Climate change, over-population, pollution, plastic-filled seas. The threat to biodiversity, which ensures we have any future at all, is overwhelming. What can I do, I ask myself, to turn back the tide? Are my attempts at recycling, buying free range and organic food, signing Greenpeace petitions, boycotting products that contain palm oil and using public transport making any … [Read more...]
Win-win for people and planet: smart shepherding in South Africa
The Karoo, in South Africa, is a harsh environment in which to make a living out of agriculture—the area is mostly devoid of surface water. Its name is derived from the Khoisan word meaning “land of thirst”. The land was traditionally used by pastoralists but drought, overgrazing and predation by wild animals made this activity precarious. Predators were kept in check by … [Read more...]
Leopard made of gin traps on display
The Landmark Foundation is currently hosting an art exhibition at the Grahamstown Arts Festival. A life-sized leopard is on display, which was crafted by some talented young students out of gin traps and scrap metal. Other artists have also donated works for raising awareness and funds for leopard conservation. Apex of Evolution A young man was brought into the biology class … [Read more...]
Human barbarism
This scene of barbarism greeted the police and conservationists on Sunday morning on the road between Riversdale and Vermaaklikheid, Western Cape, South Africa. The culture that drives such actions is reprehensible and inconceivable. The caracal had been caught in a gin trap (even though these traps cannot be used without permits in the Western Cape and no permit was issued … [Read more...]
Is this the price of your Sunday roast?
In South Africa the killing of leopards and predators on livestock farms continues, on the grounds that they are a problem to farmers. A leopard caught and left in a trap on a livestock farm in Uniondale died of dehydration and sepsis, and was left to rot in the trap. The use of gin traps (alias 'soft-catch traps'), poisons, denning and hunting dogs is common and still legal … [Read more...]
