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.
---
The Eighth World Wilderness Congress
Science and Stewardship Symposium to protect and sustain wilderness values was the largest of multiple symposia held in conjunction with the Congresses. The proceedings are compiled by Alan Watson, Janet Sproull and Liese Dean. The papers contained in the proceedings are organised into nine topics:
1. Alaska: past, present and future
2. Connections between wilderness and communities
3. Values to local and distant societies of wilderness and communities protection
4. Establishing priorities and developing policies for wilderness protection
5. Wilderness stewardship challenges in a changing world
6. Encouraging stewardship through education
7. Place and spirit: commitment to wilderness
8. Protecting ecological integrity of wilderness, and;
9. Wilderness, water and wisdom.
The proceedings can be obtained as hardcopies or CDs from Publications Distribution, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 240 West Prospect Road, Fort Collings, CO 80526 or E-mail rschneider@fs.fed.us/rm My understanding is that they are free but this needs to be checked by those ordering copies.
The other way is for us to make copies from my CD. I said that we could charge for this. In principle this may be not proper as the material belongs to the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and produced by the Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Regards
Drummond Densham
Situation in Zimbabwe
Hi
I am sending you the news bulletin for your information and the following. I would strongly recommend that the Planned Outreach into Africa that you will be going on later this year should include a visit to the Matuasadona National Park. The Zambezi Society through the British Embassy has been able to provide equipment to the staff in the form of raincoats, mosquito nets & chest webbing. Perhaps a call to Zambezi Society to see if the IRF can also help in this regard.
I can also report from the Zambezi Society (Zamsoc) the following - "The situation at Tashinga in Matusadona National Park is very bad, with staff morale being extremely low. Rangers are not being paid enough, and then they only have one opportunity each month to go on re-supply, visiting shops that are essentially empty. The Zambezi Society is not really in a position to resolve such issues, however we try to increase morale wherever possible, like for instance, donating field equipment. The station has just been appointed a new Warden, who used to be a junior member of staff at the same station 10 years ago". The only way the rhino are being protected is because of the monitoring provided by Zambezi Society, and has very little to do with the protection element that should be provided by the Parks department". It seems that the Park would greatly benefit from a visit by the group especially in these times in Zimbabwe. I would also recommend that the Zamsoc is contacted and they are involved in the programme. Zamsoc employs rhino trackers who work in the Black Rhino Sanctuary Area and augment the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority (ZP&WMA) staff working in the Park.
Zamsoc has been invited by the ZP&WMA has to participate in the initial stages of Stakeholder Consultation while developing a Zimbabwe Position to the Lower Zambezi/Mana Pools Trans-Frontier Conservation Area. So Zamsoc is doing some sterling work.
Regards
Drummond Densham
Subject: Lake Natron Update: 8th May 2008 - ONE YEAR LATER!
Dear Colleagues,
This is a regular update to raise awareness on the proposed construction of a soda ash plant by Tata Chemicals Ltd in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania at LAKE NATRON in Tanzania. The lake is the only significant breeding site for Lesser Flamingos in Eastern Africa. The surrounding cross border ecosystem is critical in sustaining the livelihoods of the local communities. The proposed plant could seriously affect the breeding of this near threatened species - thus wiping out 75% of the global Lesser Flamingo population. The livelihoods and health of the local communities are also at risk. The Lake Natron Consultative Group (The Group), a coalition of 32 environmental and conservation institutions is spearheading advocacy to save Lake Natron.
This update is sent to thousands of supporters, partners and institutions across the globe.
TODAY’S UPDATE ALSO COMMEMORATES ONE YEAR SINCE THE FIRST FORMAL MEETING OF LAKE NATRON CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON 8TH MAY 2007: - so today’s update is a bit lengthy
Please find today’s update:
Initially, there were about 5 institutions in The Group with the number growing to 12 in July 2007. By November 2007, 23 institutions had expressed support for the Lake Natron cause. Today, 32 institutions and thousands of individuals across the globe are with us.
