Conserving Endangered Rhinos in South Africa

Sara Buchan | Monday, November 19, 2018

“Spectacular, Life-changing, and amazing.”

I promise you that every wild and praising superlative you can think of applies to this trip. I have such admiration for Dr. MacTavish and her team. We were so well looked-after, and getting a breakdown of the field data we were gathering and what it meant to the project really made me feel I was indeed contributing in some small way to some very important work. The area is beautiful - we saw SO MANY animals apart from the rhino, and will never forget walking behind a small herd of them in the late afternoon, or our excitement at spotting different bird species, the good food, the good humour and laughs, and how incredibly brave and committed the team is at the reserve. Please support this project if you can, and please Earthwatch keep backing Dr. MacTavish and her crew. And thank you for being the conduit to such brilliant experiences. Thank you, thank you, than you!

Virginia Rogers | Wednesday, August 22, 2018

“Amazing trip!!!”

This was a really well-organized trip, with a wonderful blending of education and very concrete activities where you really were able to collect data and support the research effort, all combined with great camaraderie and an incredible warmth toward all the animals and all of us. I learned a ton. On the last day, they had miraculously collated all our data and provided a slide show reporting on the results. Just amazing! Kudos to the team for all the logistics planning and making this such a memorable experience!

James Remley | Tuesday, July 10, 2018

“It's a lifetime experience surrounded with international politics and black market economics”

My first “Conserving Endangered Rhinos” was in February 2016 and my second in June 2018. This expedition is all about the rhinos with a strong influence from wildlife conservation, personal education, international economics and politics, South African law, hip pocket research and fun.

Lynn MacTavish is a strong, hardworking, smart, passionate leader. The opportunity to work with Lynn, her father Dougal, Charles, Matthew, Luke and the rest of the staff is worth the trip. It’s a great atmosphere, focused on the rhinos; it’s casual and safe.

Living condition are fine, food is great and plentiful, social atmosphere is interesting, especially if the team is broadly international. On my first visit we had people from six countries and that made for some great conversation around the fire at night. The chance you take is relative to the team that joins you. One team was fantastic and one was very good – people on both teams made deep impression on me, all were interesting and interested people. Earthwatch is quite an organization, I only wish I had found it 20 years ago.

Where else can you get up early in the morning, eat a hearty breakfast, hop onto trucks and drive into the bush to find rhinos. And when located you stay with them and gather and record interesting behavioral data. And the next morning you’ll be anxious to do it all again.

A couple of recommendations: make sure you like dogs and cats – they live here. Arrive at Johannesburg the day or evening prior to the rendezvous – it’s just good for you and your team. Join a team which will have researchers from Brighton in attendance – that presence provides a larger experience. Join an expedition that will assist with the trimming of rhino horns, it is an emotional life time experience to monitor the breathing of a rhino, keep it cool with water, cover its eyes, collect dung samples; then give it a hug, see it wake up and return to its normal behavior. One last suggestion, you’ll only be at Mankwe once in your life; absorb as much as you can and resist distractions of things you can do at home and when you get home, you will have grown personally and socially. Sadly, we had a number of young people who had a cell phone in their hand much of the time; we missed their presence and they missed a lot of stuff.

Those last hugs from Lynn and Dougal were real tough; knowing that I won’t be back.

Eileen Mershart | Monday, April 16, 2018

“Conserving Endangered Rhinos in South Africa”

In January 2018 I participated in this research project. Without a doubt it was one of the best volunteer experiences I have ever had and I have had quite a few. Our research leaders were great teachers and gave us all the tools we needed to participate in a most meaningful way. They were an amazing, dedicated group of people who brought the issues in this complex problem into focus for us in ways that I could never never imagined. I am indebted to them all for their dedication and passion to help save this endangered species. I felt that our work was appreciated and valued. We participated in all facets of the research project from observing the behavior of the rhinos, both at the reserve we were based at as well as the rhinos in a nearby national park. We researched the behavior of dung beetles including how to set the traps and then identify them and of course put them back in the environment. I had no idea how many dung beetles exist in this world; though I did know how important they are. All the raw data we collected in the field was transferred to data bases and then sent to the team members at the university in the UK. We set camera traps, tested ways to get the rhinos to move away from the perimeter of the reserve and learned a lot about what it takes to manage a reserve including the phenomenal cost of anti-poaching measures.

