Meet the team

Chris co-founded Wildlife ACT in 2008 alongside Dr Simon Morgan and Johan Maree, building a field-based monitoring model that now spans African Wild Dog, Rhino, Vulture, and Big Cat conservation across KwaZulu-Natal. With over two decades of field experience and national advisory group involvement, he remains one of Wildlife ACT’s most hands-on and respected conservation leaders.

Jo co-founded Wildlife ACT in 2008 alongside Chris Kelly and Dr Simon Morgan, driven by a desire to bridge the gap between wildlife conservation and community development in rural Africa. With a background in commerce, economics, and marketing, including work on conservation campaigns at a leading South African agency, he brought strategic and communications expertise to the organisation from its earliest days.

Simon co-founded Wildlife ACT after working as a Black Rhino monitor in Zululand, where he identified the need to enhance and outsource existing species monitoring programmes. With 20 years in biodiversity monitoring and species conservation, including five years as Associate Director for Conservation at Stanford University’s Program for Conservation Genomics, he now drives Wildlife ACT’s conservation footprint and the global expansion of high-integrity nature credit frameworks.

David is a Wildlife ACT Trustee whose business success has been built around his passion for Africa, conservation, and travel. A BCom graduate from Stellenbosch University, he founded Africa’s leading luxury travel company in 2004, and through its success has been able to meaningfully contribute to Rhino conservation and rural education in South Africa.

Nicole works for a wide range of types and sizes of organisation. She aims to provide a pragmatic and efficient service to all of her clients. She has been working for NGOs for 24 years, and has seen many changes in NGO legislation and the NGO environment, in that time.

Scott is a Wildlife ACT Trustee who brings a distinguished career in investment banking, public policy research, and board governance to his role in conservation. Having visited Africa regularly since 2012, he now dedicates more of his time and expertise to supporting Wildlife ACT’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Anel has led Wildlife ACT’s species conservation work since 2018, now serving as Director of Species Conservation across Vulture, Rhino, and Wild Dog programmes throughout KwaZulu-Natal. With an MSc in Conservation Ecology and field experience spanning the African continent, she brings deep ecological expertise and a steady hand to managing conservation at scale.

Megan has spent a decade with Wildlife ACT, growing from her first role after university into Operations and Wildlife Monitoring Director, overseeing the organisation’s monitoring projects across Zululand. With a BSc Honours in Conservation Ecology, she bridges strategic conservation planning with the practical, on-the-ground delivery that keeps field teams supported and projects running.

PJ has been part of Wildlife ACT since 2016, growing from a Priority Species Monitor into his current role as Director of Nature & People. With postgraduate qualifications in Marine Biology and Zoology, he oversees Wildlife ACT’s Community Conservation and Human-Wildlife Coexistence Programmes, strengthening conservation impact across key wildlife corridors in KwaZulu-Natal through sound data and strong community relationships.

Megan leads Wildlife ACT’s Marketing, Media, and Impact division, setting brand strategy and overseeing content, campaigns, and media relations across the organisation. With a Bachelor of Journalism from Rhodes University and a career spanning travel publishing and conservation marketing, she brings sharp storytelling skill and strategic direction to how Wildlife ACT’s work is told to the world.

Roslyn has led Wildlife ACT’s Finance and HR functions since 2020, overseeing finance, payroll, staff wellness, and audit across all of the organisation’s entities. With over two decades of finance experience and a Diploma in Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Business Management, she keeps the operational backbone of Wildlife ACT running smoothly.

Danielle manages Wildlife ACT’s Southern Berg and Big Cat Programmes, driving Leopard conservation across KwaZulu-Natal alongside Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture protection. With an advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation and field experience monitoring Western Derby Eland in Senegal, she brings strategic programme leadership and hands-on conservation expertise to everything she manages.

Katie manages Wildlife ACT’s Trust and Torgos bookkeeping, Seychelles reservations, and fleet, contracts, and asset systems. With a background in bookkeeping since 2013 and a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town, she keeps the financial and logistical systems running smoothly behind the scenes of Wildlife ACT’s conservation work.

I joined the Wildlife ACT team in July 2014 after spending nine years as a winemaker on my family farm in Stellenbosch. I am particularly lucky to be a part of a rather large pack of African Wild Dogs.

Hloniphile has led Wildlife ACT’s Community Conservation and Coexistence programme since 2025, overseeing community-based conservation, environmental education, and youth development initiatives across Zululand. With a Master’s in Social Development and a background in fire awareness and sustainable farming practices, she brings strategic leadership and a deep commitment to community-driven conservation.

