July 12, 2005 | Natalie Jones
"As we drove past two of the five villages that comprise the region, I realized that I was getting my first glimpse of what would be my home for four of the next 12 months."

We got into Kasigau today. As we drove past two of the five villages that comprise this region, I realized that I was getting my first glimpse of what would be my home for four of the next 12 months. I will be doing my graduate thesis here and will be making two more trips here for research. We are trying to help this district develop a sustainable ecotourism-based financial plan along with much research that needs to be done, including a wildlife census for which I’ll be responsible.

Ecotourism is difficult because it’s comprised of biology, economics, anthropology, sociology, political science and conservation. What makes it especially difficult in this region is the human/wildlife conflict that plagues this area. Kasigau is located in a migration corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks. The abundance of wildlife causes crop damage and human injuries -- and sometimes even casualties. It will be difficult to convince this community that it is possible to benefit from the abundance of wildlife here. However, if we can help plan the ecotourism site I think that not only will the community benefit but the wildlife will as well.

It is a lofty goal and I’m anxious to get to work. I’m just getting ready to spend the first of many nights here. As I get ready for bed, I’m sure sleep will not come easily because I know I have much work to do.

July 10, 2005 | Natalie Jones
"It was overall one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. "

Impala Mass Capture

In South Africa the buying and trading of game species is big business. So in turn the trapping and transport of those species is also big business. We have been learning from a top professional in the field, Andre Pesler. Today we did a mass capture of impala using a boma and a helicopter.

A boma is a funnel shaped trap like structure made of heavy duty tarp reinforced with metal poles and rope. Inside the boma there were four sections, each progressively smaller and separated by a series of up to 11 curtains. We were all stationed at different curtains, well hid, and then the chopper was up. It pushed the herd towards the mouth of the boma. Then the alarm sounded and we knew the impala were on their way. Fifty to sixty rushed by in a wave of panic and next André runs by screaming “vala, vala” meaning close, close. Then we ran the curtains together as quickly as possible, each time trapping the herd in a smaller more manageable section. In the last very tight section the ram’s horns were capped and they were given a mild tranquilizer. The herd was then transported to a new site.

It was overall one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Impala thundering past at high speeds from every direction is thrilling. They jumped all around, trying to get over or under every curtain, one just barely clearing my head. The adrenaline was pumping through all of us for hours. A lot of care and planning went into today. It’s a major part of South Africa’s wild life management strategy and I’m glad we got the chance to participate in the action.

"The tour began and I quickly developed a lump in my throat and chills up my spine."
June 21, 2005 | Natalie Jones

Since the planning for this trip began, I'd been anticipating the visit to the Moholoholo rehabilitation facility. I knew that there I would have the opportunity to see many of South Africa's most well known species up close, including my favorite, the highly endangered wild dog.
   
"First things first"...we were greeted by the charasmatic personality of Brian Jones (no relation) and treated to a "from the pulpit" style presentation on the plight of South Africa's wildlife. He was quick to place blame some correctly, some not, but NEVER directed toward the hunting industry. I found myself wondering how an operation can hold two such contradictory ideals as "hunting is good" and "rehab is necessary." On one hand they see hunting as a positive money maker for the country and on the other they capture and treat the injured and orphaned animals thay result from the practice. I couldn't reconcile this complete paradox and now find myself awake late, attempting to do so.
   
The tour began and I quickly developed a lump in my throat and chills up my spine. We were so close to the species Africa is best known for, lion, leopard, cheetah, birds of prey (that dwarf the American versions) and many vultures. Their size and beauty can NEVER be fully appreciated on TV or in pictures.

Big Boy was one of the lions on the property and he was magnificent! His roar was deafening. He had been hand raised and as a result was too dangerous to re-release. He had lost ALL fear of humans and was very unpredictable. In fact most of the animals at Moholoholo will never be released back into the wild. They have lost their hunting skills or have become too accustomed to humans.

I will never forget this day! It was a REAL educational experience. It's extremely important to understand all the differing viewpoints when looking at wildlife conservation or management. Today I saw a series of problems and a series of solutions. Hopefully somewhere between all the debates and rhetoric surrounding South Africa's wildlife, a real, sustainable conservation strategy can be developed that benefits the country, the people and the wildlife.