I am grateful to Earthwatch for providing us with this opportunity and supporting this important work. The work of volunteers matters. And on this project it really matters. More eyes and more hands means more good data upon which sound decisions can be made. And you will meet some remarkable people. I highly recommend this project.

William Masse | Monday, February 12, 2018

“A Fabulous Experience”

This was the third Earthwatch that my wife and I have done, and it was the best of the three. This is saying quite a bit, because the other two were wonderful.

Mankwe is a relatively small wildlife reserve about 2 hours northwest of Johannesburg. It is in a beautiful setting. The reserve was established by Dougal MacTavish almost entirely on his own. I had the good fortune of spending a few hours patrolling with Dougal. His is an amazing man with an amazing story, His daughter, Lynne, is basically the business manager of Mankwe. She is also an amazing person; kind, patient, friendly, warm, and a true force of nature.

The setting of the main camp is on a dammed part of a small river. It really is lovely. All sorts of birds make their home on a small island in the middle of the lake. They put on quite a show, especially in the morning and evenings.

The work we did was collecting data on how de-horned rhino's cope without their horns. The de-horning does not hurt the rhinos; in fact the horns are similar to our fingernails and grow back. But, it's hoped that by de-horning the rhino's, they will be less attractive targets for poachers. We did a number of detailed observations of the rhinos whenever we found them in the park. We also collected dung for study, set out dung-beetle traps, counted and identified different types of dung beetles, and did basic data entry. Even though it was around 40 degrees Celsius every day (about 104 degrees F), we remained fairly comfortable in our work. The dung beetle work was really interesting and a lot of fun. Getting to know the rhinos was amazing. By the end of our time at Mankwe, we were able to begin seeing the different personality traits of the individuals.

In the meantime, we observed all the other animals living in the preserve; giraffes, warthogs, sable, waterbuck, and many many others. They showed us basic tracking techniques; we set up cameras at water holes. It was a great experience.

The best part were the people. Besides Dougal and Lynne there is a small group of employees and volunteers who are collectively some of the smartest, nicest and most dedicated people one could every hope to meet. Melissa, the volunteer coordinator, is a young English researcher with boundless energy, knowledge, and patience. Both she and Lynn not only made sure that our work was accurate, but went out of their way to show how the work we did really contributed to the research. Very gratifying.

And the work they are doing is very important. This might have been the best part of the entire experience. We got a glimpse into the day-to-day running of a wildlife preserve. We were introduced to the decisions and trade-offs that must be made to conserve wildlife in the real world. Working with these dedicated researchers and conservationists was broadened by view of the true challenges impacting the preservation of endangered species.

My wife and I hope to return to Mankwe. i highly recommend this expedition.

Georgann Meadows | Friday, December 22, 2017

“In the Very Close Company of Rhinos”

It took me awhile to return to the private reserve where the Earthwatch Conserving Endangered Rhinos in South Africa expedition is based, but I’m thrilled I finally made it. The first time I participated was with the January 2016 Team, and South Africa was in the midst of a heat wave and drought. Temperatures crept into the 120 degree F range. This time, in October 2017, the weather was milder and landscape much greener. It was wonderful seeing the environment in a different season. Both visits provided every volunteer ample time amongst the local fauna: giraffe, zebra, gemsbok/oryx, kudu, eland, tsessebe, impala, sable and other antelope, countless gorgeous birds, and of course, many up close and personal moments with the magnificent local rhino. These stunning animals are prehistoric, gentle, fascinating and enchanting. Watching them interact with each other as friends, rivals or loving family members is an unforgettable experience. Baby rhinos are particularly adorable!

