Monthly newsletter - February 2026
Community, Ethics, and a Game-Changing New Project
February in the Lowveld brings more than just the rain; it brings a new wave of community energy, a massive leap forward for Ingwe’s long-term vision and the launch of a first-of-its-kind project we’ve been waiting to reveal.
A Room with a View: Unexpected Guests in the Culverts
Our wet season survey is in full swing! Our research partner, Transfrontier Africa has been back on the frontline, working alongside our student, Tanis, and our newest volunteer, Florian, who joined us last month.
During a routine camera trap check on the R40, the team spotted something unusual peering back from the shadows of a culvert. After staying calm and reaching for their cameras, they discovered a very relaxed spotted hyena cooling off and taking a midday nap!
We already knew these drainage tunnels were popular with roosting bats, but seeing a hyena treat it as a luxury rest stop is a fantastic insight into how local wildlife utilizes these passages.
Did you know that our current fieldwork costs approximately R350 per day. Would you consider donating just one day of research to keep us going?
Watch this 2-minute trailer made by Africa Geographic to understand what your money will help us achieve!
The Heart of Hoedspruit: Community in Action
We have been incredibly fortunate to receive the support of Werner Pauchli, a recently retired Teacher Educator in Biology from Utrecht University. Werner, who has led countless educational & research excursions across Africa, volunteered his time to conduct 14 days of intensive roadkill patrols this February.
He wasn’t alone—the Hoedspruit spirit was out in full force! Werner was supported by Gary Allorto (who assisted for 9 days!), Diana Jones, Nicky Swart & Debbie Prioleau. Having residents step up to help with fieldwork is a massive relief for such a small organization. Their support allowed us to focus much-needed time on fundraising to grow the organization and the development of our Research Ethics standards.
The Ethical Compass: Our New Research Framework
Growth requires a solid foundation. This month, we finalized our Framework for Research Ethics, a comprehensive document created by Elwenn le Magoarou and reviewed by Dr. Tara Pirie, both Ingwe Directors.
This framework ensures we grow in the right direction, focusing on:
The 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) for ethical wildlife research.
Research governance, data protection.
Transparency and professional conduct.
And much more. We are now looking to establish Ingwe’s Research Ethics Committee. If you are a researcher or know one in your network who would be interested in joining our review board, please share this with them!
Amazing sighting from our newest partner, Karongwe Game Reserve. Video credit: Wesley Hill.
Wear, Sip, and Decorate
Before we dive into our newest four-legged team members, did you know you can support our daily operations while treating yourself or a loved one?
Relate Bracelets: Grab yours at our partner locations (Hoedspruit Padel Court, Transfrontier Africa shop, or Industrial Liquor) or online. If you are a lodge or business owner and would like to stock these in your curio shop, please reach out to us!
Arid Wines: Pick up a bottle at our local distributor, Industrial Liquor, in Hoedspruit.
The Final Three Prints: We have only three stunning pieces left:
Ntsakelo: The famous ambassador painted by Vanessa Lomas.
Kusile: The youngest dominant male we know, captured by Tristan Cary
The lady in the rain: A breathtaking female leopard in the rain by world-renowned photographer Mark Dumbleton.
By choosing to support us through these items, you are directly funding our operational capacity.
Doggies & Leopards: A First-of-its-Kind Pilot
Pinpointing exactly where an elusive, nocturnal leopard decides to cross the R40 is like finding a needle in a haystack. While we are identifying roadkill hotspots, we need other fine-scale data to know where to implement high-impact solutions like Road Animal Detection Systems (RADS).
We launched this canine project at the end of January, and we are incredibly proud to say it is fully sponsored by On Track Safaris. It is wonderful to see the legacy of Will & Carol Fox (the original founders of Ingwe) continue through this project. We are so grateful for their ongoing support.
The Team:
Scout: A male Dutch Shepherd (born Jan 2025) currently in training.
Alienor Brassine: A Professional Natural Scientist and independent faunal specialist leading the team.
The rest of the dedicated 2-legged and 4-legged team members can be found on the Canines for African Nature website. If this pilot is successful—which we fully expect it to be given the high level of training—it could change the face of road ecology not just in South Africa, but globally.