Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources. If you wish to see pictures of the Spirit of Africa Award, please visit the website.
As always I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for both the Cleft Stick and to be posted on the web site. It is 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.
Conservation loses another hero
At 07h00 on the 14th June, 2005 Blythe Loutit (neé Pascoe) slipped away peacefully and painlessly and will be sorely missed by her life-long partner Rudi.
I first met Blythe in the 1960s (when we were both in our mid-twenties) at the Natal Herbarium in Durban - where she was appointed as an herbarium assistant. Very soon, under the guidance of Jim Ross and Rudolf Strey, she started her career as a botanical artist. In later life she also painted wonderful desert “mood” pictures.
At that time I knew little of Blythe’s history, but did know she had worked for what was then the Natal Parks Board at their Head Office in Pietermaritzburg. I also knew that Ian Player had identified her as a friend and dependable volunteer for the Wilderness Leadership School, and that in her spare time she was organising a fund-raising fête for the School. I also knew she loved horse riding and had her own horse in Pietermaritzburg. In those days she was the proud owner of a Mini Moke, and spent her spare time buzzing to and from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. It was in the mid-1960s that she met a young three-piece suited accountant who did not quite fit the business mode. Rudi Loutit was a wild young man and mad canoeist, whose own escapades are legend. Suffice to say the two of them hooked to form a partnership that was to last to the end – not a usual one for those times, but one that was built on mutual trust, purpose and love. Early on in their relationship they decided to holiday in Namibia and on their return the Mini Moke stopped in Springbuck where the local magistrate “legalised” their relationship. I remember the celebration at the Clements’ house – a real party!
Back in Durban they packed up their meagre belongings and headed straight back to Windhoek, the wide-open spaces of the semi-desert and the conservation opportunities beckoning them both. Rudi lasted a few months as a corporate accountant in Windhoek, only to succumb to a junior ranger position in Etosha at a fraction of his salary. And so began their joint but different careers in conservation, that became their life - Rudi working for the State Conservation organisation, and Blythe ultimately working for her own NGO – the Save the Rhino Trust.
While Rudi was game-ranging Blythe was busy illustrating her second book on the Trees of Etosha (her first being Jim Ross’s on the Natal Acacias). And went on to illustrate the books on Namibia’s grasses and trees. She also started painting desert scenes for extra cash and for sheer enjoyment, and started writing and illustrating books for children about conservation. This was the start of the next phase of what was to become her life’s work – Black Rhino conservation. She formed the “Save the Rhino Foundation” for which she has been globally recognised, and dedicated her life and energy to the then little known Damaraland population of Black Rhino – way back then in the days where rhino conservation was very much a male domain.
Blythe’s and Rudi’s passion for rhino conservation is legendary, and as a direct result of their tireless, joint but different, activities almost the whole of Damaraland, and a Black Rhino population in excess of 300 individuals, is being conserved by the local Damaras (I do not have the latest counts, but I do know there are more than was once thought, even a few years ago).
FOOTNOTE: There are many stories about Blythe and Black Rhino; all who have worked in such wild country have had tense moments. She would go out alone with her dog for weeks at a time into the heart of Damaraland, and sometimes with a tracker - and for those times that was a very extraordinary thing to do, but then Blythe was an extraordinary lady. Obviously she had many very close encounters with Black Rhino and on more than one occasion was saved by her fiercely loyal dog Eccles. And there is one story I think should be told which epitomises the fibre of Blythe and her personal struggle with the conservation fraternity (old GRAA members take note). Early in her Black Rhino career she was attending an African Rhino Specialist Meeting – the only woman in a male dominated culture. Not daunted by the audience Blythe noted that female Black Rhino spray-urinate, just as males are known to do. She was promptly told she did not know what she was talking about – “typical woman”. At the next meeting Blythe simply showed a video she had taken of a female spray-urinating – that response did it all. From then on she was begrudgingly accepted as an expert – the men hated that, and I am not sure that some still do?
Submitted by Eugene Moll.
Address on presentation of the Spirit of Africa Award to Dr Ian Player on 26 June 2005.
Tim Snow; Africa Chairman, Game Rangers Association of Africa.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ian Player stands before you as the first recipient of the Game Rangers Association of Africa’s “Spirit of Africa” Award. Unlike the highest award we have in the GRAA; the Norman Deane Award, with Gold Medal and citation; this new award has been initiated to place the highest honour on the recipient; the difference between the two awards being the ‘highest award’ of the Norman Dean award, and ‘greatest honour’ of the Spirit of Africa award.
