Modisa Wildlife Project

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Modisa Wildlife Project

Hands-on conservation experience in the Kalahari, Botswana. Founded by Mikkel Legarth (DK) & Valentin Gruener (DE) 2010. www.modisa.org
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05/03/2025

Sociable weaver birds and African pygmy falcons have a unique and complex relationship, balancing cooperation and conflict in the challenging environments of southern Africa.

Sociable weavers are known for their massive communal nests, which provide insulation from extreme temperatures and protection from predators. These nests, which can last for decades, house entire colonies of weavers. However, they don’t only benefit the birds that build them. African pygmy falcons – Africa’s smallest raptor – take advantage of these structures, using empty chambers as ready-made shelters.

According to research, this relationship is largely beneficial for both species. The weavers provide the falcons with a safe place to roost and raise their chicks, while the falcons help deter some nest predators, such as snakes, which would otherwise raid the weaver colonies.

However, it’s not entirely peaceful. Studies suggest that pygmy falcons occasionally prey on young weavers, meaning this is not a purely mutualistic relationship. Despite this, the overall arrangement persists, showing how species adapt to one another in the wild, sometimes in ways that blur the line between cooperation and competition.

26/02/2025

This is Madala, a massive male leopard that roamed our area for years. His name means old man in Setswana — a fitting title for a dominant leopard who left his mark on the land.

Leopards are known for their elusive nature, but over time, they’ve become more used to our presence. Where sightings were once a rarity, we now see them more frequently.

There’s even a young male cub that occasionally strolls through camp. Maybe he’s one of Madala’s descendants, a sign that leopards are not only surviving here but thriving. This is exactly what we’re working for— a landscape where wildlife has the space to exist alongside us.

Photo:

24/02/2025

Cattle, sheep, and goats are the backbone of life for many people in Botswana. In rural areas near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, small livestock farmers rely entirely on their animals to sustain their families. But living at the edge of a vast wilderness comes with challenges—when a predator takes livestock, it’s not just a loss of an animal, it’s a financial crisis.

With limited alternatives, many farmers feel they have no choice but to defend their herds, sometimes leading to conflict with wildlife. At Modisa, we are working to change that. Our goal is to create jobs in conservation, offering new opportunities beyond farming.

Right now, we employ 10 people from the local communities, and by the end of the year, we aim to expand our team. Through our active Patreon community and partnerships with Akashinga and KRC (Kalahari Research and Conservation), we can grow even further. Our vision is to become one of the largest employers in the region — proving that coexistence with wildlife can bring financial benefits for local communities.

Being a Patreon member helps make this vision a reality. Your support directly contributes to creating jobs, protecting wildlife, and building a future where conservation benefits both people and nature. Join us: Patreon.com/sirga.

Photos:

19/02/2025

Around Christmas, bat-eared foxes welcome their pups into the world, raising them during the summer months when food is most abundant. With the first rains, insects, reptiles, and other small creatures emerge, providing a short window of plenty before the dry season returns.

While Botswana has seen exceptional rainfall this year—causing floods in some regions—our area has not been as lucky. We haven’t had a single proper day of rain yet, and the land is still waiting. Hopefully, it will be our turn soon.

The image was taken a few years back, around the same time of year, when the Kalahari looked very different.

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15/02/2025

With all the lion activity taking the spotlight at Modisa, it’s easy to overlook the other incredible predators that call our reserve home. We’re fortunate to have a thriving leopard population, and this young female is a stunning example. She likely grew up in the area, and seeing her in daylight is a rare privilege.

The leopard is an iconic species of the Kalahari and has been part of our Modisa Wildlife Project logo for years. Seeing this young female thriving in our reserve is incredible. With a male by her side, the future of leopards at Modisa looks promising!

09/11/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been entrusted with managing conservation, wildlife-monitoring, and conservation efforts across 700,000 hectares (1.73 million acres) of untouched wilderness in the heart of the Kalahari—nearly double the size of Yosemite National Park.

We are deeply honored by the trust placed in us by the Khawa community, who have partnered with us to safeguard this extraordinary landscape.

This achievement would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of our partners, and , who have joined us on this extraordinary mission. Together, we are ready to make a lasting impact on the conservation of this unique ecosystem.

A massive “Thank You” goes out to our 1200 global Patreon supporters. Your continued support is crucial as we take on this extraordinary mission.

Join us on Patreon to be part of this incredible journey. Every contribution helps us preserve this pristine wilderness for generations to come: www.patreon.com/sirga

Address

Modisa Wildlife Project, P. Bag 114, Suite 3
Tsabong
0000

Website

http://www.modisa.org/

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