ASHTONS

DEC 2017 – FEB 2018

INTO THE WILD

FREE COPY

No one in the world

needs a rhino horn
but a rhino
Published indepently for
 Hello
Help ensure their tomorrow

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Ashtons Into the Wild

magazine. And I’d like to extend a special welcome to passengers
travelling on our new ‘Kruger Shuttle: Hazyview’ service, which
commenced operation on 1 November 2017. It is a pleasure to
now be able to offer affordable, daily, scheduled shuttle services
to people who are either visiting or living in the Nelspruit, White
River, Hazyview and southern Kruger areas. And we trust that
you will make full use of the ‘50% off’ launch special, applicable to
STANDARD TOUR: travel between November 2017 and June 2018.
Educational and exciting 2-hour guided tours through the Centre. 7 days a week.
CHEETAH FOCUS TOUR:
Standard tour, Cheetah run, Wild Dog feeding and Vulture feeding.
DELI & ACCOMMODATION: In order to keep up with growing demand, and service the new
On-site Deli and self-catering accommodation available: BOOKINGS
Khula’s Cottage (sleeps 6 - 8) & Sebeka Guesthouse (sleeps 6) ESSENTIAL shuttle route, a further two 14-seater Toyota Quantums were
added to the Ashtons fleet during October. Our transfer fleet
Tel: +27 15 793 1633 | Mobile: +27 83 654 2279
Email: frontoffice@cheetahcentre.co.za WWW.HESC.CO.ZA has grown by 57% during 2017 alone, and we’re looking
forward to a bumper 2018!

Our transfer services would be irrelevant without the beautiful

wildlife and birdlife, endemic to wildlife areas such as the Greater
Kruger, that attract so many local and international visitors
every year. It is our aim to consistently keep conservation in
the spotlight, and in this edition we give you an update on the
emotive topic of the plight of our precious rhinos.
For your convenience we have expanded the animal checklist so
that you can use it to record the major animal and bird species
that you encounter during your safari. Enjoy.

Finally, please consider supporting Nourish who consistently do

incredible community upliftment work in the
Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
Zapper payment facilities are included on page 24.

If this is your first time visiting South Africa, we hope that you
enjoy the beauty and diversity as the journey unfolds. Take in all
the sights, sounds and smells that Africa has to offer as you
travel with us Into the Wild.

Andrew

December 2017 - February 2018. // 3

 ASHTONS INTO THE WILD TEAM

PUBLISHER & SALES

Life is the flower for

LORNA MACLEOD
lorna@macpublishing.co.za

EDITORIAL
ANDREW SULLIVAN 12 PROTECTING THE RHINO

which love is the honey.

andrew@macpublishing.co.za THE NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DEDICATE THEIR
LIVES TO PROTECTING THE RHINO
ART DIRECTOR
ALICE FREEDMAN
16 COME ON IN, EVEYONE IS WELCOME!
- Victor Hugo JUNIOR DESIGNER
ROXANNE CONRADIE
ASHTONS GUIDE TO NELSPRUIT

ADVERTISING & SALES 20 THE HOLLYWOOD EFFECT

RETA SMIT THE IMPACT OF MOVIES ON CONSERVATION
reta@macpublishing.co.za
+27 (0)82 566 4979
23 A WALKING SAFARI
ADMINISTRATION A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE AT IT’S BEST
KIRSTEN MACMILLAN
kirsten@macpublishing.co.za
27 PHOTO COMPETITION
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
DAVID FREYL
NEIL SCOTT

COVER PHOTO
DANIYALA TORLAGE

PUBLISHED BY
MAC PUBLISHING & CONSULTING
ON BEHALF OF ASHTONS

6 ASHTONS TEAM, SCHEDULES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

7 ROUTE MAP
9 PROFILE - IAN MITCHELL
10 WILD NEWS
28 FUN STUFF, LETTERS, COMPETITIONS
26 HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
29 ANIMAL CHECKLIST

Hello and a warm welcome to our final edition of Ashtons Into the Wild for 2017.
Or if you are reading this in January or February, Happy New Year! When we put
together each issue of Into the Wild, we always strive to cover a host of topics
that embrace all the things that are wonderful about the Kruger Lowveld for your
enjoyment. This edition is no different. The beautiful city of Nelspruit grabs our
attention this time, with insight into all the best places to eat, sleep and see, should
MAC
designdesign, i am also
the brainchild of me, a mother, a wife, a
Alice, a graphic designer, daughter, a sister, a friend
visual artist, digital manipulator, and in the face of deadlines
creative, creator, daydreamer, a contortionist. I have dogs,
thinker and all round ideas-girl. a cat, two goldfish, a home, I pay taxes.
i have tattoos. Unconventional – yes.i breathe colour,

you be spending time in the provincial capital (page 16). We also continue to raise
think in shapes and when I design, it’s love that moves my hand
for typography, for bold lines and daring design. love for the aesthetic,
i get a kick out of composition
and get goosebumps when I see visual harmony emerge on paper or pixel.
i live to design and design to live. What inspires me? Life, love,
smiles, drinking coffee, modernity, clean lines borne of clever thought,
art, illustrations, good food, great typography. Everything inspires,
from manga, music, movies, a colour swatch to the shapes
of trees, birds on a wire. My ideas stem from simplicity
a life less complicated and complemented by design that echoes such.
I don’t just design, I create.I think out of the box, I rethink
the box. Break it down, turn it inside out and upside down
so that at the end of it, it’s not a box but whatever it is
you want it to be. Life’s short, live it with

Publishing
endless love and reckless abandon.
Dance when people are watching,

awareness about the ongoing plight of the fiercely hunted rhino, and what local,
paint your walls all shades
of awesome, laugh
often, have fun
and just
be

