Page 46 - Waterfall_Issue 6_2022

Waterfall Nature

2. CREATING A CONNECTION
“Conservation for me is all about one thing – it’s
about building a connection between animals and
people. If you can get a person to build a meaningful
connection with an animal, whether it’s through an
online experience, a show, or a live encounter, you can
basically guarantee the security of animals whenever
that person is involved going forward,” says Dingo.

“That’s why everything I do – every video, every series,
every interview, every public demonstration, every
training session – is all about bringing people to a
place where they will see these animals in a different
light and where a connection can be built.”

3. COLLABORATION
Dingo understands that no real impact can be made
in conservation without drawing on the existing pool
of knowledge and resources while working towards a
common goal.

“True conservation can only be achieved by a collaboration
of wildlife individuals and entities that recognise that they
all have a unique and recognised role to play,” he continues.
“A good example is the collaboration we have with
Toyota South Africa which fully supports our conservation
initiatives. We need companies, individuals, conservationists,
the media . . . everyone to come together if we really are
going to make a significant difference to our planet.”

“The danger comes in when people establish themselves Through his ongoing wildlife videos, talks and demonstrations,
as self-appointed authorities on conservation in Africa. Dingo is seeing results, but feels that so much more needs to be
I fear they will one day look back and be haunted by done to make any meaningful impact.
how small their impact really was. The time for stiff-
necked conservationists, who see their method as the “I need these animals and our conservation message to cut
only way to create change, is over. Our natural world through the chaos of people’s modern-day life,” comments
can only be saved if everyone comes together to make Dingo. “To reach those who right now couldn’t give a hoot
the difference that only we, as a collective, can make.” about sharks or lions or crocodiles or rhinos or snakes.
Those who are so consumed with their everyday lives, that
unless it’s flashy, entertaining and in their faces, they will
never give our wildlife and wild places a second thought.
That is who I am trying to reach. That is how I can make
a difference, and that is why we do everything we do.”

Image credits: Kirsty Dinkelman

To check out Dingo’s videos

and adventures, follow ‘Dingo

Dinkelman’ on Facebook, and

Instagram. Dingo Dinkelman is

proudly sponsored by Toyota.

44 Waterfall Issue 6 2022