After 15 years of searching, and hours spent erecting fencing and removing thousands of invasive alien plants, Dingo’s Animal Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal’s Cato Ridge is ready for the planting of 500 trees. But to achieve this epic spring-time undertaking, Dingo Dinkelman and his team of wildlife crusaders need some community help! That’s why they’re hosting a fun-filled tree planting morning on Saturday, 2 October from 9am to 11am where families can bring a picnic lunch, meet Dingo and the family, plant a tree and even have the chance to meet some of Dingo’s scaly friends.
The 20-hectare Dingo’s Animal Kingdom will be a safe haven for animals setting the benchmark on the continent for caring for wildlife, and creating a unique platform for people and animals to connect. Bought in 2019, Dingo and his team have been working steadily to prepare the land for its future inhabitants, with a goal of planting 500 indigenous trees this month.
“The reality is that, for our natural world to stand a chance, we have to work together to protect it and discover how to co-inhabit these spaces,” explained Dingo, the South African YouTube sensation with a passion for conservation. “Dingo’s Animal Kingdom is committed to being a community collaboration. We want people to feel at home here, forming a real, valuable connection with nature. That’s why we want to bring in the community from the start with our planting day. It’s going to be a really relaxed vibe, with families welcome to bring picnics and enjoy doing something meaningful and fun. Every tree planted gets us one step closer to our goal.”
The team has already planted fig trees with acacias, fever trees and other indigenous plants ready to be planted this month. The ground has been prepared, with community members encouraged to simply bring a spade, a bucket and some enthusiasm for nature! Dingo will bring some of his iconic animal friends with so that everyone can have a chance to meet them for themselves.
These trees will lay down the founding roots of Dingo’s Animal Kingdom, which is set to be a multi-functional facility where animals roam free in their natural environment. Collaborating with other conservation institutions, the haven will be the base for informative demonstrations and schools shows, as well as providing up-to-date training in conservation and offering invaluable research into protected species.
Working with local and international experts, Dingo’s Animal Kingdom will also initiate vital breeding programmes as a way to provide insurance colonies for endangered species. This way, species that are at risk of extinction can actually be reintroduced into the wild. The team will also continue its highly-effective fundraising projects that have made a huge impact on wild rhino, pangolin, lion, brown hyena and various reptile species’ populations to date.
Details for the tree-planting morning
Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of history! Because of Covid-19 regulations, spaces are limited so please RSVP with the number of members in your group to admin@dingowild.com. Remember to bring a spade and bucket for the tree planting, as well as a picnic, extra water and blanket for your group to enjoy.
Directions to Dingo’s Animal Kingdom
Take the Cato Ridge Turn Off from the N3 (heading from Durban towards PMB);
Take a left at the top of the offramp and continue on that road past the new hospital;
Take a right at the Old Georgedale Rd (shortly after hospital);
Turn immediately left onto the D246;
Turn right off D246 just before the Coastal Horse Care unit and follow the signs;
Signs will be available from the Georgedale right turn.
Check out Dingo’s adventures on Dingo Dinkelman’s YouTube Channel, or follow him on Facebook at @dingodinkelman, on Instagram at Dingo Dinkelman, or visit www.dingowild.com. Dingo Dinkelman is proudly sponsored by Toyota and North Face.
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