Pughie Does Daktari
| Mrs P's idea of a Safari is to wander out in an air conditioned bus, spot a lion, direct me to go and photograph the nice pussycat so she can get back to camp for a G&T on the veranda overlooking the watering hole where she can read her book and occasionally glance over to see what animals have come to see her. (Whats wrong with that I hear you cry) Well I am up for a bit of "Rock Up, grab a space and see what develops" . At Mrs P's suggestion I am going it alone. Well not entirely alone Im not that stupid? Mike Darkin and I are off to play Daktari in Zimbabwe. why not follow our escapades and join us for a few adventures. Hold on to your hats and tag along for the ride of a lifetime from the comfort and safety of your armchair, desk, or sofa as we depart London Heathrow for the Wild and Dusty Climes of Zimbabwe. Having accepted the challenge and signed up we are off to the Antelope Park Lion Research Project as Photographers. Set in the stunning surroundings of an exclusive private game reserve called Antelope Park, our mission will be to document with photographs the behaviour and natural development of the semi-wild lion pride. The project boasts being pioneers in a ground-breaking conservation project that will eventually see captive-bred lions released into the wild. Its a working Holiday and our brief is to Study and understand the lions’ behaviour;Distinguish the prides’ social structure; Determine the strengths of and role played by pride members; Document the development of wild-born cubs and assess the viability of the pride for future release. The project leaders who own this park feel passionately about Zimbabwe and the state of the lion population in Africa. As a result they run a Lion Breeding Programme with the express objectives of preserving the African lions by producing a quality gene pool and rebuilding the diminishing numbers of lions, and also reintroducing the offspring back into the wild in environments where they will have the best possible opportunity for survival and a good quality of life. Some of the reasons for the lions depleting numbers are due to destruction of their natural habitat and poaching, so this programme offers assistance to local communities and schools to educate the local population about preserving wildlife and conserving and working alongside the animals natural habitats. There is a breeding and rehabilitation project for the lions which is a World First and is supported by leading ecologists in this field. We are looking forward to playing our part ! The project fee from volunteers facilitates funding for items such as food for lions and elephants, management and maintenance of lion enclosures, and the development of the lion breeding and rehabilitation programme. Funds also go towards the Midlands Orphanage, a private orphanage run by the project leaders and home to 60+ children from toddlers to teenagers who would otherwise be homeless and on the streets. The orphanage relies totally on the support of the volunteers and private donations. |
My latest 5 diary entries
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| 25th Mar 2012 | ||||
| Home at Last | ||||
| We have landed, Heathrow never looked so good..... just an hour or so for the coach and we will be at Ringwood for 1415, home, shower and then a hearty feast... see you all soon | ||||
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36 Words | 44 Reads |  | Read more | |
| 24th Mar 2012 | ||||
| Homeward bound | ||||
| Ah how the hours are passing us by at Gate A6 of Joburg Airport...We have adopted the view TIA and are just chilling, every time some poor bugger in a SAA Uniform appears they are surrounded by a mob of angry passe... | ||||
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545 Words | 39 Reads | | Read more | |
| 24th Mar 2012 | ||||
| Hulk Moment | ||||
| Ahhh... a lovely long soak to start the day, I can’t remember the last time I had a bath instead of a shower. Showers are so quick and convenient; we forget how relaxing it is to wallow in hot soapy wat... | ||||
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1022 Words | 23 Reads | | Read more | |
| 23rd Mar 2012 | ||||
| Last Day | ||||
| Last night’s meal at Bomas restaurant was fantastic, for starters I had some crocodile tail, bream, guinea fowl and salad, followed by Warthog, Buffalo and Kudu steaks, there was the usual Sirloin and so... | ||||
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2746 Words | 27 Reads | | Read more | |
| 22nd Mar 2012 | ||||
| Victoria Falls | ||||
| This morning we ventured out to Victoria Falls, it was very noisy and Spectacular to see The Mighty Zambezi flowing with such force over the top to the river below. The river is at its highest and strongest now so ... | ||||
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323 Words | 57 Reads | | Read more | |
