1.
Rare Species Focus - Blue Swallow
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is working hard to ensure the continued
survival of the Critically Endangered Blue Swallow and the unique
grasslands and wetlands upon which it depends. Right now there are only
89 known nests remaining in South Africa and Swaziland.
Read more
2. Have Your Say - Shark Cage Diving
Following the recent shark attacks in Cape Town, South Africa, shark
cage diving is once again under the spotlight. There is much controversy
surrounding whether this practice (and the chumming that goes with it)
is the cause of the alleged increase in attacks. Shark cage diving
involves the adventurous soul climbing into a steel cage, while a team
on board a boat throws out chum and usually a baited rope, which is used
to lure the Great White Sharks even closer to the cage and diver.
Whether or not this encourages sharks to associate
people with their normal diet of fish and seals – and thus confuse the
two, is largely guesswork at this stage. More research is needed.
Regardless of the outcome, ecoAfrica discourages any form of luring of
animals and for this reason, does not promote shark cage diving. Why do
we accept this in our oceans when we would never image a similar
scenario on land? To find out more about ecoAfrica and our environmental
ethics,
click here or email me to have your
say!
If you're interested in observing sharks and their
natural behaviour we recommend you try the
8 day Sardine Run Scuba Diving package.
Update on last month's
Have your Say: An estimated 10,000 people have signed
petitions to stop a planned donation of 300 wild animals to Thailand.
3. Africa Update
Governors'
Camp in Kenya restores 20/20 vision to Masai
The battle against eye disease and poor eyesight amongst the pastoral
communities living around Masai Mara Game Reserve is being won in a
combined operation between
Governors’ Camp, The Kwale Eye Centre
and AMREF. During the recent Eye clinic held at the camp, 141 patients
were operated on for cataracts and trachoma, and most dramatically 33
patients who had previously been blind had their sight restored!
Big
7 Reserve declared in South Africa
Addo Elephant National Park in South
Africa’s Eastern Cape has recently been proclaimed the country’s first
Big 7 reserve. In recent months the park has acquired more land, seen
the arrival of lions, and now St Croix and Bird Island form part of the
newly declared Marine reserve. This means that in a single conservation
area one can now not only see the big 5, but also the Humpback Whale and
Great White Shark.
Uganda reintroduces White Rhino
Uganda has imported four white rhinos
from neighbouring Kenya in a bid to reintroduce the species, eliminated
through widespread poaching. A founder population of 15 to 20 animals
will be raised in the 7,000-hectare Ziwa Sanctuary in central Uganda.
Over time the rhinos will be relocated to
Ugandan game reserves.
Damaraland
Camp wins World Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award!
The area around Damaraland Camp in Namibia was once badly poached and
home to one of the poorest communities anywhere. Today, due to the
successful partnership between the Damaraland Community and Wilderness
Safaris, and the implementation of a viable eco-tourism model, around
180 000 acres of land are under conservancy protection, wildlife numbers
are thriving and the local community have money in the bank and
employment. Visit
Damaraland Camp
4. Traveller Feedback
Olifants Restcamp and Edeni Tented Camp, Kruger National Park
"We were absolutely delighted with the safari trips that you
arranged for us. The 2 days we spent at
Olifants were fantastic. We managed to
see a Leopard (from about five yards) and the ranger was brilliant and
very informative. Kruger also feels very wild.
Edeni was wonderful too. The tents are
cool, the food excellent and the chance of seeing the animals
brilliant. The staff were also very friendly and helpful and the
facilities great. The two places were a good contrast."
Neil Shelley, UK
