Coffee and Conservation with Mike Veale – Episode: Karen Odendaal

Pour yourself a fresh cup and join Mike Veale for a compelling episode of Coffee and Conservation, featuring Karen Odendaal, Chief Operating Officer of Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT) and Managing Director of Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Karen has been a driving force in South African conservation since 2005, from her early days as a Black Rhino Monitor to establishing the Zululand Rhino Orphanage and leading groundbreaking community and wildlife initiatives.

In this episode, Karen and Mike explore the vital work being done at the intersection of wildlife conservation and community engagement—from pangolin rehabilitation and range expansion to her pivotal role in founding the Zululand Rhino Orphanage in response to the poaching crisis.

They also dive into the dynamic partnership between ZCT, Zululand Rhino Orphanage, and Global Conservation Force (GCF), highlighting impactful collaborations including:

• Pioneering K9 Training for Pangolin Conservation: GCF sponsored K9 Thor, trained by Scent Imprint Conservation Dogs, to track live pangolins—a critical skill that supports Manyoni’s pangolin monitoring and anti-poaching operations. Thor’s success laid the foundation for an in-house K9 unit, later joined by K9 Rolo, to strengthen security and conservation efforts across KwaZulu-Natal.

• Media Outreach & Global Awareness: GCF helped bring international attention to these conservation stories through outlets like Brave Wilderness with Coyote Peterson, NBC’s “The Extinction Crisis”, and a Dutch documentary series following Thor’s journey.

• Support at Zululand Rhino Orphanage: From the orphanage’s early days, GCF provided hands-on support in rhino calf care, veterinary protocols, and staff training. Their continued involvement has expanded to include security training for rangers, operational enhancements, and Choice and Control animal husbandry techniques—preparing orphaned rhinos for eventual release.

This conversation shines a light on the powerful results that come from collaboration, passion, and innovation in conservation. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, conservationist, or just curious about what it takes to protect some of the world’s most endangered species, this is one you won’t want to miss.