Gareth’s love for conservation lives through art and tattoos
After three years of working abroad in Oman, wildlife artist and tattooist, Gareth Putter, has returned to South Africa and has established himself in Hoedspruit.
Putter worked as safari park manager at the Adam Safari Park, a private project of one of the royal family members of Oman in Al Bashair in the Aldakhiliya region. He is also the founder of Rocking For Rhinos, and as such, has extended experience in the conservation industry. He decided to return to South Africa as he wanted to be closer to his wife and two children. He says he started his career as a guide when he was only 18 years old, working at an environmental education centre or veld school.
“There, I conducted guided walks, and game drives, and delivered lectures to groups of up to 70 schoolchildren. By the age of 20, I was guiding in Big 5 areas, and at 21, I began conducting overland safari tours across southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia,” he says. Throughout his career, he has worked with high-profile clients and managed various events and projects within the conservation and lodge sector.
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“My diverse skill set equips me to handle a wide range of challenges that may arise within lodge and reserve management roles. “As founder of Rocking For Rhinos, I have orchestrated five Woodstockstyle music festivals, art exhibitions, auctions, and the Rhino Tower activation at Montecasino Casino, raising awareness and funds for rhino conservation.
My responsibilities encompassed all aspects of event management, including sponsorship proposals, fund procurement, artist contracts, marketing, public relations, live radio, and television interviews. I have collaborated with renowned corporate sponsors such as Red Bull, Coca-Cola, SAB, Ad Outpost, DSTV, MiX FM, Radio 702, Highveld Stereo, and Jacaranda, among others,” he added. Additionally, his expertise extends to organising safety and security meetings with the SAPS, municipal fire departments, and EMS teams. As an artist, his unique wildlife drawings as the designs for his unique tattoos are popular among South Africans.
