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.
Sad News, Nora Kreherpassed away
The South African conservation and flying community lost one of their staunchest campaigners with the recent death of Nora Kreher, founder of The Bateleurs.
The Bateleurs, founded by Kreher 10 years ago, is an organization comprised primarily of volunteer pilots who use their aircraft free of charge to assist decision makers, community leaders, the media and other interested parties in gaining an aerial perspective of a wide range of environmental issues.
Kreher died in Johannesburg in early November and leaves a son, Sven, and daughter Corrina. Her husband, Roland, died in October 2007.
Kreher founded The Bateleurs at the height of the campaign to prevent the mining of the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia, an area today included in the iSmangaliso Wetland Park, one of South Africa’s seven World Heritage Sites.
More than 120 fixed-wing, microlight and helicopter pilots now belong to the non-profit organization which has flown hundreds of missions in South Africa and some neighbouring states.
Recent missions include flights along the Transkei coast to investigate issues related to planned toll road and mining of mineral sands, helping expose the damaged caused to the environment by illegal granite mining in North West Province, game counts in numerous places including the Maputo Elephant Reserve in Mozambique and other flights which have helped create a deeper understanding of environmental issues.
“Our directors of are determined to further develop Nora’s vision of flying for the environment and helping people learn more about the increasing threats to natural systems and wildlife,” Sven Kreher, a director of The Bateleurs said. “The directors also want to intensify efforts to raise funds for the construction of new environmentally friendly offices for The Bateleurs in the grounds of the Johannesburg Zoo. We are also keen to attract new members and pilots.”
Contact
:
The Bateleurs: 011 646 1075, e-mail: info@bateleurs.org.za
Provided by Bruce Macdonald
The tribute below was written by Michael McBride, founder of “Lighthawk” the equivalent of the Bateleurs in Alaska… He is also a well respected conservationist in Alaska…it’s a tribute to her as well as a commitment to the other Bateleur Pilots to carry on with her good work.
Before she departed this world for the next, she smiled that beautiful smile
and passed to each of us a baton.
It is as light as a feather and as solid as a stone.
It is a message of love and laughter, responsibility and commitment.
As we happily accept what she has passed to us
in both outstretched hands,
We accept the gift with feet confidently on the ground.
Just as she accepted her own path with grace and intelligence,
She did not falter in the face of adversity,
She gave us precious insights to, and knowledge of, the balance we require
As she worked for the common good, so shall we.
I pray for strength for each of us, that we can we do the same.
I pray to the omnipotent force that created the mystery surrounding us,
that she will not have lived in vain but rather that she lives within each of us.
The good work to which she put her hand, calls to our hearts, sings in our minds,
and we are inspired.
Let us be as one, let us find solace in the wild places.
A lone bateleur soars in the evening sky on the last of the days updrafts.
Thank you Nora, we loved you well
Diane and Michael McBride
Zululand Wildlife E-Forum - Second Appeal - Ref: Ndumo - 11/11/08
We need your support to - Help save Ndumo Game Reserve from continued destruction by the Mbangweni Corridor tribal communities
To repeat from our first appeal in July as a background, the reason for the creation and very existence of the Ndumo Game Reserve as a protected, unique & sensitive, ecosystem, has now been politicized as a "manifestation of many years of colonialism" and believed promulgated in general disregard for the rights of the black Mbangweni & Bekabantu Tribal Communities. This attitude couldn't be further from the truth, as the Ndumo Game Reserve was in 1924 fortuitously recognised as one of Africa's threatened priceless environmental assets and which was saved from eventual total destruction by the methods of subsistence farmers, and it was beholden on the government of the day to ensure that this small surviving area was protected for posterity. It would become the only non-ravaged region of this river system, still clinging to protection to this day.
This then is the exact reason that today's ruling government has that same responsibility to future generations. However to his credit the KZN MEC Mr.Mtholephi Mthimkhulu is further reported in the Natal Mercury as having stressed that "nature conservation is very, very important and we have obligations to generations to come" (Plus Refer his encouraging 50/50 comments below)
In this longstanding dispute, over the past half century, the two small Tribal Communities have expressed their opposition to the very concept of the game reserve and " dissatisfaction over the terms of a land claim settlement agreement in 2000 which had reached "boiling point" recently, culminating in the destruction of 11km of boundary fencing at Ndumo early last month.". This was an illegal criminal act and the perpetrators should accordingly be dealt with in the strictest terms of the law.
