Catch 22 in Protecting South African Wildlife

Remember being at the Zoo standing in front of a majestic enclosure in awe of the lion in front of you? With visions of a Discovery Channel Special you were enchanted by this magnificent animal of the wild.

Yes he is serving mankind as an important ambassador not only for his species but the whole animal kingdom. Yet it is a sacrifice he has not chosen to make. Sadness comes as you look deeper at the lethargic King of Beast in front of you. How long has it been since he roamed, hunted, bred… lived?

A rancher has the right to safely raise his livestock; a Leopard has the right to hunt and eat.

An injured bird of prey has the right to follow nature’s course and become food; a researcher has the right to capture the injured bird to understand so he can help.

The millions in poverty have the right to eat; endangered species have the right to survive.

A natural habitat has the right to exist for its interdependent environment of thousands of species; a farmer has the right to clear the land to provide for many of his kind.

Unlike the extremists on both sides, I do not claim to know the answers to the many paradoxes seen in our visit to Africa. But like a very wise 24 year old Leopard researcher said yesterday, “We have to take the situation as it is and do what is right by all”.

Extremism does no one any good. As an example the “bunny huggers” (let live at all costs), the Eco-scientist, and the politicians have created a horrendous situation in Kruger Park by not allowing the conservationists and rangers to do their job.

The Kruger elephant herd cannot be thinned by culling or transporting some to other places where their genetics may not match. And few want to risk looking bad or uncaring to the rest of the world.

As a result the maximum population of 9000 elephants in this magnificent Wildlife Reserve is now over 19000 causing major environmental destruction effecting all other plant and animal species.

Similar to party politics, the bickering and rhetoric continue while the best interests of the species are compromised.

Stay tuned for some interesting solutions to impossible problems by those willing to take a stand, consider all involved, and do their part large or small.

Impossible Made Easy at the Hampton's

What a privilege to be in South Africa and see where we can help. The projects we are evaluating are exactly what we hoped for; wonderful people accomplishing amazing things for wildlife and educating along the way.


It is so hard to choose which one to write about today... Russ picked this one...
 

Impossible Made Easy at the Hamptons


I knew this was going to be an interesting visit. When I called for directions Jan had me smiling in the first few sentences, called me ‘Love’ three times, and said I would have to get directions from her husband because she gets lost finding the same bathroom twice.

After we arrived interesting turned to fun, fun to amazement, and amazement into total awe of who the Hamptons are and what they are accomplishing. What a fascinating marvelously dedicated couple they are with a powerful sense of caring for animals for proper release back into the wild.

James does get in a few words edgewise but mostly it is Jan’s nonstop heartwarming conversation punctuated with pertinent knowledge, caring stories and down to earth reality. No injured beast is turned way but the Hampton’s specialty is saving neonatal Vervet monkeys orphaned by their mother’s death most often caused by humans.

When Jan said they take in 15 to 20 “tinies” each year from all over South Africa I had visions of the shut-in with 45 cats that never leave the house. Nothing but stench, filth and pandemonium…

But then she took us into their spotless intriguing home and nursery where the delicate process was revealed. Over 250 “tinies” have been rescued and reared over the past 12 years and they could hardly contain themselves for this year’s “crop” of 15 to 20, “It is the start of the season and we should be getting the first calls very soon.”

When the “tines” are 7 months old they are weaned and independent. Now ready to forget “mom and dad” they are put in a large enclosure and carefully mixed with older vervets to form a troop that is capable of surviving as a colony in the wild. The forgetting and adapting takes over 2 years and the Hamptons have one troop preparing to be released this year with another progressing well for the following year.

Presently they are in need of another troop enclosure as there will be an overlap in the troops this year. This wonderful couple has all the proper permits and accomplishes this major effort mostly on their retirement pensions and some help from the locals.

The funds to meet the urgent need for the enclosure are out of reach and they need help before this year’s “tinies” are weaned. James just wants help with the material as he intends to build the enclosure himself with some friends.

A closer glimpse into the Hampton's...

 
Sorry this one is turned side ways... have no idea why it did that!!!!
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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

Writing from South Africa

It's getting dark outside and I'm sitting in this quaint little internet cafe in Roodeport South Africa.  Russ is dozing off next to me on the sofa... hardly surprising we spent the last two nights on the plane... but tonight it's a real bed... and a bath.  I figured out a good way of getting out of dirty laundry... wear the same clothes for three days! 

Our flight down here was awesome!  This huge double decker airbus was rather quiet and Air France served up some good food (which I don't say very often about the airplane cuisine.)

This afternoon after arriving late in Johannesburg (fellow passenger got sick in Paris and after much addo they decided he couldn't fly), we had a few glitches while getting the rental car, and  then we found our way (thanks to modern technology... GPS) to the Black Eagle Project.  Not without my driving down the wrong side of  the road at least once... sure scared the guy!  Wondered why he drove off the road into the dirt as I approached!

Black Eagle Project visit:

Then, there we sat on park like bench under a huge shade tree chatting with Libby.  Did I mention the view?  A waterfall coming off the rugged red cliffs along the Roodekrans.  Libby came to visit the project with her son in 1997, fell in love with the black eagle and the rest is history.  For  the past years she rallys the local community around helping the black eagles, in particular to preserve their ever shrinking habitat.  She is feisty woman and takes on huge developers and even the government to speak up for her birds.  The Black Eagles have a great advocate in her!

Wish I could post a few photos of this beautiful place... will do so when I can access the internet with my netbook tomorrow night. 

Off to Paris then on to South Africa!

Ahhhhh!  Where's this?  You got that?  How about the...?  It's scramble time as we pack our bags for our South African wildlife conservation tour.  It's off to the airport in a couple of hours where three cute little grandkids will wave good bye (can do that at the Jacksonville NC airport).  Our cat, Weasel, is staying with our daughter and everything else is safely stored.... we're about good to go then!

Long, wonderful layover in PARIS FRANCE!  How awesome is that?  There I was skimming over the reservation options, looking at the layover times... 11 hours!  We won't do that one... but wait, where is this layover?  PARIS!  Now that's another story.  What an unexpected surprise gift for this trip!

Russ layed out a whirlwind bus tour around this romantic city, along with time for strolling beside the river Seine and of course a stop of to experience the Notre Dame.  You bet we'll be posting photos and sharing the experience.

Then it's on to Jo'burg... 

I Chatted with a Real Hero Today!

On any given day you'll find Christo in the trenches fighting to save yet another rhino from a deadly poacher.

In 2005 Christo co-founded the South African Wildlife Conservation Foundation with the primary objective to preserve South Africa's beautiful wildlife.  Today he is almost obsessed to save the rhino.  For five years  he has sought NPO status without success.  For five years many rhino owe their very lives to Christo and his small group of wildlife warriors.

  

The Endangered Sable Antelope

Today I learned that more than once his hopes for sustainable funding has been dashed. Not too long ago he spent hours providing information, participating in meetings and visits with an outfit professing to help.  Fortunately for all, he discovered just in time that they wanted to turn his safe haven into a hunting ranch!  Then on another occasion, again with hopes for substantial funding on the horizon, it turned out the people only wanted his wildlife to sell off at auction!

With funds low and time elusive Christo hasn't budged from his goal to save the South African wildlife... he is a true warrior who stands firm against the "enemy" no matter how tempting the "mess of pottage" may appear.

Christo is a real hero for South African wildlife.  Thank you Christo!  And I'm sure I speak for many others and especially the hosts of wildlife who owe their existence to you.