Behind the Lion Memes - Adam & Caz

The background to our lion memes Today we wanted to introduce you to the two people who have been incredibly supportive of Voice4Lions and allowed us to use all the wonderful lion photos you see in our awareness memes. All the pictures we use are taken of the lions at Hluhuwe-Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal by Adam Park of Adam Park Photography who is wonderfully assisted by his partner, Caz Haines.

Both Adam and Caz do everything they can in both their day jobs and spare time to protect wildlife and raise awareness of the issues surrounding them.

Adam works for UmHluhuwe Safaris as their Head Field Guide (https://www.facebook.com/umhluhluwe.safaris) which allows him the opportunity to spend many hours out in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. It’s during these times that he captures some of his best photographs.

Caz has been a photographer (https://www.facebook.com/cazpixelperfect/) for almost 20 years along with running “The Hairy Canary Curio and Gift Shop” in Eshowe. Her spare time is taken up with volunteer work for Eshowe Snakes and Reptiles, as well as, the Rabies Awareness Body of Eshowe.

We talked to both, to understand more about what they do. We asked Adam to tell us about how he first got involved in becoming a Ranger, what it was that motivated him and keeps him motivated to continue his work.

Adam: I grew up with a passion for animals, matriculated from Weston Agricultural College and, along with encouragement from my Mother, I attended Bush Academy. After that I was fortunate enough to start working for UmHluluwe Safaris. My heart is here with the animals and I enjoy every drive I do in the game reserve.

All photos contained within this article are copyright of Adam Park Photography or Pixel Perfect Photography

Can you tell us about the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and the lions that currently live there.

Adam: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the oldest established park in South Africa and is most famous for its white rhino conservation efforts that were spearheaded by Dr Ian Player. The genetics of every white rhino in the world can be traced back to this park. It is very rich in wildlife, including black and white rhino, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, cheetah and a whole variety of antelope. Crocodiles and hippo can also be found in the rivers of the Park. Birdlife is also abundant and some people have managed to photograph rare species at some of the picnic sites and hides that are situated throughout the Park. If you are lucky, you may also come across our Wild Dog packs and even on rare occasions the Spotted Hyena.

As for the lions, the current pride in Hluhluwe comprises two new females and a new male. Both females (sisters) have had their first litter of cubs, unfortunately one of the sisters lost her cubs shortly after birth. The other sister has 3 cubs, just over a year-old right now – with one male and two females.

We have one other big male who originally formed part of a brotherhood of 3, unfortunately one brother contracted TB and the other was very badly injured by a buffalo and the decision was taken to alleviate his awful suffering.

You are always raising the issue of conservation with your guests as you drive them through the Park - have you noticed a difference in their thoughts on conservation issues over the years?

Adam: Poaching of our rhino has gained more and more attention but a lot more awareness needs to be done at ground level, which is why, at every opportunity I get to talk about it with my guests I All photos contained within this article are copyright of Adam Park Photography or Pixel Perfect Photography

do. I have noticed that a lot are unaware of the severity of poaching. They know it happens but not how much it is happening.

I also do not encourage guests to take part in any activities that include any petting or interaction with our wildlife. Many are oblivious of the links between petting and canned hunting but I’m hopeful that if we all continue to do our part, we can help put a stop to that industry altogether.

You’ve recently set up Adam Park Photography (https://www.facebook.com/adamparkphotos/) Images of wildlife help to raise interest in species and hopefully make people think more about them and learn about the issues facing them - are you looking for your photos to act as a catalyst for people to think about conservation?

Adam: I have always taken photos because I enjoy photography but its been more of a pastime until Caz encouraged me to showcase my photos more. Together we edit and load them onto my Facebook page. It is my hope that my love of wildlife will transfer to other people and, at the very least, make them want to ensure that their grandchildren can enjoy a sighting of an elephant, lion or rhino in the wild in the future. We only conserve things that we love and it’s that thought that keeps me going. I want to see humanity turn around and take a stand for our natural world before it is too late!

All photos contained within this article are copyright of Adam Park Photography or Pixel Perfect Photography

As we highlighted at the beginning of this interview, Caz is also a volunteer for Eshowe Snake and Reptiles. https://www.facebook.com/eshowesnakes/ We spoke to Caz about what her volunteering involves.

All photos contained within this article are copyright of Adam Park Photography or Pixel Perfect Photography

Caz: The organisation was originally set up by Gareth Coleman and relies on volunteers and donations to continue its vital work. His wife, Amy, took over the reins and it was through our friendship that I became involved. I went through a venomous snake handling course with Ndlondlo Reptile Park, based on the outskirts of Balito. Together with Amy, we do snake awareness talks as well as respond to snake call-outs around the area of Eshowe.

Snakes are very misunderstood with the media and books/movies showing them as creatures to be feared. This fear is the main issue we focus on to help people overcome it and to move forward to respect and safely co-exist with these beautiful creatures. Educating people is key and we enjoy every change we get to do that.

Caz also volunteers for an organisation called the Rabies Awareness Body in Eshowe. Rabies is a big issue in many countries around the world and the work being done in Eshowe to raise awareness is incredibly important. Dr Vanessa Meyer is the State Vet and started the Eshowe Rabies Awareness Body in Eshowe and we asked her to explain a bit more about the issue of rabies and the work being done to combat it.

Rabies is the deadliest disease on earth, and the East Coast of KwaZulu Natal is currently experiencing the worst epidemic in history. The sad part is that it is 100% preventable, and yet people continue to die from rabies due to lack of education. The current outbreak started in 2017, and I founded this rabies volunteer group in August 2017 being passionate about rabies and wanting to create awareness about education and vaccination. Rabies is transmitted by different vectors globally, but where we live the most important vector is the domestic dog. It is therefore vital to get as many dogs vaccinated as possible. We are a small rural town with a big heart, and by educating just one person, you can save a life from rabies. Many people are unaware of what to do if bitten or scratched by an unknown animal, and so we try to get the word out that people must seek medical attention as an emergency.

We also hold vaccination campaigns whereby the public can bring their dogs and cats for free rabies vaccinations. As a vet I have trained a number of volunteers to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies, and Caz is a registered vaccinator and one of our most active members who generously gives so much of her time in helping combat this horrific disease. We also have a facebook page with up to date information and through this we try to spread rabies awareness. The power of social media is amazing, and we have been contacted by people as far afield as Malaysia for advice. https://www.facebook.com/RabiesEshowe/ We are incredibly appreciative of all the help that Adam and Caz have given us since we set up Voice4Lions and we hope you enjoyed reading the story about the people behind our lion meme photos.

All photos contained within this article are copyright of Adam Park Photography or Pixel Perfect Photography