Kilimanjaro fundraiser climb
20 March, 2015
From Chris Herbst
I hope you are all well, I am sure you are all aware by now about the announcement made by CACH, that they will soon be opening the CACH sanctuary, that will not only be a haven for rescued and injured wildlife, but also a rehabilitation and education centre. As always, at the helm of this immense project we have the inspirational pair of Chris Mercer and Bev Pervan. Two people whom on a personal level I will always look up to and respect immensely. Many of you will understand what exactly it requires, and the sheer effort needed to make a sanctuary like this a success, where the needs of the animals will always be top priority and to preserve and protect the African wildlife. The main factor as always is funds, without funding and a constant flow of income this will simply not be possible. This is our proposal on how we can assist them to succeed.  

Some of you will recognize this image from when myself, little Shumba, and my team successfully summitted Kilimanjaro, new years morning 2015. This was a combined effort between myself and CACH to bring more awareness about this horrific and despicable industry, that is canned hunting. Well I am happy to announce that we are at it again, only this time it will be a bit different.    

OK so, you might be thinking yes, it sounds wonderful and amazing but, I am no where near fit enough, I will never make it. Well any healthy person with a decent level of fitness will reach the summit, you don't have to be super fit. That being said, it is tough and at times you will have to dig deep and the thought of giving up will be in the back of your mind. This is why the actual trip will be booked at least 8-9 months before the actual climb leaving ample time for everyone to prepare properly. Upon booking you will receive an itinerary and information pack that contains a training program designed for Kilimanjaro. 

This will also be an opportunity for us to "kill two flies with one swipe" not only will we raise much needed funds for the CACH sanctuary, but also raise even more awareness about the horrid canned hunting industry. We can all carry our banners, flags, wear our T-shirts and march up that mountain. My little Shumba will once again do the trek with me, he was really a constant reminder of why I was doing it and really one of the reasons why I made it to the summit. You can all bring your own Shumba for support and to remind you why are we fighting and what we are fighting for.  

All donors will have their namesput up onto a board at the Karroo Wildlife Centre.
For more information please email Chris Herbst directly chrisherbst33@gmail.com or message him on FB

We thank Lozanne for sharing Yame & George's adventures with us again his month.
We love to get these updates of the cubs and what they are up to.  
Bev

So that time of the year is arriving where the frost greets George and Yame in the morning and the chills chase them to bed earlier in the evenings.

But with it comes the season every farmer dreads, the fire season. Perfect combination of dry grass and days of wind that with the slightest of spark or heat can cause a fire that will destroy anything in its path. 

Unfortunately in the middle of the month on Welgedacht Private Game Reserve the combination came together and a bush fire got ignited. The fire went through George and Yame’s enclosure but Jade managed to put them safely in the night pen before the fire could reach their enclosure. We stayed with them to keep them calm while the fire was being controlled.

Thankfully with the hard work and efforts of the team and extra helping hands from neighbouring farms we managed to stop the fire.

So please be more careful and aware to not litter in any area with fire hazard materials.

George and Yame got to play pretend while helping researchers better understand the hunting behaviour of lions.  Dr. Craig Packer and Natalia Borrego are interested in how lions work together to take down prey.  To study hunting behaviour, they set up fake prey species and record lions’ reactions.  This gives George and Yame a chance to behave like wild lions and practice their hunting skills, while also providing valuable scientific information to researchers.  

3 May, 2015
This is what they call conservation in South Africa.  They call it sustainable use but any intelligent person can see it for what it really is.   Senseless,  barbaric, cruelty.  

CJ & Luis return to South Africa to wish Yame & George a happy birthday.  Bringing Tete & Pati the Spanish carers to see how well the cubs have adapted to their new home.  They share their experience, photos and videos.
Bev.

When we arrived at the gates of Welgedacht, our ranger, whose name is Ian and the same young man as from our trip before, was waiting for us. He had been assigned to taking care of us again and we were grateful and happy to see him. We dumped our suitcases at our bungalow and quickly got back on the road with Ian as we just couldn't wait any longer to see George and Yame. As we approached their enclosure, I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. Jade was waiting for us. She entered the enclosure and said she would look for the boys as she was certain they wouldn't come on their own. She took off to the left. Tete and I walked to the right of the closure on the outside. We called for them - using the call we always used at the center while they were here with us in Madrid. Within two minutes they came running. There was no doubt that they recognized the call and our voices.

Tete entered the enclosure first. I was overwhelmed with tears to see the response of George and Yame. They were all over him with hugs and kisses. They had not forgotten him. Quite the opposite. They were full of joy. After a while, I joined Tete inside the enclosure. I too got hugs and kisses. I wore the red and black shirt that I had worn so often while playing with the boys at the center in Madrid. It is now a torn up rag that no longer even looks like a shirt, but they knew it well and wanted to get it off of me. This gave me a chance to roll around with them. Not an easy thing to do any more as they weigh a lot more than I do and their strength is such that they could have crushed me if they had wanted to. It was the perfect reunion. They were the same in a way; Yame the forever sweet, gentle, loving soul and George the mischievous, strong minded, no nonsense fighter - and yet, they seemed to have changed some how. Just couldn't put my finger on it. They still remain very close to each other. One doesn't go anywhere without the other, but they are at peace with themselves as individuals and happy. 

On their birthday we watched them rip up and tear apart two horse legs - one each. George kept one eye on Yame all the time and if Yame moved any where near his meal, he stood his ground and faced him down. It was obvious who was the boss. Although George still doesn't see perfectly close up, his being able to see at a distance so much better now has given him a confidence that has opened up the entire world for him. Before we left that day we sang happy birthday to them in English and Spanish which they paid no attention to as they were nose deep in horse flesh. Yummy!

We had an amazing morning walk one day with Kevin and the boys which gave us a chance to catch up. The boys had a great time climbing the rocks and hills - doing their best to wear us out. George's back legs are still not the best but he tries to run with the wind and climbs at an equal pace with Yame. He then needs a good rest for a bit but gets right back at it. So determined! On our way back, we caught up with Mandy and the children. Such a thrill to have Kevin schedule some time for us.  He doesn't stop; always somewhere to be and something important to do. We know he had to juggle his life around for us and we are so grateful. Such a wonderful day. Never forget it!

We basically took things as they came; hung out a lot with the boys just doing nothing but being with them - sitting around, laying around, enjoying the moments of being accepted by them for who we are. With every moment that I had with them I thought to myself what a privilege it is to have this relationship with these two amazing lions and to be a part of their lives. How often does this happen to someone? How very lucky am I?

Our last day started like a lot of "last" days often start; wishing it hadn't come. 

Ian took us to the boy's special resting spot - rather like an oasis right in the middle of the hot, dry bush. A lovely little creek ran through the area and there were several tall trees and bushes providing lots of shade and such a sense of peacefulness. We spent the rest of the morning with them there, just like a pride of lions would spend together; resting not needing to do anything. All at once, they got up and began walking along the creek and through the brush. They were gone. They just disappeared. It felt right. It was the perfect way to end our time together. No tears and no good-byes. There will never be a good-bye - only a next time. "Hasta la vista leoncitos". We will carry you in our hearts and prayers forever.
From CJ

Videos:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/rkx9ihzvu7txusj/Lions%20and%20tree.wmv?oref=e&n=81330501
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yswlobbu6tzvsp3/Drinking%20water.wmv?oref=e&n=81330501