TRACKING GHOSTS: THE FINAL CHASE

CLOSING DAYS & LIFELONG LESSONS

As the Conservation Experience neared its close, everything we had learned came to life in its rawest form. The work, the danger, the heartbreak, this was the reality behind every protected animal we had seen.

On Day 9, we joined K9 Conservation and legendary ranger Conrad, whose 30+ years on the front lines of anti-poaching have shaped both his life and this entire region. Together, we stepped into the bush to conduct an active snare sweep. Conrad, a ranger who patrols the Greater Kruger supporting the reserves there, has felt the pain of loss of both colleague and poached wildlife alike. You could hear the sincerity as he told tales of the working dogs he’s lost and worked beside, and bushmeat poachers he caught in the act.

K9 Conservation

With every step forward, our eyes scanned for thin wires hidden under the brush, simple, brutal traps set by poachers hoping for a quick kill. Each snare we found felt like pulling back part of a dark curtain. Some had already taken life; others we caught in time. Every wire was a reminder of the silent war happening daily beneath these beautiful landscapes. It was clear that to do this work day in and day out meant long hours in the sun, keen eyes watching for game paths as poachers often would set them along naturally worn paths from watering holes or along river beds.

As we walked, Conrad shared stories that shook many of us. Stories of betrayal from insiders, of rangers ambushed, of nights spent tracking criminals in total darkness. But even as he spoke of hardship, his conviction never wavered.

“We don’t stop....Because if we do, they win.” - Conrad De Rosner

John Garcia and Michael Terrell with Conrad's Rhino Snare Statue

Conrad’s candor and heartfelt sincerity had everyone on the brink of tears, as his hard work, perseverance, and love for South Africa’s wildlife and the people he works with there resonated in every story. Whether it was detailing the corruptions he’s worked to combat to tales of his working dogs. As we returned to camp, Conrad unveiled his Rhino snare sculpture that was a culmination of his three decades of counter-poaching work. De Rosner paid homage to the rangers who were responsible for sabotaging the poachers’ traps and saving the rhinos’ lives.

“The idea to build the artwork came from having a pile of thousands of snares lying around...we also want to showcase the excellence and dedication of rangers who collect these snares on a daily basis."

-Conrad de Rosner

Green Trax Dog Tracking & Tracing

Later that day, we met the advanced canine tracking teams from Green Trax, one of Africa’s leading K9 conservation partners. Watching their dogs work was nothing short of incredible. These animals can follow scent trails across impossible distances and lead rangers directly to poachers, sometimes stopping them before they ever reach their target.

And then, the experience closed with one final gathering. We sat along the banks of the Olifants River, hippos rising and falling in the fading light, crocodiles slipping quietly through the current, and the African sky turning gold one last time. There weren’t many words exchanged. We didn’t need them. You could feel what everyone was carrying home: awe, responsibility, and an unshakable sense of purpose.

Fairwell, From The Olifants River

Then came Ranger Day at Klasserie Private Game Reserve. This was not a dramatized story; this was real. We sat with rangers who walk into danger every day. Callan, who has spent the last decade in anti-poaching, apprehending dozens of poachers, spoke with a kind of steady, heavy honesty you don’t forget. Corruption. Betrayal. Heartbreak. And still, somehow, resilience.

As we wrap up the Conservation Experience series, we owe immense gratitude to our many partners who help make the experience such an immersive and incredibly breathtaking program. Please don't hesitate to follow and support each one of them, as their footprints in the sand may go unnoticed or unacknowledged, but truly do make all the difference in the world for wildlife all across South Africa. Their courage and expertise made these experiences possible and unforgettable.

If you are interested in learning more about how frontline heroes protect Africa’s wild spaces from the ground and sky, watch the recap video below and Explore the Program!

Learn More

The SFW Conservation Experience is currently enrolling participants for upcoming cohorts. Space is limited as each group operates with an intimate, small-team model to ensure maximum engagement and impact. Please see our Conservation Experience page for upcoming availability!

As we close out the Conservation Experience Series, I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your ongoing care and support. We couldn't do the work we do without love.

Cheers friends!

Sincerely,

Michael Terrell

SFW Conservation Board of Directors

Digital Director