Website: http://www.struwig.co.za
Location: Balule Private Nature Reserve

Charles was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Charles Trennery (36) is currently the manager of the Struwig Eco-Reserve within the Balule Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

He previously worked as a Field Guide, Head Guide and Regional Field Guide Co-ordinator in the Kruger National Park (7 years), People & Conservation Officer of the Marakele National Park (3 years) and Section Ranger of the Nossob section within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (2 years).

He has therefore spent some time in the moist eastern, transitional central and dry western parts of the most beautiful parts of our GREAT country… it’s National Parks! He is absolutely passionate about conservation… his career is his life!

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I despise two-faced, backstabbers. Phobias? Not any, really… except probably for two-faced, backstabbers and having my freedom limited, that is. Favourite movie? Probably ‘Braveheart’… Go figure!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Being by myself… watching a good movie; reading a good book; fly fishing; spending time in the bush… contemplating the meaning of life and the whole purpose of it all…

Conservation in South Africa

Q: Can you tell us what an average day is like as the manager of the Struwig Eco-Reserve?

A: Short meeting with staff to plan the day… human resources management… reading e-mails… presenting PP presentations to volunteers… managing challenges in and outside the camp… managing bookings (e-mails and telephonically)… marketing (e-mails)… requesting quotations (e-mails and telephonically) presenting guided walks… answering e-mails… welcoming guests… answering e-mails. I guess I spend a hell of a lot of time in front of the computer answering e-mails… a hell of a lot more time than what I would actually like to be spending in the bush.

Q: What are the greatest challenges facing our national parks today?

A: TOO MANY PEOPLE; TOO FEW CONSERVATION AREAS!

There are concerns regarding increasing elephant numbers within the conservation areas where they occur. Scientists, Biologists, Ecologists, etc. struggle to find ways to manage their increasing populations. Very few people stop to think that it’s actually because of the ever increasing HUMAN population that elephants (and other species) are forced to live in smaller and smaller conservation areas. Maybe we should start culling humans instead! The words of Agent Smith of ‘The Matrix’ fame comes to mind: “You humans are like viruses… a disease…”

Q: What advice would you give those wanting a career in conservation?

A: You should first ask yourself a few vital questions:

1) Is money and status important to me?

2) Is basic comfort important to me… i.e. to have groceries and other basic commodities immediately available?

3) Am I willing to work with people 24/7 (yes, you WILL mostly be working with PEOPLE, not plants and animals and yes, during ALL hours of the day… you will not have much of a personal life, I’m afraid)?

If these questions did not make you chicken out, the next thing is to enrol for a National Diploma (or even better a B.Tech. degree) in Nature Conservation, or an equivalent BSc. degree and to then study and work your butt off.

The rewards are definitely well worth it all… being able to wake up each morning to hear the birds sing and not cough out their morning choruses; being able to watch a fish eagle pluck a fish from a crystal clear stream; being able to smell a waterbuck 10 paces away from you that does not know that you are there; being able to watch an oxpecker comb through the fur of an impala, or being able to hear a lion’s roar, or a hyena’s whooping call at night while you are sitting at a bushwillow fire… these are the things that make me feel truly alive!

Q: You must have witnessed some amazing things over the years as a game ranger. Can you briefly tell us about some of your most memorable experiences?

A: What immediately comes to mind are the few nasty encounters that I’ve had with black rhinos. On two occasions black rhinos ended up way too close for comfort to me and the group of people who we were guiding at the time. Being in such close proximity to these ‘magic’ beasts is a heart-stopping, but also at the same time, a very humbling experience.

I have also been very fortunate to see carnivores such as lions, leopards and hyenas make kills and also to actually see these predators interact at such kills… absolutely wonderful stuff! Having said this, it is usually the really small insect predators that go on with their miniature lives right under our feet that are truly amazing to sit and watch. I can only stand in awe each time I discover and learn a little more about the intricate workings of nature… large and small.

Q: Do you think our government is doing enough to protect our parks and wildlife for future generations?

A: Having been lucky enough to be in the employment of SANParks for 12 years of my career, I can only say that this organisation is a world leader in conservation practices. They truly set the standard to be followed by other countries. We have to keep in mind that Homo sapiens does not stand apart, or above nature, but is actually a very intricate part of it.

SANParks approach to conservation is holistically and focuses on all aspects of conservation… including cultural heritage conservation. We can of course always do more for conservation as a whole, but with the GREAT work that is currently being done in South Africa, we are surely on the right track…

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: I guess we’ve been very lucky in this regard. Neither me, nor any of my immediate family have been affected by serious crime (maybe because of the really remote places that we’ve been working and living until now). Some of my friends have however been mugged and one was even killed during an attempted car jacking.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Even though I am very patriotic, I must be honest that I have indeed considered emigration. I have always considered Australia a good alternative to S.A. The US might also be a good candidate.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: Better law enforcement in general. I know that is much easier said than done, but the new firearm’s act for one, surely needs some drastic attention.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: For sure number one would be the Kruger National Park (north to south, in its entirety)! Then to the Marakele National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park… and don’t forget Cape Town and Robben Island!

Life in The Bush

Q: As a father, what are the biggest benefits of raising a young family away from a large city environment?

A: As a father, I face many challenges such as the long way to town, constant worries about malaria and dangers such as leopards, snakes, scorpions, etc. As for benefits, my daughter, Amica (2), grows up away from major pollution, crime, traffic dangers, the general hustle and bustle of the city and she also learns to appreciate the small, but the more important things in life.

Q: What are the things that you miss the most about living in a large city like Johannesburg?

A: PIZZA!!! Enough said…

Q: Living in a city is synonymous with traffic, crime, busy malls etc. What are issues that concern you while living in the bush?

A: I guess I’ve answered that one already… dangers such as malaria, leopards, snakes, scorpions, etc. (not for me, but rather for my daughter’s safety, that is). She also unfortunately does not mix much with other children… another concern. I feel that it is very important for a child’s social development to get in contact with other kids of their own age.

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: Hopefully a new Toyota Hilux, or Mitsubishi Triton double cab 4×4!

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: Definitely the Rugby World Cup… It united a nation in victory!

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The God Delusion’ by Richard Dawkins. It’s important to understand different opinions in order to properly formulate your own.

Q: Favorite South African band? Have you seen them live and do you own at least one of their albums?

Q: Johnny Clegg and Savuka, Watershed, The Parlotones, Springbuck Nude Girls. Would love to see all of them life, but have unfortunately not been lucky enough to be able to and unfortunately only own a few Johnny Clegg and Savuka albums, non of the others… yet!

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Fellow conservationists.

It has been a true honour to have been given a glimpse of what few of us get to experience. We all owe conservationists such as Charles a debit of gratitude for the guardianship of our most precious resource. We wish Charles, his family and all those at Struwig Eco-Reserve all the best for the future.