& Consulting

leading community members are doing to help defend these beautiful creatures
Editorial Disclaimer. Ashtons and Mac Publishing from the poachers (page 12). If you are a fan of the movies, then check out our
consider its sources reliable and verifies as much data article on the ‘Hollywood Effect’ and get a better understanding of how films have a
as possible. However, reporting inaccuracies can occur, positive, and negative effect, on the inhabitants of the incredible landscape that you
consequently readers using this information do so at will see around you (page 20). All that plus our regular features add up to (what we
their own risk. While every effort has been made to hope is) a publication that will keep you engaged, informed, and occupied during
ensure that information is correct at the time of going
to print, Mac Publishing & Consulting cannot be held
your time traveling with Ashtons.
responsible for the outcome of any action or decision Don’t forget to take this copy of the magazine with you so that you and the rest
based on the information contained in this publication. of the family can tick off your wildlife sightings on our ‘Animal Checklist’ section at
The publishers or authors do not give any warranty for the the back of the magazine (it’s free!). But most importantly of all, have a great Kruger
completeness or accuracy for this publication’s content, experience,
explanation or opinion. © Mac Publishing & Consulting. Wishing you happy travels,

Wild team xx
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in

Ashtons Into the

The
any form without prior written permission of the Publisher.
Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing.
Ashtons buy all rights to contributions, text and images,
unless previously agreed to in writing.

PHOTO BY DANIYALA TORLAGE

December 2017 - February 2018. // 5
ASHTONS WHY BOOK THE ASHTONS KRUGER SHUTTLE?

TEAM Over 57 000 clients already booked between January 2010 and October 2017.

Daily departures from Johannesburg, Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Protea Hotel

Kruger Gate, and Hazyview with no minimum passenger requirements or
single supplements.
OPERATIONS
Ian Mitchell
David Harrison
Opportunity to view some of South Africa’s most beautiful scenery en route. Phalaborwa
Mzu Peter
Susan Iles Provides the most affordable transfer between JOHANNESBURG and the
game lodges and safari operations in the greater HOEDSPRUIT, PHALABORWA, Grietjie Reserve
RESERVATIONS HAZYVIEW & Southern Kruger areas.
reservations@ashtonstours.com Parson’s Reserve
+27 (0)21 683 0234
Our fixed pricing is a fraction of the cost of flying between Johannesburg and
Corien Mitchell Hoedspruit/KMIA where flexi pricing applies in accordance with demand. Three Bridges
Monica Ehlers
Karongwe Makalali Balule
Elize De Meyer
Ashtons offers 7 Hoedspruit area shuttle locations which are at or close to all Reserve Reserve Olifants Reserve
Nelia Nel
Petro van Heerden main reserve gates for lodge collection and return. West Gate Klaserie
Reserve
R526
MARKETING Ashtons also offers shuttle rates for transfer between Johannesburg and every York Gate Timbavati
Andrew Iles game lodge in the greater Hoedspruit & Hazyview areas - separate vehicles are Reserve
Mymoena Davids used for the local transfers. Southern R40
Lee Verschoor Boom Gate
Aby Kane The Bush
Gillian Lithgow International quality shuttle vehicles - clients are transferred in 14-seater Pub & Inn
Pieter van Heerden Toyota Quantums with air-conditioning, individual seat belts, bottled water, Rock Fig Lifestyle Centre
cup holders, magazine nets, satellite tracking, and large luggage trailers. Hoedspruit Eastgate
DRIVERS
Airport
Thornybush
Chris Cosnett R100 Million Passenger Liability Insurance and PAX-Sure of R500 000 per seat. Reserve
R36
Brendon Matthysen
James Wheeler Kapama
Gerhard Scheepers
Shuttle drivers are very experienced, have a valid professional driving permit, Reserve
Hector Ndlovu and each drive for maximum 6-8 hours per day. Kruger
Ruza Scheepers
Johan Britz
National
Ashtons has been a South African tour operator since 1993 and is a Bonded
Gilly Gordon Park
National Member of SATSA (membership number 486).
Hannes van Helsdingen
Yorke Scott
The Ashtons Kruger Shuttles are endorsed by all the major tour operators, Guernsey Reserve
Nelius van Rooyen
Johannes van Velden lodges and accommodation facilities that bring international tourists into the
Hans Heilgendorff Greater Kruger areas & surrounds.
Manyeleti
Reserve
Blyde
SHUTTLE SCHEDULE River
Canyon Sabi Sand
Kruger Shuttle: Hoedspruit Reserve
Pick-up / Drop-off Location Arrival time from Johannesburg Departure time to Johannesburg Applicable Reserves & Areas
OR Tambo Depart at 06h45 Arrives at 17h00 - 18h00 -
Southern Boom Gate 12h15 - 12h45 12h00 Karongwe, Makalali
Three Bridges 12h30 - 13h00 11h45 Parsons, Grietjie and Pabalorwa R36
Olifants West Gate 12h45 - 13h15 11h30 Balule R536
York Gate 12h45 - 13h15 11h30 Balule Protea Hotel
Rockfig, Hoedspruit 13h00 - 13h30 11h15 Hoedspruit and surrounds Kruger Gate Skukuza
East Gate Airport 13h15 - 13h45 11h00 Kapama, Thornybush Hazyview Rest Camp
The Bush Pub and Inn 13h15 - 13h45 10h45 Klaserie, Timbavati
R40

Kruger Shuttle: Hazyview
Pick-up / Drop-off Location Arrival time from Johannesburg Departure time to Johannesburg Applicable Reserves & Areas
OR Tambo Depart at 07h45 Arrives at 17h00 - 18h00 -
Nelspruit - Shell N4 Highway 11h15 - 11h45 13h15 Nelspruit
White River - Sitanani Caltex 11h45 - 12h15 12h45 White River
White River
Hazyview - Perry’s Bridge 12h30 - 13h00 12h00 Hazyview
N4
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate 13h30 -14h00 11h00 Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands To Johannesburg Nelspruit
Skukuza 14h30 - 15h00 10h00 Kruger National Park O.R. Tambo

6 // December 2017 - February 2018. December 2017 - February 2018. // 7

 IAN MITCHELL

On the road with Ashtons...

