Wild Tomorrow Fund is delighted to welcome our new General Manager of Wild Tomorrow Fund South Africa, Greg Canning. Greg joins the team with over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation in South Africa, Botswana and the Seychelles, working with species including rhinos, the critically endangered Seychelles magpie-robin and spiders. Welcome Greg! Get to know more about Greg in this interview below.

A conversation with our Executive Director, John Steward, and our new General Manager Greg Canning

Hi Greg, thanks for virtually sitting down with me. We're really excited to welcome you to the team. I know our supporters would like to get to know you, as we have over the past few months. Until the time comes when they can ask you their own questions, I thought the next best thing would be to ask a few on their behalf.

Thanks John, glad to virtually be here.

What's your background?

I've been involved in conservation work for over 20 years. My Masters is in Nature Conservation and I'm currently working towards my PhD on the impact of fire on spider populations. I've worked in a number of conservation fields ranging from research to reserve management as well as field guiding, both on foot and by vehicle. I've worked in numerous places in South Africa, as well as Botswana and the Seychelles.

What attracted you to Wild Tomorrow Fund?

The vision. The expansion of conserved areas and protected corridors is of utmost importance if mankind is to play any role in the reversal of the destruction we have wrought on wild areas and its associated life forms. The holistic approach that Wild Tomorrow Fund follows in involving communities, neighbours, scientists and conservation managers is the only way to truly protect wilderness.

What's a typical day for you with Wild Tomorrow Fund?

*Greg gets up close and personal with a pangolin*

There are no typical days, which is one of the things that drew me to this career. My days vary from administrative work to meeting with players that are part of our vision. These people vary from neighbours and local farmers, to Zulu tribal leaders (indunas), community members, local clergy and community teachers. I also work closely with Wild Tomorrow Fund's Reserve Manger and his team to plot the best way forward to manage the reserve sustainably and scientifically for the long-term conservation of the land and the restoration of degraded habitats on the reserve.

What do you like to do when you're not working?

I love running. I've completed about 25 marathons. My next one is in the Antarctic in 2022, although I would like to complete a couple more before then.

That's an impressive number of marathons! Hopefully you'll be able to squeeze in a New York City marathon for Wild Tomorrow Fund soon.

Where would you like Wild Tomorrow Fund to be in five years?

I would like us to be an internationally recognized leader in the field of restorative conservation and holistic land management. And, I would like us to be a beacon of hope - not only in conservation circles but also by the general public. Finally, I look forward to seeing wildlife use our completed wildlife corridor between the two world-renowned conservation areas.

With so much bad news around the environment how do you stay positive?

I stay positive by knowing that what we are doing is making a difference. There is so much bad news but there are also good stories. We are a good news story. That's not to say that climate change, human population growth and habitat destruction are not monumental challenges. We must fight and we must win.

Have you had any close calls with dangerous wildlife?

Ha, yes. Numerous. Various large and dangerous animals have charged at me and I've been chased up trees by angry buffalo and rhinos. I've had several close calls with dangerous snakes, but the worst I experienced was being chased and kicked by an angry ostrich.

What advice do you give to people who want to do what you do?

Start by getting a conservation-related degree and volunteering for conservation organisations. Build your networks. Take opportunities when they present themselves - you don't want any regrets when you're older. And most important - be passionate.

Thanks Greg. We're thrilled that you're part of the Wild Tomorrow Fund family.

Thanks John, so am I.

Greg with a tranquillzed cheetah at his former post at Welgevonden Game Reserve — Greg with a tranquilized cheetah at his former post at Welgevonden Game Reserve

WELCOME TO OUR NEW GENERAL MANAGER IN SOUTH AFRICA