Post #2: Graphic content ahead.

Inspiration for the Day:

It's just been full moon here, so everyone has been on edge lately. On Friday night, as we were on our way out to meet friends, Ken's Dad told us that someone had placed 'DANGER' tape on a hidden away section of our fence line.This can mean a variety of things; Either someone had placed it there as a marker, or it was a coincidence. One of the guards was stationed next to it for the entire night, but nothing ended up happening. A great relief to say the least.

Last year in July, the farm's prize bull rhino was poached. He was shot and mutilated, left to die. Once they hacked his horn off, he staggered sluggishly around, choosing the place his feet would last touch this Earth. And so he lay down, collapsing under a big thorn tree, trying to figure out what the gaping hole was where his horn once was.

 

That's him, after he was eventually found. His last breath of his life had given way to rot.

This is his skull. Those 'scratches' are where the panga (similar to an axe) hacked away at his bones, probably while he was still alive. Probably while he could still feel it. The empty hole underneath is where his horn once was.If you want more information about this incedent, you can watch my documentary about it that I created for one of my university papers in the summer. It's a snippet of the whole thing, and you can check it out here.



I'm not going to sugar coat it, I'm not going to glorify it. These poachers are absolutely heartless, fearless, and will stop at nothing to get their cash money. Our rhino was one of the 448 that were murdered last year. The investigation as to who is responsible for the brutality inflicted on our boy is still in process today. And, to be honest, probably will always be unsolved. That's the nature of things here. If a situation involves the government earning money, they will sort it out within 24 hours. If it has to do with anything else, it will take months, years, lifetimes. Unfortunately, almost a year later, our boy is just a statistic.

 

 Sadly, the above image has already changed. We are no longer on 88, we now sit on 120 for this year.

The sad thing is, our government has not done anything about it. SANparks, the South African National Parks board, have actually just handed all matters concerning Rhino poaching to the Department of Environmental affairs, as it's almost become embarrassing for them. Just two or three weeks ago, 4 rangers of the Kruger National Park, (Read: Four people who are supposed to protect wildlife in one of the World's best known national parks) were charged for poaching rhinos right there, in the park. If human greed continues the way it is, our rhinos will be extinct in seven years. Horns are even being stolen from museums all over the world. It's actually a MASSIVE deal. But, like everything else 'bad' in the world, the media reports on it for two seconds, just so most people at home can gasp for a second then go back to their lives as if nothing even happened. Actually, I'd be surprised if our poaching crisis even made an important spot on the news. So you know what? I really think it's time to start taking things into our own hands. When those supposed to protect fail you, when your own government openly has it's interests vested elsewhere, it's time to stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I am going to do everything I can to stop this ruthless, vicious, inhumane slaughter of one of the most magnificent species of all time. Stay tuned for more. If you want any further information about rhino poaching in South Africa and around the world, or any information about what you can do, visit Stop Rhino Poaching, Rhino Conservation, Save The Rhino, or the International Rhino Foundation.

My hand in the track of a Rhino. Just an idea of the majesty of these beautiful giants.

Today is Wednesday, and the Honey Badgers have been in their enclosure for a week now, so should be released onto the farm in the next few days. Ken & I have been feeding them a lovely assortment of fresh guinea pigs, mice, rats,meat and frozen baby chickens. Well, ok.. I've been holding the bucket, Ken's been doing most of the feeding. You would do the same if you saw the rodents running around freely minutes earlier! Brian Jones, the manager of the Rehab centre, said that they may be released today, which would be wicked! Will miss the fury little critters though. He will be bringing along a news crew for the release, which will be great!

 Looks delicious......

I can't help but have a quiet giggle to myself.
(Sensitive stomachs: SHIELD YOUR EYES!)
The man who provides us with the food works next door at the Rehab Centre. He is a young guy called Cody and is a lot of fun. When we arrive, we give him the bucket and follow him into the guinea pig/rat/mice enclosure, where there are plenty of the little things running around or in cages. As we are all having a casual conversation, Cody picks up a rodent, holds it by the tail/back legs, and whacks it's head on the counter a few times - All while having a completely relaxed conversation to us about his day!!!! I had to make myself busy in the next door enclosure while the boys carried on with the dirty work... My first time seeing that was sure a shock! Sad to say I am slowly getting used to it. Thing is, when you live in the bush, you cannot afford to be a 24/7 bunny huger, as the circle of life out here 100% prevents that.

