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Cleft Stick 12 of 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
GRAA’s activities
Kruger croc deaths remain a mystery
ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
Jatropha agronomics in Zambia
CONSERVATION SUMMIT
A CHANCE TO "WALK YOUR TALK" ON THE WILD SIDE
TENTH BABY BLACK RHINO
TGL Foundation delivers on promise to widows in Uganda and Congo
Offer of employment
Tailpiece
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
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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.
---
This may give our readers an idea of the scope of theGRAA’s activitiesfor the past few months.
Chairman’s Report: Game Rangers Association of Africa – July 2008
The following were key areas of activity since the AGM in February 2008:
- NGO/DEAT Stakeholders meeting: This meeting, scheduled for the week after the AGM, was cancelled on short notice due to a limited number of people being available for the meeting. The DG of DEAT, Pam Yako, also decided to vacate her post at the end of April and no alternative date for a new meeting has been set to date.
- SAWC/PHASA Fundraising evening: I represented the GRAA at this event which again was a huge success with just over R900 000 being raised for the SAWC. At the event, discussions with Prof. Willem van Riet and Theresa Sowry revolved around the value of the tented camp at the College and the need to further expand this facility. This point should be discussed further at the meeting on the 12th of July.
- Investigation into facilitating substantive labour-issue support for members: Meetings with Solidarity and NEHAWU resulted in a proposal from the first-mentioned being submitted to GRAA for consideration and comment. The luke-warm response and substantial reservations from the AC resulted in the suspension of this initiative until after the strategic process when there will hopefully be clarity on the way forward for the Association and whether this initiative needs to be further pursued. In several discussions with potential members at various levels, there seems to be a definite need for more, real representation of members’ interests and this need to be kept in mind during future discussions in this regard. The alternative option of registering as the statutory body for the Game Ranging profession in South(ern?) Africa and beyond is also a possibility, but unlikely considering the Association’s current demographic profile.
- KNP Rangers Day, 21st of May 2008: I attended the KNP Rangers Day, held near Berg-en-Dal on invitation from SANParks as GRAA representative. Rangers and Field Rangers put on an impressive display of anti-poaching activities, fire & movement and drills that also featured on SABC news. Thank you to Janet Snow for assisting with my travel arrangements.
- Press releases and other media: Following the announcement by the minister regarding the lifting of the ban on the culling of elephants in South Africa, the GRAA produced a media-release supporting the decision. This was distributed to our list of media contacts and a good response in this regard was received, especially from the printed media. The GRAA also decided to hold back on commenting on the impact of the raising of the wall of the Massingire dam on the Olifants river, especially the well-known crocodile breeding grounds due to an urgent request from a SANParks Ranger.
- Correspondence: Letters of congratulations were sent to President Ian Khama upon his inauguration as President of Botswana. No response has been received to this correspondence. A similar letter was sent to the new CEO of the Peace Parks Foundation, Mr. Werner Myburg and a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement of the role of the GRAA and its members in their activities was received in return.
- GRAA AGM 2009: Contact was established with Mark and Charlie Paxton at Shamvura Camp and they have accepted the challenge of hosting the GRAA next AGM at their venue in Northern Namibia. All relevant documentation, including a draft MoU has been forwarded to them and, as soon as the signed MoU has been received, the transfer of seed-funding can be done to cover initial costs. We will more than likely involve the PPF in the AGM this year as there are several initiatives coordinated by them in that area and it should further strengthen the ties between PPF and GRAA. John Turner is also busy trying to arrange at least one 60 seater bus from Unitrans to transport members from South Africa to Shamvura. A first announcement of the 2009 AGM must be sent out towards the end of September 2008.
- Conservation Outreach: This exciting event is rapidly approaching and will take place from the 2nd-22nd of August 2008 covering Parks in Moçambique, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. The original route had to be changed significantly due to limited time and potential logistic difficulties. Toyota SA has provided extensive sponsorship for the event and a considerable amount of media coverage will result from this which will contribute to raising the GRAA’s profile.
- In memoriam:
The GRAA has taken note of the following rangers that have passed away:- Douglas Hay
- Pasiansi Masonda, who was shot and killed by unknown attackers in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
- Buzara Habimana, who was shot in a skirmish between rangers and a large group of armed insurgents in the Virunga National Park, Eastern DRC.