As the KZN Parliament is considering proposals to solve the dispute, the world-wide community of the ZWF is of the opinion that the loss of this or any other part of Zululand's wildlife areas has severe ramifications, besides setting a dangerous precedent in other reserves, and is a very real threat to the core of Zululand's vital wildlife tourism industry, already under dire stress as a result of the regions rampant trespassing, increased poaching and violent crime.
It is therefore the duty of every South African, black or white, to challenge and oppose any threat to the integrity of this unique game reserve, a birdlife paradise (over 450 species recorded, the highest of all the Zululand reserves). International support for this campaign has being mobilized and gaining momentum.
A chilling update received this week of the deteriorating situation ::
" I heard today from my variety of sources, all of them trusted people, some going back over 20 years, that ploughing had begun on the eastern bank of the Pongolo, also that some hunting had taken place in the Tembe Elephant Park, with people who had been using NOT AK 47's BUT HIGH POWERED HUNTING RIFLES. News has also come through that another White Rhino has been poached in iMfolozi Game Reserve which simply adds to our deep concerns that there are syndicates at work."
Important comments by the leading role players on last nights 50/50 expose on the Ndumo issue (complete transcript as a postscript at end of email)
Mtholephi Mthimkhulu: KZN MEC of Agriculture & Environment
"We are putting up a plan, a grand plan with all the other departments such as Departments of Social Development and of Education of Transport, of Health of Local Government and other departments for the development of that area. Because we want to make it a point that the ultimate vision of the Transfrontier plan of that area is realized. But it has worried me to discover that there are certain elements who are hell bent on thwarting our efforts to try and find the lasting solution to preserve that area. And those elements I am confident that we will crush them and the full might of the law will be exacted on those people because as government we can not allow this national treasure to be depleted and to be thrown down the drain."
Dr Roelie Kloppers: (Project Coordinator - TFCA - Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area - Usuthu Tembe Futhi) -
Ndumo, apart from being a very important conservation RAMSA site is, also part of the larger Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation area and the possibility exists of linking Ndumo Game Reserve through a small corridor to Tembe Elephant Part from there all the way north towards Maputo Special Reserve Mocambique and even south towards Isimangelisa Wetlands Park Authority. Go to the west of Ndumo there's a community reserve here called Usuthu Gorge which has been funded through the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
The community here, the Mtenjwa people have created a reserve that goes into the Lubombo mountains and what's nice about this reserve it actually creates and brings the Lombombo mountains into the Transfrontier Conservation area. Now there's also a possibility of that area linking all the way into Swaziland so bringing in another country making it a Trilateral Transfrontier Park.
The most important thing with Ndumo is that the threat now, apart from all the other threats to conservation, is that there is a possibility that it can become isolated from the larger development initiative. And that large initiative will generate a lot of money and the people in Ndumo will be isolated from that. So the eyes of the world are really on this. It is part of a SADAC initiative a NEPAD initiative , it is an internationally important area at the moment Ndumo.
We have to understand the plight of the communities and this map shows it very well. The people that are currently occupying Ndumo Game Reserve and where the conflict exists live in this area. There's the Mocambiquan border, Ndumo on this side and Tembe on this side. You can see on this map clearly the water flows into the reserve and out of the reserve on the Mocambiquan side. On the opposite side of the border there's absolutely no water in this area. The people live all along this road in concentrations up to the border. The people from this area have to daily cross the international border to get to the river. Imagine having to cross the border daily just to get mealies. That's why people are putting pressure on the reserve to try and get to the water resources inside the reserve.
The vision of the TFCA is going to take 5 years to roll out ....... So what is government doing for the communities in the interim?
Refer the TFCA web page at -- http://www.noboundaries.co.za/
Sibusiso Bukhosini:
"Agriculture is definitely not the solution to the problems that we are facing here at Ndumo and Mbangweni area. If you look at the quality of the soils that we are talking about here it's very sandy and you can hardly reap anything or do any productive agricultural activities in this sand. The suggestion is rather that we focus on what we have rather than on what we don't have and that is ensure that we promote the issue of linking the northern part of Mbangweni and promoting the concept of the TFCA so that people will begin to realize tangible benefits in the form of ecotourism."
What then can you do??
Add your support to the simple but poignant sincere appeal made to the KZN Ministers by the family of the inspirational stalwart of Zululand conservation - the late Nick Steele, first Director of the inaugral Kwa Zulu Bureau of Natural Resources.
Hi there,
We are expressing our concern that this unique protected area, a jewel in the regions Heritage, isn't forgotten and should in no way be threatened or violated.
