RESTORED PROTECTED PRESERVED WILD
Zuka Private Game Reserve is the cornerstone property of a pioneering land assembly founded by Tara and Jessica Getty in 2001. Today, this progressive rewilding project has thus far expanded to 10,300 hectares of environmentally restored and protected northern Zululand and stands as a beacon of light as to what is possible on our planet.
1990 – The Beginning of the Story
“Caring for wilderness, wildlife and people is multifaceted. There are many models. This is ours.”
~ TARA GETTY ~
“Caring for wilderness, wildlife and people is multifaceted. There are many models. This is ours.”
~ TARA GETTY ~
Where we are
Zuka Private Game Reserve is 10,300 hectares of the Munywana Conservancy, a formal Protected Area bordering a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Zuka Private Game Reserve’s proximity to the Indian Ocean, and the Lebombo Mountains creates dramatic topography with varied geology and soils from the ancient sea bed and historic volcanic activity; in turn supporting an array of habitats and vast biodiversity.
KHULA
Starting at home, starting small and following our belief that healthy soil is crucial for producing nutrient-rich food that our gut microbiome thrives on, that optimally supports us as humans, meaning we can be our best to do our best…we created our regenerative farm, Khula Farm.
Khula, is the isiZulu word for “grow” or “to become bigger” and, more than growing our own vegetables, salad, herbs, goats, ducks, chickens (and more!) we hope so much that this understanding and movement will also grow and become BIGGER !
🥭🧡🌱🥕🥬🌅💚🌅🥬🥕🌱🧡🥭
#Khula
#isiZulu
#RegenerativeFarm
#HealthySoil
#HealthyGut
#HealthyHumans
#Healthy
#Planet
#AllConnected
#IntegratedLivingModel
#BeingOurBest
#ThisIsZuka
Mar 24
KHULA
Starting at home, starting small and following our belief that healthy soil is crucial for producing nutrient-rich food that our gut microbiome thrives on, that optimally supports us as humans, meaning we can be our best to do our best…we created our regenerative farm, Khula Farm.
Khula, is the isiZulu word for “grow” or “to become bigger” and, more than growing our own vegetables, salad, herbs, goats, ducks, chickens (and more!) we hope so much that this understanding and movement will also grow and become BIGGER !
🥭🧡🌱🥕🥬🌅💚🌅🥬🥕🌱🧡🥭
#Khula
#isiZulu
#RegenerativeFarm
#HealthySoil
#HealthyGut
#HealthyHumans
#Healthy
#Planet
#AllConnected
#IntegratedLivingModel
#BeingOurBest
#ThisIsZuka
TREE WISDOM
Today is the United Nations International Day of Forests.
Our sand forest is a rare and magical ecosystem, a habitat that grows on ancient sand dunes and is part of the Maputaland Coastal Forest Mosaic Ecoregion.
Home to a myriad of species and supporting great biodiversity, it has a quiet and unique energy.
Forests around the world host the key to our survival and quite simply, are astonishing in their intelligence and beauty!
#Forest
#SandForest
#TreeWisdom
#InternationalDayofforests
#Biodiversity
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Land
#ThisIsZuka
Mar 21
TREE WISDOM
Today is the United Nations International Day of Forests.
Our sand forest is a rare and magical ecosystem, a habitat that grows on ancient sand dunes and is part of the Maputaland Coastal Forest Mosaic Ecoregion.
Home to a myriad of species and supporting great biodiversity, it has a quiet and unique energy.
Forests around the world host the key to our survival and quite simply, are astonishing in their intelligence and beauty!
#Forest
#SandForest
#TreeWisdom
#InternationalDayofforests
#Biodiversity
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Land
#ThisIsZuka
BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies are good indicators of environmental health; their presence or absence signals the quality of the habitat.
There are so many levels of intelligence contained in butterflies and all their interactions create the dynamic system where energy flows and nutrients are cycled to sustain life on our planet.
#Butterflies
#Invertebrates
#Ecosystems
#Healthy
#Habitat
#NaturalWorld
#ItsASmallWorld
#Freedom
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#Ecology
#ThisIsZuka
Mar 20
BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies are good indicators of environmental health; their presence or absence signals the quality of the habitat.
