4011 days without incursions and over 55,000 kilometres patrolled! These numbers are far more than statistics. They represent years of hard work, sacrifice, and vigilance. They represent futures for calves like Muddy and a chance for rhinos like Spirit, Jemu, Lilli, and Grey, to live the wild lives they were meant to.
Our rangers do more than just protect. They care. They teach. They lead. They observe. Every rhino is different, and to protect them properly, our rangers and rhino monitors must understand each one as an individual. Take Spirit and Muddy, for example. They are often aloof and prefer their own company, which can make them more challenging to monitor once they’re out of sight. But our team has spent years learning to read their signs and subtle communication, adapting to Spirit’s unique rhythm.
Did you know that Lilli was the youngest rhino to enter the rewilding and release programme? She was still drinking milk! Rangers would gently call her from the bush, offer her a bottle, and then watch as she trotted back to rejoin her crash. Grey, as an emerging dominant bull, is fascinating to follow. He walks long distances across the land, meaning the rangers do too! Meanwhile, Jemu enjoys the company of certain rhinos, forming strong social bonds that our monitors track closely. Understanding these dynamics is key to keeping them all safe.
And then there’s Wyntir and Rainbow, River and Sage; incredible mothers now raising the next generation of wild-born calves under the watchful eyes of the very same rangers who first watched over them at Care for Wild as orphaned babies. These rangers have walked every step of their journey, from fragile beginnings to strong, independent adulthood. Some of our original rangers still remember the day Wyntir arrived, so small, so vulnerable. They stood by her through cold nights, bottle feeds, and the long path to recovery. Years later, they were there to witness the miracle of her first calf, Blizzy, being born. It was a moment of pride and emotion that words can hardly capture. River, too, arrived as a tiny calf, and now her daughter Sage follows in her footsteps. It’s a full-circle moment for the rangers who raised River, now they are protecting the next chapter of her legacy. The bond between these rangers and the rhinos is deep and enduring, built on years of mutual trust and understanding.
And then there’s Modjadji. While the Rangers are certainly on standby, she often seems to have things under control all on her own! Her sharp ears and keen sense of smell mean she’s often the first to pick up on anything unusual, quickly alerting her crash of rhinos. It’s clear she takes her role seriously! Our Rangers remain ever watchful, offering an extra layer of protection to Modjadji and her rhino companions.
Meanwhile Bokkie the goat, is as mischievous as ever! Despite having full access to her own food, she still insists on stealing RiRi’s lucerne and pellets whenever she gets the chance. Her playful and cheeky nature continues to bring joy and laughter to the team.
After a few delays at the beginning of this year, I am thrilled to report that all four bomas are all completely functional as we had planned from the start. The small adjustments that we wanted, such as Wi-Fi and electricity, have all been completed. I am incredibly grateful to the Spirit Foundation.
We have a number of highlights to report.
Two cheetah males have arrived from Mabula Game Reserve in partnership with the EWT. We are waiting for the EWT to confirm but all permits have been issued to receive two male cheetah from Pilanesberg as well. We have applied for the permits to receive five female wild dogs from the Waterberg Area. They are to undergo quarantine here before being exported to Liwonde National Park in Malawi.
There was a sad case in Malawi as well where a cheetah mother was killed by lions, and she has a 10-month-old cub that we will be bringing to the bomas. She has a valuable genetic line which is why there is a big push to bring her back to South Africa for rehabilitation.
Challenges in the wildlife industry remain the same. Working with government organisations to get permits always takes longer than we want and so we have to be patient. We are also currently part of big projects around the Lowveld and have employed a veterinary nurse who assists with the care of the animals in the Spirit Bomas. Now with the Spirit Boma fully operational and my health improving, we are looking at starting to buy some collars in for the monitoring of priority species such as leopards in the area.
Mountainlands welcomes the first giraffe calf born on the reserve.
There are moments in conservation work that serve as quiet but lasting affirmations that the path taken becomes the right one. The recent birth of a giraffe calf at Mountainlands Nature Reserve is one such moment, a gentle triumph that marks not just the arrival of new life, but the restoration of a once-absent presence.
Mountainlands, with which the Spirit Foundation has been partnering for years, is celebrating a milestone that has been years in the making: the birth of its very first giraffe calf. The cow gave birth early one morning, unassisted and unseen by staff — a natural moment in the wild, and yet one that echoes with an authentic meaning far beyond the reserve boundaries.
