THE Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing (ZAP-Wing) grabbed the opportunity to divert their attention away from the rhino war and entertained pupils from nearby Safari Primary School.
The unit conducts daily anti-poaching flights, mixing it up with rugged rangers and law-enforcement personnel involved in the war on rhino poaching.
They responded happily to a request by the school, from the Mdletshe Tribal area just outside of Hluhluwe town, to educate a group learners about aviation.
The teachers, Mrs Ndluvo and Mrs Dlamini, wanted their pupils to see first-hand how aircraft function and a group of 40 excited pupils, between Grade R and Grade 5, arrived at the base in Hluhluwe on Friday morning.
The children were taught safety around helicopters and then shown the various components and functions of the helicopter.
They also experienced the arrival of a ZAP-Wing helicopter to the base.
Hands on
For many, this was the first time seeing an aircraft ‘in the flesh’.
The pupils also got to sit in the helicopter while the pilots pointed out the various controls and instruments.
This led to many questions about how these machines fly and remain aloft.
The opportunity was also taken to share with the pupils the work of ZAP-Wing, the importance of conservation and the protection of our rhino population.
As the Safari Primary School is located only a few kilometres from the Hluhluwe Game Reserve’s Memorial Gate, they commented that they have often seen the ZAP-Wing helicopter fly overhead to and from the reserve.
This awareness of the rhino war on their doorstep will hopefully help to instill a sense of ownership in these young people and lead to a generation of committed conservationists.
ZAP-Wing was invited to visit the school to share its story with the learners who could not attend the Hluhluwe base.
