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Hang in there, we are in this together!
Featured image by Beanie Smither.
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Hi Subscribers,
The early mornings bring about a crisp freshness to the bushveld air, we know that winter is slowly creeping upon us. This month's Telegraph is full of exciting happenings, from fighting fires to receiving enormous support from donors and our community.
Our tourism sector has sadly taken a huge knock with the COVID-19 pandemic, however, our lodges have used this opportunity to bring the beauty of the Timbavati to your own homes through the creation of exciting, nail-biting, hair raising "live safaris" fueling your unstoppable wanderlust to visit us again.
As we move into Level 4, here is a message from our Warden:
“COVID-19 has severely affected the reserve, it has influenced our very successful sustainability model, it has impacted on the livelihoods of people both within the reserve and those that surround it, it has created uncertainty, but it has not broken our spirit or our willingness to preserve our wildlife safe haven. The sacrifices that many of the staff have made, to be on the reserve, away from their families during these difficult times, will stay with me forever. I do not have the words to express my thanks and gratitude.”
#staysafe, #stayhome, #dontcancelpostpone #supportwildlife #supportpeople #timbavati #timbavatifoundation
Remember to tell your friends & family to subscribe to our Timbavati Telegraph by simply going onto our new and improved website at www.timbavati.co.za and wait for the popup, alternatively see the News page and sign up there.
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Fund Raising Campaigns
During the lockdown, our security team was listed as an essential service, as these brave men and women are exactly that, "essential" in protecting the wildlife and the reserve. With several of the reserves revenue streams drying up, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reserve is needing your support more than ever. Please consider donating to these worthy causes:
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The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve has five highly skilled and trained dogs. Help us keep these heroes active in the fight against wildlife poaching.
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By donating to Giving Greens, you can assist in supporting the overall health of our Field Rangers who work tirelessly to keep our wildlife protected.
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Donation of bullet proof vets from GCC & Alexa Ann.
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Food parcels & mask donations from GCC, MySpar Hoedspruit & Carmen Bags.
Photos courtesy of Stuart Isham Fairbairns.
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The challenges we face are real, without such supportive communities, partners and donors, wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife safe havens such as the Timbavati, would be at a greater risk. Thank you Global Conservation Corps and My SPAR for this amazing initiative. We have no words to explain the gratitude we have, only praising voices and songs of our people. Thank you.
It costs only $53 (R989.71) to provide necessities to a family of five for a whole month. Learn more about the project and donate here: supportrangers.org
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Staff matters
We welcome Jandré Coétzee who has begun his Timbavati journey in April as the new Conservation Officer.
Jandré has many years of conservation experience, he found his love for the African bush from his early childhood years. His dedication to protecting, conserving, and monitoring both fauna and flora, ensures he will be a tremendous asset to the reserve.
We wish him many exciting years ahead.
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Fighting fires
Putting out fires, something our honorable president is currently trying to do too...
Our team, supported by our lodges, Tanda Tula and Kings Camp, responded to a wildfire on the evening of the 27th of April. The weather condition, fuel loads, and dewpoint were in our favor, which assisted greatly in ensuring the fire was quickly contained. A big thank you to all that assisted!
Tanda Tula has released a full guest blog on the incident.
Read it here - https://www.tandatula.com/blog/posts/where-theres-smoke-theres-definitely-fire/
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Winter months preparations
The evenings are becoming a little darker with every day that passes, the morning warm sun is now slowly peeking later than usual. This is our early call to say that our winter is on its way. The Technical Services department has been hard at work, using this lockdown period to repair roads, slash and grade firebreaks, and undertake general maintenance on camps and infrastructure.
If you wish to make use of the services of the TPNR team, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Hurn at robert@timbavati.co.za / 073 282 6787
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My School, My Planet, My Village
Did you know you can add the Timbavati Foundation as a beneficiary on your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card?
What is this card?
The MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet fundraising programme is one of South Africa’s biggest community programmes. They raise funds for schools, charities, and environmental organisations through a card system that allows supporters to raise funds for their beneficiaries every time they shop at selected partner stores. Partners make a contribution, on behalf of the supporter/cardholder, towards the beneficiary they have selected.
Here is how you can get your card & add us as a beneficiary:
Step 1: Sign up (http://www.myschool.co.za/)
Step 2: Once signed up, login with your details
Step 3: Select us as your beneficiary you want to support
Step 4: Continue with updating your profile until all steps are completed.