Ndumo needs to be protected not just for tourism purposes, but for our children and for the future of everyone to reap the benefits.
Many thanks,
Clinton Steele
Annie Steele
Ross Steele
Zak Steele
(children & grandchildren of Nick Steele, who was part of the Hluhluwe & Umfolozi Game Reserve team)
1). To highlight the crisis please urgently forward this email to anyone (South African and worldwide) interested in wildlife & birdlife conservation, e.g. individuals, media contacts, conservation & tourism organisations and Government Wildlife agencies, etc; so as to mobilize their support.
Then also ask those contacts to forward it to their contacts and so on - in this way we can set up a Cyber-chain letter focussing on Zululand's Ndumo wildlife crisis.
2). If so motivated send another urgent email to KZN's Parliamentarians expressing your concern that this unique protected area, a jewel in the regions Heritage, should in no way be threatened or violated, and that the concept of the TFCA project be achieved.
Also please congratulate KZN MEC Mr.Mtholephi Mthimkhulu for his foresight and public stand on the 50/50 programme at mtholephi@dae.kzntl.gov.za
This is not a petition, which has dubious value in modern era politics, but rather a personal appeal to the good offices of, in this case, the Premier of the Kwa Zulu Cabinet, the Environment MEC, and others, at the following email addresses ::
KZN Premier J.S.Ndebele, bhikshun@premier.kzntl.gov.za
KZN MEC - Agric & Enviro - Mr.Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, mtholephi@dae.kzntl.gov.za
KZN Director-General Dr.K.Mbanjwal, masekozf@premier.kzntl.gov.za
KZN Media Liaison - Agric & Enviro - Mr.Mbulelo Baloyi, mbulelo.baloyi@dae.kzntl.gov.za
Black Rhino moved to new home in the Karoo National Park
Black rhino reintroduced into Karoo
November 2008. Three black rhino arrived at their new home in Karoo National Park near Beaufort West after translocation from Addo Elephant National.
"This represents a full circle for these young rhino cows," said SANParks veterinarian, Dr. David Zimmerman. "Thandi, one of the cows we translocated, was born in Addo Elephant National Park, then hand-raised when her mother rejected her. Today we are finally able to move her back to the wild."
Moved from Addo
The three black rhino cows, aged between five and a half and three years, have been resident in a 400-hectare camp in the Addo Elephant National Park. The rhino Thandi was born in 2003 in the bomas in Addo Elephant National Park following her mother's translocation to the Park from Namibia as part of a bid to bring new genes into the Addo rhino population.
Due to stress in the bomas, Thandi was rejected by her mother and could not suckle. At two days old she was flown to a rehabilitation centre in Pretoria where she was raised in the company of other young rhino calves before returning to the Addo Elephant National Park at ten months old to continue her hand-raising programme.
Desert subspecies
Black rhino are an endangered species and thus require special management to ensure each individual animal's survival. The black rhino in Addo Elephant and Karoo National Parks belong to the Diceros bicornis bicornis, or so-called ‘desert-adapted', subspecies, one of three subspecies of black rhino in Africa. Addo Elephant National Park is home to South Africa's largest population of the bicornis subspecies rhino.
In 2005, Thandi was weaned from bottle-feeding and eventually released into the camp. Another two young black rhino cows joined Thandi in 2007 during a translocation of black rhino from Namibia to Addo Elephant and Karoo National Parks. This rhino translocation was part of a four-way partnership between South African National Parks, the Namibian Ministry of Environment & Tourism, the Zambian Wildlife Authority and the Eastern Cape Parks Board with the intention of exchanging rhino for antelope species between Namibia and Zambia.
"We use translocations of rhino as an important management tool to ensure genetic diversity in our metapopulation of bicornis subspecies black rhino in National Parks," said Dr. Zimmerman.
Translocation
During the capture process which took place on Monday 27 October, the three rhino cows were darted from a helicopter, and then handled by a ground capture team who took vital measurements. Veterinarians monitored the condition of the immobilised rhino while transmitters were inserted into their horns. The rhino were then revived and guided into crates which were then loaded onto a truck for the translocation journey.
After a long journey by road, the three rhino were offloaded into the bomas at Karoo National Park in the early hours of this morning, 28 October.
The rhino will remain in the bomas for a period of two to three weeks to allow them to acclimatise to the new surroundings before being released into the 90,000-hectare Karoo National Park.
After release, the rhino will be monitored by Park rangers and researchers to ensure that they adapt well to their new home. Monitoring takes place by means of the transmitters inserted into the rhino horns as well as by tracking of spoor on the ground.
