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.
GRAA Hunt Raffle tickets
Hi ALL,
The draw took place on mothers day, Andre Botha and his wife acted as scrutineers.
There were 100 tickets in the draw. First prize went to ticket number 259 sold by Buks and the
second to number 225. S.G. CERONIE.
Out of the hundred tickets, 3 tickets were freebies to NON GRAA members, who were told that if they sold 9 tickets the 10th one was theirs. All 3 persons sold the books given to them.
A rather poor reflection on GRAA members who were asked to sell tickets, isn't this?
The amount brought in should therefore be 97xR250 = R24 250.00 minus accommodation and food. These costs will be determined later and will depend on whether the winners will come on their own or be accompanied by a second person.
Eland butchered in park
Susan Maré
THE current state of the Qwa-Qwa National Park is of great concern to conservationists and other stakeholders.
Fences are in a state of disrepair, facilities like staff accommodation, former tourist facilities and roads are either partially destroyed or disfunctional.
Eland are escaping from the boundaries of the park and this has culminated in alleged crop losses by local farmers around the park. Eland can now be hunted without hunting licences in the Free State as "a measure to mitigate the crop damage".
Prof. Gerhard Verdoorn, vice-president: Conservation on behalf of the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA), says eland are now being hunted down at an alarming rate in the Eastern Free State (EFS) region as the season for eland is open and no licence is required. "We are of the opinion that this is unsustainable and that there is reason for us to call for an immediate reversal of the 'no permit' hunting of eland in the Free State. The SAHGCA thus calls on the provincial ministry to close the hunting season on eland."
Illegal hunting in the Qwa-Qwa National Park is reported by local land owners, members of SAHGCA and residents of Bethlehem. This is due to the fact that the fences are down and that there is no presence of staff in the park.
According to Verdoorn, there are still communal people living and farming in the Qwa-Qwa National Park. Of concern is that the communal people are expecting something from the provincial government in terms of resettlement and this appears not to be forthcoming.
The SAHGCA has also heard rumours that businessmen from as far as Johannesburg are trying to negotiate concessions for development in the park: "We regard this as a breach of the principles of the national park and would like to believe that such individuals are not acting with the knowledge and blessing of the Free State Tourism, Environment and Economic Affairs (FS TEEA)."
In a letter to Mr Neo Masithela, MEC of the FS TEEA, the SAHGCA offered its full support in terms of resolving the issues around the national park. Masithela was kindly requested to transfer the management of the national park to the SA National Parks (SANParks).
Masithela was also requested to institute immediate action to find suitable land for the communal people in the park and to cancel the open hunting season on eland, also with immediate effect.
Verdoorn says the park is a critical component of the grassland biome of South Africa, has a unique beauty and splendour plus excellent habitats that harbours some very good herds of plains animals, rare reptile species, endemic bird species and grassland flora.
"As a conservation organisation it is our firm belief that the current state of affairs reigning in and around the national park is highly detrimental to the integrity of the park. We would like to ensure that the integrity of the park is maintained."
A tourist owner, Mr Niël van Schalkwyk, well known to the park, says the day by day degeneration of the park is shocking: "It is massive and seems if the amalgamation of SANParks and the FS TEEA is never going to take place. There is no discipline and management in the park."
Mr Manie Beukes of the Riemland branch of the SAHGCA says the hunting of eland in the park is now out of control. The association is aware of butcheries in Gauteng and even in Bethlehem that are selling eland meat.
Vrystaat asked the comment of the MEC and the premier of the Free State on the situation and how government is planning to stop the degeneration of the park. At the time of going to the press, they had not yet reacted.
Notice of the our AGM 2007
The location for the 2007 GRAA has been finalised to be held at De Hoop Nature Reserve within the Western Cape Province. De Hoop Nature Reserve is considered to be CapeNature’s flagship reserve and is also a World Heritage Site which lies within the Cape Floristic Region. The reserve is home to numerous threatened species of all taxa. Nine broad terrestrial habitats occur on the reserve, where there are over 1500 plant species. At least 12 of these plant species occur no where else in the world. The terrestrial reserve covers approximately 34 000 ha and adjacent to this, is a 42 km long Marine Protected Area protecting, probably, the greatest habitat diversity of any MPA in the country.
