WELCOMING PAUL TO OUR TEAM
Wild Tomorrow is delighted to welcome Paul Danckwerts to our expanding team in South Africa as our resident field guide and research program coordinator at the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. Prior to joining Wild Tomorrow, Paul was the head guide at Sabi Sands. He brings his wealth of experience and deep passion for conservation to our team. Learn more about Paul in our interview below!
Meet Paul Danckwerts - a new members of our growing Wild Tomorrow team!
What's your background?
I was raised on a tobacco farm in rural Zambia. Much of my youth was spent exploring, camping and fishing in remote areas around the country. I then moved to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa to complete high school before enrolling for a degree in Ichthyology (the branch of Zoology that focuses on fishes!) and Botany at Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape, graduating with Honours in Ichthyology.
I trained as a field guide and game ranger at Mala Mala Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands and worked there for four years, ultimately becoming the head ranger. After meeting my wife, I moved to neighboring Londolozi Game Reserve for a further two years. The arrival of our first child coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic and with tourism in a proverbial coma we moved to Bermuda for a while before returning to South Africa to join the Wild Tomorrow team.
Paul at a former post, guiding at Londolozi.
What attracted you to Wild Tomorrow?
Our intention was always to return to the conservation field in Africa and joining the Wild Tomorrow family was serendipitous. The Wild Tomorrow vision of rehabilitating one of Southern Africa’s most unique and interesting habitats while simultaneously creating a wildlife corridor between existing pockets of precious biodiversity held huge appeal. I would rue the day I didn’t have an answer for my children if I was ever to be asked what I had done to help stem the inexorable tide of human development and destruction. Thankfully, the type of work involved in reserve building speaks to these ideals as well as my aptitude, experience and interests.
What's a typical day for you with Wild Tomorrow?
A typical day at Wild Tomorrow usually involves hours in the field, working alongside likeminded people, managing the habitat, conducting wildlife transects or hosting or guiding any guests visiting Wild Tomorrow.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
I like to spend time with my children. I also enjoy fly fishing, walking and reading.
Where would you like Wild Tomorrow to be in five years?
I would hope that Wild Tomorrow realize their ultimate vision by becoming the custodians of a fully fledged and ever-expanding wildlife corridor that joins the iSimangaliso Wetland ecosystem to the Munyawana Conservancy.
Do you have a favorite animal or ecosystem, and why does it hold a special place for you?
Elephants have an indomitable presence that can result in anything from an ethereal to a downright terrifying experience. Either way they leave a lasting impression every time.
With so much bad news around the environment how do you stay positive?
I try to not get lost in the bigger picture but rather focus on what I can do in the moment.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about conservation work?
The image portrayed on social media is often romanticized and rarely tells the whole story. Conservation in any form is a major time commitment and sacrifice.
Have you had any close calls with dangerous wildlife?
As a qualified field and trails guide, I have had ample opportunity to encounter Africa’s dangerous wildlife. Some of my closest encounters from a safety point of view have come from lion, leopard, elephant and hippopotamus.
What advice do you give to people who want to do what you do?
Stay true to yourself, your interests and your passion as they are probably what brought you into conservation in the first place.
Paul at a former post guiding for Mala Mala.