Environmental Rehabilitation

Janet and Rob Cuthbertson purchased a rundown pineapple farm in 1991 and have lovingly rehabilitated it into a beautiful, flourishing wildlife sanctuary called Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park, which is based in Maputaland (KZN) in South Africa.

Young Environmental Ambassador’s Leadership Course

This environmental ambassador course reaches out to young Zulu leaders and educates them about biodiversity, conservation, protecting wildlife, and includes subjects like identifying and removing alien vegetation.

The long “potato creeper” (alien plant) in this photo was removed from the forest and the Zulu children wrapped it around themselves to demonstrate how it strangles the indigenous vegetation.

Water Management

The proper management of the water catchment area for False Bay Lake is paramount to the survival of people, wildlife and the environment. Rob Cutherbertson is chairman of the Lake St. Lucia Water Catchment Forum.

At Suni-Ridge we have dedicated our lives to preserving our natural and cultural heritage. Your help is very much needed and appreciated!

“Although we are both ardent conservationists, Rob is also a civil engineer and as we needed to add a component that would make our environmental efforts sustainable, we decided to build a lodge in the reserve.” ~ Janet Cuthbertson

Together with the kind donations from caring people, and our own personal resources, our work is partly funded by a percentage of our Guest’s stay at our lodge.

Leopard Walk Lodge is a 10-bed lodge which also includes a honeymoon suite with an outdoor Jacuzzi. The hub of the lodge is the beautiful lounge, dining and bar facility that overlooks a waterhole.

After a day in the bush, guests relax over a meal at Leopard
Walk Restaurant, while enjoying a view of the animals that come
down to drink.

With our love for nature, we obviously do not have any hunting
on the reserve. Visitors are thrilled to see animals that are quite
relaxed and unafraid”. 

“Our years of effort have at times been exciting, rewarding and often the challenge has been daunting, but the knowledge that we are giving something back to nature is our most worthwhile reward”. ~ Janet & Rob Cuthbertson

And this is in a part of Africa where the majestic wild elephants, rhino, leopard, cheetah, etc. once roamed freely. These animals can now only be seen in limited numbers in protected reserves.

Our goal is to give the orphans the survival skills needed, which they would have learned from their parents, so that they can return to the wild when the time comes.

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park isn’t big enough to establish a full orphanage, but in the mean time, a section of the reserve could be used to set up a provisional Wildlife Orphanage, in order to start rescuing young orphaned animals. The idea would be to join forces with our neighbours and local communities to create the space needed that is big enough to create the final version of the Wildlife Orphanage.

please click on the picture to see an enlarged copy

Not only could we care for orphaned wildlife babies, the orphanage would also be a great source of work, and therefore income, for the local communities, because we wildlife keepers, guards, instructors, cooks, etc. would be needed.

Increasing the awareness within local communities of the necessity of conservation will addressed by giving instruction at schools, teaching courses, and training youngsters to become animal caretakers.

Naturally, sponsors would have (limited) access to the grounds, so that they could see what we’re doing and how we’re taking care of the young orphans.

The idea is to start with minimal provisions, which could be relocated to the definite site when it’s available. To give you an idea what is needed, below is a list of the minimal requirements for starting an orphanage:

• 5 large stables
• 5 medium sized stables
• 5 small stables
• Wirecages / transport crates
• Living accomodation, office space, storage spaces for the food, milk powder, medicines and a kitchen to prepare the food and meds in
• living accomodation for 2/3 keepers
• 1 truck
• 1 4×4 vehicle
• wages for 2/3 keepers incl. meals and workclothes
• building a stockade around the compound to keep the animals safe and prevent them from wandering of. This way they can move around freely under the supervision of the keepers.
  We would need 2 – 3 bomas where they could be quiet and undisturbed
• Administration and general running costs e.g. computer with an internet connection, veterinary costs, medicines, rental costs of a rescue plane (where necessary), cost of a rescue team, maintenance cars/ buildings /diesel / etc.

If things carry on as they are now, there won’t be any wildlife left to see. This needs to stop.