The dates set for the AGM are from the 5 February to the 8 February 2007. Please set these dates aside NOW!. Accommodation has been booked for 80 persons at the Potberg EE centre, situated in the eastern section of the reserve. Additional camping sites will also be available. It is hoped to bring a first for the GRAA AGM'S by focusing on a marine theme. Relevant speakers are being contacted to give presentations on one of the days and associated field excursions are also being planned. Between excursions and presentations/AGM business, there will be ample opportunity to wander around the reserve with a pair of bioculars and add a few "lifers" to the list.
Further details will be sent out shortly.
Many thanks and the western Cape is looking forward to hosting the 2007 AGM.
Peter Chadwick
Regional GRAA Chair: Western Cape.
Wild Coast toll road
Hi all
This is just a friendly reminder to you that the final date to comment on the new draft scoping report for the proposed Wild Coast toll road is next week Friday, 9 June 2006. Please take 5 minutes to raise any concerns. I have raised several, but in my opinion none more important than the two issues I highlight below. This has to be coupled with an intense drive to secure protected area status for the Pondoland Centre. Obviously the ideal situation will be to have the road completely away from the coast following the existing N2 or using the R61, but SANRAL clearly does not want to consider these alternatives at all. The inland Mzamba route is only a few km longer than SANRALs preferred option and bypasses the important Ngonyama and Sikuba Gorges as well as a significant portion of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism.
Please send your comments to Lauren Graham (contact details below).
May I also misuse this opportunity to inform all of you that the book Mkambati and the Wild Coast, which I co-authored with John Costello, is now out at all leading bookshops. If any of you would like a copy you can also contact me directly.
Regards
Div
Please find enclosed details on the Proposed N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway: Draft Scoping Report.
Please note that the DSR is also available on the websites www.ccaenvironmental.co.za and www.nra.co.za and can be made available, on request, in Afrikaans, isiZulu and isiXhosa.
An executive summary of the DSR is attached. If you do not have Adobe Reader please visit the following website to download it for free: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
The letter attached gives details of where the full DSR can be read. It also outlines where public meetings will be held.
We invite your comments on the DSR. Please ensure that all comments reach our offices before 9 June 2006.
Regards,
Lauren Graham
Nomi Muthialu & Associates, 169 St. George's Road, P. O. Box 32097, Observatory, Braamfontein,
Johannesburg, 2017
2198
Tel: (011) 487-0550, Fax: (011) 648-3450
NAMIBIA
My dream[s] as a child included flying a Spitfire, being a bullfighting matador, having a million pounds, living in the desert, and dying a hero as per Hemingway in ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’. A child of the 1940s. The RAF wouldn’t have me, my experiences on the farm didn’t enamour me to bulls, the only way to big money was through the football pools, dead heroes lose their attraction when it gets personal, and there was a £50 limit on currency to be taken out of the UK. A child of the 1950s.
I never even considered being a ranger – not possible in the 1940s. But the undreamed was to take me to the desert – the Western Desert of Egypt [been there], the Kalahari Desert of Botswana [been there] and recently the long awaited opportunity to go to the Namib Desert. See, childhood dreams can come true.
I had decided that I probably wouldn’t go to Southern Africa again. Too much hassle with airlines, environmental issues, all those jabs to get up-to-date, packing, decisions – endless reasons to stay at home. BUT – this year the Game Rangers Association of Africa [GRAA] arranged its AGM at the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust [NaDeet] in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve in central Namibia.
So arrangements were made – fly to J’burg, meet the rangers from the Low Veld region of South Africa and travel by overlander safari bus to NaDeet. Easy. 4 hours to Heathrow, 3 hour delay, 12 hour flight, 12 hour drive first day, 14 hour drive second day – eventually over 50 hours from home to site. Highlight of the journey was the unanimous decision by all of us on the bus to ignore the ‘road closed’ signs and the washed out road. An ‘embarrassment of rangers’ aptly describes being bogged down in wet sand with no spade in the middle of nowhere when a bus load of tourists arrives to rescue us. Ignominy. No matter what the circumstances, the motto of African rangers seems to be ‘Forwards, always forwards’.
I expected the desert to be dry and hot in the day and dry and cold at night. What I got was the wettest period in Namibia for 30 years – rain most days, 6” one day, washed out of the tent one night, roads impassable, green desert vegetation 4 feet high.
The meeting itself was attended by 70 members, had a programme of talks and discussions about conservation and wildlife management in Namibia, and the annual business meeting of the GRAA.
The dunes, the desert, the wildlife, the night sky [trying to catch gerbils at night on the dunes was not something I had envisaged as a child], the rainbows, the storm clouds. Sunset in the rain, beer and good company, early morning dune exploration – unique.
Travelling northwards after the meeting, with a good friend who runs Blue Sky Namibia Safaris, widened my knowledge, introduced me to many more people and gave me a resolve to go back again. But I was travelling on to KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape to be involved in a schools project.
After more than 3 weeks it was a real joy to be home and finished with the hassle of travel, the airlines, the medication, the delays. So perhaps I won’t go to Africa again – unless GRAA hold their next meeting in Ethiopia, or Malawi, or Angola, or ----.
Membership of CMA can lead you to places you never even dreamed about. Now I remember wanting to be a hermit, in the desert. The Topas group actually designed a training programme for hermits ----
Mike Marshall
www.gameranger.org , www.blueskynamibia.com , www.nadeet.org
SPEECH BY MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM, AT THE LAUNCH OF SOUTH AFRICA’S BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ON INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DAY, EASTERN CAPE, 22 MAY 2006
Introduction
The vast web connecting all life on Earth is starting to show signs of unravelling. From melting polar ice-caps to the aggressive advance of deserts, from oceans with ever-decreasing fish stocks, to skies travelled by fewer and fewer species of birds. On all continents, in all oceans, and across all habitats, natural warning flares are starting to flicker. Humanity cannot afford to ignore the growing proof of the frequently-irreversible erosion of our living environment.
The destruction of forests that have stood for millennia - home to more than half of all land species; the shrinking of natural ranges as populations grow and city sprawl expands; the sharp drop in the numbers of our great wild mammals; and countless other warning signs all indicate the urgency of acting now to meet our biodiversity responsibilities. We share a duty that affects the fate of all life. Our generation is undoubtedly the last with the ability to stop this destruction of our own design, and to do so before we cross the threshold of no-return.
It gives me great pleasure to address you this morning as we celebrate the International Day of Biological Diversity. South Africa, as you know, is a country unmatched not only in terms of it’s scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and unique tradition, but also in terms of our remarkable biological resources and ecology. Indeed, South Africa has one of the world’s richest troves of plants and animals. Our country occupies only about 2% of the world’s land area, but is home to nearly 10% of the world’s plants and 7% of the reptiles, birds and mammals on Earth.
Three globally recognised biodiversity hotspots occur in our country; in the south we have the Cape Floristic Region, which falls entirely within our boundaries; the Succulent Karoo, which we share with our neighbour Namibia, occurs in the dry interior and along the western coast; and in the east, we have the Maputoland-Pondoland hotspot, which also extends into Mozambique and Swaziland. Our seas straddle three oceans: the Atlantic, the Indian and the Southern Oceans. These include an exceptional range of habitats, from cool-water kelp forests to tropical coral reefs. Our southern African coast is home to almost 15% of all known coastal marine species.
SA Biodiversity In Danger – Protected Areas Not Enough
One of the most important recent achievements in addressing South African biodiversity concerns was the publication last year of the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, a partnership between our Department and the SA National Biodiversity Institute. The assessment revealed that 34% of our terrestrial ecosystems are threatened with 5% critically endangered; 82% of our 120 main rivers are threatened; and 44% are critically endangered. Three of our thirteen groups of estuarine biodiversity are in critical danger; with 12% of marine bio-zones under serious threat.
Given the geographic spread and extraordinary diversity of our plant and animal species, it is impossible to conserve the majority of species and ecosystems through a traditional protected areas approach alone. Up to 80% of our significant biodiversity lies outside of the current protected area framework. So, to conserve this rich diversity, it is necessary to integrate biodiversity priorities into the policies, plans and programmes of all South Africans.
We have the dual responsibility to respond to the challenges of safeguarding biological resources, whilst at the same time meeting our country’s many developmental needs. We recognise that sustained economic and social development depends on wise management and protection of the environment. But we also know that we will not be able to safeguard the environment if people remain hungry and without jobs. Biodiversity has an economic value that is often underestimated. Intelligently mobilised it can serve the cause of development and poverty alleviation.
Mainstreaming provides us with an approach through which conservation and biodiversity can be used as a driver for development, and to leverage economic and social gains. We recognise that biodiversity is not the primary concern of many communities, but all day-to-day activities impact significantly on it. It is therefore essential for biodiversity and biodiversity protection to be popularised throughout society.
Launch of the NBSAP
To reinforce the protection of our natural heritage, and in keeping with our commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, I am very pleased today to officially launch the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) which will guide our conservation and management of biodiversity, and help us to ensure sustainable and equitable benefits for all communities.
The NBSAP highlights five primary strategic objectives like the need for a network of protected areas that conserves a representative sample of all SA biodiversity; and the need for human development to be enhanced through sustainable use of biodiversity. It then specifies a range of activities to realise each these objectives, and sets five and fifteen year targets for each.
It also provides for the entrenching of biodiversity considerations in our production sectors, for example the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. These objectives focus on two aspects: firstly, the inclusion of biodiversity priorities into guidelines and best-practice codes to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity, and, secondly, measures to encourage sustainable production practises.
Conclusion
The NBSAP will now inform the creation, in law, of a National Biodiversity Framework to ensure an integrated, co-ordinated and consistent approach to biodiversity management by organs of state in all spheres of government, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, local communities, other stakeholders and the public. The publishing of this framework will mark the first time that an ecosystem approach to biodiversity management will be introduced and secured in South African law.
Turning paper strategies into action on the ground requires a supportive legal environment and associated institutional capacity, but ultimately it is the commitment and partnership of all South Africans that will determine our success in these endeavours.
We have the responsibility to ensure that our country becomes and remains a living ark. Our communities must stand as the custodians of conservation and the guarantors of biological diversity.
For enquiries: JP Louw (082-569-3340) or Mava Scott (082-376-2757)
CapeNature nabs 'spidermen'
They don't wear masks or climb up buildings but three foreign nationals certainly found themselves in a bit of a tangled web when they were found guilty of poaching spiders last week.
Richard Gallon (30) and Guy Tansley (36), both from the UK, and Thomas Ezendam (38) from Holland, were apprehended by CapeNature staff on Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve just outside of Robertson, on 30 March 2006. They were caught with 27 baboon spiders, 20 other spiders and four scorpions.
This is in contravention of the Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ord. No 19 of 1974) and they were each found guilty on charges of collection, possession and transportation of these arachnids without the necessary permits. They were each fined R10 000 of which R 7000 is suspended for five years, subject to them not committing similar crimes during that period. Richard Gallon is a conservationist and biologist and does freelance research on spiders, working closely with researchers in South Africa. He is also a world authority on baboon spiders. Both Tansley and Ezendam are also spider enthusiasts and freelance researchers. They claim that while they did realise what they were doing was illegal, they did not see the seriousness of the offence and displayed a great degree of remorse for their actions. They have no previous convictions.
Dr Kas Hamman, CapeNature's Director of Biodiversity says "While CapeNature supports and fully appreciates the value of research on arachnids, it has to be done by the book, with the necessary permits."
Hamman also gives his assurance that the confiscated specimens will be used for the purposes of research.
This arrest was largely due to the keen observation of the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve field staff and the sleuthing of CapeNature's dynamic Environmental Crime Unit, which works in partnership with the South African Police Service and other role players. The Unit comprises a group of dedicated officials whose sole responsibility is to prevent, investigate and monitor 'green crime'. Under the expert helmanship of Paul Gildenhuys, they have had numerous successful prosecutions to date .
Special Judges Award for Msinsi
At a gala event in March, Msinsi Holdings was awarded special recognition for service excellence to the tourism industry. At a glittering awards ceremony, Tourism KZN handed over a "golden lady" to representatives of Msinsi in recognition of the company's contribution to tourism in KZN in the category, special judges awards.
The criteria for this section of awards is for service that goes beyond expectations.
Msinsi Holdings manages five dams and their surrounds - Albert Falls Dam and Game Reserve, Hazelmere Dam and Resort, Inanda Dam and Resort, Nagle Dam and Game Reserve and Shongweni Dam and Game Reserve.
