Welcome to ‘Safari Conversations’ – the Singita Podcast.
30 years ago, our Founder, Luke Bailes, had a dream of creating a pioneering ecotourism brand that could help save pristine wilderness areas in Africa for future generations.
The first chapter of this story started when we built Singita Ebony Lodge, in the Sabi Sand, in 1993.
But truly, it began long before that, on a piece of land his grandfather owned and where they spent holidays as a family at Castleton.
So much has happened in the last 30 years, to where we find ourselves now – owning and managing award-winning lodges across four countries in Africa. And, we are looking to expand our conservation footprint even further.
As a brand we’ve always been devoted to conservation and working alongside NGO partners and guests who share our vision.
But at the heart of it all, you’ll find the many incredible people who work at Singita.
Welcome to our Podcast – where you’ll meet some of the very talented people who make our life-changing safaris a reality.
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Welcome to ‘Safari Conversations’ – the Singita Podcast.
30 years ago, our Founder, Luke Bailes, had a dream of creating a pioneering ecotourism brand that could help save pristine wilderness areas in Africa for future generations.
The first chapter of this story started when we built Singita Ebony Lodge, in the Sabi Sand, in 1993.
But truly, it began long before that, on a piece of land his grandfather owned and where they spent holidays as a family at Castleton.
So much has happened in the last 30 years, to where we find ourselves now – owning and managing award-winning lodges across four countries in Africa. And, we are looking to expand our conservation footprint even further.
As a brand we’ve always been devoted to conservation and working alongside NGO partners and guests who share our vision.
But at the heart of it all, you’ll find the many incredible people who work at Singita.
Welcome to our Podcast – where you’ll meet some of the very talented people who make our life-changing safaris a reality.
Saving a Species: Vultures - EWT's Mission to Keep Africa's Vultures Soaring
Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast
31 minutes 39 seconds
1 year ago
Saving a Species: Vultures - EWT's Mission to Keep Africa's Vultures Soaring
A species in a downward spiral. Not cute or cuddly, but vultures play a crucial role as nature's clean-up crew. In this episode, Dr. Gareth Tate, the Birds of Prey Program Manager for the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), chats with Ben Nichol (Conservation Impact Lead for Singita Lowveld Trust) (SLT) about vulture conservation. They discuss their role in ecosystems, the threats they face, and what's driving the alarming decline.
Fast facts:
• There are 23 species of vultures worldwide; 11 migrate through Africa.
• Vultures can clean up an impala carcass (40kg) in just 10 minutes.
• India's vulture population plummeted by 98%.
• In SA, white-backed vultures have declined by 95% in 20 years.
• A single poisoning event can wipe out 50-100 vultures, along with hyenas, jackals, and lions.
• Several species are heading towards extinction and are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered globally.
We spell out the African vulture crisis – the major impact of poisoning (and secondary poisoning); habitat loss; collisions with power lines; and illegal poaching for belief-based medicine. It's not all doom-and-gloom, as Gareth sees real hope for the future.
Hear about EWT's amazing conservation efforts - "vulture safe zones"; rapid response to poisoning; tracking technology (over 400 birds across huge ranges); and a new 'Vulture Ambulance' in the Greater Kruger Park, with an almost 100% success rate with rescued birds.
Every donation funds field staff, poisoning response, rehabilitation, the Raptor Emergency Fund, and tracking satellites. The SLT supports the EWT Large Raptor and Wildlife Poisoning Rapid Response programs. Singita Guides assist with rapid response to poisoning. SLT aims to offer secure habitats, contributing to the Vulture Safe Zone Alliance. www.ewt.org.za
Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast
Welcome to ‘Safari Conversations’ – the Singita Podcast.
30 years ago, our Founder, Luke Bailes, had a dream of creating a pioneering ecotourism brand that could help save pristine wilderness areas in Africa for future generations.
The first chapter of this story started when we built Singita Ebony Lodge, in the Sabi Sand, in 1993.
But truly, it began long before that, on a piece of land his grandfather owned and where they spent holidays as a family at Castleton.
So much has happened in the last 30 years, to where we find ourselves now – owning and managing award-winning lodges across four countries in Africa. And, we are looking to expand our conservation footprint even further.
As a brand we’ve always been devoted to conservation and working alongside NGO partners and guests who share our vision.
But at the heart of it all, you’ll find the many incredible people who work at Singita.
Welcome to our Podcast – where you’ll meet some of the very talented people who make our life-changing safaris a reality.
