As one of the original founders of Wildlife ACT, Johan "Jo" Maree has been part of this journey since day one. Today, he serves as non-executive trustee and focuses on the business side of the volunteer and conservation training models, working from Cape Town at the Rhino Africa office in Woodstock.
Jo’s roots in conservation and business are intertwined. Growing up in rural Africa, he was acutely aware of the imbalance between wildlife conservation efforts and community development. Later, he studied commerce and economics, followed by a postgraduate degree in marketing and advertising, working in that sector before fully committing to wildlife conservation.
Since the very start, Jo has believed in building a sustainable model: combining professional ecological work with a strong, regenerative business and volunteer framework that supports conservation financially and operationally. He is passionate about forging strategic partnerships, designing sustainable funding mechanisms, and ensuring that our volunteer and training models contribute meaningfully to protected-area management and community engagement.
We asked him to share a little more about his life and journey below:
Wildlife ACT is my baby. From the very beginning, I believed in the incredible potential of what we set out to do - creating a sustainable model that could combine professional conservation work with a regenerative volunteer and funding framework. I remain convinced that the work we’re doing is meaningful and impactful, and I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
By saving endangered species, we are ultimately saving ourselves. Endangered species conservation is a proxy for biodiversity conservation. Without healthy, functioning ecosystems, we would lose the gifts that nature provides for our own livelihoods. By saving endangered species, we are ultimately saving ourselves.
Cape Town is a special place to call home. My favourite thing about living here is the beautiful mountain that watches over the city. It serves as a daily reminder of the natural world that inspires what we do. Still, the bush holds many of my most vivid memories.
I’ll never forget releasing hyaenas from leopard traps with Simon and Chris in 2008 - the very year we started Wildlife ACT. That moment was a reminder of the hands-on conservation impact we wanted to achieve and has stayed with me ever since.
When it comes to favourite animals, African Wild Dogs take the top spot for me. With their intelligence, teamwork, and resilience, they embody so much of what I admire about nature. A close second is the secretive civet, which has always fascinated me for its quiet mystery.
My best tip for life in the bush is this: keep close to someone who knows about survival hacks!
Wildlife ACT has always been about people coming together to make a difference. My message to you is simple: join our unbelievable team as a volunteer and experience a truly unique form of regenerative tourism. By doing so, you’ll be helping us continue this vital work of protecting endangered species and conserving the wild spaces we all depend on.
We look forward to sharing more of Wildlife ACT’s journey as we continue building a sustainable future for people and nature. Read more stories about our People of Conservation.
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