- Other issues commented on:
- Rory Allardice followed up on an objection to a rest-camp development in the Agulhas National Park and, after substantive feedback from the relevant SANParks staff, it was decided not to pursue the issue further.
- Rory also commented and issued a position statement on behalf of the GRAA with regard to the proposed Bantamklip Power Station in the Western Cape. A reply was also received from the David Suzuki Foundation outlining their motives and the options being considered.
- The reported slaughter of elephant in the Kazuma Safari area in Zimbabwe turned out to be a mis-informed statement from a concerned party and the issue was resolved without further action being required.
- The GRAA logged a protest to KZN Wildlife and the Isimanagaliso Management Authority with regard to the Spirit of Africa 4x4 competition that will be held in rural Maputaland after an agreement has been reached with a local chief. This resulted in the organizer of the event, Sarel van der Merwe, inviting the GRAA to send observers to attend the event. This option was passed on the KZN region for consideration. The objection also received some coverage in the Sunday Independent thanks to Paul Phelan’s efforts.
André Botha
Chairman: GRAA
July 2008
Kruger croc deaths remain a mystery
July 03, 2008 Edition 1
The cause of the recent spate of crocodile deaths at Olifants Gorge in the Kruger National Park is still unknown, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry said yesterday.
Investigations to establish why the crocodiles were dying are under way, said spokesperson Linda Page.
She said some water samples analysed from sources in the area was found to contain 15 pesticides.
"The concentrations found were well below World Health Organisation drinking water guidelines, but were in the range where possible accumulation in the food chain is possible," said Page.
She said endocrine disrupting effects were possible, especially with long-term exposure and the department would continue to monitor the pesticide residue levels.
"It is however not clear whether these low level concentrations of pesticides could have contributed to the crocodile deaths in the Olifants River."
Page said low levels of phthalates, associated with plastics, were found both in the water column and in the sediments. Sediment of Olifants Gorge also contained traces of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons found are associated with low temperature combustion from veld fires or coal combustion.
Normal levels of trace metals were found in both sediment and the water column, meaning there was no evidence to suggest the crocodiles were dying of metal poisoning. "What is puzzling scientists is that the water is visibly clean, with no algal scum."
Last month, at least 30 crocodile carcasses were found in the Olifants River area. Some had distinctive yellow-orange hardened fat in the tail.
At the time Kruger National Park's head of scientific services, Danie Pienaar, said the hardened fat was associated with a condition known as pansteatitis, usually linked with the consumption of rotten or rancid fish.
"We are not sure what caused this condition in the Olifants Gorge as there were no recent fish kills reported," he said.
Pienaar said the river system was strained beyond its capacity to deal with the level of stress. It was the most polluted river in the park and the system had experienced further strain from the Massingir Dam that had pushed back into the Olifants Gorge, causing sediment to be deposited.
ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
3rd July 2008
IMIRE SITUATION DIFFUSED
It is with great relief and pleasure that we announce that the invasion of Imire Safari Ranch has been prevented for the time being.
Our heartfelt gratitude to National Parks who mobilized very quickly this morning, together with the police, the army and the Central Intelligence Organization. They are all spending the night at Imire tonight and if the war veterans attempt to carry out their threats, we are confident that they will come off second best.
John Travers received phone calls from the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Francis Nhema, the Minister of Defence, Sidney Sekeramai and the Governor of Mashonaland East, assuring him that Imire will be protected.
On behalf of all Zimbabweans, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Minister Nhema, Minister Sekeremai, the Governor of Mashonaland East, National Parks, the Zimbabwean Republican Police, the Zimbabwean Defence Forces and the Central Intelligence Organization for using their powers of authority to prevent a tragedy from happening at Imire Safari Ranch.
Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263 4 336710
Landline/Fax: 263 4 339065
Mobile: 263 11 603 213
Email: galorand@mweb.co.zw
Website: www.zctf.mweb.co.zw
Website: www.zimbabwe-art.com
Jatropha agronomics in Zambia
By: Christy van der Merwe, Published: 18 Jun 08 - 15:46
Noting the importance of biofuels in the changing agricultural landscape, the Omnia group has made an investment of some R29-million into research on jatropha agronomics in Zambia.
