Compassion for animals
From excitement to humility, from courage to insecurity: The bush is an emotional place. Which is beautiful because it helps you to reconnect with your feelings. Is it always easy? Definitely not. A challenging one can be compassion – for an animal that has lost its life.
While doing my Level 1 Field Guide in Mashatu one early morning, we found a couple of very excited hyenas feeding on a blue wildebeest. This was weird because they would not hunt such a big antelope themselves. But it couldn’t be leftovers from lions either since the pride was seen in another part of the reserve just yesterday.
We came back on foot in the afternoon. The hyenas were gone, and so were most parts of the dead animal – not the snare, though, that was wrapped around the hindfoot of the wildebeest. We guessed that poachers had already put out snares a while ago – hoping to catch some game to sell on the meat market. Our camp was still relatively new to the area, so before, no human activity would disturb their actions. But now, with us present, they got interrupted and might not dare anymore to check the traps they laid out. It still killed that poor wildebeest, making it an easy meal for the hyenas.
We stood silently, not knowing what to say, dealing with our emotions.
The explanation
After a while, our instructor started to explain the situation to us. He talked about the suffering of the animals and the people who suffered and what made them do this. About how complex of a situation we just stumbled upon. He was expressing his frustration as much as his deep sadness paired with hope, allowing us to let our feelings flow.
The power of emotions
In the bush, there is no way to avoid your own emotions. Here, you have to sit with your feelings, walk with them, and take them to the fireplace in the evening, where you share your stories of the day. And you learn that within the harshness of it, there is much more than this sadness: There is compassion. A strong connection and love for nature’s creatures that touches you deeply in your very core.
In the bush, you can learn to redefine the narrative of grieving and turn it into empathy: If you see an animal being killed—by a predator, a poacher, or a dying ecosystem—it makes you feel something. Whether it is anger, sadness, or hopelessness, in the end, it emphasizes that you are very much alive. And with that comes the ability to act on your emotions and create change where needed.
Immerse yourself in the African wilderness, expand your knowledge, and embark on a transformative learning experience with EcoTraining.
Sign up for the 28-day Trails Guide Course today!
For more information on the 28-day Trails Guide Course, contact [email protected] or call +27 (0)13 7522532
A Glimpse of the Trails Guide Course?
EcoTraining has the right course that offers an exciting opportunity to learn about wildlife on some of Africa’s most beautiful wilderness trails. Our Trails Guide course may equip aspiring trail guides with the skills to lead walks and give guests an unforgettable experience. We join EcoTraining Instructor Jon-Jon van Zyl, who will take us on an adventure through the bush on foot, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from the 28-day Trails Guide course.
