People for Wildlife founder lives his passion

Founder of People for Wildlife, Lionel Smith has been involved in wildlife as a way of life. His passion for wildlife led him to establishing the group at Kloofendal Nature Reserve 15 years ago.

“People for Wildlife was established due to there being a need for a non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian society whose objective is to create an awareness of the need to conserve plant and animal life through education,” Smith said.

Smith has been involved in a number of initiatives that involve wildlife, such as being the chairperson of Wildlife Society West Rand for 17 years.

One of the initiatives they are involved in is cutting down non-indigenous trees and raising funds to donate to worthy causes that contribute to creating awareness of wildlife.

“We’ve donated R80 000 worth of equipment to the Addo Elephant Park in order for them to conduct an animal census,” he said.

Furthermore, Smith is also the chairperson of Save Our Snakes Society Krugerdorp, where he is a resident snake catcher in the West Rand area. He relocates the snakes to a safer location instead of killing them.

As the chairperson of Rangers Division WLS West Rand, he often runs programmes to educate pupils from schools on how to survive in the bush and to raise awareness with the younger generation on environmental issues.

Smith has three children and eight grandchildren who he has done his best to teach from a young age to take care of wildlife and the environment.

When he retires, he wants to explore his passion of being an artist. He enjoys drawing cartoons, paintings and logos.

“At the moment I am taking a back seat in being an active member in all the organisations I am involved in. It is time for the younger generation to take over and continue raising awareness in environmental issues,” said Smith.

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