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 magazine 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.
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 C~S ” as the message heading.
For Information
Ron Physick has got some pictures of the AGM (taken by Martin Schofield) on the AGM web page at http://www.gameranger.org. The minutes & portfolio reports are also to be found there.
Ranger training closing ceremony (Virunga National Park/DRC)
This article makes one realize that there are dedicated people out there that deserve our encouragement. The item was sent in by Jobogo Marindi, who also sent Photographs of the event, but to keep the email to a reasonable size I won’t include – ed
The Dem. Rep. of Congo has undergone almost 10 years of political instability, a succession of war and ethnic conflict. Despite the difficult conditions, rangers did not give up, the rangers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are the most dedicated and workers if people can evaluate their working conditions. They are ready to give their lives to protect the unique resources.
The period of trouble was the right time for the warriors to play their game in the reserves, ignoring conservation laws, looting park property and destroying the environment. It was time for ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) to develop his capacity resources in order to carry out conservation obligations while the country is looking to a political stability.
A total of 480 rangers attended training at Ishango Training Centre, near the Ugandan border. After 3 months, the instructors selected 45 rangers who scored high to go for advanced training. The aim was to form a rapid reaction anti poaching unit. The team was trained by two well selected British instructors to deliver adequate skills in all aspects of law enforcement and management operations, with an emphasis on modern approaches to conflicts resolution and guidelines in tactic planning and coordination. They were also provided with the basis for Standard Operations Procedures (SOP) as well as 4x4 driving skills. Rangers have been offered full support of the military and the UN Commander who attended; they proudly marched past and received medals & certificates, their heads high to be proud and confident.
The closing ceremony at Ishango took place on Sunday 19 of March and was a great success. Many people attended the ceremony, include VIPs, officials, Military Officers, Brigadier General of MONUC (UN) and local authorities. Linda was one of the British rangers who attended and was mandated to represent their government. Robert Muir, the Director of Frankfurt Zoological Society based in Goma, is also a British was delighted with the achievement of his project.
After few weeks the trained rangers will return to Ishango for one to two weeks additional arms training before 1 troop and 2 troop are sent to Garamba for three to four months. Garamba is in a desperate situation and despite the massive support provided through African Park’s, is still unable to ensure the protection of the last few rhinos. Compounding this, their Head of Anti-poaching has just resigned following deployment of his troops leading to a blue on blue situation and a serious casualty. Paulin Tshikaya the park warden is working day and night to contact all local authorities to help him in stopping the rhino poaching while waiting the team to come. In case he gets a sponsorship, Paulin is planning to attend the Scotland congress to give a presentation on rhino conservation.
THE GREAT ELEPHANT DEBATE
Subject: Radio Today
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALLING ALL WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS - DON’T MISS ‘THE GREAT ELEPHANT DEBATE”
Tune into 1485am Radio Today (or listen in on DStv AUDIO channel 70 broadcasting nationwide and to the SADC region) on Monday April 10 between 17h00 and 18h00 for a lively panel discussion entitled ‘Elephants & Us’. Culling, birth control, elephant numbers, human-elephant conflict are just some of the topics to be tackled in what promises to be a lively and controversial debate that will throw new and telling light on elephant conservation in Africa. Panelists will include Peter Borchert – Founder and Publisher of the award-winning Africa Geographic magazine and Professor Rudi van Aarde head of the Conservation Ecology Research Unit at Pretoria University. Chairing the discussion will be Dr John Hanks one of Africa’s leading conservationists who is also a specialist in elephant biology. Listeners are encouraged to call in to challenge, support or to add opinions of their own.
The lines, emails and fax will be open for this important discussion.
Telephone: (011) 880-0369, Fax: 086-601-2950 or (011) 880-5839
Comment line: 086-22-77-485, Email: 1485elephants@mweb.co.za
For further information please contact
Susie Fairweather, Communications Consultant, Africa Geographic
Phone 011 – 447-2476, Cell 083-676-3560, Email susiepr@global.co.sa
News from Alex Millar, BC Canada.
Here’s a Canadian abalone case we recently had – it’s a similar situation as in SA – Abalone is also a closed fishery and is endangered.
