Back in camp meeting Thulani
Thulani Thusi has been working in the community since 2006 as a conservation educator and community liaison, who is conducting the Tembe-Ndumo Community Conservation Project for Wildlife ACT, and has been operating conservation education programs in the communities surrounding Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumo Game Reserve. Thulani has earned the trust and respect of his fellow Tembe tribe members, and is frequently present at tribal meetings between his people, the parks, and other tribal communities. He has made strides in conservation education within the communities, and has never hesitated in his involvement despite obstacles including distrust and unrest between the parks and communities. He was instrumental in winning the crucial support of local communities for the reintroduction of African wild dogs into Tembe Elephant Park. Thulani worked with the communities to convince them to support the reintroduction. Acquiring this community support was not a small feat. If wild dogs escape, they kill community livestock. Many would not have been in favor of this reintroduction. The tribal community has long been at odds with the wild dogs. However, Thulani was able to accomplish support for this project.
Thulani has also worked tirelessly to promote rhino conservation in the face of poaching pressure, and has ventured into the Mozambique side of the park where most of the poaching originates to spread the idea of conservation and to create lasting conservation education programs. No one could do a more superb job. In the classroom he shares his knowledge and love of wildlife with the children, with the emphasis on protecting the animals. The children pay close attention to him and his enthusiasm is infectious.
Thulani has touched my heart in many ways and I am still impressed with his efforts and skills to organise and conduct "our" conservation project for Tembe schools just on his own without any organisational support.
Finalising the organisation
