Robin's Nest from American Humane - Rewilding the Eastern Cape: Protecting Rhinos, Elephants, and the Future

Episode Date: September 8, 2025

Dr. Robin Ganzert opens Season 3 of Robin's Nest with Dr. Andrew Muir, one of South Africa’s leading conservationists and CEO of Wilderness Foundation Africa. Together, they explore bold efforts to restore ecosystems and protect keystone species in the Eastern Cape—from the new Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve for elephants and rhinos to the Albany Biodiversity Corridor connecting vital habitats.This inspiring conversation highlights how collaboration, innovation, and compassion are tackling the global biodiversity crisis and shaping a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.Learn more ➡️ https://americanhumane.co/RobinsNest-S3

Welcome to Robin's Nest. Many of us fill a deep bond with animals, from the pets we cherish at home to the endangered species in nature. Join us for lively informative conversations where together we will build a more humane world. It's an honor to introduce today's guest, Dr. Angie Muir, one of South Africa's most influential conservationist and social entrepreneurs. As the CEO of the Wilderness Foundation Africa, Dr. Muir has raised over 52,000. million dollars for conservation and social causes, led impactful partnerships to protect South Africa's biodiversity, and lobbied for the Declaration of two World Heritage Sites. With a career spouting decades, his dedication to integrating conservation with community development has made him a key global leader in the field. Dr. Muir's work continues to inspire and transform the future

of wildlife preservation and social responsibility. I'm here today with Dr. Andrew Muir. Andrew, I have to say, You are an icon in the conservation space. You're a remarkable leader in wildlife preservation. And your legacy of work inspires so many. In fact, so many people want to be you with all of your incredible impact, not only here in Africa, but indeed you've inspired conservationists around the world. Thank you so much for being in Robbins Nest today. Well, thank you.

And thank you for having me. And I don't think we could have had a better place to do this. That's exactly right. Tell us, where are we today with this beautiful backdrop for Robin's Nest? We are on a property called Tanglewood. We are in the middle of what's called the Albany Hotspot, which is one of the world's 36th most important conservation areas. So we're in a hotspot for biodiversity. Correct. And you're saying it's the 36th? It's one of 36 around the world. Oh, my goodness. And it happens to be in your backyard. You live near here, am I correct?

Yes, I live about an hour away. Eastern Cape, the province that we are in in South Africa, is one of the most biodiverse provinces in the world. I think it's estimated that Eastern Cape is the third most biodiverse region. And the reason for that is we have three global biodiversity hotspots spots in the Eastern Cape. So three of those 36 regions. Biodiversity hot spots are found here in this province. Unbelievable. And we have seven of the eight biomes that you find in South Africa. They converge here, so they join here.

And that's why you have this extraordinary biodiversity. Well, I love this because, number one, you see the biodiversity here. You see it happening right before your very eyes, this incredible ecosystem, series of ecosystems that have been rehabilitated. I know that's your vision as part of conservation, your efforts in conservation. Where are we today in this beautiful area? Tell us the name of the spot we're on right now. So this spot is Tangerwood and this is part of the Bushman's River, which, in fact, this is the river behind us.

When you and I last met here a few years ago, this was dry. Yes. We've had some good rains, the last few years. years and we are in a center of not just biodiversity but restoration. So we're in the United Nations decade of restoration. We are globally talking about trying to conserve 30% of what we have left. Yes. And so this all becomes so much more important because this really is one of the world's centers of biodiversity. We need to get it right here. And this is why today and what we are doing and what we're trying to conserve here,

but building out these corridors of ecological biodiversity, and as you well know, one of the best ways to do it is to use rivers. And you restore your rivers, you restore your lifeblood. Yes, and this is the Bushman's River behind us. And when we met just a year or two ago, we said on this, same terrace that we're on, and you said you had a dream. And your dream was to come out here, have a cup of coffee, and see black and white rhino, rehabilitated, rewilded here on this gorgeous land.

