There will be a special AM drive to say farewell to Wonky. Weather permitting, Pieter and Rory plan on being at Wonky's final resting place as the Sun comes up for a short visit to reflect on Wonky's life and the loss of our old friend... 5:00am C...
Wild about Africa. I'm a stay at home grandmother raising a grandchild who is now 14! Time sure does pass fast. I love watching WildEarth and dream of the day I am there in person.
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hi kearle , nice to meet you , thanks for the comment , yes we are neighbors , it has been pleasing to meet so many fine people on WE ... light ,love ,and care elo
Thanks Karen!! I've enjoyed the cam and drives for awhile now, my daughter finally got me to join. Some of the drives are just breathtaking.
Linda - CA
Hello, and thanks! I am going to Southeastern Community College for an Applied Assoc. in Science, major focus is Environmental Science and a minor in Invasive Species Management...
My parents were quite old when I was born so I lived with my sister (who was 23 years older than I was) much of the time. Her hubby was in the Air Force and stationed at the Pentagon. Moved some with them and then married a man who was in the Air Force also and he was stationed in Germany. I was only 16 when I got married and one dopey kid. I could have seen so much in the 2 years I was there but didn't have sense enough to think about that. My ex flew and so he got to see everything from Egypt to England. He flew constantly and I was alone much of the time. Guess we all have things we would have, should have, could have done differently. LOL
Biking in S.Africa sounds wonderful to me Karen. So glad to become friends with you. Yes it does seem like you & I have bounced around and lived in many places. You know, I wouldn't have it any other way. This way we have a taste of what it is like to live in so many places. It adds flavor to ones life. I wish I had it all to do over again don't you?
I am in Morganton, west of NC smile... Welcome to wildearth... wow I just read about your dream to go to South Africa and ride motorcycle soooo cool.. smile..
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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Linda - CA
what a great idea! Looking forward to meet you and your husband. Don't wait too long :).
All my best wishes to you!
I am in Morganton, west of NC smile... Welcome to wildearth... wow I just read about your dream to go to South Africa and ride motorcycle soooo cool.. smile..