Ep 12: Precious Malapane – K9 handler, field ranger, and fierce woman of conservation.

Ep 12: Precious Malapane – K9 handler, field ranger, and fierce woman of conservation.

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In this episode, I’m talking with my friend Precious Malapane. Precious is from Mpumalanga, South Africa, where she grew up on the boarder of Kruger National Park. She became a ranger at the Southern African Wildlife College, where she then went on to become a K9 handler and trainer. Precious deployed with K9s to support rangers in the field tracking poachers, and she helped train new candidates in ranger selections and training courses at the College. She is now working as a field ranger and K9 handler out in the field.

In this conversation, we talk about how Precious first connected with wildlife, her love of dogs, what it was like as a woman in ranger selection and training, and her advice for women wanting to become a ranger. There are a ton of stories about working with dogs, overcoming tough challenges, and following that passion within. During the podcast, we struggled with some minor connection issues, but hang in there. Precious’s enthusiasm and stories make up for it.

Ep 11: Matt Lindenberg – GCC, RHINO MAN, and fighting for the future of conservation.

Ep 11: Matt Lindenberg – GCC, RHINO MAN, and fighting for the future of conservation.

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In this episode, I’m talking with one of my best friends in the world, Matthew Lindenberg. Matt is the founder and executive director of the Global Conservation Corps and a co-director and producer of RHINO MAN the movie. Early on, Matt studied at the Southern African Wildlife College, where he subsequently worked for six years. During this time, Matt was mentored by Martin Mthembu, one of the finest ranger trainers in the African continent. Matt went on to attain his Masters in Cheetah Conservation from Grand Valley State University. After Martin passed away in 2014, Matt was compelled to continue Martin’s legacy of conservation and he did so by founding GCC and RHINO MAN the movie.

In this conversation, Matt and I dig deep into his early connection to wildlife, his years of moving around South Africa and the US, his struggle for direction during his youth, how he eventually reconnected with his love of nature, and the path down which following this passion took him. We dive into the inspiration for starting the Global Conservation Corps, how RHINO MAN the movie came about, the trials and tribulations we’ve both had while bringing the film to life, and some of the recent challenges since COVID-19 changed the world. There are a ton of amazing stories of overcoming struggle, finding one’s direction, and committing to something bigger than oneself.

LEARN MORE
GCC Website: globalconservationcorps.org
Instagram: @theglobalconservationcorps @matt.lindenberg
Facebook: @globalconservationcorps. @matt.lindenberg.5

Ep 10: Rohit Singh – WWF, advocating for rangers, and Life on the Frontline.

Ep 10: Rohit Singh – WWF, advocating for rangers, and Life on the Frontline.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Rohit Singh. Rohit is the lead for Zero Poaching at World Wildlife Fund (WWF). His current work helps advance WWF’s priority wildlife conservation outcomes and helps reduce illegal and unsustainable wildlife exploitation and trade. Rohit works closely with WWF field offices, regional programs, global initiatives and partners to support conservation law enforcement in protected and conserved areas through developing and implementing best practices and innovations.

In this conversation, Rohit takes us on his journey from an early desire to work with wildlife, up to his current work with rangers. We go deep into the Life on the Frontline survey, which reveals many of the challenges rangers face on the job around the world: Everything from low wages, to lack of mental health support, to poor training, and gender inequalities. We talk about his work through WWF and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance to create better working standards and respect for the ranger position internationally. Rohit tells stories of some amazing rangers and leaves us with a beautiful quote from a fellow ranger. So much to learn about how we can all come together and support these amazing guardians of the planet.

LEARN MORE
WWF Website: www.worldwildlife.org
Life on the Frontline: 2019 Survey
Instagram: @rohitwildlife @wwf
Facebook: @wwf

Ep 9: Petronel Nieuwoudt – Care for Wild and the collective passion for saving the rhinos.

Ep 9: Petronel Nieuwoudt – Care for Wild and the collective passion for saving the rhinos.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Petronel Nieuwoudt. After completing her university studies, Petronel joined the Endangered Species Protection Unit of the South African Police Service, where she held the rank of Captain. In 1999, she left the police service and started The Game Capture School, which focused on the best practices for wildlife capture, care, and management. Petronel also started the Sondela and Tamboti wildlife centres. In 2011, she moved to Mpumalanga where her passion for the protection of wildlife resulted in the founding of Care for Wild Africa, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for all wildlife in need.

In this conversation, we talk about Petronel’s youth growing up on a farm surrounded by wildlife. We go into her journey of conservation that led up to the founding of Care for Wild. Petronel tells beautiful stories about all of the sacrifices the many people have made in working to save the rhino species, everything from dangerous helicopter flights, to rangers risking their lives, to the endless long hours the caretakers put into keeping these orphaned survivors alive. This episode is truly a journey of passion and love for the people and animals of this amazing planet.

LEARN MORE
Care for Wild: careforwild.co.za
Instagram: @careforwild
Facebook: @careforwild

Ep 8: Ruben De Kock – A life of training rangers as the frontline of conservation.

Ep 8: Ruben De Kock – A life of training rangers as the frontline of conservation.

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In this episode, I’m talking with my good friend Ruben de Kock. Ruben was first a soldier in the South African Defence Force, where he specialized in training equestrian and motorcycle skills along with weapons handling. When he retired as a Staff Sergeant he began training field rangers for the Bureau of Natural Resources in KwaZulu-Natal. There he met the legendary ranger trainer Martin Mthembu, who soon became Ruben’s best friend and eventually partner in their own business, African Field Ranger Training Services. Together, along with Ruben’s wife Marianne, they trained thousands of rangers across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Later they sold AFRTS to the Southern African Wildlife College, and now Ruben works as the Development Manager at LEAD Ranger. He is also one of the stars of our film RHINO MAN.