And that's been your vision. That's right. And I think if you and I join here again in a few months' time, we'll see white rhino behind me. We're about half a year off from having them here. And if you come again in a year's time, I think you will see white and bright. black rhino. Why that's important? Because rhino is a charismatic species. Globally, 80% of all rhino that are left in the world are found in southern Africa. 80% of all rhino left in the world. 80% of all rhino left in the world are found in southern Africa. Southern Africa. And the

majority of those in South Africa, Namibia, the Zimbabwe. Yes. And where we are here, Eastern has become one of the global epicenters for rhino. And one of the few places where we can have three species of rhino, two of black rhino and one of white here. And so rhino becomes the catalyst, we believe, to make that restoration and ecological change, which you see now happening in this landscape. I do. It's so exciting.

First of all, I want to congratulate you because it was just a year and a half ago that we had that conversation, and you're a half a year off of making your dream a reality. And this has not only been a dream that you've had for a year or two, this has been a lifelong dream for you, am I right? Yes. Please share. Well, I was lucky enough to understudy Dr. Young, a player who was the world's leader in rhino conservation.

He saved the white rhino in the semilis from extinction. and why he became so globally renowned, not only is he the golfer, Gary Player's older brother, but also he came up with the technique to capture large mammals and move them safely. And that doesn't just apply to rhino. It applies to your bison. In fact, most conservation that's happening globally now where animals are moved, to rewold areas is because of the techniques that using the same techniques that Ian and his team developed in the 60s and the 70s. Nothing's changed. And that was a game changer for conservation

globally. That's why we can talk today about rewolding. I was lucky enough to understudy him and I took over all these organizations that he founded our Wildness Leadership School, the Wildness Foundation, and that's been my life's work. And with such a mentor, we've got to talk Rhino. That's exactly right. You can't leave a conversation without mentioning the word rhino, that's for sure. Well, you know, your vision has so inspired me. And as the head of global humane society, we were thrilled to begin a very special partnership. I think it's part of my legacy of work as well as to be able to partner with you, making this Bushman's River quarter so special and so unique and helping to, as you say, get it right here to fulfill the

UN's goal of, you know, being a contributor to the 30% of the earth that we must save and bring back and rewild. I think it's so wonderful. So at Global Humane Society today, we've been part of a very special day. It meant a lot to be able to cut down the fences of our very first property that is a contributing property to the Tanglewood Biodiversity Corridor. What does this mean to you? It means a lot on numerous levels. First of all, the future of consolidation in the world

is dependent on collaboration. Yes. It's dependent on partnerships. We can't do it on our own. We need to find ways to work together and work to each other's strengths. I think global, humane and wellness Foundation Africa conservation landscape initiative and others are really leading that charge,

hopefully for many others to follow. If we can get these models right here, we can replicate them anywhere in the world. And so I can't tell you how important it is that we are working to our strengths, we're collaborating, we're working together, we're bringing people into this land escape, you are creating opportunities to your incredible network of both media and the social network and what global humane, I mean, I thought Wellness Foundation Africa, 52 years, we've done well. Well, you have 150 years. Yes, we're a little older than you. I think we're looking pretty good for our ages, by the way, 150 years old, pretty good. But it means that

wisdom and that knowledge that our organizations have to contribute. towards conservation. We know we can't do this work in isolation. We know that island conservation does not work. No. We know that we have to work collaboratively and we have to work in trust. That's why today is so important. It is a very incredible example and an inspired example of true meaningful collaboration. And what I think is very important for everyone in Robbins Nest to know is the appreciation for science deriving these humane solutions. It is science and your background is remarkable and you really do appreciate and bring so much science to the conservation work you're doing in Africa. Yeah.

