It’s been a really busy time at the Centre, which is why we didn’t post an update last week. Busy is good though, as it keeps the coffers filling up and us out of mischief. Die Beeld (Afrikaans newspaper) paid us a visit to get a “behind the scenes” look at …Read more

With winter fast approaching, and the lovely green bush that is synonymous with summer slowly disappearing, there are other things to forward to! Like being able to drive a little bit faster! Reptiles are abundant during the hot months – especially chameleons – so we have to drive slowly and carefully in order to avoid squashing these …Read more

This year we decided to embrace Earth Hour wholeheartedly. We felt this worthy cause deserved our full attention since everyone that works at HESC has a passion for conservation, and we wanted to do our bit towards taking care of our planet. We thought long and hard about …Read more

With HESC and its staff housing being surrounded by the Kapama Game Reserve – Big 5 area – we were recently afforded the incredible experience of listening to wild lions interact with those in captivity. Four lionesses had been in the area for about a month. We’d hear them roaring at …Read more

If you were to ask anyone who has been to HESC who their favourite cheetah is, the name Max would pop up most frequently. This purring Picasso has definitely captured the hearts of visitors, students and staff alike. At the tender age of three months, Max …Read more

During feeding we found that a water monitor lizard had found its way into the enclosure of two female caracals. One of the females proceeded to hunt the lizard down, although it soon became apparent that she just wanted to play with it. We’d just fed them, so it was unlikely she was …Read more

It’s still very hot and humid up here in Hoedspruit, but hopefully we’ll get some rain soon! We don’t want to complain too loudly though, because before we know we’ll be hauling out our winter woolies. Weather aside, we’ve had the usual fun and games at the Centre to keep us entertained and on …Read more

Snake handling course

Part of the HESC Student Programme is a day visit to the Khamai reptile park. Our VIP visit included a snake introduction, as well as several other “hands-on” experiences, such as holding baboon spiders, …Read more

Paulos Ngobeni learners get their first computer

Last Wednesday was a day that Karen and Tabs had been working towards for months. It was the day that the Paulos Ngobeni Primary School was to receive the computer donated to them by the US friends HESC. Special guests …Read more

It’s still warm and humid up here, although chilly winds in the mornings and evenings whisper softly of colder times ahead.  The bush is a riot of greenery at this time of the year,  that said, in a month or two all this flamboyance will …Read more