Author: Annie DuPre

A story about tracking lions with Bushwise students, by Annie DuPre. 

Read time: 4 min

The vehicle slowed to a stop as James leaned over the passenger door, staring intently at the ground next to our tyres. Vaughan turned the engine off as James contemplated the freshness of the tracks he’d seen. A knowing nod was exchanged between the two and they hopped out of the game viewer to get a closer look. 

There I sat, sandwiched in the back row of the game viewer, breathing in the crisp morning air. When you arrive last to a game drive – just like with any family car trip – you get the back row, middle seat! But I didn’t mind. Sitting among eight Bushwise Professional Field Guide students, I was simply taking in the experience. 

These eight students all share a similar purpose – studying to become qualified field guides and follow their dreams of working in the guiding industry. But they are also eight incredibly unique individuals – in the back I sat between Emmanuel and Greyton; in the middle row were Bongani, Kutlwano and Naledi; and in the front were Max, Kathleen-May and Dominique. 

A diversity of backgrounds, ages, cultures and communities all blended together for six months in the South African bush. At first glance, you may not expect such a group to become lifelong friends – but here they were. As I watched them laugh together and test each other’s birding knowledge, I was moved by the incredible connection that had been made in a matter of weeks in the bush. 

Vaughan’s voice snapped me out of my daydream. “Let’s track some lions!”

If you want to get Bushwise students to move quickly, tell them it’s time to hit the trail. It’s certainly one of the most immersive and unique bush experiences you can have – getting into the mind of the animal, anticipating its next move, learning how to trail while remaining silent and vigilant, recognising tracks and signs and – just maybe – seeing the actual animal. 

I hopped out of the vehicle and joined the students, who by this time were circled around a set of beautiful lion tracks, perfectly preserved in the road’s red sand. Backpacks were strapped on, walking sticks in hand. Vaughan began by discussing the freshness of the tracks (very) and things to consider (walk single file, stay behind the rifle, don’t run and listen to instructions). 

The plan for the morning was this: students would take turns following the trail of the lions with James’s guidance. Vaughan would follow behind them, leading the rest of the students and explaining the process as we went. 

Bongani quickly volunteered to trail the lions first. He set off, slowly and meticulously checking the ground for tracks, following the movement of the pride. The tracks could tell us so much about their activity – from the places where they had been playing, to where they had napped, to a scent marking made by a territorial male. 

For hours we followed in the footsteps of the lions – at times seeming to go backwards, circling around ourselves, visiting the same intersection again and again. Sometimes when you trail, it feels like the animal has played a game with you by making the path as complicated as possible. And then there are moments when something just *clicks*, and you find yourself moving with ease in the animal’s footsteps. 

After Bongani, Greyton took his turn, and then Max, Emmanuel and Dominique. Each student displayed skills in the process, learning from James and Vaughan and picking up new clues on what the lions had been up to. 

By 10am it was properly warm and sunny when Vaughan suggested we pause for coffee and rusks. I looked at my watch. In the three hours since we had started this adventure, we had only walked two kilometres. 

But as anyone who’s ever been on a trail in the African bush will tell you, it’s not about covering long distances or getting exercise. It’s about experiencing the natural world from an animal’s perspective; noticing the little things like how grass is bent after an elephant has walked past; identifying insects and birds along the way; and learning how to “read the bush newspaper” in the tracks and signs left behind by wild residents.

Our morning of tracking was coming to an end. We hadn’t found the lions – the verdict was that they were likely hiding in a thick section of bush where they had bedded down for the day – but we’d seen and learnt so much. As we made our way back to the vehicle, smiles and fist-bumps were silently exchanged between the students. A successful morning out, shared between friends and colleagues, growing in their field guiding career with each and every footstep.

Spending time out here in the bush is just as much about finding yourself as it is about finding wildlife. Ready to explore a career in nature? Apply for a Bushwise course today.

#bushwise #safariguide #trailsguide #apprenticefieldguide #cybertracker #fieldguidecourse

4 min read

Podcasts are a great way to stay connected to conservation and nature through news and stories. But the sheer number of wildlife-related podcasts available can be quite intimidating. To make things a bit easier, we’ve collected our top recommendations in the following categories:

1. for safari lovers

2. for conservation news

3. for engaging stories

4. for wildlife in your backyard.

We’re pretty sure this list will inspire you to download some episodes. Following nature news is an important part of being an informed field guide, or simply keeping connected to our natural world. We hope you enjoy our recommendations.

