LAWRENCE ANTHONY LAWRENCE ANTHONY

t just over six foot, internationally to intervene when Anthony pointed out the KZN Wildlife’s Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. When acclaimed South African unintentional misdemeanour of a conservation a neighbouring property, previously run as a conservationist Lawrence Anthony vehicle dropping off one Africa’s most majestic hunting lodge, came onto the market for the Acasts an imposing figure, silhouetted cats, a gorgeous young serval, for release on the first time in 50 years, Anthony snapped up the against a darkening bushveld sunset. 1 500-hectare reserve. largely untouched land without hesitation. With his elegant Parisian wife, Francoise, Naming it Thula Thula, which means “peace Surprisingly soft-spoken for a man who all but Anthony has established a five-star luxury and tranquillity” in Zulu, it has been his home single-handedly waded into war-torn Iraq to lodge and a four-star luxury tented bush and base for his impressive conservation work The elephant save lions, bears, tigers and other zoo animals camp on Thula Thula to help finance their ever since. in the capital city of , he comes across conservation efforts. Twelve years later, after literally hundreds of as a genial and gentle giant, deeply concerned Although he has no formal conservation meetings to establish a basis of trust and encour- about humanitarian issues, animal welfare and training, the skills honed from years in the age previously rival clans to work together for the degradation of our planet. bush have been all Anthony has needed to the greater benefit of both communities and But you would be a fool to mistake this humble turn from estate agent to property developer wildlife, this ambitious community eco-tourism man of the bush for a softie. to respected conservationist. project is set to take off. Like the wrinkly, but seemingly benevolent Anthony, who matriculated from not-too-distant Fences are about to be dropped between Thula whisperer rescued elephants now roaming around his Empangeni High School, was originally drawn Thula and neighbouring community land in a Zululand game farm, Thula Thula, Anthony has to the remote area near Heatonville, inland joint venture that will ultimately see the local Saving the Earth, clear boundaries that should not be crossed... from Richards Bay, as the result of a project to communities owning and operating their own Evidenced fleetingly by a determined glint in encourage five Zulu chiefs to combine efforts game reserves with the requisite training and one animal at a time the eye and the speed at which staff scuttled to create a community game reserve abutting transfer of skills. The added benefit will be an