Janet Cuthbertson tells the sad story about Silky and her mother:

“Saturday morning we awoke to our zebra calling. That is always a reason to feel uneasy as it usually points to a problem! Our game guard was no where to be found. Our budget only stretches to employ one game guard. We should ideally have two, properly trained and armed, but it costs about R5000.00 per month to do this.

True to our expectations, we found one zebra missing. It seemed to be the new baby’s mother. Rob and I then started searching the bush. The baby was definitely on it’s own and came running out of the bush where we were searching for them. The other zebra would not approach us, which is unusual, but they were obviously upset and still calling each other.

The little foal’s call was almost like a bird sound… I managed to get close to her and to manoeuver her to join her dad and the other young female who had run around the ridge. The herd used to consist of her mother, the father and the other young female. Now her mother was missing. Old Boy’s mare and young foal who always stay separately, joined them after a while and they all ran off together to the bottom of the reserve.

We kept looking desperately and also called in neighbours to help. KZN Wildlife (Parks Board) were unable to come as they were doing a game count. We could not bear the thought that she may be struggling somewhere in a snare.

Rob and I searched till 3pm, but could not find her. We returned to find out what had happened to our game guard. Afterwards, we continued searching until nightfall, and then we went out for a quick bite. I burst into tears in the ladies room at the restaurant. I was thinking of how the little foal had been walking so forlorn with her head down. She was obviously sad and distressed and wanting her mother.

That night and the next morning – still no game guard, so we continued looking. We could just not find the mother. The baby seemed ok and was still with her dad and the other mare, who she tried to drink from. Rob and I trekked the 200 hectares back and forth the whole day! Last night the zebra all came up to the lawn and nuzzled my hand. The little baby came near and I held some milk in a dish, but she was unsure.”

“Tonight the zebra came up to us at our veranda again, and they are very protective of the little foal. She is trying to nurse from the young female, who doesn’t mind too much. The dad and the young female keep her between them when we approach. I took some photos. They eventually laid down and all slept just next to the veranda in the light. Before that she stood sleeping with her head down.” (02 July 2007)

Sadly she had developed colic and we could find no one to help, except telephonic advice from the CROW (Centre for Rehabilitation Of Wildlife) vet who was very caring and sympathetic. I sat with her until she died. We are all heartbroken about her death.

Can you believe that the wildebeest came close to see what was happening? When Silky was too weak to move, just her little ears kept moving, as she still tried to hear everything around her.

This morning we buried her next to her mother, at the tree where the mother had been buried after she had been snared and hacked up. At least I feel better knowing that my little darling is now back with her mother! The day before she died after stroking her coat which she loved, we decided to call her Silky.”

“At the moment the matter of the animal abuse by poaching in our area, is resting at the door of the Assistant Commissioner of SAPS South Africa, Head Office. I am also busy with KZN Head Office, whose official verdict is that they should be dealing with poaching issues according to their responsibility, to enforce the law concerning the protection of wildlife.

The SPCA seem powerless to act up here, as they’re too far away. The press has already done a report previously, so follow up and investigative reporting will be better. We cannot let Silky and her mom’s death be in vain.” (19 July 2007)

Please help prevent this from happening to other wild animals

Your (financial) support is very much needed to provide protection for the wildlife in and around Suni-Ridge, and for the continued efforts with environmental education within the local communities.

KHOLA is the Zulu word for Believe.

We believe we can make a difference!

The KHOLA Campaign is for people, businesses and organisations who share our belief that wildlife reserves should be bona fide safe havens for wild animals, where they are not used as a resource “for their own protection”.

What is the Sustainable Use Policy?

The Sustainable Use Policy indicates that (certain) animals can be hunted for trophies and/or for the bush meat trade, and has been implemented by Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

Many wildlife reserves are actually operating as wildlife farms where (endangered) wild animals are being bred, specifically for these purposes. Although it’s not spoken about openly, many reserves allow hunting to help cover their costs.

