HESC thanks the Airbase
On 18 May the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) just outside Hoedspruit had the opportunity to thank the Hoedspruit Airbase for their continued support through the years by handing over a trophy to members of the airforce at a function held at HESC.
On 18 May the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) just outside Hoedspruit had the opportunity to thank the Hoedspruit Airbase for their continued support through the years by handing over a trophy to members of the airforce at a function held at HESC.
“The Airbase has been close to our hearts for a long time now and this trophy is a small token of our appreciation,” Lente Rhoode, founder of the HESC, told the Herald. According to Willa Riekert, facilities manager at the HESC, the airbase has been supportive of the HESC and the surrounding community for a while. “Colonel Steyn and his Airforce section have played a huge role in projects at the HESC,” Riekert told the Herald.
The examples of the airbase helping the HESC include, but are not limited to:
The Southern Ground Hornbills are an endangered spesies. The female, Skeewi’s nest were quite low and had to be lifted 2 to 3 metres higher. The team of Col. Steyn, Jan, André, Henry and Hannes lifted the heavy nest with ease for her. Currently the male, Gumpi carries leave presents around for her.
A while ago the team completed a great project. For that the HESC says a big thank you. Without the helping hands of the Airforce they would not have been able to build and finalise the new feeding and dip applicator for the Sable antelopes. They just don’t have the manpower to complete all the projects.
Willa Riekert, Facility Manager at HESC (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre), was the organiser of Miss Deaf South Africa from 2009 to 2011. This was a part of HESC’s contribution to the community. Willa then approached the Air Force and 19 Squadron to joint them in the involvement of the community.
As a project, HESC adopted a community school with whom they’ve achieved great success. The HESC once again approached the Airforce to get involved in this project. To the delight of the children, the Airforce built and donated a jungle gym to the school. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it. 19 Squadron arrived on the day to show the children what a helicopter looks like. Currently, each year, the Airforce are doing their community service at HESC. The folks at the HESC are always thankful for their work and assistance.
In challenging times for the wild animals of Africa (and indeed the world) it is cooperation like this that will help saving our natural world for future generations.
