Tue 5 January 2010 09:54:15 AM
Finally this project has been completed.
Early in 2009 SanWild put out an appeal to raise sufficient funding to repair, upgrade and improve two large dirt dams in the reserve.
Initially the international recession influenced the successful outcome of the project and no funding could be secured. Just as we were about to give up hope of securing funding for this project the Foundation Brigitte Bardot contacted us with the great news that they would fund the project.
Within days heavy machinery arrived and starting working to complete the dams in time for the 1st good summer rains that is needed to fill the days. For weeks the team worked in high daytime temperatures; sometimes exceeding 40 degrees. Just as we got started the 1st summer rains fell and for two weeks it was simply not possible to use the heavy machinery. The team was frustrated, but remain excited at the prospect of seeing the dams completed.
Finally the hot sun dried the land out sufficiently for work to resume. The construction team was treated almost daily by wild animals visiting the area. The good rains had resulted in fresh, green grass shoots coming up and large herds of plains game like zebra, blue wildebeest and impala moved into the area. Off course this is exactly what the resident leopards were waiting for and on two occasions a large male leopard was spotted by the construction team on route to start their work in the early hours of the morning around 05h00am.
Completing the project was no easy task, but the end result is a massive dam and another smaller dam only 3km away. Some rains had fallen and already water has started coming in, but a lot of rain will still be needed to fill the dams to capacity.
Once the dams have filled it is intended to release more captive held hippo like Tonga and Aldo. We have proved beyond doubt that captive held hippos almost instinctively return to the wild and that they too can enjoy a life amongst other wildlife.
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