We are grateful for the progress that we have made so. It has not been easy but I believe it is the massive encouragement from our partners and supporters that kept us going. Singleness of purpose and teamwork has allowed us to move from strength to strength. The battle ahead is tougher and we must all work together to secure the future of Lake Natron, the local people and the Lesser Flamingos. We are in the process of documenting our experiences in this advocacy and will be looking for support to publish a case study in the course of this year.
At the coffee meeting, two presentations were made: by Mr. Lota Melamari, CEO, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (BirdLife in Tanzania), who strongly outlined the reasons for not progressing with the Soda Ash development; and Mr. Rahul Singh, the new Tata Project Coordinator for Lake Natron soda ash project. Mr. Deo Mfugale, Chairman, Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania and other stakeholders also made their comments on the project. Once again, most of those present were critical of the project and the insistence by Tata Chemicals Ltd and NDC to proceed with the project. The issue of shifting the project to a new site did little to ease the criticism of the project, with many pointing out the many negative impacts compared to very few documented benefits.
From our point of view, there is no way a project of this magnitude can operate without permanently scarring the landscape, local people’s livelihoods and biodiversity. The investors have said (without elaborating) that they will pump US$300 million per year to the Tanzania’s economy. Our impressions are that this is a very serious overestimate but even without deep analysis, this is still way below tourism incomes estimated for Lake Natron area at US $ 500 million per year or the over US $750 million that Tanzania earns from tourism annually. What justification is there for damaging what Tanzanians already have in their hands?
On 5th May 2007, The Group held an international press conference at Hotel Intercontinental, Nairobi. The media briefing was attended by 28 journalists from local and international media plus 10 other participants from The Group. The institutions represented were Nature Kenya, BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat, Youth for Conservation, National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Ilkisongo Pastoralist Initiatives (Monduli Tanzania), Centre for Minority Rights Development, East African Wildlife Society, Bornfree Foundation and Kenya Wetlands Forum.
At the briefing Ken Mwathe read The Group’s press statement and our panelists (Paul Matiku – Nature Kenya, Joseph Ole Saningo – Ilkisongo Pastoralists Initiative, Dr Cecilia Gichuki – NMK and Steve Itela – Youth for Conservation) emphasized certain points in the statement. The panelists then responded to questions from the press. The press conference was a big success, thanks to a close collaboration among our institutions before the d-day.
Since the press conference, we have seen extensive media coverage here in Kenya and internationally: Here is a breakdown of the coverage: 6th May 2008
We expect more media coverage in the next few days and we will keep you updated.
This week, the National Environment Management Authority is conducting public hearings at the grassroots. A team from Kenya Wetlands Forum and other partners led by Mr Hadley Becha and Dr George Wamukoya are also on the ground. We wish them well in their mission.
I would like to thank all the institutions and individuals that have given us tremendous support in the last one year. Special mention goes to BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat for hosting The Group and the Horn of Africa Environment Centre/Network (Addis Ababa University) for financial support. We hope that other benefactors will step forward to help us succeed in the next phase.
