Duo embark on daring awareness campaign
Hazel and Don recently took part in a 350km Walk with Rangers to raise awareness for the plight of the elephants.
TWO local South African National Parks Honourary rangers and avid conservationists embarked on a 350km trek to highlight both the plight of the elephants and the conditions the rangers work under to ensure their protection.
Hazel Corcoran and Don Johnson said, they were looking to take part in a campaign that had something to do with conservation and that people needed to be reminded of and the Walk with Rangers was the perfect fit. The duo formed part of a group of 40, from 12 different nationalities, that took part in the gruelling journey from Tanzania to Kenya. “At the start there was this huge ceremonious send off and one of the countries pop stars wrote a song in recognition of the plight of the elephants,” said Don.
The journey started in the Arusha National Park and according to Hazel, the first day was very mountainous. “It was a very steep first day but the scenery was absolutely amazing. We did ascent to the highest point and set up camp and for breakfast we had sweet tea and yams – that was when we realised that this was not going to be a luxury event,” laughed Hazel.
The duo said they did not realise what harsh conditions the rangers had to endure when out tracking. “From what I could see, they had one tin of beans, a tin of pineapple, some bully beef and a small bottle of water. When they would leave to track they never knew when they would be back, sometimes it could be days on end. The dedication of these men is outstanding and it is clear that they don’t do it for the pay. Some of the men only see their families once a month,” said Hazel.
One of the harshest terrains they covered was a 24km stretch across the Nyiri Desert. They were given half a bucket of water as often as possible for showering and washing their clothes. A highlight for both of them though was seeing more than 90 different species of birds during their travels.
“What I gathered from the trip was the awareness of how man is really messing up, the poachers slaughter an elephant every 15 minutes,” said Don. Hazel said the rangers’ dedication was inspiring and was encouraged that there were 40 other like-minded people taking part in the walk, the youngest being 18 years old.
One of the rangers they met on the journey had been targeted by poachers and had steel implants in his arms. “The men joked that he was more metal than flesh,” said Don. He also noted that a few weeks after their return, a ranger had been shot and killed by poachers.
“One of the most magical parts of the trip was when we were sitting at a shallow river’s edge and two orphan elephants, and their handler, appeared,” said Hazel. They both stopped on the opposite side of the riverbank, sussed out the situation, and in unison they crossed the river towards Hazel. She sat calmly while the larger female elephant smelt her. Despite Hazel’s nervousness, the female elephant allowed her to touch her after a short while.
Their challenges ahead are to take their experiences into schools and churches and call on both the young and old to band together to stop the killing of the majestic animals so that their children and grandchildren may enjoy seeing them in the future.
Drop box
The SANPARKS Honourary rangers will gather at the Kloof Conservancy on Saturday, 8 November for an alien invasives clean up between 8am and 2pm. Refreshments will be served. Contact Don on 082 873 1638.
