Situated along the banks of the Molemane river is one of the jewels in the crown of the North-West Province. Molemane reserve, which is not open to the public, is a haven for White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Wildebeest, Zebra and many other species. The ACE volunteer team are the only group having access to this protected part of the North West Province of South Africa. The status of the project co-ordinator, as an Honourary Officer of North West Parks Board, also allows the Molemane ACE volunteer team to carry out conservation projects in various parks, including the nearby internationally renowned Madikwe Game Reserve.
Molemane reserve itself is divided by a gravel road into two sections, the larger of which is managed as a breeding reserve for valuable disease-free game species. Volunteers will be based at Molemane, but will travel to various parks including Madikwe to carry out the predator studies.
Much of the work on the project involves the monitoring of large mammal species, often on foot, including;
WHITE RHINO
- GPS recording of midden sites
- Identification by means of ear notches
- Rhino Habituation
- Photographic identity sheets for all rhino on property
BUFFALO
- Assist with darting and blood-testing of Buffalo.
- Monitor all disease free Buffalo on the property.
PREDATORS
- Lion, leopard, hyena, wild-dog surveys and monitoring.
Molemane has a rich history and a remarkable heritage; Owned since 1909 by the Gubbins family, it was left to the state by the last member of the family, with a provision in the will that it only be used for conservation and environmental education.
The Molemane Game Reserve also
contains one of the last untouched natural wet-land areas, where natural cold
water springs bubble out from the earth. The stunning grassland ecosystem
is home to elusive species including Servals and Caracals, two species of small cat.
In addition to the zoological studies, volunteers will also record and monitor the ecology of the reserve as well as
help to maintain and manage this valuable legacy.
ECOLOGICAL STUDIES
- Elephant vegetation damage surveys at Madikwe.
- Recording of Brown Hyena and Caracal (a type of small cat) numbers in the Reserve of which very little is known.
- Animal behaviour studies
- 24 Hour full moon waterhole game counts and night-time monitoring.
- Establishing and recording fish species in the Molemane River.
- Species, tree, grass, flower, bird, insect, reptile and amphibian surveys.
RESERVE MANAGEMENT
- Game capture and game introductions into Molemane.
- Building game viewing platforms at waterholes.
- Fence-line patrols and repairs.
- Erosion control and road maintenance and management.
Volunteers will also take part in weekly discussions on various aspects of conservation and wildlife, and will learn tracking and survival skills during sleep-outs in the Bush!