Podcasts for safari lovers

Safari Stories

This light-hearted podcast comes from two safari and tourism experts, co-founders of the travel company Trunks & Tracks. In it they share amusing stories of what life is like as a safari guide living in the African bush. From humorous tales to hair-raising close encounters, this podcast is a fun and entertaining listen.

Talking Bush, Safari & Luxury Travel

Another one created by a safari company, this podcast is a series of informal and fun interviews with experts from across the continent. Guests include experts like wildlife filmaker Kim Wolhuter, professional guides like Douglas Dichana from the Masai Mara, and many more. This podcast transports you directly to the African bush.

Podcasts for conservation news

Mongabay Newscast

Mongabay is a conservation and environmental science news platform. Every other week, they release a new podcast covering relevant and current issues across the world, from wildlife trade to river biodiversity and nature photography. If you’re looking for something that dives a bit deeper into critical issues, this is your podcast.

Call of the Wild

If you’re looking for a podcast that directly connects the critical environmental issues of today with actionable steps you can take to make a difference, this is it. A WWF production, Call of the Wild brings in experts from every industry, not just conservation to talk about the threats facing our planet. Start with the episode featuring Sir David Attenborough!

Living on Earth

This podcast about climate change, ecology and human health comes from National Public Radio’s PRX. Topics covered recently include COP27, lobster fishing and protecting the Amazon. Quite a varied podcast that really takes deep dives, directly facing our role as humans in threatened environments. 

Podcasts for engaging stories

BBC Earth

The BBC does what it does best in this podcast: telling incredible stories in an engaging and entertaining manner. Blending science, human experience and nature while taking you to lesser explored corners of the Earth, this podcast will take you on a captivating journey. It’s enlightening and humorous, a welcome combination.

Species

The name says it all with this one. Each episode focuses on one species of animal (although they also occasionally have a subject matter focus). They’re short, usually just 15–25 minutes, so you can absorb a lot of information without spending too much time. With over 200 episodes there’s plenty to take in.

This Wild Life

Hear directly from people working in the conservation industry, who share their trials and tribulations, funny experiences and animal insight. Subjects covered include protecting the last wild horses in America, to women in field guiding, to the plight of turtle hatchlings. They also discuss wildlife job paths to conservation and current events.

For wildlife in your backyard

UK Wildlife

Even if African wildlife is far far away for you, there’s still a lot to discover in your own backyard. If you happen to be based in the UK, the UK Wildlife podcast is an excellent way to connect to nature at home. Their broadcasts range from the role of individual species to wildlife news updates.

The Field Guides

You already know we love the name! This podcast is aimed at bringing you on the trail with its hosts, exploring wildlife habitats and interesting species in North America. While the episodes aren’t as regular as others, you can look back into the archives and listen to stories about snowy owls, hellbender salamanders, coyotes and more.

Urban Wildlife

This one challenges the misconception that wildlife only exists in isolation from us, by diving into the weird and wonderful things you can find living in cities and towns. From Philadelphia to Zanzibar, this podcast will encourage you to think differently about the world right outside your window.

Notable mentions

Need more podcasts? Here are a few of our other favourites.

Conservation Careers

Impact: the Conservation Photography Podcast

My Life, Wildlife

Higher Calling Wildlife

Wildlife Observer Network

Our Wild World

Get Birding

Into the Wilderness

Wild Crimes

On Wildlife

Costing the Earth

If we missed your top nature or wildlife podcast, send us a message! We’d love to hear from you:  info@bushwise.co.za

Words by Annie DuPre, photos by Louise Pavid

#wildlife #fieldguide #safariguide #animals #apprenticefieldguide #fieldguidetrainer #sightings #fieldguiding #endangeredspecies

Writing and photos by Annie DuPre, Bushwise Copywriter, currently pursuing her master’s in conservation studying African wild dogs on Kruger’s western boundary. 

It’s denning season for African wild dogs in South Africa. Not far from our Bushwise campuses, in the Greater Kruger National Park, little colourful pups are starting to emerge from their dens. This is a significant time for this species, particularly as there are just 550 left in South Africa.

Wild dogs, also called painted wolves, are one of the most endangered carnivores on the continent, second only to the Ethiopian wolf. Once widespread throughout Africa, they are now found in fewer than half of the countries where they once roamed. The global population is estimated at just 6,600 individuals (adults and yearlings). 

