Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
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.
Thin Green Line
I have a copy of the Thin Green Line, July 05 issue. This is the magazine of the IRF for your interest. If anyone wants a copy please contact me and I will send to you individually as it is 15 pages of IRF news.
Abalone, vehicle and trailers confiscated as DEAT cracks down on poachers
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Media Statement
For immediate release 29 August 2005
Contact: Carol Moses 082 829 3917
Abalone, vehicle and trailers confiscated as DEAT cracks down on poachers
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has on Friday 26 August 2005 confiscated abalone, a vehicle, two trailers and equipment worth an estimated R3.3 million in Somerset West near Cape Town. Three men were arrested and are expected to appear in court today.
This incident follows extensive observation and investigations by the departments specialised unit.
In separate incidents, the Department has welcomed judgement by the Humansdorp Magistrate Court and the Mossel Bay regional Court during the past two weeks.
The Mossel Bay regional Court imposed a fine of R350 000 in the case against ProFish (Pty) Limited, and its Director was handed a five year suspended sentence, after being convicted for fraud involving illegal fishing.
In a separate case the Humansdorp Magistrate Court convicted five men for illegal possession of abalone, poached from Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape. They were sentenced to four months in prison with an option to pay a R10 000 fine.
During the arrest of the men, the department also seized a vessel and a 4x4 vehicle valued at R450 000.
In the Western Cape, the Hermanus Environmental court recorded a total of 37 convictions for the past three months, mainly abalone related offences, The court further issued fines to the value of approximately R300 000,00 and recorded 82 000 abalone confiscated as well as the seizure of a luxury vehicle worth R250 000,00.
Issued by JP Louw, Chief Director: Communications, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Chief Directorate: Communications Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Cell: 082 569 3340. (012) 310 3594/6,
This may be short notice but sounds interesting.SUBJECT: FROM PRESERVE PLANET EARTH COMMITTEE
WEZ Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe - Matabeleland Branch 30th
Annual Game Census in Hwange - 16 to 19 September 2005 We require several more teams of counters (min 2) for this annual research exercise. All vacant water points are in the South of the Main Camp area requiring 4x4s.There are a few requiring standard vehicles only. We may also be able to put you in touch with others to make up teams.
Basic requirements are teams of a minimum of 2 people with a vehicle. You will be in the field counting from midday Saturday 17th to Sunday 18th September. There is to be a pre-count familiarisation on 23rd
August (and a presentation on the Matopos), to clarify what you are required to do. If you are interested please contact Margie Pearce.
Home 09-247009 Office 09-75251/77032 Cell 011 218 314
afdawn@telconet.co.zw margiespearce@yahoo.co.uk
'For things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.'
I Remember When
Hello All,
Just to let you know my new book is now on sale.
This is a human story. It is my autobiography and tells the story of my family and I as well as the people, places and organisations that I was honoured to work with, in and for.
I Remember When...
A LIFETIME WITH A GAME RANGER AND HIS FAMILY IN THE WILDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
After a lifetime in the bush, Game Ranger Dick Nash puts pen to paper to tell us of the life that he and his family experienced in the wildernesses and game reserves of Southern Africa.
Beginning with the rigorous adventures of his early years as a young ranger in the wilds of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), "I Remember When..." follows his young family's migration south to where they began their journey with the wonderful organisation, the Natal Parks Board (now KZN Wildlife) - a journey that was to last thirty golden years.
This collection of tales presents the reader with a glimpse of the glorious adventures that unfolded in their everyday lives, in places where humans did not necessarily have the right of way.
With enormous contributions from cherished colleagues, this narrative will, for some, be a collection of heart-warming memories. Others will find it a valuable source of information and still others will find that it offers the reader an insight into the guardians who watched over the wild places that we are free to roam in today.
From the serenity of sunrise canoe trips to the excitement of anti-poaching campaigns, from the heart-wrenching tragedies of animal attacks to the often comical exploits of the rangers, life as a game ranger in its entirety lies on these pages against the scenery of an African setting.
Of course I can recommend this book! To those of you who contributed in any way, you will either see yourselves on these pages or you will see old friends and recognise fellow conservationists.
The book costs R 130.00c (+ packaging, insurance and postage, if required,) from us, and will undoubtedly be more expensive in the shops if we go that route.
I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you and, in closing, send our warmest wishes,
Dick Nash.
News from an old, member membership no 70
Dear Mr Yunnie
Very many thanks for sending me the “Game Ranger” No. 1 of 2005. I find them fascinating and read it from cover to cover, keep up the good work!!
I was a game ranger (renamed “Warden”) in Malawi from Sept 71 to March 77 at Nyika National Park in northern Malawi – we also looked after the “Vwaza Marsh Reserve” – and the rest of Northern Region. We have been back 5 times to visit. For much of the last 20 years it has been neglected – due to desperate shortage of funds. 2 years ago the Malawi Government – Dept of National Parks and Wildlife – realized they needed help so asked “The Nyika-Vwaza Trust” to take over some, and increasing, management. The Trust had been set up, with Government agreement, by David Foot, who, with his wife and 2 children, have lived on Nyika running the Tourist facilities, and an excellent “horse safari” business!!
Now “Peace Parks Foundation” have become much involved. I enclose an invitation to a “Book Launch” in London by OUR Trust in UK (to support David’s Trust!). Also various letters and leaflets and newsletters to show that there IS good news coming out of some parts of Africa! I am a founding Trustee of our UK Trust – the only one who has lived and worked there!
I know the 5th “International Rangers Congress” is being held in Scotland in June 2006, but don’t know exactly when and where. I will NOT be able to help, as I suffer from “Chronic Fatigue” (M.E.?) but may be able to meet some here! Best wishes to all
Ian Gordon [Major(Rtd) IAD Gordon]
PS enclose a donation to GRAA.
NYIKA-VWAZA TRUST (NVT) AND NYIKA-VWAZE (UK) TRUST (NVukT)
It is some time since I sent you details of the very encouraging progress being made in this superb part of Malawi so I am now enclosing the Newsletter of the trust with much new information. It is satisfying to have such good news, for a change!
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to David and Robyn Foot who live at Chilinda with two small children and who run the “Nyika Safari Company” (NSC) – Web: www.nyika.com, e-mail: reservations@nyika.com, PO Box 577, Mzuzu, Malawi. Tel 09265 1330 180.
We also equally owe a debt to Harry and Gill Foot (David’s parents) who have made huge efforts to start, set up and run the UK trust, in addition to other works for Malawi and other charities. Whoever said “retirement” would be dull!!?
The newsletter has been produced by Mike Budgen who went to Nyika as a “volunteer” last year to help “start up” the work and is an expert on computers. Harry has done much of the production and distribution etc.
There is also encouraging new news:-
(This above, is my own “covering letter” – my typing with 1 finger and spelling!). The other is our “formal” Trust letter. Hope you find the enclosed to be interesting.
Yours ever
Ian Gordon
The Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust
Stowford Farm, Harford, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0JD
Tel: 01752 – 892632. Email: hgf@southdevon.org
Patron: Sir Rogen Toulson Trustees’ Hon. Consultant: Mike Shirley-Beavan
This letter is being sent to all who are registered Friends of the Nyika-Vwaza Trust and also to those whom we think may be interested in being informed about the exciting developments that are taking place to ensure the conservation of the Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, both in northern Malawi.
Enclosed is the first Newsletter produced by the Trust, and also a leaflet that describes the objects of the Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust. There are, in fact, two Trusts, with similar names and objects. The first Trust is registered in Malawi under Malawi law with the approval of the Malawi Government, and its personnel work closely with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in conserving these precious areas. The second Trust is registered in the UK and is an appropriate vehicle for UK tax payers who wish to make charitable donations. The Trusts are legally independent of each other but co-operate through a Memorandum of Understanding.
On the evening of Monday 14th November 2005 the UK Trust, in association with the Malawi Tourism Marketing Consortium (MTMC) will host a Reception for invited guests to launch Malawian born David Kelly’s new coffee table book of paintings of Malawi’s National Parks. The book is called “Malawi” Endangered Beauty” The Launch will include a private viewing of an Exhibition of David’s superb wildlife paintings prior to it being open to the public 15 – 17 November. During the evening there will also be a brief illustrated Presentation of Malawi’s National Parks by MTMC. An auction is also being planned. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of David’s books and paintings will be donated to the UK Trust.
Should you like to receive an invitation to the private Reception, which will be held at the Malawi High Commission in London, by courtesy of the High Commissioner, please return the enclosed form to Harry Foot at the above address by 20th September 2005.
With best wishes
Ian Gordon, Trustee
Registered in England and Wales as a Charity number 1105105
(David Kelly’s paintings are really “SUPER” – we have bought one! He lives near here, near Lockerbie.)
“Invitation” required for “security purposes”
Malawi High Commission at 33 Grosvenor Street, London W1, (near Bond St. tube station).
EZEMVELO KWAZULU-NATAL WILDLIFE MEDIA RELEASE No: 10/2005 STATE OF LAKE ST LUCIA AND THE ESTUARY
For immediate release
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife have recently completed an environmental scoping exercise to be submitted to the national department of Environment Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) as part of a plan to artificially move the Umfolozi River mouth closer to Maphelane.
The Umfolozi River is currently threatening to break through into the St Lucia Estuary and plans have been drawn up to prevent this due to the very real dangers of irreversible ecological damage that could result from such a break-through.
A very real danger of allowing the Umfolozi to connect with the St Lucia Estuary at this time is that should the Umfolozi come down in flood it will carry huge quantities of river-borne silt that will be deposited in the Estuary before the river can breach into the sea.
A further, perhaps more immediate danger of such a breach into the St Lucia Estuary is that it will have the same effect as a premature, artificial opening of the mouth – ie the massive ingress of sea-sand and salt water.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Wetland Authority are unwilling to risk adding any further sediments to an already shallow system.
Lake St Lucia, the core element of South Africa’s first natural World Heritage Site the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, is still being adversely affected by the ongoing drought that began some three years ago and that has seen the Lake level drop to its lowest in over 50 years.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife as the biodiversity conservation management agency, and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority as the over all management body, have agreed to apply a management policy that keeps the mouth of the estuary closed until there is sufficient water in the system to breach it naturally - a condition that will only be created once the water level of the Lake and the Estuary are equal to or greater than mean sea level.
This management policy has been developed with ongoing input and monitoring from Wetland Park and EKZNW ecologists as well as independent marine and terrestrial biologists, hydrologists and engineers, many of whom have conducted much of the scientific research that has resulted in a far greater understanding of the of how the system functions.
The present management policy and prevailing conditions are regularly reviewed during workshops involving these experts.
A breach of the mouth at a time when the Lake level is equal or greater than sea level will ensure that a strong outflow of water from the Lake system will carry any marine or river-borne sediments away from the immediate mouth area.
The greatest danger of a premature, artificial opening of the mouth lies in the difference of water levels currently existing between the Lake and the sea.
A premature opening will result in the influx of millions of tons of salt deep into the system, and the rush of sea-water that will only stop once the differing water levels have reached equilibrium, will carry with it millions of tons of marine sediments - ie sea-sand - that will be virtually impossible to remove and that could cause irreversible damage to the system.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has for some time being preparing the immediate Estuary mouth area for the possibility of an eventual natural opening and has had its dredger working there.
A premature break-through by the Umfolozi River will completely negate the effects of this preparation.
The salt influx alone poses a serious threat to the long-term vitality of the entire system as with evaporation the salt content increases rapidly and to extreme levels as it did in the various droughts that occurred up to 1984 when the management policy was to keep the mouth open at all costs.
During this time the salt content of the Lake rose to over three times that of sea-water and the strong salt concentrations destroyed vast amounts of shoreline vegetation, a vital element in protecting the banks from mechanical erosion caused by wave action.
This resulted in the loss of North Island between Bird and Lane Islands, and caused the shore of the lake to recede, with the eroded material being carried back into the Lake itself, adding to the further sedimentation of an already shallow system.
It took the massive flooding caused by Cyclone Domoina in January 1984, when the Lake received six times its normal volume of water in 48 hours, to flush the highly saline water from the Lake system.
The Wetland Park Authority, with EKZNW, has submitted a proposal to the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) for the development of a full-scale assessment of the ecological reserves and levels for all the water components of the Wetland Park.
Part of this will be the assessment of the possible restoration of the Umfolozi River mouth into the St Lucia Estuary - this will include appropriate engineering and livelihood solutions, with the aim of restoring the natural process of the system in the medium term.
Due to the effects of the current drought, very little water has flowed into the 36 000 ha Lake since 2002 when the mouth of the Estuary began to close as a natural response to the growing drought.
At one stage in 2003 the Lake was reduced to four separate bodies of water, but with late rains in the first quarter of 2004 and again in 2005 sufficient water has entered the Lake to reconnect these separate bodies, although the water level remains critically low at about 800 mm below mean sea level.
