Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. These are your magazines and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date. Remember this is the address we will send your Game Ranger Magazine to.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534
Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562, E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “Unsubscribe” as the message heading.
Please feel free to write to express your views on the content or the subject of any of the articles in this magazine – to the address above.
AGM 2009 – TO BE HELD AT SHAMVURA CAMP IN NAMIBIA
Monday 16th to Thursday 19th February 2009. (Arrive Sunday 15th depart Friday 20th)
This will be hosted by Cuito Kavango Adventure Safaris and take place at Shamvura Camp, located in the Kavango Region of Northern Namibia on the Okavango River, bordering Angola. Situated on a large forested sand dune and one of the very few high points along the Okavango River, Shamvura Camp offers spectacular views over the river and surrounding flood plains. The location affords the visitor a birds-eye view of one of the last remnants of natural riverine forest comprising mainly of "Knobthorn Acacia" (Acacia nigrescens).
The surrounding flood plains comprise of Phragmites mauritianus reeds and patches of papyrus, and are vital breeding areas for almost 90 species of fish and a habitat for over 60 species of wetland birds.Shamvura Camp is strategically located ±110km east of Rundu, just off the main B8 tar road to Katima Mulilo. The location is convenient for easy access to the Kaudom Game Reserve (±65km), the Mahango Game Park (±100km) and onward via the Mohembo Gate into neighbouring Botswana.
Shamvura Camp has an elevated location, overlooking the Okavango/Cuito floodplain and does not flood during the rainy season making it easily accessible all year round. From here we offer you outstanding freshwater fishing, game-viewing, nature walks, cultural activities, microlight flights and a once-in-a-lifetime birding opportunity.
Malaria is present in the area, and visitors are advised to take the necessary precautions.
(Map and info available on website www.shamvura.com)
Details of the Namibia meeting
The GRAA meeting and AGM at Shamvura Camp, from 16th to 19th February 2009.
Theme, Conservation in Northern Namibia; (including wetlands, trans-boundary & conservancies). Leading and local conservationists will be invited to participate. At this AGM it is hoped to broaden projects and promote the Namibian branch of the GRAA.
| FEB 2009 | Agenda | Activity offered |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15th | Early arrivals, registration, meet & greet | Sundowner boat trips |
| Mon 16th | (Arrival & reg cont), opening, profile Northern Namibia. | Afternoon boat trips or guided walks |
| Tues 17t | Day of talks, presentations and discussions | Afternoon boat trips or guided walks |
| Wed 18th | Drive to visit Mahango/Buffalo Game Park | Field Trip |
| Thur 19th | AM Discussions & Regional Meetings; 11h00 A.G.M. of GRAA | Cultural group Shambyu, Awards Dinner |
| Fri 20th | Departures | Return to Base |
Accommodation:
Meals:
Conference facilities:
| COSTS: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Food, entrance and registration | R800 per person | Totals |
| Plus accommodation with Own equipment | R250 per person | = R1050 pp |
| Plus Accommodation with tent etc. supplied | R800 per person | = R1600 pp |
Reservations can be made by contacting Don or Muriel Yunnie at yunnied@telkomsa.net or phone & fax 00 27 33 343 1534.
Payments for all non-Namibian members should be made to:
First National Bank
Howick Branch / Branch Code – 220725
Account Type - Current account
Account Number – 62103195956
The account is in the name of Game Rangers Association of Africa
PLEASE NOTE – THIS IS NOT THE CENTRAL ACCOUNT WHERE YOU PAY YOUR SUBS!!
Namibian attendees must bank into the following account:
First National Bank
Branch Rundu, Branch code: 281273
Account No: 62019045055
Type: ecall/savings
Account Name M Paxton 1 day call account
ALL PAYMENTS- Please put either your Name &/or membership no - AGM 2009 in the reference space to help us trace the payment. Fax or email proof of payment to Don Yunnie at 00 27 33 343 1534 or yunnied@telkomsa.net as confirmation of your payment and reservation (please remember bring your proof of payment).