Nancy Burton | Thursday, December 21, 2017

“Giving the Rhinos a Voice”

If you've never volunteered for an Earthwatch expedition before, or are undecided which expedition to do next, or you can only participate in one a year, then "Conserving Endangered Rhinos" is for you, hands down. Working alongside the scientists and dedicated reserve team you will know, without a doubt, your time and efforts can, and will, make a difference in saving this gentle animal. You will likely experience intense emotions and perhaps, like me, come away forever changed in the way you see your world. I can also tell you, I don't look at a full moon the same way I did before my time with the rhinos, as it puts them at even greater risk for poaching. The theme song to a movie out in the 70's implored us to "Bless the beasts and the children for in this world they have no choice. They have no voice." We are all truly indebted to those, who through their tireless dedication and unselfish efforts, are giving the white rhino a voice. You can too!

Jacob Anderson | Thursday, December 21, 2017

“Simply...FANTASTIC”

This was a trip of a lifetime. It costs a lot of money, but it was all very well organized and exciting, making it worth it. No days were the same, the friendly staff kept us busy with engaging activities and work but also left time for us to recharge. One day we're monitoring rhino behavior, another day we're learning how to track animals, or we're learning how a private reserve is run and more about the story of rhino conservation. The staff were always friendly and around, and I never felt unsafe.

It gets quite cold in the winter time, but as long as you bundle up you'll be able to deal with it. The food was very good, they served us with some of the animals of the reserve like kudu or wildebeest during dinner and it was always a different meal. It was filling, and it was nice to enjoy meals by the campfire. Breakfast and lunch were also filling and delicious.

You kind of go in not really knowing what to expect, but it's okay because it it's packed with adventure; quite an amazing trip that you wouldn't forget!

Nancy Kellogg | Monday, December 11, 2017

“Extraordinary African wildlife experience”

I’d never been to Africa before, but with this expedition I am completely enthralled. The leaders ensure that you experience wildlife on a grand scale, understand the issues and problems, and come away feeling that you have contributed to a solution.

Marlys White | Friday, November 17, 2017

“Conserving Endangered Rhinos in South Africa”

One of the best Earthwatch programs and so timely.

Diana Davis | 10/24/2017

“AWESOME EXPERIENCE”

Just got home from the October 2017 Rhino Earthwatch - highly recommended. I really felt like I contributed to understanding rhino conservation and learned a LOT.

For the nitty-gritty: the facilities are simple, the food is good and plentiful and the walking is not that strenuous. The location is wonderful; lots of wildlife to observe, including plenty of rhinos!

Seth Nelson | Monday, July10, 2017

“"This was my fourth expedition, but none have impacted me more"”

This was my fourth expedition, but none have impacted me more. The Rhino is a magnificent animal and emblematic of African Wildlife. Imagine a world without the Rhino. This scenario is too close to reality if Scientist like Sam Penny don't work tirelessly to save the Rhino from extinction. We were able to see the Rhino in it's natural habitat and directly be involved in the capture and release of six amazing animals. Their hide is like armour plating, while their ankle and skin under the legs and the stomach is soft and supple. The contrast evades any easy description.

Kristen Everett | Monday, January30, 2017

“Fulfilling and Heartfelt Trip”

I joined this project under the advice of a friend who will be making her third trip to the reserve this month and it was the best decision! Upon arriving we were taken to see the reserve and all the beautiful animals that come with it. The next day we were briefed on the heartbreaking story of the poaching incident that occurred on the reserve a few years back and the reason behind the studies we would be doing. I got so excited to dive in and help in anyway that I could and they did such an amazing job teaching us everything and making us feel like part of their team. I can't say enough good things about the group of people who work there, they are so passionate about what they do it becomes infectious and only fueled my desire to help. They understood this was also a trip for us and would stop whenever we wanted to take a photo or learn about our surroundings. They are all so knowledgeable about the eco-system there and could tell you the name of any animal, grass, or insect.

We spent the two weeks monitoring location, behavior, and activity of the 16 rhino on the reserve as well as acted as extra set of eyes to for them, which might have been the most important contribution. I had the time of my life I look forward to going back and being involved with this organization in the future. My last recommendation to you is to bring your appetite because Hilda and Doanna's cooking is on another level!

Marcia Hanlon | Monday, July11, 2016

“Prepare to enter the rhinos' world!”

