South Africa: The #FordWildLife Experience In Pretoria!

We had an amazing and fun filled Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa at the #FordWildLife event. Ford South Africa hosted us at Mongena Game Lodge with a few media and influencers. 8am we started off at Meropa Communications which was our meeting spot. 9am we all got into our Ford Rangers and drove to Mongena Game Lodge where we were welcomed with smiles and open arms.

We then had a sit down to hear in detail about the Ford Wildlife Foundation and Endangered Wildlife Trust’s partnership. A partnership that supports Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project. The cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal, and they can reach their top speed of 110km/h in just three seconds. Yet habitat loss, decline in prey, genetic inbreeding, and conflicts with humans and predators like lions and hyenas has left the species endangered. The #FordWildlife Foundation has committed to efforts to conserve the cheetahs in South Africa.

The #FordWildlife Foundation has handed over a new Ford Ranger XLT double-cab bakkie to the Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project, which works to increase the range, numbers, and status of cheetahs in South Africa. This support forms part of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA) commitment to the conservation and preservation of the environment in Sub Saharan Africa.

“The Ford Wildlife Foundation has an important role in giving support to conservation of wildlife in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.The key element for that is looking at wildlife conservation on a three crucial fronts: education, research, and conservation projects ” says Neale Hill, Director: Marketing, Sales & Service for Ford of Southern Africa.

Vincent van der Merwe, Cheetah Metapopulation Co-ordinator, Endangered Wildlife Trust said; “It is fantastic to have Ford working with us on this Project. One of the main functions of our work is to move cheetahs between fenced reserves that are located in all nine provinces. So there is a lot of travelling involved making Ford a key partner.”

The Project requires a capable vehicle to conduct the translocations, visit new sites, and to ensure that cheetahs managed effectively. With the support of the #FordWildlife and a new Ford Ranger, the Project will be able to conduct critical and vital conservation work to ensure that it does not lose the world’s fastest land mammal.

After the formalities, it was time to explore the Game Reserve.

We went for a game drive with our ranger Jacques Vagener.

And then it was Lunch time! Yummmmmm. Yeah, that’s my plate. There was a whole lot to choose from but because I don’t eat red meat, my options are always limited.

Saw these two on our way out. This was such a priceless moment between Mama Zebra and her baby.

This is Hlulani from Essays of Africa. She was my Ford Ranger driving partner. We travelled together to and fro. Fun was had!

That’s how I spent my Thursday. Thank you so much to Ford, Meropa Communications and the entire #FordWildlife team. We really had a great time. The Ford Ranger gives me life guys. I will tell you more about it next week.

By @KikiMarli       

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