The Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT) is the proud custodian of the Manyoni Private Game Reserve (MPGR), a vital sanctuary for endangered species. However, this protected area faces significant challenges that threaten both wildlife and the surrounding communities. Among these are a Foot and Mouth disease quarantine, ongoing human-wildlife conflicts, and the ever-present risk of bush fires, particularly from arson. These issues are exacerbated when the perimeter fence is compromised, putting local livestock, wildlife, and human safety at considerable risk.
The perimeter fence is our first and most crucial line of defense, ensuring that dangerous game remains within the reserve while safeguarding livestock and communities on the outside. The fence’s integrity is essential to preventing poaching, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and maintaining peace and safety on both sides.
What We Do:
In response to these challenges, the Zululand Conservation Trust launched the Fence Guardianship Program. This initiative is not only about maintaining the fence but also about empowering women from the local community. These women are employed to patrol and monitor the fence line, ensuring its integrity and identifying any unusual activity that could pose a threat. Their work is vital in protecting both the wildlife within the reserve and the livelihoods of those living nearby.
The Fence Guardianship Program also provides sustainable employment opportunities for women, fostering community involvement in conservation efforts. Through this program, these women are not just guardians of the fence—they are guardians of the community and the future of conservation in Zululand.
How You Can Support Us:
We invite you to stand with our guardians in their mission to protect endangered species and empower women within the community. Your support is crucial in enhancing their skills, providing them with the tools they need, and ensuring they can continue to provide for their families.
All donations will go directly towards the guardianship program, helping to fund uniforms, essential equipment like torches, water bottles, backpacks, and fencing tools. By supporting our guardians, you are playing a direct role in the protection of endangered species and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the Zululand region.
Join us in making a difference—because every fence, every patrol, and every guardian matters in the fight to protect our precious wildlife and communities.