Wildlife ACT

WORLD WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY 2024! Your support makes wildlife conservation successes like these and so much more possible! This #WorldWildlifeConservationDay, join us in protecting the planet’s most vulnerable creatures, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Here are a few ways that you can contribute towards Wildlife ACT’s conservation efforts: 1. Join us as a volunteer in Zululand, Seychelles, or the Southern Drakensberg. 2. Donate to support our work with endangered and priority species. 3. Spread the word and raise awareness for wildlife conservation. Visit our website to learn more: www.wildlifeact.com #WildlifeConservation #MakeAnImpact Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Responsible Travel WWF South Africa The WWF Nedbank Green Trust FOREVER WILD FOUNDATION PANTHERA BirdLife South Africa

Travel with Purpose: Give Back While You Explore! This hatching season in the Seychelles, your adventure can make a real impact. By joining us as an ecotourist, you’re not just witnessing the incredible journey of baby sea turtles to the ocean—you’re directly supporting vital conservation efforts. Special Offer: 25% OFF Dates: 9 December 2024 & 6 January 2025 Make your travel meaningful. Contact katie@wildlifeact.com or learn more here: https://bit.ly/40T2h6r

AWARENESS FOR VULTURES: Amongst the numerous threats facing vultures, high lead levels in Vulture populations have recently been documented across most of Southern Africa. Lead is a toxic heavy metal, and lead poisoning, though known for some time to severely impact human health, has largely been overlooked in Vultures. Now, studies are increasingly reporting that lead exposure is contributing to Vulture populations’ mortality rates. Research has shown that the primary known cause for wild Vultures being exposed to lead is through the ingestion from carcasses that have been contaminated by lead-based ammunition. Birds with lead poisoning may exhibit loss of balance, gasping, tremors and an impaired ability to fly. Long-term exposure can have further dire effects. Emaciation follows, and death can occur. Given that vulture populations are rapidly declining in the face of a wide array of threats, it is essential to mitigate against any additional sources of mortality or reduced performance, including exposure to lead. Post by Species Conservation Director, Anel Olivier. Photo by Coenraad Berrangé Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife IUCN WWF South Africa

Recent volunteers in iMfolozi have been lucky enough to participate in the annual vulture nesting ground-truthing survey! Vultures are vital to the health of our ecosystems on Earth. They are well adapted to effectively clean up rotting carrion, thereby preventing carcasses from being exposed to the environment for prolonged periods, potentially preventing widespread zoonotic disease outbreaks. These ground-truthing surveys complement Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's annual aerial vulture nest surveys to enable an increased understanding of these critically endangered species' breeding success. We spend time during monitoring sessions locating existing tree nest sites, identifying new nests and determining the status and activity of those nests. We get to see vultures mating, roosting and tending to tiny chicks in the nests! Text and photos by Wildlife ACT Priority Species Monitor: iMfolozi, Elsabé Vosloo

The Bateleur, also known as the Short-Tailed Eagle, this bird of prey holds a special place in Africa and in the imagination and memory of the people here. When it comes to rearing offspring, Bateleurs are generally monogamous and will mate for life. Only one egg is laid by a pair in a breeding season, any time from December to June. The female normally incubates for the majority of the time and she is fed by the male while doing so. She may also at times leave the incubation to the male to make her own kills, but will return to relieve him shortly after. The Bateleur male takes on the role of protector, often being the one to mob and intimidate other animals that may pose a threat to their young. Their incubation period of up to 59 days is considered to be the longest of any African raptor. It can take as many as 7 to 8 years for a Bateleur to reach full maturity; they are one of the slowest maturers of all raptors. Largely due to anthropogenic causes, Bateleurs are declining in their historic range and are now mostly confined to protected areas. As a result, they are listed by the IUCN as an Endangered Species. Text and video by Wildlife ACT Priority Species Monitor: iMfolozi, Elsabé Vosloo

Looking to make a real impact with your travels? From tracking Cheetah at sunrise to setting up camera traps for elusive Leopards, you’ll learn from the experts while helping protect Africa’s most vulnerable species. Every day you’ll work alongside professional monitors, collecting crucial data that informs real conservation strategies. Your time in the field directly contributes to preserving Africa’s wildlife for future generations. Ready to make a difference where it matters most? Join us: https://lnkd.in/dmHCdcxB

Monitoring endangered and priority species is crucial for their conservation. By tracking movements, behaviours, and population dynamics, we gather essential data to inform effective management strategies. Wildlife ACT uses a variety of advanced monitoring techniques to protect endangered species, including telemetry, camera traps, and collars to help track animal movements with precision, providing critical data for conservation. Come and join us as a volunteer to learn more!

Hear from one of our recent ecotourism participants who joined us on North Island, Seychelles: “I had a wonderful, enriching experience! I learnt a lot, and the enthusiasm and passion from the whole team really shone through. The field work felt very relevant and purposeful. I was very pleased that all activities were relevant and necessary to the project, rather than just to just appease volunteers. I was able to participate in real-life, in-situ conservation, which has enhanced my practical knowledge and field skills. The project managers are true standouts and are extremely knowledgeable in their fields. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experience really enhanced the experience. The wider community on North Island was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We were well fed too, which is always good!” - Liam Joyce Learn more about joining here: https://bit.ly/40T2h6r

Embark on a transformative journey with Wildlife ACT's Conservation Training Course in 2025! This four-week, hands-on program offers practical training, underpinned by course material carefully developed by experts. Learn more about wildlife monitoring, data collection, and habitat management, providing a unique understanding of modern conservation techniques on Africa’s oldest proclaimed nature reserve. 2025 Course Start Dates: - March 31 - June 9 - August 4 - September 29 Join us in the heart of South Africa's wildlands and make a tangible impact on endangered species conservation. Spaces are limited—secure your spot today! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3AFrNkD

NEWS: Wildlife ACT and People Nature Connect Partner to Drive the WWF Nedbank Green Trust Project in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Wildlife ACT, in partnership with People Nature Connect , is excited to launch a 3-year initiative funded by the The WWF Nedbank Green Trust. Set in northern KwaZulu-Natal’s iconic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, this project will improve human-wildlife coexistence, strengthen collaboration between conservation and communities and enhance livelihoods by supporting informal sector businesses. We will work closely with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The Isibindi Foundation, WWF South Africa, and others to strengthen conservation efforts and secure livelihoods. WWF’s involvement is vital to the project’s success, with WWF Safe Systems as a base methodology and WWF BRREP providing crucial financial support. In partnership with: Wildlife ACT, The WWF Nedbank Green Trust, People Nature Connect, The Isibindi Foundation, WWF South Africa , and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Photos: Casey Pratt / Love Africa Marketing & Chantelle Melzer #Conservation #nonprofit #socialgood #makingadifference #teamwork #HumanWildlifeCoexistence #investinAfrica #HluhluweiMfolozi