Caracal release by Limpopo Field Guiding Academy

Limpopo Field Guiding Academy have sponsored a release site for two caracal in a re-wilding process that is part of the company's ongoing committment to conservation. LFGA have been involved in the sponsorship of rehabilitation and re-wilding processes since 2006.

The latest project involves the release of two caracal (male and female siblings) who were born into captivity. Typically persecuted in the wild by farmers, caracal are an essential component of savanna ecosystems. This release follows the successful release of  another caracal ealier this year. That individual has been tracked and monitored since release and has successfully established territory close to its release site. It is hoped that the latest pair will enjoy similar success and the release site has been carefully chosen with this in mind. Challenges to the release process are human contact and other caracal with established territories. LFGA have monitored exsisting caracal movement in the area over the past 10 years as part of their tracking products and are confident that the pair will be able to integrate into the existing caracal population.

Improvements in management of the area of release over the past 12 years and specifically the burning regime, have resulted in a higher density of rodents, which in turn support larger populations of small and medium sized predators. The caracal is a highly adaptable cat with a wide prey base, with mainly mammals up to the size of medium-sized antelope featuring in their diet. Other prey items include arthropods, reptiles, amphibians and birds up to the size of guineafowl.

Nocturnal and solitary, caracal are rarely seen in areas of persecution and it is hoped that projects like this will increase the sighting potential of these unique cats in the greater area of release. Students of Limpopo Field Guiding Academy may have the chance to track these cats in future, and sightings will be an added bonus. The current re-wilding project included participation by LFGA students and graduates.

The current sponsorship includes the release site, two vehicles and equipment for staff managing the project.

For more information regarding nature guide training and tracking courses, visit our website at http://www.limpopotraining.co.za/

New FGASA requirements for Level 1 Nature Guiding Course

From July 2011, the minimum duration for a Level 1 Field Guiding (nature guiding) course to be endorsed by FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) is two months. This more than doubles the duration which is currently 3 weeks.

There are pros and cons with this change, depending on who you are. Trainers will have more time to work through the syllabus and expose their students more thoroughly to the practical aspects of nature guiding. Students will also have more time to get to grips with all aspects of the national qualifications. The downside for the average student is that prices will sky-rocket as training providers are forced to more than double their rates for a basic nature guiding training course.

This change can be debated at length and it remains to be seen wether or not there will be any real change to the quality of nature guide that is developed in 2 months rather than 3 or 4 weeks. It is well known throughout the game lodge industry that field guides only really develop their skills once in the workplace, under the mentorship of senior guides who help them through the day to day challenges of being a safari guide in the wild areas of Southern Africa and other regions of the African continent. Hence the demand in the industry for guides with experience, especially FGASA Level 2 and 3.

Limpopo Field Guiding Academy (LFGA) is happy to report that we will be offering students the opportunity to comply with the minimum requirements for a FGASA endorsed Level 1 Field Guiding course, and will thus offer a two month option from July 2011 onwards. We will however, still offer 3 or 4 week options for training courses (these are our current flagship courses). These shorter courses cover the theoretical and practical aspects of FGASA Level 1 Nature Guiding (Field Guiding) and also include Cybertracker Track and Sign Interpretation training. These shorter format courses are endorsed by Cybertracker ( the global leader in tracker training and assessment) and also by the African Field Guides Association (AFGA). The 4 week option also includes the basic training week for Dangerous Animal guiding - this is the first mentorship week towards becoming a FGASA Trails Guide - the guide who approached dangerous animals by foot in the African bush.

Limpopo Field Guiding Academy, managed by parent company Limpopo Rangers cc, continues to provide training options for all who are passionate about the African bush and all the secrets it holds. Our trainers are highly qualified and have a wealth of experience which has been built up over many years in all regions of Africa, including Southern Africa, West Africa and East Africa. Courses offered range from basic nature guiding through to more advanced levels and specialist courses such as Advanced Rifle Handling, Tracking and Birding. We are also involved in FGASA SKS levels, which may only be achieved after several years of nature guiding and with a minimum requirement of FGASA Level 3 as the entry requirement.

For more information about our courses and how to make a booking, please contact us at info@limpopotraining.co.za or +27(0)72 625 4709 or +27(0)14 736 4757.

To all Limpopo Rangers

Good day to all our students.

Please tell us where you are, province, reserve, position etc.

We would really love to hear from you.
ONCE A LIMPOPO RANGER, ALWAYS A LIMPOPO RANGER...!