Position: Environmental Shepherd since 2009, ≠Khoadi-//Hôas Conservancy
Job responsibilities: Maleska Harases has been serving as an Environmental Shepherd for 11 years. Like most of her colleagues, her responsibilities include investigating Human Wildlife Conflict incidences within the conservancy, educating members on HWC mitigation measures, monitoring wildlife population and vegetation within the Conservancy and conducting regular patrols to combat illegal hunting.
"I grew up on the farm, and one of my chores as a young girl was to watch over the goats in the field. While I was doing this, I also saw wildlife, and I remember how the graceful way giraffe ran used to fascinate me. It was while watching them that I decided that I wanted to work with wildlife one day.
I love my job. I am responsible for the protection of wildlife within our Conservancy and I am glad for my positive contribution towards fighting poaching within the Conservancy. There has been a decrease in wildlife due to lack of rainfall in the area over the years, but predators increase in number causing more problems for the farmers as HWC is increasing.
Being an Environmental Shepherd has helped me to change my family’s livelihoods at home, my kids are also able to go to school as I can cater for their essential needs. My family values my job as I am able to take care of them.
I like the work I am doing, and I enjoy being in the field by myself – it is fulfilling. We should continue to take care of our Natural Resources for future generations and because it also brings benefits to the community such as employment. It is so important to continue the work we do and to educate our children so that they will still be able to see wildlife in our area in the future.”
