South Africa 2001

Friday, November 2nd, 2007

My Adventure

This is an account of my time working for the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in the Northern Province of South Africa in 2001.

After finishing my A-levels at Dame Allan’s Schools, I was keen to take a ‘gap year’ before continuing my education at university. I wanted to be independent, see a foreign country, and broaden by horizons (urg, what a cliché!).

When I was younger, I was fortunate enough to be taken on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. I was struck by the beauty of the landscape and the wildlife of Africa, and I felt I had to go back there. So I searched the internet, and found African Conservation Experience.

Through A.C.E. I got a placement at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) in South Africa. HESC is a wildlife conservation project, specialising in cheetahs. From their website:

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. Cheetah Conservation is one of our core disciplines.

We are actively involved in the following:

* The breeding of endangered, vulnerable or rare animal species (with a focus on ensuring that breeding programmes are structured in such a manner to ensure the genetic biodiversity of the species in the custodianship of the Centre).
* The education of learners, students and the general public in conservation and conservation activities
* The release and establishment of captive-bred cheetahs back into the wild (prospective destinations must exhibit sound environmental and conservation management policies)
* The promotion of scientific research and development in the wildlife field
* The generation of funds to assist in the operational costs of the Centre (which makes no profit from its operation).
* The treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals that are brought to the Centre.
* The provision of a safe alternative for damage-causing animals on commercial farms, with a view to ultimately introducing them into conservation areas that can accommodate such animals into their management policies.

The student programme was particularly interesting. It included:

· Working with cheetah, wild dog, small spotted cats, African wildcats and more.
· Preparation of animal food and feeding the animals.
· Possibility of working with the wildlife vet (darting, capturing and operating on
animals).
· Possibility of assisting in the hand-rearing of animals.
· Local community involvement (e.g. visiting schools in rural areas).
· Identification of plants on walking excursions
· Tracking in the bush
· Natural and traditional food preparation.
· Game drives
· Big 5 walk
· Bush sleep-out

Informal lectures on a variety of topics, such as:
· Conservation
· Animal identification
· Plants and ecology
· Astronomy
· Survival
· Fire arm handling and safety
· Tracks and signs
· Reptiles
· Birds
· South African history and cultural diversity.
· Anti-Poaching

So I worked at M&S to raise the money for the placement and a plane ticket, and left on 4th of January, 2001.

This remains the most exciting, challenging experience I have ever had, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience the African wild. I have written this account partly as a permanent reminder to myself, and to share with anyone who is interested!

Information about the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre:

• http://www.wildlifecentre.co.za/

• http://africanadrenalin.com/campjabulani/hoedspruit_endangered_species_centre.htm

• http://www.wildlifestudents.co.za/downloads/hoedspruit_project.pdf