Not so long ago Britain was an abundant forest land full of animals such as beavers, wild-boars, wolves, bears... even elephants! But with human progression came hunting, deforestation and a complete desolation of a beautifully established ecosystem. Now heading out into the wildlife of Britain you may expect to see a rabbit (introduced by the Romans 2,000 years ago), a grey squirrel (released into the UK in 1876), or perhaps, if you're lucky, a fallow deer (brought over by the Normans). We Britains spend a lot of time telling other countries not to destroy their forests, not to shoot predators that hunt their livestock.... to protect their environment at all costs. But how do we have a leg to stand on?
But if you would rather here is a shortened, slightly more entertaining animated summary:
George proposes that we reintroduce lost plant and animal species across Europe, and then step back and let them manage themselves. But of course there are a huge number of issues involved, including cost, lost livelihood and an increased risk of being mauled by a wild animal! But what a world it would be we lived in! Imagine looking out of your window and seeing a truly wild world beyond... Okay, so what George Monbiot suggests is sadly pretty far from reality... But there are major debates going on about the reintroduction of some of the more recently lost species. In fact, in some cases it has been going ahead. For example Red Kites reintroduction began in 1989 in North Scotland and Buckinghamshire; they are now beginning to spread across the rest of the country and can be deemed successfully re-established. Between May 2009 and September 2010 four beaver families were released into Scotland, and despite a struggle in Spring 2011 the first beaver babies were born in the UK for 400 years!
Should beavers be in Britain?
The next animal likely to be reintroduced is the Eurasian lynx which was last seen in the UK 2000 years ago. They hunt mainly deer and small mammals such as hares and rabbits; they would do a great deal of good for the management of these species. But of course the idea is met with a lot of argument - farmers fear the threat to their livestock, people fear a threat to their safety. Without this happening I fear a threat to our wild world.
Eurasian Lynx
A step up from this is an argument for the reintroduction of wolves and bears. However if this is ever to happen it would not be for many years - perhaps even beyond our lifetime. Our arguments against the reintroduction of these species is biased - we fear predators hunting livestock, the money it would cost, and loosing land for farming; yet we tell other countries to risk their livestock, to spend money protecting their species and to restrict expansion for their wildlife. I think that reintroduction would do no end of good for our country - it would restore a bland land to beauty and sustenance, it could revamp the tourist industry, it would counteract a lot of carbon emissions (if we expanded our forests)... but most of all it would REWILD us. I would love to hear YOUR thoughts and opinions on the matter. How would you feel having wolves living on your doorstep? Would you like to live in a rewild country?
My last couple of blogs have dealt with quite big issues (if you haven't seen them please do check them out)... So I figured that today should be something a little simpler! During my time as a volunteer at Karongwe Game Reserve, and whilst studying as a field guide at Shamwari I had lots of fantastic opportunities to spend time with this magnificent animal. Here are some photographs of some of my favourite moments with lions!
This was the focus male Lion at Karongwe Game Reserve, known as "Zero" - his number used for tracking
A fantastic moment when following the lion pride and they came across the elephants! They weren't really sure what to do... (Karongwe Game Reserve)
Sub-Adult male lion - one day he's going to be an incredibly large adult! (Karongwe Game Reserve)
The lion pride having an afternoon nap - I just loved this little cub using mum as a pillow! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
Young male lions play fighting (Shamwari Game Reserve)
The classic lion roar! Look at those teeth! (Karongwe Game Reserve)
Terrible photo - but what a moment! A young lion and a hippo come across one another - both looked at one another for a moment and then made a dash for it! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
I just love this photograph - at a kill cubs are at the bottom of the pack... This one took a hunk of meat and ran for it! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
After following the tracks of a group of lions we found one set going off in a different direction. Eventually we came across this female who we believed had just attempted to hunt a Kudu! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
This was during the same tracking exercise - We followed the second set of tracks and found eight cubs running around enjoying freedom from mum! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
A hot afternoon relaxing with the family! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
This is the biggest, most stunning lioness I have seen in my entire life! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
A lion relaxing in the sun... Who'd a thought it! (Shamwari Game Reserve)
Young cub looking out across the reserve (Shamwari Game Reserve)
I know how lucky I have been to have a chance to capture all of these photographs. What stunning creatures!
During the past year I have met some truly remarkable people whilst volunteering and studying in Africa - people who have dedicated their lives to the welfare of animals, who live and breathe conservation and will fight to no end to stand up for what they believe in. Not least of all is my friend, Angie Goodie, who after a life-changing trip has become a dedicated activist fighting to raise awareness to the plight of the highly threatened rhinos.