Because hunters pay far more during their “safari” than eco-tourists do, Sustainable Use has become big business. The more endangered an animal is, the more lucrative it is for hunting. Ironically, this means that there has been an increase in some of those species. The attitude has thus become one of, “without hunting, these animals would be extinct” – read the “Hunting has a Conservation Role” article by the BBC.

“They have issued permits to sport hunters to kill a limited number of elephants that are pre-selected according to factors like age and sex. They cannot shoot breeding animals, for example,” Mr Lapointe (former head of CITES)

One argument for the Sustainable Use Policy is that it is similar to the natural law of Survival of the Fittest, where the old and sick die first, thereby protecting the gene pool. In reality however, hunters aren’t interested in a sick old lion. They are looking for the healthiest, strongest trophy they can shoot. And their dollars speak louder than any theoretical idea.

Another argument for the Sustainable Use Policy is that the funds received should also benefit local communities. Another nice idea, in theory. But it has been shown that little of these funds gets redistributed, as land owners (and for some, their international investors) either pocket the profits or buy more land to expand their business (so-called “conservation”).

What is the Bush Meat Trade?

Guests at Leopard Walk Lodge will not find any wild animals on the menu.

This is not the case with other reserves and restaurants around the country. They will happily serve up a Kudu steak, or a Warthog chop. Even crocodiles, hippos and (endangered) antilopes end up on the plate. Reserves who supply this trade usually breed their wild animals for this purpose.

Even the pinnacle of “conservation”, the Kruger National Park, offers bush meat on their menu, killing and utilising the very animals that they’re meant to be protecting in the reserve.

Because the bush meat trade pays top dollar for wild meat and because this is a generally accepted business, some rural people will happily set snares and traps to catch the animals, even if it means illegally poaching from private reserves. Sustenance hunting is one thing, but supplying the meat trade is quite another.

Unlike what would happen to poachers under tribal law if they snared cattle or domestic animals, poachers face little recrimination from the law, often being “let out of jail” with little consequence.

This places enormous pressure on reserves to protect their animals, by means of Wildlife Protection Units. These (armed) teams patrol the areas, looking for and removing snares. Some larger, neighbouring reserves pay up to R1,000,000.00 per annum to protect their wildlife.

Apart from the (very tempting) cash source for bush meat, local communities have very little benefit from the plundering of their natural resources (both wildlife and indigenous bush/plants). When the land is no longer able to sustain the people, they are forced to move to urban areas to earn a living, mostly ending up in slums.

Changing the perceived value within the local communities (and other reserves) of wildlife as a source of income from meat, to a valued source of income through eco-tourism is one of our biggest goals.

Conservation and Wildlife Protection

• We believe that for conservation to work, local communities need to be involved in protecting their natural resources, and benefit through eco-tourism.
• We disagree that wild animals should be used as a resource. Not for hunting. Not for bush meat. They need to be protected in their natural environment.
• We believe that it is possible to change this commonly accepted perception of conservation and that more reserves can offer bona fide wildlife protection.

Read about Old Boy, the Zebra stallion

We have been called, “naive!” and “too idealistic!” but we have faith that there are other people (and businesses) who share our point of view.

We believe that advertising is a viable alternative to covering our costs. We are asking you to help us bring about change and make a difference.

If you agree that wildlife should be protected and not utilized as a resource, then please show your support by advertising with us?

Our KHOLA campaign is inspired by Khola, a little zebra whose father “Old Boy” was snared and killed just before he was born … (read the full story)

What is the KHOLA Campaign?

“KHOLA” is the Zulu verb for “Believe”. We believe that we can make a difference. Not just for the wild animals in/around Suni-Ridge, but also to the lives of the rural communities, who can learn appreciation of their natural habitat, and want to take ownership in protecting it, and who can (and should) benefit from Eco-Cultural tourism.

The Khola Campaign is geared towards like-minded people, businesses, corporations and organisations. If you agree that wildlife should be protected in their natural habitat, and not used as a resource, then please help us raise funds to cover the necessary costs required for a wildlife protection unit.

