Hi, I'm Nici, a young at heart and a bit crazy, german girl living the bush life in South Africa. I'm the Operations Manager at African Impact in the beautiful Greater Kruger Region and I'm about to hike up the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895 meters above sea level to raise vital funds to protect the majestic animals surrounding our home. It will take me 8 days to hike to the summit conquering changing altitudes and icy temperatures.
Populations of animals such as leopards, pangolins, civets, wild cats and honey badgers are thought to be decreasing, yet no one actually knows for certain how many exist in the wild. Leopards alone are considered Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Without knowledge of their ecology, habitat preferences and population sizes, it is possible that these animals will begin to slip away without us even realizing. Conservation research is more difficult when animals are elusive and/or nocturnal.
In order to more effectively conserve those amazing species in their natural habitats we heavily rely on camera traps to study, learn and understand more about their secretive lifestyles. This allows our African Impact researchers and interns to contribute towards conservation initiatives, expand the scientific knowledge base and supply information for effective management strategies in private reserves which allows for their long-term population permanence.
It is important that we focus on conservation efforts before animals enter the 'Threatened' categories on the IUCN Red List. Mitigating for a problem before it is encountered is more effective than last-minute risky conservation attempts.
