The Team

John Brooke Dyer

Chairman

John Dyer is the founder and current patron of the Ajubatus Foundation, with a great understanding of our wildlife and the preservation of endangered species. As a businessman, philanthropist and avid conservationist, John is passionate about the African wilderness and the need to conserve this global heritage.

From an extensive corporate background (as the MD of one of De Beers offshore subsidiaries at the age of 29), John’s mind and adventures were never too far from the African wilderness. His experience led to his 11 years as the Chairman of Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, where he devoted his passion to conserve our natural heritage, learn about the fascinating wildlife, and show others the fulfilment that wildlife conservation brings. Furthermore, as the current Chairman of Ajubatus, John has focused his time, energy, and committed profits into creating a foundation that holds a legacy in supporting wildlife research projects, educating future generations on the importance of conservation, and showing others that anything is possible when an individual has a vision. As such, John works in conjunction with leading veterinarians, scientists and academics at Kruger National Park (SANParks) and Stellenbosch University. He has also become a sought after Practical Conservation lecturer at Stellenbosch University, where he captivates students’ minds on Ecology Principles and activities that can further good scientific research. If not found wandering the halls of campus, John revels in quiet time at the beloved Kruger National Park. His achievements include:

• Managing Director of Symnet International (IOM), a De Beers subsidiary
• Chairman of Protech Overseas Limited (IOM)
• Deputy Chairman of Enviro Fish Africa (Rhodes University Campus Company)
• Was a Trustee of the Sustainable Seas Trust
• Chairman of Ajubatus Environmental Management (Pty) Ltd.
• Author of five published books
• Turned Ulusaba Game Reserve into 5-Star Game Lodge with 80% International visitors and was named by Conde Nast as one of the top 100 tourist destinations
• Started Ajubatus Marine and Wildlife Rescue initiative, taking over an operational Lighthouse at Seal Point, Cape St Francis. The centre attracted over 50 000 visitors per annum and was later donated to the Penguins Eastern Cape in 2008/09
• Initiated the Ajubatus Wild 4 kidz programme. The projects priority is education and sponsorship of young minds at schools bordering the Kruger National Park
• Entered into a partnership with SANParks to do strategic Scientific Research initiatives, such as: (1) Cheetah Demographic Study; (2) Lion Demographic Study which is a 7 year-long study of lion populations within the Kruger; (3) Research and design of satellite tracking technology for wildlife collars; and (4) Black Rhino Study
• Hosted educational Kruger trips for international and national students at Stellenbosch University since 2014. These trips focused on showing the behind-the-scenes research at Kruger National Park, allowing university students to experience its wildlife in a meaningful manner, and learn about the importance of conserving this wilderness heritage
• Since 2022, offered a Practical Conservation course in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, where international students learn about ecology principles, project management, and the development of research initiatives to combat environmental threats (e.g. Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer Beetle (Coleoptera Curculionidae))
• Started in 2022 consulting to Businesses on Corporate “Soft Skills” development with emphasis on Communication techniques and Emotional Intelligence principles

Sean Brooke Dyer

Director & General Manager

Sean joined the Ajubatus Foundation in 2003 as a student. His passion for wildlife is evident through his studies, seeing him complete a BSc Botany & Zoology degree through UNISA and various courses/programmes in the handling and treatment of Marine Wild Birds. Over the years, Sean has helped us grow as a Foundation through his knowledge of technology and ecology. His achievements include:

• In 2007, appointed as an IT technician for Ajubatus Environmental Management
• Worked on the development of GPS Wildlife Tracking Collars
• Specialist on UAV/Drone applications and Director of Drone Inspired (Pty)Ltd
• In 2010, appointed as part of the Kruger research team investigating wildlife satellite tracking technologies for collar designs
• Specialist Field Technician specialising in Sampling
• Since 2013, appointed as General Manager, overseeing the administrative tasks and personnel involving the planning and management of the Foundation’s resources.
• In 2017, appointed as Director of the Ajubatus Foundation

