Diamonds on the Soles of his Feet

by Michael Morkel

This is great stuff. I thoroughly enjoyed it.Dr Louis Changuion: Historian, Conservationist and Author, Haenertzburg, LimpopoPete is a remarkable man, with a wonderful catalytic presence. His ideas have greatly benefitted conservation, rhinos and so many people involved, me included.Jo Shaw, Senior Manager WWF, Cape TownDr Pete Morkel has had an extraordinary life.Peter Pickford, Wildlife Photographer and Author, Western CapePete has played a significant role in the re-introduction and aftercare of black rhino in Malawi and performed miracles on our small but special population.Bentley Palmer, Conservationist and Author, MalawiBrilliant: someone had to write this book sooner or later. Pete has worked and left such excellent impressions in so many places and countries.Dr Hubert Planton, Vet and Wildlife Safari Leader, FranceI commend your idea to put Dr Morkel’s working life into a book… so that one can document his life now and give him the credit that he deserves.David Bradfield, Conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society: AfghanistanPete has done so much in so many different places, developed so many new techniques and is such a good and caring vet.’Dr Kes Smith, Ecologist and Rhino Specialist: Kenya‘Mike has produced a fitting tribute to his brother Dr Pete Morkel relating his many adventures and exceptional dedication to the wildlife conservation effort in Africa and across the world.’Gail Strever-Morkel: Artist and Author, Western Cape

356 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2019

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is an accounting, event by event, of the dangers faced and creatively conquered by Pete Morkel in Africa while saving rhinos, elephants, and giraffes. You may have seen him in various nature programs on TV without noting his name. He has not sought fame for himself but for the animals. The book is written by his brother, Mike Morkel, who sometimes participated in the events. This is a book detailing his courage and passion for getting Africa to keep and treasure the animals that are crowded out by population growth and poaching.

From Namibia to Kenya, Tanzania to South Africa, he drove, flew, or walked (or ran in bare feet) through remote places to heal and transport animals to safety and took opportunities to increase their kind. He encouraged others to do the same; this is a modest man who received recognition by Queen Elizabeth November 8, 2018.

My suggestions for reading this book:
Dip into it now and then. Don't give up, the last half gives you a glance of Pete at his peak, but it is good to read about how he matured along the way.
Try to be aware of who is detailing memories when. I took one star off because I could not shift my focus to tell who were the storytelling participants all the time.

As an aside, I met his sister and her husband in South Africa through a mutual Connecticut Jazzercise friend. That family now lives in New Hampshire. their recounting of attending the Queen's ceremony is not in the book but provided me the impetus to buy it and read it. I am glad I did.