CUT-OFF DATE FOR BOOKINGS IS 25TH JANUARY 2009
Regards,
André
André Botha
Africa Chairman, Game Rangers Association of Africa
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Private Bag X11
Parkview, 2122
Tel: +27 (0)11 486 1102
Fax: +27 (0)11 486 1506
Mobile: +27 (0)82 962 5725
E-mail: andreb@ewt.org.za
Visit our website for more information at: www.gameranger.org
One-off ivory auction kicks off
October 27 2008
Windhoek/Johannesburg - Ivory tusks will be sold for the first time in nearly 10 years in southern Africa on Tuesday as four one-off auctions of ivory stockpiles to Chinese and Japanese buyers kick off in Namibia.
South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, all of which have booming elephant populations, have been given permission by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to sell off stockpiles of ivory from their national parks.
The sale, the first since a similar one-off sale in 1999, has provoked the ire of animal rights activists. Groups like the InternationalFund for Animal Welfare fear that the auctions, while legal, will fuel the resurgent black market trade in the so-called white gold.
CITES in 1989 banned the sale of ivory to try to prevent poaching of elephants. The ban has been so successful in some partsof Africa elephant numbers have soared. But many West and East African countries are vehemently opposed to reopening the trade in ivory. At a convention in the Netherlands last year, delegates from CITES' 171 member states gave the nod for the sale. The proceeds of the auctions are expected to go towards wildlife conservation in the four countries.
Namibia has been licensed to sell nine tons of ivory to Chinese and/or Japanese buyers in a closed-door auction in Windhoek on Tuesday.
After Namibia, the action moves to Botswana, then Zimbabwe and South Africa. Botswana has 44 tons on offer, Zimbabwe 4 and South Africa 51 tons.
The South African auction will take place in the famous Kruger National Park, home to an estimated 14 000 of the country's around 20 000 elephants.
Some of the ivory for sale in Kruger Park was harvested from elephants that were culled before 1994, when culling was allowed to keep down numbers.
Last year, the government in Pretoria re-opened the door to culling, but only as a last resort. - Sapa-dpa
Text-messaging elephants help rangers at Kenyan reserve
13/10/2008
Elephants equipped with collars containing mobile phone cards are able to send "text messages" to park rangers warning them when they are about to stray into neighbouring villages.
The scheme, which is in place at the Ol Pejeta conservation park in Kenya, started two years ago, after rangers despaired at how to prevent elephants eating the crops on nearby land. The Kenyan Wildlife Service had already been forced to shoot five elephants at Ol Pejeta because of persistent crop-raiding, and decided to experiment with global-positioning technology to see if it could be used to prevent further incursions into farmland.
One particularly troublesome bull elephant, Kimani, had a mobile phone SIM card fitted into his collar, and the wildlife officers set up a virtual 'geofence', using a global-positioning system, that mirrored the boundaries of the nature park. Whenever Kimani approached the boundary, his collar automatically sent a warning text to rangers, who were able to intercept him and drive him back into the reserve.
Local farmers have frequently had their crops destroyed by curious elephants. On one occasion, 15 families had their harvests wiped out. Batian Craig, the conservation and security manager at Ol Pejeta, a 90,000 acre conservancy, said that community development programs often fell by the wayside once farmers lost their crops.
But according to Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save the Elephants, the project has already seen a drop in crop raids by elephants. He said that elephants, like teenagers, learn from one another, so by controlling and correcting the behaviour of an elephant like Kimani, a habitual crop raider, the whole group of elephants can change its habits and behaviour. And because the elephants' movements can be tracked on Google Maps, the scheme provides potentially invaluable information about the movement of elephants and can help to prevent poaching.
The project is not without its difficulties. Batteries on the elephants' collars need replacing every couple of years, and it's expensive to have a team of rangers and vehicles on constant standby to head-off elephants. However, the Kenya Wildlife Service's elephant program hopes similar schemes will help to reduce some of the 1,300 crop-raiding complaints it receives each year.