SECURE THE RANGERS IS A PRIORITY
By: Jean Pierre Jobogo M, “Park Warden in Virunga Park and IRF Representative in DRC”
E.mail:jmirindi@yahoo.com Tel: (+243) 9940 84870
General overview. I am sure all of you are wondering on the current situation in Virunga following what is being reported on TV and daily news worldwide. A terrible humanitarian crisis has been a controversial issue in the North Kivu Province of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This crisis is caused by the fight between rebels led by Laurent Nkunda (CNDP) and the current government forces (FARDC). The cause of the fight turns around the reason forwarded by Laurent Nkunda ” To defend the rights of the Tutsi minority tribe living in DRC and the disorder caused by Hutu rebels (FDLR) in the DRC.” Nobody knows if there is any other hidden agenda behind this fight as far as we know; all questions were discussed during the peace conference held in January 2008.
The UN presence in the Eastern DRC remain uncertain and have failed to secure a commendable trust amongst the communities, that is why people were stoning on the UN convoy asking them to apply their Chapter 7. In others cities the residents are proposing the replacement of the UN troops by “Artemis” to restore peace with a clear mandate as it was the case in Bunia during the past years.
On conservation side, the gorilla habitat remains occupied by rebels since last year. Others militias are also scattered in the park making difficult for rangers to execute their normal duty. The Virunga National Park is 8.000 km sq. and controlled by 680 rangers protecting the gorilla and their habitat, elephants and hippos as well as various wildlife distributed in the savannah, mountains, wetland and forest that form the Virunga ecosystem as a whole. It is too early to justify gorilla tourism in our region as of now; we can not tell the world how many gorillas are alive after the heavy and repeated bombing within the gorilla sector. When conservationists appeal, nobody cares, people ignore that we all depend on the CO2 generated by the forest protected by rangers. The park staff have devoted their lives to protect wildlife and ready for any challenges. Today the whole region is unsecured as you are watching on BBC and CNN TV channels, we would rather talk of rangers security and the gorillas after. The question is; what will be the future of the park in case the crisis remains without long term solution?
Protect the protectors.
Protect the protector is a theme strongly supported by park rangers across the world; a similar motion was defended during presentations by rangers attending the 2003 World Parks Congress in Durban.
The world has lost so many rangers under the course of duty, some were killed during field patrols, others falling in ambush and few cases are registered of rangers killed by ferocious animals. IRF has set a charity called “Thin Green Line” to try to help the widows left by rangers who lost their lives under the course of duty.
My appeal is for the world leaders and conservators to think of a long term plan to secure the rangers when such catastrophic events happen. The International Ranger Federation was thinking of establishing a green contingent of “Rangers Sans Frontier” but this needed to be funded consistently, at some points rangers from various continents do not face the same challenges.
What is the situation in the field?
The Virunga National Park has never been secured since 1994, when the Rwandan refugees fled to the DRC. Its Important to note that, most of the Hutu tribe from Rwanda crossed the Zairean border with all equipment including weapons. In the refugee camps the weapons could be exchanged against food, and the movement was uncontrolled until they were overturned by Tutsi during Laurent Kabila’s war backed by Rwanda and Uganda.
Culturally, the Congolese are not blood players, especially from innocent people; the first tragedy was heard in the park in 1995 with the killing of 6 Italians ambushed at May ya Moto 11 Km from Rwindi, they were on their way to a game visit in the park. The late Adelio Castiglioni and his family members were shot dead, as they were accompanied by a volunteer working for Mondo Giusto Association running a project to supply electricity to the communities around the park. The team that collected the dead bodies managed to rescue Ms Noella Castglioni seriously injured and took her for urgent medical care in refugees’ camp. Noella is now disabled and is living in Milan Northern Italy.
The next ambush was reported in 1996, when the rangers got shot by rebels in gorilla sector closer to the Ugandan border, this happened before the killing of tourists in Bwindi National Park/Uganda.
Today we have a long history of tragedy concerning the risks taken by rangers during their daily activity and circumstance under which they are working. It is significant to say, the park is partially controlled by rangers and rebels. In Rumangabo (Southern Sector) the rebels have established their own HQs within the park and some areas remain inaccessible by rangers.
From September 2007, most areas under rebel control include: Mikeno, Kirolirwe in the Southern Sector, Chondo along the Lake Edward, Kinyamuyagha. The situation is uncertain since the rebels overrun the park’s Head Quarters at Rumangabo.
