HI Frances - No I'm sorry but I haven't heard anything from Bluebird as I haven't been around for several weeks now. I've had 'flu and so has my partner so I've been otherwise occupied!
My daughter Lara may know something, if you leave a message for her.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Take care
Frankie
Hi Frances! Glad you and your husband are enjoying WE and learning about the lions in the area. Dozie hasn't been seen for a number of months now. No confirmation that he is dead as he may have just been pushed off by other males from the pride. The Nkuhuma pride itself have been keeping more to the North and East (even venturing into Kruger) in an attempt to keep the remaining cubs safe. They have ventured back into Djuma not too long ago. Reports of 5 to 6 of the lionesses with 5 to 6 cubs have been reported. 2 lionesses have been seen on their own and mating with the Manyeleti males. One of the surviving cubs apparently was killed by the Styx pride a few months back when it was separated from the pride and blinded by a spitting cobra. :( Such a beautiful pride. Hope they can pull themselves together and survive during this uncertain time. They once numbered 9 lionesses, 20 plus cubs and 2 of the most beautiful Males you would ever want to see... Blondie and Dozie.
Hello again Frances.
Was so nice meeting you in the forum this afternoon.
Have sent a request for you to be on my friends' list.
Do hope you will accept it.
Have a good night, and look forward to chatting with you tomorrow.
HUGSsss
BB
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
Finally we have some news on our Honey Badger project. As you may know we have been holding two troublesome honey badgers, that were killing Geese on a farm and removed before they could get into even deeper trouble. Of-course we have been waiting for permits but (in this case), that is no bad thing. It has provided time for the badgers to loose their homing instinct to that farm (otherwise they would just head home and into more trouble). It's also given us time to arrange for tracking equipment. In this regard, we took lots of advice from badger specialists before deciding on a two pronged approach to tracking these animals that roam in very large areas. 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.
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My daughter Lara may know something, if you leave a message for her.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Take care
Frankie
Was so nice meeting you in the forum this afternoon.
Have sent a request for you to be on my friends' list.
Do hope you will accept it.
Have a good night, and look forward to chatting with you tomorrow.
HUGSsss
BB
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