There has been a loss of aquatic species but monitoring has shown that there are still some 30 different species of fish in the Lake and the low water levels have created an environment ideal for wading birds.
The salt content of the Lake and Estuary is satisfactory, and there is no threat of permanent local extinction of species.
Freshwater continues to seep into the lake from the Eastern Shores, providing water for various animals such as crocodiles, hippo, reedbuck, elephants, buffalo and kudu that live in that part of the Park.
This seepage has been enhanced by the removal of approximately 6000 ha of pine trees from the Eastern Shores section, and the currently ongoing removal of some 7000 ha of gum and pine trees from the Western Shores and the catchment of the Mpate River.
With water levels currently being low throughout the lake system shoreline vegetation has grown down and is spreading across the wide beaches now exposed.
This means that once water levels begin to restore, the Lake margins will be well protected by this vegetation that will in turn provide plentiful shelter and nutrients for the larvae and young of the many aquatic species that will swarm into the system, or that are existing water bodies along the Lake shore.
While the Estuary mouth is closed a large herd of hippos and great number of large crocodiles have taken up residence opposite the entrance to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife campsite at Sugarloaf and these, with the large number of aquatic bird species currently being seen, are proving to be a wonderful draw card for tourists.
St Lucia residents and visitors are cautioned, however, to be on the alert when near the water’s edge at the Estuary as large crocodiles do pose a potential danger to humans.
In addition, it has been noted that the hippos are increasingly tending to move through the St Lucia town lands at night, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife asks all businesses and residents to bring this fact to the attention of their clients and visitors.
Anyone walking way from the well-lit main street should carry a strong torch and should they see a hippo should give it a wide berth.
Hippos are extremely agile on land and can move very swiftly.
Once the mouth opens and there is a strong tidal movement, it is anticipated that these animals will move way to find quieter areas where there is not such a strong flow of water.
AJG/mnz MEDIA RELEASE No 10/2005 23/08/2005
Tel:033-8451850, Fax: 033 8451299, e-mail:
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Lodgestaff.com
Hi Tim,
I'm from Lodgestaff.com, a unique new website aimed at assisting job seekers to search and apply for jobs in the African travel & hospitality industry, and recruiters to find the right staff.
Due to the often remote nature of the industry, it's hard for job seekers to always know what positions are available, and finding new staff is difficult and expensive! We're not a recruitment agency, but aim to eliminate this problem by providing an online platform for game lodges across Africa to advertise their vacancies and job seekers to search and apply for available positions.
We have many field guide & game ranger positions advertised on the site, and we're seeing a lot of applications being made to these posts. It's a free service for job seekers and I'm trying to spread the word among rangers, and ranger training schools, about the service we offer.
Any assistance will be much appreciated, and to view the site and see how easy it is to find exciting positions, please visit www.lodgestaff.com
For any further info you need, my number is 021 443 9005. Thanks, and I hope your members find the site helpful when looking for their next job!
Kind regards,
Teri Fynn
General Manager
T: +27 (0) 21 443 9005, F: +27 (0) 21 421 9121.
Position wanted
Law Enforcement Position (email forwarded by Arrie Schreiber)
My name is Anele Phillip, and currently I work as an Assistant Project Manager (Footpaths Construction) in Table Mountain National Park. Would you please contact me if you have a law enforcement position. I am a diploma holder in Nature Conservation, and I have worked as a Law Enforcement Officer (Overstrand Department of Environmental Conservation Services) from 2003 to 2005.
I also attended short courses such as Peace Officers Course, Peace Officers Course for Nature Conservators. I gained experience on issuing Section 56 Notice and I have knowledge of Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.
Kind Regards
Anele
Tailpiece-
You know you're living in 2005 when...
1 You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2 You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3 You have a list of 16 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.
4 You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5 Your reason for not staying in touch with friends is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6 When you go home after a long day at work you still answer the phone in a business manner.
7 When you make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial " 0 " to get an outside line.
8 You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies.
10 You learn about your redundancy on the 11 o'clock news.
11 Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job.
12 Contractors outnumber permanent staff and are more likely to get long-service awards. AND..............
13 You read this entire list, and kept nodding and smiling.
14 As you read this list, you think about forwarding it to your "friends."
15 You got this email from a friend that never talks to you anymore, except to send you jokes from the net.
16 You are too busy to notice there was no #9
17 You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9
18 AND NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.
Go on, forward this to your friends ..you know you want to.
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
