For years, beloved bushveld guide and game ranger Lucas Chauke has been known not only for his expertise as a brilliant guide and creator of magic memories but also for his warmth and endless joy. When he faced the possibility of not being able to walk again, little did he know of the joy waiting in the wings from all the lives he touched:
Mpumalanga, South Africa (23 October 2023) — Beloved bushveld guide and game ranger Lucas Chauke isn’t just in the business of guiding people on great wildlife adventures or playing a critical role in wildlife prosperity as a game ranger. Beyond his expertise, Lucas is known for radiating warmth, kindness and joy to any and all who explore under his guidance—efforts and qualities that have earned him a place in many traveller’s memories.
This has been his path for over 30 years, which means many years of lives touched by positivity. Lucas has also become something of a celebrity of wholesome vibes at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, embodying the definition of going above and beyond in your line of work.
Why does this all matter so much? Because you never know how much of an impact your warmth can make on another’s life, or how much of an impact that recognition will make on yours.
A few months ago, the roles reversed for Lucas. Instead of leading the path for others, Lucas needed to be led by them after his hip took something of a hit.
Lucas had suffered an accident 25 years ago which led to a hip replacement. As the years passed, the hip replacement wore weaker and soon he stood at the precipice of what could’ve been terrible news for him.
He desperately needed a hip revision operation; one he couldn’t afford to omit as this would mean the risk of not being able to walk again. Without medical aid to support this, making the operation happen became the mission of the Reserve’s Eagle Owl Camp Team.
The team took to create a crowdfund for the beloved Bushveld guide, and soon it was ignited with positive feedback.
‘Legs for Lucas’ (the campaign’s name) became a meeting place of well wishes, donations big and small and a series of thanks for the memories Lucas helped make treasured as people united to make the mission a success.
In a matter of under two months, Lucas’ crowdfunding goal was achieved—a lesson in warmth begetting warmth!
Earlier this month, Lucas underwent his hip revision surgery (a long stem prosthesis of the femur) that will allow for walking without constant pain, prevent damage to his right hip and will reduce the risk of losing his ability to walk.
As he recovers, Lucas gets to look forward to so much: a future ahead of him without pain—which, as a game ranger who is often on his feet, makes this even more incredible—the opportunity to continue doing what he loves, and the extraordinary knowledge that he lived the definition of joy coming back around.
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