to Bushbuckridge for an autopsy and buried in an unmarked grave.
Because John’s wife contracted malaria frequently, he decided that they would have to make their home at a higher altitude, so he negotiated to buy Glenlyden and Madrid which opportunely were for sale at that time. A wattle and daub cottage was first built on the high slopes before the present gracious home was built. Glenlyden was established to citrus in 1924, and John was later to serve on the Citrus Exchange. On Madrid he established an extensive herd of cattle which he bred up using the best available Hereford, Sussex and Aberdeen Angus bulls he was able to procure, on good native stock. Heartwater claimed many of his proudest purchases before they had even been put to use, but John was never discouraged with these disappointments and philosophically accepted his losses as being part and parcel of his lot as a pioneer farmer. In 1928 he sold the upper portion of Glenlyden to the Forestry Department in order to pay off his bonds on the remaining properties and to develop them. This money enabled him to progress as he had planned but he always regretted the loss of the indigenous forest on the mountain. The Travers couple extended hospitality to their many friends in the district from the earliest times. For John’s bachelor friends his home was a haven of civilisation, compared to the spartan comforts of their own surroundings. John also had friends in high places and Deneys Reitz, who owned nearby Sandringham, was a visitor whenever the cares of office permitted. Reitz loved this corner of South Africa so much that his ashes lie buried high in a forest glade on Glenlyden. In his later years John sold Madrid to Chris Rabie and Champagne to the Native Trust. John was a lover of animals and a protector of wild life. His horses and dogs were treasured possessions and at one time he had the largest collection of red duiker outside the Kruger National Park under his protection. He was always ready to help his fellow farmers and pioneered the Klaserie Farmers’ Association. He died as a result of thrombosis in 1954 and in 1963 a new generation of farmers, many of whom he never knew, honoured his memory by naming their new hall the Travers Memorial Hall.
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 23
You can run, but you can’t hide Story and photos by Colin Rowles
Klaserie operations control room Article and photos by Colin Rowles
D
uring the latter part of 2015, the construction of the new Operations Control (OPS) room was completed at the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve’s headquarters. This facility and office complex is the latest development to supplement the reserve’s security initiatives and will serve as a central location and depository for the various security technologies that have been implemented during the past few years. The OPS room also serves a Joint Operations Centre during security operations, having been fitted out with an array of communications infrastructure, both telecommunications and radio; and when fully staffed, will provide a 24-hour call centre for landowners who may experience an emergency while visiting their properties.
24 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
F
ollowing a poaching gang requires a skill that is sometimes instinctively evident in a ranger, but in most cases it is required to be learnt. Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (KPNR) rangers have applied and honed their skills over the years and this has led to the successful arrest of a number of rhino poachers. The field rangers of the KPNR have been subjected to counter insurgency tracker training and have all qualified. Various levels of qualification have been defined (the highest level is three) which are determined by a tracker’s skill at following human tracks, and his ability to read the landscape and interpret signs that may indicate the passage of his quarry. Field rangers that successfully track down the perpetrators of horrific rhino poaching crimes are often called to testify before a court and, in these circumstances, having a tracking qualification adds credibility to their testimony. Criminals infiltrating a particular
landscape to carry out a criminal activity do so with extreme caution and deliberately apply anti-tracking techniques to confuse and delay their pursuers and throw them off their tracks. Rhino poaching gangs usually consist of individuals that have exceptionally good bush skills and are highly versed in the art of anti-tracking. Their footwear usually has an indistinct tread pattern or even smooth soles that leave very little indentation or obvious signs on the ground indicating their passage. They tread lightly when hunting rhino, stepping on rocks, grass tufts, stones and logs so as not to give their presence away. On occasion they remove their shoes, walking in their socks or even bare foot. “You can run, but you can’t hide,” that well-known phrase used by many counter-insurgency tracking teams in pursuit of their quarry is also applicable to KPNR rangers’ efforts when it comes to tracking poachers.
