Wildlife Conservation... Does One Size Fit All?

Russ talks with Leon a local wildlife advocate

YBK the bird that wouldn't leave (Whole story coming soon)

After touring just four wildlife protection sites we've had our eyes opened and our hearts touched. You can't help but admire Libby who knows and loves her black eagles. All you can do is stand back in wonder when you see all that Roz has got in place in just two years. A chuckle and a smile can't be stopped as exuberant Jan tells her stories about saving abandoned baby vervet monkeys. And you'd think they had a team of 20 when you learn all Ben and Shannon do to save the raptors.

Working toward release. Buck babies whose mothers were hit by a car.

But, does one way of wildlife conservation fit all?

Protecting, saving, preserving, conserving, rescuing, rehabilitating may all be what each is doing, however, where the divergence occurs is in how it's done and their basic philosophies about wildlife conservation.

Margrit and Libby with the Black Eagle Project

What a delightful woman! Jan and one of 'her' monkeys

Some conservation programs involve volunteers and others to feed, handle and nurture the injured young buck or bird back to full health, making it a community affair, sensitizing both young and old to wildlife and it's importance in their area. Others keep their wild animals and birds far from the public, providing very private rehab pens to keep them wild and afraid of humans. Then of course there are those who walk a tough line somewhere between the two.



Is there a right or a wrong? There are strong opinions at both extremes.

What do you think? We have many more to talk to so let's see what else we find out shall we?

Ben shows Margrit how this kites wing is pinned to help it heal properly

 

Wildlife and Other South African Challenges

Getting settled in takes a bit of doing. I didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to instant access via my phone and internet. Using our Iphones in South Africa costs $1.50 a minute! A bit pricey for a nonprofit wouldn't you say? Any way, after asking around we bought a prepaid phone this morning. Then there's the plug and voltage difference. In SA there are these huge clunky plugs that you need to find adapters to, and just when you do, the power goes out! Nope, actually Russ tripped a breaker by plugging in our strip plug. Then there's the WiFi when available is costly and paid for by the hour. Not sure if any of you have had this problem, but Face Book locked me out when I tried logging in from my new netbook in Paris! Haven't resolved that issue yet, so all in all, its a good thing we have no appointments today!

To the left of the waterfall the dark spot circled by white is one the active Black Eagle nests

I've been to some beautiful botanical gardens, in the USA and Europe, but non compares to the setting of the botanical garden that houses the Black Eagle Project. With the back drop of Roodekrans and two tiered waterfall of the Crocodile river this far flung garden is more like a park, and is used as such. Birders huddle in numerous blinds watching for water fowl. Young mothers gather on the lush lawn for a baby shower. A yoga class convenes each Saturday at the small pavilion. Two bush loads of kids and their families flow in with blankets and coolers. Couples, families and corporate picnics all are enjoyed among the native flora and fauna.

Yes,this botanical garden is not only a haven for birds and small wildlife but humans from all walks of life.

Leon, a banker, sat poised with his DSLR at the first blind. He does this every Saturday he told us. A way to destress from his crazy week. Leon was most interesting to talk to... more on this conversation later.

Shaun is in the health care field by day and a bird counter on weekends. For five years he has been involved in a bird atlasing project. He spends 2 hours twice a month in the botanical garden watching and counting They will be sad to loose him as he immigrates to Austrailia shortly... more on this conversation later too.

Then on Sunday at church we met some fabulous folks, along with Thoko, a local high school teacher, who just returned from Sweden. Two of her students placed third in an international evironmental studies project... quite an accomplishment. Not only that, this is the third time she and her students made nationals! We will be visiting Thoko and her students in a couple of weeks. Thoko is excited about Nikela and wants to be involved with creating wildlife advocates. So much more to come on this.

This week we visit two great conservation sites... really excited!

Egyptian Geese at the Bird Blind