Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve

10/09/2026

14/05/2026

NICK DURANTY'S SNARE FINDER WORKSHOP UPDATE: ( If you shared the poster on other groups, please share this message too.) Saturday forecast is cool with high of 22 degrees and no rain expected. WHAT TO BRING:Comfortable walking shoes or boots, Hat, sun protection, Rain jacket if the weather looks uncertain, Notebook and pen, Camera or phone for photos, Water, Packed lunch or braai. There are "braai stands" and we will try to collect sufficient firewood however you might want to bring some backup. PROGRAM: The morning starts with Nick discussing how to approach snare finding, what to look for and how to think like a poacher. This will give us the means to spend our time in the field constructively and not waste effort. This will be followed by a demonstration of working with canine assistant Nitus. Nick will then take the group into the reserve on a practical exercise, further demonstrating what to look for and maybe even locating some snares. This will take us through to conclusion and lunch/ braai. FoBNR Will be on hand to take donations from those who have not already done so by EFT. For queries or bookings, WhatsApp Pete West on 0616608123.

09/05/2026

We would love to meet you there.

02/05/2026

Thank you to those who joined the snare patrol this morning. We really appreciate your support. No snares were found.

01/05/2026

Hi. Just a reminder about the snare patrol tomorrow morning. We will be meeting at 8.30am near the cattle grid on the Bisley Road. I hope to see you there.

28/04/2026

Good afternoon FoBNR, On Saturday we were indeed fortunate to have enjoyed the services of renowned ranger and snare finder _par excellence_ , Nick Duranty of Task Force Rhino on a snare sweep of Bisley Nature Reserve. In addition, we were able to combine it with a training workshop for some of our Re*****on Risk Management security team. Nick was accompanied by trainee Elijah and his faithful canine assistant Nitus. We're happy to report that there are no signs of recent snare activity, however Nick's trained eye did locate 3 older snares which had been there for some time. I strongly suspect that these older snares are responsible for the recent incidents, including the giraffe euthanized. Nick found the dense bush quite a challenge and he was not prepared for the meeting with our little friends, the Chiggers. He's off to Namibia for 10 days where he will be holding a training programme and on return, we too, will be hosting him for a training session for volunteers. But more about that later!

18/04/2026

Good afternoon everyone. Bisley Nature Reserve has had a good couple of months where the snaring appeared to be largely under control. Unfortunately this time appears to have run it's course and we have had a few snare related incidents in the last month. While our regular hikers and snare patrollers are always on the lookout the time has come to begin organizing regular patrols again. Unfortunately, due to previous commitments, I am only available again on Saturday the 2nd of May. We will meet at 8.30am and the meeting place will be confirmed closer to the time! In the meantime please can I ask that everyone spends as much time walking the animal trails in the reserve as possible. If any of our regulars are able to spend a few hours in the reserve please post it on this group and maybe a few of the newer people will be able to join you. Thanks so much for volunteering your time and effort.

16/04/2026

A heartbreaking race against time is unfolding at Bisley Nature Reserve, where conservationists are pleading for urgent financial assistance to end the suffering of a severely injured giraffe.

The Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve are trying to raise R12 000 to secure a helicopter needed to locate and euthanise the animal.