2022 08 Knepp Rewilding

Rotary Knepp Wildlife Safari 18 Aug 2022

13 Rotarians and partners piled on to an all-terrain, open sided Pinzgauer (Austrian Troop Carrier) vehicle to be taken on safari across some of the 3,500 acres of Sussex to experience the rewilding project with herds of animals roaming freely. See photos of some attached – Longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies (in the distance only), Tamworth pigs, red and fallow deer. White storks are nesting at Knepp Castle Estate having been absent for six centuries and reintroduced to UK in 2020. Interestingly, recorded as last seen on St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh in 1416.

Our guide for the afternoon was Ecology expert Tom who was massively knowledgeable about the balance of Nature within the rewilding estate at Knepp Castle (according to Sian at least, he was a fine specimen of a young man himself). He also had some interesting views on the interactions of Man and domesticated animals throughout the World

Chocolate Brownies and elderflower drink to quench the thirst were enjoyed within splashing distance of the 2 beavers (not to be seen today though).

The whole trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all, so I will investigate a follow up trip to Knepp Castle Estate, maybe doing something slightly different next time

Tom also reminded us of 3 basic needs of Nature which we can supply in our own gardens: 1) Water, preferably as a pond 2) Decaying wood pile 3) Compost on the soil – either home made or from horse manure but always peat-free if bought in.

Andrew Mitchell