There are so many levels of intelligence contained in butterflies and all their interactions create the dynamic system where energy flows and nutrients are cycled to sustain life on our planet.
#Butterflies
#Invertebrates
#Ecosystems
#Healthy
#Habitat
#NaturalWorld
#ItsASmallWorld
#Freedom
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#Ecology
#ThisIsZuka
CATCH
When the rain falls, some infiltrates the soil and some flows across the surface as run off. This accumulates in our naturally occurring shallow depressions called pans, or in our man-made dams.
Supporting wildlife in a fenced conservancy where extensive migration to access water is restricted (30,000 hectares is not small but ultimately there is a boundary fence!) means we support our ecosystem with purpose-built dams in addition to the naturally occurring water bodies.
They are strategically positioned and constructed for optimal water retention, with features like a spillway to regulate overflow.
Well thought out harvesting of rainwater not only ensures drinking water during dry periods, but also supports the vegetation from being overgrazed, as wildlife has access to water extensively across the landscape, and this is vital for game reserves and conservancies like ours in Africa.
🎼Scoring beautifully again for us: @_paintmusic_
#Rainwater
#Rainwaterharvesting
#Dams
#Pans
#Ecology
#WildlifeConservation
#WildSpaces
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#ThisIsZuka
#Africa
Mar 18
CATCH
When the rain falls, some infiltrates the soil and some flows across the surface as run off. This accumulates in our naturally occurring shallow depressions called pans, or in our man-made dams.
Supporting wildlife in a fenced conservancy where extensive migration to access water is restricted (30,000 hectares is not small but ultimately there is a boundary fence!) means we support our ecosystem with purpose-built dams in addition to the naturally occurring water bodies.
They are strategically positioned and constructed for optimal water retention, with features like a spillway to regulate overflow.
Well thought out harvesting of rainwater not only ensures drinking water during dry periods, but also supports the vegetation from being overgrazed, as wildlife has access to water extensively across the landscape, and this is vital for game reserves and conservancies like ours in Africa.
🎼Scoring beautifully again for us: @_paintmusic_
#Rainwater
#Rainwaterharvesting
#Dams
#Pans
#Ecology
#WildlifeConservation
#WildSpaces
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#ThisIsZuka
#Africa
MARCH!
Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.
April Rain Song ~ by Langston Hughes
Meditating on this month’s beautiful rain, March is also Brain Tumour Awareness Month; a time to raise awareness about brain tumours, to support the children and their families deeply affected, and to encourage much needed research for improving treatments and outcomes.
DIPG is a highly aggressive malignant brain tumour that is difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis, predominantly affecting children.
This is so close to our hearts and a quest that we have chosen to support.
With our voice on this vast platform, if you, our good-hearted followers, should feel you would like to help in any way, here’s how:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/billysbattalion
With gratitude, in the rain 🧡
@niccoloslight 💙✨
@ellielexie💙✨
#Raindrops
#March
#DIPG
#NiccolosLight
#BillysBattalion
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#NaturalWorld
#Inspired
#Poetry
#ThisIsZuka
Mar 14
MARCH!
Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.
April Rain Song ~ by Langston Hughes
Meditating on this month’s beautiful rain, March is also Brain Tumour Awareness Month; a time to raise awareness about brain tumours, to support the children and their families deeply affected, and to encourage much needed research for improving treatments and outcomes.
DIPG is a highly aggressive malignant brain tumour that is difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis, predominantly affecting children.
This is so close to our hearts and a quest that we have chosen to support.
With our voice on this vast platform, if you, our good-hearted followers, should feel you would like to help in any way, here’s how:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/billysbattalion
With gratitude, in the rain 🧡
@niccoloslight 💙✨
@ellielexie💙✨
#Raindrops
#March
#DIPG
#NiccolosLight
#BillysBattalion
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#NaturalWorld
#Inspired
#Poetry
#ThisIsZuka
HERE
“With stillness comes the benediction of peace”
~Eckhart Tolle~
#Leopard
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Peace
#Wildcats
#Landscapes
#Conservation
#Safari
#Africa
#ThisIsZuka
Mar 12
HERE
“With stillness comes the benediction of peace”
~Eckhart Tolle~
#Leopard
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Peace
#Wildcats
#Landscapes
#Conservation
#Safari
#Africa
#ThisIsZuka
LIFE
3rd March every year is World Wildlife Day.