What can I tell you of Ian Player? Where does one start? How does one describe an icon?
What a person! Have you ever heard him tell a story? His passion comes to life as he draws in anecdotes, people, experience and even bird and animals calls from the bush. One is left feeling “Wow!” His conservation influence is legend, spanning an involvement in conservation of over 50 years.
This is a man of character, who as a teenager felt called to fight for his country in World War II. He felt so strong a personal need to go that he lied about his age and did what he believed in. Thankfully, he returned.
In an effort to raise awareness of soil erosion and the dwindling wildlife numbers in Kwazulu-Natal, he started the Duzi Canoe Marathon. Remarkably he also won the event three times, once even after a snakebite by a night adder. He survived that also.
You all have seen a white rhino, hundreds in fact! Many of you will know that it is this same Ian Player before you today, who in the 1960’s, was the leader of a small team of dedicated, skilled and passionate rangers, who through courage and often pure guts, using experimental methods of capture; distributed the few remaining white rhinoceros from iMfolozi Game Reserve to protected areas all over the place, thus ensuring the survival of this species and creating a conservation success story and a recipe which even by today’s standards is awesome.
Being a man of deep thought and strong spirit, Ian has throughout his life realized the value of Wilderness, as nourishment for the human soul, the spirit; and an essential part of humanity’s well-being. Through his friendship with the wise Maqubu Nthombela, he discovered the true meaning and value of the Wilderness. He started the Wilderness Trails programme, taking people back from modern life to find themselves again. The next step was the Wilderness Leadership School; and with the help and support of those like Lawrence van der Post, Edmund Rothschild and the Duke of Wellington, this too flourished. The symbolic outline of the Erythrina (Coral tree) leaf carried forward into the formation of Mnsinsi Holdings.
Ian played a pivotal role in opposing the mining of the St. Lucia area; an area since recognized as a World Heritage Site and a significant wetland under the Ramsar Convention. And somebody wanted to mine it? I, for one, am grateful that Ian Player had the foresight and the courage to stand against this foolishness.
This humble, highly respected, often controversial yet forward thinking man has traveled extensively and been called to lecture all over the world.
We are privileged to have Ian Player as a professional member of the Game Rangers Association of Africa. His humble words when told of this award were, “Thank you. The significance of this award to me is immense, because it is not political or tokenism. It is recognition by rangers, by my peers.”
Lest we place Ian on too high a pedestal on his own; I need to remind you all that behind every strong man stands a stronger woman. Ian’s wife, Ann took an oath once, “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health…..” Little did she know what lay ahead, for she could not have imagined the hardships of family life in the bush without modern amenities, raising a family and supporting her husband. Yet that life also brought joy to her.
To you Ann Player, I say this: the Game Rangers Association of Africa recognize you and applaud you for your wonderful support of Ian and for your magnificent contribution to his outstanding conservation achievement. Thank you.
I call now on Ian to receive this Spirit of Africa Award…
Green legend recognised with award
Article carried in the Natal Witness Monday 27/06/2005, by Craig Bishop
INTERNATIONAL conservation legend Dr Ian Player was the first man to be awarded the new Game Rangers' Association of South Africa Spirit of Africa award for a lifetime dedicated to conservation.
At an award function at Player's Karkloof home, GRSA chairman Tim Snow said anyone who has ever heard Player recount his adventures during 50 years' conservation knows he is passionate about wildlife.
Player is perhaps best known for his work in bringing the white rhino population back from the brink of extinction in the 1960s. He was a key opponent of plans to mine St Lucia and started the effective Wilderness Trails and Leadership programmes.
Player, whose first job was washing lavatories at St Lucia, also started the Dusi canoe marathon as a way to highlight soil erosion and dwindling numbers of wildlife. He won the race three times despite being bitten by a night adder once.
"This is the highest honour we can bestow on someone who has put their life into conservation, someone whose heart is in Africa," Snow said.
Player reminded the audience that behind every strong man is a stronger woman, in his case, his wife Ann.
"This is the most important award I have ever received because it demonstrates recognition by my peers. All of us are very aware of how our wives have been there for us She's had had to put up with me since 1957, which was not easy," Player said.
Publish Date: 27 June 2005.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL KRUGER NATIONAL PARK CHEETAH AND WILD DOG CENSUS
Today marks the presentation of some fantastic prizes to members of the public who participated in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Carnivore Conservation Group Cheetah and Wild Dog census, which ran for 7 months between October 2004 and May 2005.
This photographic census is different from any previous census of its type as it involved the public in counting two of the most threatened carnivore species found in the KNP at the same time, that is, the Vulnerable Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and the Endangered Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) – as classified by the IUCN (World Conservation Union).