Chris has grown with Wildlife ACT since 2020, progressing from Priority Species Monitor to managing the Somkhanda Programme and Emergency Response, and now heading the Wild Dog and Cheetah Conservation Programme. With a BSc Honours in Biodiversity and Ecology and field guiding experience across southern and East Africa, he leads the protection of two of Africa’s most threatened carnivores.

Kayleigh manages Wildlife ACT’s Zululand Volunteer Projects, coordinating the day-to-day running of monitoring projects across the region while also supporting the Wild Dog Programme. With degrees in Zoology and Wildlife Management, and field research experience in Madikwe Game Reserve, she brings both scientific grounding and hands-on field instinct to her leadership role.

Dylan manages Wildlife ACT’s Southern Drakensberg Project, overseeing Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture conservation across the Maloti-Drakensberg and surrounding areas. With an Honours degree in Environmental Management and a background in environmental consulting, he brings hands-on field management and stakeholder engagement to one of the organisation’s most vital vulture conservation landscapes.

Quin develops and delivers the technical solutions that help Wildlife ACT achieve its conservation objectives, with a particular focus on Rhino and African Wild Dog programmes. After more than 20 years in fintech, including 15 as an IT solution design engineer, he now applies that technical expertise to large-scale conservation technology across Zululand.

Tavish is Wildlife ACT’s Zululand Vulture Officer, working on the frontline of vulture conservation across northern KwaZulu-Natal through GPS tracking, emergency response, and community engagement. With seven years managing a raptor rehabilitation centre and deep hands-on experience with birds of prey, he brings specialist expertise to protecting one of Africa’s most threatened bird groups.

Gareth has been with Wildlife ACT since 2021, carrying out hands-on field work including collaring, tagging, dehorning, and monitoring across priority species on reserves throughout KwaZulu-Natal. With seven years of field experience and a varied career background, he brings practical, all-rounder skill to every project he supports.

Michael coordinates Black Rhino monitoring at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, overseeing one of the world’s most genetically valuable Black Rhinoceros populations alongside the park’s boundary support and camera trap projects. With a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and nearly a decade of field experience, he brings dedicated technical oversight to one of Wildlife ACT’s most critical conservation programmes.

Phillip has been bridging technology and conservation with Wildlife ACT since 2022, first as Southern Drakensberg Programme Manager and now as Technical Solutions Coordinator within the Tech and Data team. With a Diploma in Nature Management and a BSc in Information Technology, he combines two fields of expertise to design practical tools that meet real conservation needs.

Lucy coordinates Wildlife ACT’s Applied Research Unit, supporting standardised data collection and research across all of the organisation’s conservation programmes from her base at Somkhanda Game Reserve. With an MSc in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation and field guiding qualifications, she combines rigorous research with hands-on fieldwork to inform real-world conservation decisions.

Kayleigh Huysamen is an accomplished wildlife author, conservationist, and educator who plays a vital role in Wildlife ACT’s community engagement efforts. As a part-time employee, she serves as the Educational Content Specialist and leads the WILD Collections.

Marumo has been part of Wildlife ACT since 2008, moving from species monitoring into her current role as Community and Coexistence Programme Coordinator at Hlabisa. With a background in Public Relations and guide training, she now works closely with local schools, clubs, and communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect endangered species beyond protected area boundaries.

Jabulani has been part of Wildlife ACT since 2022, beginning as a Priority Species Monitor before moving into his current role as Human Wildlife Coexistence Coordinator. With a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and years of experience around Big Five game reserves, he now drives community engagement and conflict mitigation across Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Somkhanda.

Danika manages the Mzimkulu Vulture Hide in the Southern Drakensberg, overseeing its upkeep, marketing, and partnerships with tour companies and local businesses. A qualified FGASA field guide with Big Five experience, she brings hands-on field skill and a deep dedication to vulture conservation to her first full-time role in conservation.

Lexi coordinates Wildlife ACT’s Southern Drakensberg Vulture Project, supporting Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture conservation across the region, including parts of Lesotho. Her journey began as a volunteer in 2021 before she joined the team permanently, bringing a B.Ed in Foundation Phase Teaching and field guiding qualifications to her community-focused conservation work.

Throughout my life, the more I have learned about the issues faced by wildlife species, the more determined I have become to work in conservation. I have a passion for Vultures and I hope to continue with this work until I can no longer see the Vulture tracks on my laptop screen!

Sandra Parmee coordinates volunteer reservations and communications for Wildlife ACT, guiding applicants through the booking process and creating content that brings the organisation’s conservation work to a wider audience. A Bachelor of Journalism graduate from Rhodes University, she combines a strong writing background with a genuine passion for inspiring people to take meaningful conservation action.