And doesn't that drive better and meaningful public policy solutions? Well, it does. And you know, informed decisions are important. Yes. Decisions based on science. Yes. What's critical about conservation in Africa and this part of Africa too is that we have to do conservation with people. Yes.

sure that the socio-economic side is equally important to the core conservation side. And so some of our work using science is to join the two, to make sure there are benefits like we demonstrated today to local communities, to make sure that communities are part of the solution, to make sure that communities are living with wildlife, living in and around wildlife, are part of the custodian ship. And you can't do that unless you educate. unless you bring all parties to the table. So it comes back to using good science, to inform decision-making, to using science and culture

to encourage community participation and ultimately ownership. And I think if we get that right, conservation can only flourish. Yes. Well, you say that so eloquently, and it is a true equation, the culture, the local community, their involvement,

plus the science regarding the conservation to save the animals, you bring it all together in a magic mix, then it can actually drive a huge solution. Absolutely. To the biodiversity crisis that we face. When I think about the biodiversity crisis, I think it is absolutely the most pressing issue that humanity faces today.

What do you feel the same? Well, you know, we are certainly in the midst of what they're calling a six mass extinction event. So that's mainly around invertebrates. But you would, with the world's bio, biodiversity, Africa becomes critical to solving that, as does the Americas as a whole, we have to get it right. And so, yes, it is biodiversity is life. It's our life support system. If we lose 20% of our biodiversity, we lose 20% of our life support system. We can't

do the one without the other. And so we have to get it, we have to get it right. It is the biggest crisis facing us. Climate just makes it more complicated, but biodiversity is the real issue. That's very important for people to hear. Climate's not necessarily the real issue. It makes it more complicated. It makes it more complicated. Because look, you must understand that changing climate is normal.

It's natural. It's just the degrees of the change which we can argue about. But whatever that is, the impacts on your biodiversity. And if it's impacting your biodiversity, it's impacting our life support system. system. And if it's impacting our life support system, it's impacting our livelihood. That's wonderful the way you say that as well. It's very, very important to bring that up because there's a lot of debates, particularly in the states about climate and climate issues. And so if we look at the real issue, friends, it's the biodiversity crisis. And we must make sure

we stay laser focused on that. Correct. Because that will provide the meaningful solutions that our planet so needs. And if we get these corridors right, it helps climate. It helps all species to naturally migrate and move to either a warmer or a cooler temperature. So corridor conservation is critical. Having three or 400 isolated conservation areas doesn't solve the problem because you've got to allow species to migrate naturally. And so what this does is allow that by taking down the fences. Correct.

Which is what we celebrated today, friends, as we introduced the Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve the very first preserved for the Global Humane Society. We're very honored to have been with Brad in Alessandries today, cutting the fences literally, and you and I cut them together. We did. And what I love about it is it is that individual, like Brad and Alice, and Alice, that strives for that higher ideal of conservation. Yes. And if we join those individuals together, we get meaningful change. That's exactly right. And I know you and I both hope that this story will inspire the next set of Andrews to come forward and help us here in this beautiful Bushman's River. We can do so much. And I know just in a few months we're

going to have coffee here together. I like mine with a little bit of cream. And we're going to sit here and look at the black and white rhino and then say there's so much more we can do. I am always so impressed when I hear about your work and your stories. You're a legend here in Africa for sure. And you have done so much with World Heritage sites and all. Can you please share with our friends in Robbins Nest today a little bit about your passion for these World Heritage sites you've created? So World Heritage is important because it's the ultimate goal to get global recognition for four areas. And World Heritage also has a whole economic engine behind it because they are tourists that visit these natural and cultural.

I'm one of them. World heritage is around the world. And I think we have about a thousand world heritage sites around the world. And we as a Worldness Foundation recognize that if we can get communities and people carbonize and proud in their heritage, and there's no better way than to have the world heritage status. What you then do is you drive the biodiversity economy. So as much as the biodiversity is, the economy behind us, which is ecotourism, which is nature-based activities, which is activities that don't take away from the environment, but add to it in a sustainable

way, you're then driving, you're keeping people in that environment and you're ensuring that that heritage continues. Because at the end of the day, live- is as important as protecting areas like this. That economic side is critical. A lot of people don't realize that. They just think it's, let's get a space, let's put a couple of rhinos on it, and that solves the problem. But it's more important as you are stating that the economic solutions are provided.

