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| Projects
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| An
International Partnership for African Cranes, Wetlands
and Communities |
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The International Crane Foundation (ICF), a USA-based
conservation NGO and the Endangered Wildlife Trust
(EWT), South Africa’s leading applied conservation
NGO have entered into a partnership to implement projects
throughout southern and east Africa using cranes as
flagships for improved wetland sustainability and
in turn, local community livelihoods sustainability.
Stemming from this formal ICF / EWT Partnership, it
is hoped that further partnerships will be developed
to secure the future of Africa’s wetlands for
the many lives depending on them.
Click
here to read more.
Contact: Kerryn Morrison Kerryn@ewt.org.za
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| Good
news about bullfrogs at Glen Austin Pan |
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Glen Austin Pan (GAP) in Midrand represents the largest,
natural breeding site for the Giant Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus
adspersus) in the greater Midrand area. Over the past
fifteen years though, concern has been growing amongst
researchers, conservation authorities and residents,
all of whom have witnessed a precipitous decline in
the abundance of bullfrogs at GAP. Thousands of bullfrogs
reportedly bred at GAP in the 1980s, but during the
summer of 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, the author observed
no more than 200 bullfrogs per breeding event at this
site. Increased development and road traffic, rather
than unfavourable environmental conditions, are presumed
to be
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behind
the demise.
Click
here to read more.
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Caroline Yetman (Project
Executant of the Giant Bullfrog Project, EWT) or email cayetman@zoology.up.ac.za |
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| Help
us investigate owl deaths |
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Speeding along a highway at night,
many people have had the misfortune of colliding with
an owl chasing after food. Nocturnal animals are likely
to freeze at the very moment they should be fleeing,
as they are blinded by car headlights. Besides killing
the animal, this can also lead to serious accidents
as motorists swerve to avoid collision. With the help
of the public, The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s
Birds of Prey Working Group is combating this problem.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey
Working Group (BoPWG) is developing an online database
at www.ewt.org.za/owls.
With the help of road users, we hope to collect substantial
data on owl road kills across the country.
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Click
here to read more.
Contact Hayley Komen email hayleyk@ewt.org.za |
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| Eco
News |
| Strange
looking whale, dwarf sperm whale strands on KZN coast.
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On the beach
Recently (20/01/2006),
a rather strange looking animal stranded in Richards
Bay, KZN. A local jogger spotted the “dolphin”
early in the morning high and dry but still alive.
He struggled single-handedly to get the animal back
into the water and succeeded, though it just beached
itself again. He then did exactly the right thing
and called the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Dolphin
Research team and Sea World and then covered the animal
with a wet towel, to keep its skin moist.
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| photographed
by:Brett Atkins |
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Click
here to read more.
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Wetlands
& Livelihoods
In the face of poverty, wetlands are lifelines
On February 2nd this year the wetlands community
celebrated the value of wetlands as contributors to
livelihoods. The focus was not only on mainstream
economic contributions such as tourism and water provision,
but also on wetlands as important sources of wild
food, grazing, cultivation land and materials for
crafts. Although not always sources of hard cash,
the livelihoods values of wetlands are irreplaceable
in many rural households.
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Click
here to read more.
Visit these websites for more information.
www.wetlands.co.za
; www.ramsar.org
; www.wetlands.org
Media Enquiries:
Cobus Meiring; cobus@naturalbridge.co.za
; 083-626 7619
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| SUN
CITY BIRDWATCH 2005/6 |
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Calling all Bird Photographers
- Amateur or Professional!!
Sun City BirdWatch is a 5 month long Bird Photo Competition
celebration of the abundant bird life that have made
their home on the resort. Bird-loving visitors are
encouraged to appreciate our feathered friends while
testing your photographic skills. Win prizes to the
value of over R30 000.00!!!!
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The competition aims
to celebrate all types of bird photography and there are 2
categories you can enter, with the overall winner receiving
the ultimate accolade title of SUN CITY WILDBIRD PHOTOGRAPHER
2005/6!
Click
here for the questionnaire if you are interested.
For more information visit:
http://www.esun.co.za/campaign/highlife_turnuptheheat/birdWatch2005/index.asp
or email enviro@sunint.co.za
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| Events |
| GABON
– Pleasures, Travel Hardships and Problems |
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Date: 14 March 2006 Venue The Johannesburg Country
Club, Napier Road, Auckland Park
Garth and Gail Diers traveled to Gabon by road via Angola,
the DRC, Cabinda and the Congo and had many varied and exciting
experiences which will keep you enthralled. Their love for
Africa, with its multiplicity of cultures and amazing geographic
diversity, has taken them on many trips on the continent,
mainly on the East Coast, including two from Cape to Cairo
by motorbike. This expedition to Gabon, however, was in
a Landcruiser 4 x 4 together with four other vehicles and
was an “off-road” experience of note, even when
traveling on so called main roads. Be prepared when traveling
in West Africa!
