We have been short-listed as one of just 13 projects worldwide for much-needed funding and support from EOCA. We urge you to take a minute out of your day and vote for us in the 'Wild Places' category, and then you get to vote for one project from each of the other categories too if you like! In advance - a massive thank you from our whole team. We need to get more votes than elephants though to secure this much needed funding!!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR US: https://www.eocaconservation.org/

"My name is Thato Mashigo, but you can call me Pluto. I am from a small village called Shangaanhill in the lowveld province of Mpumalanga, South Africa. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude as the first scholarship recipient of the Alf Rewin Conservation Fund. It is remarkable to me that, even though I never had the opportunity to meet Alf, I feel as if I have caught a glimpse of his incredible spirit as reflected through his impact on the Project and Dr Kemp’s account of him, and it is an immense honour to be part of his legacy.

From an early age, my heart danced to a different beat. While other kids played with dolls, I rescued stray animals and cared for our chickens at home. My mother could share endless stories of how I would find, and at every opportunity, bring home every stray I met, each time needing her gentle persuasion to leave them behind. Despite the challenges, she never stifled my passion but encouraged it with unwavering support.

Whilst I always knew I wanted to conserve animals, I did not yet have the words to describe this passion, nor did I understand how to turn it into a career. I was fortunate however to pursue tertiary education in the field of Biological Sciences through my pursuit and completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Life Sciences, an Honors in Zoology, and a Master’s in Wildlife Management Engineering.

I have been fortunate to work as an Environmental Education Officer with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) which equipped and exposed me to many aspects of conservation and working in the environmental sector, and for that I am forever grateful for the opportunity. It is through that opportunity that I was opportune to encounter the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project. An organisation that I had only read and heard about but never thought I would one day be so fortunate to be a part of, yet here we are. I stand on the threshold of my dream, working as a research intern with the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project and have hopes of contributing towards the conservation of the endangered Southern Ground-Hornbill in my current and future academic and professional pursuits.

I believe through this scholarship; I am that much closer towards those pursuits. Because this scholarship represents more than just financial assistance; it is a lifeline—a chance to continue my journey without the burden of financial anxiety. It would enable me to obtain valuable skills and experiences that will equip me to become an asset to the Project, empowering me to transform my dreams into reality.

In closing, I am deeply grateful to the Alf Rewin Conservation Fund for having awarded me this scholarship. With your support, I can turn the page to a new chapter, one where I can inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter how distant they may seem, in this manner I hope Alf’s legacy will continue.

Thank you for believing in the potential of youth like me."

THANK YOU

FORD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

Our director, Dr Lucy Kemp, was very proud to represent all hornbills species at the IUCN SSC Leaders Meeting in Abu Dhabi as co-chair of the Hornbill Specialist Group, and share some lessons and challenges of our work. It is wonderful to be able to benefit from this global network for our ground-hornbills, and for our hard-won lessons to be of value elsewhere.

We were thrilled that the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group and all our members achieved a Citation of Excellence for our work. Mandia Nature - as the host organisation - we will all work hard to keep ensuring we can make you proud.

If you would like to support our work please consider making a donation or reach out to find other ways of supporting us.

With lots of love,

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project Team

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