The author shares her amazing and overwhelming experience of capturing Zebras for relocation at Zimbawbe.

1. Relocating Zebras
in Zimbabwe – A
Personal
Experience
STEFANY DI MANNO CECCATO
by

2. Stefany Di Manno
Ceccato
Stefany Di Manno Ceccato is passionate
about travel and all of the benefits it has
given her such as; feeling rejuvenated,
being inspired, gaining a new perspective,
growing, learning other cultures, meeting
new friends along the way and deepened
bonds between family and friends. In love
with travel she has traveled 47 countries,
she and her husband, Daniele, started
DMC Travel Tailor – a travel company.
They call themselves bucket list fillers and
are excited to create once in a lifetime
experiences for their clients.
fullertonbotanic.com

3. Eight years ago, I found myself in a transition period, looking for a
job that would incorporate travel experience. I was thinking of
getting into the yachting industry, but after a few talks with friends in
the business, I decided that was not the right path for me. When I
told a friend I was thinking of being a corporate flight attendant, he
gave me a list of operators in NY, the place I was living at the time. I
started there with that list.
I called and met with one company before I took my emergency
training course that is required to be able to work as a flight
attendant. I felt both nervous and excited. When I thought of seeing
the world, I felt like jumping up and down like a little kid. Ever since I
was a little girl, my dream was to travel the world. I felt anxious with
the big unknown lurking in my unconscious if I would get work.
How She Started?

4. DESPITE PEOPLE TELLING ME I WOULDN’T
FIND WORK, BECAUSE AT THE TIME,
BUSINESS DIDN’T LOOK SO PROMISING
DURING A TOUGH ECONOMIC TIME; I
DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD,
DETERMINED TO SUCCEED. AFTER THAT
DAY, I DIDN’T LOOK BACK.
MY FEELINGS OF CONCERN QUICKLY DISSOLVED AS WE PULLED UP TO THE CAMP AND
MET JAMES, THE MANAGER, WHO WAS PROFESSIONAL AND PROVIDED US WITH TOP-
NOTCH SERVICE. HE ASSURED US THESE GROUNDS WERE VERY SECURE AND I FELT
VERY SAFE, WHICH IS ALWAYS A GREAT FEELING TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. ON OUR WAY
TO KWALI, WE SPOTTED A GIRAFFE JUST HANGING OUT EATING GRASS ON THE SIDE OF
THE ROAD.
That Scary Night
ONEEXPERIENCEINPARTICULARHASTOUCHED
MEONADEEPLEVEL.ITWASMYZEBRACHASING
EXPERIENCEINZIMBABWE,AFRICA.WESTAYEDAT
CAMPKWALI.WEWEREONANEIGHTEEN-DAY
WORKTRIP,MOSTLYINAFRICA,ANDZIMBABWE
WASONEOFOURSTOPS.ATFIRST,IFELTABIT
HESITANTABOUTTHISSTAY,SOLELYBECAUSE
THISCAMPHADCOMMUNALBATHROOMS.

5. When we got to the helicopter, they told me to get
out with NJ and Mark, the helicopter mechanic to
go for a ride to find zebras. I asked them if they
were sure and they laughed and said they do it all
the time and for me to go. I gladly accepted and
was so excited to have a helicopter ride in
Zimbabwe! We were up in the air for about of hour.
I was taking in the view, the brown and green
terrain with brown leafless baobab trees. I spotted
rhinos running, elephants, impalas, springbucks
and giraffes! This vantage point gave me a different
perspective of seeing all these animals. NJ saw a
couple of zebras, but they were looking for a bigger
group of them. I saw all the animals, but the zebras,
which was kind of funny! He explained to me that
from up here with the lighting, the zebras look grey
and are harder to spot.
.
Locating Zebras
Helicopter Time!

6. When we got to the helicopter, they told me to get out with NJ and Mark, the helicopter mechanic to go
for a ride to find zebras. I asked them if they were sure and they laughed and said they do it all the
time and for me to go. I gladly accepted and was so excited to have a helicopter ride in Zimbabwe!
We were up in the air for about of hour.
I was taking in the view, the brown
and green terrain with brown leafless
baobab trees. I spotted rhinos
running, elephants, impalas,
springbucks and giraffes! This
vantage point gave me a different
perspective of seeing all these
animals. NJ saw a couple of zebras,
but they were looking for a bigger
group of them. I saw all the animals,
but the zebras, which was kind of
funny! He explained to me that from
up here with the lighting, the zebras
look grey and are harder to spot.
Kelvin, who was home visiting his parents for a few days, came as a volunteer to be part of this zebra
capture experience. He took me to his position at the third gate of the boma (enclosure), which is where
he was helping out. NJ would first find the zebras.

7. Once they found the zebras, we got the word
through the walkie-talkies to get into our
positions. Kelvin asked me if I wanted to run
with the curtain this time around. I told him I
couldn’t believe they were trusting me with
this operation! I accepted and got ready to
be a part of this experience!
I was a little nervous, hoping I wouldn’t screw
anything up. Once we heard the second siren
finished, I watched as this group of zebras ran
fast into the second gate. After they were all
past the gate, I ran as fast as I could, pulling
the curtain with me to close the gate! A rush
of adrenaline bolted through me. I couldn’t
believe I was playing a role in this zebra
capture!
My turn to
capture
Zebras

8. My third experience with the capture I was with Drew, who helps
Jackie and Josh out with their captures. I went with him to his post at
the 2nd gate. He described what he does and told me to hide in the
corner as the zebras come though. I did just that, but I was seeing the
zebras weren’t going into the first gate once they were in our gate. I
felt a little scared wondering if they were going to come back and try to
get out and if I would get trampled in the process. I started wondering
what my move would be if that happened. Can I turn around fast
enough to crawl under the gate? The opening was on the other side
where Drew had run with the curtain to close it. It took what felt like
forever, as Drew threw twigs in their direction to keep them looking
forward. Then Jackie came in and led them to the first gate yelling,
“Hiyah!!!!” This gate was a lot more action packed! I felt relieved as I
watched them go into the first gate.

9. It was tough when it came
time to say good-bye,
especially to the kids. They
both had so much character
and for their ages were so
self-sufficient. I guess that’s
what happens when kids
grow up in the bush. It was
awesome to see the way they
live and spend time together
as a family. NJ is a very
intuitive helicopter pilot. He
knows the animals well and
can really sense and feel their
whereabouts and how to
handle them. Jackie and I
chatted in between captures.
We shared our love stories
about meeting our husbands
and talked about jobs, family
and life. I love this family! It
was so great meeting and
spending time with them in
their world.
GoodByes

10. Thank You
To learn more about such amazing and
inspiring people
visit
https://www.theremotelife.com/blog/