Welcome to GVI's Wildlife Research Expeditions blog where you can keep up to date with all the happenings and information from our field operations in South Africa.
Global Vision International (GVI) is a non-political, non-religious organisation, which through its alliance with over 150 project partners in over 30 countries, provides opportunities for volunteers to fill a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development.
Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) have always been a favorite of mine out of all the big cats. Imagine my excitement, on the way to Karongwe Game Reserve, when I find out that part of the research I will be participating in, involves tracking and observing three collared cheetahs! The first time I laid eyes on the sleek and beautiful creature made the hairs on my arms stand on end. I wasn’t watching a TV documentary, this was real and I was no more than five metres away.
The best sighting that will always stay in my mind was with a mother of two 10 month old cubs, Savannah. We had been tracking her for about half an hour, and finally had a good signal on the telemetry receiver. My group and I stepped off the vehicle and walked in on her. We caught up with them and observed from a safe distance, with the two cubs in a very playful mood. They were running circles around me and my group, hardly paying us any attention whatsoever, while we took down the data. It was amazing to see them so content and relaxed, and watching them interact with each other this way was a magical moment for me.
Suddenly one cub glanced our way after the glare of the sun had hit the telemetry set. He became very interested and slowly started to walk towards us. I was feeling a bit nervous, mixed with a thrill of excitement as he seemed to be staring straight into my eyes! We slowly backed away and thankfully he ran off play-fighting with his brother again. To be able to share a moment like that in the cheetah’s world was a dream come true and something I will remember forever.
An overcast day in Bismarck was a welcome change from the usual clear blue 30-plus degree heat, as the GVI volunteers offered their helping hands to MalebalongPrimary School. The volunteers set about maintenance work around the school, some grabbed a spade and dug tirelessly shovelling mountains of dirt back into a 75m long water pipe trench, whilst the rest of the team got off lightly with a spot of painting in a newly built out-house, both jobs resulted in a similar outcome; sweaty, messy, blistered but still smiling volunteers.
Following a quick sandwich, some back-cracking and hopscotch with some of the kids, the group prepared themselves for a seemingly simple activity; a football match against a bunch of school kids, an easy win? Think again. The school team jogged out in matching blue kits, they were a well organised, young, fit and skilful machine of boys aged 8-12, including substitutes for added punishment. This was marked contrast to the GVI team- a random assortment of non-football playing internationals varying from unfit to ‘have probably driven past many a gym without even a glance’, plus, no one on the bench; only a fool would’ve bet against youth. An enthusiastic start from the volunteers held off the waves of offensive play from the shorter half for about 10 minutes until the goals were raining in from every angle, despite the best efforts of the flying goal keeper. The first half ended without so much as a shot on goal from the GVI team, however their on-pitch photographer/ 10th player shot a few beauties. The shorties continued with nutmegs and slick passing moves to humiliate their adult counterparts, frustration finally kicked in when the referee whistled for an infringement as an intern used his superior weight and strength to hoist one of the kids off his bare feet and tuck him under his arm whilst continuing to dribble the ball, a clear foul, no objections from the GVI team!
GVI managed a few lucky manoeuvres and bagged a few consolation goals; the final score was anyone’s guess, however, victory was most definitely that of the cheeky, crafty, lightweight team of MalebalongPrimary school. After the much anticipated final whistle pride was brushed aside and both teams sported winning grins/grimaces for a group photo. The GVI team was very well received by the school and was an extremely positive experience for all; I personally cannot wait to get back up there!
It has been over a week that Blade, the male lion (Panthera leo) we had been tracking was separated from his pride. I was beginning to feel anxious for him, as he was losing weight drastically. Imagine my relief when one morning we found Blade back together with the rest of his pride again. They seemed so much more relaxed, the cubs were bouncy and playful. It was a beautiful moment to share with them.
Kim Gratton, volunteer, UK
Staying in the mountains for a few days was one of my favorite experiences while at Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve. The landscape was beautiful and walking the different trails, finding leopard tracks (Panthera pardus) and white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum), was so much fun. Having giraffe, leopards, rhinos and warthog literally in our back garden was amazing and, I wish we could have stayed longer.
Jen Archer, volunteer, UK
It was unbelievably incredible to wake one morning, to the deep rumble of a male lion’s roar (Panthera leo); a sound that strikes a chord of primal fear that makes you want to hide, even though you know you’re completely safe. It was the best wake up call of my life!
Stephanie Proudfoot, volunteer, USA
What a fantastic experience volunteering here at Venetia has been – learning to navigate round the 35 000 hectare reserve, tracking the movements of the focus animals. Being able to follow and observe the behavior of a pride of lions (Panthera leo), eating, playing and sleeping, has been a real high and something I will never forget.
Kay Winter, volunteer, UK
Everyday is an adventure here- you never know what you’ll see. Once while we were out searching for the lions (Panthera leo), we came across a lone elephant bull (Loxodonta africana) at a waterhole. He came around the bushes and literally six feet away from our vehicle. We didn’t think he was going to stop but he was deterred by base manager Chris Joubert banging on the vehicle and yelling. It was so easy to forget that, while these animals are magnificent creatures, they are still wild and this land belongs to them.
