We know that we might be biased, but nothing quite compares to being immersed in the beauty of the African bush. That feeling of knowing that you are in a vast expanse of wilderness surrounded by nothing but nature in its most raw and primal form – a humbling time-warp if you will.
But with this vast expanse of wild beauty comes its own set of challenges to safeguard the wildlife within them and preserve these environments for future generations. The significant increase in poaching within the last decade and a half has meant that reserves, conservationists, organisations and the private sector, are working together around the clock to get ahead of the poaching curve.
This has led to the innovation of many successful technologies which have been deployed to combat the multi-faceted problem of wildlife crime. Today, Caitlin Melidonis, who assists with resource development for the Peace Parks’ Combatting Wildlife Crime team, is in Kruger to meet with some of the South African National Parks (SANParks) field staff to learn about recent anti-poaching projects in the area and their results thus far.
But before we get to what Caitlin’s busy day of meetings entail, she first has another important task to tick off and that is an early morning game drive, of course! When in the bush, both morning and evening game drives are preferred as they are usually the most productive time of day often leading to increased sightings. Despite the drizzle and overcast weather that this morning has delivered, a respite in the soaring summer temperatures has brought revitalised energy amongst the wildlife and Caitlin’s early morning efforts are certainly rewarded.
Her sightings include a large herd of impala frolicking in the green grass, a tower of giraffe staring fixedly at her vehicle as it drives past and a small herd of wildebeest. Further on along the road, Caitlin comes across a rather wet and dishevelled looking troop of baboons whose antics are always worth stopping to look at as well as a dazzle of zebra set amongst the backdrop of endless rolling green plains. The stand-out sighting of the morning, however, was getting to see a pack of African wild dogs, otherwise known as painted dogs, lying right next to the road. After being driven to near extinction due to loss of habitat, entanglement in poaching snares and human persecution, seeing painted dogs in the park is always a major highlight.
The incredible turnaround of this species is the result of a successful reintroduction programme spearheaded by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
It is largely due to these incredible and abundant sightings of game that the Kruger National Park is one of the most iconic and well-known protected wildlife destinations in southern Africa, and Caitlin’s morning game drive highlights just how special this place is.
Keep watching Peace Parks TV to see the rest of Caitlin’s trip in the Greater Kruger National Park, where she learns more about new and innovative counter-poaching technologies and the challenges of combatting wildlife crime.
