lets start with our Mikes...

Mike was brought up and schooled in Cape Town, South Africa and it was here, in the embrace of Table Mountain, that his love of the outdoors and nature began and blossomed.

His keen eye and interest in wildlife was also obvious at an early age and fostered by annual holidays to game reserves with family and close friends, Mike could name every animal in the ‘Mammals of Southern Africa’ book before he was even three years old.

A keen sportsman who excelled at water-polo in particular, he would also spend much of his spare time in pursuit of exhilarating exploits with skateboarding and mountain trail running two of his favourites.

After finishing high school at Bishops with a First Class pass and five distinctions, it was hardly surprising when Mike chose to enrol at Stellenbosch University to study for his Bachelors in Science with Conservation Ecology as the principal focus.

Mike graduated with honours in 2012 and at the beginning of 2013 began field research for his Masters at Phinda Private Game Reserve, researching the population, behavioural and movement dynamics of nyala antelope.

It was a project and work he was thrilled to be doing and within a short space of time, Mike made the incredible sand forests of the region he so loved, his new home. It was here at Phinda, under a canopy of blossoming acacias at the foot of iNthabankosi “Mountain of the Gods" and with the soothing sounds of a wilderness night in his ears, that Mike tragically passed away on the 13th July 2013.

Despite his tender age, Mike has left a substantial and lasting legacy. Whether as a son, brother, friend or colleague, his caring and compassionate nature and generous spirit embraced all. His enthusiasm and commitment to every aspect of life will continue to be an inspiration to everyone that knew him 🐘