Meet Ian Mitchell, a veteran of the Ashtons team, who has
been involved with the company, in some capacity, since
2005, and who recently moved into the role of Operations
Director. He makes sure that your journey into the bush is a
comfortable, seamless experience by overseeing the logistics
of Ashtons ground operation. He took a moment out of his
busy schedule to chat to us…

Describe your role with Ashtons Tours. Due to the size of

our company I am currently filling several roles. My main
function is managing and overseeing the logistics of our
ground operations – vehicle maintenance, driver rosters, etc.
Other roles have included IT manager, personnel manager,
admin manager, vehicle maintenance, systems manager.
Basically, jack of all trades and, hopefully, a master of most
of them!

What do you love most about your job? I love being part of
something that is dynamic and growing. It’s a great thing to
witness the fruit and returns of hard work put in over several
years.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?

Maintaining a balance between work and my private life.
This business is in many aspects like raising a child that never
grows beyond a year in age. It needs continuous attention to
ensure its happiness and wellbeing.

Here’s our round-up of news
stories that have hit the
headlines, both across the
Kruger Lowveld and game
parks across the wider
Southern African region…
Brand new, 360-view,
51-metre viewing elevator
opens in Graskop
A brand new 51-metre viewing
elevator is the main attraction
at the Graskop Gorge Adventure
Centre, which opens in December
2017. The development, the first of
its kind in Africa, is the brain child
of the management team at the
Graskop Gorge Lift Co, owned by
Lowveld businessmen Oupa Pilane,
James Sheard and Campbell Scott.
“The development will give tourism
in the region a major lift,” says
Sheard, unwittingly creating a great
pun, “and will create employment
in both the short and long term.”
The elevator descends the cliff
wall, offering a 360 degree view
of the gorge, waterfall, trees, birds,
and the surrounding, stunning
forest environment. The centre will
incorporate a restaurant, bar and
shops at the top of the gorge, with
a children’s play area and look-out
points.
If you are interested in visiting, The
Graskop Gorge Adventure Centre
is situated one kilometre out of
Graskop, on the R533 towards
Hazyview.
10 // December 2017 - February 2018.
This Anatolian Shepherd dog is
becoming a baby rhino’s best
friend… and protector
Usually regarded as ‘Man’s Best Friend’,
David, the Anatolian Shepherd dog has
taken companionship to a whole new
level, by extending his paw of friendship to
baby rhinoceros, Esme, at the Hoedspruit
Endangered Species Centre (HESC).
The young rhino calf was adopted by HESC
at the beginning of October from a game
farm where she was in danger of losing
her life because, although she was suckling
from her mother, she was not putting on
weight. The reserve named her Esme and
contacted HESC to help.
HESC announced that they’ve now
introduced her to David, “who is tasked
with keeping her company and protecting
her”. According to HESC, “the Anatolian
Shepherd dog is a breed that’s been used
by Turkish shepherds for thousands of
years, as the first line of defence against
predators. When fully grown, these canine’s
formidable height (standing at 27 to
29 inches/69 to 74 cm tall) can easily
intimidate predators.
“They are also independent thinkers who
need little direction to do their job. We are
doing whatever we can to ensure the safety
of our rhino, and are happy they will now
have extra protection in the form of David.”
ELEPHANTS AND MANGO
CROPS SAVED
Three bull elephants were saved
from being shot, and further
damage to mango orchards
averted, after they broke through
the fences of a game reserve
bordering the Kruger Park, raiding
local farms and generally causing a
nuisance to fearful residents.
An elaborate rescue operation was
launched by Elephants Alive, after
a call came in from the Hoedspruit
Farm Watch that three young bulls
had escaped from the Associated
Private Nature Reserves (APNR) that
border the Kruger Park between
Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa in the
Limpopo Province.
It was a difficult but expertly
crafted procedure that began
with the setting up of burning
capsicum smokescreens at the
entrances to the mango farms for
10 consecutive nights in an effort
to prevent any further raids while
they set the rescue plan in motion.
Capsicum, a member of the chilli
family, produces a spicy odour
that when burnt is intolerable to
elephants.
The team then proceeded to track
the elephants on foot. They were
located and wildlife veterinarian, Dr.
Ben Muller, could get close enough
to dart one bull. The elephant was
christened Wayne, in honour of
Elephants Alive’s late partner in
protection of elephants, renowned
conservationist Wayne Lotter who
was murdered in Tanzania last
month. Muller attached a satellite
collar to Wayne the elephant before
releasing him to re-join the other
two.
With the secretive bulls’
movements now visible online,
the plan was to track the group of
elephants by air with the hope of
darting all three in one go.
Following the signal from the
tracking collar, the helicopters
drove the elephants out of a steep
kloof into a small open area. All
three elephants were then darted
from the air after which a bulldozer
was brought in to clear the way
for the trucks through the bush,
and the anaesthetised elephants
carefully hoisted and secured onto
the trucks and driven out of the
farmland to the safety of Balule
Nature Reserve.
Since one of the bulls had been
named Wayne, the other two
escapees were named Derek and
Lotter – Wayne’s middle name and
surname.
Photos by Harriet Nimmo
DO YOU HAVE A
‘WILD NEWS’
STORY THAT YOU
WOULD LIKE TO SEE
PUBLISHED IN INTO
THE WILD MAGAZINE?
If yes, then send
your news through
to Kirsten on
kirsten@macpublishing.co.za
and lets bring
your story to life!’
VULTURES POISONED
South African wins 2017
Wildlife Photographer of
Hundreds of vultures in Namibia died the Year competition
after feeding on an elephant carcass
that poachers had poisoned. Poachers in
Zimbabwe used cyanide to kill dozens Brent Stirton, a South African-
of elephants for their ivory tusks. In born photographer, recently
Mozambique three lions died after eating walked away with a prestigious
bait infused with a crop pesticide. award at the Natural History
Poisoning Africa’s wildlife is an old practice,
Museum of London’s ‘2017
Wildlife Photographer of the
but conservationists fear such incidents are
escalating in some areas, saying relatively
