Shirley's farewell blog

Shirley’s Farewell Blog

June 17, 2012

The time has flown since my arrival May 23rd at Thaba Tholo and the Ingwe Leopard Research Program.  Tuesday, June 19^th, I begin my next adventure and go “on safari” with Will Fox of On Track Safaris.  To date this has been a life-changing experience and Tara tells me that I have even been useful. 

I have learned to identify, measure and record leopard spoor and those of other carnivores and animals.  I have seen leopards, helped set up camera traps, change SD cards and sort photos.  I have worked on the fire separation, removed invasive species and taught a couple of classes of boys and girls at the Sizo elementary school.  I can build a fire and cook on it making local dishes like “potjie” or my family’s favourite prawn stir-fry and even baking brownies.  I can tell a buffalo thorn from an acacia; recognize a kudu bark from a baboon call; and the leopard chuff. Not bad for a city girl who has spent one night in a tent before arriving here. 

Highlights of my stay have been the leopard sightings of course but so was seeing the <week old baby giraffe with its mother in a mountain grove, courtesy of new arrival Dawn who spotted the pair first.  I have made some new friends in Tara, Toni, Dylan and Dawn – friendships forged over campfires, trail hikes and leopard watching.

This volunteer experience has taught me a great deal about myself and I am grateful to my husband, Steve for supporting me to do this and my sister-in-law, Suelina for encouraging me to sign up for Africa.  My next stops are:  Zueika County House, Shiduli Game Lodge, Kruger National Park, Umkumbe Safai Lodge and Black Leopard Camp where I will see the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard); yet something tells me that my 4 weeks as a Conservation Assistant will be unsurpassed.  Thank you to Black Leopard Camp, On Track Safaris, Tara Pirie and all the good folks who have created this opportunity.

Submitted by Shirley Chan, June 17, 2012