When is the wild dog denning season?

The wild dog denning season in South Africa overlaps with the dry season, usually between mid-June to mid-September. During this period wild dogs give birth in dens, typically within excavated aardvark burrows in termite mounds. There are of course exceptions to every rule in the animal world. For example, in 2021 a pack waited until October to den in Balule Nature Reserve

Why are wild dogs endangered?

Causes of mortality of wild dogs include direct persecution, habitat loss, disease, low prey availability and predation (such as by lions). With such low numbers, conservation of this iconic species is essential. Every individual counts, contributes to genetic diversity and helps sustain local populations. 

One female wild dog in Kruger truly understood this assignment, once giving birth to a record 21 pups in one litter!

One of the greatest causes of mortality for wild dog pups is predation by lions. Wild dogs are medium-sized carnivores at just 18-28kg, while lions can weigh up to 190kg. The reason lions kill wild dogs is still being studied, but most likely has to do with predator competition. At the Kempiana campus, Bushwise students witnessed an interaction between these two species, which shows just how intimidating lions can be to wild dogs.

Lions pose such a high risk to wild dogs that they are avoided whenever possible. During the denning season, wild dogs search for den sites far from areas of high lion density. This often means they must travel greater distances to find food. 

What is being done to protect wild dogs?

Protected areas often buttress human settlements and agricultural lands. Humans and animals do coexist peacefully in many areas, but there are still conflicts. Wild dogs are highly prone to getting stuck in snares set for bushmeat poaching, which can be lethal. 

To combat this, organisations like Wildlife ACT and the Endangered Wildlife Trust monitor the movement of wild dogs using radio collars and telemetry. This conservation and scientific research will help us better understand wild dog movements, dynamics and threats.

Wild dogs are also extremely resilient. Their social bonds mean they will care for their sick and injured, even nursing them back to health from the brink. Many incredible stories have been documented showing wild dogs feeding injured adults that have had snares removed from their legs, waist or even neck. Through care provided by their pack mates, these dogs can survive apparently lethal injuries. 

In the past, a wild dog sighting in a game reserve might not have attracted much interest. This is changing as more and more people mark this species as a “must see” on safari. The Endangered Wildlife Trust works with tourists to monitor the wild dog population. By submitting their photos of individual dogs, visitors can help contribute to the wild dog (and cheetah) census each year. Citizen scientists play an important role in conservation efforts this way.

Bushwise students have been extremely lucky to see wild dogs on some courses. Both our Mahlahla and Kempiana campuses are adjacent to wild dog home ranges. Seeing wild dogs is always a special experience, especially considering their rarity.

There is so much to say about wild dogs, that a simple blog post is never enough! We love studying this incredible species at Bushwise – especially when we can see them in person. On Bushwise courses we discuss endangered species, their role in the ecosystem, and what conservationists are doing to protect them. 

Are you passionate about wild dogs or other wildlife? Field guides play a very important role in educating the public on these critical issues. Apply today to join a Bushwise course and find out how you too can make a difference in protecting these incredible animals. 

#gameranger #bushwise #fieldguide #safariguide #trailsguide #animals #tracks #safari #fieldguidetrainer #wilddogs #fieldguiding #gamedrive #guiding #fieldguidecourse #fieldguides

BY: Annie DuPre, CATHSSETA NQF2, Apprentice Trails Guide and Bushwise Conceptual Copywriter

Ask any field guide about the most elusive creatures in the bush: endangered pangolins will be right at the top of the list. Talk to guests about their experiences on safari and what animals they’ve always wanted to see: a pangolin will be one of them. For those who have been lucky enough to see them in the wild, pangolin encounters will likely be one of their most cherished memories.

And yet pangolins are one of the most threatened and trafficked animals in the world. They’re disappearing at an alarming rate, and because they’re so elusive it’s almost impossible to measure the impact of these threats.

If you look at images or videos of pangolins going about their peaceful and tranquil lives, it’s impossible to imagine anyone poaching them. Yet poaching is a real issue –  and a very complicated one.

So, in honour of World Pangolin Day (20 February), the team at Bushwise Field Guides wants to look closely at what makes pangolins special, why they’re threatened, and what is being done to save them.

Photo by Adam Tusk via Flickr

What are pangolins?

Pangolins are scaled insectivorous mammals – in fact, they’re the only scaled mammal currently in existence! They use their scales to protect their soft bodies from threats, curling themselves up into a tight ball when threatened. Although they are usually very docile and shy creatures, they also have sharp tails that can be used in defence.

