Latest news with #CarnivoreConservationProgramme
IOL News
08-08-2025
- General
- IOL News
For lions, Mthethwa is always ready to roar into action
Lesego assisting with a lion collaring. Image: Supplied SINCE the age of five, Lesego Mthethwa has been fascinated with lions. Today at 24, she is a field officer with the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Carnivore Conservation Programme working largely in the Greater Kruger areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In a world where poaching, wildlife trafficking, and poisoning pose an ever-looming threat to lions, Mthethwa works to support their conservation and ensure their continued protection. 'My parents used to take my sister and I to the Kruger National Park every year during the school holidays, and those trips had a huge impact on me. Being surrounded by wildlife sparked a deep love for lions and nature in general. That early connection stayed with me and eventually grew into a passion for conservation, it just felt natural to turn that childhood wonder into a career path focused on protecting the animals and environments I care so deeply about,' she said. Lesego after collaring a lion. Image: Supplied 'Conservation isn't just about animals, it's about preserving the environment for future generations, promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, and ensuring that natural heritage remains intact,' she explained. Mthethwa, who hails from Mbombela, Mpumalanga, studied a BSc in Biological Sciences, focusing on Zoology and Physiology at the University of North West Potchefstroom Campus. Her first hands-on experience in carnivore conservation was gained through an internship with the Kevin Richardson Foundation. 'The first project I was involved in was a lion population assessment in the Nxanatseni South Region of the Kruger National Park. It was a sobering experience, as the survey, which the EWT undertook for SANParks, revealed a decline in lion numbers in the northern part of the park due to targeted poisonings and poaching. Despite the findings, the project was an invaluable learning opportunity and a strong introduction to wildlife survey work. Lesego doing a presentation to high school learners. Image: Supplied 'I worked closely with several colleagues and partners as we covered over 5,100 kilometers, using both vehicle-based photography and camera traps. By analysing the lions' unique whisker spot patterns, we were able to identify individuals and estimate population numbers in the region,' Mthethwa said. A typical day at work for the young conservationist includes routine patrols across the landscape, and responding to situations where lions have moved into high-risk areas, whether these threats are linked to human-wildlife conflict or other threats. 'I'm also involved in regular snare sweeps to help mitigate poaching risks,' she said. Another key aspect of Mthethwa's work is the collaring of lions. She explains that when specific lions are identified as needing closer monitoring, they are fitted with tracking collars to help ensure their safety and provide data on their movements. Lesego tracking lions. Image: Supplied Mthethwa pointed out that among the biggest threats facing conservation in her field is poaching and poisoning, often linked to human-wildlife conflict and the illegal wildlife trade. 'This is worsened by the unregulated use of toxic pesticides, which are frequently misused to poison predators. I believe stronger enforcement, community education, and tighter regulation of these chemicals are essential. Another challenge is exploitative wildlife tourism activities like cub petting and predator selfies mislead the public and harm true conservation.' Last month, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said government was making progress toward publishing a Prohibition Notice that will ban the establishment of new captive lion breeding facilities in South Africa. This forms part of a broader strategy to phase out intensive breeding practices for commercial gain and to strengthen the country's biodiversity laws under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA), 2004. Being a woman in her field is not without its challenges, as Mthethwa describes conservation, especially fieldwork as still being a very male-dominated field which she navigates, "staying confident in my abilities, being consistent in my work, and finding mentors and allies who support and uplift women in the field". "Women in conservation often face a mix of challenges, ranging from being underestimated in the field, to limited representation in leadership roles, to balancing safety concerns while working in remote or male-dominated environments. 'As a young woman, I've often had to prove myself in ways my male counterparts haven't. There can be assumptions about physical strength or capability, and sometimes I've been underestimated simply because of my age or gender. But rather than letting that discourage me, it's pushed me to work even harder and let my results speak for themselves. Over time, I've earned respect through consistency, resilience, and a genuine passion for the work. I also hope that by showing up and doing the work well, I can help open doors for more women to enter and thrive in this space.' Cape Times
IOL News
07-08-2025
- General
- IOL News
Lesego the lionheart
Lesego Mthethwa and her colleagues collar a lion so that its movements can be tracked in the Kruger National Park. Image: Supplied. Lesego Mthethwa after collaring a lion. Image: Supplied. WHILE most people admire lions from afar, Lesego Mthethwa tracks them through the bush, reads their movements, and stares into the eyes of Africa's apex predator every day. Mthethwa is a field officer for the Carnivore Conservation Programme in the northern region of the Kruger National Park, where she focuses on lion monitoring. She also supports the team with lion collaring, which allows them to track the movement of lions, especially when they enter high-risk areas. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Her 'obsession' with the big cats started at the age of five. Every school holiday, her parents would take her to the Kruger National Park, and her mom recalls how the lions would excite little Lesego every time. 'There's something about them that completely captivates me. Their strength, complexity, and presence resonate with me on a personal level.' Mthethwa says that when she chose this career, it wasn't just about passion, it was an opportunity to break barriers and challenge the idea of what women, especially Black women, are 'supposed' to do. 'I wanted to show other women and girls that we can pursue any career our hearts are set on — even ones that are male-dominated. Over time, I've seen a real shift. Family members who used to question the danger of my work, especially working with lions, are now genuinely curious and proud of what I do. Even among my extended family and friends, there's been a change in how they see conservation and women's role in it. It's incredibly motivating to hear other women of colour say that seeing me in this space encourages them to believe it's possible for them too.' She has often been underestimated; some believe she isn't strong enough to handle the physical demands, or they simply don't take her as seriously in conversation. 'There's this underlying idea that women aren't strong enough or tough enough for fieldwork, especially when it comes to things like manual labour, tracking, or handling equipment. So, we constantly feel the pressure to go the extra mile — not just to prove that we deserve to be here, but that we're just as physically capable.' Poaching and poisoning, she says, are some of the biggest threats that lions face today. Mthethwa says these are often linked to the illegal wildlife trade or the harvesting of body parts for use in traditional rituals. These practices, she says, are frequently driven by deep-rooted beliefs and social or economic pressures in surrounding communities. 'To address these we've taken a community-based approach. We go into neighbouring communities to speak directly to people involved or affected, to better understand the reasons behind lion poaching — whether it's cultural beliefs, financial need, or a lack of awareness. By listening first, we're able to build trust and tailor our outreach. It's not just about telling people to stop; it's about showing them why lions are vital to the health of the ecosystem, and how conservation can benefit them too. This approach helps shift perceptions and opens the door to sustainable coexistence.'