Today is a moment for us to acknowledge and celebrate all wild animals and plants - our fauna and flora - all playing a critical role for humans and planet earth.
Wildlife conservation and humanity are not separate but inextricably linked.
Zuka is a living legacy model of impact - invested in land restoration, the protection and preservation of wild spaces and wildlife while integrating social upliftment.
www.zuka.earth
www.gettyasterism.earth
www.wildimpact.earth
#WorldWildlifeDay
#FaunaandFlora
#ThisIsZuka
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Conservation
#CommunityDevelopment
#Partnerships
Original Score @_paintmusic_
Mar 3
LIFE
3rd March every year is World Wildlife Day.
Today is a moment for us to acknowledge and celebrate all wild animals and plants - our fauna and flora - all playing a critical role for humans and planet earth.
Wildlife conservation and humanity are not separate but inextricably linked.
Zuka is a living legacy model of impact - invested in land restoration, the protection and preservation of wild spaces and wildlife while integrating social upliftment.
www.zuka.earth
www.gettyasterism.earth
www.wildimpact.earth
#WorldWildlifeDay
#FaunaandFlora
#ThisIsZuka
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Conservation
#CommunityDevelopment
#Partnerships
Original Score @_paintmusic_
BONDING
Lions are social creatures; living and thriving as a pride, playing and lying together, every nudge and moment of contact is their language.
#LionPride
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka
#WildlifePhotography
#BBCWildlifePOTD
Mar 2
BONDING
Lions are social creatures; living and thriving as a pride, playing and lying together, every nudge and moment of contact is their language.
#LionPride
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka
#WildlifePhotography
#BBCWildlifePOTD
VOCATION
It takes 6 years to qualify as a vet in South Africa, and wildlife veterinary work is a specialist arena!
Capturing, immobilising and treating wild animals in wild spaces requires further training, skills and experience.
On Zuka Private Game Reserve, allowing the natural balance of any ecosystem means minimal or, seemingly counterintuitively, no interventions at all, but on occasions, with sensible and sensitive consideration, Dr Mike Toft will be called to attend to an animal.
He brings years of experience and knowledge to every situation – it’s incredible to witness, and when it’s a rhino, a few extra pairs of hands are required!
#Rhino
#VetinaryWork
#RhinoConservation
#WildlifeVet
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Inspired
#ThisIsZuka
#SouthAfrica
Feb 26
VOCATION
It takes 6 years to qualify as a vet in South Africa, and wildlife veterinary work is a specialist arena!
Capturing, immobilising and treating wild animals in wild spaces requires further training, skills and experience.
On Zuka Private Game Reserve, allowing the natural balance of any ecosystem means minimal or, seemingly counterintuitively, no interventions at all, but on occasions, with sensible and sensitive consideration, Dr Mike Toft will be called to attend to an animal.
He brings years of experience and knowledge to every situation – it’s incredible to witness, and when it’s a rhino, a few extra pairs of hands are required!
#Rhino
#VetinaryWork
#RhinoConservation
#WildlifeVet
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Inspired
#ThisIsZuka
#SouthAfrica
TRIUMVIRATE
Cheetah are well known for creating coalitions, either with their siblings from birth, or by joining up with unrelated males as a pair or a trio.
Joining forces like this presents differently to a pride structure; the power and energy is equal through the coalition and this unified formation helps their hunting and survival success particularly as they are vulnerable to other predators.
This beautiful species is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, with around only 7,000 left in the wild, so protecting and preserving some of the population here in their natural habitat is of great importance to us.
#Cheetah
#CheetahCoaltion
#ConservationSuccessStories
#Restored
#Preserved
#Protected
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka
Feb 24
TRIUMVIRATE
Cheetah are well known for creating coalitions, either with their siblings from birth, or by joining up with unrelated males as a pair or a trio.
