Managing wildlife in South Africa

Forget ‘Out of Africa’, having come to spend Christmas and New Year in South Africa, I understand why this beautiful country draws people back again and again. Having never set foot on this extraordinary continent before, I am now thoroughly ‘Into Africa’.

Throw into the mix my son Charley and his wife Nicole’s SA wedding in Somerset West, three days in Greater Kruger at Xanatseni Private Camp, visiting Table Mountain and seeing the iconic statue of Nelson Mandela on the balcony of Cape Town City Hall during a fascinating guided tour of Cape Town.

Also, visiting Stellenbosch the second oldest town in South Africa, and the many beautiful vineyards along the way, we have had an abundance of wonderful experiences, the memories of which will last me a lifetime.

Xanatseni, a two-and-a-half-hour flight and short drive from Cape Town was the ideal reserve to experience Africa’s wildlife in their natural environment. The traditional accommodation was idyllic and the food exceptional. The team caring for us ensured our stay was perfect.

Dean Erasmus the head ranger, clearly has a natural empathy and inherent love for the animals which he sought out in this beautiful wild and natural landscape. He went out of his way to find the big five for us, and so much besides. Sadly, the one which alluded us was the leopard which had been spotted lurking in the bush earlier but sadly kept well out of sight from us.

Dean had spent time working with Jane Goodall, where he helped rescue chimpanzees from laboratories, entertainment venues and other ghastly situations, to be brought to the safety and care of Jane’s world-famous Eden Sanctury. He also worked with Special Operations Anti-poaching Task Force during which he was shot twice by poachers, before returning to the relatively safer life of a ranger.

The privately owned and managed Greater Kruger nature reserves where visitor numbers are tightly controlled to ensure wildlife remain wild, is notable in contrast to less regulated reserves where the public and tourists have free access.

Stories of hundreds of tourists in buses, cars and trucks turning up to watch an animal giving birth, mating, or dying, is intrusive, a danger to their welfare and long-term future, and sounds horrific. In private reserves a maximum of just three vehicles are allowed.

UK wildlife is also threatened by unrestricted access encouraging people to roam the countryside, as farmers are incentivised by ‘public money for public good’. Where the public roam, often with uncontrolled dogs, wildlife is driven away, leaving the countryside barren. Can that be right, what is the point?

South Africa has great potential, but until everyone receives a proper education; currently restricted due to hardship, lack of incentive and role models, the brain drain will continue, leaving the country unstable financially, socially, and politically, due to an unwillingness to create a diverse workforce with the skills required to run a thriving and growing economy, and society.

To read Carola’s columns in full, go to: www. carolagodmanirvince.com