Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. These are your magazines and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date. Remember this is the address we will send your Game Ranger Magazine to.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534
Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562, E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “Unsubscribe” as the message heading.
Please feel free to write to express your views on the content or the subject of any of the articles in this magazine – to the address above.
Sad News, Membership number 844
With regret that I report the death of one outreach member by the name of Kelly Mandola-Senior Forestry Technician of P.O. Box 10 Mfuwe Zambia.He died on 24/12/08 after an illness-malaria.
Best regards
Erastus Kancheya
Please forward to Green team
Earth Hour 2009
will take place Saturday, March 28th at 8:30pm wherever you are around the world. www.earthhour.org
Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
Congratulations
I think that this is probably a first for the GRAA, Jos (Josling) & Nicolette were married on Sunday on the banks of the Kavango River at Shamvura at the AGM .Congratulations to you both, it was very pleasant ceremony and drinks were enjoyed with the guests afterwards.
“Please to say that I am getting married to a lovely lady, Nicolette on Sunday the 15 Feb 2009 at 17:00-18:00. The wedding takes place at Shamvura in the Caprivi.
Members as well as friends of the GRAA who is attending the AGM are invited to this wedding. It will be much appreciation if members attending the wedding, wear uniform for the reason that I am getting married in uniform.
Please, can you pass it on to all members.
Regards,
Jos “
Poaching surge imperils South Africa’s rhinos
From The Sunday Times, February 22, 2009, RW Johnson in Johannesburg
WILDLIFE experts are alarmed at a dramatic upsurge in rhino poaching in South Africa’s game reserves that may threaten the survival of the creature in one of its last redoubts.
Just 10 rhinos were poached in the whole of 2007, but last year the number reached 100. On Christmas Day alone, 13 rhinos were killed by poachers.
“We’ve always had subsistence poaching,” said George Hughes, a former head of the KwaZulu-Natal Parks Board. “But serious poaching for large game by professionals selling rhino horn or ivory to Far Eastern syndicates is far more alarming.”
In order to steal the lucrative horn, the poachers hack at the rhino’s skull with pangas, the African machete, causing horrendous injuries.
“It’s a terrible thing to come across the poachers’ handiwork,” said Frank Reardon, a wildlife enthusiast. “To see one lying dead with the carrion feasting off it is an awful sight.”
Former army professionals with modern weapons are thought to be involved. Recently, a Vietnamese diplomat was caught on camera taking delivery of contraband rhino horn outside the Vietnamese embassy in Pretoria.
Elephant and rhino poaching are endemic in the game reserves of Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe’s “land reform” has seen a wildlife holocaust since 2000. The only supposedly secure reserves left are in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Only 3,500 black rhinos are left in the world and 3,000 of them are in South Africa.
“The rhino is actually a gentle and friendly animal,” said Hughes. “They are vegetarians, not predators, and only man preys on them.”
For Hughes, the fatal step was the international ban on rhino horn sales in 1977. “It was like prohibition. Prices shot up and so did poaching.”
In Botswana, where they once flourished, there are only about five white rhinos left. Poaching has now reached South Africa’s Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve – in Gaisford’s words, “the holy ground of the rhino”. Although it still has 1,600 white rhinos, black rhino numbers are down to 300.
The golden era of the giant state reserves, like the 5m-acre Kruger National Park, may be over. Not only is much of their land under claim by local peasants, but the scale makes the parks difficult to guard.
David Cummings, a Zimbabwean wildlife expert, said private reserves held the best hope of survival for many species but they face government opposition. “Many African regimes don’t like the idea of losing monopoly control of their wildlife,” he said.
“Corrupt game rangers are also a problem. In Zimbabwe, we’ve seen rangers caught poaching rhino allowed to go scot-free, despite a mandatory 25-year sentence.”