“Absolutely elated,” is how Nico Oosthuizen, who leads the team at Mountainlands, describes the mood. “You expect it to happen, but not when it will happen. It was a wonderful surprise.”
This birth is more than a joyful surprise; it is a signpost of progress. Before the giraffe reintroduction programme began, these iconic browsers had long been absent from the region.
The giraffes’ return forms part of a broader ecological restoration plan that recognises the giraffe as a keystone species. Their browsing patterns support plant diversity, help regulate tree density, and even promote seed dispersal through their dung.
“The birth can be seen as a powerful symbol of ecological recovery,” Oosthuizen explains. “It will help strengthen the genetic pool, which is crucial for long-term species resilience and adaptability.”
While no one witnessed the birth itself, staff quickly noticed the new arrival and began monitoring the cow and calf’s wellbeing. The calf, born approximately 1.8 metres tall and weighing around 68 kilograms, was soon up on its feet, an essential early skill in the wild.
As Nico notes, “Survival starts with standing. In the wild, giraffe calves are vulnerable to predators. Being able to stand and walk quickly reduces the risk and allows the calf to nurse.”
Already, the team suspects that another cow may be pregnant, and the presence of young bulls introduced last year offers the hope of more calves to come. To ensure a robust population, additional giraffes will be brought in from external populations to broaden the genetic base.
But conservation is not a closed system. It is built on collaboration — between people, institutions, and communities. “Community engagement is the heartbeat of effective conservation,” Nico says. “When communities are involved, they are more likely to become proactive protectors. That’s exactly what we’re seeing here, where local community members serve as game scouts and play an active role in stewardship.”
This birth is a milestone not only for Mountainlands but also for the shared mission that unites the reserve with the Spirit Foundation and its network of partners. As Nico reflects:
“The future of wildlife is shaped by the choices we make today, and by the strength of the communities that stand together. Our planet is pro-life, and the birth of the first giraffe calf makes that point clear. It is a symbol of what is possible when passionate people, conservationists and donors come together to reintroduce a species.”
This update shares the latest progress on our Warm Water Pool project, which the Spirit Foundation has so generously supported. It covers our current phase, outlines the factors influencing our timeline, and provides updates on funding, planning, and procurement.
Despite good progress, there has seen some slower-than-anticipated movement due to external factors. The recent avian influenza outbreak required urgent allocation of resources to our bird care operations, and contractor availability has been affected by both seasonal weather and industry scheduling constraints.
Despite this, we have made strong progress in identifying qualified contractors capable of completing the full scope of work. We are now in the final stages of selecting the most suitable partner, ensuring they meet our requirements for expertise, quality, and long-term operational support. Once appointed, we anticipate project momentum will increase significantly.
Last month, we reported that several fittings from the old nursery structure could be repurposed for the warm pool, most notably piping for water flow and parts of the electrical system, delivering both cost savings and environmental benefits. While the wood and structural materials were unsuitable for reuse, we have expanded our sustainability efforts to actively source donated and repurposed equipment.
We are working closely with suppliers, partners, and community contacts to integrate these materials without compromising safety or functionality, aligning the project with our commitment to responsible, resource-efficient construction.
Over the past three months, more than 20 contractors have visited the site to assess the scope of work. Of these, four have submitted comprehensive proposals covering both pool construction and ongoing maintenance, for ensuring the facility remains functional, bird-safe, and cost-effective over time. The selected contractor will also undertake the site levelling needed before installation can begin. We are now carefully reviewing proposals to secure the best possible outcome for the project.
All the quotations we have received for the project are higher than our initial budget, so we are exploring additional donations to help bridge the gap and ensure the project can move forward as planned. We have received positive feedback for the NSPI (The National Spa and Pool Institute of South Africa) with some possible donations for the project’s operations and equipment needed.
We are currently in the winter season, with rainfall experienced in recent weeks. As much of the work is weather-dependent, these conditions have influenced contractor availability and the speed of response on quotations.
We remain committed to delivering a high-quality, bird-safe warm pool that will serve both the needs of our organisation and the wildlife in our care. The coming period will be focused on finalising contractor selection, confirming timelines, and beginning the necessary site preparation to bring this important project one step closer to completion.
We sincerely thank the Spirit Foundation for your understanding and for your continued support of SANCCOB’s vital conservation work. Your commitment helps us protect and care for Africa’s seabirds, strengthen our research and rescue efforts, and drive meaningful change for the Critically Endangered African Penguin and other threatened species. We are truly grateful to have you as a partner in this important mission.
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