Joining forces like this presents differently to a pride structure; the power and energy is equal through the coalition and this unified formation helps their hunting and survival success particularly as they are vulnerable to other predators.
This beautiful species is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, with around only 7,000 left in the wild, so protecting and preserving some of the population here in their natural habitat is of great importance to us.
#Cheetah
#CheetahCoaltion
#ConservationSuccessStories
#Restored
#Preserved
#Protected
#Wild
#ThisIsZuka
RESPECTFUL
Observing elephant bulls, these huge mammals, with their complex social structures and sophisticated emotional behaviour, offers limitless research possibilities.
From her research carried out here across the reserve, Getty Asterism’s Director and projects manager, Dr Anne Pandraud has published papers previously on African elephants.
You can find them here on:
WWW.GETTYASTERISM.EARTH
#ElephantBulls
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#Research
#Conservation
#Reverence
#ThisIsZuka
#Southafrica
Feb 22
RESPECTFUL
Observing elephant bulls, these huge mammals, with their complex social structures and sophisticated emotional behaviour, offers limitless research possibilities.
From her research carried out here across the reserve, Getty Asterism’s Director and projects manager, Dr Anne Pandraud has published papers previously on African elephants.
You can find them here on:
WWW.GETTYASTERISM.EARTH
#ElephantBulls
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#Research
#Conservation
#Reverence
#ThisIsZuka
#Southafrica
PANGOLIN LIFE
Since 2019 we have been part of an ongoing initiative to re-establish the Temminck’s pangolin (also known as Ground pangolin) across our reserve and the wider Munywana Conservancy.
In partnership with African Pangolin Working Group, these endearing creatures - the world’s most trafficked mammal - are retrieved, rehabilitated and reintroduced here.
Through this careful process there is monitoring that involves some limited handling initially, and thereafter via satellite tracking devices. This species, locally extinct since the 1940s, is now thriving in its natural environment again!
The pressure is still on to prevent illegal poaching and disrupt trafficking; though wider understanding and collaborative approaches hail these conservation success stories.
#Pangolins
#GroundPangolin
#TemmincksPangolin
#ConservationSuccessStories
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Legacy
#ThisIsZuka
Feb 19
PANGOLIN LIFE
Since 2019 we have been part of an ongoing initiative to re-establish the Temminck’s pangolin (also known as Ground pangolin) across our reserve and the wider Munywana Conservancy.
In partnership with African Pangolin Working Group, these endearing creatures - the world’s most trafficked mammal - are retrieved, rehabilitated and reintroduced here.
Through this careful process there is monitoring that involves some limited handling initially, and thereafter via satellite tracking devices. This species, locally extinct since the 1940s, is now thriving in its natural environment again!
The pressure is still on to prevent illegal poaching and disrupt trafficking; though wider understanding and collaborative approaches hail these conservation success stories.
#Pangolins
#GroundPangolin
#TemmincksPangolin
#ConservationSuccessStories
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Legacy
#ThisIsZuka
SWEETNESS!
Cubs, calves, lambs, piglets, foals, pups - the reserve is full of babies! ✨
#LionCubs
#CheetahCubs
#ElephantCalf
#GiraffeCalf
#HyenaPups
#RhinoCalf
#KuduCalf
#NyalaCalf
#ImpalaLamb
#ZebraFoal
#WarthogPiglet
#ThisIsZuka
Feb 17
SWEETNESS!
Cubs, calves, lambs, piglets, foals, pups - the reserve is full of babies! ✨
#LionCubs
#CheetahCubs
#ElephantCalf
#GiraffeCalf
#HyenaPups
#RhinoCalf
#KuduCalf
#NyalaCalf
#ImpalaLamb
#ZebraFoal
#WarthogPiglet
#ThisIsZuka
OUR MODEL
🧡INSPIRED
24 years of being inspired to create Zuka life within the fabric of our integrated impact legacy model comes from devising all kinds of things that might work in the bush, that are fun and meaningful for us!