Sandra F Snelling
Environmental Crime Investigation
SANParks, Tel: +27 13 735 5109, Fax: +27 86 688 1213
Cell: +27 82 908 3053, e-mail: sandras@sanparks.org
MEDIA STATEMENT
18 FEBRUARY 2009
NOTICE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A
NATIONAL MORATORIUM ON THE TRADE IN INDIVIDUAL RHINOCEROS HORNS
AND ANY DERIVATIVES OR PRODUCTS THEREOF AND THE PUBLICATION OF DRAFT NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR THE MARKING OF RHINOCEROS HORN AND HUNTING OF WHITE RHINOCEROS FOR TROPHY HUNTING PURPOSES.
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Marthinus van Schalkwyk, announced on Friday, 13 February 2009 the implementation of a national moratorium on the trade in individual rhinoceros horns and any derivatives or products thereof within South Africa under Section 57(2) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA). The moratorium will take effect immediately and will stay in place until further notice (Gazette No. 31899).
On Friday, 13 February 2009, the Department also published in Gazette No. 31899 under Section 9(1)(a) of NEMBA draft norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn and the hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes for public comment.
The procedure was published in July 2008 for comments as a schedule to the draft moratorium. The department has since decided to augment this with further legally binding mechanisms, which are the norms and standards. It was therefore decided to publish the schedule on marking of rhino horn and management of white rhino hunting trophies as norms and standards which can be enforced.
The various conservation authorities affected by rhino poaching have been working with police to investigate poaching incidents. In a joint operation by various disciplines of the South African Police Service including the Mpumalanga, Limpopo & North West Organised Crime Units, the Gauteng Provincial Task Team together with South African National Parks, 11 suspects were arrested and charged in connection with rhino poaching earlier this year.
The moratorium and draft norms and standards are steps that intend to strengthen the current legislation and thus assist conservation authorities in their efforts to combat rhino poaching.
Any person who wishes to submit written representations and/or objections to the proposed norms and standards is invited to do so within 30 days of the publication of this notice. For further details on the abovementioned visit the link below:
http://www.deat.gov.za/Documents/Documents/2009Feb17/markingofrhinoceros.pdf
All representations and comments must be submitted in writing to the Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
By post to : The Director-General: Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Attention: Mrs. Sonja Meintjes
Private Bag X447
PRETORIA
0001
Delivered to : The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Attention: Mrs. Sonja Meintjes
Fedsure Building
North Tower Room 1213
315 Pretorius Street
PRETORIA
By Fax: (012) 320 7026, and by e-mail to smeintjes@deat.gov.za
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Ms. Roopa Singh on (012) 310-3566 / 082 225 3076 or by e-mail on rsingh@deat.gov.za
Or
Ms. Judy van der Merwe on (012) 310-3309 / 083 321 2617 or by e-mail on jvdmerwe@deat.gov.za
Any queries in connection with the draft regulations can be directed to Mrs. Sonja Meintjes at: (012) 310-3545 or 082 655 4711. Comments received after the closing date may not be considered.
REPORTED rifts between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority
have been denied by both organisations following meetings between the two respective CEOs.
Zululand Observer - 12/02/09 - Editor - Dave Savides
In a joint statement issued this week, they said they were ‘newly committed to strengthening the close partnership that has already yielded many dividends for the Wetland Park’.
‘This unique partnership between a national entity and a provincial one is the preferred one to meet challenges and fulfil iSimangaliso’s huge potential,’ said Dr Bandile Mkhize and Andrew Zaloumis.
‘Our organisations need each other,’ said Mkhize, recently appointed CEO of EKZNW.
‘The historic achievements in the Park are testimony to what we can accomplish when we work closely together, and I look forward to building a stronger partnership.’
Zaloumis added: ‘The two meetings we have had so far have been positive and constructive and provided a sound base to move forward for on-going delivery. I thank Ezemvelo for their commitment and hard work.’
Critical issues
According to Wetlands Authority media spokesperson, Roland Vorwerk, some serious issues are being addressed.
‘Illegal agriculture persists in some sections of the Park, like Kosi Bay and Dukuduku, despite numerous attempts over 20 years to bring it under control.
‘The Park is following due process and has adopted a multi-pronged approach to compliance, namely awareness, law enforcement and provision of alternatives.