Dylan Brooke Dyer

Director

Dylan joined the Ajubatus Foundation in early 2013, focusing primarily on wildlife health and care, as well as being the liaison for the International Student Programme. His work has aided in the completion of various projects ranging from the Lion Demographic Study to Specimen Collection Research for Stellenbosch University. He has taken part in various outreach programmes undertaken by the Ajubatus Foundation, ensuring every detail was handled with the utmost care. His advice and forward thinking have been essential in many projects. His hope is that the Foundation will continue to thrive with time, expanding further to show the world the great importance of wildlife conservation. With the International Student Programme growing by the day, his goals are soon becoming a reality. His achievements include:

• In 2017, appointed as Director of the Ajubatus Foundation
• Between 2017 and 2021, assisted as Social Media Advisor
• Specialist in Field Sampling Activities
• Communications and Animal Health Consultant
• Specialist in Health and Medicine
• Liaison for International Student Programme

Kayla Liebenberg

Marketing & Brand Manager

Kayla began her journey with the Ajubatus Foundation in 2017 when she embarked on one of their educational trips to Kruger National Park. During that time, she was in her second final year of BCom Marketing Management and was deciding to enrol in BSc Biodiversity & Ecology to follow her passion for wildlife. After experiencing Kruger’s wildlife and seeing the passion that Ajubatus members have to conserve these amazing species, Kayla knew that she made the right decision. Fast forwarding to 2022, she was recruited by John to be the Marketing & Brand Manager for the Ajubatus Foundation. Kayla is a driven and motivated individual, who always strives to significantly contribute to the scientific community and throughout her own life. She has worked with renowned researchers in her scientific work, has participated in formal scientific societies, and even presented at conferences, such as the annual Fynbos Forum. At the Ajubatus Foundation, Kayla focuses on broadening our opportunities to collaborate with other organizations, developing products that resonate with our target audience, planning our marketing campaigns, and ensuring that operations go smoothly and reach our targets. Her achievements include:

• Graduated in 2018 from BCom Marketing Management at Stellenbosch University (SU). Followed by completing BSc Biodiversity & Ecology modules between 2018 and 2020, and graduating with BSc Honours in Biodiversity & Ecology in 2021 at SU
• Elected as Maties Citizen Science Vice Chairperson in 2021 at SU, which focused on inviting students and the general public to do citizen science work in the Stellenbosch winelands and capturing BioBlitz data for iNaturalist. These excursions were in collaboration with the Centre of Invasion Biology at SU
• Awarded best student presentation at the annual Fynbos Forum in 2021, where she presented her Honours thesis
• In 2022, appointed as Marketing & Brand Manager of the Ajubatus Foundation
• In the process of publishing her Honours thesis in 2022, in which she discovered three new mite species with the help of her supervisors, and solved the mysterious ‘Itch Mite’ occurrences happening at Fransmanshoek Conservancy and Shelley Point

Claire Bransgrove

Social Media Manager & Content Creator

Claire joined the Ajubatus Team in 2022 as the Social Media Manager & Content Creator. She has the ability to capture the precious moments of our Kruger trips, while highlighting the beauty of the African bushveld and the uniqueness of our research activities. She has worked with businesses from a variety of industries and tailors her services to their needs. At the Ajubatus Foundation, she has shown us the endless possibilities we have with our online audience and how to expand the market for our products and services. Simultaneously, she has learned about the importance of conservation, how captivating our natural wilderness areas are, and how one person can start the revolution in conserving our precious African wildlife. Her achievements include:

• Between 2017 and 2019, Claire successfully built a brand in the music industry that stretched across international borders.
• Since 2020, she has been entrusted with content creation for renowned businesses. These businesses range from the fitness industry, cuisine and travel industries, entertainment industry, and service industry.
• In 2022, she was appointed as Social Media Manager & Content Creator of the Ajubatus Foundation.