Buffalo Blog | Crying Buffalo

Cecil, you did not die in vain

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:14:41 GMT

Some great news!

Glad to see Cecil (photo) was a driving force and mentioned and remembered in the most glorious way – Cecil was a famous and magnificent 13 year-old lion, the pride of Zimbabwe, lured out of a protected area, shot with modernised bow and arrow by a big game hunter from America in 2015. Cecil was severely injured and was tracked down, and only killed over 24 hours later – by the professional hunter from Africa who organised this "illegal" hunt so that the trophy hunter could return to US with secured trophy.
This, ignited international outrage and glad to see Cecil was never forgotten. I know that was an American trophy hunter but quite a big scale of these atrocities derive from the UK. This Bill will save many of Africa's cherished lions, and other endangered wildlife, from ever being reduced to a "floor rug" or "ashtray".

I thank the celebrities, conservationists with teeth, the rarer politicians (you know, those who are also not toothless) and similar like-minded individuals and organisations that used their significant public power to drive this Bill, as we are aware, this is already a HUGE step forward, but it is not yet over .

I will share some excerpts from 18/03/2023 leading news article:

“Cecil the lion “has not died in vain”, a minister (in UK) said, as proposals to ban trophy hunting imports cleared the House of Commons.”
“This is about the values that we in Britain have, that we do not want to be part of a trade in endangered species’ body parts.”
“The Bill will now face further scrutiny in the House of Lords before it can become law.”
Text: MSN, PA Media and Crying buffalo.

Besides the African lion, what other large predator is the other African top predator?

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:17:56 GMT

This enormous continent is home to many fantastic wild animals and the two we identify with the most, or most iconic, most popular. Well... 'most' of everything, is the lion and then the elephant. I have much to say about the prey animal – the elephant, but this post is about Africa's two top predators – The African lion and the largely ignored, Spotted hyena – Africa's two top predators.
I am, however, focussing and highlighting that phenomenal intelligent fighter that is unfortunately greatly underestimated – the spotted hyena.

They are and will always be Africa's greatest warrior.

The first clear sign is that they are born into brutality and only the strongest will survive. Spotted hyena cubs are born with eyes open and already armed with teeth. The reason for that is that they have to fight for their survival from the moment they are born.

The mother only has two teats and sometimes three cubs are born – not the usual amount, one or two. Competition for food is fierce and to survive the cubs have to fight from the moment they are born. Even if there are only two cubs born – the competition for food never fades and this they carry forth to adulthood – and in the end only one or more rarely, only two cubs will remain if there were three (an example).

Text credit: Crying buffalo.
Image credit: reddit.com

We often use the term, 'born warriors', but do we really have it correct? I think that term can only be used when referring to the spotted hyena.

Let's look at the start of a lion's life:
No brutality towards new-born littermates. A lion's cub is born with eyes closed and toothless – their mom has enough teats – four. Yes, they grow up to be bigger and more powerful (physically) than the spotted hyena.....but, but, the spotted hyena is far more intelligent, more brutal, has more than double the strength of a lion's jaws... Just about 'more everything' when compared to a lion.
Now, just imagine if they were the size of a lion? Nature did the right thing.

A Clever Girl...

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:15:17 GMT

It is considered that the female trapdoor spider builds the most protected hole/tunnel out there.

She digs a burrow, about 15 centimetres deep, into soft ground and makes it as comfy, warm and secure as possible – she uses her silk to line the tunnel walls but her unrivalled creativity is saved for the best part... This clever hard-worker also uses her silk to bind particles of soil together and forms a circular lid to the tunnel and this lid is about 2 centimetres wide, she then adds a silken hinge (just like our doors, but not made of metal ).

She attaches some gravel (coarse sand) to the underside of the "hinge" so it will fall shut under its own weight – this is extremely well camouflaged because it is all made from close/local natural materials. Her design is arguably envied and often copied by many human architects because its just so.... good. The lid even has a bevelled edge so that it closes perfectly and its almost always impossible to see/find.

Spiders are not stupid because she reveals her underestimated intelligence in her well-crafted designs. This girl ensures the trapdoor lid is closed during daylight hours so that nothing can see where it lies. In the evening she will lift the lid, ever so slightly, to check if it is dark enough outside.

When darkness finally arrives she will fully lift/open that lid and have a good ol' stretch (stretching out her two forelegs) Although she is out; she never fully leaves her home and waits for an unsuspecting insect to scurry by. In the blink of an eye, she snatches the unfortunate insect and drags it into that tunnel, the lid automatically swings shut and her feast begins in safety.

