Protecting Endangered Species with Wildlife ACT

We are now well into the second half of 2024 and things are busier than ever for the Wildlife ACT team. Here are just a few of our highlights:

An exciting team update!

We are very happy to share that Gareth Robinson has moved into the position of Senior Field Technician - all priority species. With Gareth’s extensive experience, he is perfectly positioned to assist with interventions that Wildlife ACT is increasingly assisting with, across the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Gareth will be assisting with key management interventions including collarings, dehornings, relocations, vital camera trapping surveys, and monitoring of species where most needed including African Wild Dogs, Cheetah, Rhino, and Vultures.

We would like to say a massive thank you to Jackie Scott and all members of the WildlifeAct Family for helping to make this position a possibility through their tireless fundraising that was driven through the GlobalGiving July Bonus Day matching campaign.

Gareth’s role is going to strengthen the work we do here at Wildlife ACT and we are incredibly excited for this journey!

Rehabilitated Cape Vultures Released into the Wild

We are pleased to share that Wildlife ACT together with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and FreeMe Wildlife, facilitated the release of four rehabilitated Cape Vultures into the Southern Drakensberg region.

Each of the four individuals had been found grounded and in poor condition in the Kamberg area, subsequently being admitted to FreeMe Wildlife for rehabilitation. 

Prior to being transported to the release site, the vultures were fitted with tracking units and identification tags and rings. 

Following processing, the four Vultures were then safely transported to the release site near the Mzimkulu Vulture Hide in the Southern Drakensberg. This location was chosen for the vulture safe feeding site managed by Wildlife ACT, as well as the proximity to our team for post-release monitoring. 

We are pleased to share that several of the released individuals have been sighted at the vulture safe feeding sight at the Mzimkulu Vulture Hide. They have been identified by their wing tags or leg rings, thanks to both guest photographs and camera trap images. 

Rhino Dehorning Operation on Somkhanda Game Reserve

We are very pleased to share that Somkhanda Game Reserve has recently carried out a successful three-day Rhino dehorning operation, which Wildlife ACT was privileged to facilitate with vital support from the Rhino Recovery Fund and others.

Due to the increased and unsustainable poaching that KwaZulu-Natal has suffered in recent years, dehorning our Rhino populations has become a necessary emergency operation to provide us with some time to implement longer-term strategies to protect and conserve these iconic animals.

Read more via the press here: https://www.citizen.co.za/zululand-observer/news-headlines/local-news/2024/08/26/community-reserve-dehorns-rhino-to-curb-poaching-thanks-to-donors/

We look forward to sharing more soon and thank you for your continued support!