Partnership with The Kariega Foundation

Support the Kariega Foundation: Protecting Wildlife, Empowering
Communities

 

The Kariega Foundation is a non-profit trust devoted to wildlife conservation, community development, and the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s Eastern Cape ecosystems. In partnership with Kariega Game Reserve, the Foundation leads impactful initiatives that protect endangered species, restore natural habitats, and empower neighboring communities through education, youth development, skills development and job creation opportunities.

Your donation directly supports these crucial efforts—helping to protect rhinos and other vulnerable wildlife, expand and rehabilitate critical habitat, and bridge the gap between conservation and community through meaningful projects and programs.

Establishing the K9 Unit at Manyoni Game Reserve

Anticipating changing poaching threats around Kruger National Park, GCF and its partners established Manyoni Game Reserve’s first in-house K9 anti-poaching unit. This unit was designed to strengthen the reserve’s security, protect wildlife, and assist neighboring reserves in need of such resources. In 2021, K9 Thor joined the team as its first member, followed by K9 Rolo, enhancing capabilities for tactical tracking, suspect apprehension, and conflict management. GCF provided and sponsored multiple trainings for the ranger handlers, integrating the K9 unit into regular patrols, significantly enhancing the reserve’s anti-poaching efforts.

Pioneering K9 Training for Live Pangolin Tracking and Pangolin Conservation

GCF pioneered conservation efforts by sponsoring a K9 to track live pangolins, trained by our partners at Scent Imprint Conservation Dogs, a critical skill to support Manyoni Game Reserve’s pangolin conservation and protection efforts. K9 Thor became a dual-purpose K9 for both security and pangolin monitoring in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Thor’s role highlights the potential of K9s in species-specific conservation, positioning Manyoni Game Reserve as a key player in pangolin conservation through tracking support and monitoring.

Media Outreach and Awareness

To amplify awareness of conservation efforts and partnerships with Zululand Conservation Trust and Manyoni Game Reserve, GCF collaborated with international media outlets. Notable coverage included:
  • An episode on Brave Wilderness featuring host Coyote Peterson, showcasing the care and rehabilitation efforts at Zululand Rhino Orphanage.
  • The NBC National Special The Extinction Crisis (USA), which aired on Super Bowl Sunday, highlighting the urgent conservation challenges and the impactful work of the Zululand Rhino Orphanage.
  • A private documentary series filmed by a Dutch crew that focused on the journey of K9 Thor at Manyoni Game Reserve, chronicling his story from inception to his role in anti-poaching and pangolin conservation.