PROJECTS

Hokoyo Wildlife Trust working with Grasslands who employ the local Bushman in the area who are expert trackers will assist in managing the rhino.

The Trust will educate local people on the effects of poaching. Anti poaching patrols will be deployed to maintain an area free of snares. Campaigns include the following source & further reading go to: www.eoearth.org

Report Poaching
Stay anonymous and report those responsible for poaching
They are stealing your children's heritage

Definition

"Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals. This can occur in a variety of ways. Poaching can refer to the failure to comply with regulations for legal harvest, resulting in the illegal taking of wildlife that would otherwise be allowable. Examples include: Taking without a license or permit, use of a prohibited weapon or trap, taking outside of the designated time of day or year, and taking of a prohibited sex or life stage. Poaching can also refer to the taking of animals from a gazzetted wildlife sanctuary, such as a national park, game reserve, or zoo. Most countries enforce various sanctions on the hunting of wild animals, and international controls, such as bans, restrictions and monitored trade, are all aimed at controlling poaching. However, it is important to note that hunting, under specific regulations, is in fact often permitted in designated game preserves.

No matter the reason why an animal is killed, all types of hunting or poaching have led to extinction of species, and if uncontrolled many more animals will become extinct.

Methods of poaching

Snare wire
These are cable wires of different lengths which are tied on trees to trap animals. The snare is put in such a position that it traps the animal around the neck. The wire strangles the animal as it struggles to free itself. Snares are used by poachers throughout Africa.

Spears and dogs
Hunters with a net wrapped on a stick and a spear. A more traditional method involves chasing and spearing animals with the assistance of dogs. The dogs disorient the animal and in some cases actually subdue it. A dog may have a bell tied around its necks, which startles the quarry from its hiding place.

Trap nets
The net is spread at one end of an area, and the poachers, sometimes with the assistance of dogs, chase the animals towards it. The animals get trapped in the net, and the poachers spear them.

Pitfalls
Pits are dug to trap large animals such as elephants, buffaloes and zebras. The pits are dug across the path of the animals. The pits are normally covered with grass and trees to disguise them. The animals are normally pushed towards the pit. This is done in two ways: some hunters chase the animals, while others provoke the animals into chasing them. Because the animals are heavier than the plants covering the pit, they will fall in while crossing the pit. It is here that the hunters will come and kill the animal; most of these animals are killed for their ivory, teeth and other products. Normally the hunter takes a very small part of the animal, which is then sold to dealers.

Arrows and bows
Snare-like trap used to trap smaller animals in the Rwenzori region. These are normally made out of local forest products. Some hunters such as the Mbuti pygmies of Congo are said to put poison on their arrow tips.

Other traps
Horseshoe-like trap used to trap smaller animals in the Rwenzori region. The trap holds the animal by its leg. Poachers use many other traps; most are made with local materials. An example is a snare-like trap used to trap small animals mainly used by communities in the Rwenzori area. The other commonly used trap in the area is a horseshoe-like trap made from iron. The trap is placed on the ground and the animal gets trapped when it steps on it.

Poaching, extinction and disease
While poaching has various effects, its most direct impact is extinction, either globally or within a given locality. Poaching has also been associated with the spread of disease, both in animals and humans. In Congo, for example, it is believed that the Ebola virus was transmitted to people who fed on monkeys and other primates, who then transmitted the disease to other human beings. In Uganda, the outbreak of Anthrax in early 2000 was associated with people eating or transporting infected animals from Queen Elizabeth National Park."

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Habitat destruction has major impacts affecting global warming, wildlife and communities. Our woodlands and forest are being degraded at an alarming rate.

What can you do?

Action
Protect indigenous trees in your own area.
Plant trees
Incorporate trees into your gardening and farming
Sponsor a tree planting initiative thru Hokoyo Wildlife Trust

Benefits of protecting indigenous woodland & Tree Planting?