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extended conservation area of 15 000ha that stopped passing on the essential knowledge of almost every major publication in the west- will eventually join up the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi the interconnectedness of all living beings. ern hemisphere, there is something unusual reserve. Clearly a win-win situation for man He feels strongly that education is essential about Anthony. and beast. in order for mankind to change its relationship He is not a brusque military leader type Adamant that he is not a greenie or a bunny with the natural world. that one would except of someone campaign- hugger, Anthony is of the opinion that conserva- In support of this, Anthony founded the ing for animal rights, with scant regard for tion needs a clear vision and new leadership. Earth Organization, an independent non-profit their own welfare, in a code-red area in war- He believes mankind abuses the environment international conservation and environmental stricken Iraq. because we do not understand the role it plays organisation with the poignant selling line: With a music system in his Land Rover which in our own survival. “Because none survive alone”. has been known to play Led Zeppelin, Deep The eldest of three children, Anthony grew “It is the biggest conservation group to come Purple and Uriah Heep at a volume that makes up in the African bush, moving to , out of South Africa and expanding rapidly with the windows bulge – he is not your typical and then Zululand in South Africa a presence in 13 countries,” says Anthony. greenie, either. Mankind abuses the according to the dictates of his father’s job in The unique attraction of the Earth Organization, His is a more elusive quality, more directly insurance sales. which has borrowed the franchise principle an grounded, down to earth and watchful, but This early intimacy of a youth filled with applied it under a non-profit scenario, is that it with quick sense of humour. There is a hint of environment because we do exploring the bush with Tiger, his Alsatian, encourages members to adopt projects that hold constant and unwavering vigilance and sharp cemented a deep and abiding love for the a personal interest for them, giving a construc- focused attention akin to that of a martial not understand the role it natural world. tive outlet to areas of conservation passion. arts master – likely the result of living on his Anthony says that even at the age of 10, he The Earth Organization’s members come wits in the bush for months on end, where a plays in our own survival could feel that the relationship between man- from all walks of life, from all cultures, races lapse in attention could mean death; and then kind and nature was not right. “We need to and religious backgrounds, all motivated by a surviving Iraq. reinstate or revitalise our natural association common cause: to reverse the dwindling spiral Anthony’s 2003 wartime zoo rescue in conflict; and veterinarians and game rangers second book, also with Graham Spence, The a pool with a view, was named after the herd. with the plant and animal kingdoms,” he says. of life on Earth and create a healthy habitable Baghdad is best relived by reading his well- the same status as doctors and nurses. Elephant Whisperer, which is already reaching The father of two adult sons has also won acclaim This is where Thula Thula plays a part, encour- “There are so many critically endangered best-seller status in the United Kingdom. for his work persuading rebel troops fighting in aging visitors to become better acquainted with species that a war could prompt the extinction With limited time to prepare for the arrival of Uganda to protect the white . nature through game drives and guided bush of a species. For many species, zoos and game the herd of seven elephants, Anthony and his “I think that the elixir of life is to do things walks where one can feel the thrill of watching Anthony feels strongly that reserves are little Noah’s arks – the last refuge staff at Thulu Thula built a boma for initial accli- for other people or creatures. ‘Help’ should be an elephant browsing robustly just metres away for critically endangered species – and they matisation and elephant-proofed the perimeter a subject that is taught at school. Life is about or capture the shot of an spotted eagle owl exit- education is essential in order need to be protected,” says Anthony. fence, but efforts were sabotaged by staff who, giving, not receiving. Helping is the greatest ing the abandoned old rustic hunting lodge (on The current draft resolution with the UN unbeknown at the time, were part of a poaching secret of all – you feel great when you do it,” camera, of course). for mankind to change its seeks to declare an attack on such places as a syndicate that was not keen on having to watch says Anthony. Given Anthony’s internationally recognised war crime, and Anthony believes it has a good out for ellies on their poaching turf. Having a purpose or focus is also one of conservation efforts, and the tangible pride the relationship with the natural world chance of being adopted. The elephants uprooted a tree to short the Anthony’s secrets of success. He says the staff has in being part of it, it is hard to come With cutting insightfulness, Anthony says electric fence and escaped. The matriarch and Baghdad zoo rescue success was a result of a away from Thula Thula without a deeper love of planet on which all life flourishes and prospers, paced and exciting book Babylon’s Ark jointly he has never understood the saying to “think her baby were shot and the rest of the herd heavy focus on purpose. “If you have a purpose, nature and a greater respect and appreciation of explains Anthony. authored by Anthony with Graham Spence outside the box”. “Why would anyone sit inside recaptured. It was only pleas from Anthony that you find a way to achieve it,” he says. conservation efforts in general, while the pos- “We are a ‘doing’ organisation which believes in 2006, but in summary: Through a self- a box and try to think outside of it? Why not saved the reduced and severely traumatised The other lesson from Baghdad, faced with sibility of bumping into the amiable Anthony that actions can always be taken to improve any funded initiative, Anthony arrived in Baghdad get out the box?” questions Anthony, who is a herd and won them a second chance. war-zone chaos and deplorable conditions, was and chatting to him in person is certainly a big situation – and we are doing it.” to help save the traumatised animals at the strong believer in questioning societal conven- Anthony then camped on the outside of to pick something small and work until you drawcard for the reserve. Anthony also uses the Earth Organization as zoo. Ignoring daily threats to life and limb tions and the accepted way of doing things. the elephant boma, establishing an intimate achieved it, says Anthony. That way you build You can expect to be regaled with hair-raising a vehicle to disseminate what he considers vital and with limited resources that were often He certainly did that when settling what was relationship of trust with the new matriarch one small success on top of another and make encounters with wild animals and poachers; conservation education, and is involved in an stolen by equally desperate and hungry loot- euphemistically termed a herd of rogue ele- of the herd in an attempt to convey to them tangible progress. of cunning and intrigue and even betrayal by education programme for schools in the United ers, Anthony co-ordinated work with zoo staff phants on verdant green hills of Thula Thula, that they were safe as long as they stayed on Anthony’s future plans are to keep picking trusted staff… Tales of sadness and loss, as well States, which he hopes will be repeated in other in appalling conditions, successfully saving a learning to trust his instinct over textbook Thula Thula. meaningful conservation projects and grow as triumphs. countries around the world. number of animals from death by dehydration knowledge to save the lumbering but power- It is a moving story that highlights the intelli- the Earth Organization into a major interna- Anthony believes that education is the key to The South African Association for the and starvation. ful pachyderms. gence of these lumbering and powerful beasts. tional organisation, encouraging individuals to future conservation efforts. He says that man Advancement of Science is affiliated to the A film recounting Anthony’s epic rescue is Traumatised by the culling of older herd mem- Anthony was able to carefully nurture trust, become involved. has already had a massive impact on nature Earth Organization and provides access to sci- currently under negotiation. bers, the herd Anthony inherited had become and then set about acclimatising a traumatised He hopes the books about his exploits and and that we are on the way to putting Homo entific knowledge and advises the activities of Flowing out of the Baghdad rescue, Anthony escape artists, and as custodian of the herd, herd to people and vehicles, while ensuring adventures will help in the much needed educa- sapiens on the endangered species list unless the chapters around the world. is successfully campaigning for the United Anthony unwittingly embarked on a personally the animals remained wild and not treated as tion process and change people’s understanding we act now. Unassuming and humble, particularly for the Nations to give wildlife areas – including game transforming odyssey as protector and finally a circus act. about man’s relationship with nature. ▲▲ The real issue is that in the process of civi- recipient of United Nation’s Earth Day award reserves, zoos and marine parks – the same as a trusted friend of the herd. The moving tale The luxury Elephant Safari Lodge at Thula lisation, we have lost touch with nature and and someone who has been interviewed by status as schools and hospitals during times of is recounted in Anthony’s recently released Thula, replete with tree-strung hammocks and Sharon Davis

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