Page 21 - Dainfern Precinct_Issue 4_2022

NATURE

Three ways Dingo is flipping the traditional approach

to conservation – with results

nown as South Africa’s ‘Steve have gained a massive international snakes now I respect them’ or ‘I once
Irwin’, Dingo Dinkelman has following and generated funds for thought the only good snake was a
Kfast become a household name numerous conservation efforts in dead one, but now I save them and
on the global conservation platform the country. He believes this has don’t kill them’. This is what we’re
through daring wildlife videos, death- been achieved by adopting various looking to achieve – converting
defying escapades and a genuine significant strategies. the unconverted. There’s no point
love for all wildlife. Dingo supports adopting an approach that caters to
all conservation efforts worldwide, 1. LEVERAGING those with an affinity for the natural
and he believes there needs to be ENTERTAINMENT world, we need to be bringing in a
a fundamental shift in tactics right “We live in a fast-paced world where whole new audience.”
now if there’s any hope of saving the whatever is the loudest, flashiest or
natural world. most entertaining will get the attention 2. CREATING A
“Our traditional methods of of the general public,” explains Dingo. CONNECTION
conservation – being reserved, Empowered with this knowledge, “Conservation for me is all about
scared of making a mistake and Dingo and his team have created one thing – it’s about building a
generally being slow to act – are captivating wildlife videos through connection between animals and
basically drowning in an ocean of the Dingo Dinkelman YouTube people. If you can get a person to
online streaming chaos,” explains the channel, gaining millions of views build a meaningful connection with
KZN-based conservationist. “Simply and amassing more than 400 000 an animal, whether it’s through an
put, we will not save our animals followers around the globe. online experience, a show, or a
nor the incredible ecosystems within live encounter, you can basically
which they live if we merely sit and “Over 75 million people have viewed guarantee the security of animals
spectate while they go over the our videos over the last three years whenever that person is involved
precipice of extinction.” and the majority of comments we going forward,” says Dingo.
have received from these viewers
Since 2017, Dingo and his team are along the lines of ‘I once hated “That’s why everything I do – every

Image: Kirsty Dinkelman

Image: Kirsty Dinkelman
19
DPL