ecochildren.co.za
New curriculum advances conservation
E
co Children’s Support-a-School team undertook training at the beginning of the school year to help them implement a new, innovative and interactive conservation curriculum for grade 6 and 7’s at the four primary schools currently adopted by the organisation. Mike Kendrick, a consultant with extensive experience in conservation education, delivered the training over three days and was impressed by the knowledge of the Eco Children team and their passion for conservation education. The curriculum covers a range of conservation topics including pollution and recycling, the importance of water, introductions to animal and plant kingdoms, and the topical issue of poaching. Activities in the new curriculum allow for learners that work at different paces and with different levels of ability. If advanced students finish exercises early, there are additional activities for them to undertake
ecochildren.co.za
while other learners finish the core activity. Winky Mokgope, Eco Children’s Supporta-School manager, said of the training: “The team were very enthusiastic about this training because Mike made it very interactive and interesting. I really enjoyed the module on insects because we often don’t realise the important role that they play.” Mike is a teacher by training and since coming to South Africa some five years ago has regularly been involved with the not-for-profit sector. He has worked with underprivileged children in Mitchells Plain near Cape Town and also ran his own project for young wildlife photographers in disadvantaged areas. Mike said: “I loved working with such inspiring young people like Winky, Rhulani and Queen, and I know they will do a great job in delivering the resources I’ve developed for Eco Children at their adopted schools.”
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 25
Fifth Eco Village on the horizon
26 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
Article by Brad Timms
A
collaboration between local and international organisations will enable Eco Children to adopt a fifth primary school and create a fifth Eco Village in the Greater Hoedspruit area in 2016. Eco Villages consist of a large permaculture garden, producing vegetables that will supplement the school’s government feeding scheme and demonstrate to Grade 6 and 7 learners the principles of food production and sustainability. A classroom will also be refurbished and transformed into an Eco Classroom, complete with vibrant murals, a range of educational resources and a bespoke curriculum delivered by Eco Children staff. Eco Children will oversee the development of the Eco Village while sponsorship from Make A Difference Leadership Foundation (MAD) will provide the finance needed to get the project off the ground, with Classic Wallabies’ Exchange (CWE) volunteers as well as the local community providing the elbow grease needed to turn the plan into reality. The organisations have a history of successful collaboration, with Eco Villages developed at Mahlathi Primary School (2014) and Hloaia Primary School (2015). Eco Children CEO, Corné Havenga is currently evaluating a number of schools for adoption, determining which schools have the greatest need, reviewing existing infrastructure and most importantly, finding the right leadership to ensure the school will benefit fully from the partnership with Eco Children. The development of an Eco Village is the first step in Eco Children’s whole school development approach. “Developing the garden, renovating the classroom and implementing nature-based lessons are just the first stage in developing a relationship with a school,” said Havenga. “Once the school has demonstrated that they value the Eco Village, we can move on to the next stage of development and invest in infrastructure such as toilets, libraries and kitchens.” The CWE volunteers are young indigenous adults from Australia who will be selected for the volunteer programme based on their academic achievement at university and their leadership potential. They will be responsible for designing the Eco Village and engaging with the local community to get them involved in building and planting. The volunteers will arrive in Hoedspruit in June and the Eco Village will be officially opened on 15 July. Eco Children would like to thank MAD, CWE, Australian Volunteers International and the Australian Government’s “Australian Volunteers for International Development” programme for making this project possible.
ecochildren.co.za
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 27
New Aussie volunteer joins Eco Children
Carlene Frank joined the Eco Children team in February this year where she will be working as project coordinator for 12 months on volunteer assignment as part of Australian Volunteers International, through the Australian Government’s “Australian Volunteers for International Development” programme. She tells us a little more about herself. Article by Carlene Frank
I
was born and grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. After finishing university, I lived in Melbourne for five years. I am pretty much a city dweller, but I love travelling. For the past ten years, I have been working as an electrical and controls engineer. My work has consisted of project management, planning, technical design and consultation for various clients. I have worked in multiple areas including water, wastewater, defence, mining and industrial. I have been fortunate to visit quite a few places around the world, including South Africa. The first time was in 2010 where I was volunteering at an orphanage in Cape Town for six weeks and the second time was in 2012 for about a week at the end of an overland camping trip. During my last trip I had a blast camping in the wilderness and going for numerous game drives. After my experiences in short-term volunteering overseas in 2010 and 2012, I came to the realisation that I would like to do more to help people in my everyday work. I decided that I wanted to volunteer overseas long-term, so I could make a greater impact. I did some research and saw that Eco Children was doing great work and had a vision and values that resonated with me. I am hoping to make a positive impact with the work I do and form some great friendships along the way. I’m looking forward to spending more time outdoors, travelling in and around Hoedspruit to see the wildlife and scenery, and also to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. I am excited about using the skills and knowledge gained throughout my engineering career to assist Eco Children with the management and coordination of their upcoming projects. I look forward to meeting you!
eco children holiday workshop
28 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
ecochildren.co.za
Adopted schools due for improvements Article by Brad Timms
upgrades in the pipeline
Ablution blocks at Hloaia Primary School
Kitchen at Hloaia Primary School
ecochildren.co.za
P
ublic schools in South Africa receive minimal government funding and often do not receive fees from parents, many of whom live below the poverty line. Consequently, the schools struggle to provide sufficient resources for the large numbers of learners and to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure. This is certainly the case in rural Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where more than a third of government schools have no toilets at all or just basic and hazardous pit toilets, and most (if not all) have dilapidated infrastructure. Many school environments are not conducive to learning, contributing to poor education outcomes – Mpumalanga tops the list of provinces with the highest number of underperforming schools. Eco Children, a non-profit organisation initiated by the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (KPNR), will be able to address some of these issues in two of their adopted schools this year, thanks to two grants from the Australian Government. Mahlathi Primary School in Hluvakani will have Enviro Loos installed and a new kitchen built, and Hloaia Primary School in Green Valley will also receive new Enviro Loos and have the existing kitchen extensively refurbished. “We want to improve essential infrastructure at our adopted schools to address the basic human right of sanitation. The kitchens at Mahlathi and Hloaia are extremely basic, with no running water or food preparation areas, and the pit toilets at both schools are unsafe and unsanitary,” says Eco Children CEO, Corné Havenga. She continues: “The current conditions contribute to cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases and affect the attendance rate of learners.” The installation of low-technology waterless Enviro Loos will reduce ground water contamination and improve hygiene amongst learners and educators. The installation of food preparation areas in the kitchens will also contribute to better hygiene and gas cooking facilities will reduce the need to collect and burn firewood. Importantly, the project includes an education programme to teach students, educators and learners’ families the importance of good hygiene. By improving essential infrastructure at the schools, together with the implementation of a hygiene education programme, Eco Children aims to improve learners’ health and create an environment conducive to learning. The impact of the project will be monitored closely and the organisation expects these measures, together with other elements of its work at the schools, will reflect positively in the results of the learners. Eco Children would like to thank the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Volunteers International for providing the funding that will make these projects possible.
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 29
Queen of conservation
Q
Article by Brad Timms ueen Manyike is a familiar face around Klaserie HQ. Daughter of reserve administrator, Eric Manyike, Queen started participating in the very first holiday workshops in 2009 and quickly came to the attention of the course facilitators and Eco Children staff. She joined the Eco Children team as environmental educator in 2014 and she has helped facilitate many holiday workshops since. Queen’s passion for the bushveld is clear for all to see and her knowledge and enthusiasm recently resulted in her obtaining a bursary from the South African Wildlife College to complete a six-month course in Conservation and Environmental Education. The course focuses on the theory and practical application Article by Brad Timms
K
laserie HQ was a hive of activity in the second week of December during Eco Children’s final holiday workshop of 2015. Despite the high temperatures, a total of 370 young learners attended over the four days of the workshop. The theme of the workshop was ‘Veld awareness: finding your way in the bush’ and once again our volunteer facilitators did an excellent job of delivering the programme in a stimulating and interactive way. Topics covered included navigating using the stars, telling the time using the sun and finding water in the bush. The workshop concluded on each of the four days with a visit from Father Christmas (who bore a striking resemblance to Dolment Nhlango) and who, with the aid of his helpers, distributed Santa Shoeboxes to the delighted children. Eco Children would like to thank all of our committed volunteer facilitators for their time, effort and passion for conservation education and to all those who generously donated Santa Shoeboxes to the Klaserie kids. We look forward to the next holiday workshop, covering Arachnids, which will be held from 21 to 24 March. 30 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
of environmental education and introduces participants to the life of a field ranger in a conservation area. The first four months involve intense training sessions at the college and in the final two months, learners are placed in host organisations to apply their newfound knowledge in the field. During this time the learners actively participate in daily patrols, field operations, the collection of field data, compiling field reports, game capture and release, reporting procedures and attending poaching court cases. They are also involved in preparing and conducting environmental education programmes to local schools and to reserve visitors. We congratulate Queen on this achievement, wish her all the best with her studies and look forward to celebrating her graduation in July.
