Who we are
SPOTS is a registered conservation company focused purely on the conservation and protection of any an all threatened species in South Africa.
Our Vision
Putting conservation on an equal footing with business and commerce to preserve a future for our children.
Our Mission
Our mission is to increase the effectiveness of conservation by identifying commercial and technical opportunities for companies and institutions to add value to conservation projects.
Introducing SPOTS
SPOTS was formed by Peter Milton, Robi Beninca and Gavin Wilson in response to the ever increasing threat to our
wildlife heritage namely alarming increases in poaching activities, increased conflict between wildlife habitat and agricultural,
residential and industrial expansion, and the destruction of large numbers of cat species in the name of vanity.
SPOTS will always remain focused on introducing strategic conservation thinking into areas and species which are threatened.
SPOTS' principles of operation include:
WORKING TOGETHER GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT ENDEAVOURING Working together with the business sector on realising their meaningful role in the conservation effort. Working with government departments in order to assist in the clear definition of strategic direction with regard to conservation in general. Species specific conservation efforts with a strong emphasis on anti-poaching methods and strategies, and the capture and relocation of "problem" animals. Create strategic links between initiatives where sharing common technology, methodology, information or intellectual property may improve the effectiveness of conservation. |
"What has also become apparent over the past 10 years is that we cannot merely shift the conservation burden onto government structure and departments. Now, more than ever before, those of us who are concerned about conservation must work together with a cohesive and well defined strategy - a coordinated effort between the business sector, government departments, land owners, professional wildlife bodies, the public and conservation organisations" - Quote by Peter Milton, Founder of SPOTS.
Threatened by poaching
Currently South Africa has reached a point where it is losing rhinos almost on a daily basis. Rhinos are threatened by poaching due to the demand for their horns.
SPOTS is working on a multi-faceted security and anti-poaching strategy that involves a number of key components which include armed anti-poaching teams,
radically improved surveillance and tracking technology,
a nation-wide location and recovery capability of "hot tags", multi-layered security breach
systems, improved communications capability, shared topographical advantages, and the best intelligence gathering and information dissemination capability
available.
Threatened by poaching and loss of habitat
Threatened by human intrusion and poaching. The threat to the African elephant presented by the ivory trade is unique to the species and
on the rise again.
The demand for ivory, meat, hide and other elephant parts is still prevalent in many countries across Asia mainly for the use in traditional medicine. Elephant products, particularly ivory, the lack of effective law enforcement, and the remoteness of areas where elephants roam, means that they are still getting killed for profit.
Threatened by loss of habitat
Loss of habitat, competition with large predators and ranchers, as well as its own loss of genetic variation, is putting the cheetahs on the road of extinction.
Cheetahs need open plains on which to hunt. Clashes with farmers: Cheetahs are shot by farmers to protect their livestock.
