All-women KZN team prepares for 9000-km conservation trip
The countdown has begun until an all-women team from KwaZulu-Natal takes off to travel thousands of kilometres across Southern Africa - drawing attention to crises facing wildlife and how humans can better co-exist with vulnerable and endangered species.
Headed by Durban-based conservationist, Carla Geyser, the Rise of the Matriarch expedition kicks off on 16 September.
The founder of NPO, Blue Sky Society Trust, says the project aims to emphasize threats facing wildlife.
"There's a huge problem where we are losing up to three rhino a year, 98 elephant and countless pangolin. I just decided that I couldn't sit back and do nothing about it. We're addressing various poaching and wildlife crises."
It's the second of its kind with the first trip taken in 2016, aimed at addressing the rhino poaching crisis.
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This year's trip will see the conservation team traversing four countries - including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe - over 50 days.
"This particular expedition is focusing on the sustainable solutions that these organisations that we're going to see along the way are doing. We will be finding out about their work and trying to support them wherever we can. It's a fundraising expedition so each crew member is paying their own way. I've chosen four different beneficiaries along the route. We are appealing to every South African to get behind the journey," Geyser said.
Geyser says funds raised will benefit four organisations - Elephants Alive, Rare and Endangered Species Trust, Eco-Exist Project and the Soft Foot Alliance Trust.
You can follow the team's journey on all of @BlueSkySociety's social media pages.
East Coast Radio's Erin D will be one of the members participating in the cause. Find out more here.