After her first visit to South Africa in 2008 Angie found something that many people discover when they go to Africa - that you can't just go once! She began travelling back yearly taking in the beauty that South Africa offers and volunteering with the 'Great White Shark Project', but in 2012 she changed her routes and signed up for 2 weeks volunteering at Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.
"I arrived on the 6th
March 2012, a day I will never forget!"
Angie had arrived at a critical time at Kariega - three days after a horrific incident:
"On the 3rd
March 2012, during the night, three rhinos at Kariega Game Reserve were
brutally poached for their horn. The poachers had literally hacked their
faces off."
8 days after poaching incident -
you can see the marks from the machete where the horn was hacked from her face.
Out of the three, miraculously, two survived but were in a desperate state; a young male later named Themba (meaning "Brave" in Xhosa), and a female who was called Thandi ("Love and Hope"). Sadly the third had died alone during the night, before anyone had known help was needed.
On her arrival Angie immediately set to work as part of a team fighting to save Themba and Thandi. Led by Dr William Fowlds (a vet who works on Animal Planet's "Vet's Go Wild", and who was the first vet on the scene after the incident) the team headed out into the bush to find the two rhinos and administer drip bags and any treatment they could. This was the first time Angie had seen a poached rhino:
"Believe you me it is one memorable, horrific sight... every time I close my eyes I can see their hacked faces."
Angie administering a drip to Themba
Although Thandi had far worse facial injuries it was quickly clear that Themba was worse off. Having fallen badly during the poaching incident the circulation in his leg had been cut off and soon the leg began to die. This caused a deep infection which soon turned putrid, and very sadly, after fighting 24 days, Themba lay in his favourite watering hole and died.
"It was a very emotional
day for everyone, especially for Dr Fowlds who worked tirelessly
trying to save this young Rhino. However Thandi seemed to go from
strength to strength, her name in Xhosa means 'Love and Hope', and she
has certainly given us all hope - that rhinos can survive despite
all the odds."
After 15 months Thandi is still thriving, although her face is permanently scarred and her horns will never grow back. The skin is still very weak and sometimes becomes damaged, but Dr Fowlds continues to work with her with pioneering re-constructive treatment.
Thandi a year on - still scarred but looking completely different!
But Angie did not simply come home and look back at photographs of her trip.
"I decided I was going
to head back to the Isle of Man and raise awareness of what is going
on in South Africa, and the ever diminishing population of the White
and Black Rhino."
In celebration of 'World Rhino Day' on the 22nd September 2012 she held an auction at the local pub with items including "limited prints from a
local Wild Life Artist Dr Jeremy Paul, a signed Liverpool football, a signed Ben Cohen England Rugby Shirt (from when we won the World Cup), a 3 night stay courtesy of Kariega Game Reserve, and a
weekend break in a 5* Self Catering cottages here on the Isle of Man". Angie also rounded the support of local businesses and printed "World Rhino Day" t-shirts. She named the night after her rhino of hope and love, "Thandi's Fund Raiser". The event raised a staggering £5,000.
The money from the event went straight to Kariega Game Reserve to contribute to the on-going veterinary costs for Thandi, and also paid to de-horn and collar three other rhinos on the reserve.
"I felt hugely proud
that the Isle of Man folk had achieved this."
Angie and Dr William Fowlds holding the presentation check of the money raised for Kariega - behind is the watering hole where Themba passed away, and to the right where he was laid to rest.
This is where most would step back and say "I've done my bit", but not Angie! With Rhino Poaching hitting an all-time high (more than 500 rhinos in South Africa have been poached this year alone, and it is only July) she believes that with raising awareness and funds we can curb this trend drastically.
This time the focus is to raise money for Anti Poaching Units (APU) in South Africa who have been responsible for the majority of arrests of poachers this year.
"These are brave men and
women who put their lives at risk day and night to protect the
rhinos. APU’s don’t come cheap - they require high tech bullet proof
vests, guns, night vision... This is where we need to channel
funds to, as well as buying more tracking collars, camera traps and
helping to pay for horn treatments "
So Angie has brought back "Thandi's Fund Raiser" with vengeance - this time (alongside another Isle of Man auction on the 21st September) she has put her own money into creating merchandise such as mugs, t-shirts, fridge magnets and even clocks which she sells online and so far has shipped right across the globe; she has held a stand at a local two-day agricultural show and has committed to shave her hair off after the auction (representing the lost rhino horns that are made of the same properties as hair and finger-nails).
