Jurg Olsen is an animal behaviour expert and has been working with wildlife for over 18 years. Having gained vital experience at his former home, Jukani, he has now embarked on a whole new adventure of becoming a sanctuary manager of newly established rescue sanctuary, Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary which is 900-hectares in size and situated in the North-West province.
Jurg founded the Ubuntu: Spirit of Africa Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary NPC in 2015 with the sole purpose of rescuing captive and free-roaming wildlife species from undesirable and unethical situations, and incidents of poaching. In 2016 he managed the capture and relocation of 3 pregnant black rhino cows and 4 white rhinos from a reserve in Limpopo. The animals were being slaughtered in a poaching spree and the reserve had lost 3 rhinos to poachers with another 4 wounded in a week-long poaching attack.
In 2017 he assisted two other sanctuaries implementing management systems for cheetah and elephant. In 2018 he was contacted by a colleague in Argentina to assist with the rescue of 5 tigers, 2 ligers and 4 lions from a zoo in La Rioja. He explains how he approached his international team and applied for approval of support by Salesforce.com – which plays a valuable part in the Ubuntu Sanctuary development.
As a result, they were fortunate in receiving approval and the decision was made to relocate the animals to their new home at the Ukuthanda Lodge in the North West Province of SA. The Ukuthanda Lodge is owned by Frits and Santie Janse van Rensburg, key members of the Ubuntu family. Sharing the Olsen`s commitment and passion to conserve our wildlife heritage, Frits and Santie co-founded the Ubuntu: Spirit of Africa Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary NPC on this land. The rescue sanctuary is not open to the general public.
Jurg highlights that their approach is not only focused on wildlife rescues but also to grow and develop conservation education within local schools.
“I am not convinced by the claimed conservation education programs of wildlife sanctuaries receiving hundreds of tourists doing "animal watching". Having managed such a facility for many years I personally witnessed that these facilities are operated for profit only, although being promoted as non-profit organisations...the animals are being sold as the attraction needed for tourists to spend their money, and the so-called conservation education programs, with the aim to pull wool over the eyes of these tourists and wildlife activists making them believe they are contributing to conservation.” he says.
Setting up a sanctuary is no easy task and often comes with challenges. Jurg talks us through having had some difficult situations and challenges to overcome.
“Unfortunately, in this industry, it is not so much about rescuing animals but more about ego, money and monopolizing an area or section of the industry. In my opinion, I feel that most people are in this business for the incorrect reasons, which is incredibly sad. We are still facing many challenges which need to be addressed, such as we need to assist the school we have adopted with basic needs such as running water, ablution facilities, electricity, upgrading up the existing classes for learners...then we have the upcoming project of our Argentinean rescue, all costs associated with this mammoth task, such as transport, vet care, camp construction etc. So, we still have a great deal of challenges ahead for us, but it is a small speedbump that we will overcome, with all the support we have.” he concludes.
But it is not only Jurg who has a passion for wildlife and the Ubuntu Sanctuary. His wife, Karen, is also an impactful driving force behind the success of the sanctuary, who specialises in animal welfare, diets, health and husbandry projects. Karen and Jurg are the founders of the Ubuntu NPC, but do not serve as directors on the board. He explains that whilst they are the sanctuary managers, they will advise the board on projects, management and things happening on the ground, but ultimately the decision to proceed with a rescue or project is for the board of directors to decide. By doing it this way, Jurg feels that they can concentrate on the needs of the animals, their social projects and management of the sanctuary. Ubuntu does not just "speak" rescue, but furthermore, they go out there and make it happen...no matter the cost or situation.
When it comes to rescue success stories, Ubuntu is in the beginning phases of their operations, but have already successfully welcomed 6 lions and 1 tiger to their sanctuary – one male (Adam), one female (Eve-Floria) and 3 cubs (Bella-Ntombi, Moomba-Thandi and Zamba-Navid) - all from different backgrounds in South Africa, as well as a Lion and Tigeress from a closed down zoo in Argentina.
For each of these animals stories, please visit: https://www.ubuntuwildlife.
But what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to a rescue mission? The Ubuntu Sanctuary has a quality support team in place. When an urgent rescue is brought to the sanctuary’s attention the managers will contact the Ubuntu directors, their experienced advisors - such as businessman, Brian Abrahamson - and get their input as to whether or not they will continue and commit, or find other means of rescuing these animals by involving other facilities which they have close ties with. Should they choose to proceed with the rescue, the Ubuntu team then has to apply for permits, get vet checks done, arrange transport and vets for tranquilizing the animal, and the process commences. It is in no means a quick process when saving the lives of these animals. The Ubuntu team also has the support of Danny Kolodynski who serves as the UK Manager managing the portfolios of International Fundraising and Wildlife Awareness; Lacey Gray a productions manager based in Los Angeles; Natasja de Winter who is involved in the rescue operations internationally and SA-based KDT Comms, who assists with the marketing and PR for the Sanctuary.
Whilst the Ubuntu Sanctuary is receiving daily requests, it is that of the Argentina rescue that has their attention at present. This involves a big rescue project and Jurg explains how they are in the process of actioning a workable plan and putting all the pieces in place, so that with adequate funding to rescue the poor animals, and fundraising goals met, they can proceed. This will result in the rescue and relocation of 13 big cats from Argentina – 4 lions, 7 tigers and 2 ligers.
For more information on this project, visit: https://www.ubuntuwildlife.
Another big project that is a matter of urgency is the school upgrade. The Ubuntu Sanctuary team has seen how difficult it is for the children that attend the school to apply basic daily skills and explains that they cannot educate the children on conservation when they are being faced with basic need deficiencies such as being hungry.
“We need to help them, in order for them to help us going forward… They are the future in conservation and education. The community is our backbone against poaching. We are employing from the community, we do skill transfer programs and we also contribute back to the community in the form of the school upgrade as well as the upliftment programs we have established.” Jurg explains.
When it comes to any animal sanctuary and the sensitive, yet important, topic of breeding, Jurg reassures us that they will not breed any animals at their sanctuary. The females will be sterilized and/or males vasectomised.
“We do not believe that breeding in captivity, is contributing to conservation in any form. So we have a strict no breeding policy.” – Jurg Olsen.
No sanctuary would be able to run successfully without funding. Funding so far has been privately done, but Ubuntu hopes to raise funds from international donors and sponsors. But most importantly, Ubuntu hopes to also get support from local South Africa supporters and sponsors.
“Ubuntu is South African and I believe we should set the example by getting involved in local sanctuaries, before we can expect the international community to support us. We need our local businesses to support us and show their commitment to preserving wildlife. After all, as locals, we have the wildlife just outside our front door, so shouldn’t we be setting the precedent?” Jurg adds.
As for the animals and what to look forward to next... The Ubuntu sanctuary boasts the exact vegetation that these animals would be experiencing if they were free in the wild – a perfect fit. They have successfully commenced with a number of rescue missions, whereby a lion and tiger from Argentina have officially put their paws on pure South African soil. Thereafter, they have another 2 lions joining the ‘family’ during the April period, followed by the rest of the La Rioja tigers and Lions coming to Ubuntu in batches of two or three animals per month.
Should you wish to get involved/donate please contact Kirsty on kirsty@kdtcomms.com
For more info, visit www.ubuntuwildlife.com
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