After high school I volunteered with Wildlife ACT and could not believe that you could have a job where you spent your days out in the bush looking for Painted Dogs and other endangered animals. I loved the experience so much so that it motivated me to pursue a career in conservation.
Ever since he can remember, Chris has felt most at home outdoors and immersed in nature. From hiking in the mountains and exploring protected areas with his family to scuba diving in the cold waters of Cape Town, his connection to the natural world began at a young age and has continued to shape his life and career.
After finishing high school, Chris completed a gap year during which he volunteered with Wildlife ACT. It was here that he discovered the reality of field-based conservation and realised that protecting endangered species could be a full-time profession. Spending long days in the bush tracking African Wild Dogs and other threatened wildlife confirmed his desire to pursue a career in conservation.
Motivated by this experience, Chris went on to complete his BSc Honours degree in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University. Eager to strengthen his practical field skills, he then embarked on a year-long field guiding course that took him to several remarkable protected areas across southern Africa.
During this time, Chris gained hands-on experience in protected areas across Limpopo, including the northern regions of Kruger National Park, as well as Mashatu in Botswana. He also spent six months in Uganda working in two very remote National Parks as part of his course placement, further deepening his understanding of wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation challenges across the continent.
Chris has since started his professional career with Wildlife ACT as a Priority Species Monitor. He went on to manage the Somkhanda Programme, coordinate Emergency Response efforts, and most recently, head up the African Wild Dog and Cheetah programmes, supporting the monitoring and protection of two of Africa’s most threatened carnivores.
“When I returned, I knew I was ready to get to work on helping conserve some of Africa’s most threatened species. I am very grateful and excited to be part of the Wildlife ACT pack.”