Year’ competition. Stirton’s
work has been widely featured
easy access to agricultural chemicals in publications such National
and the surging illegal market for animal Geographic Magazine, Le Monde,
parts are increasing pressure on several Vanity Fair, Newsweek, TIME, The
already beleaguered species. The threat is New York Times Magazine, to name
compounded by the indiscriminate nature
of killing with poison, in which a single
but a few.
contaminated carcass can take down a Titled: “Memorial to a Species”,
range of animals, particularly scavengers the winning photograph is a gut-
such as vultures. wrenching, heart-breaking and
thought-provoking image of a
Black Rhino, that has had its horn
and part of its face crudely hacked
off by poachers – whilst this is a
devastating reality, we decided not
run the image due to its graphic
nature.
The jury awarded Brent’s work
the competition’s most coveted
title because it was the most
memorable and striking image
of all 16 categories. The judges
also felt it had ‘sculptural
power’ and strong use of light,
encapsulating the breakdown
of a vulnerable species in one
single frame. “The outlook is bleak
This month, a continent-wide database
for black rhinos. They have been
was launched to gather data on wildlife
critically endangered since 1996,
poisoning and better understand a
and the International Union for
phenomenon that has been widely
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
documented in southern Africa, where
reports that the population has
a reported 70 lions have been fatally
declined by an estimated 97.6%
poisoned in the last 18 months, according
since 1960,” explains the Museum’s
to game reserve management. While
mammal expert Richard Sabin.
the African Wildlife Poisoning Database
Global demand for the horns fuels
lacks records from under-reported areas
both crude poaching networks
including Central Africa, it dates to 1961
in southern African countries (the
and lists nearly 300 poisoning incidents
heartland of the black rhino) and
in 15 African countries that killed more
larger organised crime networks
than 8,000 animals from dozens of species,
around the world. There have
including leopards, hyenas, impalas, cranes
been some notable and significant
and storks.
arrests of poachers in recent
Some of Africa’s species of vulture, whose weeks and months, but the threat
body parts are also precious in traditional remains at its highest level.
medicine in parts of the continent, are
listed as critically endangered. South Asian
vulture populations are a fraction of what
they were, largely because of feeding
on carcasses of livestock treated with
diclofenac, a veterinary drug that is toxic
to vultures. Government bans on the drug,
however, helped level those declines.
Educating communities about the
environmental fallout from poisoning
wildlife is key, said Mark Anderson, CEO of
BirdLife South Africa. Banning poisons, he
said, has a limited impact because “there’s
an unlimited supply and variety of poisons
that can be used.”
December 2017 - February 2018. // 11
PROTECTING THE RHINO
Poaching is a continuing scourge on the efforts of conservationists tasked with protecting
the wildlife in the Kruger National Park. One of the most ferociously sought species, and
as a result, most ferociously protected, is the rhinoceros. The insanity of the reasoning
behind why rhinos are being poached to extinction on such an aggressive level is hard to
understand on a sane, human level – this immense creature is hunted solely for the high
monetary value of its horn. Neil Scott looks at the challenges faced, and the solutions
created by the network of individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting the rhino.
Despite recently published figures for
2016 that show rhino poaching has
been in decline (down to 702 from 795
in 2015), there is still a concern that the
rising demand for rhino horn, particularly
in Far Eastern markets, means that this
may only be a short-term downward
trend.
Statistics are a simple, easily accessible
method to provide a snapshot of the
plight of the rhinoceros, and when the
figures demonstrate a positive decline in
rhino fatalities, all involved feel a sense
of hope that the battle, finally, is being
won. Unfortunately, statistics rarely
provide the whole picture, and despite
making for positive reading, the people
leading the fight against poaching
know that the war rages on. Any form
of complacency, even in the face of
12 // December 2017 - February 2018.
FEATURE BY Neil Scott
encouraging data, is foolhardy, and the
efforts to defend the rhino need to be
maintained and increased, all the time.
The demand for rhino horn is showing
no signs of abating, despite the
best global educational efforts of
conservationists. The horn itself is made
up of keratin, which in Traditional
Chinese medicine is used as a cure for
a variety of ailments which includes
typhoid, high fevers, dizziness and
demonic possession (although
interestingly not as an aphrodisiac as
many believe). Western medicine has
successfully debunked, through scientific
means, the medicinal value of keratin in
medical treatments, but that message
isn’t getting through. A further aspect
that drives the demand for this illegal
trade is the notion that to own or gift
rhino horn, in many Far Eastern cultures,
is regarded as a sign of status and virility.
There have been efforts made to educate
the Far Eastern community to the
reality that rhino horn is not an effective
medicine, and there is hope that the
demand will drop with more informed
generations to come. However, that’s the
future, what are the teams doing today
to protect the rhino?
The method of attack from the poachers
is still relatively simple, but the ways and
means used to locate the creatures and
access the parks is continuously evolving.
Anti-poaching schemes not only have
to fight toe-to-toe in the bush with
this enemy, but strategies are also in
place to root out the corrupted officials
and workers that are offered ‘cash for
Photos: Bateleur Main & Mobile Camp
info’ by the unscrupulous poaching
masterminds.
According to Andreas Liebenberg (a
member of the management team at
Counter Insurgency Tracker Training or
CITT), there are a wide variety of anti-
poaching methods used that work
well, and others that are still in need of
further development.
Currently, the most easily recognisable
defence of the rhino against poaching
is dehorning. The operation is strictly
performed by vets who saw off the
horns; the idea being that if the only
body part of the rhino of interest to the
poacher is removed then the animal
will no longer be a target. This method
receives a great deal of publicity and
seems to be one of the most accepted
ways to reduce the risk of killing of the
animals. However, despite this belief and
positive media coverage, this method
isn’t without its flaws. Poachers will still
shoot animals for the very small pieces
of horn left behind, as they will still
fetch high prices. Also, rhino horn can
grow back by up to 900gms per year,
so dehorning is not a once-off solution
and requires constant monitoring. The
practice is partially effective, but is not
enough in isolation.
On the front line are the Kruger Park
Rangers. Well-trained in bush tracking
and field discipline, the rangers patrol
vast areas to chase and foil poachers.
They are armed, but can only shoot
in self-defence in the face of extreme
provocation, which can leave them
vulnerable. These guys really do put their
lives on the line! They are as courageous
as they are essential but due to the
sheer size of land mass that requires
patrols, more rangers are always needed.
Another tactic comes in the form of
static defences. Well placed perimeter
fencing, with patrol dogs, hidden
cameras and observation posts which
are used to coral poachers onto
frequently used trails where they are
easily monitored and pursued. Again,
more funding, more static defences,
more success.
As in any conflict, intelligence is of great
importance to both sides. Corruption is
a major problem and the poachers will
attempt to gain intelligence from the
local population and may attempt to
suborn rangers themselves. To counter
this, the rangers try to have a strong
informer network themselves, and use
agents to infiltrate the other side to pre-
empt their latest plans. The gathering ( : EDUCATIONAL TRACKING COURSE : ANDREAS MICRO-CHIPPING THE RHINO
December 2017 - February 2018. // 13
of field information and experience
can help predict the movements of an
incursion.
Money is the main motivator for local
people to get involved in the poaching
trade. Some will become poachers
themselves while others may become
suppliers to the trade. However, for this
short-term gain, people are getting
involved with crime syndicates and other
criminal activities, with sometimes lethal
consequences. By taking corrupt money
from the gangs once, those locals are in
the pockets of the criminals for the rest
of their lives.
An alternative concept, that is gaining
traction, is for the rhino as a species to
‘pay to stay’. It requires land being put
aside for the conservation ranching of
rhinos; this would allow the rhino to
maintain its wildness and not be farmed
like cattle in small camps. With this in
place it may be possible for some rhino
horn to be traded legally, the rhino
would be protected, and the money
raised from the legal sale of the horn
could fund local schools, hospitals and
infrastructure. There is, as ever, a counter
argument to this. By legalising the trade
is one backing the efficacy of the rhino
horn as a medicine? And with demand
so high for rhino horn, would the legal
trade have any impact on the poachers?
14 // December 2017 - February 2018.
Everything that is being implemented,
as you have read, works well, but
can work even more effectively with
increased funding. Government does
The demand
play its part, but even that falls short
of the levels required to determine for rhino horn is
ongoing success. For example, elements
of the South African army patrol the
Mozambican border, the main point of
showing no signs
incursion by the poachers to the Kruger.
But the patrols are not always effective
of abating, despite
due to the low training and the high
rotation out of troops, usually just as they the best global
are gaining the right level of experience.
With specific training of elite troops, with educational efforts
of conservationists
the correct equipment and guidance,
then this is a resource that could have a
significant impact against the poachers.
But that doesn’t come cheap. donations, no matter how big or small,
There is no one size fits all answer to are hugely appreciated. If you feel
the situation except constant vigilance,
readiness by those involved on the inspired and motivated to act, then have
ground, and a willingness of the rest of a look at www.stoprhinopoaching.com,
us to keep the spotlight on this threat find out more about how the donated
to such a noble animal. The fight for money is allocated, and pledge your
survival continues, and unfortunately, support to the cause. By acting, we can
doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down ensure the survival of the rhino today,
anytime soon. so that this magnificent animal can be
enjoyed by our own future generations
Constant assistance is required, and to come.
you can very much play your part in
helping with anti-poaching efforts. There
are several charities and associations
dedicated to continuously raising the
awareness around the plight of the
rhino, as well as raising funding. Any
: ANDREAS MICRO-CHIPPING THE RHINO
Come on in, everyone is welcome! I have the pleasure of researching and
writing about a specific town/city within
the Kruger Lowveld for each edition of
‘Into the Wild’. Without exception, each
town has a unique, historical backdrop,
Nelspruit, the provincial capital of Mpumalanga, has so much to offer! Whether you are which always makes this task as
interesting as it is enjoyable. Nelspruit,
visiting for a day, a week, a month or longer, there is something for everyone. the focus of our attention in this issue, is
Andy Sullivan finds out more… no different.
Prior to the country’s historic elections
of 1994, Nelspruit was a small town that
existed mainly as a hub of transport
for agricultural products to the major
provinces of South Africa. Before that,
the town was an essential strategic
centre, used by the Boers in their
fight against British rule. The Brits had
commandeered all the major ports in
South Africa, so the Boer forces would
use the unguarded Mozambican
coastline to import and export goods,
which in turn bolstered their war efforts.
The first thing that you will notice is the beautiful views you
have no matter where you go.
Photos: Marius Bakkes
16 // December 2017 - February 2018.
Nelspruit’s proximity to Mozambique
and its valuable coastline, made it an
essential stronghold during the war.
The name Nelspruit first referred to
a small railway siding that became a
village, then a town, then a municipality,
and is now one of the fastest growing
cities in South Africa and is the provincial
capital of Mpumalanga. As such, the
history of Nelspruit is inextricably linked
to the history of the region, including
the various cities, towns and villages in
