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Ultimate Africa travel and wildlife news archive October 2000 Zimbabwe’s Barker’s Lodge Closing, October 1 2000 We have just been notified that one of Zimbabwe’s most wonderful privately owned lodges, Barker’s Lodge, has closed as of September 30, 2000. Ultimate African staff will visit Zimbabwe late October 2000 and inspect new lodge properties in the Harare area to recommend to our clients (Wild Geese Lodge and Imba Matombo are great and we will continue to recommend both of these lodges for Harare overnights). Barker’s owners Duncan and Evette are immigrating to Australia - best wishes and thanks for treating our clients so incredibly well! Your attention to detail, wonderful hospitality and style will be missed! Cape Town’s Grace Hotel Voted Number One Hotel in World!, October 1 2000 Cape Town's Cape Grace Hotel at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront has been rated number one hotel in the world at the Condé Nast Traveler's 2000 Readers' Choice Awards which took place in Las Vegas last Sunday. The hotel won the award for top-rated hotel worldwide with a score of 95 out of a possible 100, the highest achieved in any category this year and the highest rating ever accomplished in the 13-year history of the poll of the world's top hotels. Hotels were rated by location, rooms, service, food/restaurant, design-layout and activities/facilities, with the Cape Grace receiving three perfect scores in the categories of location, rooms and service. Cape Grace is a member of the Grace Collection which includes two other hotel properties in South Africa - The Grace in Rosebank, Johannesburg and the Mount Grace in the Magaliesberg. The Cape Grace Hotel is also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The full list of the winners will appear in the November edition of Condé Nast Traveler. Baby Elephant Missing in Angola, October 1 2000 A baby elephant recently airlifted to an Angolan national park as part of a wildlife reintroduction program is missing and feared dead, according to an Angolan park official. The young elephant, one of 16 transported to Quicama National Park from South Africa, has not been seen with its herd for a week and wardens fear it may have died from exhaustion. The elephant calf's carcass has apparently not yet been found. Spain Sends Botswana Bushman Home, October 1 2000 Spain announced it would return to Botswana the embalmed body of a 19th century African bushman that had been on display in a museum for decades, ending a long-running row over the exhibit. Spain's Foreign Ministry said the remains of the man, believed to have been dug up in what is now Botswana and embalmed in 1830 by grave robbers, would be sent to the African country for burial. Sweden Boosts Namibia's Nature Conservation, October 1 2000 The Swedish ambassador to Namibia, Gunilla Hesselmark, and the Namibia Nature Foundation's executive director, Chris Brown, recently signed a US $100,000 agreement for nature conservation. The Swedish ambassador said the funds would be donated to Namibians and organizations interested in conserving their environments. Hesselmark said the Swedish Local Environment Fund wants to provide small grants to local people in Namibia to enable them to address environmental issues within their own habitats through wildlife care and development. Kenya Gets Funds to Conserve Mt. Kenya Forest, October 1 2000 The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will provide about US $5.2 million for the protection and conservation of Mt. Kenya’s forests in central Kenya, an international heritage site. The funds, channeled through the Global Environment Facility, will be used to support field-based conservation activities by non-governmental organizations and community-based groups. Boniface Kiteme, a program advisor with the community management of protected areas, said the project aims to demonstrate that sustainable livelihood approaches and other community level intervention can help reduce threats to the forest. Situated in central Kenya, Mt. Kenya Forest is now gravely threatened by overfelling and overgrazing, and the Kenyan government has taken measures to ban logging in the area to save vast natural resources. During a recent tour to the forest, Kiteme said there is a need to increase awareness for the protection of natural heritage sites and promote partnerships with concerned groups at local and national levels. He noted that communities living around protected areas could identify socioeconomic activities beneficial to them, including the running of tourism facilities and park maintenance, or acting as eco-tourism guides. World's Great Apes Heading toward Extinction, October 1 2000 According to a coalition of leading primate experts in London the world's great apes will become extinct within 20 years without urgent action to reduce the impact of the flourishing trade in bushmeat for human consumption. Scientists from 34 global charities apparently called for international measures to guarantee the long-term survival of chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos (pygmy chimps) and orangutans. Delegates from Ape Alliance urged immediate steps to bring