This was only the second time in the more than 100-year history of the KNP that the Cheetah population has been counted. The first census was conducted in 1991/1992 and 172 individuals were identified. This was however the fifth Wild Dog census and previous results portrayed a fluctuating population of this endangered species. In 1989, the population stood at 357, in 1995 it stood at 434 and in 2000 it had dropped to 177 individuals. It is believed that these fluctuations are natural and that carnivore populations seem to do better during dry periods when prey is possibly easier to catch.
Census operations on any animal species within the boundaries of the KNP are important in order to get an idea of that animal’s status within the context of biodiversity management. Both species are classified as threatened by the IUCN which is a further reason for the need for continued research into the population patterns of these animals. It is well understood that Wild Dogs – in particular – have distinctive colour patterns and individual animals can be recognised in this way. Thanks to scars, size and other characteristics, it is assumed that Cheetah can be counted in the same way.
This survey also covered the private game reserves bordering the KNP’s western boundary, including the Sabi Sands, Manyeleti, Timbavati, Klaserie and Umbabat, where no fences exist between these areas and the KNP. Guests to the Park were asked to provide clear photographic or video images of either, and preferably both sides of each Cheetah and or Wild Dog they saw and in particular, a whole pack or group and to record all relevant information of the sighting including the species, date, time, location, group composition (total, adult males, adult females, young) and any other notes and details of the photographs that might be relevant. These photographs and their associated data were submitted to the project coordinator, Lucy Kemp for analysis. “We have been overwhelmed with the support that we have had from the public so far and we thank every entrant for their contribution to the success of the overall project,” said researcher Lucy Kemp.
The winners were not judged on the quality of the image but on the amount of assistance that they gave to the programme. Winners in the various categories are as follows:
First Prizes:
Southern District: Mr Lawrence Adler, Central District: Mr. Hilton Kotze, Northern District: Ms Tarryn Morris and Mr Kyle Harris
Second Prizes:
Mrs Margaret Vick, Mrs Katherine von Gerhard, Mr. Johan Mey, Mr Fritz Balcke, Mrs Jeanette Bower Winters, Mr David Durant, Jennifer and Victor Gouveia, Mr Shaun Levick, Mr Anton Pretorius
This survey would not have been possible without the incredible support of a number of donors and we would like to thank Land Rover South Africa, Tinga Private Game Lodge, the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Jock Safari Lodge and Agfa.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is one of the largest conservation non-governmental organisations in southern Africa. Initiated in 1973, the EWT functions through the work of its Working Groups which collectively coordinate between 90 and 110 projects throughout southern Africa. The EWT conserves threatened species and their habitats through field-based projects, applied research and community conservation programmes and has developed effective partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholder groups to achieve these goals.
Contact: Dr Gus Mills, Research Fellow: SAN Parks /, Head: Carnivore Conservation Group , Endangered Wildlife Trust, Tel: +27 (0)13-735-4240 , Fax: +27 (0)13-735-4055 , Email:
gusm@sanparks.org , www.ewt.org.za
The 4th Wild Dog & 2nd Cheetah Photographic Survey in the Greater Kruger Region
Compiled by Dr Gus Mills Research Fellow Kruger National P ark \ Head Carnivore Conservation Group, October 2004 – April 2005
Contact: Dr Gus Mills - address as above.
Mandara Trust Case:
Background information:
In September 2003, DEAT received a tip off and conducted a search at the Mandara Trust premises, a small holding in the Gonubie River catchment outside East-London.
The following were found on the property:
Drums containing large quantities of hazardous waste,
Thousands of liters of liquid hazardous waste appeared to have been spilled,
Tons of general waste was dumped on the property.
In January 2004, the owner of the property and trustee of the Mandara Trust, Darryl Tucker, was arrested. Three other accused were included on the charge sheet for contravening various provisions of the Environment Conservation Act, the Criminal Procedures Act and two Acts relating to hazardous waste. Additional charges of corruption and fraud were also laid against the Accused and DEAT has also instituted civil action for the recuperation of costs for the decontamination and rehabilitation of the site.
The case was heard on the 18th of May 2005. The Defendant pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced on the 20th of May. The sentence is as follows:
Southern African Wildlife Management Association, Symposium 2-4 October 2005
"Wildlife Management: a Conservation or Economic Incentive?"
