What inspired your choice of work? I was born in a rural part of Masvingo in Zimbabwe, near the Great Zimbabwe ruins. This area is mainly populated by subsistence farmers who depend on crops and livestock for the survival of their families.
As a child, I was very aware of the need to conserve our environment, since our subsistence activities were heavily dependent on natural resources. I knew that there was a need for humans to live in harmony with nature, so I pursued a BSc Honours degree in Forestry and Wildlife Management at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. I moved to South Africa to further my studies and develop my career path.
How were you introduced to albatrosses? I took part in several volunteer programmes at the University of Cape Town, helping postgraduate students with their research projects. Even though I struggled for a few years to secure a job and to continue my education, I eventually got an opportunity to domyMSc in Zoology at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth.
For my thesis, I researched the influence of human behaviour on the mortality rate of endangered African penguins. It was through this research that I first came into contact with the magnificent albatross.
Why are albatrosses endangered? Albatrosses are slow-maturing seabirds that live long lives – about 50 or more years. They spend most of their time soaring over oceans between Antarctica, Australia, South Africa and South America, on wings that span nearly four metres.
Denne historien er fra December 2020/January 2021-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra December 2020/January 2021-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rolling out the big guns
If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
Time out in Dullies
A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.
The island at the end of the earth
Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