"When they get poached
their horn will never re-grow unlike my hair that will."
T-Shirts Angie is selling in her online store.
This year Angie is working closely with Chipembere Rhino Foundation and Dr William Fowlds creating a First Response Trust which will, in the event that a rhino is brutally poached and survives, assist with providing tracking collars, treatments and setting up Anti-Poaching Units. She also continues to support Kariega Game Reserve for any ongoing treatments that Thandi requires.
This is such a worthwhile cause, and if anyone is interested
in finding out more you can find Thandi’s Fund Raiser on Facebook:
If you want to help out but don't have lots of cash create your own event! This summer I am working with two children who desperately wanted to help with the cause, so we have arranged a bake sale, with all the funds going directly to Thandi's Fund Raiser. The more awareness raised the better... and knowing the money is going to a good cause? Priceless.
A tribute to Dr Willam Fowlds and Themba
WARNING: Very graphic. Not Themba or Thandi but another rhino unfairly poached for its horn.
A message from Angie: "I would just like to
thank Kariega Game Reserve and Dr William Fowlds for the opportunity
to help with the rhino’s during my volunteering experience. Gap
Africa Projects for sponsoring our World Rhino T-shirts. Mr Raymond
Cox of Milan Vets who is supporting Thandi’s Fund Raiser this year
and who will be our auctioneer on the 21st September.
Marco and Collette Leonetti of Utopia Hair Salon for their continued
support and supporting our first Rhino Friday dress down day. Pauline
Spicer for all her hard work in helping to promote and organise
events and to my parents Sue and Stephen Goody for their patients in
having their house being taken over by rhino merchandise and for
their continued beliefs and support."
Angie standing in the fields with Thandi and a friend with a newborn calf, April 2013
This morning, on 'Sunday Morning Live', I caught a discussion on the development of new advances in technology that may allow us to bring back animals that have become extinct - those such as the Wooly Mammoth, the Dodo, the Chinese River Dolphin... animals that have been driven to extinction by humans. There is no doubt that humans have wreaked havoc on the world, and currently animals are going extinct faster than species can evolve to survive. We are all dominant, all powerful and no other species can win against us in the fight for survival. But does this now give us the right to play "God"? Is bringing back species an attempt to fix the problems that we have caused, or an egotistical display of what we can achieve? I can certainly see the benefits of recovering lost species, such as allowing us to restore unbalanced ecosystems, new medical research, and most of all turn around from the unjust wipe-outs we have caused. To be able to see these long-lost creatures living and breathing would be truly magnificent. But in reality what would bringing these animals back actually mean? It's not certain that if de-extinct animals would actually be the same as the species that once roamed earth or just new animals that look somewhat like those that used to exist. And would they actually be able to exist in the wild, or would it just be for entertainments purposes for us to gawk at in Zoos? In actual fact re-establishing animals into the wild is fraught with difficulty - these would be animals that have never learned how to be what they are supposed to be, would never have developed or evolved to survive. Not to mention the price the tusk of a woolly mammoth would fetch. If people are willing to risk their lives to kill the animals we have now, what would be the value of something that has been brought back!? And this brings me around to my final point. We currently live in a world where we cannot maintain the species that we have - I believe our focus should be on protecting and re-establishing those on the brink... Stopping further extinction and learning from our past mistakes. How are we supposed to maintain animals we have already killed off when we can't even save the Western Black Rhino, the Japanese River Otter and the Pinta Island Tortoises (animals which became extinct in the past 3 years)? We must focus our efforts on re-establishing the species we do have left and ensuring a safe and sustainable environment before we can even consider bringing those back that are, very sadly, already gone. Please note, this is a discussion topic and I would love to hear your opinions and debate! Feel free to comment, correct me or just tell me what you think :) Also check out: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/125-species-revival/zimmer-textwhere I found a lot of my information. Thank you for reading!
