Reintroducing giraffes
The funds, totalling £6000 will be used to purchase 6 giraffes that will in turn increase tourism providing the local community with a sustainable income.
Since 2001 Quest Overseas have been working with the Lumombo Conservancy, Peace Parks foundation and the Shewula Community to provide a sustainable solution to generate local income, educate people and help to conserve and reintroduce species in Swaziland. ‘Gap year’ volunteers work on Quest Overseas projects for 6 weeks on a combination of community and conservation work. Each volunteer donates £850 to the project which goes towards the upkeep of reserves, species surveys, community development and education projects.
Over the last 8 years part of the funds raised by Quest Overseas ‘gap year’ volunteers who worked on the Swaziland project is to be used for the reintroduction of native species. Plans to reintroduce 6 giraffe into the conservation area are well under way and it is expected to go ahead in May 2010.
Giraffes, like many mammals in Swaziland were completely wiped out by hunting, they are essential in controlling succession and fulfilling an important ecological niche. The reintroductions will attract tourists who will in turn be able to stay at Shewula Mountain Camp which was part funded by Quest Overseas volunteer teams. As well as providing many local jobs, profits from the camp go back into the community. It also acts as an education centre that makes local people aware of the natural wealth they have around them and as a consequence highlights the negative impacts of hunting.
A group of ‘gap year’ volunteers will depart in April of 2010 and might be lucky enough to be part of the reintroduction. Gap year volunteers can apply for a position with Quest Overseas at http://www.questoverseas.com.
Notes to editor
Press contact details:
Andy Deaville
Tel 01273 777206
Email andy@questoverseas.com
Quest Overseas organises team projects and expeditions in South America and Africa. You can contact us on 01273 777206 or at info@questoverseas.com for more information or visit www.questoverseas.com
For more information about the Lubombo Conservancy - http://www.lubomboconservancy.org/
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
