Rhino Wars – the first steps

The Hut

I have quoted on a few occasions about the journey of a thousand miles and that first step. I do believe my own first step was about 4 months ago when I wrote that post Private Military Company vs Anti-poaching. My, I did not know that at time, for every step forward I would take three back. However, as I am a tenacious little chap, not stubborn mind you, tenacious, and I had a lot of help from various people, I am finally in the bush, where I belong. The last Rhino Wars blog was a thank you note to all those concerned and another is due for those that continue to aid me as they can.

Now I have The Hut, as seen in the photo, my first BIG step. This is thanks to Salomie and Neil the owners of the property. Together with help from my lady in Britain we have a base and a two man team. Jan is the tracker, born and bred in the area and his knowledge of the area we patrol, is unsurpassable.  Jan speaks only Afrikaans and Pedi, so my rusty Afrikaans is getting a work out.

There is much work to be done and a lot of things needed to make this base camp, which now consists of the Hut, and that is about all. Jan and I can cover only a certain area per day and we shall need more people. Before we can do this we need to sort out a lot of things, my priority is communication, firstly radios. The radios need to be charged so we need solar power. Then we need to complete the shower and toilet and get water up to the hut, again using solar power. This is not cheap and we have to do it little by little. My lady in Britain is taking most of the burden of financing what we need, oh yes, she makes sure I get food too! On weekends Salomie feeds me. I have noticed that my intake of food has dramatically increased ever since I got my butt off a chair in front on this infernal computer and started patrolling. To my soldier friends: You get “gym fit”, we know this is a joke compared to “Bush fit”, but hell, here in the Waterberg you have to be, “Mountain Bush fit”! You are all most welcome to come visit and try it out with me for a few days, bring your own camping gear.

I will not give detail to exactly where I am, or what I am doing on an open forum, for obvious reasons. At this stage if you would like to contribute, either equipment or funding for this project or coming to visit, you can contact Selomie, on the Palala Rhino Sanctuary page.

You know I will use it well……. The first monertory contributions will be put aside for the purchase of a vehicle which will be used for rapid deployment and to extend my patrolling to the roads around my area.

Regards

Wayne.

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Tags: Africa, anti-poaching, Mexican Horse Thief, Rhino poaching, South Africa, Wayne Bisset