Rewilding Africa: Restoring the Wilderness on a War-ravaged Continent

by Grant Fowlds, Graham Spence

Conservationist Grant Fowlds lives to save and protect Africa's rhinos, elephants and other iconic wildlife, to preserve their habitats, to increase their range and bring back the animals where they have been decimated by decades of war, as in Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This vivid account of his work tells of a fellow conservationist tragically killed by the elephants he was seeking to save and a face-off with poachers, impoverished rural people exploited by rapacious local businessmen. Fowlds describes the impact of the Covid pandemic on conservation efforts, the vital wildlife tourism that sustains these and rural communities; and tells of conservationists' efforts to support people through the crisis. Lockdowns may have brought a welcome lull in rhino and other poaching, but also brought precious tourism to a standstill. He shows how the pandemic has highlighted the danger to the world of the illicit trade in endangered wildlife, some of it sold in 'wet markets', where pathogens incubate and spread. He describes a restoration project of apartheid-era, ex-South African soldiers seeking to make reparations in Angola, engulfed for many years in a profoundly damaging civil war, which drew in outside forces, from Cuba, Russia and South Africa, with a catastophic impact on that country's wildlife. Those who fund conservation, whether in the US, Zambia or South Africa itself, are of vital importance to efforts to conserve and some supposed angel-investors turn out to be not what they had appeared, some are thwarted in their efforts, but others are open-hearted and generous in the extreme, which makes their sudden, unexpected death an even greater tragedy. A passionate desire to conserve nature has also brought conservationists previously active in far-off Venezuela to southern Africa. Fowlds describes fraught meetings to negotiate the coexistence of wildlife and rural communities. There are vivid accounts of the skilled and dangerous work of using helicopters to keep wildebeest, carrying disease, and cattle apart, and to keep elephants from damaging communal land and eating crops such as sugar cane. He tells of a project to restore Africa's previously vast herds of elephants, particularly the famed 'tuskers', with their unusually large tusks, once prized and hunted almost to extinction. The range expansion that this entails is key to enabling Africa's iconic wildlife to survive, to preserving its wilderness and, in turn, helping humankind to survive.There is a heartening look at conservation efforts in Mozambique, a country scarred by years of war, which are starting to bear fruit, though just as a new ISIS insurgency creates havoc in the north of the country. What will humanity's relationship with nature be post-pandemic? Will we have begun to learn that by conserving iconic wildlife and their habitats we help to preserve and restore precious pockets of wilderness, which are so vital not only the survival of wildlife, but to our own survival on our one precious planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Wildlife, Conservation, Nature

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2022

Reviews

[Tilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I was so excited to read this book as I have followed the conservation efforts of the Fowlds brothers for years and so was excited to read more from Grant Fowlds. 

Many of you may not know but I am a HUGE wildlife and nature lover and have carried out conservation work in South Africa as well as working for an international wildlife charity and with the Met Police on wildlife crime.

This book wasn't actually what I expected it to be, I was definitely expecting more of the biology and ways in which farmed areas of land can be made useful for wildlife through rewilding. Instead of this, it was more a memoir and a book celebrating many amazing people that have contributed to Rewilding efforts in Africa but have sadly passed. Although I definitely still loved this book, I don't believe it was marketed correctly.
The stories in this book were rather incredible. Not only do we see the issues and challenges that conservationists face with wildlife but also with people. Issues with locals and local politics plays such a big role in getting land ready for wildlife. Also obvious issues with poachers due to the awful international trade in endangered species.
Although I found this book to be such an interesting and informative read, I don't think it is right for people new to conservation. There are many terms used that people wouldn't understand and someone newly interested in conservation wouldn't have a clue about why South Africa allows elephant culling as it isn't explained. We all hear that elephants are a vulnerable species but what wasn't detailed was that in many parts of SA, there are too many elephants for the environment to sustain so relocation or culling are the only options. It is in east africa where poaching of elephants is so rife and they are incredibly vulnerable.

There were a few issues with the book. To start, it definitely needed better editing as some stories tended to go on a bit too long or off on a tangent. It often had more of a conservational vibe rather than an edited book. I also felt each section in different parts of Africa needed a map to show where abouts in the country the story took place. Each chapter or story also needed to be dated as the book isn't in time order and I often had no idea when things were taking place which was a little confusing.

Overall, a very interesting book which I really enjoyed reading. However it definitely needed a few tweaks and I wouldn't recommend it for people new to conservation.

Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rewilding Africa: Restoring the Wilderness on a War-ravaged Continent
"Dawn was glinting fractionally above the horizon and, as one of the askaris lifted his head, a burst of sunlight seemed to splinter off his elongated tusks like shards of gold. It was how the planet should be."
Against the odds South African Grant Fowlds and other incredibly brave and tenacious 'hands on' conservationists are doing everything they can to realise this vision. Patiently partnering with communities and landowners across Africa, Grant and others are on a mission to 'rewild' vast tracts of African continent by securing land and arranging fencing and security so critically endangered animals can be safely rehomed and provide eco-tourism opportunities for the local people. Their model also involves educating school children to value wildlife and during COVID 19 lockdowns, feeding people so they weren't driven to poach bush meat.
Grant teamed up with journalist Graham Spence to create this page turner of a book. A sequel to The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence), it will make you laugh, make you cry, make you high.

[Crazytourists_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was expecting; it was more of a memoir than I would have liked, and it was hard to follow all these places mentioned. A couple of maps of the area (not of the countries, but of where the different wildlifenparks are located) would have been a great help. It could have (or should have) beennshorter and better edited, but it was quite interesting nevertheless.

[Silvia Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heads up for animal lovers!

This book kept me riveted to the stories of a conservationists struggles as he races to save elephants and rhinos. He is driven to create reserves or wild places for these threatened creatures. It will break your heart as greed and corruption make his job difficult, but your heart will soar at his successes!!

[colleenkrog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read . Easy to follow for armchair conservationists who simply love nature and wildlife and have a keen interest in our complicated continent.

Grant Fowlds is the forever optimist and perseveres where many others would have quit. It was heartwarming to read about the other warriors out there , those with us and those who have passed.

Continue the good work. We need more people like this.

[Jess Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this book in Cape Town, after me and my family adored his previous books. And it did not disappoint. As someone wanting to have a career in conservation, this insight into the struggles of rewilding Africa was so interesting. Definitely going to be quoting this book in my uni essays!

[lynne logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to get really angry. Humanity is not doing anything properly except getting in the way of those who are trying.

[Abbie Skotnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational and impactful read, capturing the immense courage and commitment of conservationists on this continent. Recommend everyone to read this book.

[Ed Stoddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fowlds is a passionate conservationist and this reviewer quite enjoyed his many adventures in the bush and the colourful - and sometimes tragic - cast of characters who feature in the narrative. He has little to say that is original or particularly insightful about the wider issue of "rewilding" but this book will hopefully spark interest in the movement from readers who are unfamiliar with it.
Broadly speaking, rewilding refers to returning wildlife and habitat to areas where the former has been removed and the latter damaged by human activities, making it one of the defining movements of the "Anthropocene."
Fowlds also fails to take critical stock of other rewilding projects that preceded those that currently have his attention in northern KZN, such as the initiative that gave rise to iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This correspondent has followed this story for over two decades and it stands as a cautionary tale to uncritical cheerleaders of ecotourism and the supposed benefits it can bring to poor, rural communities. This is especially the case against the backdrop of KZN's corrupt and mafia-style political machines.
Still, Fowlds has done a lot of commendable work - he is certainly someone this reviewer would enjoy chatting to over a couple of drinks by a fire in the bush - and rewilding is in many ways a worthy cause. But it is a cause that needs to be scrutinised in a more critical manner.

[Stéphane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed insight of the wildlife conservation world intricacies, narrated by a passionate and devoted animal lover. May this read raises awareness about how we are failing saving the beautiful creatures roaming Africa. There is however a glimmer of hope as Fowlds and his fellow conservationists are working hard to ensure we can still admire the big fives and many other species gracing the landscape of Africa.
The book is missing maps which would really help the reader to visualise the geography and location of the writer’s work.

[Karl Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book the chronicles the efforts of the author to establish strategic wildlife reserves in Africa. Thus it outlines the politics and funding schemes that were and weren't succesful. The book does not delve into the science of rewilding and the re-introduction of keystone species, but it was worth reading if you are interested in conservation and the extent that some people will go to bring back iconic species.

[Bickering About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love is that this isn’t a story only about hope, but of action. And, it isn’t a story about one person’s actions but of multiple groups, organizations, and funders. A real story that I will carry with me each time I visit Africa.

[Rudi Opperman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspirational books I have read on wildlife conservation in Africa. Read it.

[Jo Squire · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more books like this to show people the on the ground action undertaken by these dedicated people.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but quite tiring to read because it jumps around so much

[Talia Hatami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and informative. So incredible as I met Grant Fowlds and visited Loziba.