We are offering a limited advertising opportunity:

• Get a direct link link to your website on our website
• Be associated with bona fide conservation and wildlife protection

Links are incredibly important for any website to get visitors to your website.

We cordiallly invite like-minded people, businesses, corporations and organisations to sponsor a link for R3,000.00 per annum (R 250.00 per month).*

* As at 3 May 2008, the exchange rate for R3,000.00 is approximately €270.00 / $416.00 / £211.00 (source: xe.com). Your bank can confirm the current exchange rate.

How do you sponsor a link for KHOLA?

All links are subject to approval by Suni-Ridge. Suni-Ridge reserves the sole right to decide whether or not a website/business is suitable for linking to from this website on the KHOLA campaign. (Potential) Sponsors will be notified of our decision as soon as possible.

Please contact us by e-mail about placing your link. Payments can be made by direct deposit (international bank transfer) or by credit card using Paypal. See our How to Donate page for further details.

To our Khola Sponsors:

• We promise that your sponsorship will make a difference to the people, animals and environment in our area.
• We promise that all funds received will be utilized for maintaining the projects on the KHOLA Campaign.
• We promise to publish a report (on our website) each quarter, declaring all of the funds received and how they’ve been utilized
• We promise to e-mail an annual financial report to each Khola Sponsor

Khola Sponsorship Renewals

Khola Sponsors can decide if they’d like to automatically renew their sponsorship each year, of if they’d prefer to sponsor a link for one year. In that case, the Sponsor would get first choice of renewing his/her ad. Should he or she decide not to renew the link, it will become available to other eco-friendly persons, businesses, organisations and the “Khola Ad Sponsor” logo must be removed from their website.

Our aim is to make the KHOLA Campaign mutually beneficial, whereby Suni-Ridge is able to continue and expand our environmental work, and our sponsors can enjoy fulfilling their social responsibility, increase their brand awareness and make a positive difference to the lives of people, animals and the environment in Maputaland in KwaZulu Natal (South Africa).

Often those who would like to make a difference in the environment are not located in an area where they can be physically involved with a conservation project.

By supporting Suni-Ridge, you are part of our successful conservation outreach. You can enjoy your participation, knowing that your sponsorship is truly worthwhile.

Alone we are a drop, together we are an ocean!

Below is a copy of the letter that Janet sent to a friend about this tragic event. Further down, you can also read the letter about little KHOLA, the foal that was born after Old Boy’s death. Khola is the inspiration behind the KHOLA Sponsor Ad Campagin.

We have some sad news about Old Boy, the zebra who befriended us and posed for a photo with your Dad. Yesterday morning I woke up and felt myself choking with a panic attack due to a dream. This is the first time I have experienced this type of emotion.

The dream was about some calves that had fallen down exhausted in a cattle trek, where they were being herded to the market. I knelt down and realised that the calf which I thought was dead, was in fact still alive and I then noticed that there were many others that were being left behind as their mothers were herded onwards. It was a disturbing dream and I felt distressed all day and couldn’t really explain why. I woke up with this experience at about 6.30 am.

During the morning we noticed that Old Boy had not come up to the house as he usually did between 6 and 7 am. Our Wildlife Guard reassured us that he was out on the field eating fruit off the trees. When I went to feed the animals in the evening though, he was not there. As he had once again, not come up to the house I realised that something must be wrong. I went out and searched until about 10pm.

This morning I went out again very early, as I hardly slept during the night. Sadly I discovered him snared and strangled on the bush path at the bottom of our property. Our favourite Old Boy, our friend for 12 years
was murdered senselessly.

I went back a little while later to photograph and record the crime. I released poor Old Boy from the snare and placed some soft grass which I had taken from our lawn, under his head – just to make me feel better – as I am sure he is with all the other zebra galloping around in the other realm of life.

The amazing thing is that we realised that he must have died at about the time that I woke up from that disturbing dream, feeling as though I was choking. I would refute that we could have this type of connectedness with animals, but for this to just be a coincidence seems incredible.