In this chat, we take a trip into Ruben’s storied past – plane crashes in the Congo, poacher encounters in the bush. We learn about his time in the military, and when he first trained rangers at Ntinini under conservationist Nick Steele. We dive deep into his relationships with his friend Martin and his wife Marianne, and we explore Ruben’s passion for everything rangers. He has truly dedicated his life to fighting for field rangers, making sure that they get the best skills and support they well deserve. So without further ado, let’s jump into this epic conversation.

LEARN MORE
LEAD Ranger: leadranger.org
Southern African Wildlife College: wildlifecollege.org.za

Ep 7: Jacqueline Cochrane – Investigative journalism, corruption, and rhino poaching.

Ep 7: Jacqueline Cochrane – Investigative journalism, corruption, and rhino poaching.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Jacqueline Cochrane. Jacqui is an investigative journalist focusing on combating wildlife and organized crime, and African peace and security. She’s also a communications consultant and works with organizations like the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), ENACT, and WWF Khetha.

In this chat, we talk about Jacqui’s background in conservation and journalism and how she brought the two together. We dive deep into topics like transnational organized crime in relation to wildlife crime, the misperceptions of the public’s view of the rhino poaching crisis, how to combat corruption through creating more trust and equality, the role of investigative journalism in this cause, why we need collaboration between international and local organizations when fighting wildlife crime, and so much more.

FOLLOW
LinkedIn: Jacqueline Cochrane
Twitter: @Jax_C

Ep 6: Anton Mzimba – Life of a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

Ep 6: Anton Mzimba – Life of a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

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On the evening of July 26th, 2022, our dear friend Anton Mzimba was brutally gunned down at his home in front of his family, by what was presumed to have been hitmen from a rhino poaching syndicate. He always said he knew the risks. The risks of being a ranger. The risks of sharing his story. But that doesn’t change the fact that his loss is devastating. He could have done so much more. This podcast episode may be the last interview Anton gave. In it he gives us his life story, his hopes, and his dreams. May your legacy forever live on, my friend. 🦏🙏❤️

In this episode, I’m talking with my good friend, Anton Mzimba. Anton has been a field ranger in South Africa for over 24 years, and he is currently the Head of Security for the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. In 2016, he won Best Field Ranger at the Rhino Conservation Awards. Anton also serves as a technical advisor for the Global Conservation Corps.

In this conversation, we talk about how Anton became a ranger, his days of training rangers at the Southern African Wildlife College, the role of a ranger and how it has changed over the years, the emotional toll of facing armed poachers, and how to navigate family life with a job that takes you away from home for long periods of time. We also dig into potential solutions to poaching, which include working closely with local communities, and we get Anton’s thoughts on the coming release of Rhino Man.

FOLLOW
Website: timbavatiprivatenaturereserve.org
Instagram: @timbavati_pnr
Facebook: @timbavatiprivatenaturereserve

Ep 5: Johan Marais – Life of a wildlife vet with Saving the Survivors.

Ep 5: Johan Marais – Life of a wildlife vet with Saving the Survivors.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. Johan Marais. Johan is a veterinarian, and equine and wildlife surgeon. He was a senior lecturer in equine surgery for 20 years, and in 2019 was awarded the prestigious Spirit of the SA Equine Veterinary Association award. Johan is also a photographer and the author of two books, “Great Tuskers of Africa” and “In Search of Africa’s Great Tuskers”.

In this conversation, we talk about Johan’s journey to becoming a wildlife vet and what it took to start his own NGO, Saving the Survivors. We take a deep dive into his knowledge of rhino anatomy and the groundbreaking surgical procedures he’s developed to save poached rhinos. And we discuss the psychological and emotional effects this prolonged war has had on all of those involved. This one starts out great and keeps getting better and better all the way to the end.

FOLLOW
Website: savingthesurvivors.org
Instagram: @savingthesurvivors
Facebook: @savingthesurvivors

Ep 4: Altin Gysman – Leadership, humility, and ranger training at the SAWC.

Ep 4: Altin Gysman – Leadership, humility, and ranger training at the SAWC.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Altin Gysman. Altin was born in the Eastern Cape, and worked his way up to Lieutenant Colonel in the South African National Defence Force. In 2018, he joined the Southern African Wildlife College as a Senior Course Leader, and now he is the Head of the Protected Area Integrity Unit/African Field Ranger Training Services.

In this chat, we talk about Altin’s military background and how that has influenced his current role in training rangers. We dive deep into the many jobs of a ranger, the vast set of skills taught at the Wildlife College, and the role of Project Braveheart. We also dig into what it takes to get through a ranger selection program, similar to the one featured in our film Rhino Man.

FOLLOW
Instagram: @wildlifecollege

Ep 3: Gerry McDonald – Conservation through aviation with Big Game Heli.

Ep 3: Gerry McDonald – Conservation through aviation with Big Game Heli.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Gerry McDonald, the helicopter pilot at Big Game Heli Services. Gerry grew up on a reserve where he and his brother Bruce were able to fly with game catchers who took wildlife from one reserve to another. That’s when they both became mad about flying and conservation.

Our chat ranges from Gerry’s early days in aviation, his mentors, and experiences flying at a young age, to a wide range of conservation efforts he is able to assist in from the air. He flies in vets to dart rhinos for dehornings, life-flights orphaned rhinos to sanctuaries, aids rangers on patrols, and delivers K9 units into the bush to track poachers. There may not be a more exciting job in conservation than the one Gerry holds.

FOLLOW
Instagram: @gerryheli