Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Bushbuck Boma



On the 20th we started with the Bushbuck Boma at the Wildlife Centre. We digged hole to plant the poles and on the 21st we drew up a new plan for the changes the managers asked for. we are currently still busy with it.

With this project we actually took the time to step back and think about the whole project. So far all looks well and we might finish it real soon.

Game Capture




On the 15th we helped again with the Game Capture, but this time it was on Sondela self. Everything was the same as the previous time. We only caught in the morning and in the afternoon we continued wiyh the Mountain Bike trail.

The Game capture was realy a lot of fun, and it gave some of the girls time to prove themselves.

Game capture - Elandsdrift




On the 9th and 10th we went to Elandsdrift to help Alex and his team to catch some Girrafes. Here we were informed on how to capture them. We were split again inti the running team and the recovery team. The running team were the one's who ran to trip the Girrafe after being darted, they also tied also the ropes and placed the ear plugs in the ears. They were also the brakes of the Girrafe and did most of the stearing of it. The recovery team helped with the loading of the Giraffe on the recovery trailer and to load it onto transpoting trailer.

Mountain Bike Trail

From the 6th untill the 17th we were mainly busy with the Mountain Bike trail which happened on the 18th of July. We cutted all the branches that was in the ridders way and cleared the path. Afterwards we raked the path and planted directions onto droppers.

We walked about the whole path, but we could have putted more effort into planning and than the project would have been completed earlier......

Thursday, July 2, 2009

First Aid

Yesterday and today we did our first aid level 1 course, where we learned how and when the nessecary medical steps should be taken during a insident. We also learned how to give CPR to a adult as well as a baby and how to splint a limb. We did some teorie and practical today, we also did our practical exam today. It seems that all went well!!!

Game Capture





On Monday we did some game capture. Firstly I was a bit sceptic about the whole idea, but once we arrived at the scene eveything kind of went quickly. We helped by setting up the ramp and helping where they asked to. When everything was set up the chopper arrived and the capturing began. At first I was a bit scared of getting in the animals way but during the day I started to get use to them. Some ran to close the curtains while others remained in the container to put some plastic pipes on the antelopes horns and stabilising them. The whole set up is in a triancular form, once the antelope enters the alarm goes off for the outside curtains to be closen. When they come closer to the container the next curtain behind them is closed, also after being alarmed, untill they are finally safe in the container.

The next morning we went to help them pack up again,rolled up the curtains, loosen the cables and packing up in general.

Nature Conservation

After the fire training we splitted the group into two and started to work in the veld as Rangers. On our first two days we drove around the farm to familiarize ourself with the farm. After that we split the group up and ended up with 3 members in a group, where the 1st group went for fence checking, the 2nd to open and clear the walking trails, and the 3rd to go on the game drive roads to fill up holes and cut the branches that could damage the vehicles. We completed the firebreaks at Moselesele tented camps and started at the van Rensburg ave. We also filled up the dunken applicators at the dams as well as the steel plates, which helps for parasite control. While we were out in the field we also provided new licks for the animals. In the drive we also did some wildlife monitoring.