Jaco joined the Cape Leopard Trust team in August 2019 as the Cedarburg based Environmental Educator. Jaco grew up on a wine farm in the Olifants River valley close to Vredendal. As a young boy, Jaco had a variety of abandoned animals in his care, anything from meerkats to duikers found a loving home in the Fourie household.

His love for animals led to Jaco studying a BSc at Stellenbosch University. He then furthered his studies at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth where he received a Diploma in Game Ranch Management.

Jaco loves to share his knowledge and passion for nature with young and old from informal chats with children to more formal presentations for educational purposes. After his studies, he worked at Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat (one of the sponsors) for 8 years as head field guide and reserve manager it is here where he first met the Cape Leopard Trust.

Working closely with the CLT ignited his passion and love for the leopards of the Cederberg and was so lucky to see a leopard in its natural habitat…….. twice.

Jaco believes that the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and they are the ones that will have to make important and educated decisions regarding nature and the sustainable utilization thereof.

Education is the easiest way to kickstart conservation!!