Jatropha has been widely regarded as the ‘next-best-thing' for biodiesel production as it is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing up to about 40% oil.
"Its an exiting investment, and it is really just to better understand the yields that one can attain from the Jatropha tree," Omnia CEO Rod Humphris told Engineering News Online of the research project in Zambia.
He added that there was a fertiliser spin-off. "...if jatropha becomes a bigger crop in the southern African region, we would be well-placed to really understand the nutrients required for that and then, obviously there is the fertiliser sale which we would be able to achieve in improving the jatropha economics."
Omnia would continue to spend the necessary capital on research in this field on an ongoing basis.
The research was being conducted in Zambia for a number of reasons, and largely because it could not be done in South Africa, as the South African government has declared jatropha an invasive plant.
"The one advantage that Zambia has, being a land-locked country, [is that] import parity of fuel into Zambia certainly is more expensive than here in South Africa, and I think the driving force there to establish biofuel production is higher in Zambia than what it would be in South Africa," said Humphris.
AGRICULTURAL BOOM
The "golden age for agriculture" had arrived and would continue into the next decade, stated Humphris, adding that the global shortage of raw materials in the agricultural sector drove the group's fertiliser producing division's operating profit up 98%, to R311-million for the year ended March 2008.
The improvements in this division have come largely from price increases, and not from volume increases. Omnia felt the production volumes would remain fairly constant going forward, as there was not much room for increased volumes in the South African market as there was only so much fertiliser required. Volume growth would benefit export markets. "Although that could change overnight if South Africa became more bullish with biofuels," added Humphris.
"We have seen a complete shift in the agriculture sector over the last 12 months - suddenly the world appreciates agriculture," Humphris reiterated. Many of the factors driving the greater demand for raw materials were said to have taken place quite suddenly, particularly the emergence of biofuels.
Humphris explained that the agricultural landscape has fundamentally changed, and there were a number of reasons for the increasing food prices linked to agriculture. These were: the increasing amount of arable land being converted through urbanisation throughout the world; the increasing lack of water, also linked to the fact that more water was being channelled to cities; the resistance to full-scale implementation of genetically modified crops was also viewed as holding back yields from a technical point of view; insufficient research on regionalised crop yields was another factor; the change of diets, particularly in Asia, from staple grains to higher protein also played a major role.
Droughts in Australia, floods in Burma and snowstorms in China, believed to be linked to climate change, also significantly impacted food production, as did the production of biofuels, particularly in the US. The exponential increase in the world's population also placed strain on farmers to produce more.
Farmers had not had sufficient time to adapt to these new circumstances, which was clearly reflected in the soaring prices.
Humphris did, however, feel that all these factors presented "huge opportunities" for farmers in the world, as they could finally make a fair gain from their produce. He also added that with these changing factors world-wide, governments would need to take cognisance of lessons learnt, and re-work agricultural policies.
Edited by: Mariaan Olivier
See also
• Malawi moves to scale-up jatropha-based biodiesel industry
• Mozambique venture to invest $150m in biofuels
CONSERVATION SUMMIT
By Sanelisiwe Shamase
The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site under Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s management, joined forces with the KwaZulu Natal Youth Commission and the Imbambazane local municipality in hosting its first Annual Youth in Conservation Summit at Giants Castle from June 9 to June 13
. Institutions were encouraged to elect representatives with a keen interest in biodiversity, conservation and environment-related issues to take part in the summit, which attracted 46 young people from various departments, district municipalities and non-governmental organisations. Another 10 youngsters attended as day participants.
The theme for this year’s summit was: Youth: the Future Leaders of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
The main aim of this first summit was to gather young people so that they could explore effective solutions to environmental and social imbalances through responsible behaviour.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife senior community conservation manager, Ntombifuthi Luthuli, said the event went well. “After the World Parks Congress that took place in Durban in 2003, it transpired that there were no conservation-related programmes focusing on the youth. So, before a programme was designed, we had to engage the youth to ensure that whatever the programme would be, it would address the issues and needs as per the views expressed by the youth,” she said.
A CHANCE TO "WALK YOUR TALK" ON THE WILD SIDE
Many folk have expressed grave concerns about the proposed mining of the dunes along our beautiful Wild Coast and are anxiously awaiting the government's decision on this highly contentious matter.
Most people (including the local inhabitants) are in favour of the development of low impact eco tourism which can be beneficial to all in the long term and less environmentally damaging. Much effort is needed to come up with viable enterprises for the area.
While various parts of the Wild Coast are well known to many, very few people have actually seen this specific part of our shoreline (mainly because road access is not easy) and the best way to enjoy its wild beauty is to walk along the beach from the Wild Coast Sun at spring low tide.
The next suitable spring low tide will occur on Sunday, 20th July 2008. All are invited to join a solidarity walk confirming our concern about mining, and our support for local eco tourism - starting from the Wild Coast Sun at 7.30am to either the petrified forest at the Mzamba River mouth 4km, or Mlulwane Estuary - 9 km or Mnyamene - 18km (distances are total out and back) and see for yourself just how special our Wild Coast is and just why we must all do everything we can to ensure that it is sustainably conserved for future generations.
Participants need to cater for their own drinks and food for the walk.
SUPPORTING WILD COAST ENDEMIC ECO TOURISM
For further info contact David Halle on: 039 312 2448 or cell: 082 300 4283 or email:
marfurn@telkomsa.net
TENTH BABY BLACK RHINO
The tenth calf of the WWF/ Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project was born recently. It's not known if the new arrival is male or female yet, but everyone is delighted either way. This calf was born at Zululand Rhino Reserve, the second site to become a Project partner. The Project has been running for five years and has four partner sites so far: Munyawana Game Reserve, Zululand Rhino Reserve, Pongola Game Reserve and Somkhanda Game Reserve. Each site received a significant founder population of black rhino. As the aim of the Project is to increase overall numbers of the critically endangered black rhino, the birth of each calf is a cause for celebration. Zululand Rhino Reserve, which received the largest founder population of 28 black rhino, has five calves already. The reserve was created in 2005 when about 20 individual properties amalgamated in order to create one large, ecologically rational area for the protection of endangered species.
TGL Foundation delivers on promise to widows in Uganda and Congo
www.thingreenline.info
Hi all,
A great deal has happened since our last update, with The Thin Green Line Foundation
gaining further support and exposure thanks to our many good friends, sponsors and
supporters.
The last six months has seen The Thin Green Line in the spotlight at large music festivals and
at the Sydney Opera House. The Thin Green Line Foundation has been invited to present
in California, Spain and Portugal and, importantly, deliver on our promise to pay widows of
rangers killed in Uganda as well as meet and organise projects in the Democratic Republic
of Congo – with more than 150 widows there … and much, much more work still to
be done…
Cheers and Kindest Regards,
Sean Willmore
Director
The Thin Green Line Foundation Ltd
The Thin Green Line-International Ranger Documentary
sean@thingreenline.info
+61 (0)427 791 799
Offer of employment
We have a small game reserve between Magalaisburg and Rustenburg, we are in need of a ranger to employ to look after the game, reserve labour etc. is there any assistance you could give please in trying to locate a suitable person.
Dick Gibbons
Manager , Vaspes Engineering,1 Van Dyk Road, Boksburg East, P O Box 6153, Dunswart 1508
Tel. +27119141304, Fax. +27119149222, Cell. +27826013351. E-Mail dick@vaspes.co.za
Tailpiece
THE HORTH WHITHPERER
A guy calls his buddy, the horse rancher, and says he's sending a friend over to look at a horse. His buddy asks, 'How will I recognize him?'
'That's easy; he's a midget with a speech impediment.'
So, the midget shows up, and the guy asks him if he's looking for a Male or female horse. 'A female horth.' So he shows him a prized filly. 'Nith lookin horth', says the midget.
'Can I thee her eyeth'? So the guy picks up the midget and he gives the horse's eyes the once over. 'Nith eyeth,
Can I thee her earzth'? So he picks the little fella up again, and shows him the horse's ears. 'Nith earzth,
Can I see her mouf'? The rancher is getting pretty ticked off at this point, But he picks him up again and shows him the horse's mouth. 'Nice mouf,
Can I see her twot'? Mad as fire at this point, the rancher grabs the little guy, picks him up and stuffs the midget's head up the horse's rear end.
- Sputtering and coughing, the midget says, 'Perhapth I should rephrathe that. Can I thee her wun awound a widdlebit'?