The recent fighting affected small towns adjacent the park like Kiwanja, transport has reduced and food price at local market in Goma keep on increasing.
What is fate of the gorillas and the park?
It is really difficult to know how many gorillas will survive after this prolonged conflict; as it’s uncertain to establish the exact number in the park. However, an important insight concerning the safety of the gorillas in the area occupied by rebel, a journalist from National Geographic interviewed the Chief rebel Laurent Nkunda who stated that they are occupying the gorilla sector for strategic reasons, but they have no interest to kill the gorillas. We are also pleased to inform the reader of this article that despite the current crisis, the two orphans’ baby gorillas Ndakazi and Ndeze are alive in their normal sanctuary in Goma. A team of Veterinary is present for regular care and assistance.
In the central sector, we have lost almost 42 elephants since May 2008 and investigation is being carried out on ivory traffic. A part from elephants and gorillas we can talk of the hippos killed by armed forces positioned in the park. Bush meat is sold in the neighboring cities at a cheaper price, while a kilo of beef in the local market, cost the triple price of one kilo of bush meat.
Regarding deforestation in the park, tons of charcoal from the park are transported to the city and have caused a huge an ecological degradation, but the park authority is trying in all ways to stop the threats through community education by creating alternatives to reduce deforestation.
Where are the rangers now?
I have talked of the park and resources but did not talk of the protector; no ranger will go for patrol when his family is not secure. The northern and the central sectors of the Virunga Park are a bit secured but uncertain in case of no solution to the conflict at all, the southern sector is totally occupied by militias as you are watching on TV. The two clashes that were in 8th October 2008 at Rwindi Station (Central Sector) and on 26 October 2008 in Rumangabo (Southern Sector) have affected the management and the daily life of the park’s staff.
We saluted the initiative taken by the new ICCN Provincial Director Dr. Emmanuel De Merode to rescue the rangers and their families during the difficult time. We are happy to hear from everywhere that none of the ranger lost his life except Louis Kabwana from Rumangabo who died recently in the Goma Hospital. The families of the rangers are safe but life conditions become very hard, some rangers remained in Rumangabo camp hoping the ceasefire will allow them to join the main city, and others used the forest routes while trying to reach Goma. My fear was, if they had met the rebels forces what would have happened? One of them Kalivanda encountered the militias during his flee and was seriously beaten by military of which he is still recovering.
The last news from the Southern sector confirms that 23 rangers are still missing. We can not loose our hope until the real ceasefire is observed on the ground. It is unfortunate that, in some places the mobile phone network has been disconnected to cut off the residents to communicate.
An appeal to help the rangers in DRC.
The rangers are facing a difficult moment; I believe this is the right time to assist them and their families. We do also call for global efforts to lobby for some countries to stop supporting the war in Africa, if we want to save the environment and communities.
The rangers died under the course of their duty should be also recognized with the widows and orphans. The Director of “Thin Green Line Foundation” came for the same assessment on behalf of IRF in May 2008. We do keep our hope that the crisis will get to an end so that our country get peace and park rangers to protect their heritage.
New patrol boat for Robberg MPA
WWF, the conservation organisation, and Honda Marine today (Friday 24 October) launched a new vessel to patrol the Robberg Marine Protected Area (MPA). The 6,5m semi-rigid vessel is equipped with powerful engines and a radar tracking system, which will be used in the protection of the marine resources and ecosystems of the Robberg MPA, near Plettenberg Bay. It will be operated by CapeNature.
Peter Chadwick, WWF Honda Marine Parks Programme Manager says similar vessels have already proved effective in two other MPAs, namely the Goukamma MPA near Knysna and De Hoop MPA near Cape Agulhas. They’ve enabled Cape Nature officials to make a number of successful arrests and issue fines.
“This is a great example of how responsible business can become involved in the protection of our rich marine heritage. These boats provide a deterrent to poaching through visible policing and effective enforcement. They not only ensure that these important areas are protected from illegal poaching, but also contribute to research and our understanding of these fragile ecosystems.”
Chadwick explains that healthy fish stocks are essential for the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities, making South Africa’s MPAs and their effective management an important part of the country’s sustainable development.
“Robberg, Goukamma and De Hoop are important MPAs and are critical to the management of our inshore fish stocks. For many of our inshore fish species, these MPAs are the only places where viable breeding populations survive.”
Henk Nieuwoudt, CapeNature Conservation Manager at Robberg Nature Reserve says: “We are very grateful for the support from the business sector. The acquisition of this boat will enable us to combat boat-based poaching of marine resources in the Robberg MPA more effectively and also enable us to do much-needed baseline data collecting and monitoring in the MPA.”
