2019

Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked wild mammals in the world (Chandler et al., 2014) with the demand for live pangolins, their meat and scales, leading to a global decline in their populations. The declining numbers in the Asian populations has seen increased pressure in the African populations and the Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (a species indigenous to Southern Africa) is now classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

In an attempt to curb the decline in the Pangolin numbers the South African Government appointed The African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) to oversee the rehabilitation of pangolins retrieved from the illegal wildlife trade.

The Munywana Conservancy was identified by APWG as a suitable reintroduction site and in 2019 Temminck’s Ground Pangolin were reintroduced to us here on Zuka Private Game Reserve. With last records of their presence dating back to the 1940’s, this project also served as a pilot study and guide for the reintroduction of Temminick’s Ground Pangolin, both assessing feasibility and to provide a “best practice” model for future reintroduction projects.

The reintroduction process involves a two-phased approach. During phase one, the soft release, each individual is taken out daily over a period of 2 to 3 weeks for foraging walks. This period is dependent on the body condition and behaviour of each animal.  The animals are transported to and from their intended release site for their foraging sessions. The animals are weighed before and after each foraging session and once the monitoring teams are confident that the animals are settling, displaying normal foraging patterns and gaining weight, they can progress to the second phase of the release process.

During the second and final phase of the reintroduction, Pangolin are released into their chosen release area and monitored twice daily to check on burrow locations and times that the animals emerge from their burrows to start foraging. Daily location information is collected by SAT tags and UHF data loggers fitted to the animals’ scales. This second phase of the reintroduction and release programme can last for up to three months with weighing intervals being extended as the animals settle into their new home.

At various stages throughout the rehabilitation and reintroduction process a dedicated pangolin monitor will systematically follow each individual during foraging sessions to check on general health, movement patterns and behaviour.

The reintroduction and rehabilitation project is thus far a great success and in 2020 the first pangolin pup was born on the Munywana Conservancy.

2019

As a young boy growing up without parents in Mnqobokazi, a rural community adjacent to Zuka Private Game Reserve, life was not easy or straightforward for Musa Msweli, however, matriculating in 2002, Musa’s character, intelligences and determination created opportunities which took him on a path he loves and relishes to this day.

Working for andBeyond at Phinda Mountain, and after completing the Siyakwamukela programme, there was, in Musa’s words, a significant moment in his life when he was awarded the chance to study further through Wild Impact’s CLEF (Community Leaders Education Fund) a bursary for tertiary education and a gateway to dreams of promising young students.

This next step as a result of CLEF took Musa to Fanshawe College, Ontario in Canada where he studied tourism and the hospitality industry for six months.

Still working for andBeyond, Musa started at Zuka Lodge in 2004 as a butler and training staff. This founded his relationship with the Getty family and his next move, to Zuka House.

Musa’s trajectory, exemplary of the successful partnership between andBeyond and Wild Impact, with his strong desire to develop continued. Through his constant openness to learning, applying his skills and with his well respected, capable, humorous character, Musa became House Manager at Zuka House and Gladstones in 2018, a position he thrives in today, contributing in immeasurable ways to the life and soul of Zuka Private Game Reserve.

2018

On World Oceans Day, 8th June 2018 we launched Ocean Family Foundation.

As one of four families with a shared passion for the ocean, as boat owners, divers, surfers, marine enthusiasts and as parents with shared family values, we transformed this to a proactive commitment to conservation and protecting the marine environment, by founding Ocean Family Foundation.

One of our first beneficiaries was Oceans Without Borders (OWB). This programme created in partnership with andBeyond and Wild Impact, focuses on marine conservation and community engagement along the African coastline.

This is particularly important to Zuka, given our proximity to and our relationship with the Indian Ocean, ecologically and geographically. As an integrated conservation model Zuka is as much about the ocean as we are about land and sharing a boundary with iSimangaliso Wetland Park, we are intrinsically connected to the St Lucia MPA (Marine Protected Area) and the Maputaland MPA. These precious systems and biodiversity in “our back yard” are woven into our Zuka identity.

Ocean Family Foundation provided seed funding for Oceans Without Borders and continues as a long term donor, aiding the programme to fulfil important objectives, and to champion its work, which includes habitat conservation, marine protected area development, and sustainable resource practices for coastal communities.

Ocean Family Foundation’s grant making is guided by a sense of responsibility to future generations, aiming to inspire behavioral changes and foster a new wave of ocean guardianship.

2018

Our beloved, indefatigable Arch and Mrs Tutu accepted our invitation to come and stay at Zuka. It was a joy for us to take care of them as a token of deep appreciation for the incredible people they are and of course, being our Patrons of Wild Impact (formerly known as Africa Foundation) since 2004. They had quiet family time enjoying the beauty and peace of Zuka, and received an ecstatic welcome from andBeyond staff on their visit to Phinda.

2018

Purchasing Bayala presented another opportunity in land assembly and partnership with two existing private, family owned game reserves bordering Bayala: Sungulwane and Fever Tree.

The owners of these two properties, share our conservation and expansion vision, and together with their willingness to join Zuka Private Game Reserve, wonderful relationships have been forged. This alliance has proved to be an exemplary model in land assembly for wilderness protection, regenerative conservation and community engagement.

Work to bring this to fruition included removing the boundary fence between Bayala and Zuka Private Game Reserve, as well as the fences between Bayala, Sungulwane and Fever Tree. The road network was addressed and all internal fencing separating the properties removed.

The important perimeter fence surrounding these properties was upgraded to the approved standard for “Big Five”, ahead of introducing lion, cheetah, black rhino and white rhino and other general game in to these new areas of Zuka Private Game Reserve.

With final fencing removed in 2018, an additional 3,700 hectares was included in to the Munywana Conservancy.

Sungulwane

2018

The Bayala property purchase and removal of the fences expanded Zuka Private Game Reserve on the western side of the Lebombo Mountains. With traverse over the 10,300 hectares of Zuka Private Game Reserve, came the opportunity to resurrect the two existing Bayala lodges situated within the western sector of the Munywana Conservancy.

Bayala was purchased with likeminded partners who are actively engaged in our shared vision for land under conservation. This partnership, along with the dedicated Bayala team, brings added energy and engagement to the ongoing journey in protecting land and wildlife under conservation and we value their commitment to all that it entails.

With the team’s renewed vigour, Bayala Private Safari Lodge and Bayala Camp, freshly refurbished in welcoming, relaxed safari style, opened their doors to guests in 2018.

Bayala