JOY ADAMSOM of Elsa the Lion fame, is not universally known for her amazing artwork. However, an Austro-Hungarian born naturalist, conservationist, artist and author, Joy Adamson was a prolific, self-taught artist.
She created over 500 paintings of the fauna, flora and peoples of Kenya, including many different warrior types, chiefs, elders, women and girls, masked dancers, and ceremonial costumes. This collection, which is also of great value to anthropologists, is now held at the National Museums of Kenya Archives in Nairobi.
The current floods in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, have been mainly contributed to the effects of climate change. This has been the same in recent catastrophes of cyclones and floods in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, as well as other areas in Africa. BUT the question has to be asked how much of the devastation is due to poor – or in many cases – no eco-management, building in the wrong areas, deforestation, and no maintenance of essential services, as well as corruption, politics, poverty and over-population?
Whilst climate change may be one of the reasons hundreds of thousands have lost their homes, it is not the only reason.
Our deepest condolences to all those that have suffered from the change in weather patterns over the last few years – you can repair a home, but not bring back those that lost their lives in the turmoil.
Handcrafted with love, ALBEE YEEND – SILVERSMITH, creates exquisite jewellery, often replicating the beauty of nature and her passion for Africa. – ALBEE JEWELLERY www.albeejewellery.com
Email: albeeyeend@btinternet.com
BOOKS
CURIOUS NOTIONS – Reflections of an Imagineer, by Mike Bruton
This is a fascinating collection of essays on a diverse range of topics ranging from arts and science to evolution and technology. Honoured for his contribution to science, Prof Mike Burton shares his knowledge in an easy and humorous manner, telling of people and events as if he was sitting opposite you. Mike Bruton is quoted as saying “it is very important that scientists, including retired scientists like myself, should publish books that demystify science and make it more accessible to the general public.” He has certainly done this in this highly recommended book.
ISBN 978 1 77632 949 6 Published by Footprint Press www.foortprintpress.c.oza
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINT OF AFRICAN WILD ANIMALS: Third Edition. Edited by Michael D Kock and Richard Burroughs.
Acknowledging the expertise of many other colleagues in the field of wildlife management, Editors Michael D Kock and Richard Burroughs have produced a magnificent and extensively revised Third Edition of this informative and important book. This is a highly recommended and valuable manual for everyone working with wild animals in Africa.
ISBN 978 1 991 21725 7 Published by Michael D Kock, International Wildlife Veterinary Services (Africa) Email: mdkock@kingsley.co.za http://www.
GRASSES OF EAST AFRICA by Dino J Martins
Describing 100 species of common, ecologically important or remarkable grasses found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, this is a superb guide by Kenyan based entomologist and evolutionary biologist Dino J Martins. The information in this book would be of great value to other areas, not just East Africa. ISBN 978 1 77584 548 – 5 Penguin Random House
Dino J Martins is also the author of the delightful children’s book Helpful Hannah Hippo ISBN 978 1 7763 5032 2 – Penguin Random House
TWO TONS O’ FUN by Fred Khumalo
So well written with empathy and humour, Fred Khumalo has somehow managed to understand the mind and thoughts of a 14-year-old girl, Lerato, despite being an older man himself. Underlying the humour is a portrait of current life in the turmoil of Alexandra, a massive township close to Johannesburg. The characters are so true, the escapades of the young girls, the love of family and complicated friendships along with the desire to learn and discover a larger world, when all put together, make this a fun read as well as being informative. The introduction of current well-known people, other authors and incidents flavour this book as an up-to-date account of life in South Africa. ISBN 978 1 4152 1088 8 Published by Umuzi / Penguin Random House SA
DID YOU KNOW researchers are trying to make coral more resistant to heat and stress from climate change and pollution in order to help save the reefs? Research is also being undertaken in Madagascar amongst the reefs to provide sustainable and edible fish for the population, a problem that has arisen due to weather patterns and over-fishing.
With a rare talent for depicting the horrors of war, whilst sharing his deep love of his country in gentle watercolours, Nyasha is a self-taught Zimbabwean artist. He portrays daily life, in the towns and the villages, of his home country.
