Elephants & Ivory — In the News
December 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
UN wildlife convention gives green light to ivory sale
02 June, 2007 — World Wildlife Foundation
The Hague, The Netherlands – A limited sale of ivory has been approved by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). A “one-off” ivory sale was provisionally approved for Botswana, Namibia and South Africa at a previous CITES meeting in 2002, but could not go forward until certain decisions and criteria were met. The Standing Committee of CITES, however, has concluded that Japan meets the necessary requirements to be an importing party. The committee also agreed that a scientific system to monitor elephant poaching had provided sufficient data. >>click here to continue reading>>
ITES: Elephant ivory deadlock broken
14 June, 2007 — World Wildlife Foundation
The Hague, The Netherlands – African elephant range countries attending a meeting of the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) have agreed to a nine-year suspension of ivory trading. The international wildlife convention also agreed to allow four southern African countries to sell stocks of their ivory. “This consensus is a milestone in elephant history,” said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF Global Species Programme. “This is the first time in more than 18 years that opposing factions are now speaking with one voice to move this debate forward.” The suspension will take effect after a previously approved “one-off” sale of ivory goes through. >>click here to continue reading>>
Ivory trade galore: Elephants not yet seeing the
benefits of trade suspension
22 October, 2007 — Wildlife Trust
On October 11, 93.9 kg (207 lbs) of elephant ivory was confiscated in Zambia. Again, on October 18, 22 tusks were seized in Zimbabwe. On October 12, a man in British Columbia was prosecuted for illegally importing 30,000 pieces of African elephant ivory. It would be difficult to tell from recent happenings that just a few months ago a decision was made to implement a “resting period” with no new trade proposals permitted for a period of nine years (after stockpile sales go through). Michael Wamithi, Program Manager for IFAW’s (International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) global elephants campaign, warns, “While the recent CITES [Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species] landmark approval of nearly a decade-long suspension of trade in elephant ivory is a step in the right direction, don’t make the mistake of thinking that this means peace for the elephants.” >>click here to continue reading>>
Conraad’s Springtime Discovery: A Rare Find
December 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Trails Guide Conraad Loubser came across a rare sighting while on trail in Transfrontier’s Tusker Camp. What you see below is a Pangolin. “An African mammal that has a body covered with horny overlapping scales, a small head with elongated snout, a long sticky tongue for catching ants and termites, and a thick, tapering tail. Also called scaly anteater . • Family Manidae and order Pholidota: genera Manis (Asia) and Phataginus (Africa).”
According to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), there are three types of pangolins in Africa.
“Three types of pangolins exist in Africa—the giant pangolin, the tree pangolin and the most widespread, the ground pangolin. Pangolins have small heads and long, broad tails. They are toothless and have no external ears, although their hearing is good. Their sense of scent is well-developed, but their sight is poor. The weight of the protective keratinous scales and skin make up about 20% of the pangolin’s weight. The animal preens itself by scratching with the hind legs, lifting its scales so the claws can reach the skin. It also uses its tongue to remove insects from under the scales.”
Quick Facts
Scientific Name: Common pangolin (Manis temminckii), giant pangolin (Manis gigantea), tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis)
Size: 27 to 42 inches (common pangolin)
Weight: 30 to 40 pounds (common pangolin)
Lifespan: 20 years
Habitat: Dense forest to forested savannas
Diet: Insectivorous
Gestation: 5 months
Predators: Leopards, hyenas, humans
“Man takes his toll on the pangolin, which is thought to be a purveyor of magic and charms. When mixed with bark from certain trees, the scales are thought to neutralize witchcraft and evil spirits. If buried near a man’s door, they are said to give an interested woman power over him. Sometimes the scales are burned to keep lions and other wild animals away. In some areas pangolins are sacrificed for rainmaking ceremonies, and in others they are hunted for meat.”
Did You Know?
- A pangolin walks a few miles each night, but tends to use the same burrow for many months.
- As pangolins have no teeth, the gizzardlike stomach is specially adapted for grinding food. The process is helped along by the small stones and sand pangolins consume.
Conraad’s October Photolog
December 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Click here to see Trails Guide Conraad Loubser’s October photolog, a month of rare sightings, lion killing buffalo, and absolute spring-time beauty.
Hyena in the dam at sunset– Madach Camp (Timbavati)
A lion kill in Greater Kruger National Park – Tusker Camp (Klaserie)
Dung Beetle rolling its dung ball…taking a break?