At the Rehab Centre, they have these two old man rhinos. I say 'old man' because even though they are only 3 & 4 years old, they act like 80 year old humans!
 Very entertaining to watch, Ken and I drove past them to the rehab gate. As no one was there yet, we parked a little off the road and got out of the car to enjoy the sunshine.
While doing so, the bigger of the two rhinos had appeared quite close to Ken's driver door. And so, a stare down began. The rhino, looking very curious, started inching closer, under the impression we must not be able to see him because he was moving so slowly (him and his VERY SHARP HORN!). Unsure what to do, as these are still wild animals, we stood very still. However, on the rhino deciding This was big fun and coming within 2 metres of Ken, I decided he was being far too cheeky, and suddenly started making a big amount of noise - clapping, yelling, waving arms- to tell him it's time to move off. I still don't know where those balls came from!
 Luckily for us, he gave me one crazy eyed look up and down, and decided to move off to where his food would be served shortly. A breath of relief, we made our way into the rehab centre, on our way passing my favorite 9 week old baby rhino. Sigh! 

While we were there last night, the students had discovered that the Serval had just given birth to two kittens. We were called over and were privileged enough to see the newest members of the Rehab centre's family!! Smaller than my hand, they definitely pulled on the heart strings!! Will try to get photos as they get older. It was an amazing surprise, as no one even knew she was pregnant! What a gift :).

Ken is still busy running around the farm and pulling over time everyday. There is A LOT to be done, and so many people think that life in the bush is all romantic sunsets and Big 5 safaris -and it is- but there is so much more to it, the work just simply never stops.

No complaints from this side though, believe me, I would never trade this place for the world.....

On Friday morning we will be leaving to Pilanesberg National Park, about 8 hours drive away, which I am really looking forward to. It will be great to catch up with Bart, the ranger who taught me so much while I did my internship there, plus it will be incredible to be back there. I will take lots of photos and report back.

Until then...

Remember. Be the change you want to see in the world, and BELIEVE IN YOU DREAMS. Everything else will fall into place around you.

All the best,
Jacqui.

First. Post. Introduction.

And so here we are. March 2012, a year after I ventured into the bush of South Africa ‘professionally’ for the first time. Boy how my life has changed.

Let’s get a bit of background on this…

March 2011 brought me back to Southern Africa, where I had grown up as a child before we moved to New Zealand in 1998. I spent my time divided between Pretoria and Johannesburg, where my family lived, Hoedspruit, where my partner was staying, and Pilanesberg National Park, where I was undertaking an internship with Game Trackers, a safari company, as part of my degree in communication. Going into the African bush, this was the beginning of the realization of one of my life long endeavors; To spend my life conserving South African nature.

My time at Pilanesberg was one of the most memorable moments of my entire life. I spent every day next to a very educated Game ranger, became practically educated about nature on numerous safaris everyday, had encounters with the famous Big Five, had encounters with lesser known but just as special creatures, met and learned from amazing people, rode elephants, learned how to shoot, and took a hot air balloon across the park. It is one of the most breathtaking places on this Earth, and so close to where the Human species evolved. An absolute must visit for anyone interested in nature, or a general South African bush experience.

Within my first week I was lucky enough to meet Ken Whyte, a man who was managing a game farm owned by his Father in Hoedspruit. A month later we had started dating, and less than three months later, I had briefly returned back to New Zealand, returned to South Africa, and had moved in with him.

So, here I am. This is where I have been hiding out. The beauty of this farm is beyond anything else I have ever witnessed. I think that the bush really has a special way of healing, of replenishing, of giving you exactly what you need without you even realizing it. 

Currently balancing my final semester of my Communication degree, my first registered studies to become a qualified Game Ranger and the millions of tasks living here involves, I look forward to sharing it all with you. If you enjoy animals, conservation, a different take on life, or anything nature related, then a big WELCOME to you. I'm in the process of creating an accompanying YouTube channel so I can show you guys what goes on! A couple of vids on so far, many more to come. You can check it out here.

At the moment, Hoedspruit is slowly recovering from the floods that devastated the town and surrounding bush in January. We got off alot luckier than some of our friends who lost their entire homes, lodges, and income, but we are suffering none the less. Fences need to be fixed, roads repaired, and so on.Two days ago, two Honey Badgers arrived on the farm from the Animal Rehabilitation centre next door to us. They are currently in their temporary enclosure, with release in a couple of weeks. In the mean time, Ken and I get to look after them and feed them everyday. The Elephant are causing ruckus on the farm, scaring away staff and smashing down trees - what they do best, but I love them to bits. The lions have shown up, and the Wild Dogs have escaped to a nearby town. Poaching is, and always will be, a constant concern. Ah, life in the Bush...:)

This blog is going to be about my journey here. About the good, the bad, and the ugly of living full time in the African Bush. Come with Ken & I as we give you a behind the scenes look at exactly what it takes. I look forward to showing you my World :)