For a long time I have struggled with my opinions of Zoos - do they do good or bad for Wildlife? Do animals suffer more than they are benefited? Are our reasons for still having and visiting Zoos for the right ones, or is it just like forcing animals to perform in the circus for our entertainment? In all honestly I have visited many-a Zoo over the years, even as recently as last summer. I've enjoyed my visits but tend to come away with a feeling of sadness - why should these animals have limited space and limited lives when they could be wild? Is a lion a lion if it doesn't hunt? What is the life of a penguin if not to strive for survival for that of it's mate and chick? Should that parrot really be riding a small bike and ringing a bell just to make me laugh? The life of a captive animal is, without doubt, a million miles away from that if their wild counterparts - no matter how much money a Zoo spends to make its enclosure similar to the wild, or the enrichment activities they provide. On average lions and tigers have 18,000 times less space than they do in the wild; Zoo enclosures for elephants are 100 times smaller than the smallest wild territories. In one study of 77 elephants living in 13 UK zoos only 11 individuals were able to walk normally. The life of a wild animal is spent striving for survival, avoiding predation, hunting/foraging for food, fighting for the right of a mate and ensuring their genes are carried on. The life of a Zoo animal is spent lazing around an enclosure, watching visitors pass by and waiting for their next meal to be provided.
My last trip to London Zoo - huge male lion being fed through it's cage.
Lions in the wild - learning skills for survival Taken on Shamwari Game Reserve, SA.
Beside the theft of a natural life-style it has also been proved, in some cases, that life of animals in Zoos is significantly shorter than that of wild animals. Back in 2008 a study into the welfare of captive elephants in the UK found those born and raised in zoos live less than half as long as those living wild in Africa and Asia - despite being protected from predators and having medical healthcare. The death rate is linked to obesity (from a lack of space for exercise) and high stress levels caused by transportation between Zoos and young animals being separated from their families. The study even compared Zoo-Captive Asian elephants with elephants used to work in a logging company in Burma: the Zoo-Captive elephants lived on average for 18.9 years whilst those in Burma lived up to 41.7 years.
But Zoo's aren't just there for people to gawk at animals - in 2002 it became a legal obligation of all Zoo's in Europe to have an involvement in the conservation of biodiversity and ex situ conservation (the protection of a species or population by removing it from it's habitat and placing it elsewhere). The ZSL (Zoological Society of London) alone is working on 50 conservation projects across the globe with a distinct focus on highly endangered species. Alongside this many Zoo's are committed to breeding projects; breeding endangered species and creating genetic diversity with the intention of future release back into the wild (if it ever becomes viable). They also commit to education - teaching children about wild animals with the hope that they too will grow up with a love and respect for wildlife. I know that I was certainly en-captured by the animals I saw in my local Zoo, and one of my most distinct childhood memories is a trip to Longleat Safari Park. Many Zoo's also donate a percentage of their proceeds to conservation projects, helping to ensure the protection of those animals that do remain in the wild. Well, that is what I thought until I began my research for this post. In July 2007 the Born Free Foundation undertook a series of investigations in an attempt to assess the conservation commitment of the UK's 13 most "progressive" zoos: ZSL London Zoo, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Chester Zoo, Dudley Zoo, Paignton Zoo, Newquay Zoo, Living Coasts, Marwell Zoo, Twycross Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Bristol Zoo. One of these Zoo's claimed on it's website that: "About three-quarters of the animals housed at (the zoo) are officially classed as endangered species." In actual fact Born Free discovered that 62% of animals kept in these 13 Zoos are classed as those of "Least Concern" (the lowest Red List Category) compared to the 29% kept that are threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered on the Red List).
91% of threatened mammal species cannot be found in these Zoos. 95% of threatened bird species cannot be found in these Zoos. 99.4% of threatened amphibian species cannot be found in these Zoos.
It is clearly not possible for Zoos to keep and breed all animals that are classed as threatened. But 62% of the animals kept are in no danger. Surely a Zoo committed to conservation could make space for those that really need our help?
Otters at London Zoo - Classed as Least Concern
Alongside this Born Free discovered that 24% of the threatened species found in these Zoos were housed in groups that are made breeding unlikely. A quarter of animals included in the Zoos breeding programs are listed as "Least Concern".
It appears that a substantial proportion of Zoos conservation activities apply to species NOT significantly at risk in the wild. As for money donated by Zoos to conservation efforts- it appears that for an average adult entrance fee of £10.30 only 46-70p goes to conservation in the wild (figures from 2007). In 2007 London Zoo paid a whopping £5.3 million on a Gorilla enclosure to hold 3 Western Lowland Gorillas. Had this money been donated to wild gorilla conservation it could have protected thousands of wild gorillas and their natural habitats. So overall do I think what Zoos do for conservation makes animals living in unnatural and un-motivating environments worthwhile? I'll leave it for you to guess. Please feel free to comment and share your opinions. Have I changed your mind today?
