GIVING TUESDAY NOW
The EWT is excited to be participating in Giving Tuesday Now, a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on 5 May 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled 1 December 2020 Giving Tuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Giving Tuesday Now is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity – to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal. During these unprecedented times, when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings us together, and allows us to stay connected through kindness, even as we are physically apart.
We are living through history, and the only thing one can be certain of right now is that change will continue to define our lives for the foreseeable future. It is safe to say that the world will never be as we knew it to be just a few months ago. In itself, this may not be a bad thing and we have a unique opportunity to rewrite the story of humankind’s modern colonisation of Planet Earth, and to redefine what it means to live in harmony with each other and sustainably with Mother Nature, going forward.
Conservation and wildlife protection are deemed essential services under the current lockdown regulations, which has allowed the EWT to continue undertaking critical conservation work in the interests of saving some of our most threatened species. In recent weeks, our team members have continued to work tirelessly to relocate Cheetahs and Wild Dogs, and respond to calls for animals in distress such as injured raptors, cranes and snared Wild Dogs.
The EWT’s continued fight to save our wildlife does not just benefit those species. We are working tirelessly to support our rural communities whose livelihoods have been suspended, through the provision of skills development and training resources, online capacity building courses, water provision and even food parcel delivery. Many of our staff members are contributing, in their personal capacity, to food provision for the most vulnerable, and the spirit of Ubuntu runs deep in our culture.
We’re sharing the stories of a few of the Conservation Champions who have made a difference to the EWT in the past.
Conservation Champions Mandy Quin and Stephen Tregoning from Quinn Real Estate in Bedfordview have always been avid fans of our Country Club talks and supporters of the EWT especially our work on carnivore conservation. We caught up with them to find out more about why they choose to give to the EWT:
“We are thankful to be in a position to contribute, and give because of our passion for wildlife. We choose to support the EWT because of their tireless commitment to the conservation and preservation of Africa’s wildlife. Knowing that our contribution may make even a small difference to the conservation and preservation of wildlife is very meaningful. Our top tip for others who wish to make a difference is that you shouldn’t think your contribution is small – it could be the difference that could offer the support required.”
Conservation Champion Shaun Schneier, a philanthropist living in Cape Town, is a long-time supporter of the EWT. Shaun’s background is marine environmental science and coastal management as well as environmental economics. We caught up with him to find out more about why he chooses to give to the EWT:
“I believe their mission is vitally important and that the EWT selects important projects and is professionally and competently run as an organisation. This makes it gratifying to assist the EWT by giving in order for them to keep protecting endangered species. If you are considering becoming a donor, my top tip is to choose an organisation with sound objectives, that has a proven track record, issues tax certificates and has professional and competent staff.”
Want to be a Conservation Champion too? There are so many ways to make a difference. You could make a donation, no matter the size, towards our Giving Tuesday Now target of R50,000 at https://www.givengain.com/cc/help-us-to-help-them-during-the-fight-against-covid19/ or you could start an online fundraiser and encourage all your friends to get involved! To find out more, contact Tammy Baker at TammyB@ewt.org.za
CYCLING FOR A CAUSE
Tammy Baker, EWT Business Development Officer, TammyB@ewt.org.za
EWT supporter extraordinaire, and owner of the Hoedspruit Spar, Rowan Ferreira, recently took part in the Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020 to raise funds to purchase a GPS tracking collar for a pack of Wild Dogs, helping the EWT’s Carnivore Conservation Programme to continue monitoring this Endangered species.
Rowan set himself a fundraising target of R30,000 and exceeded this by R10,530, raising R40,530 in total! This is one of many events and drives that Rowan has undertaken for the EWT, making him a true Conservation Champion, and we would like to thank him for all his efforts and commitment to the conservation of Wild Dogs.
If you’d like to undertake your own fundraising effort for the EWT, please contact Tammy Baker on TammyB@ewt.org.za
COMING UP TOPS
Top Trumps has teamed up with the EWT to produce a bespoke pack of Top Trumps to help bring awareness to some of our most endangered wildlife.
Top Trumps packs have been in existence since the late 1970s and were reintroduced to South Africa in 2015. The EWT pack was launched in December 2019 and was the number one selling pack at major toy retailers that month, beating the likes of titles such as Frozen 2, Toy Story, and the Lion King. For every sale, the EWT is paid a royalty.
To order yours, or find your nearest retailer, visit www.epicgames.co.za. If you would like to stock these cards, please contact David Sommer.
AN ARTFUL APPROACH TO CONSERVATION
Grant Beverley, Lowveld Regional Coordinator, EWT Carnivore Conservation Programme
grantb@ewt.org.za
Rowan Ferreira and Hoedspruit SPAR have partnered with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to raise funds and increase awareness around the conservation of endangered species. Wild Dogs are currently the second most endangered canid in Africa, after the Ethiopian Wolf, and the most endangered carnivore in South Africa. Their behaviour is rather unique among canid species. They form incredibly strong social bonds with one another and are highly intelligent animals. Operating as a single unit, Wild Dog packs are some of the most successful predators in the world, but they need our help. Hoedspruit SPAR has encouraged customers to add R1,00 to their shopping to raise much needed funds towards the collaring of Wild Dogs in the Greater Hoedspruit area.
Hoedspruit SPAR has also launched a colouring competition for kids, where they stand the chance to win a fluffy toy and a SPAR voucher. Kulani Nyakane from the EWT recently visited Mgidi Primary School to launch the project. One hundred and ten learners from Mgidi made their voices heard through animal art, and winners were judged on the best solution to fight poaching as well as their creativity. Congratulations boys and girls!
“Rhinos are special and need to be protected in order to ensure that future generations may have the privilege to see rhinos in the wild. I think there should be programmes that teach us about the importance of rhinos because the more we understand the better equipped we are to protect them.” Mnisi Mvuselelo, age 12 (grade 6)
More schools are signing up to take part, and if you would like your school to participate, please get in touch.
TACKLING THE RHINO PEAK CHALLENGE
On Saturday, 5 October, a small group of intrepid adventurers tackled the Rhino Peak Challenge, ascending the iconic Rhino Peak in the Southern Drakensberg to raise funds for rhinos, cranes and vultures.
This unique conservation fundraiser supports three beneficiaries – the EWT, Wildlife ACT, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – all of whom are working tirelessly to protect the futures of these incredible species. This year, the event raised a whopping R834,000 in pledges! That’s double what was raised in 2018 (R383,938) and 2017 (R303,788).
Our heartfelt thanks go to Spurgeon Flemington and the team from Running Man Adventures for their commitment to conservation and organising this event each year, to the runners for their willingness to take on this challenge, and to the people who made pledges in support of this wonderful fundraiser.
Thanks also to Cape Union Mart and K-Way, who sponsored gear for our CEO, Yolan Friedmann. A special mention must also go to EWT field officer, Thabo Madlala, who was the first non-elite athlete home, with an impressive time of 3 hrs 27 minutes!
