Counter Poaching Unit received needed gear

Where Wild Things Roam editor Kate Webster recently travelled to South Africa and Mozambique to engage in some first-hand conservation activities before going behind the lines on the war on poaching with the Dyck Advisory Group Conservation Trust (DAG).

The purpose of the visit was two-fold. Firstly, to do a trial run of the Where Wild Things Roam Travel tours that launched this year for travel in 2020.

The journey started with a rhino conservation activity in the Greater Kruger Region. Over the course of two days, an expert team including helicopter pilot Yana and well experienced vet Peter Rogers and his team, guided the operation to dart, sedate and dehorn the threatened rhinoceros.

It was then time to cross the border into Mozambique and head into camp with the DAG team. The base camp is located in Limpopo National Park where the team covers a 1.2-million-hectare area of bush in Mozambique that borders Kruger Nation Park and stretches as far North as the Zimbabwe border.

DAG carries out conservation and wildlife protection through its Counter-Poaching involvement and operations on the ground. DAG prides itself in operating on the front line and in many cases, behind enemy lines, to neutralise poaching activity and ensure the safety of today’s endangered and targeted wildlife.

This work not only takes a team of dedicated men and women but also much needed equipment and supplies. Thanks to Canon Australia, Where Wild Things Roam delivered four sets of 8 x 25 IS binoculars, to be utilised by head rangers in the field during operation.

These binoculars are the world’s smallest and lightest binoculars with built in Image Stabilizer, ideal for travel, sports and wildlife. The built in Image Stabilizer eliminates hand-held shake and gives continuous operation for up to 6 hours. Modern and rounded design is both stylish and comfortable to use.

DAG Conservation Trust Head of Operations, Sean Van Nierkerk, said an import part of counter poaching is establishing an observation post whereby scouts and rangers may watch, observe or control an area from a high ground.

“They can then pick up any movement of illegal poachers and formulate a plan to apprehend the suspects from their position. DAG implements various observation posts throughout its operations,” Sean explained.

“At this time DAG has established OPs, on high ground to watch over known poacher routes. As poachers move towards Kruger National Park or hunt in Limpopo National Park, scouts lay and wait on OPs days on end in rotation,” Sean added.

“The binoculars allow scouts to see further and observe a much greater distance. Quality equipment is essential and that is why the donated canon binoculars are of such importance. They are compact enough to carry in the field and easy to focus to extend your vision over larger areas.”

Owner and CEO of DAG, Colonel Lionel Dyck, thanked Canon Australia for the donation, saying “the binoculars are EXACTLY what we needed. Canon’s fantastic generosity and product will help very much in dealing with this awful scourge, counter poaching.”

Other items donated include headlamps, dashcams, sleeping bags and cameras. If you want to donate to DAG any gear or funds to continue with their work, please contact us on hello@wherewildthingsroam.com.