Conservation

Ichikowitz Family Foundation

Africa is entering a new era of optimism. Conflicts are down, democracy is spreading and economic growth is accelerating. This decade has the potential to change Africa’s fortunes. But only a confident continent can rise to the occasion. A continent that can confidently gaze to the future because is has overcome huge adversity in the past. A continent that teaches its younger generations about its dynamic and complex history to ensure that mistakes from the past are not repeated. A continent that is optimistic. A continent that finds and celebrates its successes, that shouts about its good news. And by doing so help to instill self confidence in others to do the same and more. A continent that innovates. A continent that understands that its true potential can only be unlocked by a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. A continent where people are encouraged to dream big, to think the impossible.

Rhino Conservation

Madikwe Game Reserve is also home to the highest concentration of rhino in Africa and rhino conservation is an active part of life here. Molori Safari is committed to rhino conservation and, through the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, works closely with Madikwe Game Reserve as well as SANPARKS, covering the greater Kruger National Park. The Foundation provides both parks with specialised equipment and Molori’s field guides assist Madikwe with night patrols and are available for immediate dispatch should an incident occur.

Environment

One of the key focus areas of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation is the environment and within in this the area of anti-poaching intitiatives across the continent.

In Madikwe itself the Foundation has been involved in working closely with the Provincial Park and its CPU (Count Poaching Unit). It is fact that the success of a team of field rangers can be directly attributed to the training and equipment they have that enables them to operate effectively for long periods in the bush.

The Foundation has helped achieve this objective by ensuring the unit has been fully trained and has provided them with full field combat kit. This includes uniforms, combat gear, communication equipment, combat lights and cutting edge sighting technology.

The Foundation in association with Molori has also assisted in the rhino notching programme – this has been highly successful with almost all the rhino in the park having been notched thereby providing the correct intelligence in order to support the rhino conservation effort in the park.

The Foundation has also been vital in supporting SANPARKS (South Africa National Parks) assisting with donation of high level equipment and training.

A GAZELLE was donated by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation as part of an ongoing capacity building partnership announced almost one year ago.

The Foundation previously donated a Seeker MKII Surveillance aeroplane, which has been operating in the Kruger National Park since December 2013.

The GAZELLE has been purposefully configured and will vastly increase areas that can be traversed and has additional equipment to increase aerial support. It has a maximum airspeed of 310km/h, a range of 670km and service ceiling of 5000 meters. The GAZELLE will bring the advantages of a light attack helicopter to the aid of SANParks Anti-Poaching operations the minute it takes to the air.

This together with the efforts of the Foundation in Africa demonstrates a high level commitment to drive the awareness and drive action in ensuring that Africa’s hertiage is preserved.

Molori Safari is also involved in rhino tagging efforts and guests can by arrangement be part of an extraordinary hands-on rhino tagging experience. Guests participate in the notching, DNA sampling and micro chipping of the rhino’s horns. This allows the park to identify and track rhinos and keep an up to date database of all rhinos in the park – necessary measures in deterring and impeding poachers. Guests can work on the ground with the vet and ecologist, in close proximity to the sedated rhino, or take to the air in a helicopter during the rhino search.

Wild Dog Awareness

Madikwe Game Reserve is home to the endangered wild dog, the second most endangered carnivore in Africa after the Ethiopian wolf. There are fewer than 6000 remaining in Africa, although some estimates put their numbers at about 3000. The current population of wild dogs in South Africa is estimated at less than 400.

These intelligent, highly interactive, and cooperative predators move in packs of between six to twenty, though larger packs were more common before they dogs became endangered. The pack is usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair; the female has a litter of 2 to 20 pups, which are cared for by the entire pack. Highly social they communicate by touch, actions and vocalisations, and are expert hunters – close to every wild dog hunt is successful. Packs have also been known to share food and to assist weak or ill members.

The Molori wild dog experience shares with guests the intensive push to conserve and protect these amazing animals for future generations. Guests spend an early morning tracking down the Madikwe wild dog pack and learn about the pack’s strictly defined social hierarchy, the bonds between members and their cooperative hunting techniques.