The Barakalogadi community (“BCPA”) owns land restituted to them adjacent to the Madikwe Game reserve. This reserve is the 5th largest conservation area in South Africa. Incorporation of the BCPA community-owned land into the reserve will provide much needed relief to the Madikwe elephant population through range exansion, and access to water at the Molatedi Dam on the property. Expansion of the game reserve and subsequent infrastructure investment will further lead to additional eco-tourism and economic opportunities for the BCPA community.

The nonprofit organization Elephant, Rhinos & People (“ERP”) and the BCPA have formed a partnership whereby ERP leases the property on a long-term basis to secure the habitat for conservation and develop eco-tourism infrastructure. ERP has also assisted the BCPA with two court applications, to overcome obstacles to incorporation and development of their land. The legal process has finally come to fruition this year. Next ERP will fence the conservation area. Once fencing is complete, ERP conservationists will work together with the Madikwe Reserve Management to gradually introduce territorial animals in a phased approach, and eventually take down the existing fence completely.

The Barakalogadi community lives adjacent to the land set aside for conservation, and has been hard hit by the COVID-19 related nationwide lockdown. ERP has committed to assist with feeding the vulnerable in partnership with communities during this difficult time, and has already delivered 6000 meals to this community in May, also generously supported by the James Banks Foundation.