|
Barty Pleydell-Bouverie
My relationship with Africa began as an extremely personal one. My brother David spent the best part of a year working for a safari organisation in a Zimbabwean nature reserve, and helping out at a rhino re-introduction project outside the tourist season. I knew from the letters he sent back that that time was a hugely happy one for him. On the eve of my 18th birthday David was killed in a freak safari accident in northern Zimbabwe.
One of my first reactions was a desire to see what it was that had made David feel so free in Africa. I contacted Tusk Trust, who had supported the rhino project where David had worked, and in 2001 they helped me to get volunteer positions at two of their projects - Africat in Namibia, and Mokolodi in Botswana. I spent four months at each, and returned home in the happy knowledge that I had been possessed by the same Africa that had so captivated David.
They say that the "Africa bug" is something that lives with you forever. In my case nothing could be more true - since I first made my way there in 2001 I have spent a cumulative total of two years working deep in the African bush. In addition to Africat and Mokolodi, I have worked at Chimfunshi in Zambia, and the Painted Dog Project in Zimbabwe. I have also spent time at Lewa and the associated Northern Rangelands Trust projects in Kenya.
A brother’s love first sent me to Africa. But I kept going back because I grew to love Africa as well. I have witnessed scenes of extraordinary natural beauty, but what I remember most keenly are the local people I lived and worked with. These people taught me all I know about the real Africa, and the way that they fight for a better future is all the motivation I needed to organise this expedition.
It is now clear to me that conservation of Africa’s wildlife can only work with the support of the Africans who live amongst it. They are the ones who have to endure the limitations forced on them by conservation, so they should be the ones to decide to impose them. Having said that, I have seen conservation provide rural African communities with income that they could never have achieved by agriculture alone – the key is to spread this message and help others to do the same.
Click here to go back
| 
