Author Archives: Y4AW

Natural Philosophy

Natural Philosophy I’d like to take a moment to get real about myself, and my time here in South Africa. I’m 25 years old, which is special in no way, except for the fact that at this young age I have already lived and travelled in 25 countries. To be more specific, I have beenContinue reading “Natural Philosophy”

The Matriarch

The Matriarch Everyone needs a personal connection to wildlife in order to get involved. Since I was little, I’ve wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of animals: and here, I am sharing with you why I want to make that difference. I could list many reasons why elephants and rhinos are importantContinue reading “The Matriarch”

The Black Backed Jackal and Me

The Black Backed Jackal and Me So, I’m a romantic. I’m talking a hard-core romantic here. I’m talking visualizing my very own music videos to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” where Prince Charming enfolds me in his arms and kisses me, passionately, in the forest, under the moonlight, on a unicorn.

To trade or not to trade in their horn, rhinos are subjects of a life.

To trade or not to trade in their horn, rhinos are subjects of a life. The debate on whether or not to legalize trade in rhino horn is largely a philosophical one that mostly takes place in air-conditioned rooms while the rhino slaughter continues to spiral out of control to a point where estimations sayContinue reading “To trade or not to trade in their horn, rhinos are subjects of a life.”

In the Rough

In the Rough The past few days have been pretty intense. I’ve been feeling a lot of things, sometimes feeling my way through the dark. First with the film classes: Marius Van Straaten has been teaching us his tricks, possibly all the tricks in the book, so we can get the best footage and theContinue reading “In the Rough”

Everybody Poops

Everybody Poops We’ve been so lucky so far. We saw four white rhinos the very first game drive, a circus of elephants (the technical term for a group) in the evening the next day, and a cheetah in the next morning. We’ve also been lucky with the people, who have taught us a great dealContinue reading “Everybody Poops”

My First Day in the Bush–A Dream Come True

My First Day in the Bush–A Dream Come True Today I entered the Bush for my very first time in what I know will be the first of many over the course of my life. I am lucky enough to be a part of a beautiful group, Youth 4 African Wildlife, that is spending 6Continue reading “My First Day in the Bush–A Dream Come True”

The not so obvious effects of rhino poaching.

The not so obvious effects of rhino poaching. A day with orphaned rhino calves tends to get one thinking about how this scourge of poaching will affect the new generation of rhinos, those future adults who if the status quo does not change will be senselessly hacked to death for their horns. Perhaps rhinos willContinue reading “The not so obvious effects of rhino poaching.”

From one Generation to the Next

From one Generation to the Next Finally, we are on the road to the reserve. The ride has been fairly unremarkable. There have been no incidents and no drama, only continuous scenery of grasslands sparsely dotted with trees as far as the eye can see: with the exception, of course, of the mountain Fortunate toldContinue reading “From one Generation to the Next”