Magoebaskloof Hotel, Limpopo Province, Hosted by: School of Molecular and Life Sciences of the University of Limpopo
Symposium information & Call for Presentations
The Southern African Wildlife Management Association is inviting all members of the association, wildlife managers, scientists and decision-makers in the field of conservation and wildlife, and interested parties to attend this year’s symposium, to be held at the Magoegaskloof Hotel in the Limpopo Province from 2 – 4 October 2005. Magoebaskloof is 385 km from Johannesburg and 68 km from Pietersburg.
THEME AND SUB THEMES
The main theme of the symposium is “Wildlife Management, a Conservation or Economic Incentive?” Efforts will be made to accommodate contributions over a broad spectrum, but the following sub themes are guidelines for papers & posters:
CALL FOR PAPERS / POSTERS
Papers and posters are welcome on the main theme or sub themes. Papers: 20-minute paper presentations (15 min. presentation and 5 min. question time) are invited. Posters: There will not be formal presentations of posters, but the programme will make allowance for a poster session where all authors should be available for discussion/questions of their posters. Presenters using PowerPoint must please bring copies of their presentations on CD, or flash disks, as only one computer will be used for all presentations.
Deadline for titles & abstracts: Paper/poster titles should reach the SAWMA secretariat (Elma Marais) by 31 May 2005, in order to compile a provisional programme. A short paper abstract (about 350 words, but not more than 500 words) should reach the secretariat by 31 July 2005 for inclusion in the programme.
REGISTRATION COSTS There are two main registration options for delegates attending the full two days of the symposium from Sunday evening, 2 October, to Tuesday afternoon, 4 October:
Option one: (A full package that includes all accommodation costs in the Magoebaskloof Hotel for Sunday- and Monday night, all meals, including breakfasts and the conference registration fee.) This option is only available to delegates who stay for the full two days from Sunday evening to Tuesday late afternoon.
| Category | Single | Sharing |
|---|---|---|
| SAWMA Members | R1500.00 | R1300.00 |
| Non-Member | R1700.00 | R1500.00 |
| Students | R1350.00 | R1150.00 |
Option two: (Includes only the conference registration fee and meals & teas from Sunday evening, 2 October, to Tuesday afternoon, 4 October, excluding accommodation and breakfasts. This option is for delegates who are not staying in the Magobaskloof hotel.)
| SAWMA Members | R1050.00 |
| R1300.00 | |
| Students(full time) | R930.00 |
Day delegates: (Delegates wishing to attend only one day of the symposium. This fee includes registration, two tea breaks, and lunch on the day they attend the symposium.)
| Monday, 3 October | R500.00 or R600.00(including dinner) |
| Tuesday, 4 October | R500.00 |
ACCOMMODATION
Registration option one: The Magoebaskloof hotel has 39 rooms available (18 rooms for delegates who are sharing, 21 bedrooms with double beds), which means that only about 60 delegates can be accommodated. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis, and delegates wishing to stay in the hotel should register and pay as soon as possible and before 31 July 2005 to avoid disappointment. Note that all bookings and payments for accommodation at the hotel during the symposium should be done through the SAWMA secretariat (Elma Marais) by completing the relevant sections on the registration form. Delegates who wish to stay on in the hotel on Tuesday evening should indicate so on the registration form, but will be responsible to pay the hotel for the extra evening.
Registration option two: Delegates using alternative accommodation are responsible for paying and booking their own accommodation. (Please see the attached sheet for details of the accommodation options in the Magoebaskloof area.)
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
There will be a “meet-and-greet” function on Sunday evening, 2 October and a dinner function on the evening of Monday, 3 October. The cost of these functions is included in the two-day registration fee.
PROGRAMME:
A brief outline of the programme:
Sunday, 2 October 2005:
Delegates arrive at Magoebaskloof for registration and “Meet and Greet” from 19h00.
Monday, 3 October 2005:
Morning: registration continues; Keynote address by an invited guest speaker; presentation of papers
Afternoon: presentation of papers; poster session; Annual General Meeting.
Evening: Dinner Function
Tuesday, 4 October 2005:
Morning and Afternoon: Presentation of papers.
Late afternoon: Departure of delegates.
A provisional programme should be available by August 2005.
REGISTRATION FORM
Completed registration forms should be returned as soon as possible and but not later than 31 August 2005 to Elma Marais.
Email: elma@mweb.co.za , or fax: 0866729882 or postal mail: P.O. Box 217, Bloubergstrand, 7436, South Africa
Registration fees can be paid by cheque, made payable to the Southern African Wildlife Management Association, and posted to the SAWMA Secretariat, P.O. Box 217, Bloubergstrand, 7436, South Africa. The bank details for deposits and direct bank transfer into the SAWMA cheque account are as follows: Standard Bank, Account number 270805575, Tyger Manor Branch, Branch code: 050410. Please confirm electronic payments by email or fax.
