The enjoyment and peace I get from watching the animals LIVE and what I learn from the WE staff about animals and nature in general. The births and yes even the deaths of animals we love is part of nature and thus we also learn more from it. I love everthing WE do and see and it brings joy to a "senior" person on this great earth of ours. Thank you so very much WE.
Dear Pieter, seeing you sharing with this Yellow-billed hornbill at Buffelshoek dam and smiling at Herman's saying that the Bush is "Home" for him and also the two of you jumping up to reach the energy of a new day, give me the courage to ask you to come back on this page ... the first page we had to share with you personally. No Facebook page can replace this page which has been so important for a lot of us, your WEfriends.
With love as always and, of course, Gorilla hugs,
Claire-M.
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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A promisse is a promisse,you did a swim today.WE had 1 000 wievers
//T

Pay no attention to my "bunny friend", and have a Happy Halloween anyway!Excellent fireside chat with an excellent video show.
I wish you a nice week.
Detlef (Edpbs)
I really am impressed that you and Herman left the drive and go to help Nkorho even if the situation was very unclear!
A BIG Applause!
You dare to put your life in danger to help friends!
Feel very honored. I'll continue to watch the Live Drive. WE archives is a good thing.
Detlef (Edpbs)
"Between Elephants" is the last video of me. Excuse my bad English.
Greetings to the WE Team and good luck for the next drives.
Edpbs
Great drive today Pieter, loved the ellies. Thought Lieschen might like these pics
Dear Pieter, seeing you sharing with this Yellow-billed hornbill at Buffelshoek dam and smiling at Herman's saying that the Bush is "Home" for him and also the two of you jumping up to reach the energy of a new day, give me the courage to ask you to come back on this page ... the first page we had to share with you personally. No Facebook page can replace this page which has been so important for a lot of us, your WEfriends.
With love as always and, of course, Gorilla hugs,
Claire-M.
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