Nadia, sent us the August monthly update from the Shamwari Game Reserve, and it certainly looks like our volunteers have been busy. Here’s a brief look at what they got up to in August:
Veterinary
Students were involved with the darting and loading of buffalo, white rhino and black rhino at Amanzi.
Game Capture
Students were still involved with Game Capture this month. They were able to observe the darting of a Black Rhino as well as the mass capture of Waterbuck, Zebra, Black Wildebeest, Kudu, Ostrich, Blesbuck and Impala. Students also got involved in the preparation of the mass capture systems, hanging of sales and curtains, as well as camouflaging the curtains.
Nursery
A large amount of plants were given to Jason this month. These plants were then planted at various locations such as the workshop and certain lodges. The students are also helping us to prep the nursery for spring.
Road Clearing and Maintenance
Students continue to clear roads, and brush pack in areas where roads have been closed. As well as packing rocks in areas which have been severely eroded. A section of road between the Basement and Carnarvon dale was bush cleared. The bad section on the eastern side of the oxbow was filled with rocks and levelled.
Born Free
Students continue to volunteer at Born Free on a weekly basis. The students also finished painting the classroom at Kinkelbos for Christine’s echo schools
Monitoring
Students continue monitoring of high profile species on the main reserve. Specifically Elephants, for which they are building up an Elephant ID Kit.
Water point Clean-up
Students cleaned up water points on Skilpad and Nyati camp
Alien vegetation removal
Students continued to cut down Beefwoods on Potes. We have also started work at Bayete chopping down Pine trees, Black Wattle and Rooikranz. We have also GPS logged a couple of infested areas that can be controlled with the students.
Anti-poaching
Students were given a hands on approach to anti-poaching operations when they were taken by Nelis on a patrol where they had to find snares put out by the anti-poaching unit.
The students also participated in the following activities:
• Isipho Multi Purpose Centre – Students continue to interact with the children on a weekly basis.
The students donated stationeries, books, clothing, soccer balls and various educational toys for the orphanage this month.
• Telemetry Tracking
• Game Drives and Night Drives
• “Be-the-Field Guide”
• Various talks on Game Capture and Conservation topics.
• DVD’s on predator introduction, and Wildlife conservation at Shamwari.
• Guided walk – Students was taken on a guided walk on the main reserve. Two male cheetah were approached during this walk.
• Air rifle shooting competition.
• Elephant and Rhino dung paper – Students were shown how to make paper using elephant and rhino dung.
• Rope making using sisal
• Reptile talk and demonstration by Darryn