So the communities have provided the incentives they need to help keep the animals to allow alive and to flourish. To become custodians. Custodians. Beautiful. Beautiful. And so the World Heritage Sites that you've been part of, please share those. Well, Okavanga Delta, we were the NGO that put together the case.

And that's beautiful, by the way, for those who have not been seen us, it's incredible. They called it the seventh wonder of the world. And it is. And it's the number, in fact, it was number 1,000. And we achieved that about five years ago. He is in Mangalusel, which was known as St. Lucia, it's a critical wetland, a wetland of global importance. We help to get that proclaimed. The Bavion's Cluf, which is a well-known World Heritage Site in the Eastern Cape, where we are now, an incredible mountainous area, and really home of what we call the Cape Leopard.

We managed to get that proclaimed as a World Heritage Site as part of the Cape. floral kingdom about 15 years ago. So we had actively driven and led the creation of three World Heritage Science and then another two we've got on the list to be proclaimed. One in the ocean, the Agatha Bay and the other the succulent guru. The succulents of the world are so critical to protect now. They become a critical part of that. I think coral is as well. So we always talk about coral. Very important. So that's really exciting because that gives some of our listeners in Robbins Nest ideas in terms of what to champion, what to really engage with. It's very important. You know, I hear your passion and your voice, and I certainly know the outcomes of your

work, which is so significant and inspirational. I have to ask you, of course, you had Ian player serve as a mentor. How lucky, how fortunate. Rhinos are, you know, a source of your love and passion. Was there another animal in your life that touched your heart that really made you want to do this work to such a level? Well, I also like my birds. Yes. The fellow kind. Yes. Well, yes. And the fish eagle. Oh, the fish eagle. Is such iconic bird of Africa. Yes. And when you hear that call, you hear the call of the wild. And so that's also been an inspiration. That's beautiful.

The fish eagle. I think we're all going to try to search that tonight and to make sure that we hear that beautiful call. That's wonderful. Andrew, as you look at the next couple of years for your work and where it's going to take you. Of course, this corridor is so important. What's next on your list as well?

I think what excites me is that in Southern Africa, we're developing this concept that we're calling mega living landscapes. And this is really an African solution to finding a way to keep people on the land, but at the same time to expand and create these areas of biodiversity and link extensive use. So to go from intensive management, which has been hunting areas, to extensive. where you take the fences down and you allow the animals to naturally migrate across massive landscapes. So this mega living landscape concept, which we would like to see roll out all over Africa, and we're piloting it right here in the eastern Cape.

That's beautiful. You know, I flew in to this area, and half the plane were those conservationists that are with this to celebrate the other half war of the hunters. I thought it was such an interesting dichotomy of humanity. But we must remember that some of the great conservationists were hunters. And often, often, if you look at President Teddy Roosevelt, I mean, the legacy that him, my name, Sank, Jean Muir, and many others, what they have done for conservation. And so it's not about it's about the type of use and the type of use

and the sustainability of it. And it's just ensuring that we, we, we, the impact that we have now does not take away from the, from the beauty and the splendor that we want to leave to our grandchildren. Yes. And I definitely want to leave this to, to my grandchildren, and I'm sure you do as well. What a pleasure to be with you today. Thank you so very much. Thank you very much.

And thank you for this incredible work and this gorgeous. landscape we look forward to being your partner for years to come well thank you and thank you for trusting us and the process and working together we look forward to building that from strength to strength thank you so much thank you for tuning in to robin's nest we want to hear what you think please make sure to review the podcast on your podcast platform watch for upcoming episodes that will include new and exciting discussions If you love animals, you'll love this season of Robin's Nest.