If you've only seen animals in a zoo, prepare to have your mind blown! In the rhino expedition, you enter the animals' world and spend hours watching them in their own habitat, interacting with their babies or their pals. From the first hours you're on the reserve, you are out there in a truck, looking to see what kind of animals are around every turn. You never know! Except, of course, with the giraffe. They see you coming from a long way away and wait to stare curiously at you as you approach. Your team will open your eyes to their own worlds back home and what their lives are about as you share your commitment to the rhinos in your day-to-day work during the expedition. You learn the habits and the personalities of specific rhinos. There's a shared sense of commitment, excitement, and laughs as the team gets to know each other. Most importantly, there is a kindness that happens as team members watch out for each other and for the precious animals. The reserve is quiet and vast, and at night, dark. You'll see more stars than you've seen in years if you're from an urban or suburban area. This expedition truly takes you to another world, a world that is refreshing to know still exists apart from our fast-paced human world.

Georgann Meadows | Monday, April 11, 2016

“Conserving Endangered Rhinos in South Africa: Getting to Know a Species and Their Guardians”

"Conserving Endagered Rhinos in South Africa." Little did I know I would be getting to know the white rhinos inhabiting the private reserve personally. It's been four weeks since I first saw them, two weeks since I've returned home, and I miss hopping on a truck and going out to look for rhinos every morning! These are magnificent beings...prehistoric in nature, gentle in disposition. I gained appreciation for them when I first visited South Africa on an Earthwatch expedition in 1999. They reminded of giant grey cows grazing peacefully on grassland. But my fondness for them grew on this trip as I came to know them as individuals.

Two of the females have young male calves, and it was always a special treat to observe the mothers watch over their youngsters. One day was particularly memorable when the two families met and the little ones interacted.

An expectant mother will be chasing her son off soon so she can give birth and care for her newborn, but we saw her tolerate the company of another young, lone male. Perhaps she was encouraging the relationship between the two boys so that her son won't be lonely after she has the baby? We watched a big male approach the trio and after some posturing and huffing, walk off to graze peacefully some distance away, backs turned to each other in detente. These are complex creatures with interesting social lives!

In addition to our species of interest, we shared each day with elegant giraffe, several stunning varieties of African antelope, many humorous wart hogs, stately blue wildebeest, beautifully patterned leopard tortoises, dozens of bird species and plenty of interesting invertebrates.

The reserve itself was a delight to be in, with varied terrain ranging from grassland to shrub and forest. We saw it transform from parched landscape (because of drought) to a fertile green habitat as the rains began to fall during our stay. It was magical! Drying waterholes became bullfrog courting grounds and dam began to fill, bringing the (huge!) catfish in the lake near our camp back to life.

Most impressive are the people working to protect this reserve and the animals thriving there. They live, eat and breathe the place, dedicating their lives to managing the environment for the wellbeing of the wildlife living there. They are an inspiration! I am thrilled to have met them, enjoyed working with them, and honored to know them!

Alex Kallend | Friday, March 11, 2016

“Amazing experiences with Rhinos”

This was our first Earthwatch expedition, and I was a little hesitant going in to it, but found that the experience we had was amazing. Despite record temperatures, we got out in the field every day, and spent hours observing and recording the rhino's behaviour. We were able to approach within 10 meters on-foot on one occasion!

The staff were really inspirational, and their daily involvement in the attempt to save this species is really needed. The camp food was amazing, and we had the opportunity to try several game meats while there.

Even during downtime, the camp is situated on a dam, and so there was excellent wildlife viewing, especially of water birds. We got to go to Pilanesberg national park on our rec day, and saw cheetah, lions and elephant there, as well as a black rhino!

Overall, this was an excellent trip, and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in saving one of our largest mammals.

Kathleen Kallend | Thursday, January 21, 2016

“Fantastic!!!”

My husband and I had never done and Eathwatch expedition before so we had no idea what to expect. My biggest fear was that we'd feel more like an accessory and less part of a team.

In reality we were very much part of a team doing valuable research. Our presence not only helped deter poachers but helped boost the spirits of those on the ground who are fighting daily for the lives of these amazing creatures.

The research itself was interesting and enjoyable. The rhinos are far more interesting and important than I realized before this experience.

One other note: The accommodations were better than expected (my spouse and I were able to have a tent to ourselves) and the food was excellent.