Step 5: Click the Finish button and you had made the difference!
When you shop at these selected stores, a percentage of your purchase will be given in kind to the Timbavati Foundation to continue our good work.
WOOLWORTHS; Engen SA; Loot.co.za; Bidvest Waltons
Thank you to everyone who already has us sign up!
Why not get involved this year so that we are able to extend our reach and impact?
Your contributions make the difference!
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We are needing your help more than ever...
As we see the effects that Covid-19 has brought about for Tourism in South Africa, we are now calling on your help to assist us with donations. If you are interested in finding out how you can help, please email us for more information. Thank you to all our ongoing supporters and donors, without you we would not be able to achieve our goals and ensure our support.
Your contributions make the difference!
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Earth Day - 22nd April
"Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historic moment when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation, ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future." - https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/
We are extremely proud of what The Timbavati Foundation has been able to achieve over the years. As we celebrate Earth Day 2020, we highlight what they have done to take 'Climate Action'.
Well done to an excellent team behind the scenes who work tirelessly to ensure that both people and the environment are protected and in harmony with one another.
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Timbavati Lodge Donations
The Timbavati Lodges have once again been incredibly supportive in donating their 'old' items to those less fortunate! We would like to thank:
1. Kings Camp - 2 cruiser loads of invaluable items such as towels, duvets, pillows, metal work, mattresses, wood work etc.
2. Makanyi Lodge - Bakkie load full of towels, waterproof covers, duvet covers, sheets and pillows.
Donations will go out as soon as possible, moving into level 4, an essential services permit will be obtained to allow for movement of donations to people in need from the Timbavati Foundation.
Your contributions make the difference!
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Virtual Safaris - Bringing the experience of the Timbavati into your home during lockdown.
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Tanda Tula
"Since the explosion of Sofa Safaris, we have had 1000 new subscribers on YouTube (we are blown away!). For every new subscriber to our Youtube channel, including the 1000 new ones, Don & Nina have pledged that Tanda Tula will donate R1, per subscriber, to Hlokomela until we reach a target of 10,000 subscribers.
Visit our blog and follow the link to our Youtube Channel to subscribe and read on to find out more about how you can donate. Your support means the world and together, we can increase awareness about Hlokomela, an NGO close to our hearts, that we have supported for years."
Read their full blog here - https://www.tandatula.com/blog/posts/support-for-hlokomela/
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World Health Day 2020 - 7th April
#WorldHealthDay we take the opportunity to celebrate and thank the unsung heroes of our world.
The #timbavati and the @timbavati_foundation are extremely proud to be supporting such an incredible NGO such as @hlokomela whose endless care to our community should not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do
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Position statement on Illegal Wildlife Trade
Here is an interesting read with an alternative view on wildlife trade. Have a read and let us know your thoughts?
https://www.illegalwildlifetrade.net/…/position-statement-…/
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Thank you Global Conservation Corps for once again producing an incredible visual of just how dedicated our field rangers are at protecting our wildlife. We commend them on their services. Happy Earth Day 🌍
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The essentials services of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve - Part 1
"Our field rangers and control room operators are not only an essential service, but they are a critical and invaluable asset to ensure the protection of our reserves wildlife".
Read our first blog in a five-part series of the Essential Services of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
*If viewing blog from a mobile device/ tablet, please do tap on some of the images to get the additional effects.
https://timbavati.co.za/the-essential-services-of-the-timbavati-private-nature-reserve-part-1/
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Guest Blog: A day in the life of a Wildlife Veterinarian - Getting to know Dr. Joel Alves
This month's guest blogger for our Conservation Conversation is an up-close and personal interview with a local young, energetic, and passionate wildlife veterinarian who aspires to learn and grow from every experience he encounters.
He not only aims to go beyond just being a vet, but he also aims to make a positive contribution & difference in the world of conservation.
Read our blog here:
https://timbavati.co.za/guest-blog-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-wildlife-veterinarian-getting-to-know-dr-joel-alves/
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DO YOUR PART SOUTH AFRICA AND STAY AT HOME. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. OUR ISOLATION WILL BRING BACK OUR UNITY.
#STAYHOME
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Want to have your best photograph as a featured image on both our Timbavati Telegraph and our website?
Then email us to find out how! |
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