Video – INTERACTION WITH THE ELEPHANT BULL MONDZWENI
By Alan McSmith, private safari guide. While we sat and kept our distance, the great bull deliberately approached us. No aggression. Only curiosity. Only dignity. The connection crossed the line between what logic suggests and what empathy truly allows. He mirrored our intentions. Elephant are like this. Call it what you will; a unique sense of presence, a special sentiency, intelligence, complexity. An elephant encounter often defies any rational explanation. They awaken in us something primitive, humbling, inspiring and fundamentally crucial for our own sense of well being. Just as
TRACKING A SUPER-TUSKER
By Alan McSmith, private safari guide When Elephants Alive, a leading South Africa elephant research organisation asked me to assist in scouting for a unique elephant bull, I jumped at the chance. The elephant, known to The Kruger National Park as Mondzweni, is one of the largest emerging tuskers in the lowveld, therefore incredibly valuable for tourism, conservation and research purposes. As a result, Elephants Alive arranged a collaring operation so that he could be followed by satellite monitors. This is crucial to determine his range and movement patterns. And of
Video – Human wildlife conflict
Conflict between local community farmers and wildlife is common in rural Africa, and the Tuli Game Reserve in Eastern Botswana is no different. Elephant may leave the reserve perimeter and damage crops and plantations, while predators may kill and threaten livestock. A porous boundary also results in increased poaching and other illegal activities inside the protected areas. This all leads to friction between the communities and conservationists. As committed conservationists and ecotourism operators, we believe that the future of game reserves in Africa depends on solving these problems in
Video – What we can learn from nature
Reflections and observations by Alan McSmith about nature and human behaviour. It’s fascinating to see that if we look closer at nature we can actually can not just learn a lot about animal and plant behaviour but also about our own. At least if you are willing to look closely and accept that nature is never wrong…. https://the-africa-experience.com/wp-content/uploads/Videos/What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20nature.mp4
Video – Elephant encounter
The footage beautifully demonstrates an elephant’s advanced sentiency and complex behaviour. “The video is an ideal platform to showcase this sense of wonder that elephant have, and to celebrate their capacity to connect with humans on a level not normally considered. It is a wonderful example of trust across a divide,” explains Alan. The video, and the story surrounding it, demonstrates the necessity for us to think more meaningfully about elephant conservation. Although these remarkable animals are keystone members of an ecological circuit, they are also keystone toward a
Video – Introduction to Koro River Camp
Tour through the camp by Sander Vissia, head of Research. Sander is not only our Head of Research but often gives presentations about his Research to our guests. During the lockdown period he keeps an eye on Koro River Camp together with some trusted staff and therefore he’s the right person to give you a tour through our beautiful camp and its surroundings. https://the-africa-experience.com/wp-content/uploads/Videos/Sander%20-%20x.mp4
Video – Hyena droppings
Explanations of why hyena droppings are white by Head of Research Sander Vissia. Sander has been Head of Research for over four years and is currently writing his PhD on the subject of leopard behaviour and their interactions with spotted and brown hyena. A fascinating study and story to follow. https://the-africa-experience.com/wp-content/uploads/Videos/Sander%20-%20Hyena%20droppings.mp4
Video – Elephants of Koro
Explanations of elephant behaviour by Head of Research Sander Vissia. Sander has been Head of Research for over four years and knows our neighbours better than anybody else. He will explain the herd behaviour, the bulls, their feeding habits and how they protect themselves. https://the-africa-experience.com/wp-content/uploads/Videos/Sander%20-%20Eles%20of%20koro.mp4
Video – Lockdown reflections
Reflections on our environment and animal behaviour. Being in a lockdown for more then nine weeks will force you to look at your environment a bit closer and will tell you what (not always positive) effect our behaviour has on our environment; not just on subjects such as air pollution but also on subjects such as animals trying to adapt to the change in environment caused by humans and the reverse effect if humans suddenly are less present. https://the-africa-experience.com/wp-content/uploads/Videos/Our%20partnership%20with%20nature.mp4
Video – Looking back
A look at our ecological past with a view at our future. Listen to Alan McSmith’s unparalleled knowledge of tracking, animal behaviour and how this behaviour should be a lesson on how we humans behave and what the effect could be on our future. https://the-africa-experience.com/wp-content/uploads/Videos/LOOK%20back.mp4
