Practical experience of science communication at Kruger National Park

When visiting the provinces of Limpopo or Mpumalanga, a visit to Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa, is a definite must. Its unrivalled high diversity of wildlife includes the Big Five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes; other mammals; birds; and mountainous, bush plains and forests.

For the GSN delegates, visiting one of the largest game reserves in Africa did not only bring the opportunity of seeing wildlife, but also included a practical lesson in science communication. Dr Izak Smith demonstrated to the delegates how science communication has led to three different burn plot management strategies in the park. In addition, SAEON Ndlovu Node scientist and GSN Node sponsor, Dr Dave Thompson, took the delegates to one of SAEON’s sentinel research sites in the park.