From City Life to Wildlife
A year ago, Deon and his wife Kim made a bold decision that would change their lives forever. They left their busy city life in Benoni, South Africa for a wildlife estate near Kruger National Park, embarking on an adventure that would bring them face-to-face with some of Africa's most magnificent creatures.
Documenting the Unexpected
Eager to understand their new environment, Deon quickly installed Ring Security Cameras at "each compass point" (as Deon put it) around their property.
This decision opened their eyes to the incredible diversity of wildlife surrounding them,particularly the larger animals that don't usually appear during daylight hours.
"There is never a DULL moment in the bush", Deon aptly puts it. Their Ring Security Cameras have since documented an extraordinary array of wild visitors, turning their home into a personal wildlife observation post.
"With the motion sensors, the Stick Up Cam captures everything...well, haha, not everything- the giraffes are way too big to fit on the screen." Deon continued.
A Parade of Wild Visitors
Deon's Ring Security Cameras have captured numerous wildlife encounters, including giraffes, civets, porcupines, leopards, warthogs, and even elephants. These frequent sightings have given the couple a unique perspective on their new neighbours and the challenges of coexisting with wild animals.
Living with Giants
While all wildlife sightings are exciting, elephants pose particular challenges. "Elephants will eat anything during winter, when food resources are very scarce," Deon explains.
"They'll eat the whole aloe plant or whatever bush you've got growing." Deon continued.This first-hand experience highlights the delicate balance between human habitation and wildlife preservation.
A Heart-Stopping Encounter
Among their many wildlife experiences, one stands out as particularly memorable. One day, Deon was sitting on the patio when he spotted a brown shape moving toward the house. What happened next sounds like a scene from a wildlife documentary, except it was happening right outside their home.
"It was a Lion.... I dropped to my knees & crawled inside where Kim was watching TV....whispering 'it's a Lion!' She thought that I had lost it." Deon recounts. The couple found themselves crawling on their knees, tracking the lioness as she circled their home.
The situation reached its climax when Deon walked into his lounge area to find the lioness standing at their mesh front door, staring directly at him. "I raised my hands above my head and said NO NO NO in my deepest voice possible. She stood & looked at me, then turned & walked down the three steps & along the driveway."
Conservation Perspective
Tanya Smith from WWF-UK provides context: "While captivating, this footage is also an important reminder of our responsibility to protect the natural world, to preserve habitats,and to find ways to live in harmony with the wildlife that share this planet with us."
The Power of Technology in Wildlife Observation
Deon's experience highlights the unique challenges and privileges of living alongside Africa's wildlife, where a stroll around the garden might include a face-to-face encounter with nature's most magnificent creatures. Their story serves as a testament to the wonders that await those willing to embrace a life closer to nature, and the role technology can play in fostering a deeper appreciation for the wild world around us.
Ring Security Cameras offer more than just home protection - they can be a window into the natural world, capturing extraordinary moments with wildlife that might otherwise be missed. Whether it's a midnight visit from an elephant or a lioness at the front door,these devices help connect people with the amazing diversity of creatures that share our spaces.
While customers do not require a Ring Home plan to use their device, having a subscription like Deon means all events are recorded and you can download, save and rewatch footage up to 180 days later.
If you have Ring home and would like to submit your footage, you can simply press the ‘Share’ button on the Ring app and choose ‘Share with Ring’.