Click here to read more.
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| "Love
is in the Air" Valentine's Day celebration @ The
Durban Bonanic Gardens |
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Valentines
Concert - Durban Botanic Gardens, Tues 14 February
starting at 6:30pm
The Friends of the Durban Botanic Gardens is proud to
announce that Mr Price Group is our new sponsor for
the 2006 Music at the Lake concerts in the Durban Botanic
Gardens. We begin the season with a flourish and invite
you to celebrate Valentines Day with us on Tuesday 14
February starting at 6:30pm. The Durban Botanic Gardens
is the most romantic setting to relax and enjoy Valentines
Day.
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Click here to read more.
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| Oribi
Working Group get coverage on DSTV on 21 February at 19h00 |
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The Kyknet ‘Groen’ programme going out
on 21 February is related to the Endangered Wildlife
Trust and the Oribi Working Group.
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Programme
Name: Oribi Gorge |
Broadcast:
19h30 DSTV ch 35 (kykNET) |
Description:
Along the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, slightly
inland, you will find Oribi Gorge. Dave goes in
search of the rare Oribi and explores one of South
Africa’s most beautiul landscapes. |
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Make sure not to miss this
programme on this endangered Antelope, the Oribi
showing on DSTV on 21/2 19:30 |
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Water your garden in the early morning
to prevent excessive evaporation. |
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Plant indigenous plants – in
general, they require less water. |
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Don’t buy water toys that require
a constant stream of water |
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Cover the swimming pool to slow down
the evaporation of water. |
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A pressure control
valve controls the fluctuation of pressure through the
home's plumbing system and prevents imbalances in the
system. Reduced flow pressure reduces the amount of
water used. The main benefits: water saving and a balance
between hot and cold water systems |
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‘Excerpts from Green Peace international’
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The
EWT has a wish list that you could contribute to. From
time to time, we at the EWT require items to assist
in providing a suitable working environment for our
staff. As most of our funds are spent on conservation,
we would greatly appreciate your assistance for the
following items:
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PA system |
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Hi-Fi system |
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Bicycles |
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5 x Hands-free telephone headsets |
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Click
here to read more.
Our field workers often work in hard conditions with not much
equipment so they get extremely excited when we can supply
them with equipment to make their lives easier and more efficient.
Please contact Penny Buthelezi on (011) 486-1102
or email her on wishlist@ewt.org.za
to organise for deliveries, and collections where necessary. |
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In KwaZulu/Natal, 58%
of the wetlands associated with the Mfolozi River catchment
have disappeared as a result of siltation caused by erosion
of overgrazed lands.
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Wetlands
and wildlife |
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Wetlands are filters
where sediments and nutrients accumulate, so many plants grow
there, e.g. bulrushes, grasses, reeds, waterlilies, sedges
and trees. The plants, in turn, provide food and a place for
attachment and shelter for many creatures. There is more life,
hectare for hectare, in a healthy wetland than in almost any
other habitat. These productive places support huge numbers
of insects, fish, birds and other animals. Some animals are
completely dependant on wetlands, whilst others use wetlands
for only part of their lives. The wattled crane, for example,
is dependant on wetlands for breeding. The rich diversity
of waterbirds in southern Africa (totalling 130 species) is
possible because of the many wetlands spread across the sub-continent.
The wetlands of southern Africa are of international importance
as they are the southern destination for many migratory wading
birds. |
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People
and wetlands |
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Wetlands have been used
for centuries as grazing for domestic stock, and as a source
of reeds used for thatching, hut construction and basket weaving.
They are provide fishing, hunting and the opportunity to observe
wildlife, especially birds. Wetlands are appreciated for their
beauty as open spaces and also for their educational value.
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| What
you can do to help wetlands |
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The Department
of Environment Affairs and Tourism runs a wetland conservation
programme and all interested people are invited to participate. |
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Get to know the
wetlands in your area and list the plants and animals
growing there. Draw a map of the wetland's position,
size and usage. Take photographs of the wetlands from
fixed vantage points and at different seasons of the
year to compare the changes between seasons and from
year to year. |
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Report the abuse
of wetlands to your local nature conservation, agricultural
extension officer or Department of Environment Affairs.
Always make your report in writing to ensure that the
officer concerned has to investigate. |
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Online facts developed
by J. Collins & G. Maneveldt from The Department of Biodiversity
& Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape |
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| Benefits
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| Auto
Motive offering for EWT |
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EWT members have the
opportunity to claim their voucher of R99, and use it any
Tiger Wheel and Tyre stores.
Click
here to read more, or members click
here to login to the EWT site and read
more about this fabulous discount. |
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