Not too young to love wildlife
KELVIN – A young wildlife enthusiast is embarking on a trek that seeks to raise awareness on the challenges faced by game rangers on the frontline of the war against poaching.
Sufyaan Mohamed (15) is taking part in the fundraising and awareness campaign, Walk With Rangers. “This global campaign aids rangers with funds to continue to do what they do and to raise awareness against poaching,” explained Mohamed.
Walk With Rangers has become an annual educational event that also serves as a critical fundraising platform for urgent conservation needs.
Najma Khan, Mohamed’s mother, said her son was the youngest trekker worldwide who is taking part in the campaign and will be joined by two other South Africans.
For 10 days, the trek gives over 50 participants from different countries a first-hand experience of what it takes to safeguard Africa’s wildlife while in the company of game rangers and conservationists. This year, the trek kicks off on 2 August from Nairobi, Kenya.
“Sufyaan has always had a special connection with animals,” said Khan. “From rehabilitating a tortoise with a crushed shell and picking up injured birds, to spending time, when possible, to clean stables, and feed and walk horses.” Khan added that Mohamed was given a set of books describing the life of rangers and vets, and this is what sparked his burning desire to spend every holiday at the Kruger National Park.
“In his research about elephants, he stumbled across the Ulinzi Africa Foundation that runs Walk With Rangers,” said Khan.
“He then decided that he wanted to be a part of it.”
Khan said Mohamed did not take no for an answer when applying to join the trek. “I know that I am young, maybe too young, but I’m not too young to love wildlife,” said Mohamed.
He’s a Grade 9 pupil at Nizamiye Boys High School in Midrand and is very grateful that his dedicated teachers are willing to help him catch up with schoolwork on his return from his 10-day hike. After he finishes school he would like to study to become a wildlife vet.
“We have the power to educate the uneducated about the importance of wildlife,” he concluded.
Details: www.walkwithrangers.com
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