Durban North nature lover inspires community
The fun-photo project has also brought the community together in the time of social distancing.
A STAGGERING 5 500 members have joined the Garden Game Ranger Challenge on Facebook since Durban North resident, Jason McCall set up the group in the first few days of the lockdown.
“I was doing one of those garden running challenges and thought it would be really nice to show some of the creatures and critters I was seeing in my garden. The aim of the group is to promote the massive amount of wildlife in our backyard and at the same time give people something fun and informative to do while at home during the lockdown,” he said.
McCall estimates 80 per cent of the photos posted on the page are from South Africa with 50 percent of that coming from KwaZulu-Natal.
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“Locally we get loads of photos and videos from Durban and the Highway area and some really rare spots too. The other day a lady from Waterfall posted a sighting of a caracal sauntering past her garden and we have had three Narina Trogan spottings in the Outer West. Durban North has had a particularly wonderful amount of chameleon spottings believe it or not,” he said.
The group offers a welcome escape from pandemic-panic, said McCall.
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“There is no talk of politics, drama and Covid. Its all about showing what you find and discussing facts and interesting things about the wildlife we have on our doorstep ? you will be quite surprised what a welcome relief nature and wildlife can provide,” he added.
The fun-photo project has also brought the community together in the time of social distancing.
“People sit and discuss weavers on a post for ages, and it really has brought loads of people together. We have ‘older folk’ on there taking pictures on cell phones and posting with such joy about their discoveries,” said McCall.
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