Last fall, the Bocks spent five weeks in Africa. Marc and Diane Bock have been volunteering for eight years, taking part in actions such as game counts and relocating animals ranging from giraffes to elephants. During their fall efforts, they visited Limpopo, the Phinda Private Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, and Louis Trichardt in Africa.
The Village of Mallory Square couple has worked closely with African Conservation Experience (ACE), an institution aimed at safeguarding wildlife and providing hands-on work for volunteers.
“We’re quite fortunate to have found ACE to be in an amazing environment with the animals,” Marc said.
For the past six years, the couple have decided to volunteer with ACE, but they have recently focused on animal census, data collection, game capture and game viewing. They have also worked with a variety of animals, including elephants, rhinos, cheetahs and lions.
Before flying to Africa in August, the two of them needed to have a negative COVID-19 test. Due to the isolation, they were able to stay secure during their trip, which lasted until Nov. 10.
“It was a very safe environment, as we were around very few people,” Marc said.
Although specific projects necessitate the use of specific items, the Bocks keep a few essentials on hand at all times. Binoculars, flashlights, collapsible lanterns and a good camera are all must-pack items for the couple.
During their trip, the Bocks volunteered for a week at a rhino orphanage in north-central South Africa. Many of the family members of the baby rhinos had been poached for their horns.
The rhinos require care until they are 4 to 5 years old and ready to be released.
They also continued to work for three weeks in Nthaba. Nthaba, which borders Kruger National Park in northeast South Africa, is a reserve that is home to one of the world’s last rhino populations. They kept an eye on the animals and went on anti-poaching patrols.
“In all locations, the animals were very abundant and amazing to observe and collect data on,” Marc said.
They also assisted in the relocation of animals. Marc had a fondly remembered interaction when he attempted to assist in the capture of some giraffes.
“The veterinarian in the capture trailer yelled, ‘Marc, pick up the giraffe!’” he said, with a laugh. “I said, ‘There’s no handles!’”
Diane has had some amusing experiences of her own. She had a great time singing Diana Ross & The Supremes’ “Stop in the Name of Love” while driving around in a Land Rover.
“We were in the middle of a reserve, and there were wild animals everywhere,” she said.
The Bocks, who are originally from Iowa, travel to Africa on a regular basis and usually stay for a month or two at a time.
Marc’s connection to Africa dates back nearly 50 years, when he visited the continent for the first time as a teenager. Marc and his wife Diane lived in Ethiopia for three years and in Burkina Faso for one after attending the University of Nairobi in Kenya in the 1970s.
After many years, the Bocks have developed a strong desire to aid conservation efforts in Africa.
“We love being vulnerable with the wildlife, taking down research data, and helping animals along with people who are experts at it,” Diane said. “They’re in good hands.”
Diane describes the experience of working along with wildlife in Africa as indescribable.
“When we’re there, it makes us so thankful for the life we have here, and just our way of life,” she said. “It’s nothing like you’d experience in the U.S. It just kept drawing us back.”
Previously, the couple took 25-30 Villagers with them on their trips to Africa. It allowed villagers to contribute to conservation endeavours in any way they see fit.
“We are excited to help anyone who wants to see Africa and its wildlife, and get an understanding of how conservation works there with the animals, landscape and people,” Marc said.
The Bocks’ involvement in conservation efforts in Africa has been a constant in their lives, and they have no plans to stop.
“We never believed that, at this time in our lives, we’d be able to work with the animals,” Marc said.
The Bocks frequently answer questions about ACE and are open about their own experiences. If you have any questions, please contact them at 319-541-5405.