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Tswalu wild dog introduction – August 2013

August 5, 2013 Southern Africa Bush Tails

by TSWALU KALAHARI on JULY 29, 2013 in NEWS, WILDLIFE

Because of the heat of the Kalahari summer, most animal relocation projects take place in winter, and this winter has been rather busy at Tswalu. A variety of animals have been moved both into and out of Tswalu as part of a range of conservation projects.

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Perhaps the most exciting introduction was a pack of wild dogs. The move, which forms part of a national wild dog “meta-population” conservation strategy was made possible by Thanda Private Game Reserve and the Wild dog Advisory Group.

The animals were flown from Zululand in the east of South Africa to Tswalu by The Bateleurs, a group of pilots who donate their time and their ‘wings’ to worthy conservation causes – with generous support from King Air Charters.

The pack of 12 animals arrived in good health and soon settled into their enclosure where they will be held for a few months before being released into Tswalu.

 
What Tswalu staff did on Mandela Day
Hayley van Dyk, teacher at the Tswalu preschool, Tshameka, sent us this wonderful pic taken on Mandela Day at the Van Zylsrus preschool in the nearby town of the same name.
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Says Hayley: “The Tswalu preschool has 16 children and, thanks to the Tswalu Foundation and the goodwill of Tswalu guests, the children have excellent facilities. In stark contrast to the Tswalu preschool, the impoverished community of Van Zylsrus has a small preschool which has to accommodate 106 children, a severe staff shortage and lacks basic requirements for effective teaching and learning.”

With this in mind, Hayley decided that a fitting project to support on Mandela Day would be the preschool at Van Zylsrus. On Thursday, 18 July, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Hayley, together with teaching assistant Anna, Tswalu nurse Betsie, field guide Barry and tracker Jonnas, invited some Tswalu guests to go with them to pay a visit to the preschool .

“Jonnas lives in this community,” says Hayley, “and so he was our guide for the day. The Tswalu delegation was welcomed warmly and our gifts of stationery and hats greatly appreciated.”

The Tswalu Foundation is committed to fostering a long-term association between the Van Zylsrus preschool and the Tswalu preschool.