Msinsi Resorts & Game Reserves (Msinsi) is a private conservation and ecotourism management company founded in 1992, by Dr Ian Player, under the auspices of the Wilderness Foundation.
Since the early days of having Shongweni Dam alone in its stable, Msinsi currently manages five Umgeni Water estates, which translates into employment opportunities for at least 120 individuals. Most of these employees are members of the communities that are adjacent to the five dams.
Msinsi does not underplay its social responsibility role as a facilitator of the socio-economic development of its neighbouring communities. The community levy collected per visitor vehicle at the entrance gates of the reserves/resorts is used for projects which benefit the local communities.
In a very short period Msinsi has established itself as a major player in the tourism industry in KwaZulu-Natal. Exciting new plans are in the pipeline to catapult the company to be the premier holiday destination in the country.
Southern African Wildlife Management Association
Symposium 17 – 19 September 2006
The role of Wildlife Management in Biodiversity Conservation
Forever Resorts Aventura Loskopdam, Mpumalanga, Hosted by: Mpumalanga Parks Board
Symposium information & Call for Presentations
VENUE AND DATE
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 to attend this year’s symposium, to be held at Forever Resorts Aventura Loskopdam, Mpumalanga, from 17 – 19 September 2006.
The resort is on the banks of the Loskop Dam on the
Olifants River, 48km north of Middelburg and 230 km east of Johannesburg.
THEME AND SUB THEMES
The main theme of the symposium is: The role of Wildlife Management in
Biodiversity Conservation. 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: 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 each author will be available for discussion/questions of posters. Presenters using PowerPoint must please bring copies of their presentations on CD / flash disk drives.
Deadline for titles & abstracts: Paper/poster titles should reach the SAWMA secretariat (Elma Marais) by 31 May 2006, in order to compile a provisional programme. A short abstract for both papers and posters (about 350 words,but not more than 500 words) should reach the secretariat by 15 July 2006 for inclusion in the programme.
PROGRAMME:
A brief outline of the programme:
Sunday, 17 September 2006:
Delegates arrive for registration and “Meet and Greet” from 19h00.
Monday, 18 September 2006:
Morning: registration continues; Keynote address by an invited guest
speaker; presentation of papers
Afternoon: presentation of papers; poster session; Evening: Dinner Function
Tuesday, 19 September 2006:
Morning: Presentation of papers. Annual General Meeting and election of
Council
Afternoon: Presentation of papers on elephant research and management;
Awards for best presentations
Late afternoon: Departure of delegates.
A provisional programme should be available by August 2006.
REGISTRATION FEE
This year we will implement a penalty system for late registration.
Registration forms and payment must reach the secretariat by 15 August 2006 to avoid the late registration fee. It is also possible to pay the registration fee at the symposium, but the late registration fee will be applicable. The registration fee excludes accommodation.
Delegates will be responsible to book their own accommodation directly at the Resort. (See more information under Accommodation)
Option one: Attendance for the full duration of the symposium from 17 – 19 September 2006 (includes a program, buffet dinner on Sunday evening, breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, tea/coffee & Dinner on Monday, Breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch, tea/coffee on Tuesday.)
(Early Registration) Before15 Aug. (Late Registration) After 15 Aug.
SAWMA members R1 050-00 R1 150-00
Non-members R1 300-00 R1 430-00
Students (full-time) R 900-00 R990-00
Option two: Fees for delegates wishing to attend on a daily basis: (includes midmorning tea/coffees, lunch, midafternoon tea/coffee and a programme, breakfast & dinner excluded).
Monday, 18 September & (includes dinner on Monday evening)
SAWMA members R500-00
Non-members R600-00
Students (full-time) R400-00
Tuesday, 19 September
SAWMA members R380-00
Non-members R480-00
Students (full-time) R300-00
Registration fees can be paid by cheque (preferably ZAR currency), 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.
Cancellation policy:
In the event of cancellations before 31 August only 75% of the registered amount will be refunded. No cancellations will be accepted after 31 August 2006. Delegates will be held responsible for the fees when attendance is cancelled after 31 August.
ACCOMMODATION
A Block booking has been made at Forever Resorts Aventura Loskopdam, but delegates are responsible for booking and paying their own accommodation at the resort. Accommodation bookings have to be made before the 31stJuly 2006 to avoid disappointment. Delegates will be responsible to ensure that the total amount payable is paid timeously in order to confirm their accommodation arrangements.
