Wildlife Conservation South Africa Project #45943

Urgent - Prevent cruel poaching of rare wildlife

by Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park, Environmental Rehabilitation Centre

Project Report | Jan 12, 2021
Thank you for ongoing support to prevent poaching

By Janet Anne Cuthbertson | Project leader

Milkyway safe and friendly

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to report that our anti-poaching efforts are working well. Thank you for your support that continues to help with this mammoth task. Our new zebra "Milkyway" is a docile and friendly animal and we extend heartfelt appreciation to all who have assisted us to ensure that he too is safe in his new home in our Sanctuary, together with the other zebra, wildebeest, nyala, impala and the many diverse and also rare species that we protect.

Over the Festive Season, wildlife were at an even higher risk as youngsters often use dogs in a traditional sport to flush out animals for their hunt. These dogs are highly trained to not bark and lie low on command. It is only because we have nightguards that patrol the perimeter of our reserve as well as the internal areas, that we continue to prevent this type of poaching.

The other methods used by poachers include the placement of wire snares, an extremely cruel practice. We prevent this by doing snare checks every day, along wildlife paths and in the bush, we have to be totally sure that no infringement has happened through our fence. But the more obvious poaching is not the only concern. We also have to be sure that smaller wildlife species such as rare tortoises are protected. To help us monitor this all we use outdoor cam cameras that also show us exciting photos such as those of leopards and other animals that frequent our Sanctuary.

We are hoping to acquire more outdoor monitoring cameras and erect a new upgraded security fence during the forthcoming months. The work and financial support that we provide for the night guards is greatly appreciated by these persons who are all from our Local Community. Each worker supports up to 10 family and extended family members!

Thank you once again for your help to keep our Sanctuary a safe haven and refuge for wildlife while at the same time assisting families whose livelihoods are affected by the Covid 19 restrictions.

Wishing you health, safety, and every Blessing for the forthcoming year.

Rare Wildlife protected - tiny Hinge Back Tortoise

Porcupine, one of many diverse species protected

Leopard visiting, seen from security bush camera.

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Sep 17, 2020
Anti-Poaching efforts prove to be successful

By Janet Anne Cuthbertson | Project leader

Thank you for helping to prevent poaching. We pleased to announce that our anti-poaching project, with your support, has been successful lately.

No poaching has been experienced at our Sanctuary for some time now and this means that our efforts are proving worthwhile. Clearing fence lines, regular day and night patrols, cams to help surveillance, and careful monitoring have helped. Without your support, this would not be have been possible as the cost of our night guards and day patrols that ensure our wildlife’s safety have been, and continue to be ongoing challenges. The work that this provides for Rural persons is greatly appreciated by them as each worker financially assists up to 10 extended family members.

We have also ensured that our wildlife has sufficient feed during the dry winter months. There has not been much rain but we provide supplemental feed for our much-loved zebra and wildebeest. This also enables us to check on them each evening (and sometimes during the day) when they come up to their feeding area from their grazing areas in the dryer grass plains. The other wildlife species at Suni-Ridge are all browsers or mixed feeders and they continue to find sustenance in the foliage of our forest vegetation. We do however also assist nature by lowering some branches, as elephant would do, of the forest trees to ensure that babies of the browsers are able to reach new shoots and leaves.

The safety of our wildlife remains an important priority at Suni-Ridge and we continue to compassionately care for all our species and also protect the vast biodiversity of our Wildlife Sanctuary.

Some super great news is that the new male zebra that we have been waiting for, that was delayed by Lockdown, is to be arriving at last, on Monday 21 September!

Thank you to each and everyone that has so kindly supported our beautiful wildlife and the protection of the Biodiversity of Suni-Ridge.

Links:

Find out more about Suni-Ridge Environmental Rehab. Center

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May 26, 2020
Urgent help prevent poaching at Suni-Ridge due to Covid-19

By Janet Cuthbertson | Project leader

News update on Suni-Ridge Sanctuary. 24 May 2020

Thank you all for your support! With Covid-19 and lockdown, we continue to work tirelessly to maintain and protect the biodiversity of our Sanctuary.

POACHING PREVENTION: Tragically we had a recent increase in poaching and over 85 snares were recovered after poachers entered our Sanctuary. They were disturbed by our night guard but unfortunately, some of our wildlife were snared. This was traumatic and terribly sad as 2 of our wildebeest were caught. We managed to release them but the female, that was a mother of a female calf, succumbed to stress. Eventually we had to euthanize her. The young calf is now cared for by the territorial bull, her father, and the zebra. This horrible event has placed us on high alert and we urgently need to increase our anti-poaching surveillance and prevention. We will be launching a fundraising outreach as we have to find support for this project.

RELOCATION OF ZEBRA: The good news is that we are, at long last, busy with arrangements to relocate a male zebra that needs to be moved. Suni-Ridge will provide an excellent home for him. The funds raised to bring in a mate for our female zebra is paying for the relocation costs. We will be sending photos!

EMERGENCY MEDICAL FUND: As nature cannot always be left to “take her course” in a Sanctuary, we have to prevent any animal from suffering unduly. We are pleased that our emergency treatment fund has helped us to treat an injured wildebeest bull that had massive swelling of his foot.

REMOVAL OF ALIEN INVASIVE VEGETATION: During this time of the year, follow up on the removal of alien plants is important. Our main concern is the Potato Creeper (solanum seaforthianum) that can crowd out indigenous trees and plants. Last year we removed it efficiently, but annual follow-up removal is always necessary, to prevent any regrowth from seeds. We are presently ensuring an effective follow up.

INDIGENOUS ORCHIDS A joy to light up our day has been the flowering of one of our indigenous orchids(cyrtorchus praetermissa ssp zuluensis) How beautiful to suddenly see this tiny orchid bloom.

Although the Covid-19 impact on our lives, has been stressful, we are Blessed to all be well. Day by day, we continue to work tirelessly with the protection of our rare and precious wildlife and their unique habitat in our Sanctuary.

Thank you all for your support.

We wish you all the best safety and health.

Janet Cuthbertson

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