From Classroom to Bushveld | 2025 Conservation Students at HERD

At HERD, we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders. Each year, we have the privilege of welcoming students from institutions like the NewBridge Graduate Institute to gain hands-on experience in elephant care, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. These students bring energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives, and in return, they leave having learned valuable lessons that will shape their future careers. In this blog, we invite you to hear directly from the students themselves, as they reflect on their experiences, challenges, and the moments that inspired them most during their time at HERD.

What did you learn during your time at HERD as a student?

“This year I had the privilege of working at Jabulani Safari, HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development), and HESC (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre). When I first arrived, I’ll admit I was scared, starting a new chapter so far from my family felt overwhelming. But beneath the fear was the excitement of stepping into the life I’ve always dreamed of.
I learned more this year than I ever expected. I learned how to protect the environment hands-on, how to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and how to teach others about nature in a way that inspires them. I learned patience, resilience, and responsibility. And the biggest lesson was this: change is constant and embracing it is the only way to grow.” – René

“The amount of work needed to actually run a reserve, the amount of moving parts, the number of things that can go wrong and the amount of time to restore an environment and rehabilitate an area from previous land use purposes and from erosion caused by previous land use. The scale on which things occur is not always seen from the outside but from the inside getting to see everything that needs to be done is large.” – Eduan

“My work integrated year at Jabulani and HERD was very informative and full of growth. I learned in depth how a reserve functions, what a large part waste management plays in conserving our natural areas and just how important it is to protect the natural environment. Throughout this year I greatly enjoyed working in the Aquaponics, a peaceful system that grew with all the love and care I put into it.” – Lily

What challenged you the most?

“The most challenging part of the year was adapting, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Living far from home, adjusting to new routines, meeting new people, learning new systems, and facing the intensity of conservation work pushed me in ways I wasn’t prepared for. But those challenges shaped me. They taught me who I am under pressure and how deeply I care about this work.” – René

“Twisting an ankle, tearing my ligaments and having to go for surgery. Losing a lot of time from it and restricting what I can do for a good portion of the year. Put me behind with a lot of work but allowed me to find solutions to problems that were created from it and using it as a learning experience, it also taught me I should stay away from stairs.” – Eduan

“The most challenging part of my experience was wrapping my head around all the ethical considerations that need to be taken concerning conservation and just how much we as humans have an equal physical and emotional responsibility in protecting our ecosystems.” – Lily

What was the highlight of your year?

“The highlight of my year was, without question, the people and the elephants. The community at Jabulani and HERD became a second family. They welcomed me, supported me, and made even the hardest days feel worthwhile. And the elephants… they changed me. Watching them every day, recognising their personalities, and being part of their world left an imprint on my heart that will never fade.” – René

“Getting to work with a brilliant amount of people, from the carers to the general staff, to great managers that provided a good amount of things to learn, provided new challenges that allowed me to grow and learn more during the year. Another highlight was getting to get closer to animals, at both HERD and HESC and getting to learn the animals, learning about the Jabulani herd, and getting close and personal with the animals at HESC to learn something about working and caring for animals.
The biggest highlight is the care between people the new family created concern over you, your health, the jokes that could be made. Having a second set of people able to stand in for family that is far away and ensuring your wellbeing and happiness and knowing when something is wrong and providing helpful advice.” – Eduan

“The highlight of my year was by far working with like-minded individuals whose passion for conservation gives me hope for the future.” – Lily

What have you taken away from the year’s experience that will influence your future?

“Although my time at HESC was short, it gave me a whole new respect for conservation centres. The passion of the staff, their dedication to every single animal, and the daily hard work behind the scenes showed me what true commitment looks like. Working under two women who built successful conservation organisations from the ground up was incredibly inspiring and reminded me that strong leadership and love for nature can create real change.” – René

“Nothing is easy, there are challenges in every organization, things can sometimes seem shiny on top but underneath can be a dumpster fire, with the amount of moving parts, the influence one action can have on other action, the negative effects which occur from things not being done right and the conflicts that can occur between people in a workplace. Learning how to navigate the obstacles and how to best find a solution to maintain peace and finding ways around obstacles that come into your way in a workplace. These challenges can include coworkers, transition between leaders, changes in daily operations and the fear of changes introduced, but only after the obstacle has been passed will you notice it is sometimes for the better and teaches you a lot more in the long term and to sometimes accept challenges and face them with a new and better perspective.” – Eduan

“I have learned just how much resources and funding is required to make the dreams of conservation a reality, and that all the people working towards conserving our fauna and flora are the heartbeats of protecting nature for future generations. This understanding will guide how I approach conservation work in the future.” – Lily

How has your view on conservation changed? If at all?

“This year changed my view on conservation. Before, conservation felt more like an idea, something I loved and believed in. Now it feels real, urgent, and deeply personal. I’ve seen how much work still lies ahead and how important every person in this industry is. Conservation isn’t just about animals; it’s about communities, teamwork, education, long hours, sacrifice, and heart.
What I’m taking away from this year will shape my future, the lessons about resilience, teamwork, compassion, and the reality of conservation on the ground. I know now that this is the world I want to be part of. There’s still a long road ahead, in conservation and in my own journey, but I’m excited to continue learning and growing.” – René

“The amount of work that truly goes into it all. Textbook learning and practical experience are two very different things, and a lot more occurs on the ground, the amount of administration, and the amount of work truly needed to ensure true conservation. Best management practices to preserve as much as possible and to sustain the environment and all its encompassing features which are the animals, the vegetation, and the people and finding the right harmony where all 3 can coexist with minimal negative effects on each other.” – Eduan

“My view on conservation has deepened after seeing it in action. I now better understand the ethical responsibilities humans have in protecting ecosystems, and the physical and emotional commitment it takes to ensure the survival of our natural areas.” – Lily

What are your plans for the future?

“My plans for the future are simple. To keep moving forward in conservation, to keep gaining experience, to keep working with wildlife and communities, and to keep following the path this year started for me. I can’t wait to see where it leads.” – René

“My plans are to study further and eventually gain a degree in veterinary medicine, specialising in wildlife. Alternatively, is to work further and get an opportunity to gain more real-world experience in conservation and in reserve management, in relation to my Diploma in Nature Management.” – Eduan

“I hope in future to make a difference, no matter how big or small, as long as I can help protect the beautiful creation that is nature.” – Lily

The insights shared by these students remind us why programmes like this are so important. Every challenge faced, every lesson learned, and every special moment spent with the herd contribute to shaping skilled, passionate conservationists. We are proud to have been a part of their journey and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the world. To the students who joined us this year: thank you for your curiosity, dedication and love for elephants. We can’t wait to see where your passion for conservation takes you next.