By Zoe Biggs | Program Manager
Dear Supporters,
GVI Limpopo tackle the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life Above Land, on Karongwe Private Game Reserve, by striving to assist as much as possible in the protection of the wildlife through assisting the Anti-Poaching unit, who monitor and patrol the reserve, acting as a crucial presence in an attempt to lessen poaching pressures. This also directly relates to SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, as we continue to work very closely with reserve management, board members of GAMECO Karongwe (GAMECO) and of course Karongwe’s Anti-Poaching Unit (APU).
Patrols on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic
The availability of the APU vehicle, which the GVI Trust purchased in 2016, makes a significant impact towards the presence and mobility of the APU on the reserve and is vital in the protection of our wildlife and human habitants.
Since our last report in April, the SA Rhino Fund has offered considerable support to Karongwe’s APU, through more repairs to the patrol vehicle, as well as purchasing much-needed diesel to keep the vehicle on the road in May, June and again now in August. After speaking recently with the reserve warden, Willie, he believes purchasing another full tank of diesel is essential, as the patrols (especially those down south to drop off rangers patrolling on foot) has increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many reserves in the lowveld have seen a significant rise in bush-meat poaching activities due to diminishing income opportunities for locals living in rural areas. In addition to an increase in patrols, the elephants on the reserve and neighbouring reserves have also decided to become non-compliant with the social distances regulations and have been breaking through the fences protecting our reserve. Since May, there have been more than 20 serious breakages in the fence, with 17 of these breakages occurring in just one week.
Fuel is an incredibly important addition to an APU, and without a reliable supply the unit would be grounded and unable to conduct their patrols or respond to emergency situations such as breaks in the protecting fence-lines. Without a fully functioning APU on private game reserves, the longevity and sustainability of a reserve diminishes with the increased pressures of land loss and a switch to practices such as monoculture and/or livestock farming. Both can be detrimental to biodiversity, whereas well-managed and protected private game reserves are known to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.
GlobalGiving’s Appeal Saves the Day!
In June, a special appeal by the GVI Trust through GlobalGiving was sent out. It was a massive success, helping anti-poaching units across the continent fight another day without the support of tourism to bring in essential income.
From the bottom of our hearts here on Karongwe and in the lowveld we want to thank-you. This appeal in combination with continuing donations has made a considerable impact towards the maintenance and sustainability of our APU and the wildlife and people it protects day in, day out.
With the assistance of the Rhino Fund, we can support the APU to both prevent immediate losses of individual animals and local populations as well as protect the people that reside here. Without the APU, the sustainability of the reserve itself decreases dramatically. When considering the current economic consequences of the lock down and travel restrictions, now more than ever do we need to ensure APUs have all the mandatory equipment and supplies needed to protect the wildlife and the land.
The support and generosity of our donors has kept our reserve safe from the drastic negative effects of COVID-19, and for that we cannot thank you all enough! Until next time, we wish everybody a safe journey through this tumultuous pandemic, with the hope that we can come out stronger than ever on the other side.
Love,
The GVI Karongwe Team
By Zoe Biggs | Program Manager
By Zoe Biggs | Program Manager
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