I am distraught about this poaching. Our Wildlife Guard scouted the surrounding bush where he found about 15 other snares. The Police explained that they do not have the resources to deal with poaching control. KZN Wildlife at False Bay are struggling to manage with their few guards to oversee and protect 2500 hectares. They too are unable to assist.

This means that we have to fund the prevention of poaching as the Government is unable to do so. Because we provide a buffer zone for the Greater St. Lucia World Natural Heritage Site, I believe that funds should be made available for the humane management of animal life in our area surrounding the Lake.

Do you have any ideas about how we might motivate this type of support, perhaps from International sectors?

Perhaps we could make Old Boy’s death meaningful by using it as a motivation to strive for an organised poaching prevention unit for the buffer zone of Greater St. Lucia World Natural Heritage Site?

In this buffer zone, many animals are being inhumanely strangled to death as the area is very rich in wildlife (that is outside the reserves) and no one seems to control the poaching. If the carnage was domestic animals, there would be a huge outcry!

Do let me know if any ideas come to mind and perhaps you could tell your Dad about Old Boy as I know that the moment they shared was quite special.

Kind regards, Janet

I thought you may enjoy this photo of the new born baby of “Old Boy” the zebra that was sadly snared. His mare was in foal at the time when he died. Two days ago she gave birth to this beautiful little foal.

© Khola - Old Boy's foal that was born after he was snared and killed

She has been very brave to have coped on her own without a stallion to help her. She would not join the other stallion at Suni-Ridge, but kept herself and her previous young mare foal separate from him and his mare.

We held our breath as sometimes the foal will not be tolerated by another stallion, but this one has accepts the colt when he comes near.

I actually watched the mother mare nuzzle this stallion, then pass
on the nuzzle to her little foal and she repeated this action a number of times.

His mother continued with the pregnancy and in spite of the adversity that she experienced she did not abort the little fellow. She could have lost him as she was very distressed.

We have decided to name him Khola, which is the Zulu word for “to have faith” or “to believe”.

She called and searched for “Old Boy” for many days as he had been her mate for about 8 years. She had a very long gestation period. Zebra are able to “hold” the baby until conditions are suitable and I think that it is because she had no stallion with her, that she delayed the birth.

The wildebeest also rallied around her that morning after the foal was born and even the impala were all alerted looking in her direction, thus showing us before we saw the foal, that something was happening. Nature has much to teach us.

Kind regards, Janet

© Khola in September 2007 with his mother - visit him and stay at Leopard Walk Lodge

© Wildlife Art "Big Five" prints (set of 5) by Janet Cuthbertson

The prints are on thick import-quality textured paper. 1 of each of the above animal prints are rolled together to form a set of the “Big Five”. This lion below is a closeup and gives you an idea of the quality of the art.

© Wildlife Art by Janet Cuthbertson - "Lion" from the set of "Big Five" prints

“My dream is to have this art drive our conservation work, and it has to a point, with prints being sold all over the world. I would love to sell canvas prints of the originals, so that this too can raise funds for our projects.” ~ Janet Cuthbertson

The set of five prints is placed into a tube and sealed with a plastic disk at each end.The ticket (as per the picture on the right) hangs from the top end of the tube.

The prints each measure: 28cm x 33cm and the tube is:

45cm x 7.8 cm in diameter.

We can ship this around the world, please ask for prices.

Contact us today for your set of Wildlife Art “Big Five” prints.

Our Bed & Breakfast accommodation is private and cosy, with two cottages to choose from. Guests are welcome to dine at Leopard Walk Lodge’s restaurant.

Our guests can normally enjoy a relatively close encounter with the wildlife. Trips to nearby “Big-Five” wildlife reserves can also be arranged.

We look forward to welcoming you! 
 
Thanks to our policy of protecting our wildlife (and not using them as a resource), the wild animals are relaxed for game viewing.

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centrehas been certified by CACH to be non-hunting and ethical in its treatment of its animals.

Visitors to Suni-Ridge can enjoy viewing nyala (previously endangered), grey duiker, warthog, reedbuck, genet cat, serval, African wildcat, monkeys (the previous land owner used to shoot them on sight) and bush babies. Leopards are even spotted from time to time.

