Sawubona from UMkhuze Game Reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal; A section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. The 40,000 ha fenced Reserve on the plains of the Elephant Coast that is well known for its big 5 is a typical bushveld protected area with extensive wetlands on its Southeastern section. The wetlands host hippos and crocodiles while the rest of uMkhuze is home to wild dogs, buffalos, cheetahs, elephants and of course rhinos both black and white! Interestingly Kudus, impalas, myalas and the famous Julius Malema the elephant live in the midst of human activity!

Fast rewind to Rangers’ Day 2018. WWF Tanzania joined the rangers and other conservationists in the world to celebrate and honor the lives, commitment and dedications of the rangers in Selous Game Reserve. George Atanas was honored as the best ranger for his outstanding efforts in protecting the wildlife and natural resources in the most famous and biggest natural game reserve in the African continent. WWF committed to give George an international ranger tour so he can experience how others are working in protecting their natural resources and especially the black rhino. South Africa was selected mainly because of its biggest black rhino population; the country is home to more than 2,000 black rhinos which make about 45% of all black rhinos in Africa and the world!


 

Michael said he had plans to go watch the rhinos at the drinking hole that night and invited us to join, we all said we will. Who didn’t want to see the rhino! He said we will use Infra-red binoculars and we will be able to see the animals very clearly.
At 7pm he picked us up and we went into what is called a hide (a nicely built place just at the drinking hole). We waited for about half an hour and we were informed that 2 rhinos were approaching (cow and calf). The bino was passed along. At first I couldn’t see anything; just some very bright things (I guess I was expecting to see real rhinos!). Someone had to explain to me exactly what I should be seeing and voila there were the rhinos! White and bright! Michael identified all the rhinos by specific names. He knows all the rhinos in the reserve just by seeing them! I will explain that later. We enjoyed the infra-red watching and we ended seeing about seven rhinos that night, with calves and one pregnant cow! What a sore sight!

Michael who’s only been at the reserve for four years explains how they monitor the rhinos with a major emphasis to the black rhino. All the adult rhinos are uniquely notched which makes it possible to identify each individual, but one has to completely watchful and passionate about the job to be that good at it.  The rhinos are identified as BF 001 or BM 001 (BF for Black Female and BM for Black Male). Records for each individual are meticulously kept and updated every time a rhino is sighted. Health condition, sex, where it was sighted, what time, who was on the tracking team and whatever other information that will help in monitoring is recorded.
uMkhuze relies very much on technology when it comes to rhino monitoring. Apart from the camera traps whose images are recorded after every fortnight they also use smart packs like CMORE and DES which tracks ranger patrol movements, fires, poachers etc
Like other reserves in Africa they face poaching, encroachment and of course fires most of the time ignited by local communities who live just 400 meters from the reserve.
We said our Siyabongas and it was time to get back home. But not before George excitedly said he can’t wait to get back to Matambwe and help start a serious monitoring approach for Selous. He is amazed by how each individual is committed with their work and how passionate they are about their wildlife. He has also been very impressed by the beautiful and convenient living conditions of the rangers.
Will I want the same experience again? Ohh yes but I am starting practicing my tree climbing skills right away!