The majority of people head to Africa for that "Big 5" experience... Lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo! They enjoy the sight of a few antelope, some giraffes and perhaps a cheetah or two. But Africa is not known for it's richness and diversity for these animals alone, there is a great range of animals that make up this wonderful environment and, if you're heading out to Africa on Safari perhaps you could challenge your guide with a request to see one of these guys! 1)Serval Servals are pretty elusive. They are members of the cat family, although certainly bigger than your cat snoozing on the sofa, they are of the small cat family, and mainly hunt rodents and small birds. They are stunning animals and I have been lucky enough to watch one hunting for a good half an hour - an extremely rare sighting that I am unlikely to forget.
Not one of my best quality photographs (several reasons for this): Serval hunting on Shamwari Game Reserve
2) Pangolin Pangolins are one of the strangest of creatures I have ever come across in my life. Unfortunately I have never had the luck to see one, although I continue to hope. They are small mammals often referred to as "armoured anteaters"; when threatened these creatures roll into a tight ball and the scales on their back are so strong even lions struggle to attack. What I find so funny about them is that they rarely walk on four feet but rather use mainly their back legs for walking, and their front for digging!
3) Honey Badgers I hold a strange fascination with Honey Badgers, which are perhaps one of the most ferocious animals you'll ever come across. Their main prey includes venomous snakes and honey stolen from stinging bees - when bitten by the former they will simply fall asleep and wait for the venom to wear off before resuming their meal. One thing that makes the honey badger so successful is it's loose skin which, when grasped by a possible predator, allows them to twist around and attack! I've been lucky to have a couple of glimpse sightings of honey badgers, but never enough to take a photograph!
4) Caracal Caracals, similarly to Servals, are of the small cat family and prey mainly on rodents and birds. They are extremely pretty animals with an almost egyptian-like quality to them.
Caracal at N/a'an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary
5) Brown Hyena Now pretty much everyone has heard of a Spotted Hyena, who amongst the lions and leopards are one of the most well known animals in Africa. But rarely seen or spoken of is it's cousin, the Brown Hyena which lives quite a different lifestyle! Although Brown Hyenas will den together they hunt and scavenge as individuals and you are unlikely to see more than one at a time. I was lucky enough to study my field guiding on a reserve that had an abundant population of Brown Hyenas and even saw one come into conflict with a couple of cheetahs who had just made a kill.
Brown Hyena finishing off a stolen kill - Shamwari Game Reserve.
So if you are ever lucky enough to go on Safari in Africa don't just ask to see the animals you see on the television, remember that there is a whole abundance of animals that don't always make it onto the shows! And you are likely to find your guide will be extra enthusiastic to talk about animals he/she doesn't often get to show off.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has seen any of these animals, or perhaps even other African wildlife that is rarely seen! Please feel free (and encouraged) to comment on any of my posts :)
In a previous post ('A walk in the wild... Britain?') I posted some photographs that I had taken whilst out walking with my dog, but wanted to get myself out dog-less and with a bit more time to sit and look. Today, in the glory of the first sunshine of the summer, I took out my camera and took a good long walk alone. I went to an area local to me - Cuckmere Haven and played about with a few different settings on my camera; I am by no means a photography expert, and am just trying to figure out my way around the camera! Here is what I came up with:
A close up image of a flower (not sure what type)
Bumblebee's hold a special meaning for me, and it was lovely to capture one up close!
I sat with this Little Egret for some time, watching him wandering through the water... Unfortunately I made a movement which scared him away.
Attempting to catch a fish perhaps? With no success I'm afraid!
I didn't manage to get a great shot of this black swan... I think it was at a bad angle in the light
I believe this is a Green Finch... Unfortunately came out a bit blurred
This is one for my big sister who loves blackbirds!
An attempt at a close up on some smaller critters! I was fairly pleased with the results!
A pretty little chaffinch!
One of the easier animals of the day to capture! The only one that sat nice and still!
I think this is a Lark, I watched it descend from the sky singing it's heart out! I managed to keep an eye on where it landed and get a little closer before it flew away.
I've been trying to capture butterflies in flight, but not quite figured out how that should be done!
I love seeing groups of birds in flight together... I'm not quite sure what these ones are!
I spent ages trying to get an in-focus photo of a swallow! They were speeding around past me, and when I looked closer at the photographs I realised that they were carrying pieces of grass in their beaks... could they be nesting?
Result! Swallows sat still!
A low saturation portrait of Cuckmere beach.
So I am very aware that my photographs aren't fantastic, but I'm practising what I can! Any advice would be very well taken :)
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