Other species that have been reintroduced to the area (on recommendation of the Kwa Zulu Natal Parks Board authority) are impala, wildebeest and zebra.

Watch this video of Marcel and Victoria Koning enjoying breakfast at Leopard Walk Lodge, and a brief glimpse of the activities available in and around our Lodge.

Before we bought and protected the land, an informal illegal market was operating at Suni-Ridge for the sale of animals poached by the cruel method of snaring. Hunting is now taboo and strictly prohibitied! The animals seem to know that they are safe and are relaxed for game viewing.

Accommodation at Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park

Guests are welcome to extend their game viewing and enjoy delicious South African cuisine, served during meals at the lounge and dining facility overlooking the waterhole, where animals can be observed when they come to drink.

Dine overlooking a waterhole at Leopard Walk Lodge

Leopard Walk Lodge has two cottages to choose from:

Buffalo Thorn Cottage: this well appointed “Out of Africa” cottage, has 4 separate rooms each with a bathroom ensuite. It is shaded by a giant, 100 years old Buffalo Thorn tree with a setting that has an outlook across the plains of the wildlife reserve.

Secrets of the Forest: enjoy being at one with nature with views of the secrets of the forest, in a glass walled honeymoon suite which brings the outdoors in. Is there a more wonderful way to start (renew) your marriage, than by relaxing in an outdoor jacuzzi while interacting with the wildlife of a forest canopy?

Apart from enjoying the wildlife that we have to offer, guests can also enjoy a variety of game drives in the area, which of course can be arranged, to nearby reserves like Hluwluwe, Umfolozi, False Bay Park, Mkuzi Game Reserve or Phinda Reserve.

Cultural Activities

We work closely with our local communities and have established a local primary school. From time to time, some guests are invited to spend time with these people in an informal, authentic manner. It is normally considered to be a very inspiring experience.

Visitors to Ilala Weavers can experience the soul of Africa and its people through their handcraft. Exquisitely crafted beadwork, hand-woven baskets and clothing are an expression of the Zulu communities. Purchasing these goods provides direct support to the communities.

A zebra mare and her foal at Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park

By supporting our ECO-AMBASSADOR Campaign, you are encouraging the leaders of tomorrow to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

The 5-day course is based at Suni-Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary, and strives to achieve the following:

• The children are led to an all-encompassing understanding of Humanitarianism (Ubuntu)
• They are inspired to be proud of their inner capabilities and to know that they can excel in their ambitions and dreams
• They learn that human life is intricately bound with the environment, and that all life forms are to be respected and managed wisely
• These young leaders are encouraged to conserve their culture

The following topics and activities are included in the five day course:

Our duty to manage the environment – discussions, assessments of the main concerns. Animals have feelings! The learner gains a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms. This awareness encourages a love for all life forms. Compassionate decision making is encouraged regarding the wise management of the environment by focusing on:

• Leadership qualities and humanatariasm
• Sustainable land use
• Wise management of resources
• Prevention of air pollution/acid rain
• Water shortages and droughts – wetlands (focus on False Bay World Heritage Site)
• Protection of water quality and use of correct sanitation
• Species fauna and flora – interpretation/protection of biodiversity
• The galaxy
• Environment and culture
• Home food gardens to provide food security
• The effect of all of this ultimately on man’s quality of life on earth.

A broad variety of subjects is investigated with the learners that include:

Humanitarianism – the introduction to Humanatariasm investigates the differences that historical and present day leaders have made to the world, such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Jane Goodall, Florence Nightingale, St. Francis. It also investigates findings by modern day scientists who are discovering more about how the world was created.

Music and dance – building self confidence and relaxation

Art in the environment – group work, sketches/drawings, literary essay: “What becoming a young environment ambassador means to us!”

