BLACK RHINO

Transnational organised crime is a significant driver of rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking, threatening the population of this species.

Critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, there are just over 6000 black rhino left in the wild, and we get to be part of this conservation endeavour, and, success stories!

In the 1990s, the species was near extinction so in 2003, the phenomenal World Wildlife Fund (WWF), led by Dr Jacques Flamand, initiated the ambitious Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP), together with some vital partnerships across the country.

As part of the Munywana Conservancy we were selected as the first private conservancy in the country to receive a number of black rhino in this historic initiative.

Since their introduction, the population has grown enabling us to move numbers to other conservation areas and further expand land available to conserve this species.

Viewing is not always easy with their solitary and territorial (aka aggressive!) ways, so this image is a great capture by our 📹📸 @its_jamie_lucas

#BlackRhino
#Rhinoconservation
#Conservation
#Partnerships
#NaturalWorld
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Wildlife rangers
#WildlifePhotography
#ThisIsZuka ...

CALIBRATE

International Leopard Day.

Our story is in its third decade and, taught by our elders, leopards and their relaxed presence with new generations of offspring, are one of nature’s definitive signs of calibration and ecological balance.

Our commitment to land restoration, wildlife protection and shifting human ways outside of protected areas, have all influenced this balance positively…and that’s when leopard shows up, and we nod to each other🌾

www.zuka.earth

https://zuka.earth/panthera-project/

#Leopard
#InternationalLeopardDay2025
#WildlifeConservation
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Legacy
#ThisIsZuka
#Gratitude
#OurStory ...

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

Today we shine the spotlight on one of our team!

Lynne has been with us in her vital role at Zuka since 2013 and today is her birthday!

Now we don’t talk about age, we don’t need to as Lynne is ageless - only to highlight that she came to her role at Zuka following her esteemed Grade 1 teaching career.

Grade 1 is the first year of formal numeracy and literacy in South Africa and for the majority of her class, isiZulu was their first or language spoken at home; Lynne’s dedication, sense, sensibility, creativity and attention to detail made for the finest teaching they could receive.

(I should mention here too, Lynne taught our daughter to read and write in one week, enabling us to travel for the following 9 months and homeschool!)

For us at Zuka, all these qualities transpose and support us invaluably, and “Ouma” as she is affectionately known by all, is a beloved mainstay of our organisation.

Happy Birthday Oums!💐🧡🌾

#HappyBirthday
#Love
#Celebrate
#Gratitude
#ItTakesAVillage
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Inspired
#ThisIsZuka ...

HAPPY
International Hyena Day!

#InternationalHyenaDay
#HyenaDay
#Hyena
#HyenaPup
#SpottedHyena
#Wildlife
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka ...

WATER BABIES!

For these semi-aquatic giants, water is life!

Spending around 16 hours a day, submerged to stay protected and cool they emerge at dusk to graze – often treading many kilometres through the night.

We see them out on cooler days under cloud cover, when their barrel-shaped bodies don’t overheat so quickly, but they are quick to retreat back into the water again – their shield and social stage!

#Hippo
#Hippopotamus
#AfricanWildlife
#WildlifePhotography
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka
#SouthAfrica ...

HABITAT TEAM!

Natural vectors such as wind and animals, and of course humans carry seeds and particles into the reserve and these little invasions have an ecological impact on our native habitats.

The ladies of our habitat team are our superpower - they are instrumental in helping with alien plant control or bush encroachment – an important piece of land restoration and in protecting and preserving our natural habitat.

#LandRestoration
#HealthyHabitat
#WildlifeConservation
#MeaningfulContribution
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#ThisIsZuka ...

WILD IMPACT!

We are trustees, donors, fundraisers, advocates and, have been active in mulitple geographies with @wildimpact.earth for over 3 decades now!
 
Steady and successful conservation of wildlife and wilderness is based on sustainable community development and visionary partnership.
 
Wild Impact’s 4 focus areas:
FUTURE FOUNDATIONS, CONSERVING ECOSYSTEMS, TOMORROW’S LEADERS and THRIVING COMMUNITIES, fulfill goals that bring the vision of “Nurturing resilient communities and conserving wild places” into being!
 
www.wildimpact.earth

#Conservation
#CommunityDevelopment
#GettyAsterism
#Earth
#Wildlife
#Humankind
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka ...