Honorary Rangers recently cleared up an army of snare traps; protecting the Kruger’s wildlife from the harmful beasts!

Kruger National Park, South Africa (30 September 2024) — A whopping 250 snare traps were recently found and removed from the Kruger National Park. Thanks to SANParks Honorary Rangers who united from their respective parts of the country (the East Rand, Lowveld, Vaal Triangle and Boland Regions), the snare traps were safely removed over the space of a single weekend, making a life-saving difference for the wildlife in the region.

While the news is a fantastic example of collective efforts for wildlife protection, it also shines a glaring spotlight on the challenges our animals face in areas like the Kruger when it comes to poaching tricks.

There’s a common misconception that because the Kruger National Park is as famous as it is and holds so much touristic value, it is somehow protected from cruelties like poaching. Sadly, this is far from the truth to which the recent snares removal speaks volumes.

What Are Snare Traps?

As CapeNature explain, a snare trap can be a simple piece of wire (or cable or nylon) that takes on a noose-like form. They can be placed in different settings—from the opening of a hole in the ground where a small animal might dwell, or up onto trees, on fence posts or on pathways.

Snare traps are a hunting method that tends to be popular because they’re low-cost and often camouflaged (at least from the perspective of an unassuming animal). Not only is it a very cruel means of trapping an animal (as they can die a slow and hard death), but it’s also very much prohibited.

With this context in mind, the knowledge that there were 250 death traps sitting pretty becomes a tough pill to swallow. However, it also jolts us all into greatly appreciating the efforts of the SANParks Honorary Rangers—a volunteer group who give their own time to assist with tasks typical rangers don’t always have the capacity to get to.

Sources: SANParks; CapeNature 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Honorary Rangers Remove 250 Snare Traps!  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A portrait of Kruger lion—whose eye looks as if the universe itself lies beneath it—has won an impressive photography competition category. Why? Just take a look at this photograph:

Global (27 September 2024) — A mighty lion looks directly into the camera lens. His tongue protrudes, almost as if he is looking at his next meal. His expression is intimidating, even without his majestic mane in full view. These elements alone give the onlooker a deep sense of the sublime; as if it were a snapshot from the last clear visual memory his prey ever saw. But that’s not what made this Kruger lion a winning portrait.

One eye boasts a soft, fierce flavour of amber. The other is a deep purple with hints of galactic blue peering through. In the right light, it looks as if this Kruger lion holds in his left eye, a portal to the rest of the universe. A doorway to the rest of existence. Perhaps, he does.

Australian photographer Lewis Burnett captured the breathtaking shot on a breathtaking early morning drive in the Southern half of the Kruger National Park. Here, he was lucky enough to spend nearly half an hour with the lion few will ever see up close (or ever be brave enough to).

His shot, aptly titled ‘Window to the Soul’ was entered into this year’s Nature TTL photography competition where it went on to win the Wild Portraits category for an obvious reason–it feels impossible to look away.

“Staring into the eye of this mighty male lion is enough to make you shrink back in your seat,” says Lewis.

“There’s no solid consensus as to what happened to his eye,” the photographer adds. “But weirdly enough his brother also has it. I’ve heard its genetics, that it was a spitting cobra, or perhaps it was an infection, who knows…But I do know one thing, he’s one intimidating lion!”

You can see all the entries, here. 

Sources: GTG; Lewis Burnett 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Sublime Kruger Lion Portrait Wins Photography Contest’s Awe  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Remember Magadani’s love for wildlife and nature began as a young girl and she has now found fulfilment in her volunteer work at Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park, South Africa (06 September 2024) – Having grown up in rural Limpopo, Remember Magadani was always curious whenever she saw people travelling to go to the Kruger National Park, wondering what all the fascination was about.

After asking around and discovering that it was the Big Five that had people and tourists travelling to the national park, a seed was planted in Remember’s heart. However, the burning desire to also make the adventurous trip posed a challenge when she was still young.

“As I grew up and started working, and married my husband, David, we were able to buy our own car.

“We bought ourselves a tent and were finally able to visit the Kruger National Park and camp in the camping areas,” Remembers recalls.

The love for wildlife and nature was instant and during the holiday season, she and her now late husband would visit Skukuza, Berg en Dal and Crocodile Bridge.

“We liked those areas of the park. The camp manager at Skukuza approached me and asked me if I would like to volunteer and join the SANParks Honorary Rangers,” said Rememner who felt honoured and wasted no time in filling out application forms.

Today, Remember finds purpose and pleasure in tourism duty because she enjoys talking to people from all cultures and walks of life.

“I am so grateful to be part of working as a volunteer in Kruger.”

Eager to learn more about national parks and wildlife, Remember has attended many indabas.

Since her husband passed away she has had to take on additional responsibility when it comes to taking care of and providing for her family. But her volunteer work remains a priority and passion.

“I enjoy working as a team and we work hard. I make sure to prioritise time to do voluntary SHR duty.”

Sources: SANParks Honorary Rangers

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Remember Magadani Shares How Curiosity Led Her to Becoming a Dedicated SANparks Volunteer appeared first on Good Things Guy.

33 new field rangers have joined the boots on the ground in the Kruger National Park, where they will provide much-needed support to other rangers in protecting our natural heritage!

Kruger National Park, South Africa (04 September 2024) — 33 new field rangers will be on the ground in the Kruger National Park, thanks to their successful passage through several stages of recruitment and training.

In July, pre-selection and selection processes took place, during which trainees were screened and evaluated for their fitness, cognitive functioning, and aptitude. Other elements like their attitudes and commitment to teamwork were also looked at (as ranger work is heavily reliant on being able to coordinate smoothly with others).

The successful group then navigated their way through the Basic Field Ranger Training course, which should add ‘intense’ to its title because of its grilling nature.

After all these hoops, 33 new field rangers successfully came out on the other side and enjoyed their passing parade yesterday, 3 September.

With immediate effect, they have been deployed to different sections of the Kruger National Park, where they will be responsible for the protection of the precious land, its inhabitants and its future.

Says SANParks:

“The new recruits will provide the much-needed boost to the current team of ranger corps and should be seen as a necessary measure to support Law Enforcement and Biodiversity Conservation efforts in the park, giving invaluable support to the men and women working on the ground.”

Meanwhile, in other exciting news on the wildlife and wildflora scene, SANParks and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) celebrated a significant milestone recently as the Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden was completed!

Sources: SANParks 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post The Kruger National Park Welcomes 33 New Field Rangers! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Classical music lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, this one is for you! The Kruger National Park is getting ready to transform into a stage for the classics; a fantastic fundraising effort for the SANParks Honorary Rangers:

Kruger National Park, South Africa (17 April 2024) — The Kruger National Park will soon play stage to a one-of-a-kind, classical music concert where natural breath-takers and sounds of the human spirit will join forces to raise funds for the SANParks Honorary Rangers.

Come 7 and 8 June, South Africa’s most famous wildlife destination will ignite with the sounds of classical favourites. On the programme are the Apple Green Orchestra under Tim Robert’s direction and soprano Sinesipho Mnyango who will take those attending on a journey from Mozart and Bach to Elton John and even ABBA.

Guided by the seasoned director and conductor—Tim Roberts is the director of the Johannesburg Bach Choir, conductor of the Randburg High Community Orchestra and is the artistic director of the annual St Francis Music Festival—the musical journey is set to be one for the books!

A joint effort in partnership with Innibos Lowveld National Arts Festival, ‘Classics in the Wild’ promises an arts and culture experience with impact at the heart of it all. Proceeds will make their way to the SANParks Honorary Ranger who play a tremendous role in supporting SANParks across a spectrum of services.

Who are the SANParks Honorary Rangers?

In case you haven’t met them before, the SANParks Honorary Rangers are the unsung heroes of many conservation efforts, who last year, contributed over 313 000 hours of duty to SANParks. A volunteer organisation, the Honorary Rangers’ work is a labour of love that ranges from upgrading and rebuilding to protecting and patrolling. You can catch up on some of their good news stories here!

More Details

Classics in the Wild will take place at Mdluli Safari Lodge, and is open to Kruger National Park guests and the public who wish to purchase tickets and support the cause.

Sources: SANParks Honorary Rangers

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Classical Music and the Kruger Team Up for Honorary Rangers appeared first on Good Things Guy.

After orphaned baby elephant found its way to a woman’s garden, little Phabeni’s story took a life-changing turn!

Hoedspruit, South Africa (22 November 2023) — A new orphaned baby elephant has joined the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD) family. But, little Phabeni’s new life wouldn’t be possible without the many heroes that showed up for the young elephant; sheltering his future.

This is Phabeni’s Story:

Earlier this month, a woman who lives near the Kruger National Park noticed a most unusual visitor in her garden. It was a baby elephant who was completely on his own in the world, after having lost his mother and herd.

The woman didn’t want to take the rangers’ advice which suggested ending his life because, without a herd, his chances for survival wouldn’t be fair. Instead, she wanted to give the little one a chance.

Nature Conservation officials were shortly on their way to the scene. Whilst making the trek, HERD was contacted to get involved, and before long, Phabeni was being estimated for transit.

The HERD rescue team awaited the four-month-old elephant at the Kruger National Park’s Phabeni Gate. This gate would aptly spark the calf’s name as it means ‘Shelter’ in Sotho, honouring the woman whose kindness saved Phabeni. At the time of his rescue, he weighed just 122kgs and had minor wounds.

Back in Hoedspruit at home base, the team on the ground made big preparations for his arrival.

An orphaned elephant calf that requires quite a few arrangements, including a nursery made up with teff, medical supplies and new teats for milk bottle feedings. And of course, a companion. Lammie (the local legend sheep) who had recently been busy with rhino calves was the perfect pick for the assignment.

Adine Roode rallied many other HERD legends for Phabeni so that the welcome would be as hands-on as possible.Soon, Phabeni’s big arrival was warmly welcomed and the little trunk showed positive signs like being quick to drink.

“As tragic as his last few days no doubt were, the calf was now in the right place to help him heal. He could get the milk he needed without his mother to provide for him, and the promise of a new elephant family awaited him, right next door in the elephant homestead,” shared the HERD team. 

Phabeni is now under the care of Dr Rogers and Lammie and an all-star team of carers, and we are holding out all hope that his story will follow in the feel-good footsteps of other elephants like the now not-so-little Khanyisa.

Sources: HERD Newsletter

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Woman Saves Phabeni’s Life, Now the Little Elephant is Safe With HERD appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A lot of people wonder about the Kruger National Park; so much so that this ‘kingdom’ earned a top spot on a new, literal ‘World Wonders’ list that revealed the global landmarks and natural marvels the world is most curious about!

Global (14 September 2023) — Whether you’re a self-certified explorer, live and breathe the nomad’s path or spend your spare time dreaming about the world beyond your home town, you probably have your own idea of World Wonders beyond the Big 7.

While ‘World Wonders’ are arguably a subjective idea, a new data-led spin on the iconic list took an objective route, putting South Africa’s Kruger National Park in the travel spotlight for all reasons excitable and curious!

New data from AllClear set to investigate which landmarks and natural attractions take the top tier for ‘wonder’ in the literal sense—i.e.: which bucket list spots are actually the most ‘wondered’ about.

While no mind reading took place, data investigations from Wikipedia (the watering hole of quick info) did.

After looking at over 43000 landmarks, the report revealed that the Kruger National Park is the space the world wonders about the most when thinking about South Africa, based on the Wikipedia pageviews insights.

Beyond South Africa, the New World Wonders list saw India’s Taj Mahal, UAE’s Burj Khalifa, Nepal’s Mount Everest, the USA’s Statue of Liberty, China’s Great Wall, France’s Eiffel Tower and Peru’s Machu Picchu receive the most page views, AKA ‘wonder hits’.

On the African continent, the top three wonders stand as the Nile River, Mont Kilimanjaro and Carthage in Tunisia, while the Kruger National Park was revealed to be the SA space most Wikipedia viewers are curious about.

Sources: AllClear

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Kruger National Park Sits Pretty With World Wonders on New List appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A win for wildlife! Volunteer Honorary Rangers from the East Rand to Limpopo teamed up to remove an awful amount of snares in the Kruger National Park:

Kruger National Park, South Africa (01 September 2023) — Several SANParks Honorary Rangers recently teamed up to stop a series of snare traps in their tracks in the Kruger National Park’s Mahlangeni Section.

What are Snares?

Snares are an illegal means in animal hunting where wildlife are captured with noose-like designs made from different materials like wire, cable or rope, usually for purposes of bushmeat and even illegal trading.

What’s Being Done About Them?

As other wildlife heroes like the Cape Leopard Trust spearhead their ‘Snare Free’ initiative (uniting leading conservation, animal welfare and volunteer organisations in the Western Cape) SANParks Honorary Rangers celebrated a victorious snare removal where teams united from across South Africa to make the mission a success.

These heroes hail from the East Rand to Limpopo and Bushvelt to combine their removal efforts; protecting unsuspecting wildlife near the Klein Letaba River. Together, they removed 49 snares.

The Honorary Rangers are a group of volunteers who tackle a ton of unsung missions as often as possible; of which snare removals are an important part for both wildlife and their ecosystems.

Meanwhile in other wildlife news to get excited about, Little Khanyisa the Albino elephant has reached just over 1 tonne in weight! As a survivor who began her journey at HERD at just 124 kilograms, her progress is a testament to the teams that rescued her, her carers and everyone supporting the not-so-little-anymore elephant’s future.

Sources: SANParks

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Honorary Rangers Team Up to Stop Snare Traps in their Tracks  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A first-time tourist to the Kruger National Park Captured a once-in-a-lifetime showdown between a leopard who thought he was clever and some baboons who were not to be underestimated.

Kruger National Park, South Africa (16 August, 2023)—In the heart of the Kruger National Park where roads are often a place for a wildlife sighting or an encounter if you’re lucky, one first-time tourist captured a once-in-a-lifetime showdown between an overly ambitious leopard and a troop of baboons who were greatly underestimated. The lone leopard vs baboons showdown is an incredibly rare sight for any visitor, let alone a first-timer!

In the initial viral video of the showdown shared on Latest Sightings, the leopard can be seen escaping after his plans for a baboon lunch went very wrong; highlighting his tenacity and speed.

However, from the first-time tourist Merve Mersinligil’s perspective; the baboons’ side of the story was captured in full clarity displaying their tact and teamwork as they handed the leopard’s tail to him, with many South African viewers agreeing that we as people can learn a thing or two about working together from this squad.

Watch: Leopard vs Baboons Showdown

Merve shared with Latest Sightings that she had made a joke before the leopard learnt his lesson, expressing that she considered giving the baboons a warning upon noticing the leopard’s suspicious movements.

Luckily for the male primates, they caught her telepathic message and around 50 of them were ready to rock and roll the leopard out of sight.

Another day, another reason South Africa is a movie.

Sources: Latest Sightings

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Tourist Captures Once-In-a-Lifetime Leopard vs Baboons Showdown! appeared first on Good Things Guy.