There are eight species of pangolin found in Asia and Africa, with all species protected under national and international laws. All are listed as endangered or vulnerable and decreasing. In South Africa, where Bushwise Field Guides operates, there is just one species – the Temminck’s ground pangolin.Where foundNameIUCN Red List categoryAsiaChinese pangolinCritically endangeredAsiaIndian pangolinEndangeredAsiaPhilippine pangolinCritically endangeredAsiaSunda pangolinCritically endangeredAfricaBlack-bellied pangolinVulnerableAfricaGiant pangolinEndangeredAfricaTemminck’s pangolinVulnerable (decreasing)AfricaWhite-bellied pangolinEndangered

Table adapted from the IUCN SSN Pangolin Specialist Group

Many people call pangolins “scaly anteaters.” At first glance they certainly have similar physical characteristics to anteaters. Pangolins use their sticky tongue to grab ants and termites out of the ground and from foliage. Their tongues can grow longer than their body length! They are truly unique and fascinating creatures, and that alone is reason enough to protect them.

Photo by Flowcomm via Flickr

The Temminck’s pangolins that are found in South Africa tend to prefer savannah, grassland, and woodland habitats. They can live for an estimated 15-20 years in the wild and are predominantly solitary (although you might find some adorable videos of babies with their mom – where they ride on her back to get around!)

Because pangolins are largely nocturnal and secretive, it’s extremely rare that you’ll see one on a game drive. While some of our trainers have been lucky enough to see one or two in their lifetime, many guides go through their entire career without ever seeing one.

Despite their rarity and elusive nature, pangolins are poached heavily and tons of scales are discovered every year. The measure of this impact is not yet known.

What threats do pangolins face?

Pangolins are largely poached for local consumption and international trade. The two main uses of pangolins are scales for pseudo-medicinal purposes, and meat sold as a delicacy. Like rhino horns, pangolin scales are made of keratin, similar to fingernails and hair, and therefore have no actual medicinal or healing properties.

Although trade in pangolins has been internationally restricted by CITES (the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) since as early as 1995, illegal trade continues – and is the greatest threat to pangolin survival. According to an extensive study, nearly 900,000 pangolins were trafficked between 2000 and 2019.

Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife

As the populations of Asian pangolins declined, there was a shift in the market and greater pressure was put on African pangolin species. This saw an increase in illegal trafficking out of Africa, as pangolins were exported to mainly Asian countries. In addition to poaching, pangolins face other threats such as habitat loss and encroachment.

Why should we protect pangolins?

The destruction of one species can have catastrophic effects on the other members of an ecosystem. In some areas of the world pangolins are known “as guardians of the forest” as they eat termites, preventing further destruction and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

At Bushwise Field Guides we love this imagery – and absolutely believe in the importance of protecting pangolins to maintain that balance.

What is currently being done to save pangolins?

Public efforts to protect pangolins are gaining traction around the world as more and more people are beginning to recognise this unique animal – and understand its value goes well beyond its meat and scales. There are even some unique advertising campaigns (like this one featuring Jackie Chan) developed by the organisations WildAid and The Nature Conservancy, which aim to change people’s perception of pangolins.

Photo by Flowcomm via Flickr

There are a few amazing organisations working to save pangolins around the world, whether through research, activism, education, or on-the-ground action. These include the Pangolin Crisis Fund, African Pangolin Working Group, IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, WildAid, and many more. Here in South Africa, local anti-poaching organisations also prioritise pangolins, alongside other species.

Beyond supporting organisations like those listed above, individuals can make a difference in other ways. People working in conservation or interacting with tourists, such as safari guides, should be knowledgeable about pangolins and share their insights. As guides we have a powerful tool in our belt – knowledge – and educating visitors on the value of wildlife, such as pangolins, can go a long way in protecting species.

So, this World Pangolin Day, take time to share information on pangolins, promote their protection, and learn a little bit more about this incredible species!

Do you want to learn more about endangered species and become a guardian of nature? Apply today and start taking steps towards your career in field guiding.

Did this blog speak to you? Have you always wanted to work with animals – but aren’t sure how? Get started with jobs working with animals.

#pangolin #fieldguide #worldpangolinday #apprenticefieldguide #fieldguidetrainer #endangeredspecies #gamedrive #fieldguidecourse