Migail has been with Wildlife ACT since 2024, managing the boundary fence maintenance team and coordinating the camera trap survey at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Drawn into conservation by his brother, a previous member of the Wildlife ACT pack, he brings hands-on technical skill and a growing passion for protecting Zululand’s ecosystems to his daily work.
Migail grew up in Johannesburg, next to a protected area in the middle of the city, with one brother who introduced him to birding and animal behaviour, and another who first drew him into wildlife conservation through visits to a game reserve in Zululand. Those visits sealed his love for the region and its conservation work. He completed his FGASA Level 2 qualification, along with venomous snake handling, first aid, and firearm proficiency training, and joined Wildlife ACT in 2024.
Based at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Migail manages the team responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting the park’s detection fence, liaising with stakeholders and directing the team’s efforts, as well as maintaining predator bomas across the park.
He also coordinates the park’s camera trap survey, ensuring cameras are checked, data is secured, and priority species sightings are logged and reported, increasingly supported by AI-assisted image analysis. His work spans both the Boundary Project, which protects neighbouring communities and wildlife alike, and the Camera Trap Project, which captures footage of elusive and endangered species and contributes valuable data to wider monitoring efforts.
Outside of work, Migail enjoys snorkelling and travelling, with a particular love for South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal.
“There is nothing as beautiful as an intact, healthy ecosystem. Helping to conserve what we have is what it’s all about for me.”