Kind Regards
Ken Mwathe
For: Lake Natron Consultative Group
BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat
ICIPE Campus, Kasarani Road,
P.O Box 3502 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 8562246/8562490
Fax +254 20 8562259
Office cell +254 734 600905 or +254 722 200238
Personal Cell +254 733 926191
Email ken.mwathe@birdlife.or.ke
www.birdlife.org
Your institution is invited to join the Lake Natron Consultative Group. The following Institutions are spearheading efforts to ensure that the Integrity of Lake Natron and the Cross Border Ecosystem is Maintained: [we have started a process of displaying the institution’s web sites; please update us with the latest information]
1. East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS) www.eawildlife.org
2. Nature Kenya www.naturekenya.org
3. BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat www.birdlife.org
4. African Conservation Centre (ACC) www.conservationafrica.org
5. Youth For Conservation www.youthforconservation.org
6. South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO
7. Kenya Wetlands Forum (KWF) www.eawildlife.org
8. Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE) www.cemiride.info
9. Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT)
10. Environmental Liaison Centre International (ELCI) www.elci.org
11. Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Law (CREEL)
12. Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) www.wildlifeclubskenya.wildlifedirect.org
13. Ethiopia Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS)
14. Born Free Foundation www.bornfree.org
15. Uganda Wildlife Society
16. Nature Uganda www.natureuganda.org
17. Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT), Tanzania www.leat.or.tz
18. Forum for Environment (Ethiopia) www.ffe-ethiopia.org
19. Horn of Africa - Regional Environment Centre/Network, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia www.hoarec.org
20. Djibouti Nature www.hobotraveler.com/na_djibouti-nature.php
21. The Heritage Society www.heritagesociety.org
22. Game Rangers Association of Africa www.gameranger.org
23. Maa Civil Society Forum
24. Lake Naivasha Riparian Association www.lakenaivasha.org
25. American Council For Wildlife Preservation
26. PIBI Biological Research Foundation
27. Kenya Alliance of Residents Association www.kara.or.ke
28. Kenya Water and Sanitation Network (KEWASNET)
29. Ecotourism Kenya www.ecotourismkenya.org
30. Ilkisongo Pastoralist Initiatives (IPI), Monduli
31. Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET)
32. Miliru-Bushi Organization Kenya (MIBOK)
Bearded Vulture survey
Please find attached a possible item that you could incorporate in the Cleft Stick. My wife is conducting a survey on the attitudes of farmers and Bearded Vultures. It could be of interest to some of the members and if some of them fall within the survey area they could possibly want to assist. The survey is the project portion of MPhil in wildlife management through the University of Pretoria
Regards
Daryn Hiltunen
Reserve Manager, Commando Drift Nature Reserve, P.O. Box 459, Cradock, 5880
Tel: 0488813925, Fax: 0866198560, Cell: 0794967948
April 2008 Dear GRAA Members
RE: Assistance in Bearded Vulture Survey 2007 / 08
The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) is classified as endangered in the Eskom Red Data List of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. This is based on the small and declining population size, restricted range, range contraction and susceptibility to several threats in Lesotho and South Africa. The most recent survey done by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in September 2005 indicates that the population has declined by 31% since the last survey done by C.J. Brown in 1982.
I am currently running a survey that encompasses the Bearded Vulture and landowners “farming practices”. This survey also encompassed farmers attitudes towards the Bearded Vulture as well as other aspects thought to be pertinent to their conservation. We are repeating this survey for a number of reasons, such as changes in the attitudes of farmers towards conservation in general, the changes that South Africa as a country has undergone in the last 13 years as well as the fact the survey itself was done 25 years ago!!
I would be grateful if any of the members could assist in either giving me contact details of landowners or forwarding the survey on to them on my behalf. Perhaps some of your members are landowners or work on farms in the survey area (see attached map).
If any members can help me please contact me by email beardedvultureza@yahoo.com or cell 084-4044683
Thank you for your help.
Yours sincerely
Tamara Ann Hiltunen
Help Requested.
Dear all
Here is an unusual story from me, and I hope you have time to read it through. It's a begging one !!
When I was in the Dept of National Parks, and in Bulawayo 1989-2003, eventually having an office in the infamous CIO building on Main Street, my secretary was Mrs Felistas Vavashe who was a most loyal person, and I got to know her and her family (husband + 5 children) well.
Her 2nd daughter is Elizabeth, now 26 and tall, slim, well-groomed, pretty, and very motivated. I used to help her from time to time in this or that way, and she said I was the first person to call her "intelligent" - from which she has never looked back! She was/is a very super young woman, and we got her into National Parks, where she was employed as a general hand/clerk. She got 3 'A' levels, then studied for some kind of accounting diploma/degree which I think she got.
