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In September 2017, when Andre and Ilse started contemplating their gin production endeavour, the Duke of Summerfields, a quizzical-looking Hungarian Viszla joined the Summerfields tribe. He had a front-row seat to what the family remembers as \u2018the all-consuming experimental phase\u2019. Throughout trial and error, every trip to the distillery and the long, slow hours of waiting, Duke\u2019s expectant demeanour and energy kept spirits high, while his questioning frowns translated into \u2018just one more attempt at a slightly varied recipe\u2019. It was in tribute to this that they decided to name their craft gin after their beloved pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duke Gin quickly became a respected member of the craft gin community and the team wanted to give thanks for their success by donating to conservation efforts. \u201cKruger National Park is our neighbour and with the current surge in wildlife crime we wanted to offer our help. We felt that if we wanted to help preserve Kruger and its inhabitants, we had to assist in safeguarding the border that is currently an entry point for poachers and smugglers,\u201d says Andre van Heerden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt Summerfields the animals are like family so we wanted to support a cause that also heroes the dog and its amazing abilities as man\u2019s best friend and protector of other animals,\u201d says Cecilia Steenberg, Duke Gin Brand Manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To strengthen wildlife protection efforts in Limpopo National Park, Mozambique\u2019s National Administration of Conservation Areas in partnership with Peace Parks and supported by the Environment Management and Conservation Trust (EMCT), deployed the park\u2019s first canine unit<\/a> in July 2019. Tracker dog Fury and his handler have become valued members of the security team by contributing to successful security operations. \u201cDogs are proven to be one of the most effective force-multipliers in anti-poaching operations. They have made international headlines with their successes and there is no doubt that when they are deployed in an area, illegal poaching activities are reduced. A canine unit is invaluable when trying to secure a park that is over a million square hectares with limited resources.\u201d Says Peace Parks\u2019 Senior Project Manager, Antony Alexander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs Limpopo National Park is also one of Kruger\u2019s neighbours, supporting the park\u2019s canine unit was the perfect fit for us to give back to our community. Proudly displaying a \u2018in support of Peace Parks Foundation\u2019 label, a percentage of the profit made on each bottle of Duke Gin sold goes to the Limpopo National Park dog unit in aid of Fury and his team mates,\u201d says Cecilia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is amazing how a family pet in South Africa has become the inspiration to support a tracker dog in Mozambique to help secure the future of wildlife in southern Africa, each contributing in their unique way,\u201d says Kathy Bergs, Peace Parks\u2019 Chief Development Officer. \u201cOver the years we have seen support partnerships form in the most unlikely of places; some between global brands and African chiefdoms, and some between smaller, passionate organisations and national parks, as seen in the friendship with Duke Gin. \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the fund development team, we invite anyone who feels inspired by the work we do to join our efforts \u2013 there really is no limit to what we can achieve when we all work together.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/parquelimpopo.gov.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Fury-tracking_web2-1620x1080-1-1024x683.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
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