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Conservation Centre
- “An Initiative of the Amakhala Game Reserve”
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The
Amakhala Conservation Centre, currently under construction, is largely
funded by the Sindisa Foundation (a non-profit, conservation
organisation) and has three main objectives:
-to promote
environmental awareness and impart knowledge of the environmental,
economic and cultural importance of wildlife, wild areas and the
functioning of natural ecosystems. The Centre will offer vocational training to improve
local wildlife management and tourism skills. From August 2003,
students (from local schools) will be able to discover the wonder of
nature on day outings. The Conservation Centre will also offer
international students the opportunity to assist with the development
of Centre and to participate in its various projects.
-to identify
and support research projects that provide ecological and social
information relevant to the management of the reserve and to wildlife
conservation in general.
The
Centre is currently involved with Dr William Fowlds in tracking and
monitoring the 10 new elephant, one of which wears a tracking collar. A
base-line study of the Bushman’s River, which flows through the
reserve, will begin in July 2003.
-to encourage and advise on
various conservation projects which will ensure the conservation of
biodiversity and functioning of ecological systems.
Initially,
re-introduction projects will investigate the possible of
reintroduction of Cape vultures and leopards into the reserve and the
wider area. |
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Elephant Relocation
| Since
its inception in 1999, Amakhala Game Reserve has aimed to complete the
ecological restoration process by re-establishing the original
complement of wildlife, much of which has been absent from the area for
some 150 years.
As a result of the
devastating drought in Northern Zululand, Amakhala Game Reserve has
relocated a family group of 10 elephants from Phinda Game Reserve
there. They were humanely captured and carefully transported 1600
kilometres to the Eastern Cape.
Dr Michael Knight
(South African National Parks Board) assessed the Reserve before the
reintroduction of elephant. The carrying capacity of 22 will only be
reached in13 years.
To meet the requirements of the larger animals,
the perimeter fence has been electrified, ranger training has been
extended and new staff employed.
To monitor the elephants and their impact on the vegetation, field
observation and GPS technology will provide the information for sound
management policies.
The
initial costs of the Amakhala Elephant Project were enormous – capture,
relocation, tracking equipment and insurance. The second phase of the
project will involve relocating adult bulls from Addo Elephant Park to
Amakhala.
The Sindisa Foundation, a private,
non-profit organisation, has recently assisted the establishment of the
Amakhala Conservation Centre, an environmental education and research
facility. The Foundation will assist the Elephant Project by funding a
GIS tracking collar, field research assistants and equipment.
The
Foundation will also manage all the funds raised to support the
Amakhala Elephant Project through a dedicated account audited by
Deloitte & Touche.
Amakhala
Game Reserve invites you to make a donation to the Foundation through
its parent organisation the Biodiversity Trust. The funds will be used
specifically for the Elephant Project. Donors will be acknowledged
through the Foundation Newsletter, and will also decide on the use of
any surplus funds.
All involved in this Project to re-establish
elephant in their former home and in the rescue of Zululand’s
threatened animals look forward to a successful partnership in an
effort to restore and conserve Africa’s wildlife heritage. |
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