Vancouver fish market fined $10,000 for unlawful possession of abalone, Vancouver Sun
VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced Friday that Sin Kae of the Rupert Fish Market, Vancouver, was fined $10,000 after pleading guilty for unlawful possession of abalone.
During a routine inspection of the store, fishery officers found abalone which were seized and sent to the DFO Molecular Genetics Laboratory for DNA testing. Results from testing confirmed that seized abalone was wild Northern Pinto abalone, a threatened species that is illegal for harvest and possession.
MAN FINED $10,000 FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF ABALONE, DFO news release
March 31, 2006
VANCOUVER, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that Sin Kae of the Rupert Fish Market, Vancouver, was fined $10,000 after pleading guilty for unlawful possession of abalone (a marine mollusc). Chow Kae also pleaded guilty to giving a false statement to officers and was fined $200.
During a routine inspection of the store, fishery officers found abalone which were seized and sent to the DFO Molecular Genetics Laboratory for DNA testing. Results from testing confirmed that seized abalone was wild Northern Pinto abalone (H. kamtschatkana), a threatened species which is illegal for harvest and possession.
Recently in Vancouver Provincial Court, Mr. Kae pleaded guilty and received a penalty totalling $10,000, of which $500 constituted a fine. The remaining $9,500 is directed towards the DFO Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo which conducts forensic analysis of seized abalone stock and is responsible for providing evidence on abalone species and stock identification.
In May 2000, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) placed the Northern Abalone on the threatened list. In June of 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) officially listed Northern Abalone as "threatened". A threatened species is a wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. Illegal harvesting and poaching of abalone are considered the biggest factors affecting the recovery of this species.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is concerned with this type of illegal activity and asks for the continued assistance from the general public and commercial fishers for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the 24-hour, toll free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
From: DUPUIS Delwyn [mailto:delwyn.dupuis@iucn.org]
Sent: 28 March 2006 09:15 AM
To: wcpa_member@indaba.iucn.org
Subject: [WCPA Members] Research Officer - Aldabra Atoll Nature Reserve
Vacancy
Research Officer – Aldabra Atoll Nature Reserve
The Seychelles Island Foundation seeks a self-motivated, disciplined and dedicated individual to lead a team of conservation field officers and research assistant in the management of the scientific monitoring activities of crucial species and habitats at one of the Seychelles World Heritage site of Aldabra.
The candidate must also be able to advice on new research projects that should be undertaken on the atoll.
The post is funded by Seychelles Island Foundation and is intended for an individual with at least an Msc with background in a relevant field of ecological sciences and knowledgeable in marine biology. Experience of life on a remote island outpost for extended periods is recommended.
Candidates for the position must be willing to work for a period of 2 years with the Foundation. A mid term leave passage will be provided.
The salary package is between Euro 15,000 to 18,000 per annum. Transport between the Head Office and Aldabra and accommodation on the atoll will provided free of charge.
For further details or to send an application (with a CV and contact address of 2 referees), please contact: Mr Ronny Renaud, Seychelles Island Foundation, P O Box 853, Victoria, Mahe Seychelles. Telephone: (+248) 321735; Fax: (+248) 324884; e-mail: sif@seychelles.sc
The closing date for applications is Friday, 15th April 2006.
Tailpiece-
Customer: I'm trying to connect to the Internet with your CD, but it just doesn't work. What am I doing wrong?
Tech support: OK, you've got the CD in the CD drive, right?
Customer: Yeah....
Tech support: And what sort of computer are you using?
Customer: Computer? Oh no, I haven't got a computer. It's in the CD player and all I get is weird noises. Listen.....
Tech support: Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!
===============
Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
Female customer: A white one...
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Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.
Customer: No .. wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... sorry.
..
===============
Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
============== =
Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.
Tech support: Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates, damn it!
===============
Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah...................thank you.
===============
Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket.
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Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work
===============
Tech support: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?
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Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.
===============
Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.
=============== Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.
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Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?
===============
A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine."
=============== And last but not least:....
Tech support: "Okay Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!!.
Matter of Fact
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za