Excursion to False Bay and hike at the lake – the learner experiences the World Natural Heritage Site and interprets the concepts of wetlands and forests identified during the field lecture

Excursion to “Big Five” Hluhluwe Game Reserve – in an open wildlife drive vehicle, learners view elephant, rhino, giraffe and other large mammals (often for the first time)

Excursion to croc center – interpretation of crocodiles

Field work – tracking animals; understanding more about their interrelationships. The learner gains a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms, by focusing on the animals encountered

Water & the World Natural Heritage Site, False Bay, Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park – where and what it is of importance to our region (environmentally and financially); eco-tourism; basic ecology of the wetlands – learners gain an understanding of the international, national, regional and local value of wetlands, with a focus on our own World Natural Heritage Site

Forests and trees – Sand Forest; unique endangered habitat; red data species – learners gain an understanding of the value of international, national and local forests, False Bay’ sand forest and gain a general knowledge of red data species and at least 4 locally occurring species

Live snake demonstration, interpretation, the importance of snakes – basic first aid for snake bites, learners gain an understanding of identifying snakes and why they are important for the environment

Campfire activities – leadership, self confidence, singing (create a Course song), observing the stars/galaxy, quiet moments to hear nature sounds, cultural ecology

Basic First Aid – the role of a leader in an emergency, and basic first aid procedures

Healthy living – health and healthy living, soil, water, sanitation

Food security – 80% of South Africa’s children are hungry; organic home gardens; poisons in the environment; working with nature permaculture leading your family towards food security and what can be done; field demonstration of home gardening/food security principles; fertile soil (field demonstration) and the role of the earthworm

Handling pets and other animals – prevention of cruelty to animals

Alien plants – field identification and methods of eradication

Birds in the environment

Bats in the environment – more than 22 species at Suni-Ridge

Environmental school club -identifying options for environmental action at school, such as:

• Improve environment – prevent litter; beautify the area with fruit trees, medicinal plants, shrubs and indigenous trees;
• Outreach into community opportunities; Junior Town council
• Communication – name of club, international communication and local communication with other eco-schools and environmental center; school and community conservation magazine; computerised conservation communication and contacts; school website to be developed
• Eco – school project – steps to be taken to obtain internationally recognized eco-school green flag. Actions defined.
• Eco-Tourism & career opportunities – the economical importance and career opportunities; learners gain an understanding of the international, national, regional and local value of Eco-Tourism; learn about career opportunities
• Eco-tourism – identifying school and community projects; identifying opportunities for the school and community; define projects and actions to be taken

Summation of Course – definition of and commitment to actions that need to be taken

We need your assistance to educate and inspire these young leaders to encourage sustainable living practices in their communities.

It has been well documented that during the past 15 years, the population of large numbers of mammals outside of parks and game reserves has decreased dramatically.

Illegal hunting, the bushmeat trade, expansion of agriculture and urban settlements are the main causes of this trend.

Our aim is to provide a safe haven where wildlife is protected from being utilised as a resource for the meat trade, hunting or breeding.

Instead of using wild animals to pay for their own protection, we’re offering sponsor links in the right menu. We don’t subscribe to the widely adopted “Sustainable Use Policy” - if you feel the same way about this, please sponsor the Khola Campaign (you can read more about this policy).

Desnaring and Poaching Prevention

Suni-Ridge is situated in one of the most beautiful, and also one of the most diverse environmentally significant, areas of South Africa. Development has been limited in this vast and wide region and there are still large areas of natural vegetation and wildlife habitat.

The lack of development however has meant that there is sadly a great incidence of poverty in the rural community. Many people still live in their traditional ways in natural areas that are not formally protected and also in areas that surround protected wildlife reserves.

With poverty, hunger often prevails. This places a great strain on the wildlife as the wild animals are seen as a source of meat or even money, if the meat can be sold.

We have been lobbying the South African Government to establish an anti-poaching unit in the area surrounding the World Natural Heritage Site.

Many wild animals still exist in these buffer zone areas, such as the area where Suni-Ridge is situated, but the government’s response is, “It remains largely the responsibility of land owners to protect their wildlife.” (see Sustainable Use Policy)

Reserves like Suni-Ridge face daily challenges to ensure that wildlife is protected and not cruelly snared/poached.