the vicinity, and in the wider province
of Mpumalanga (pre-1994 the province
was known as the Eastern Transvaal).
The growth of the city accelerated
dramatically post 1994, as the borders
opened, tourists flocked to witness the
regal beauty of the Kruger National Park
and surrounding reserves, and the city
was also able to re-establish itself as a
major agricultural and manufacturing
( CASCADE AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS : NELSPRUIT FROM THE SKY
December 2017 - February 2018. // 17
industry – and that is the city centre you
will see today.
Nelspruit is a friendly city that opens
its arms wide to visiting tourists from
all over the world. With an armada
of attractions to enjoy, incredible
scenic surroundings, a diverse
selection of restaurants and bars, and
accommodation to suit all budgets,
Nelspruit has something for everyone.
Whether you are staying for a day or a
month, you will not be short of things to
do.
To get the lowdown on all things
Nelspruit, I spoke to local resident and
business owner, Riana Joubert. Riana,
along with her husband Dirk, have been
welcoming guests to their idyllic B&B,
35 Kelkiewyn B&B, for the past 8 years,
and both are heavily involved with the
broader accommodation and tourist
scene in the area. Her enthusiasm,
knowledge, and insight make Riana the
perfect person to convey the delights of
the place that she calls home.
What are the biggest tourist
attractions in and around Nelspruit?
The biggest tourist attraction in the
city is the Lowveld National Botanical
Garden. It was established in 1969, and
occupies 169 ha which is intersected by
the Crocodile and Nels rivers. Viewpoints
allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful
scenes of the waterfalls, and the gardens
have a vast collection of cycads, the
largest collection of South African fig
trees and 200 bird species recorded and
sighted.
If you fancy a break from the
surrounding bushveld adventures, then
our two Malls - Riverside Mall & l’Langa
Mall - will provide you with a wonderful,
family-orientated shopping experience.
A big attraction at the Riverside Mall is
The Emnotweni Casino which, for those
of you interested in history, was the first
legal casino in South Africa. And l’Langa
Mall recently added an entertainment
wing with an ice rink (only one in
Mpumalanga), bowling alley, movie
theatres and a Fun Company. There is
something for everyone at both venues –
young and old.
18 // December 2017 - February 2018.
Nelspruit also boasts a busy event
calendar all year round. The inniBos
festival, which takes place every year
(July) is our biggest in terms of a tourist
attraction with over 100 000 people
coming from far and wide to the event
this year. There are stalls (Bos Môl), an
amusement park, 3 or 4 different stages
where artists perform during the day,
with the bigger concerts at night and
numerous venues across the city that
show theatre productions. We have
already started taking room bookings for
next year’s event so if you are interested,
you will need to book now!
Other events that the city hosts include
the Mpumalanga Show, which started
this year. It focuses on agriculture,
wildlife, forestry and tourism. The
Kishugu Air show is another exciting
event, not to mention the Mother’s Day
concert in the Botanical Garden hosted
by Sappi every year.
We also have several popular sport
competitions that bring hundreds of
athletes and fans to Nelspruit. The
Kaapsehoop Marathon happens on
the 4th of November, the Jock Cycle
Tour is in September and the Jock
of the Bushveld Golf Tournament is
in May. Nelspruit is also home to the
Steval Pumas rugby franchise, so if
rugby is your game, and you are visiting
during the playing season (March to
November), then go and watch them at
the impressive, 40 000-seater Mbombela
Stadium.
What is the restaurant scene like
in Nelspruit, and where would you
recommend?
Apart from all the well-known South
African favourite franchises (Spur etc),
you will find, and taste the Mozambican/
Portuguese influences in many of our
local restaurants like Costa do Sol and
Sophie’s Bistro. The Mediterranean is
a personal favourite of mine, serving a
variety of beautiful seafood and sushi
dishes. Orange and Zest @ Kavinga are
for the more sophisticated diner who
appreciates style and elegance.
If you want a more relaxed drinking
and dining experience, The Jock Pub &
Grill and Cicada are perfect, and where
you’ll find many locals kicking back after
a hard day’s work . The Stoep has an
informal backyard feel where a variety
of local and popular artists perform on a
regular basis.
The Farm Stall at Hall’s offers great
breakfast and lunch selections plus there
are several coffee shops like Food Fundi,
Blue Gate, Little Karoo Coffee Shop and
Puzzles.
And what about the accommodation situation
in the city? Does Nelspruit cater for all
budgets?
It is a little uncertain just how many places of
accommodation we have in town, but it is well
over a 100, catering for all budgets.
At the top end of the market there are 5-star
boutique hotels like La Villa Vita and Matumi
Golf Lodge - stunning. We also have a selection
of hotel chains such Protea Hotel, Town Lodge,
Road Lodge and Sun One if you prefer.
Obviously, I have a soft spot for the guesthouses,
B&Bs and self-catering facilities – which is the
category that our establishment, 35 Kelkiewyn
B&B, fits in to. All the owners are warm and
friendly and walk the extra mile to ensure
that guests are made to feel comfortable and
welcome. We all work very closely to make
sure that there is always a room available for
you. For example, if I cannot accommodate you
tonight, it takes one e-mail to all or a phone
call to a few and within 20 minutes you will
have 3 to 4 other options. It’s always difficult
to pick just a few of the great guesthouses
available but the ones I usually refer to are
Zebrina Guesthouse, Akwamaryn B&B, The Rock
Guesthouse, Acacia Guesthouse, Sheba’s Rock
Guesthouse, Beetleloop Guesthouse, Lost Trail
B&B, Abundance Lodge, Between the Sheets Self
Catering, Haden’s Rest Guesthouse, Tarentaal
Oorslaap, Auberge Guest Lodge and Nou’s Toeka
Events Centre and B&B – and this just a small
selection… there are so many more.
The back packers will find a good vibe at Funky
Monkey and caravan park options include Safubi
River Lodge and Caravan Park and Lakeview
Lodge and Caravan Park.
And finally Riana, what makes Nelspruit so
special?
The first thing that you will notice are the
beautiful views you have no matter where you
go – we have breath-taking scenery and sit right
on the doorstep of many incredible nature
experiences. The weather is lovely, although