Nat. Parks then two years ago sent her with funding to a flying company in RSA (Lanseria ?), where she passed her private pilot's license (ppl) on helicopters of all things. I call her Zimbabwe's first black woman helicopter pilot, but don't know if I am correct in that. Then she opted for the cpl (commercial), and is 3 hours/5 hrs/10 hrs (not sure) away from getting it. Unfortunately, Nat. Parks has baled out of the deal, pleading poverty, and recalled her. She refused to return saying she was so close, yet so far, and rather preferred to stay and try and finish the cpl somehow or other. In fact as I write, she is at the flying school in SA, accommodating with the other students - and no doubt praying to God! Apparently the flying school has offered her a job whenever she finishes.
She phoned me last night Friday after I had talked to her Mother on Thursday (on another matter, and then all this came out), and confirmed that she desperately needs R25 000 to finish the cpl. She also confirms to me that if she can get this amount as a loan, most definitely she will pay it back. [NB. about 7.5 and 15.5 Rands to the US$ and Pound respectively].
I have a very high regard for her, and can certainly vouch for her honesty, as well as (again) her intelligence and drive. This is a young person to support.
Please would you consider rescuing her by passing the hat around and lending her this amount? Who knows, but after she has passed and repaid, she might be able to give you thanks by flying you here and there ?!
We wait in suspense for your replies,
thanks for reading,
Prof. Peter Mundy, mundy@gatorzw.com.
Promotion of the new camp at Mhlopeni
and the many experiences that a visitor can expect.
Our website www.mhlopeni.com should be up and running from next week, so please check it out and see what you think. It was drawn up by Craig Bell of the USA after a recent trip here and is his contribution to our on-going conservation project at Mhlopeni.
If you could forward this to friends you think may be interested to visit, we would be very grateful.
Far from the Madding Crowds…….
LIES A SECRET VALLEY – A PLACE WHERE TIME STANDS STILL.
SITUATED IN THE MAGICAL VALLEY BUSHVELD OF THE THUKELA BASIN IN MIDLANDS KZN – ONLY 2.5 HOURS FROM DURBAN, MHLOPENI NATURE RESERVE OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE: INDIGENOUS FLORA AND FAUNA, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES DATING BACK 1.5 MILLION YEARS, WITH STONE AND IRON AGE ARTEFACTS, ON GUIDED TRAILS.
WAKE TO THE CALL OF THE LOERIES, WANDER THE HILLSIDES AT WILL AND STAND BREATHLESS AT A CLIFF-TOP, WHILE BELOW YOU CAN WATCH THE EAGLES DANCE IN THE WIND. SWIM AT THE WATERFALL AND DOZE BY YOUR CAMPFIRE, AS A MILLION STARS BEGIN TO FADE IN THE RISING OF THE MOON.
NEW BUSHCAMP ACCOMMODATION AND CAMPING FACILITIES WITH REASONABLE TARIFFS, SELF-CATER.
ADVANCE BOOKING ESSENTIAL.
UNWIND, IN THE WILD
WELCOME TO MHLOPENI…..!
TEL: 033- 4961722 OR E MAIL: mhlop@telkomsa.net
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.mhlopeni.com
P.S. ALOES IN BLOOM FROM JUNE TO AUGUST
Request ZDF German TV – any takers?
Dear sir,
I found your name and contact details on the Game Rangers Association Website.
I am writing to you from our Johannesburg office of ZDF German Television, Germany's second biggest public broadcaster covering news and current affairs.
For one of our kids' programmes we are looking for a strong story featuring children (and their family) and animals. We were thinking it would be wonderful to maybe have children in South Africa or Southern African countries with their family, living in a game park in close connection with animals.
As I do not know where to start or who to turn to I am hoping to get some help or/ and information or maybe even contact details from you or your colleagues. Do you maybe even know a family who is living in the bush and would be good for our programme? We would be filming and focussing on the kids daily lives and their connection to animals.
Basically the kids are telling their stories.
Looking forward to hear from you and thanks for your help.
