Firstly, The Expedition Project team would like to thank you for your continued support throughout the year and decade! None of our work would be possible without the inclination of others around the world to help out and take part in our expeditions.
With that being said, in celebration of the New Year and to set our sights on our collective 2020 game plan, we’d like to take some time to reflect on two of our main projects – Umkhondo and Nkonzo– their successes in 2019, and the challenges they face heading into the new year. Hopefully, this can help spread the word about all of the amazing work these projects have been doing and how we can support them in overcoming obstacles.
Nkonzo – Hartenbos, Western Cape
Successes
Over the past year, Nkonzo reached an all time high for amount of data collected on all projects! Research and data is instrumental in improving habitats and understanding how we can help species thrive. Additionally, they have spent nearly 3,000 hours with white rhinos for monitoring and data collection, and experienced the birth of a white rhino calf who has now been added to their study. Nkonzo have deployed multiple camera traps for elusive mammal work, and have upgraded their volunteer accommodation so that you can have the most comfortable experience possible in 2020!
2020 Goals
Nkozno plan to focus on continuing rhino research, beginning the Cape Mountain Zebra Feeding Ecology Project, and deploying additional camera traps to extend their coverage. Stay tuned on our website to learn more about these endeavours in the future!
Challenges
Nkonzo are in need of additional volunteers in the field as well as funding of equipment, such as camera traps. As with the other projects, a major concern for Nkonzo is the threats to biodiversity and free-roaming wildlife, which includes things like poaching, deforestation, erosion, urbanization, and erosion.
We are so fortunate to have been able to work with these, and many more projects across South Africa in 2019. The growth we have seen makes us extremely excited for the new year and all of the success it will bring! Please continue to keep up to date with The Expedition Project and help out when you can – it is greatly needed and appreciated! From all of us, we wish you a Happy New Year!