BOTSWANA. The government has approved plans for the construction of eight lodges inside the Chobe National Park. 100% citizen-owned companies and consortiums with tourism licences that have been in existence for at least two years may submit proposals for the development and operation of tourism sites for a lease period of 50 years. The sites are along the Chobe riverfront in the Chobe National Park, two kilometres from each other, between Ihaha Wildlife Camp and Kasika, and each measuring three hectares.
| The Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) has strongly condemned the development saying the Chobe National Park is already experiencing significant environmental pressure and congestion. The 1993 Chobe National Park management plan, and the one issued in 2000 – which were gazetted – specifically stipulated that no new lodges should be developed within Chobe National Park. This would have a very significant impact on the Chobe National Park riverfront inter alia increasing congestion and environmental pollution, restricting animal movement and placing increased pressure on already threatened species such as the Chobe bushbuck. |
SENEGAL. West Africa’s second-largest protected area, the Niokolo-Koba National Park, hosts one of just four remaining populations of Critically Endangered West African lions. In 2011, the NGO Panthera did a survey of carnivores in the park and found that just 10-15 individuals remained. For the last five years, Panthera, together with the Lion Recovery Fund, has been supporting the management of the park through the deployment of mobile and highly-trained anti-poaching brigades. The lion population is growing and now numbers 30-40 individuals. (Pantera leo senegalensis) KENYA. Questions arise as to the effectiveness and necessity of eradicating tsetse-flies for the safety of elephants. This was originally mooted for the 13 elephants being re-located from a tsetse-fly free environment in England to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in Kwale County. According to a report by the Kenya News Agency, County KWS Senior Warden Jacob Orale said the government has initiated a tsetse fly eradication program across the elephant sanctuary and the entire Shimba Hills National Reserve ecosystem. “We want to reduce the density of the tsetse flies in the ecosystem for the safety of the elephants.” Can the proboscis of a tsetse-fly penetrate the thick skin of an elephant? No tsetse-fly may well mean ‘here come the cattle – and the fence will not stop them.’ DISCUSSION POINT. Emotions run high as reports of two large tusked elephants were killed by trophy hunters in Botswana. Though trophy hunting may not solve any human-elephant conflict or habitat issues, nor is the volume of elephants hunted sufficient to reduce elephant populations; indiscriminate hunting and poaching may hasten the disappearance of large-tuskers from the African landscape But – like all species – when they get to this age and size, they are no longer part of the breeding pool, are not part of a group, are old and losing their teeth, thus looking at a future of starving to death. |
| LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER The Lilac Breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and is a vagrant to the southern Arabian Peninsula. They prefer open woodland and savanna and are usually found alone or in pairs. Feeding on grasshoppers, beetles, occasionally lizards, crabs, and small amphibians, they take prey from the ground by swooping down from an elevated perch next to it. They eat their prey on the ground, or return to a perch where they batter it before swallowing it whole. Lilac Breasted Rollers actually breed ‘on the wing’. Their name, roller, is due to their impressive courtship flight, a fast, shallow dive from considerable elevation with a rolling or fast rocking motion, accompanied by loud raucous calls. All rollers appear to be monogamous and highly territorial. Lilac Breasted Rollers make unlined nests in natural tree holes or in termite hills. Sometimes they take over woodpecker’s or kingfisher’s nest holes. They lay 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for 22-24 days. At 19 days the chicks are fully feathered and greyish brown. The lilac-breasted roller, called ‘Kambu’ in Swahili,is Kenya’s national bird because of the wide array of coloured feathers it has. The 8 colours: green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, reddish-brown, and lilac supposedly representing the many different tribes that make up Kenya’s community. Both females and males are equally colourful – not dimorphic. (Photo by Trevor Barnett) |
From our Readers:
“Awesome!” Juan, from Hawaii
What a super read. It is always inspiring to see how much is happening in Africa Leslie, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Hello. May I please ask you if I may quote you on the “Did you know” facts about the lizard and its losing its tail? I live ….. Wildlife Estate in Hoedspruit and put together our monthly Estate Newsletter. It would make an interesting snippet for our residents. Joan
Always good to get your newsletter. I have used some of your news to update sections of my https://legendsandlegaciesofafrica.org/index.php Patrick, Australia
Go well,
Care for the world around us
Lesley & Ian Thomson
AFRICA TALKED
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