Shawn Catterall was generous enough to make a substantial donation to the Trust – the money was used to purchase Binoculars for the anti-poaching field rangers.
“I have been in this glorious park for 9 and half years as manager/field guide at Tshukudu Lodge. The animals in this park have given so much of themselves – to me and to my guests. I have spent so many hours marveling at nature where the beauty often reduces me to tears – and considering the pressure we sometimes place on the animals – they are so incredibly forgiving and patient with us. During the time that I spend out in nature I document it in the form of photographs. These photographs, although not very good, have also given me hours of pleasure as well as our past and future guests and our followers on Facebook.
I was lucky enough to be approached by Bakubung Lodge Board of Trustees to purchase some of my photography – this is a HUGE honor for any photographer, and considering that without the animals there would be no photographs, I decided that it was time to give back and donated the proceeds from the purchase to the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust (PWT). Even though just a small amount – a drop in the ocean of what we really need, to conserve the animals in this park – it is a start. The staff of the PWT are so passionate about our park, they will go to the ends of the earth to protect our animals – I salute you in the work, dedication and time you put into our park.
I was not going to make a big fuss about this donation and then had a rethink about it – I decided I would challenge all other photographers that take from the park, in the form of tours, photographs, beautiful stunning special sightings of animals, to do the same. You don’t have to be a good photographer – it is the passion behind the camera that counts. This passion that we all experience that moves us so deeply, without words, needs to be cultivated and given back to nature in some form. I know that without nature I would not exist and I am certain there are many, many other people who feel the same.
SO this is a call and challenge to you all, and you know who you are, lets give back to our beautiful animals. They so deserve it!” Shawn Catterall