Habitat for Wildlife
Fruits for Humans & Wildlife
Fire wood
Poles for building
Money from sale of sustainable wood management

Protect indigenous woodland, plant trees & stop global warming!

Donate now - Support a tree project in Southern Sub region of Africa!

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Positive Solutions for Positive Change

What can you ?

Create a movement of self improvement and grow your own organic vegetables even if you live on poor soils. Make the soils rich and empower your own individual lives. Here is what you can do to help your own life & earn an income from the sale of your vegetables, feed yourself & help the environment. Using drip irrigation and vermicast one can empower your own life - This small patch of onions generated several 1000.00 Pula with only two peoples' efforts. Get involved, make the change and difference to improving your own life.

Vermicast:

Compost Worms; Fishing Worms; Multi Unit Worm Compost Bins.

Why should you have a worm compost bin?

To reduce your own kitchen and garden waste. To help reduce landfill sites which in turn will help reduce global warming. To produce a rich organic solid and liquid plant nutrients and growth stimulant, full of beneficial microbes and good bacteria for a healthy garden, vegetable patch and lawn. Reduce fertilizer bills. Improve soil structure.

Get involved - You can sponsor one of Hokoyo Wildife Trusts Community projects: Donate Here

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Cultural Project

Cultural experiences add a special dimension to guests visiting the Kalahari and the preservation of cultural heritage. The bushman work directly with Grasslands Safaris on their tourism cultural project and are excited about the fact they will be taking care of the endangered Black Rhino. Bushman trackers will be employed by the sanctuary to look after the rhino and will also be involved in the educational rhino camp to teach tracking, and share other related skills /subjects. Bushman are known to be the best trackers in the world.

Central Kalahari

This is the second largest Game Reserve in the world covering an area of 52,800 sq km. The entire region consists of vast plains, ancient riverbeds and saltpans. Wildlife to be found in this area include: large herds of springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, hartebeest and the largest of all antelope, the eland. The Central Kalahari is famous for its black mane lions, which can withstand and survive this harsh environment without water for several months of the year. Nature has evolved in this environment with certain instinctive adoptions. Adjacent to the reserve you will be able to interact with the Bushmen of the Kalahari They are renowned for their ancient culture and their unique ways. Bushman ancestors are the first inhabitants of the continent and Africa's oldest people.

Game Viewing

Interesting desert species, including the famous black mane lions and brown hyena. Other predators include: wild dogs, cheetah, spotted hyena and leopard. Good birding opportunities to spot those more unusual Kalahari species.

Grassland Safari Lodge

Grassland Safari Lodge (Central Kalahari GR, Botswana) is a little world of wonders...See a wide variety of Kalahari animals and bird species on 4WD game drives, on horseback, or simply gaze out at the numerous species attracted to our own waterhole in front of the lodge. Enjoy memorable moments in the company of the area's endemic San bushmen. Learn how they hunt for food including meat, vegetables and nuts; make medicines; traditional dances and ceremonies; build their homes and even how they play games together. Enjoy a safe and leisurely horse ride inside our large concession, with rides lasting anywhere from one hour to three days. Learn of our rescue work with lions, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs in the Kalahari region's farmlands. See first hand how rogue and orphaned animals are saved from almost certain death, before being moved to more suitable locations, thereby protecting them and conserving the future of their species. And you'll find our eight stylish double chalets are luxurious, relaxing and comfortable. Location of the lodge Grassland Safari Lodge is located on the western edge of the Central Kalahari GR, some 80km northeast of the connurbation of Ghanzi.

Activities

At the lodge and beyond There's never a dull moment at Grassland Lodge! Guests are free to take life at their own pace and soak up the unique atmosphere of the lodge, but you'll always find there's something different to do. Because of the lodge's unusual location, many of the activities offered are either exclusively available at Grassland or will be sufficiently different from anywhere else, to make the experience truly memorable.
Cultural actvities, with the local bush men
Predator Protection Project
Horse Riding & Horse Safaris
Game Viewing

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