He adds that the Robberg and Goukamma MPAs host nationally important stocks of inshore reef fish such as Red Roman, Red Stumpnose and Black Musselcracker. The De Hoop MPA boasts high marine biodiversity such as Great White Sharks, Southern Right Whales, African Black Oystercatchers, penguins and threatened reef fish such as white and red steenbras.
The deployment of the Robberg MPA patrol vessel forms part of a wider intervention within the Garden Route area and falls under the WWF C.A.P.E. Marine Programme which is funded through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
Chadwick says: “In the Garden Route area, CapeNature, South African National Parks and Marine & Coastal Management are working very closely to combat illegal activities by carrying out combined operations against poaching.
“The WWF Honda partnership brings together civil society, the corporate sector and government agencies to facilitate the protection of marine biodiversity for the people of South Africa,” Chadwick concludes.
All three patrol vessels were assembled by Swellendam firm Falcon Inflatables, who provide support to the boats at the MPAs.
Radar and Navigational equipment was supplied by Garmin South Africa which eases the tracking of illegal vessels within the MPA.
A 5.1 metre ribEXTREME inflatable mounted patrol rig with two 50 hp four-stroke Honda outboard engines was purchased for the Goukamma Marine Protected Area (MPA).
De Hoop MPA received a 7.6 metre ribEXTREME patrol rig mounted with two 90hp four-stroke Honda outboard engines.
Robberg MPA received a 6.5 metre ribEXTREME patrol rig mounted with two 90hp four-stroke Honda outboard engines.
Issued by:
William Smook
Meropa Communications
+27 21 683-6464
+27 83-357-2837
williams@meropa.co.za
CELEBRATE FROGS
Spring is sprung and the grass is riz and I wonder where the froggies is ……..
It’s that time of the year again – when we all listen out for the return of the frogs. Their chirping and croaking fills the night with reassuring sounds that our planet is still healthy enough to support these delicate indicator species. However, all is not well in our amphibian world. The world is facing what may be the single largest mass extinction event since the time of the dinosaurs : as many as half of the world’s 6,000 known amphibian species could be wiped out in our lifetimes.
At Sea World we are participating in a worldwide effort to help frog conservation. 2008 has been declared the Year of the Frog by the Amphibian Ark (a grouping of conservation groups working to help frogs survive into the future). The campaign hopes to raise awareness about the vulnerability of frogs and to rescue some of the most threatened species. The frogs will be protected in zoos and aquariums until, hopefully, the threats to the wild populations can be controlled and the animals can be released back into nature. Zoos around the world have been asked to become ‘arks’ to help save threatened species of amphibians. In South Africa the major threats to frogs are habitat loss and pollution.
Now is the time to celebrate frogs in your garden. Sea World is launching a “Fantastic Frogs Foto” competition ………….
Anyone can enter as long as your photo’s are taken within the boundaries of South Africa. Prizes will be awarded to the top three photo’s and all submissions will be displayed in the Aquarium at Sea World during the coming December/January festive season. Your photo can be submitted either by emailing ann@seaworld.org.za or by post to Fantastic Frog Foto competition, PO Box 10712, Marine Parade, 4056. Closing date for the competition is 21st November 2008.
When submitting, please include your name, address and contact number as well as the date and place where you shot the photo.
So, when next you hear that loud croaking – smile – you are lucky enough to live in a special part of our planet – where the frogs have not been silenced forever!
Ends
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
We are looking at hiring a young bloke under 30 who could head up an anti poaching unit for us. It would be an advantage if he was also a registered Professional Hunter.
He must be able to speak Xhosa as we are situated in the Eastern Cape near Grahamstown and all our staff speak Xhosa.
Estate Office
Fort Governor's Estate
Grahamstown
South Africa
046 622 9083
zebra@intekom.co.za
POSITION (WANTED)
I have a National Diploma in Nature Conservation with 20 years experience gained in organisation such as the Natal Parks Board / Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife; TPA Nature Conservation; the National Parks Board and the private sector . My experience covers absolutely all aspects of Game Farm / Nature Reserve Management and also including Coastal / Estuary Conservation.
I am married with 2 children - who are home-schooled, so locality is not a problem.
For more details please contact me. Details below :
Donovan Sykes
Cell: 084 555 7408
sykesdn@gmail.com
Tailpiece
For those worried about the financial crisis:
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today.
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today.
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today.
But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $114.00.
Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle.