The result of this story for me had a very special outcome, along with an upliftment in my faith for human kindness, whilst revealing the irrepressible drive of conservationists - whether they be professionals, pilots or supporters.
I was approached by Steve McCurrach, a very hands-on Director of The Bateleurs, a non-profit organisation, to carry out a special mission to rescue a Meerkat that had been confiscated from illegal possession as a pet, by Carina Crayton and Paul Oxton founders of the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation. The Bateleurs Board decided to undertake the mission without consideration for compensation for expenses, as the meerkat is not on the Endangered Species list and thereby not be frowned upon by rare donor funding for frivolous spending. I grabbed the opportunity to undertake the flight in my Cessan170 from Gauteng to Roedtan in the Limpopo Springbok Flats to collect the little guy named Ungulungu and fly him to Lanseria. A round trip of 400km.
Desmond Knoetze of FireBlade Aviation, the Tswalu/Oppenheimer aviation operators, was contacted as a flyer (pun intended) and steered Steve with contact numbers, support and guidance and they arranged executive transport by Beech 1900 from Lanseria to Tswalu, where Alma of Solid Earth Meerkat Rehab arranged to collect him and switch his temporary diet from FireBlade caviar to self-hunted scorpions. The Beech 1900 was flying sans passengers to Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa's biggest private wildlife reserve, to collect returning guests.
Alma-Celeste Stafford at Solid Earth Meerkat Rehab and Rescue, arranged for Ungulungu to be collected for the 60km road journey onward to Van Zylsrus
Northbound passing Cullinan
The kaleidoscope of logistics unfurled; Saturday 07 Sept. fly to Tranquillity Day Spa and Lodge shortly before 17h00 to overnight by generous free of charge by the owner Ray Scott as a contribution for the mission. Enjoy Bokke/All Blacks Rugby match and sleep early. Woken at about 2am by roaring lions from the adjacent Lion Sanctuary with occasional yelps of hyenas and cries of jackals - oh what a delight. 05h00 rise to untie and preflight my Cessna 170 ZU-VAL.
The author's Cessna 170 en route to rescue Ungulungu the meerkat
At Roedtan Airstrip for Meerkat handover. Airstrip belongs to Florus Booysen
The author with Carina Crayton and Paul Oxxton at Roedtan
05h55 commence earliest legal take off for destination Roedtan. During take-off run, I note a movement about 75 metres to the side - a herd of wildebeest, spooked by the engine noise, running along. Now flying in silky smooth dawn air and watching the sun rise in the east. Overhead the lovely snow-white farm airstrip near Roedtan with Carina and Paul waiting for me with precious Ungulungu in his carrier. I land at 06h32. A photo session takes place and the emotional handover of the little animal, and I get showered with gifts. I would love to have stayed longer but had to be at Lanseria to meet the B1900 before 08h10.
The author on the way to Lanseria with the precious cargo safely secured on the back seat of his Cessna 170
I take off with the little animal whimpering for about 30 seconds and then he goes to sleep. We fly at 5,500' in velvety smooth air and land at Lanseria with no delay, following a Safair B738.
Ungululu's passenger ticket and passenger ID
After taxying into the Execujet apron, I hand over Ungulungu in his carrier with laminated passenger ID and ticket to Albie Mouton and Richardt and have another photo session. They depart at 08h15 and arrive at Tswalu 1hr 15mins later. Albie sent many voice notes and a GPS tracking link for anyone who wanted to follow their progress. To meet them at Tswalu was Clement Motau who delivered Ungulungu to Alama at Van Zylsrus Solid Earth Meerkat and Rehab.
Alma immediately reported that Ungulungu was home and being introduced to other young meerkats. Alma ended that message with 'You ALL made this possible. He is home and I am crying” We will be updated on his progress and re-wilding which can take about 2 years
I have shed so many happy tears during this mission. It was a wild success. I am staggered by the concern of all who were involved. Passion and people like this cannot be bought - they are simply priceless, and you are all applauded and appreciated, with sincerest of thanks.
Never has more fuss been made around a mere-kat (LOL) but let us look past that and see this as a display of the drive which urges The Bateleurs to serve as they do, with a willingness and an inspiring passion. Long may The Bateleurs institution survive.