the heat is something to get used to especially
during February, so air-con is a necessity. Our
climate makes gardening a dream – anything
grows and there’s no frost. We have great schools
from pre-school to University; our medical
practices and facilities are as good as anywhere
you’ll find in the world and as a resident we enjoy
a busy social calendar that runs all year round.
There’s always a market, a show, an event, a
challenge or a fun thing to do.
But with all this there is one entity that defines ( MBOMBELA STADIUM.
Nelspruit – the people. I have made some great : THE BOTANICAL GARDENS. SUDWALA CAVES.
friends, I’ve seen amazing community spirit which
rallies around in support when it is required and
a collective voice from all corners of the city that
warmly shouts – ‘Everyone is Welcome!’
December 2017 - February 2018. // 19
 THE HOLLYWOOD
Did “Bambi” sabotage hunting? Did
“Jaws” demonize sharks? Did “Finding
Nemo” put clownfish in serious danger?
In a paper published in Conservation
EFFECT
Biology, researchers from Great Britain’s
University of Exeter and Lancaster
University found the “Hollywood Effect”
can have a real impact on wildlife
featured on the big screen, and it’s one
that conservation scientists should pay
When we sit down to watch our favourite Disney or Pixar movies with our young attention to.
ones, have you ever considered what impact, good or bad, the movie is having on
“We weren’t suggesting that Hollywood
conservation efforts around the world? You’ll be amazed at how much influence our movies become message films
favourite on screen characters have on the balance of global ecology. David Freyl, about conservation,” said co-author
Matthew Silk, of the Environment and
managing editor of the Wildlife Society, tells us more. Sustainability Institute at the University
of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall,
FEATURE BY David Freyl “but there are ways in which there could
“Finding Nemo” is widely believed to have led to an
increased demand for clownfish ownership…
( BLU FROM RIO : A REAL LIFE NEMO
20 // December 2017 - February 2018.
be productive working relationships
between conservationists and
filmmakers.”
Silk said he and his colleagues decided
to investigate the effects of movies on
conservation after taking in Disney’s
live-action remake of Rudyard Kipling’s
“The Jungle Book.” The film featured a
cameo appearance by a pangolin, an
order of scaly ant-eating mammals in
Africa and Asia threatened by hunting,
deforestation, and animal trafficking. It’s
endangered in real life, and in the film,
Baloo the Bear threatens his pangolin
companion, “You have never been a
more endangered species than you are
at this moment.”
December 2017 - February 2018. // 21
“We sat there laughing longer than we
should have and far longer than anyone
else in the cinema,” Silk said. Later, they
realized, they might have tuned in to
something more serious about the role
of movies and conservation. Cinema,
they realized, could have a powerful
effect on biodiversity conservation, either
positively or negatively.
“One of the main things we found was,
nobody really studies this stuff,” said co-
author Sarah Crowley, but they were able
to tap into new resources, like Google
Trends, to get an idea of what people are
searching for after the movies come out.
The cartoon “Madagscar,” for instance,
led to a surge in searches for the catlike
fossa. After seeing “Rio,” people Googled
 A walking safari
the featured Spix’s macaw. The movie
“Finding Dory” prompted searches for
blue tangs like the main character.
“The ‘Bambi Effect’ is kind of the early
example of this,” Crowley said. While it’s
not clear if the 1942 film actually turned
people off hunting or if it reflected
You have never been a more endangered A Walking Safari encapsulates all elements of a wilderness experience.
changing attitudes toward it, she said,
several films that followed did seem to species than you are at this moment.
have conservation impacts.
Baloo the bear (Jungle Book 2016)
The movie “Jaws” seems to have A Walking Safari encapsulates all elements of a wilderness four twin safari tents while a traditional open-air dinner boma,
promoted a fear of sharks that led experience. Walking in the bush is adventurous as it’s often splash pool and lounge deck with sweeping views across the
to “likely consequences for shark difficult to predict what interesting flora and fauna and often reserve complete the camps facilities. All meals are traditionally
conservation,” researchers found. dangerous game will be encountered. It’s educational as the prepared on an open fire and safari activities include morning
“Finding Nemo” is widely believed to regions biodiversity is explored as the puzzle which links all walks, midday conservation activities and afternoon/night drives.
have led to an increased demand for species is explained. It is also a little spiritual as we put into Guests are hosted by an experienced Trails Ranger and Tracker.
clownfish ownership that increased perspective the natural and unnatural factors which affect
pressure on wild populations. biodiversity. We also provide some insight into the challenges Tsakane Safari Camp is set in a beautifully maintained indigenous
faced and techniques employed by conservation managers who garden. Guest facilities include a pool, reading lounge, bar,
Other films intentionally set out to make act as the custodians of this vast and diverse conservation area. open-air dinner boma, jacuzzi, conversation lounge and dining
a point about conservation. “Happy Tsakane Walking Safaris are conducted from their two purpose room. A maximum of four guests are accommodated in two
Feet” carried a strong message about built safari camps situated in the Greater Kruger Conservancy. twin or double en-suite chalets, all set in the bush fanning the
overfishing and plastic pollution. In perimeter of the camp. We believe that catering is integral to the
making “Finding Dory,” Disney Pixar Tsakane Indawo Trails is unfenced and has been carefully Walking Safari experience so meals are expertly prepared by our
worked with the Association of Zoos designed to fully integrate with its natural surrounding resident Camp Cook on an open fire in conversation with guests.
and Aquariums to avoid the impacts environment. A maximum of 8 guests are accommodated in
attributed to “Finding Nemo” by
promoting responsible fish buying,
researcher said. And that pangolin
appearance in “The Jungle Book” was no
accident. Director Jon Favreau reportedly
took the suggestion of Los Angeles Zoo
staff to include the creature as a way to
raise awareness.