a halt to the bushmeat trade, which fetches about 600 million British pounds a year. Primates and other wildlife species are killed by poachers and transported between African countries as food for wealthy city residents. A small percentage of this meat apparently also finds its way to expatriate African communities in Europe. Scotland Yard has described the import of bushmeat to Britain as a growing problem. Jane Goodall, the world's leading authority on chimps, said that "if the international community does not respond vigorously and comprehensively to the crisis, most endangered medium and large sized mammals and many endangered birds and reptiles will be extinct within the next 10 to 20 years." IUCN Confirms Global Extinction Crisis, October 1 2000 The global extinction crisis is as bad or worse than believed, with dramatic declines in populations of many species, including reptiles and primates, according to the 2000 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, released on September 28, 2000. According to the IUCN: "Since the last assessment in 1996, critically endangered primates increased from 13 to 19, and the number of threatened albatross species has increased from 3 to 16 due to long-line fisheries. Freshwater turtles, heavily exploited for food and medicinal use in Asia, went from 10 to 24 critically endangered species in just four years." These are among the alarming facts announced by the world's largest international conservation organization, with the publication of the Red List, the most authoritative and comprehensive status assessment of global biodiversity. The release comes a week before the second World Conservation Congress in Amman, Jordan, where members of IUCN - The World Conservation Union will meet to define global conservation policy for the next four years, including ways of addressing the growing extinction crisis. "The fact that the number of critically endangered species has increased - mammals from 169 to 180; birds from 168 to 182, was a jolting surprise, even to those already familiar with today's increasing threats to biodiversity. These findings should be taken very seriously by the global community," says Maritta von Bieberstein Koch-Weser, IUCN's Director General. "The Red List is solid documentation of the global extinction crisis, and it reveals just the tip of the iceberg," says Russell A. Mittermeier, President of Conservation International and Chair of IUCN's Primate Specialist Group. "Many wonderful creatures will be lost in the first few decades of the 21st century unless we greatly increase levels of support, involvement and commitment to conservation." Human and financial resources must be mobilized at between 10 and 100 times the current level to address this crisis, the Red List analysis report says. IUCN should join forces with a wide range of partners, continue to develop strong relationships with governments and local communities, and engage the private sector at a new level, it adds. A total of 11,046 species of plants and animals are threatened, facing a high risk of extinction in the near future, in almost all cases as a result of human activities. This includes 24 percent (one in four) of mammal species and 12 percent (one in eight) of bird species. The total number of threatened animal species has increased from 5,205 to 5,435. Indonesia, India, Brazil and China are among the countries with the most threatened mammals and birds, while plant species are declining rapidly in South and Central America, Central and West Africa, and Southeast Asia. Habitat loss and degradation affect 89 percent of all threatened birds, 83 percent of mammals, and 91 percent of threatened plants assessed. Habitats with the highest number of threatened mammals and birds are lowland and mountain tropical rainforest. Freshwater habitats are extremely vulnerable with many threatened fish, reptile, amphibian and invertebrate species. For the IUCN Red List system, scientific criteria are used to classify species into one of eight categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Lower Risk, Data Deficient and Not Evaluated. A species is classed as threatened if it falls in the Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable categories. While the overall percentage of threatened mammals and birds has not greatly changed in four years, the magnitude of risk, shown by movements to the higher risk categories, has increased. The 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals included 169 Critically Endangered and 315 Endangered mammals; the 2000 analysis now lists 180 Critically Endangered and 340 Endangered mammals. For birds, there is an increase from 168 to 182 Critically Endangered and from 235 to 321 Endangered species. In the last 500 years, human activity has forced 816 species to extinction (or extinction in the wild). The increase in known bird extinctions is partly due to improved documentation and new knowledge, but 103 extinctions have occurred since 1800, indicating an extinction rate 50 times greater than the natural rate. Many species are lost before they are even discovered. A total of 18,276 species and subspecies are included in the 2000 Red List. Approximately 25 percent of reptiles, 