GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, 15 August 2018 – The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve has formally welcomed their new Warden, Edwin Pierce, who joined the reserve on 1 May 2018. Edwin wasted no time in sharing his energy, passion and valuable experience, and this has had an immediate positive impact on the management team and the reserve as a whole.
Edwin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nature Conservation and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management. Interestingly, he studied with Fundisele Mketemi, the CEO of South African National Parks, and has continued to forge valuable relationships with other key figures in the South African conservation network over the years. His career spans more than 10 years in the Kruger Lowveld Conservation Network, mostly in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, with work also undertaken in a section of the Kruger National Park neighbouring the Sabi Sands.
During his time in Sabi Sands, Edwin began as the reserve Ecologist, dealing with all of the environmental management issues of the reserve, and in 2015, he was promoted to Infrastructure and Environment Manager – effectively fulfilling the role of an assistant warden for the Sabi Sands. One of the vital roles that Edwin gained experience in was that of reserve security. Added to this was his participation in the lowveld-wide reserve security network, which continues to grow today to protect the lowveld reserves from the ever-present threat of wildlife poaching.
Edwin has contributed to many of the regional forums hosted by the Kruger National Park in collaboration with its private reserve partners on the western side of the Greater Kruger. Edwin brings with him valuable experience in a wide variety of conservation and security disciplines, as well as a vital understanding of the importance of collaboration between the Kruger National Park and the private reserves that form a part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
In his own words: “I have always wanted to work in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, ever since I experienced this incredible reserve, working as a conservation student in 2005. I have always kept in touch with the Management, Field Rangers and General Staff, and after every visit to the TPNR I felt like I left a little bit of myself behind. Finally, now I can honestly say that I feel that I am home.”
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is one of the original members of the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR). The APNR is comprised of the Timbavati, Klaserie, Umbabat, Balule and Thornybush Private Nature Reserves. Collectively these reserves represent 187 500 hectares of land dedicated to conservation, and they form an important western cluster of the Greater Kruger National Park.
For more information visit www.timbavati.co.za
