Keeping Track.
– Natalie.
We went on a few bush walks to learn about tracking (both people and animals), as well as spent a night in the bush on poacher patrol this week. Both clearly demonstrated how difficult—physically and mentally—it is to track and stop poachers.
For our tracking exercises, we spent one morning tracking rhinos, and another morning tracking each other in small groups.
Tracking the rhinos, we looked at the direction of the tracks, keeping in mind that animals are lazy—rather, seek efficiency—and like to use the same trails through the bush. We walked for about an hour and fifteen minutes in complete silence. Then out of nowhere, Diana, our guide, put her hand up and whispered, “Get down!”
We quickly crouched in the tall yellow grasses, but the wind was behind us and we could see four juvenile rhinos lifting their heads to sniff. They started to curiously wander our way. Diana told us to walk back to the tree line calmly, and climb a tree so we could watch them from a safe distance.
I love climbing trees! I found a good perch about 15 feet up, and watched the rhinos wander towards us. The wind changed, however, and they lost interest before they got too close. We waited a while in the trees before coming back down and returning to the car.
The experience was exhilarating—we were walking in the exact footsteps of the rhinos we care so much about! I wish they had wandered closer while we were safely up in the trees. White rhinos aren’t particularly aggressive, but why risk it? It was still fun to see them with this different point of view.
I also realized how difficult it was to track them, which was reinforced when the interns split into two groups and practiced tracking each other. We left swipes in the leaves so that we could follow each other when the trails got tough, but once we got close, it took us ages to actually spot the other group—more than enough time for hiding poachers to shoot. Fun as it was, it definitely is not my calling in life! I found it very challenging. This exercise gave me even more respect for the amazing skills of the people who track poachers and dedicate themselves to protecting rhinos.
The night in the bush only emphasized this respect—and it was COLD. It was difficult to stay awake as we took turns keeping watch for lions and poachers, and it was colder than I could have imagined. A very long night, for sure! Still, I feel fortunate to have had these experiences, and it gave me a better perspective of the overall war on rhino