Kind regards
Verena Mengel
ZDF German Television
Verena Mengel, Studio Johannesburg, 1 Park Road
2092 Richmond, Südafrika
Phone: +27-117-26-4221, Telefax: +27-114-82-8206
E-Mail: Mengel.V@zdf.de, Web: zdf.de
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Subject: consultant interested in and available to provide technical guidance to Guinea Bissau's Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas We are urgently looking to identify a consultant interested in and available to provide technical guidance to Guinea Bissau's Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP) for the preparation of participatory management plans for 5 coastal and marine protected areas. Due to the timing of funding availability, the consultant would need to be able to complete the assignment prior to the end of June 2008, hence the urgency in identifying potential candidates.
The detailed TORS are not yet finalized but will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, a brief overview of the task: IBAP has been working with local consultants on preparing these management plans for some time. The work is fairly advanced with the local consultation processes and information gathering completed, and is in the management plan preparation phase. The assignment would include visiting the protected areas, reviewing the work done to date and providing advice and guidance on how to strengthen the plans, including inter alia promoting resilience to future climate change concerns (issues/threat identification, conservation objectives, zoning, management activities, monitoring indicators/plans, etc.). We expect the assignment to be about 4-5 weeks in duration, of which approximately 3 would be in country. The consultant should be able to work in Portuguese or French.
We would be very interested in hearing from any qualified candidates that might be interested.
Thanks so much for your help with this.
Best wishes,
Tanya
Please respond to Tyudelmanbloch@worldbank.org
--- POSITION(s) Wanted
Ranging from Reception/Admin/Guide
To Whom it may concern:
I am presentable and well spoken, extremely honest, punctual, reliable, professional, flexible, practical, hands on, pro-active, self motivated, self disciplined, young and dynamic person seeking employment in a Lodge Environment.
I am willing and keen on relocating.
Anything Ranging from Reception/Admin/Guide etc...anything really.
I will accept any available position from Junior to Senior.
I have the ability to work my way up and will do so in any given position and further my studies in VPDA, ARH, Trails Guide and all FGASA Levels.
It is a serious passion!
I can and have maintained pleasant working environments. I am Computer literate and have done general administrations, guest relations, training & development of staff, staff management, hosting and general interaction with guests. I have an ability to work long hours if need be, a positive attitude and a sound management ability.
I have a sound all round working knowledge, both nationally and internationally, Front of House, F&B, Housekeeping, Hosting, Guest Interaction, Management of Maintenance and Ranger departments etc. I have excellent leadership & communication skills and I am a good team player with a keen interest to learn.
I have previous experience within a 4 or 5* Lodge/Hotel environment , ranging from Junior to Senior positions.
I have, Game Ranging & Lodge Management, Human Recourses, FGASA Certificates and Diplomas.
Please find my resume attached.
Your assistance in this regard is highly appreciated.
Kind Regards
Lusinda Oosthuizen
Cell: 082 269 0931, Email: lusinda@atreal.co.za
--- Subject: Field Guide/Game Ranger Experience Exposure – can anyone help?
Hello Andre,
Got your contact details off the net.
My son is 16 years old and has shown interest in taking up a career as Field Guide/Game Ranger.
I’d like for him to have an understanding of what it’s all about before he makes a final decision on career path.
Does your organization provide exposure/experience both practical and theoretical for him to really understand what it’s all about so he can make an informed decision. Maybe ‘a week’s experience in the life of a game ranger’ would be beneficial if possible.
Regards
Noel Viviers, Noel [mailto:Noel.Viviers@kcm.co.zm]
Tailpiece
Tribal wisdom
Dakota Native American tribal wisdom, passed on from generation to generation, says: 'When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount and get a different horse.'
However, in government, education and the corporate world, more advanced strategies are often employed, such as:
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
4. Arranging to visit other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.
5. Lowering the standards so that the dead horse can be included.
6. Reclassifying the dead horse as 'living impaired'.
7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.
9. Providing additional funding and / or training to increase dead horse's performance.
10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.
11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overheads & therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses.
12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
And of course ...
13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position!
Sound familiar?