Zime has been with Wildlife ACT since July 2023, growing from an internship into her current role as Community Conservation Liaison based in Hlabisa. She leads environmental awareness campaigns across Hlabisa and Zululand, engaging local leadership, Ambassador Clubs, and schools to inspire the next generation to conserve their natural resources.

Makhosi officially joined Wildlife ACT in 2019 under the guidance of a long-serving mentor in KwaJobe.

Dumsile has been with Wildlife ACT since 2019, and plays a very important role within the Community Conservation Programme of the organisation.

I enjoy working in my community and being the bridge between them and Wildlife ACT. I always say that once you experience wildlife, everything changes and you start falling in love with nature, as I did. My favourite animals are bush babies, Rhinos, and Cape Vultures.

Savannah is responsible for conducting the long-term Leopard Monitoring Survey and bi-annual Landscape Predator Survey across Zululand’s protected areas, in collaboration with partners. A University of Pretoria Zoology and Plant Science graduate with camera trap survey experience from Zambia, she brings sharp fieldcraft and meticulous data analysis to Wildlife ACT’s Big Cat Programme.

Migail has been with Wildlife ACT since 2024, managing the boundary fence maintenance team and coordinating the camera trap survey at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Drawn into conservation by his brother, a previous member of the Wildlife ACT pack, he brings hands-on technical skill and a growing passion for protecting Zululand’s ecosystems to his daily work.

Musa has been contributing to priority species monitoring in Zululand with Wildlife ACT for over four years, monitoring Cheetahs, Lions, and Elephants at Manyoni Private Game Reserve while working closely with volunteers. With a BSc in Ecology and an Honours in Biological Sciences, he brings dedication and a strong scientific foundation to his daily fieldwork.

Wesley is a Priority Species Monitor at Manyoni Private Game Reserve, having begun his Wildlife ACT journey at iMfolozi. He focuses on daily monitoring of Lions, Cheetahs, and Rhinos, with experience collaring Wild Dogs, Cheetahs, and Lions. With a diploma in Nature Management, he brings dedicated, hands-on monitoring to some of KwaZulu-Natal’s most threatened species.

Malibongwe brings a strong foundation in Vulture conservation from his time on the Southern Drakensberg Vulture Conservation Project to his new role as Priority Species Monitor at Manyoni Private Game Reserve. With an Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation and a conservation career stretching back to 2012, he brings over a decade of dedicated field experience to protecting endangered and priority species.

Kirsty is a Priority Species Monitor based at iMfolozi, focusing on the daily monitoring of African Wild Dog and Cheetah populations alongside Vultures, Rhinos, Lions, and Southern Ground Hornbills. With a BTech in Nature Conservation and years of experience in Cheetah conservation, she brings a steady passion for wildlife and a deep commitment to making a lasting impact.

Janlu is a Priority Species Monitor at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, safeguarding endangered and priority species through close field monitoring. He brings a background in anti-poaching and fish monitoring to his work, along with a National Diploma in Conservation and four years of field experience, contributing dedicated, hands-on monitoring to Wildlife ACT’s species protection efforts.

Mohau Marwane, affectionately known as "Mo," contributes to the vital monitoring and conservation of priority species on uMkhuze Game Reserve.

Laura is a Priority Species Monitor at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, focusing on the daily monitoring of African Wild Dogs, Cheetahs, and Lions. With a BTech in Nature Conservation and a varied career spanning marine conservation and hospitality, she brings a well-rounded perspective and steady dedication to protecting the park’s most threatened species.

When I was in school, I would go to Wildlife ACT bush camps in my holidays, learning about Rhino monitoring and nature conservation. I worked hard and completed matric so that I could be part of the team. I need to be a shield for Rhinos because they can’t talk for themselves. 

Elsabé monitors priority species at Somkhanda Game Reserve, combining camera trap data management with hands-on fieldwork and species interventions. A BSc graduate in Biodiversity and Ecology with a background in teaching and field guiding, she brings a thoughtful, science-led approach to her daily conservation work.

Nhlakanipho has worked as a Community Conservation Monitor with Wildlife ACT since the end of 2022, working within the Cotlands community in Northern KwaZulu-Natal as part of the Human-Wildlife Coexistence Programme. Having grown up protecting livestock in rural KwaZulu-Natal, he brings a lifelong connection to the land and a strong sense of purpose to his community-based conservation work.

Nzuzo has been part of Wildlife ACT since 2018, beginning as a conservation ambassador before joining the team in 2021 as a Community Conservation Monitor within the Human-Wildlife Coexistence Programme. He works within the Candover community in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, playing a vital role in preventing and reporting human-wildlife conflict.