We are inspired to grow our own food at Khula Farm and inspired by different cooks and chefs to create delicious things to eat.
We are inspired to be creative, to design, to be innovative, to collect and curate and to have fun with this Zuka life.
We have tapped into a wellspring of inspiration beyond the bounds of Zuka to get this far in all aspects of Zuka Private Game Reserve; thank you to the wild list of many who have shared so much, shown us the way and encouraged us and,most of you don’t even know it. One day we’ll put the full roll call together to share!
#Inspired
#Creative
#SafariStyle
#ThisIsZuka
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#RegenerativeAgriculture
#Conservation
Dreams
Feb 13
OUR MODEL
🧡INSPIRED
24 years of being inspired to create Zuka life within the fabric of our integrated impact legacy model comes from devising all kinds of things that might work in the bush, that are fun and meaningful for us!
We are inspired to grow our own food at Khula Farm and inspired by different cooks and chefs to create delicious things to eat.
We are inspired to be creative, to design, to be innovative, to collect and curate and to have fun with this Zuka life.
We have tapped into a wellspring of inspiration beyond the bounds of Zuka to get this far in all aspects of Zuka Private Game Reserve; thank you to the wild list of many who have shared so much, shown us the way and encouraged us and,most of you don’t even know it. One day we’ll put the full roll call together to share!
#Inspired
#Creative
#SafariStyle
#ThisIsZuka
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#RegenerativeAgriculture
#Conservation
Dreams
OUR MODEL
🌍LEGACY
Grateful for all that we have inherited, our endeavour as Zuka Private Game Reserve, is to see our values and actions generate lasting and positive impact, socially and environmentally, for future generations.
Caring for land, wildlife and people is multifaceted. There are many models. This is ours.
www.zuka.earth
#Land
#Wildlife
#Ocean
#Community
#GettyAsterism
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#WildSpaces
#Wildlife
#Inspired
#Legacy
Feb 11
OUR MODEL
🌍LEGACY
Grateful for all that we have inherited, our endeavour as Zuka Private Game Reserve, is to see our values and actions generate lasting and positive impact, socially and environmentally, for future generations.
Caring for land, wildlife and people is multifaceted. There are many models. This is ours.
www.zuka.earth
#Land
#Wildlife
#Ocean
#Community
#GettyAsterism
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#WildSpaces
#Wildlife
#Inspired
#Legacy
OUR MODEL
🪐GETTY ASTERISM
We are now in our 24th year of stewardship of Zuka Private Game Reserve, which has evolved as an integrated model of restoration, protection, preservation and innovation, attracting passionate individuals along the way!
Getty Asterism was born as our multifaceted ecology venture – fully funded and dedicated to discovery, research and crafting formal scientific projects, ecological innovations and partnerships.
The team also delves into anthropology, carbon, geology, rare and endemic plant species, soil, microbes, groundwater, fire, habitat restoration across the reserve (and further afield) and developing our regenerative farm, Khula Farm.
Getty Asterism is Zuka’s agency to shine a light on the relationships between land, wildlife and humanity.
www.zuka.earth is our way of doing things.
#GettyAsterism
#Constellation
#Ecology
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Planet Earth
#ThisIsZuka
Feb 9
OUR MODEL
🪐GETTY ASTERISM
We are now in our 24th year of stewardship of Zuka Private Game Reserve, which has evolved as an integrated model of restoration, protection, preservation and innovation, attracting passionate individuals along the way!
Getty Asterism was born as our multifaceted ecology venture – fully funded and dedicated to discovery, research and crafting formal scientific projects, ecological innovations and partnerships.
The team also delves into anthropology, carbon, geology, rare and endemic plant species, soil, microbes, groundwater, fire, habitat restoration across the reserve (and further afield) and developing our regenerative farm, Khula Farm.
Getty Asterism is Zuka’s agency to shine a light on the relationships between land, wildlife and humanity.
www.zuka.earth is our way of doing things.
#GettyAsterism
#Constellation
#Ecology
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Planet Earth
#ThisIsZuka
“Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future.”
~ DAVID WHYTE ~
“Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future.”