THE THUNDER BIRD

Kyle-Mark Middleton (almost Dr.)

I always possessed a passion for nature and the move to a wilderness area led me to pursue a career in conservation. I completed my BSc Honours degree in environmental analysis and management, after which, I spent the next two years working in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. I joined the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology’s research and conservation project on Southern Ground-Hornbills in 2016. I went on to complete a PhD on the social structures and individual contributions towards reproduction and territory defence in Southern Ground-Hornbills. I hope that I can use my intimate knowledge of the species to help contribute towards their conservation on a larger scale.

Elaine Reeve

Before joining the MGHP I spent the last 15 years employed in zoos in SA, both government and private. I've been privileged to have worked with a very wide range of species but my focus has been mainly on birds for the past 12 years. I have a BSc Honours in Zoology as well as a BSc Honors in Environmental Management and have enrolled to start studying towards a Diploma in Vet Tech. I have hand-reared ground-hornbills in the past and they have always been in a class of their own! I am excited to once again face this challenge and hope I can make a difference to this iconic species.

Sandiswa Kula

I grew up in the village, with grandparents who loved the outdoors. There isn’t one memory of growing up that doesn’t include me shadowing my grandfather (either at home with the chickens or out in the field with our livestock). That was all amazing until I got introduced to plants whilst working at a Botanical Garden as part of my Nature Conservation studies. There I thought I’d found the passion that would keep me sane and sated for eternity. That was before birds and bird photography took over my entire existence. I still remember the first photograph I took of each and every bird I’ve ever photographed. Then came the need to ID each one. Then came my need to know the isiXhosa names for each bird. Then came my need to document each story behind the bird. It is similar to most stories of how we all became so enamoured with these beauties.

This project is an absolute dream – amazing work in the conservation of the Southern Ground Hornbill; the outdoors; and hopefully I’ll get a chance to finally photograph this bird after almost a year of trying with no success. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for the environment, learning new skills and playing a role in whatever capacity I'm able to.

Lerato Mahleala

I grew up in a village, with my grandmother who loved to use her hands to do everything. I also love to do everything with my hands because it’s my passion to do good things. I started work in retail, then later moved to Mabula Game Reserve, where I worked on the Ecology Team, where my hands and brain could cooperate in order to do good work. Something I always wanted. I am the type of person who likes to work hard until I get what I want in my life. For me to join MGHP I want to add more effort with my skills, my drive to succeed and the overall success of this project. I would like to learn other different skills, and am looking forward to do good work and for a brighter future to come.