"Now we can live together," said Basila Mwasu, a 31-year-old mother of two whose house is near the reserve. "Elephants have the right to live, and we have the right to live too."
For the original story see
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2008/10/13/dlelephants113.xml
New Marine Protected Area Will Bring Much-Needed Protection
Media Statement By The Office Of Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister Of Environmental Affairs And Tourism, Cape Town, 13 October
The twentieth Marine Protected Area along the South African coastline will be promulgated this week, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affair and Tourism, announced today.
“The new Stilbaai Marine Protected Area (MPA) is an important addition to South Africa’s network of MPAs. It will provide protection to a variety of marine and estuarine habitats, which in turn will assist in the recovery of populations of depleted fish and other endemic species. The declaration of a restricted zone will also allow specific protected sandy terrestrial and marine areas to join, thereby shielding the natural coastline more fully, which is important in the light of climate change and its resulting phenomena,” Van Schalkwyk said.
The Minister’s announcement coincides with National Marine Week, which is this year celebrated from 13 to 17 October. The theme for the celebrations is “Changing Climate, Changing Oceans and Coasts, Changing Lives - all hands on deck!” It seeks to raise awareness of climate change and the impact it has on our marine and coastal resources.
According to Van Schalkwyk, the new Stilbaai MPA encompasses a variety of marine habitats. It includes a large sandy bay to the east, smaller rocky bays to the west and the mouth of the Goukou river in the centre of the area.
“It is significant that the entire Goukou estuary lies within the MPA, as this will help provide urgent protection for the estuary. As the MPA will encompass both estuarine and marine habitats, it will provide enhanced shelter for formerly abundant but now overexploited species like kob, which use both environments,” Van Schalkwyk said.
The coastline also contains well-preserved stone fish traps (visvywers), which is considered to be living evidence of how the original coastal inhabitants historically fished the area. The town of Stilbaai and its people still depend on having access to the sea and estuary and there is a proclaimed harbour utilised by both commercial and recreational fishers and recreational boaters.
Van Schalkwyk said the Stilbaai MPA will offer complete protection from fishing and bait collection to approximately 75% of the Goukou estuary and 20 square kilometres of ocean in two restricted zones. These are the Skulpiesbaai restricted zone in the west and the larger Geelkrans restricted zone in the east. “These areas will assist in the recovery of populations of depleted fish species and their sustainable utilisation outside the restricted area. Rare and endemic species and their habitat will also be protected in the sea and estuary. The zonation will furthermore enable the protected sandy terrestrial and marine areas to join,” Van Schalkwyk said.
The remainder of the MPA compromises a controlled zone in which fishing will be allowed. In the estuarine part of the controlled zone, which stretches from the mouth to just upstream of the Olive Grove Dam (approximately 2 km north of the road bridge), recreational fishing as well as bait collecting (on the eastern bank only) will be allowed. In the marine area (of approximately 12 square kilometres) opposite the mouth recreational fishing and some forms of commercial fishing (like traditional line-fishing but not trawling) are allowed.
The promulgation follows consultations with the community and other stakeholders over a period of more than two years. The comments and concerns raised during this process has been taken into account, resulting in strict zoning of the area.
For more information on National Marine Week visit www.deat.gov.za
ENQUIRIES: CAROL MOSES - 082-829-3917
Biofuels singled out as 'best option' for alternative fuels in SA
by:Esmarie Swanepoel, Published: 13 Oct 08 Engineering News
The South African National Energy Research Institute’s (Saneri’s) programme manager for green transport has labelled biofuels as the country’s number one short-term option for alternative transport fuel.
Dr Titus Mathe said that, although the country had a range of alternative fuels available, biodiesel was very comparable to petrol and diesel in terms of energy content. It also offered a favourable impact on energy security, as it could be locally produced.
Mathe stated that implementing biodiesel in the transport sector would offer up the potential for upstream job creation, especially in rural areas. “Biodiesel can also make use of existing infrastructure, so there is not much we have to invest in terms of infrastructure.”