‘In the past year some 39 vegetable gardens benefiting 900 people, mainly women, were developed in appropriate areas as an alternative to farming in wetlands,’ said Vorwerk.
‘At Kosi Bay, civil and criminal action is in process against illegal camps.
‘The mechanism for identifying illegal developments in the Park and buffer zone has improved dramatically, but needs closer monitoring.
‘The current wave of rhino poaching in South Africa has also affected iSimangaliso and other KZN parks like Hluhluwe - iMfolozi.
‘Investigators are working actively with the relevant authorities to bring this to an end.
‘Many Ezemvelo tourism facilities are in a state of serious neglect so there is now a focused programme of refurbishment – hoping also to reap rewards from 2010.
‘Public facilities in Sodwana Bay, the country’s most popular dive destination, will be improved and upgraded as will existing accommodation.
‘The region is in its eighth year of the worst drought in living memory.
‘This and factors like catchment degradation have affected hydrology of the Lake St Lucia system.
‘The Global Environmental Facility project is assisting with management solutions for long-term and sustainable improvements.’
Positives
Vorwerk said there had been a substantial success in the development of regional tourism based on sound conservation.
‘Tourism now creates more jobs than mining promised.
‘There has been a 59% increase in tourism establishments in and around iSimangaliso and a 20% increase in beds, with occupancies growing from below the national average in 2000 to above,’ said Vorwerk.
‘New developments within the Park, which provide between 17% and 60% of community equity, include Thonga Beach Lodge and Rocktail Beach Camp with others in the pipeline.
‘iSimangaliso has created employment for some 3500 locals every year in infrastructure development, conservation and land management.
‘In addition, nine of 14 land claims extending over 75% of iSimangaliso have been settled.’
Climate change on the fiscal agenda
The 2009 Budget gave heightened priority to environmental fiscal reform, and noted that as mitigating climate changed moved higher up the global agenda, South Africa would focus on transforming its environmental profile over the longer-term. The 2009 Budget provided R45-million to Working for Energy, a new programme that uses biomass to generate electricity. The programme was expected to create 230 000 person days of work by 2011/12.
Walk Across Hwange - 2009!
Don Yunnie
Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA)
and other addressees with an interest in Hwange National Park
Hi
This sponsored fund raising Walk Across Hwange might be of interest to some readers of the GRAA Newsletters. It is fitting that something is being done in the 80th Anniversary Year of the gazetting of the original portion of the park ( excluding the Robins Sanctuary which was added a few years later); an anniversary which co-incides with the appointment of Ted Davison, our father, as the founding warden - a job he held until 1961 when he was dragged kicking and struggling up to head office as used to be the fate of many fine field wardens! I seem to recall that our father Ted was an honorary life member of GRAA in later years and the news letters from time to time included some of his writings eg his write up on the Bushmen living in Wankie when it was first proclaimed. It is fitting also to remember a park in difficulty these days but in which so many fine game wardens learned their trade - some of whom still continue to make valuable contributions to wildlife management in various ways!
If you know of any organisations or individuals who you think would be interested in sponsoring the walk across the park, please feel free to send on the documentation attached.
Kogelberg abalone poachers at peril
WWF (The World Wide Fund for Nature) and Honda Marine gave a significant boost to marine conservation in the Kogelberg Marine Biosphere today (6 February 2009) with the donation of a new patrol boat.
The boat, an important piece of equipment for any Marine Protected Area (MPA), will be instrumental in preventing illegal activities and promoting the monitoring and research of marine resources especially in the Betty’s Bay MPA and adjacent waters.
Marine and Coastal Management, CapeNature and Seawatch, a local volunteer group, have been tackling the illegal abalone harvesting which is rife in the area with very limited resources in the past. The provision of this patrol boat will hugely aid conservation authorities in preventing the plundering of the already endangered Abalone.
The 6,5m semi-rigid vessel, equipped with powerful Honda engines and a navigational system was acquired through a partnership between WWF and Honda Marine.