OR alternatively:
Register online at http://www.sawma.co.za
SUMMARY OF DEADLINES
| Submissions of paper/poster titles: | 31 May 2005 |
| Submissions of paper abstracts: | 31 July 2005 |
| Registration option one (accommodation in the hotel): | 31 July 2005 |
| Final submission of registration forms: | 31 August 2005 |
CONTACT
All registrations, submissions of paper and poster titles and general queries can be directed to the SAWMA Secretariat:
Elma Marais: E-mail address: elma@mweb.co.za, Tel: 021-5541297; Fax: 0866729882.
Enquiries with regards to paper/poster titles/contents can be directed to:
Paul Grobler: E-mail: paulg@ul.ac.za, Tel: 015 - 268 3145, Cell: 084 602 2748
Kenyan, 73, kills leopard with bare hands
Grandfather turns tables on attacking cat by grabbing it’s tongue
NAIROBI - A 73-year-old Kenyan grandfather reached into the mouth of an attacking leopard and tore out its tongue to kill it, authorities said Wednesday.
Peasant farmer Daniel M’Mburugu was tending to his potato and bean crops in a rural area near Mount Kenya when the leopard charged out of the long grass and leapt on him.
M’Mburugu had a machete in one hand but dropped that to thrust his fist down the leopard’s mouth. He gradually managed to pull out the animal’s tongue, leaving it in its death-throes.
“It let out a blood-curdling snarl that made the birds stop chirping”, he told the daily Standard newspaper of how the leopard came at him and knocked him over.
The leopard sank its teeth into the farmer’s wrist and mauled him with its claws. ”A voice, which must have come from God, whispered to me to drop the panga (machete) and thrust my hand in its wide-open mouth. I obeyed,” M’Mburugu said.
As the leopard was dying, a neighbour heard the screams and arrived to finish it off with a machete.
M’Mburugu was toasted as a hero in his village Kihato after the incident earlier this month. He was also given free hospital treatment by astonished local authorities.
“This guy is very lucky to be alive,” Kenya Wildlife Service official Connie Maina said, confirming details of the incident.
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Park Manager
R133 176 - R157 200 per annum
Emakhosini - Opathe Heritage Park
Requirements:
- proven management/development track record essential
- biodiversity/ heritage qualification an advantage
- computer literacy
- goal driven and self-motivated
- knowledge of relevant acts
- good written communication skills, including isiZulu
- project, financial and conflict management skills
- analytical and technical skills
Duties:
The incumbant will be responsible for:
- biodiversity conservation
- heritage conservation
- security and law inforcement
- developing park management and tourist infrastructures
- education programmes
- marketing
- public and neighbour relations
- human resource managements
- research, monitoring and planning
- financial and asset management, administration
A detailed job description may be obtained on the Amafa website: www.heritagekzn.co.za
Forward your applicaton and CV to: The CEO, Amafa/Heritage KZN, P.O. Box 523 Ulundi 3838
Closing date: 30 June 2005
Vacancy for senior managers/wardens
African Parks Foundation (AP) currently manages, on behalf of Governments, National Parks in Zambia (Liuwa Plain), Malawi (Majete) and Ethiopia (Nechisar). AP is currently in discussions with Governments regarding the management of a further 3 parks in Ethiopia, 4 World Heritage Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Marine Reserve in the Sudan and a National Park in Angola. It is difficult to say when these discussions will be concluded but the hope is that this will be before the end of 2005. AP typically appoints the senior managers/wardens to a park and we want to start the process of looking for appropriate managers. We have an immediate requirement for a Manager at Liuwa Plain as the current Manager has young children and wants to relocate to South Africa before the end of the year. If you have experience in managing a park and are happy to live in a remote part of Africa, we should be grateful if you would send us a short one page CV so that we can be in contact with you for opportunities as they occur. Your interest will be kept in strict confidence.
CVs may be e-mailed to fkeyzer@africanparks-conservation.com
Further information on AP is available on: www. africanparks-conservation.com
Tailpiece-
Something to think about!
Miss Beatrice, the church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married. She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all.
One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room. She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea. As he sat facing her old pump organ, the young minister noticed a cut-glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled with water. In the water floated, of all things, a condom!
When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat. The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.
"Miss Beatrice", he said. "I wonder if you would tell me about this?" pointing to the bowl. "Oh, yes" she replied, "isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter?"
Flu injections are for the birds!!
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
