it's in your nature
Saying goodbye to a friend - Wonky
Pieter and Lieschen found out on the AM drive that Wonky had passed.
You are free to post your memories, thoughts, feelings, photos and videos in this thread.
Alternatively, you can also visit Wonky's Facebook page and post your memories there as well:
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Wonky-the-Elephant/69048920707?re...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Valorie (Moderator) on -
Our dear old friend, Wonky. I'm so glad I got to be a small part of your life, though never meeting you in person. You will be terribly missed.
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Permalink Reply by Kathy on -
I had the privilege of meeting Wonky in person recently and he really was a very special elephant. We saw him almost immediately on our first game drive and I forgot all the rules about making loud noises and yelled out "It's Wonky!" He was such a gentle giant he just looked at me and carried on eating, allowing us to be so very close to him. I have pictures of him on a digital picture frame on my desk at work and each time he has appeared today I find myself fighting back tears. I can't begin to imagine how Pieter and Lieschen are feeling today. Thank you, Wonky, for touching all of us. I wish you could have been with us longer but you made a powerful impact during your lifetime and we will never forget you.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Webb on -
Wonky, Dear friend , I will miss you as will others you have been a great part of all our lives. Thank You for sharing yours with us.
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Permalink Reply by Debra Taylor on -
Dearest Wonky I did not have the pleasure of knowing you to long but the memories will always make me smile one day you will meet up with all your friends who have loved you
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Permalink Reply by Madeleine on -
I also had the pleasure of meeting Wonky one early morning last May while staying at the neighbouring lodge Arathusa. We were with our guide Ryan and spotter Maurice who sat in the spotters chair perched at the front of the vehicle. They spotted an elephant and we headed for a closer look. Ryan explained about his unusual tusk and his back leg. Because of the tusk they had named him Corkscrew. We sat still and quietly in the vehicle just off the road and he decided to leave his tree breakfast and come over and check us out. It was a wonderful moment. He slowly came over and came so close that he touched Maurice's shoe with his trunk. For such a large animal I felt his gentleness and could see he was curious about us. We stayed with him for sometime and he went back to eating breakfast, calmly right beside us.
When I joined WE last year although I knew Djuma was 'next door' I did not expect to meet up with him again. It has been great to keep in touch with him. He was a character and will be sadly missed. A truly special animal who overcame his physical adversity. As Pieter would have said ' a super special' day for us to remember forever.
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Permalink Reply by Catte on -
Sweet dreams, dearest gentle Wonky. I only got to see you on my screen but I knew and loved you. It was always wonderful to see you. I will miss you very much. Run free, feel the wind and touch the stars, sweet boy. My profound sympathy to Pieter, Lieschen and the Staff of WildEarth.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon in Ft. Worth on -
Goodbye, Wonky. You were a good friend, a great elephant, an inspiration and you will never be forgotten.
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Permalink Reply by Patty on -
Thank you Wonky for touching my life and sharing some of your days with me. You taught me that no matter what life~sickness~injuries come y/our way, we will deal with it! Good-bye my friend.......I do hope I meet you in heaven.....
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Ingwe Action Blog
UK tour raises some great questions
Some great questions have been raised by University students during my recent lecture tour in the UK, which have focused our thoughts on the direction of the ILP for the next years. Sure, we’re growing rapidly but it’s important to ensure that we focus on our core aims first and foremost. The object of our research is to gather data on the density and behaviour of leopards (and other carnivores) outside of formally protected areas. And why? Well it is in these areas (the largest land mass of South Africa) that leopards are in conflict with humans and in these areas where they are the last of the big five remaining truly wild.
So how can we conserve the dwindling leopard population. As said, first we need data, but also we need to develop wildlife management methods and techniques. Within this we need to become more than a pure research project and tackle some of the other issues. Education is undoubtedly a major factor. We need to get the message across in the right way. But we also need to develop and employ pragmatic management solutions. We will need a holding facility to temporarily detain problem animals, sufficient to give us time to ensure that any relocation does not compromise the genetic dynamics of an area and importantly that we do not create a problem in that area. Whether that be with local livestock, people, or other leopards.
All of this will mean we need more staff. Dedicated people who have a passion for wildlife conservation. We’ll also need more funding. But here is where we can offer something a little different. We want to create an ILP membership scheme (say$8 annual fee). However rather then just ask for a membership fee, in return we want to offer something more than a badge or membership card. Membership will then entitle folks to a 10% discount off an African Conservation Safari. As with everything we do, we look to our friends to give us their input and feedback, so if you have any thoughts on this concept then I'd love to hear from you.
Written by Will Fox
Honey Badgers - You have to love them
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Firstly, one of the badgers had a radio transceiver implant yesterday (unobtrusive low range device placed under the skin by a vet), and second they will each be given VHF collars before release. Of-course with such tenacious animals the collars won't last long before the badgers have destroyed and discarded them, but by that time we hope to have logged their new home range and have an idea of where to find them. Thereafter the implant (which has only a small range) will help us to monitor the badgers for the next year or so and gather much needed data on Honey Badgers living outside of formally protected area's. You've heard it before, but these are the area's where all carnivores at the biggest and imminent risk from human conflict. So we very much hope that these two will be only the first of many, so that our study results can hep formulate pragmatic conservation policies.
For now, the badgers will be monitored at Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre for another twelve days and then we'll release them into a wild area. Where we hope they'll stay out of trouble. Yea I know, fat chance of that. Badgers just seem to look for trouble. I have to be honest, it's why I love them.
Written by Will Fox
© 2009 Created by Graham Wallington
