Shutterbug drives conservation through his photos
Northlands Primary School pupil, Skye Meaker, donates one of his photos to auction to promote animal conservation.
CONSERVATION has always been something at the forefront of Durban North resident and award-winning photographer, Skye Meaker’s mind. In July this year, he won the best photograph taken in Africa for the year in the Nature’s Best Photographer Africa U13 competition.
What’s more, the Northlands Primary School pupil also won second place for his picture of a walking leopard and third place for his picture of a crocodile and a zebra in a life-or-death tussle.
Since then, the 13-year-old has travelled along the North Coast, speaking to local school pupils about his work and his aim to raise awareness for the plight of the animals on the continent.
“At first I was a little intimidated, but I used my photos in a slide show and told the pupils why this was important to me and to inspire them,” he explained.
However, the local shutterbug’s biggest coup was yet to come, as the Make A Difference (MAD) leadership foundation approached him. So impressed with his photography, they asked if Skye would consider auctioning his ‘Dancing Elephant’ photo.
The photo was recently sold for R20 000, which will go towards the foundations charity work.
“I didn’t think it would be sold for that much. When my dad gave me the news, I was on the computer and had the headphones on, so I think I just said ‘that’s cool dad, thanks’, not realising the enormity of the situation. After a few seconds I realised what he was talking about and I was elated. MAD also approached me to visit schools in rural areas to spread the word about conservation. At first, I was a little intimidated but I used my photos in a slide show and told the pupils why this was important to me and to inspire them,” he explained.
The Grade 7 pupil also explained why he thought creating awareness and promoting conservation was important.
“With everything so technologically driven, there seems to be a disconnect from nature. I hope that my photos will show people how beautiful nature is and why it’s worth protecting. My photographic safari has taught me so much about myself and about nature,” he said.
Recently, Skye made the final of the Natural History Museam Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition with his recent snaps of a Panicked Elephant , two Jackals fighting and a solifugae spider in an intimidating pose.
