New Warden of Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, Bryan Havemann, has welcomed his brand new Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 GD6 4×4 which was sponsored by Lydenburg Toyota.
Umbabat is 18,000 hectares and based in the heart of the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP), surrounded by the Klaserie in the west, Timbavati in the south and Kruger National Park in the east and north. The new position of Warden over the whole reserve was created in February 2018 and required a dedicated vehicle enabling the Warden to perform a multitude of conservation, community and security tasks.
Fortunately, one of the share block owners at Ntsiri within the Umbabat, Fanie Erasmus, who is also the owner of Lydenburg Toyota and Dealer Principal, with the support of Toyota SA made this happen. Every conceivable accessory to make this a fully-fledged dual-purpose bush vehicle was fitted. Cooper tires donated upgraded all terrain wheels, whilst Lydenburg 4×4 Mega World sponsored the ARB Bull Bar, Old Man Emu suspension, full rubberising of the load area, cattle railings as well as a steel rear bumper and tow bar were fitted.
In a handover on the 9th of May 2018 Erasmus said, “It is critical that our Warden is able to respond to incidents and have maximum accessibility to all areas of the reserve. We are very fortunate to be able to contribute to biodiversity conservation in an impactful way with this vehicle sponsorship.”
Lenny Wilson, Chairman of the Umbabat added, “as a smaller reserve the acquisition of this vehicle would have taken far longer without the generosity and speed at which Lydenburg Toyota responded to our request. Enabling Bryan in the key role of Warden to get around the reserve and to represent the Umbabat at strategic meetings all over South Africa is critical in terms of our role in Biodiversity Conservation and the war against poaching.”
Havemann, has over 35 years of experience in conservation starting as a researcher, wilderness trails ranger and then section ranger in the Kruger National Park for SANParks and has subsequently also worked with key organisations such as WESSA, African Parks, Nature Conservation Corporation, Cape Leopard Trust, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and now the Umbabat Private Nature Reserve.
