‘No Typical Day’: On the Job with the Man Managing Conservation at Addo Elephant National Park
From a young age, Anban Padayachee discovered his passion for the natural world, often observing wildlife along the coastlines of St Lucia and Richards Bay, spotting red duikers, hippos, and crocodiles. Originally drawn to marine biology, the restrictive policies of apartheid led him down a different path. “Conservation seemed more practical and hands-on; it was a calling I could not ignore,” he explains.
No two days are alike for Anban Padayachee, conservation manager at Addo Elephant National Park. Every day poses new challenges and opportunities. One Tuesday, Padayachee found himself actively involved by 8 am, assisting his team in managing a five-ton buffalo for a routine health check, in collaboration with SANParks veterinarians, before the animal was prepared for the annual Kirkwood Wildsfees auction.
By midday, he addressed journalists, sharing how his team successfully relocated 42 elephants within the park to maintain ecological equilibrium. This operation required meticulous planning and flawless coordination, especially as the herd dispersed over two kilometers during the capture process. Later, he ventured to the Kabouga section of the park, where he began his career over two decades ago, to ensure the relocated elephants were settling in comfortably.
“There’s no typical day,” Padayachee comments. “Plans are continually shifting—whether it be a burst pipe, an animal in need, or a broken fence. The unpredictability keeps the role exciting and engaging.” His decades of experience have taught him to keep a spare pair of boots in the car, ever-ready for the unexpected.
“He lives for his job,” notes Johan Swart, a longtime collaborator. “His discipline and expertise have brought him to his current position, and he truly earns it.”
In 1994, amid South Africa’s first democratic election, Padayachee emerged as the country’s pioneering qualified Indian game ranger. His role today is indispensable as he manages Addo Elephant National Park, a sanctuary of biodiversity that encapsulates five of Southern Africa’s seven vegetation biomes.
“From the semi-arid Karoo to the saturated coasts, we oversee the largest undisturbed sand dunes of the southern hemisphere, the Alexandria dune fields,” Padayachee boasts. “This includes offshore islands, such as Bird Island, which houses a large population of endangered Cape Gannets.”
Padayachee’s love for the natural world is familial. Raised on a sugarcane farm, where nature was inextricably linked to his upbringing, Anban’s appreciation for wildlife was woven into the fabric of his childhood. Family outings often included trips to prestigious reserves where his grandfather worked, cultivating an enduring connection with wildlife.
The path to conservation became clearer as he pursued studies in 1990, the year Nelson Mandela gained freedom, and joined the workforce in 1994’s historic electoral year. His education at Cape Technikon, now known as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, laid the groundwork for a monumental 30-year career in conservation—23 of which have been dedicated to Addo. His tenure has seen the park evolve with monumental projects that included setting up penguin shelters on Bird Island and launching the park’s first Marine Protected Area.
“Spending 23 years at Addo is not monotonous—it’s a continually transforming environment,” he chuckles. Upon his arrival, there were neither lions nor hyenas, and significant parts of the park were undeveloped, such as the Nyathi section.
Like many SANParks employees, Padayachee and his family reside within the park’s confines, offering an immersive wildlife experience for his daughters. On that Tuesday, his eldest daughter, Leah, was closely observing his efforts, clipboard in hand, monitoring buffalo samples. Later, she reviewed data on a device tracking the movements of elephants that had been recently relocated.
Leah’s connection to wildlife seems innate; her first encounter with elephants occurred when she was merely two weeks old. As with all experiences since, whether helping with rhino captures or assisting at the coast with seal pups and penguins, she has embraced every opportunity, deeply ingrained with care for the environment.
Padayachee’s long-standing relationship with colleagues like Dr. Dave Zimmermann, SANParks’ senior veterinary manager, highlights his deep-rooted enthusiasm for conservation. Over two decades, they transitioned from professional acquaintances united by crisis management to steadfast friends.
“He is always ready to lend a hand. If you need help, he’s the first to volunteer,” Zimmermann says. “His passion for conservation, animals, and people is undeniable.”
Padayachee’s unique disposition includes a hearing impairment, which sometimes leads to misadventures, humorously observed by friends. His zest for being at the forefront remains undeterred.
In addition to his conservation efforts, Padayachee supports the Kirkwood Wildsfees, a community-driven festival and auction aimed at easing population pressure on wildlife through strategic redistribution while financially bolstering conservation projects and benefiting local communities.
“Anban was involved from the start,” Swart from Kirkwood Wildsfees recalls. “His commitment to the auction has been unwavering, benefiting both wildlife and neighboring communities by providing resources for education, sustenance, and sports programs.”
Reflecting on his duties, Padayachee acknowledges the profound dedication required for this role. “The responsibilities bind you to the job, almost as if you’re married to it. Whether or not on-duty, you’re always engaged as a conservationist.”
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