Delegates who are planning to leave the resort on Wednesday, 20 September, must make their own arrangements with regards to dinner on Tuesday and breakfast on Wednesday morning. The chalets are self-catering and the resort also has a restaurant and convenience store.
BOOKING:
Please note: All bookings must me made at Forever Resorts Aventura Loskopdam Reservations Department and please speak to Adele or Marié. Please inform them that you are attending the SA Wildlife Management symposium.
Tel: +27 (0) 13 262 3075/6/7
Fax: +27 (0) 13 262 5269/2087
E-mails: banq07@aventura.co.za
POSTAL ADDRESS
Private Bag X1525
Middelburg, 1050
(More information is available at
http://www.aventura.co.za/loskopdam/accommodation.htm)
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
The Eastern Cape Parks Board (ECPB) was established in terms of the Provincial Parks Board Act, 2003 (Act 12 of 2003). With its Head Office in East London and managing about twenty-one Provincial Reserves the ECPB’s mandate is biodiversity conservation inside Provincial Parks in line with the national and provincial legislation. The ECPB seeks to attract suitably qualified professionals to fill this position to fulfill its mandate. Chief Operations Officer, (Ref. COO 1/5/06) Head Office (East London) Requirements: The ideal candidate will be in possession of a degree in Earth or Animal Sciences, having proven success in senior management positions in a public business environment. Applicants should have at least five years’ executive management experience in a conservation or environment management field, working as part of a professional team. Applicants should demonstrate enthusiasm for the conservation of natural resources and have a love of indigenous fauna and flora. The ideal candidate is a strong leader and motivator, who will have thorough knowledge and the necessary skills for successfully executing the job responsibilities mentioned below. Duties: Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer will assume accountability for the Operations function of the ECPB. Responsibilities entail, inter alia:
Applications must be accompanied by a comprehensive CV. Applications
received after the closing date will not be considered. Ensure that you have
specified the position and centre you are applying for.
Please forward your application, quoting the relevant reference number, to:
The Training and Development Manager, Eastern Cape Parks Board, PO Box
11235, Southern Wood, East London 5201. All electronic applications
(e-mails) must be forwarded in MS Word format to e-mail:
lulekwa@ecparksboard.co.za or fax: 086 611 8000.
Closing date: 9 June 2006 Human Communications 51941
Dear all.
The IRF is urgently looking for someone to conduct anti-poaching ranger
training of 20 community (indigenous) rangers in Mongolia (Russia).
Must be done in their summer (June July).
Ruben is tied up until September, and Jack is not available.
Are there any members out there who would be interested?
Please get back to me urgently.
David
David Zeller
President
International Ranger Federation
email: irfpresident@soft.co.za
ARMED FIELD ASSISTANT
Applications are invited for two contract positions (2 – 6 weeks) with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for an Armed Field Assistant.
The Purpose of the contract:
The encumbent will be offering armed protection to international volunteers participating in field research for the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park - Rare, Threatened & Endemic Species Project.
The work will be conducted in the uMkhuze section of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.
The research will consist of two 3-week field surveys for small mammals (including bats), reptiles, amphibians and birds.
Duties:
Protecting a group of between (2 – 8) international volunteers on foot with a heavy calibre rifle (minimum calibre: .375) in areas where elephant, hippopotamus, buffalo, black & white rhino, hippopotamus, leopard, spotted hyaena and crocodile could be encountered. This would be mostly during the day, however on some evenings armed protection for bat-netting will be required. Night activities (like bat-netting), will always be in close proximity to vehicles. Working hours generally will be from 6:30 in the morning until dinner and on some evenings night work will be conducted.
Qualifications:
Experience:
Other:
Applications, with a CV and two references, should be addressed to:
Xander Combrink
Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
PO Box 398, St Lucia Estuary
e-mail: combrinx@kznwildlife.com
FAX to: 035 590 1343
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 June 2006
Tailpiece-
She told me we couldn't afford beer anymore and I'd have to quit buying it.
Then I caught her spending $65.00 on Clinique Sh$t.
And I asked how come I had to give up stuff and not her.
She said she needed the make-up to look pretty for me.
I told her that was what the beer was for.
I don't think she's coming back..."
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