A month ago, I kind of moved into the Etosha National Park to support the veterinarian Dr. Axel Hoffmann to structure his data. This means computer work, but I have plenty of opportunities to drive out as well. Whenever there is something interesting, he just takes me with.
Since my arrival, I have not spent too much time on the desk. The first weeks we were busy to remove implants and collars from a couple of Plain´s zebras and Blue wildebeest. They had been applied for a research project and must now be taken out and off.
We have been out all day long, searching for these animals. Most of the collars still work so it is relatively easy to at least find their last location. But that does not mean they don´t move … it sometimes took a while until we found them. If we did … But locating them is not the end of the story. We had to get into close distance to dart them and especially the Wildebeest is not easy to outwit. They are clever and it often took us a while 😊
Once the dart is in it took some minutes before the animal became a bit clumsy and weak, and once it went down, the team had to work quick to get to the animal and start the operation.
It was an absolutely amazing experience to get so close to the animals. We had to support them during their anaesthesia, take the collar off and label and store the samples. I had the very rare opportunity to smell them, to feel their heartbeat, their fur (which is incredibly smooth around their muzzle), and hooves.
And I was part of a crew that gave them back their freedom. Although researchers say that collars do not disturb the animals, to me it feels unnatural. Just imagine you would wear a 500 g neckless. You would probably be okay with it, but it could be a bit disturbing. It therefore made me happy to remove the collar and givethem back their natural life, and it was a pure pleasure to see them wake up and run away only seconds after the wake-up injection was given.
That one day, we were tracking a Blue wildebeest deep into the Etosha Pan and while doing so, I looked around and all I could see was the white, arid, and endless salt pan. A feeling of deep respect for all the organisms that live here came up. I have no idea how I would survive out here for longer than 10 minutes. The sun is burning, and no water or food is close enough to reach.
One afternoon after work I drove out a bit and funny enough, I saw the Blue wildebeest that we had darted and operated the day before. Someone just recently told me that these animals are considered a bit stupid and that there memory does not last long. But I can now tell that this is not true, cause as soon as I showed up and stopped to have a look with my binoculars, the complete herd became nervous and alert and especially the one individual gave me a very suspicious look as if she was saying “Hey, I remember you. And you don´t get me again!”.
Guess it knows my face now …
I also had the great opportunity to participate the relocation of a Black Rhino. This is indeed something else! These animals are big, but the team is specialised, and everybody knew what to do. Why was it relocated? Sometimes these animals simply choose to live in an area that is dangerous for them due to poaching. It is a national problem that all parks or farms face. Black rhinos are highly endangered, and relocation is one option to protect them. For their own security, they are captured and released in an area that is considered safer for them.
When this one was released, it looked a bit confused at the beginning but then started exploring the area, gave us a last look, and trotted away. I wish it all the best!
These first weeks were really something special. Not only the exceptional insight I got into the conservation work here in Namibia and the Park, but just to be here in the garden or at the camp´s waterhole, to listen to all the nightly noises, to get to know the park better, that is a gift.
Good night,
Sininho
Sininho´s World 