Peter Chadwick, WWF Honda Marine Parks Programme Manager, notes that conservation of the Kogelberg is vital. This area not only protects some of the last populations of Abalone but also hosts nationally important stocks of inshore reef fish such as Galjoen and Red Roman. Southern Right Whales, African Black Oystercatchers, African Penguins and threatened reef fish also breed within the coastal environment.
“Marine protected areas function not only to conserve marine biodiversity, but also serve as important replenishment zones for commercially important species. The healthy stocks of these fish species within MPAs spill over into adjacent areas either through direct migration or export of larvae and eggs in oceanic currents. However, unless MPA;s are fully resourced with necessary hardware and have skilled and capacitated staff, they will only remain to be what we refer to as ‘Paper Parks’,” said Chadwick.
According to Chadwick, this is the fourth patrol vessel to be provided through this partnership, with Goukamma MPA near Knysna, De Hoop MPA near Cape Agulhas and Robberg MPA near Plettenberg Bay already having received similar powerful patrol boats.
CapeNature manages the Betty’s Bay MPA within the Kogelberg boundaries and will be responsible for operating the boat.
Terence Coller, Marine Conservation Manager from CapeNature, said: ”CapeNature is grateful for the donation of this boat which will assist us with the visible patrolling of the coastline and proactive prevention of illegal poaching. It will also improve our ability to do important monitoring and research work”.
“The WWF Honda partnership brings together civil society, the corporate sector and government agencies to facilitate the protection of marine biodiversity for the people of South Africa,” Chadwick concluded.
Save the Dugong Campaign Center
Dear Mr. Don Yunnie
I am writing on behalf of the Save the Dugong Campaign Center (SDCC), a Japanese NGO and a member of IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
As you may know our motion was adopted as a resolution “Promotion of Dugong during the UN 2010 International Year for Biodiversity” during the IUCN congress held in 2008.
The Japanese and the US governments have not agreed to implement this resolution.
So, we are collecting signatures for our online petition to call for immediate implementation of the IUCN resolution. We would appreciate if you and your friends could sign for it.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-the-okinawa-dugong
We have a video explaining the SDCC and our activities at the IUCN Congress.
We’ll be glad if you could take a look, http://www.vimeo.com/2453210
Also, there is an animation explaining the situation in Okinawa. http://www.vimeo.com/2341707
Sincerely,
Yamane,Fukiko
Staff of the Osaka chapter of the Save the Dugong Campaign Center, Japan
URL http://www.sdcc.jp e-mail info@sdcc.jp
Address 301 Chiyoda Building #1 in Nakama Office, 2-21 Tukudohatiman, Shinjuku Tokyo
162-0815 Japan, TEL&FAX +81352281377
South Africa Rangers - contact information
Hi Luis.
It was good seeing you in October. I trust you are well.
I am forwarding this email to some rangers in South Africa.
I am sure the Game Rangers Association of Africa will look after Fabio very well.
Contact him and Luis directly.
Andre and GRAA,
Please help make Fabian's stay in Kruger and Cape Town a good one. This is what the brotherhood of rangers is about.
Warm regards
David
----- Original Message -----
From: Luis Santamaria [mailto:lsantamaria@ono.com]
To: David.Zeller@rspb.org.uk,irfpresident@soft.co.za,sean@thingreenline.info
Sent: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:21:39 +0100
Subject: South Africa Rangers - contact information
HI Sean and David,
A fellow ranger in Italy, Fabio Gorian, is planning a trip to South Africa and was wondering if there are any rangers down there that he could get in touch with. He and his wife will be there from April 4-13 and visiting Cape Town and Kruger Park.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Luis Santamaria
Spanish Ranger
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Hi Don,
WCS Afghanistan country director post been advertised in the economist. Link below. Will be a huge package….
http://www.economist.com/classifieds/view_classified.cfm?sitd=7841&key=&sitd_type=R
--- Here it is – I doubt that you will put the whole doc in but the initial paragraph should do.
I am looking for an experienced conservation manager (5 years management) to fill the position of Second in Charge, Liuwa Plain National Park. The applicant should be keen on field work and not afraid of hard work or remote living. Enquiries can be directed to me at the mail address below. Candidates are encouraged to check our website (address below) for more info on the Park and African Parks as an organisation.
