Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra strikes a chord with the Kruger
The musicians of the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra recently visited the Kruger National Park's rhino boma and the canines used in the war against rhino poaching at the K9 satellite unit near Skukuza.
The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra had its audience in awe during their concert at the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Monday March 20, but the energy of the Kruger and its conservation efforts left members of the orchestra equally enchanted.
The Viennese chamber orchestra was hosted by Navashni Govender, the senior manager of KNP’s conservation, who arranged that the musicians joined some of the members of the honorary rangers on a visit to the rhino boma the morning after the concert. They had the privilege of seeing where these majestic animals are treated and cared for, and where young calves are often raised after poaching incidents.
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Four rhinos could be seen from the viewing decks that run above the boma.
Being up close to the animals left a lasting impression on the group. The South African violinist, Amora de Swardt, a member of the touring group, said it was an unbelievable experience, but also a bit sad because of the constant poaching threat rhinos face.
Visiting the K9 satellite unit near Skukuza showcased how well canines are being used in anti-poaching efforts. Govender said that while dogs are not allowed in the Kruger, the well-trained canine unit has had tremendous success.
She explained that the visits to the boma and canine unit were arranged to show the orchestra how the concert funds would be spent.
“The hounds we use make a difference to our anti-poaching efforts. The rhinos in the bomas usually come from an incident where there had been a fatality, and we then take care of them until we can possibly reintroduce them into the wild,” Govender explained.
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The orchestra members enjoyed interacting with the K9 team. Kirah Blake and Dian Louw of the Southern African Wildlife College explained the different types of dogs they work with and how they are trained to become operational. Louw said it costs a lot of money to get them ready to go into the field or helicopters, and that without funding, their work would not be possible.
Blake acknowledged the honorary rangers and several companies that support the anti-poaching efforts.
Louw explained how the dogs are used when they are taken into the bush to track. He said they are fitted with GPS trackers and followed by a helicopter because they run extremely fast, which makes it challenging for their trainers to keep up.
“In the past seven years, we have arrested about 200 poachers and taken out about 90 rifles from the system. Most poachers were caught before they managed to kill a rhino.”
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The founder and manager of the orchestra, Peter Hosek, said it was a wonderful experience.
The orchestra tour was inspired after Hosek had witnessed the need to protect endangered sea turtles on Fire Island (translated from the Portuguese Ilha do Fogo), a breathtaking, remote island in a protected area in Mozambique.
He was so impressed with the work done by the Fire Island Conservation Project to support the critically endangered hawksbill and endangered green turtles, that he decided to arrange the fundraising tour across South Africa and Mozambique.
Apart from the KNP concert, the rest of the funds raised will go towards the turtle project.