Compared with vehicles fuelled with conventional diesel and petrol, biodiesel offered up a 78% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and a 10% to 48% reduction in particulate matter. Carbon monoxide emissions were also reduced by 47%.
He noted, however, that biofuel production had to be monitored to ensure that producers were not using food crops or farm areas dedicated to food crops, for producing biofuel.
Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) was rated as South Africa’s second best option for alternative transport fuel. It was readily available and safe to use, while also offering up significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Mathe stated that although LPG was readily available, the product itself had not taken off in the local market. However, he did not offer up an explanation for this.
Although hydrogen was actively being pursued as an alternative fuel source, it was more suitable to the long-term outlook. “This does not mean that we should stop with they hydrogen research, already there is research and development strategies looking at the cost of producing generic hydrogen.”
Hydrogen also offered zero emissions at the point of use, but greenhouse gases and toxic emission were emitted during the production and transportation of the fuel.
Mathe noted that no regulatory framework was in place yet for a hydrogen fuel economy, and that the fuel was expensive to produce. South Africa also currently has a lack of storage facilities for this gas.
In 2007, South Africa’s demand for liquid transport fuels rose to 23 707-million litres, while State-owned power utility Eskom’s gas turbine power plants demanded about 600-million litres.
Mathe stated that the transportation fuel market represented about 53% of the world’s refinery product demand, and the share of transportation fuels in the oil market was projected to increase further in the coming decades.
“Therefore, transportation fuel demand will increasingly determine the demand for crude oil, affecting the price of crude oil.”
Mathe added that the world energy outlook for 2004 predicted that there was sufficient oil resources in place for the period up to 2030, after which it was unclear how oil production would develop.
“Going into the future, there is going to be a shortage of liquid fuels. There are plans to increase the capacity of liquid fuels, but hopefully the production of alternative fuels would help in mitigating the situation.”
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
Duty station: IUCN Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Expected start date: As soon as possible
Reporting to: Director General with secondary reporting line to the Deputy Director General
BACKGROUND
This position provides an exciting opportunity to implement a new regional programme for Eastern and Southern Africa and consistent with IUCN’s global programme framework for 2009-2012. This regional programme will be implemented in collaboration with IUCN members, IUCN Commissions and partners, such as the agencies from the UN system, bi- and multilateral donors, and foundations.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Regional Director leads the strategic development and effective implementation of the regional component of IUCN’s Global Programme in Eastern and Southern Africa. This position requires an accomplished and credible manager with high-level understanding of environmental policy issues in the regional and international context. The Regional Director is supported by a range of experts but has the strategic and institutional leadership to authoritatively handle a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from biodiversity and ecosystem-based resource management strategies and policies to organizational management and financial planning.
As the official representative of the Director General in the region, the Regional Director is responsible for maintaining a high and professional corporate profile for IUCN, particularly with IUCN members and partners.
The position contributes to the global management of the Union through participation in the senior management team.
As Head of the Regional Office, the incumbent is accountable for all financial, human resources and administrative matters and is also responsible for ensuring coherence of regional work with IUCN’s global programme and the financial viability of the regional programme. The Regional Director ensures that all organizational activities are consistently performed under the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness and respect for the diversity of people.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
1. Represent IUCN in the region in a manner that promotes IUCN’s mission and enhances the status of the Union among decision-making bodies, intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.
2. Initiate and facilitate initiatives and dialogues on key issues of conservation policy based on IUCN’s regional and global priorities.
3. Develop and maintain long-term fund generation strategies and nurture relations with the donor community in the region in coordination with the Strategic Partnerships Unit in Headquarters.
4. Oversee preparation, implementation, evaluation and reporting of multi-year programmes for IUCN’s work in Eastern and Southern Africa, in line with IUCN’s global programme and supporting the Union’s shift towards a Pan-Africa programme.
5. Lead the operational management of all IUCN activities in the region and ensure the efficient management of financial and human resources including development and maintenance of relevant policies, procedures and control systems.