“We’re trying to promote the positivity

of it,” Crowley said. “Obviously there is
some concerning potential for impacts,
but we found there’s a lot of opportunity
for research and lots of opportunity for
collaboration.”

That could include filmmakers using

conservation advisors the way many
already use science advisors, they said.
For scientists, researchers said, it may
simply mean doing baseline research
and being prepared for the impacts the
“Hollywood Effect” may bring on wildlife
— positive or negative.

David Frey is an editor at The Wildlife

Society. Contact him at dfrey@wildlife.
org with any questions or comments
about this article. Reprinted with
permission of The Wildlife Society.

Balule Nature Reserve

Sabie Game Park
: THE BEAUTIFUL BAMBI : THE PANGOLIN FROM THE JUNGLE BOOK reservations@tsamanagement.co.za
www.tsakanesafari.com
22 // December 2017 - February 2018. December 2017 - February 2018. // 23
 BY Andy Sullivan
I – Spy with my little eye…
How times have changed. When I look back on my time as a kid
(which does seem like a good while ago now) I have nothing
but fond memories of the road trips that we would embark on
as a family to get to our holiday destinations. On the morning
of departure, and we would always get up with the swallows
at some un-godly hour, Mum could be found in the kitchen,
feverishly buttering slice after slice of bread in her attempt to
make enough sandwiches to last a week, which was always
disproportionate to the 4-hour journey that lay ahead; Dad
would be in the driveway, doing final cross checks on the water
and oil of our bright orange Cortina, priming the family chariot
for the journey ahead; and my brother and I would be annoying
the pair of them, and each other, consumed as we were with
giddy excitement.
Eventually, and after many false starts (my Dad would go back
to the house at least four times to check that all the plugs had
been disarmed), we would be on our way. The first half an hour
would be largely uneventful with everyone seemingly getting
on. But before too long, the shoots of boredom would start to
grow in the back seats that were occupied by my brother and
I. The first outward demonstration of this would come in the
form of a broad, but pointed question. ‘So how long have we
got to go Dad?’
His first response would be calm, considered and, in his view,
reassuring. It would appease us for, I would say, about ten
minutes before a reframed version of exactly the same
question would be released, ‘How many kilometres are
left Dad?’, then, ‘how many more bends?’ Dad would
be getting
26 // December 2017 - February 2018.
CONGRATULATIONS to these amazing cover photo submissions.
You too could be featured in our upcoming editions.
Submit your best wildlife photos to kirsten@macpublishing.co.za
angrier, and his responses less considered, with every question.
Then, about an hour in, Mum would pull out her picnic hamper
and start dishing out corn beef sandwiches like there was no
tomorrow. That quietened us all down for a bit.
As the journey progressed, we would end up playing countless,
different car games to pass the time - I spy, 20 questions,
counting the coloured cars…my brother and I even invented
our own ‘cricket’ based game that involved the registration
numbers of the other cars on the freeway. In the absence of any
other form of distraction, we would, as a family, communicate
with each other. I miss that.
Cyrano Padiachi Ingrid Passier Andrew Taylor
So today, I am making a retro plea to bring back the art of
mindless chatting and beautiful word game play to the forefront
of your holiday experience whilst traveling with Ashtons. I
implore you to turn off your cell phone, pack away your tablet,
remove the earphones, and, in a defiant demonstration of how
things should be, look squarely in the eyes of the person sat
next to you, and calmly but confidently say to them... I spy with
my little eye, something beginning with… To advertise in Ashtons Into The Wild
contact Reta on 082 566 4979, reta@macpublishing.co.za
s
ul thing
Beautifask
don’t tention
for at
// 1
r. 2017
vembe
er. No
Octob
mber.
Septe
December 2017 - February 2018. // 27
 Animal Check List
There’s nothing better than spending the day spotting your favourite animals. We’ve worked hard to put together a check list that
includes not only the big five, but also some of the littler creatures that are common in the bush. So look up, look down and look through to
osaur see how many animals you can see — and don’t forget to take the checklist with you so you can compare with friends and family.
the din s
Why did road? Chicken
ss th e
cro

The Big 5
xist yet.
PICTURE SEARCH. Find all 20 hidden pictures! didn’t e the duck say
id k?
What d bought lipstic
en h e
wh ill.
n my b
Put it o

Buffalo Elephant Lion Leopard Rhinoceros

SUDOKU. Easy.

Aardwolf Black-backed Jackal Cheetah Spotted Hyena Wild Dog

SUDOKU. Easy / Medium.

Caracal African Wild Cat Civet Large-spotted Genet Small-spotted Genet

LETTERS
Why we love Ashtons Tours
Kruger Shuttle: Hoedspruit to Johannesburg review by Julia Keates
My trip with Ashtons was easy from the time I made the booking until the time I Serval Eland Impala Kudu Waterbuck
returned back to Hoedspruit. To Nelia, thank you for everything in terms of booking my
trip and helping with all solutions to my questions. Special thanks to Chris and Johan
for the driving, and allowing me to sit in front with you, to and from Johannesburg. I
am a particularly nervous passenger but never once felt uncomfortable with either of
the them. Keep up the good work - will definitely make use of the service again! SUDOKU. Hard.

Kind Regards, Julia Keates

Kruger Shuttle: Hoedspruit to Johannesburg review by P J De Meyer

Altogether a great experience that I will recommend to anyone. Faultless from your
office support through to a safe journey in a spotless vehicle. I must also mention that Bushbuck Nyala Common Reedbuck Mountain Reedbuck Klipspringer
I found your driver, Hannes, a very pleasant person to communicate with. He knows
when to talk and when not... (always a fine line). Thank you!

Kruger Shuttle: Early Johannesburg to Hoedspruit review by Lin Sztab

An excellent and very convenient service, thank you. The driver was courteous and
drove cautiously. The rest stops were well spaced and we arrived at our destination at
his estimated time. This is the second time I’ve used Ashtons, I will use them again and
have recommended them to many other people.

28 // December 2017 - February 2018. Steenbok Sharpe’s Grysbok Common Duiker Tsessebe Blue Wildebeest
Sable Antelope Burchell’s Zebra Giraffe Hippopotamus Banded Mongoose Pel’s Fishing Owl Saddle-billed Stork Southern Ground Hornbill Grey Go-away-bird Green-backed Heron

Dwarf Mongoose Cape Grey Mongoose Yellow Mongoose Spring Hare Scrub Hare Yellow-billed Stork Short-tailed Eagle Egyptian Goose Black-winged Stilt Reed Cormorant

Baboon Lesser Bushbaby Thick-tailed Bushbaby Vervet Monkey Blue Monkey Hamerkop White-backed Vulture Glossy Starling Crested Barbet Blue Waxbill

Porcupine Warthog Bushpig Tree Squirrel Honey Badger Burchell’s Coucal Scarlet-chested Sunbird Lilac-breasted Roller Redbilled Ox-pecker Marabou Stork

Rock Hyrax Hedgehog Aardvark Pangolin/Scaly Anteater Nile Crocodile Pearl-spotted Owlet Spotted Thick-knee Tawny Eagle Brown Snake Eagle Wahlsberg Eagle

Water Monitor Terrapin Black Mamba Puff Adder Baboon Spider Yellow-billed Kite Spur-winged Goose Red-winged Starling Helmeted Guinea Fowl Fork-tailed Drongo

Dung Beetle Scorpion Chameleon Marshal Eagle Lappet-faced Vulture Long-tailed Shrike Fiery-necked Nightjar Swainson’s Spurfowl Ostrich Kori Bustard