Festive Holiday workshop
Receiving Santa Shoeboxes ecochildren.co.za
Eco Children invests in
local talent “What if the cure for cancer is trapped in the mind of someone who can’t afford an education?” This unattributed rhetorical question is often quoted when promoting the merit of bursaries, and although it may be overused and perhaps overly optimistic, the saying neatly sums up the intent of a bursary – unlocking potential. Article by Brad Timms
W
ithout the financial support of organisations offering bursaries, many young people across South Africa would not be able to further their studies and receive tertiary qualifications in order to realise their potential. While a cure for cancer may be at the very top end of the achievement spectrum, developing leaders that can have a positive impact on their family or community is not only realistic but also essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and broader economic and social development. Eco Children considers its bursary programme as the pinnacle of its work in conservation education and whole school development. “Without the financial support provided by our bursary programme, the potential of many talented learners in the Greater Hoedspruit area would be wasted,” said Eco Children CEO, Corné Havenga. Four new learners were selected to join Eco Children’s bursary programme in 2016, thanks to financial support from Make A Difference (MAD) Leadership Foundation and Southern Cross Schools. Together with
ecochildren.co.za
donor-funded scholars, Eco Children now supports a total of nine bursary scholars. The circumstances of each of the scholars are different and consequently the level of support given also differs. The organisation provides full financial support for some, co-funding with MAD for others, while some bursary scholars’ families contribute as part of the partnership. All bursary scholars receive hands-on mentoring, encouragement and the requisite level of emotional support. The scholars attend Southern Cross Schools in Hoedspruit, a valued partner in delivering the bursary programme. Eco Children has launched an appeal to cover the gap in funds needed for its bursary programme, with a goal of raising R150,000 this year. “We
need to raise additional funds to enable all of our bursary scholars to participate fully in school life,” said Havenga. Since the campaign launched in January, a quarter of the target has been achieved with the majority still to be realised. Havenga strongly believes each of these bright young people will achieve great things if given the opportunity: “Our bursary programme has already proven its merit – all of our scholars are doing well academically. Just last week Mashudu, one of our bursary alumni, dropped in at our office to let us know how her studies are going. She completed the second year of her chemical engineering degree at Wits University last year and achieved four distinctions out of five subjects.” Perhaps the optimism in that much used quote is justified.
Donations to Eco Children’s Bursary Campaign can be made at www. justgiving/ecochildren or by direct deposit. • Account name: Eco Children • Standard Bank • Account no: 013253611 • Branch code: 01-15-45 • Swift code: SBZAZAJJ
March 2016 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | 31
511 kids kitted out in 2015 Article by Brad Timms
T
hanks to the generosity of donors to our Kit-a-Kid campaign, last year Eco Children was able to distribute 511 new school uniforms to learners at our adopted schools and at holiday workshops. Each learner received a voucher to purchase a complete school uniform at PEP Acornhoek. This acts as an incentive for learners to apply themselves to their everyday school lessons, eco lessons and at holiday workshops. As well as being an academic incentive, a new school uniform is a catalyst for learners to take pride in their appearance, with the ultimate goal being empowering them to develop their self-worth and confidence. On behalf of the many grateful recipients of new school uniforms, Eco Children thanks all those who donated to the Kit-a-Kid campaign in 2015.
How can you help eco children? Eco Children’s Bursary Programme offers opportunities to talented learners who would otherwise go without. Through our Bursary Campaign we aim to raise R150,000 so that we can support our nine bursary scholars and allow them to participate fully in school life.
Will you help unlock their potential?
32 | klaserie chronicle no 35 | March 2016
Donations to Eco Children’s Bursary Campaign can be made at www.justgiving/ecochildren or by direct deposit to: • Eco Children, Standard Bank, Cheque Account, Acc 013253611, Hatfield Branch, Code 01-15-45. Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ, Please use your name as reference and send confirmation of payment to corne@ecochildren.co.za • Eco Children is BEE compliant and donations are tax deductible. ecochildren.co.za