6. Develop and maintain regular contact with governments, regional committees of members, existing IUCN members, partner organisations, Councillors, and Commission members.
7. In collaboration with regional committees, implement the IUCN Membership Strategy and develop a membership recruitment and retention plan.
8. Contribute to the global management of the IUCN Secretariat and Programme.
REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES
A Rocha South Africa (ARZA), - Chief Executive Officer
A Rocha South Africa is looking for a person with leadership and fundraising skills to prepare the way for the appointment of a qualified CEO. Our vision currently outstrips our resources, so we wish to recruit a volunteer or someone willing to fundraise with our support for their position as an intermediate solution. If you have expertise in any of the areas outlined in this job description - and time, energy and creativity to commit to caring for God's world – we would like to hear from you.
Why does A Rocha South Africa need a CEO?
A Rocha South Africa was established in 2005 in KwaZulu-Natal, with several practical conservation initiatives and innovative approaches to environmental education - http://arocha.org/za-en/ - ARZA is one of 18 national A Rocha organizations on five continents. A Rocha community conservation groups are also forming in three provinces around South Africa. The A Rocha South Africa Board of Trustees recognizes the need for an appropriately qualified CEO to lead its strategic and organisational development, to raise A Rocha South Africa's profile in South Africa's conservation community, and to ensure the theological and operational integrity of the organisation.
Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
Responsible to: Chairperson and Trustees of A Rocha South Africa
Relates closely to: A Rocha South Africa’s regional chairpersons
A Rocha International Representative
Key Objectives:
Main Responsibilities:
Strategic planning
Promoting A Rocha
Organisational management & development
Key Personal Qualities:
Location:
The CEO's location will be decided according to the individual's circumstances and the best administration of A Rocha South Africa.
Contact
:
Allen Goddard, Director, A Rocha South Africa
allen.goddard@arocha.org
Tailpiece
Cinderella is now 95 years old.
After a fulfilling life with the now dead prince, she happily sits upon her rocking chair, watching the world go by from her front porch, with a cat named Bob for companionship.
One sunny afternoon out of nowhere, appeared the fairy godmother. Cinderella said, "Fairy Godmother, what are you doing here after all these years"?
The fairy godmother replied, "Cinderella, you have lived an exemplary life since I last saw you. Is there anything for which your heart still yearns?"
Cinderella was taken aback, overjoyed, and after some thoughtful consideration, she uttered her first wish:
"The prince was wonderful, but not much of an investor.
I'm living hand to mouth on my disability cheques, and I wish I were wealthy beyond comprehension.
Instantly her rocking chair turned into solid gold.
Cinderella said, "Ooh, thank you, Fairy Godmother"
The fairy godmother replied, "It is the least that I can do.
What do you want for your second wish?"
Cinderella looked down at her frail body, and said,
"I wish I were young and full of the beauty and youth I once had."
At once, her wish became reality, and her beautiful young visage returned. Cinderella felt stirrings inside her that had been dormant for years.
And then the fairy godmother spoke once more: "You have one more wish; what shall it be?"
Cinderella looks over to the frightened cat in the corner and says, "I wish for you to transform Bob, my old cat, into a kind and handsome young man."
Magically, Bob suddenly underwent so fundamental a change in his biological make-up that, when he stood before her, he was a man so beautiful the likes of him neither she nor the world had ever seen.
The fairy godmother said, "Congratulations, Cinderella, enjoy your new life."
With a blazing shock of bright blue electricity, the fairy godmother was gone as suddenly as she appeared.
For a few eerie moments, Bob and Cinderella looked into each other's eyes.
Cinderella sat, breathless, gazing at the most beautiful, stunningly perfect man she had ever seen.
Then Bob walked over to Cinderella, who sat transfixed in her rocking chair, & held her close in his young muscular arms.
He leaned in close, blowing her golden hair with his warm breath as he whispered...
"Bet you're sorry now that you had me neutered"