IN THE NEWS ....
Try getting past this lot! Elephants huddle round female to protect her from prowling hyenas while she gives birth (Kenya)
By Daniel Miller, Daily Mail
29th February 2012
When it comes to bodyguards, you really couldn't do much better than these guys.In a heartwarming display, a mighty herd of elephants huddles around a female to protect her from prowling lions and hyenas as she gives birth.
The amazing pictures were taken in the early hours at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya at the start of the month. Wildlife photographer Paolo Torchio noticed the unusual behaviour on a morning drive and was staggered as he watched the drama unfold over the course of an hour. The protective group circled the mother, scratching the soil with their enormous feet and closing any gap between them to block the view of any potential predators. Moments after the birth, the calf can be seen clutching the tusk of an adult with its trunk as it staggers to its feet for the very first time.
Paolo said: 'We observed an unusual tight congregation. All those elephants were in high agitation, seriously nervous, and closing the formation shoulder to shoulder. A strong wall of muscles and tusks that can scare any kind of other animal. This is the formation they are normally taking in only two cases: under attack by predators like lions, or during the birth of a new elephant.'
The Amboseli National Park covers 3,100 square miles across the Kenya-Tanzania border. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants.
Paolo added: 'It was incredible, because to witness the birth of an elephant in the wild is almost impossible. This is because it is impossible to predict the exact moment. It is almost impossible to determine if an elephant is pregnant or not. So, what was happening in front of us was really the most intimate and secret event in the elephant's life.'
To view the full article with pictures, click the following link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2108183/Herd-elephants-huddles-round-female-gives-birth.html
DEBATE ...
Rhino horn - legalise or penalise?
On the 22nd of February, the NPC Section 24 Rights Coalition handed a petition called Rhino Ultimatum to President Zuma. This document makes numerous demands on the government, in light of the current rhino crisis and can be found here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/act-now-sa-government-end-rhino-killings-imminent-rhino-extinction
The petition aimed to gather 250 000 signatures and they handed it to government with just under 22 000 signatures. Only about 25% of these signatures were those of South African citizens. Furthermore, the International Animal Rescue Foundation has given the government 2 months to action their 9 demands and they have threatened to call for boycotts of agricultural and service products of South Africa if their demands are not met. They burned a wooden rhino horn outside the Union Buildings to drive their point home.
Although we agree that the government needs to take a stance with regards to decisions on the rhino crisis and its proposed solutions, we do not agree with this Ultimatum or any of these threats. The very last thing our rhinos need is more aggression, emotional rants and further lip service. Punishing local farmers and service producers by boycotting their products (and buying imported produce instead?) is ineffectual and pointless in terms of helping our rhino.
Although foreigners are aware of the crisis with rhino, they do not understand the sensitive African dynamics of conservation issues and many First-World citizens apply First-World principles to these issues. This is inappropriate and illogical amongst a developing nation.
Also, the petition was circulated online and amongst social forums, thus excluding the majority of South Africans, being communities and under-priveleged majorities. The petition is not a true reflection of South Africa's voice.
Rael Loon, Director at The Wilderness Association, has written a counter-argument to the petition called 'Legalize or penalize' and we feel he raises some extremely valid points. Mr. Loon holds a B.Sc. in Zoology and Environmental Law, a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Conservation Biology and Resource Economics and a Master's degree in Environmental Management. He has written several books, popular articles and scientific papers, all pertaining to conservation issues and he is an active member of the Sabi Sands Wildtuin, which has a healthy population of White Rhino. He offers a far more pragmatic, grounded and scientific perspective and this is strengthened by his active involvement with rhinos and his research in conservation economics, social aspects and biodiversity.
Click here to download his detailed document: Legalize or penalize by Rael Loon
