Hello Everyone,
Since I have been State side I have been volunteering at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where I worked before WE. Where they have been busy and received 6 turtles since I have been here which is why I have been helping the vet staf...
I was born in Oregon and moved to Michigan when I was about 6 weeks old. Moved to Ontario Canada when I was about 6 years old, lived there until 1999 when I moved to TN with my parents and younger sister, then started college in southern Colorado until May where I was an intern for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island Georgia. Now I am here at WE :)
There is 5 kids in my family (3 older brothers 1 younger sister) which is why we moved around a lot.
I have always enjoyed watching nature programs since I was little, and when I was 13 made it my goal in life to do wildlife photography/videography when I was older. To where I am excited to be a new member of the WE team.
Recently I have primarily worked with sea turtles and I am looking forward to dusting off the cobwebs of my African Wildlife knowledge.
thanks much, simon, for bringing the wonder and beauty of the african bush to us through your lens, especially the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. many blessing to you as you continue to bless others with your sweet spirit and multitalents. take good care, my friend, until we meet again.
At 9:07pm on February 22, 2009, MOTHERNATURE said…
SIMON.....I AM SO EXCITED THAT THEY GOT TOGETHER AND ARE GOING TO SEND YOU THE DRUM AND THE BEAUTIFUL LION PICTURE FROM PIETER!
WHAT GREAT TREASURES THAT WILL HOLD A TON OF MEMORIES AND STORIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! AS I HAVE SAID IN A COUPLE OF OTHER SPOTS ON NING I AND WE WILL MISS YOU, YOU TRULY HAVE BEEN A BIG PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. I WISH THE BEST FOR YOU, SEE YOU ON THE DRIVES SITTING NEXT TO US IN THE BACK OF THE LANDIE :o) CHEERS
Simon, I also have a heavy heart and tears in my eyes after hearing that you are leaving WE. Hopefully we'll see you again and good luck to whatever happens next in your life. Take care!
Simon, I am missing you already. It is with a heavy heart, lump in my throat, eyes full of tears that I say "So long my friend, keep in touch and I will catch up with you again"
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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At least you're in America this year... or are you?
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Simon don´t forget WE. Come back. Sorry for my bad English.
Detlef (Edpbs)

SIMON.....I AM SO EXCITED THAT THEY GOT TOGETHER AND ARE GOING TO SEND YOU THE DRUM AND THE BEAUTIFUL LION PICTURE FROM PIETER!WHAT GREAT TREASURES THAT WILL HOLD A TON OF MEMORIES AND STORIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! AS I HAVE SAID IN A COUPLE OF OTHER SPOTS ON NING I AND WE WILL MISS YOU, YOU TRULY HAVE BEEN A BIG PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. I WISH THE BEST FOR YOU, SEE YOU ON THE DRIVES SITTING NEXT TO US IN THE BACK OF THE LANDIE :o) CHEERS
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