Six of AfriForum’s specialised neighbourhood watch members in Roodepoort, better known as proto team members, recently had the unique task of relocating a lion named Mannie to South Africa as part of an international animal rescue initiative.
The lion, who was born in captivity in the Netherlands and has had little to no contact with other lions since then, was relocated on 17 April to the Schrikkloof Private Nature Reserve near Bela-Bela. This reserve is home to The Lions Foundation, where Mannie and other lions like him are rehabilitated.
Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, says Mannie arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport as part of international efforts to rescue the animal from captivity and place him in an environment more suitable for his species.
The final phase of the relocation process involved transporting Mannie from the airport to the sanctuary in Limpopo, which was made possible by the logistical support provided by AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch. These six proto team members formed part of the secure convoy that escorted Mannie to his new home.
“This was a unique undertaking for our team,” says Broodryk. “While neighbourhood watches and especially proto team members’ primary focus is on community safety, AfriForum also recognises the value in supporting broader initiatives, when necessary, which is why our members are always willing to assist whenever possible.”
Proto teams form part of AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches and consist of members who are trained to effectively navigate challenging and dangerous situations that they may find themselves in while carrying out their duties.
These members receive extensive training, and to date, more than 230 proto team members have been trained, each of whom plays an active role in AfriForum’s 177 neighbourhood and farm watch structures countrywide.
Manny travelled the 172 km journey from the airport to the sanctuary without incident while in the capable hands of, among others, six of AfriForum’s proto team members. He has been at the sanctuary since then, where he will remain under professional care and receive the necessary cognitive and social stimulation.
* Jacques Broodryk is Chief Spokesperson of AfriForum: Community Safety