Dr Ian Player and I

And my day finally arrived!! Having been involved with wildlife documentary productions for many many years and having produced many myself  for SABC television aswell as for Discovery Channel. I was always the one behind the camera or doing the sound, or in the case with Dr Ian player, responsible for the final mix of the video, that received the award for best movie of the year called. a Conservation Story. In that movie the life of Dr Ian player and the role he played in the conservation of the white and black Rhino and  his general contribution to conservation was portrayed.

Now I was attending a function where Dr Ian Player was the guest speaker. Giving a talk on the conservation of Rhino and what needs to be done to save them. My life had come full circle. To a point where I could talk to him on an equal footing about what he and I are doing to save rhinos. In the old days he would be chasing after Rhino on horseback or following them in an old 58 Ford truck to dart and relocate them. Now I was using modern technology and electronics in whict I had qualified in at the start of my career many many years ago and with that information and expertise, I was now in the position to contribute greatly in the conservation of white and black Rhino. By providing the means to monitor them via satellite or VHf directional finding equipment. I told him I was honoured to be in his presence and discuss the things he and I so dearly felt about,Conserving wildlife. It made me feel good to hear Dr Ian player respond by saying he to felt honoured to be my presence.

 May his knowledge and expertise keep the flame burning in the area of wildlife conservation for many many years to come. Thank you Dr player for what you have done and inspired me to do as a young boy, and that was to and try and follow in your footsteps.

And now it is finally done, I've just completed the last of the first batch of GPS/GSM Rhino transmitters to be installed into a Rhino horns. It has been a long journey to work out exactly how and what to do. I'm glad to report that all systems are ready to go. Due to the security surrounding the poaching of Rhino I can unfortunately not say where they are going, but I think some poachers are in for a big shock when they are suddenly confronted by the police or antipoaching organisations.
Getting the unit the smallest possible was a major problem, and every ounce of extra weight needed to be shaved off. Now it is on the next project. This one I'm really looking for to, it is a GPS/GSM collar with VHF beacon transmitter to be fitted to a lion. New blood is being introduced into a game reserve and they need to monitor the  new females to see where they are going and hopefully not getting through the fences and feast on some unfortunate humans outside the fence parameter.

Here is my first Video about myself and a glimps at my life as a Nature Conservationest and Electrioncs Engineer. I hope to do one on my wildlife and Primate Sanctuary soon. Enjoy!!!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyxdgCH5bew!

Ryan Van Deventer:   My dearest friend and  what a profesional and compasionate Wildlife Vet.

Snake Transmitters

Geee!!!..... no sooner had I completed the transmitters for the wild dogs, and the pressure was on to deliver 4  transmitters for  snakes. I had to burn some late night oil but fortunately could deliver on time.
All seems to be going well with the transmitters in the forest cobra's and if you're interested in finding out more about this project follow the link and tell me what you think.
http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/?cat=1

First wild dog Collars

Well I am glad to say, that the highlight of my life has now finally been reached. I have always had a passion for telecommunication and wildlife. Having been on Gough Island and working with satellite telemetry equipment and first experiencing the use of telemetry equipment on the island with Dr Martan Bester with his research on penguins and seals. I have always dreamed about producing my own range of telemetry equipment for wildlife. After three years of constantly testing and redesigning, I've finally managed to succeed in being able to produce a very successful VHF transmitter to be used for wildlife  telemetry . It was with the help of a now very good friend in Holland by the name of Rob van Cann who managed to redesign the latest version of transmitter, that has been successfully fitted to specialised collars designed by me to be used with the monitoring of wild dogs or painted dogs in Mkuzi game reserve. Here is a link to a news article about the wild dog  release.    dogs.http://www.ecr.co.za/kagiso/content/en/east-coast-radio/east-coast-radio-news?oid=1254834&sn=Detail&pid=6028&Wild-Dogs-released-into-park----Photos

Animal Track-em

Well at last I have a new blog for my animal tracking telemetry equipment. Hopefully I will be able to assist anyone who is in need of monitoring wildlife.