The Team behind Terrasense
Co-founder
Jono has been an entrepreneur and strategic thinker who constantly envisions new solutions to existing partners. This inquisitive spirit has lead him to inventing many solutions to environmental issues with creative use of technology that often solves the issue in a practical and economical way. Having found a successful Aerial Company called Timeslice that catered to high end aerial photography in South Africa, the company help forge new technology uses in the South African Feature Film Industry. Through Timeslice, He would develop South Africa’s Flight Operation Manual for Commercial Drone work which is now standardized by CAA. Jono also envisioned a technology that brought automated Sterilisation of Point of Sale Card Machines which are being implemented in the UK. Terrasense brings Jono’s greatest passions of wildlife and conservation and his constant need to revolutionize existing problems with a cost effective solution that is simultaneously provides better data acquisition to conservationist and significantly lessons the impact of the individual animal and at the same time becoming a cost effective to the age old problem are tracking wild animals in their natural environment.
Founder & CEO
Visionary
Matthew has been working behind a camera since he was 13, first meeting Jono by landing an internship at
Timeslice - working with drones, gimbals, batteries, cameras and wireless solutions, an exciting time with lots of learning. After the pandemic in 2020 Matthew found himself live streaming wildlife and conservation in Hoedspruit - here he would learn by living on the ground and working with not just Africa's incredible wildlife but also those who were working to protect it. After nearly 4 years, Matthew brings in-depth knowledge and connections to the conservation space
Co-founder
Co-founder
Co-founder
Mark also had his time working for Timeslice as Flight Ops Manager and overall wizard at RF and creative solutions, Mark brings his vital wireless and electronics knowledge to the team. Mark currently runs a successful drone company in the UK but like Jono, is still a true South African and was excited at the opportunity to build something that would benefit the wildlife from a place he still calls home
Co-founder & Director
Neil’s passion for story telling was born from the dynamic stories he witnessed growing up in Southern Africa’s wilderness. Any opportunity to spend time in the bushveld, being with the his local Boy Scout Troop, or hikes with family and friends or finding animals on the back of a Land Rover or on foot, his love for photography and filmmaking was born watching the most dramatic stories one could see, the ones you find in life in the wild. After immigrating to Canada his wildlife access had significantly changed but his desire to learn about people and nature lead him to study Anthropology and Primatology at the University of Calgary. Spending a semester participating in Dr Mary Pavelka’s field school which studied the effects of Hurricanes on primate populations and forests, focusing on arboreal folivorous non-female bonded Black Howler monkeys of Monkey River, Belize. This avid fascination for wildlife and being absolutely consumed Watching BBC Documentaries with David Attenborourgh’s ignited his passion for story telling drove Neil to a career as a wildlife photographer and film maker. Instigating a move to Vancouver, British Columbia, Neil attended Vancouver Film School studying film direction and cinematography which lead to an opportunity to get into Feature Films through the VFX Department and quickly landed on Feature Film sets where he’s spend 15 years working on Big budget Hollywood Films. His work has taken him around the world several times and often immerses him in diverse Cultures and breathtaking locales. Co-Founding Terrasense brings Neil back to his fist passion, wildlife and doing everything to conserve it. One of Neil's first memories of working in the bush was up in a small helicopter helping coral a herd of antelope into a boma for relocation to neighboring farms. Funny how life brings you back to childhood passions
Co-founder & Director
At Terrasense we are partnering up with some of the best in their fields that ensures we create a viable tool to aid conservation and research
Francois Meyer, has been involved in Pangolin conservation since 2018. He has played a key role in developing South Africa’s official release and monitoring guidelines for rehabilitated pangolins, now adopted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment
Emma has spent over 15 years in wildlife rehabilitation, working with more than 100 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. She has successfully rehabilitated and released over 500 animals back into their natural habitats. Emma is a co-owner at Umoya Khulula. Working with Pangolins every day, her expertise will be extremely valuable in our pilot - ensuring the Pangolin's well being is always the first consideration
Wim Van den Heever, a wildlife photographer, and a proud ambassador for Nikon and Craghoppers. Owner of Tusk Photo a company that specialised in high-end wildlife and nature photographic tours across the globe. He has had the privilege of capturing remarkable moments in nature, from the raw emotions of wildlife encounters to the breathtaking landscapes that took his breath away. Through his photography, he strives to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and inspire others to appreciate the beauty of our natural world.
His work has been featured in renowned publications and exhibitions globally, and humbly received recognition and awards for his wildlife photography. However, for Wim, the true reward lies in the ability to share his passion and inspire others to connect with nature through his images