What local government can and can’t do

The law in South Africa empowers the Police to investigate poaching and animal abuse but unfortunately this is not always successful as they are often understaffed and unable to deal effectively with this crime.
The provincial conservation bodies are empowered to act against poaching in the province, but it if occurs outside their own reserves, only where protected species are involved.

The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is also able to assist with investigation and conviction of the perpetrators, but this organisation does not operate in our remote area.

According to the Sustainable Use Policy it remains largely the responsibility of land owners to protect the wildlife in their area, and this is very costly.

• One of the large wildlife reserves in the area spends over R1,000,000.00 per year … just on poaching control!
• We’re using advertising on our Home page to cover these costs, thereby providing a bona fide reserve for wild animals.
• If you share our beliefs, please support us by sponsoring an ad on the Khola Campaign?

Wildlife Protection Unit

3 pairs of guards patrol the area in and surrounding Suni-Ridge, with each pair working 8 to 12-hour shifts on a rotational basis. Two-way radios, uniforms, boots and rain coats need to be supplied on an annual basis.

Ideally, the scouts/guards should have accommodation on the property. Their duties include keeping watch for the wildlife in and surrounding Suni-Ridge, removing snares and alerting us as quickly as possible to threats and dangers.

This unit should also provide assistance with education in much the same way that the public is educated about preventing and avoiding crime.

Ethical Tourism Practices

Unlike other South African wildlife reserves, Suni-Ridge does not utilise wildlife as a resource. So far, the cost of providing protection for the wildlife in / around Suni-Ridge has been met through our personal resources and income from Leopard Walk Lodge.

On average, other reserves earn 80% of their revenue by utilising their wildlife as a resource (see the Sustainable Use Policy). This is a cruel exercise as wildlife families are displaced, mothers are often separated from young and beautiful animals in their prime are targeted to be hung as trophies on some hunter’s wall!

We don’t believe that selling/breeding wild animals for hunting purposes or the meat market is ethical, and this goes against the principle of a wildlife reserve. In order to meet the costs for increasing the effectiveness of our Wildlife Protection Unit, we’re offering an advertising sponshorship called the Khola Campaign.

People, businesses and organisations who share our philosophy are able to advertise their websites on our Home page, by sponsoring an ad for the Khola Campaign.

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centre has been certified by CACH to be non-hunting and ethical in its treatment of its animals. Read what this certification means.

We are very grateful to our Khola sponsors who also believe in providing a true bona fide preserve for wildlife.

Suni Antelope are found in our Wildlife Sanctuary

From huge to small, rare and endangered species enjoy our protection.

A varied selection of animal species (including 8 red data species) are found here. Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centre is named in honour of the diminutive Suni Antelope that is found in our sand forest.

Thanks to your generous support, Suni-Ridge is able to provide a wildlife sanctuary, protect the amazing biodiversity in our region, and to increase the awareness among local communitities of the importance to preserve and protect the environment and their natural heritage. 

Our latest newcomers are aardvark which have been identified as the occupants of the huge holes in the sand forest. They must have come in by digging under the fence. We see this as a great compliment, as these unusual animals are very sparcely populated, often having a range of up to 500 h for just one animal.

Aardvark also call Suni-Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary "home"

“Our latest newcomers are aardvark which have been identified as the occupants of the huge holes in the sand forest. They must have come in by digging under the fence. We see this as a great compliment, as these unusual animals are very sparcely populated, often having a range of up to 500 h for just one animal”.

© (photo: Southafrica.net) Pangolin

© (photo: Southafrica.net) Red Duiker

Thanks to your generous support, Suni-Ridge is able to provide a wildlife sanctuary, protect the amazing biodiversity in our region, and to increase the awareness among local communitities of the importance to preserve and protect the environment and their natural heritage.

“Our years of effort have at times been exciting, rewarding and often the challenge has been daunting, but the knowledge that we are giving something back to nature is our most worthwhile reward”. ~ Janet & Rob Cuthbertson