Sadly, I can’t make the AGM as I am completely stranded by the floods that close us in this time of year!
Thanks for all the help.
All the best,
Craig Reid
Project Coordinator
Liuwa Plain National Park
Kalabo
Western Province
Zambia
Mobile phone 0977706572
Skype craig.reid4
www.african-parks.org
I have a term of reference available for interested parties – ed
---
We have the following vacancy available in the Lowveld. The position is available immediately
Could you please circulate this to your members for us to see if anyone is interested.
Herewith the brief synopsis of the role as Volunteer Field Facilitator for the all year volunteers in Kruger. Please review and comment.
Objectives:
To manage the welfare, safety and well being of WEI international volunteers (18 - 30 yr olds) participating in a volunteer work experience to do a 4 - 12 weeks Wildlife and Conservation project in Kruger National Park. To supervise and schedule the daily work objectives and tasks for volunteers working on the reserve concession of 6500 hectares, located on the western boundary of KNP. Monthly meetings with the resident Reserve Manager and/or Sanparks to define work objectives for the volunteers in line with the concessions and/or Sanparks own work, management or research plans. Monthly Line Reports to WEI head office on all volunteer programme matters. Intermittent (weekly) informal reporting to WEI head office on volunteer well being, work tasks, research projects, progress and objectives attained. Daily liaison with the resident Concession Ranger to implement work tasks and research projects in line with management plans. The role includes daily camp management of volunteers staying in the bush camp, personal interaction and 'hand holding' of volunteers throughout their stay, thus ensuring they have a meaningful and rewarding wildlife and conservation experience in SA, while making a valuable contribution to the reserve.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Attributes:
General:
Accommodation on the reserve inside KNP near Numbi Gate. Rustic accommodation along with 4 other permanent staff in a private wooden hut(s) (2). Most meals catered at the bush camp or main tourist lodge, but also some self prepared meals in the bush camp. Basic Salary plus Incentive which is performance based and directly linked to volunteer feed back.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Sincerely
Shaun Andrews
Logistics Co-ordinator
Wildlife and Ecological Investments (WEI)
Skype: shaun.g.andrews
Mobile: +27(0)82 9297274
shaun@wei.org.za
www.wei.org.za
--- Requirements for a position in Sioma Ngwezi National Park, Zambia The services of a technical Advisor are required for the development & management of the Sioma Ngwezi N P in Zambia. The focus for the job will be to work as a team with the local park warden & assist with the implementation of a KfW funded project of aprox. 2 Million Euro over the next 3 years. The funds must be spent on infrastructure development (head office, entrance gates , roads, field ranger stations) At the same time the team will have to develop the capacity of the staff and ensure the conservation management continues
An agreement was entered into to with a regional NGO to assist with the implementation of community development projects and the team will have to liase closely with the NGO
There is no accommodation in the park but funding will be made available to establish temporary accommodation
There is more detail available from
Lee-Anne Robertson | Project Assistant
PEACE PARKS FOUNDATION
Millennia Park | 16 Stellentia Avenue | PO Box 12743 | Die Boord | Stellenbosch 7613 | Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 887 6188 | Fax: +27 (0)21 887 6189 | lrobertson@ppf.org.za | www.peaceparks.org |
http://maps.ppf.org.za
Tailpiece
A guy calls a company and orders their 5-day, 5kg weight loss program.
The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck.
She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."
Without a second thought, he takes off after her. A few miles later puffing and puffing, he finally gives up. The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens. On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 5kg as promised.
He calls the company and orders their 5-day/10kg program. The next day there's a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning, beautiful, sexy woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, "If you catch me you can have me".
Well, he's out the door after her like a shot. This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck. So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape.
Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 10kg as promised. He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/25kg program.
"Are you sure?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program." "Absolutely," he replies, "I haven't felt this good in years."
The next day there's a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads, "If I catch you, you are mine."
He lost 33 kilos that week.