Local golfers enjoy BUCO’s fundraiser

“We had a field of 15 teams and 60 players for both days at Drakensig Golf Course,” explains the manager, Riaan Scott during the prizegiving ceremony that took place at Fork & Spade on Thursday evening. Eugene Muller, sales manager of Hoedspruit BUCO announced that they will donate R30 000 each to Hlokomela and Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund. Warren North from Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund explained that they focus on the rehabilitation of pangolins that are rescued from trafficking. “We distribute money raised at Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund to vets, researchers, and role players in the anti-poaching sphere to rescue and rehabilitate pangolins,” said North.

According to Kjell Bismeyer who works with Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund, often times the sting and recovery operations involved with rescuing pangolins are conducted out of the pockets of the operators. “Maintenence, fuel, and equipment costs for these operations are high and so are the vet bills and rehabilitation costs,” said Bismeyer. Even with reduced veterinary costs it can amount to more than R150 000 to rehabilitate a single pangolin. Pangolins are traumatised by traffickers and poachers and it can take many months for these animals to return to normal feeding habits.

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“The pangolins have to go for walks ranging from five to eight hours every evening and the costs of tagging the pangolin before release exceed R40 000 per animal,” Bismeyer explains. Last year 50 people involved in the trafficking of pangolins were arrested due to the efforts by the Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund and the operations they support, with nine suspects nabbed in a single operation. MJ du Preez, communications manager at Hlokomela says that the organisation aims to make general healthcare affordable for all income groups in the greater Hoedspruit area.

“Hklokomela started out focussing on HIV/aids as well as healthcare for farm workers in Hoedspruit. Now we have broadened our focus, especially post Covid-19, to healthcare in general in the area,” says Du Preez. The organization is well-known and 60 000 people in the area benefit directly or indirectly from Hlokomela’s good work every year. Hlokomela also runs peer education and human rights projects in Bushbuckridge creating awareness among sex workers. To get in touch with Scales Pangolin Rescue Fund contact Amy AucampClark on 078 993 5678. Contact Du Preez on 082 828 5333 to get involved with Hlokomela and their fundraising initiatives.