20 percent of amphibians and 30 percent of fishes (mainly freshwater) so far assessed are listed as threatened. Since only a small proportion of these groups has been assessed, the percentage of threatened species could be much higher. As well as the animal species listed as threatened, 1,885 are classified as lower risk/near threatened - a category that has no specific criteria, and is used for species that come close to qualifying as vulnerable. The majority of 'near threatened' animal species are mammals (602 - mainly bats and rodents) and birds (727). A total of 5,611 threatened plants are listed, but as only approximately 4 percent of the world's described plants have been evaluated, the true percentage of threatened plant species is much higher. With 16 percent of conifers (the most comprehensively assessed plant group), known to be threatened, the scale of threat for plants may be similar to that for some of the animals. As well as classifying species according to their extinction risk, the Red List provides information on species range, population trends, main habitats, major threats and conservation measures, both already in place, and those needed. It allows better insight than ever before into the processes driving extinction. The 2000 Red List provides the basic knowledge about the status of biodiversity that can be used by conservation planners and decision-makers around the world to establish priorities and take the necessary action. The 2000 IUCN Red List has been produced for the first time on CD-ROM and is searchable on its own website at http://www.redlist.org An Overview of the Major Threats Habitat Loss and Degradation: The most pervasive threat to birds, mammals and plants, is habitat loss and degradation, affecting 89 percent of all threatened birds, 83 percent of the threatened mammals assessed and 91 percent of the threatened plants. Agricultural activities (including crop and livestock farming, and timber plantations), extraction activities (mining, fisheries, logging, and harvesting), and development (human settlements, industry and associated infrastructure) are the three main causes of habitat loss. Agricultural activities affect 827 threatened bird species (70 percent of all), 1,121 plant species (49 percent of all) but surprisingly, only 92 (13 percent) of the threatened mammals. Extraction activities had the most impact on plants with 1,365 threatened species being affected (60 percent of all) and 622 threatened birds (53 percent of all). Exploitation Exploitation, including hunting, collecting, fisheries and fisheries by-catch, and the impacts of trade in species and species' parts, constitutes a major threat for birds (37 percent of all), mammals (34 percent of all), plants (8 percent of those assessed), reptiles and marine fishes. Figures show that 338 threatened bird species (28 percent of all) 212 mammals (29 percent of all), and 169 plants (7 percent of all) are impacted by hunting and collecting. Trade affects 13 percent of both threatened birds and mammals. Alien Invasive Species Alien invasive species (species that invade or are introduced to an area or habitat where they do not naturally occur) are a significant threat, affecting 350 (30 percent) of all threatened birds, and 361 threatened plant species (15 percent). The commonest cause of extinction of bird species since 1800, especially those on islands, is the introduction of alien invasive species such as the black rat. Botswana Celebrates 34 Years of Independence, October 8 2000 Botswana celebrated its 34th Independence Day last Saturday amidst pomp and pageantry. The celebrations, which were held at the national stadium in the capital Gaborone, were led by President Festus Mogae. Botswana, which attained independence from Britain in 1966, was initially among the poorest countries in the world. But the country's fortunes changed a year after independence with the discovery of diamonds at Orapa by geologists from international gemstone giant De Beers Centenary AG. The Orapa mine was opened in 1971 and continued exploration revealed other diamond deposits in the nearby Lethlakane area. The Lethlakane mine started operating in 1977. A year later Botswana discovered what is reputed as the richest diamond mine in Africa at Jwaneng. Recently Botswana, which is the leading producer of diamonds in the world by value, cemented its position by doubling production at the Orapa mine to 6 million carats per year. This has increased Botswana total annual production to 25 million. Apart from diamonds, the country is a major producer of beef products exported mainly to the Europe. The country has been making commendable efforts to diversify its economy from over-reliance on the beef and the key diamond-mining sector. Already, it has had success in attracting foreign investors in textile manufacturing industry. Botswana is also successfully diversifying into the tourism industry, which is currently booming in the country. With the prudent exploitation of the minerals and the beef industry, supported by a cautious economic policy coupled with good management, Botswana has had the fastest growing economy in the world in the last three decades. Such is the case that Botswana with a per capita GDP income of about US $3,200 has been ranked as a middle income country in the same league as the Asian Tigers. With a population of 1.5 million, Botswana has foreign reserves of six billion US dollars. Throughout its independence Botswana has made efforts to create a business environment suitable for private sector development. This has been achieved through maintenance of macro-economic stability and cautious fiscal policies. As a result Botswana has achieved the highest economic growth rate averaging between 13% between 1970 to 1990, and 7% from 1990 to 1998. In the last 17 years Botswana only realized a budget deficit once in 1999. Otherwise the country has been balancing its national budgets with millions in surpluses to spare. On the political front, Botswana has been Africa's most peaceful and stable country. It has also had one of the best and longest democratic credentials in the continent. Rare Knysna Elephant Spotted, October 8 2000 Hopes that the extremely rare Knysna elephants could avoid extinction have been raised following the sighting of a large male elephant in South Africa's Gouna Forests last week. Local environmentalists are hailing the discovery, as it has been seven years since the last elephant, an elderly cow, was spotted in the giant Eastern Cape forest. Two officials of the South Africa Water Affairs and Forestry Department who managed to photograph the animal made the discovery. The Kruger National Park's scientific services section for large herbivores confirmed that the elephant is a young bull. The Knysna elephants are the last of the most southern elephants on the African continent. They represent a remnant of large populations, which occupied the Cape in the 17th century. In 1876 it was estimated that 400 elephants roamed the forests of Knysna but in 1983 only four were recorded and in 1994 just one. This led to the introduction of young elephants from the Kruger National Park to the Knysna forests. The attempt was unsuccessful because the elephants found the surrounding farms more habitable than the forest, causing extensive damage. They had to be removed to a nearby game reserve. Rovos Rail Introduces New Routes, October 8 2000 Rovos Rail has introduced a new annual journey called the African Collage 2001 starting on May 31, 2001 as well as new routes between Pretoria and Dar es Salaam from June 29, 2001 and between Pretoria and Swakopmund from May 16, 2001. The African Collage 2001 is an 8-day sojourn that commences at the Rovos Rail Station Capital Park in Pretoria and travels on to Maputo, Hluhluwe, Durban, Graaf Reinet, Oudtshoorn and Knysna to end in Cape Town. An early morning game drive and visits to the Highgate Ostrich farm, KWV Brandy Distillery in Worcester, St Lucia and Shakaskraal are just some of the attractions and adventures to experience along the way. Apart from that, the Pride of Africa will go past the highest mountains in the Drakensberg range and will travel along the scenic Garden Route. Mother Wrestles Crocodile, Saves Daughter, October 8 2000 A woman from Luanshya in Zambia displayed exceptional bravery when she managed to wrestle her daughter from the jaws of a crocodile. The six-year-old girl, Fellas Phiri, sustained serious injuries and is fighting for her life in a local hospital. When the girl's mother heard that her daughter was caught by a crocodile while fetching water from the nearby Masaiti River, she rushed to the scene and he dived into the water. She wrestled with the reptile and managed to release her child. Police have undertaken to hunt and kill the man-eating reptile. Landela Safaris Expands, October 8 2000 Landela Safaris have entered into two joint ventures, with the Travers family and Zimbabwe Sun Hotels in April this year. The joint venture with the Travers family involves Landela assuming the responsibility for the management and marketing of Imire Safari Ranch near Harare, Zimbabwe. This property located in the Wedza area of Mashonaland provides a great "up close" game viewing experience. Not only can guests stay at Imire, but Landela also arranges for guests staying at Landela Lodge to be taken there. The joint venture with Zimbabwe Sun tasks Landela with the management of Fothergill, Bumi Hills, Katete and Kiplings in the Kariba area. Thus along with Gache Gache, Landela’s original Kariba destination, they now have five properties on the lake providing 134 beds. Each lodge is different and will attract different types of client. Other than all being managed by Landela Safaris all of the lodges, have one other thing in common though; they all operate now on an all-inclusive basis. Fothergill and Bumi were closed for full refurbishment; Fothergill’s has been completed and is open again, whilst Bumi remains closed until the New Year for extensive renovations. Kiplings, Katete and Gache Gache are enjoying a good season. Landela have also expanded in Botswana by taking over the management of Elephant Valley Lodge, from Alan & Scottie Elliot (of Touch The Wild fame). The lodge has been renamed Chobe Valley Lodge. The addition of Chobe has given Landela a good diversity of locations within Botswana and Landela can now provide 72 beds in total. Return to Weekly Update Archive |