The males also build these tunnels and lids, but unlike the female hell bent on securing her home (never leaves it), the boys do for periods when they look for a mate.

After mating, the male trudges back home and the female "locks her door" with silk, travels to the bottom of her tunnel to lay her eggs in undisturbed safety.

They are sometimes confused with a funnel-web spider and can look rather scary, therefore, some really think a trapdoor spider is quite poisonous... But, they are not. These black or brown nocturnal arachnids are not aggressive spiders and hardly bite and their toxin is not harmful to humans. Their bite, however, can sometimes be painful so best to wear gloves when clearing foliage – just in case.

Found in Japan, Australia, Africa, South America and North America and many other warm places.

Text credit: Crying buffalo. Image credit: https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Trapdoor-Spider

The Bush Baby

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 13:03:38 GMT

An owl is not the only animal with enormous eyes and can turn its neck, effortlessly, 180 degrees.

Photographer unknown

A bush baby or Galago (also called a 'nagaapie' in Afrikaans), is a small and adorable-looking primate with really huge eyes. Due to its eyes being so big they are unable to move them to see properly like most other animals. However, they have adapted to that 'handicap' because they have really flexible necks and can therefore rotate their head 180 degrees in either directions.

A bush baby is native to Africa. They are harmless animals and not at all poisonous or venomous.

Piglet?? Nope

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 09:12:00 GMT

A baby Aardvark is called a cub or a calf. Although the name means 'earth pig' in Afrikaans – the baby is not called a piglet.

Image/photo credit: Unknown

This is a solitary mammal and adults only pair up during breeding time.

The mother is pregnant for about 7 months and births one cub May to July. and her cub may remain with her until her next breeding season (so, about a year old), but at about 6 months the cub can already dig its own burrow. Her cub will only reach sexual maturity at two years of age.

Bees, bees, bees!

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 11:15:47 GMT

I honestly find them the most interesting, loveable and admired insect on the planet. There is always something about bees, besides intelligent, social behaviour, that moves them forward – not one, but more than one wrung up the ladder of fascination.

Photo credit and more fascinating info. delivered by Earth Unreal .

Most animal's eyes are shielded by lashes and/or hairs mainly offering a form of protection, and bees are no exception but their evolution is really amazing because the have actual hairy, complex eyes! And...and, that eye consists of many simple eyes all working together to better this extraordinary animal's scope of vision!

The most trafficked mammal in the world

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:01:00 GMT

The harmless pangolin (native to Africa and Asia) is an extremely peaceful animal and incredibly unique as it is the only living mammal to be covered with scales.

*Unknown photographer

Their scales are pulled out and dried and crushed to use in traditional medicine, mainly Chinese traditional medicine. It doesn't have more than one visible defensive strategy. Their only defence is to curl up into a ball and hope that armour shields them because a pangolin moves slowly and has no teeth so they can't even fight their way out of a threatening situation to escape.

That armour works well to frustrate most other animals – so much so, that they decide to leave the impenetrable pangolin and resort to find an easier prey... Sadly, this is no deterrent to mankind's cruel side. This sweet creature has no defence against abusive and invasive hands.

Interesting to note, the mother rolls up with her baby tucked against her abdomen as the baby is born with scales but the young's scales are still too soft to use as armour, so they rely on their mother's armour.
The poachers cruelly separate them when they brutally unfold the mother and it's a bonus if the pangopup peeks out as both mammals are highly beneficial to them – they also have a false use for her vulnerable pangopup.
The babies are sought to make pangowine – used mainly for traditional Chinese medicine and sometimes also a source of exotic meat (adults too). The little body is boiled to make this ridiculously ineffective "wine".
about a third of an adult's weight is made up from those scales.
All the pangolins in Africa are endangered as now the international poachers, and similar, are stealing them as all the pangolins in Asia are already rare and critically endangered (once, there were many).

Something we need to set right...

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 09:14:24 GMT

Some of us tend to believe that a platypus (a monotreme – mammals that lay eggs) its eyes remain open as it swims through water.
Nope.

Photo credit: Australia Geographic

This unusual mammal closes its ears and eyes whilst submerged. Remember, I recently posted about their sensitive beak – using the electrical impulses emitted by just about everything – even inanimate objects, like rocks and stones to move around, including hunting and also detecting the presence of threatening predators. A type of echolocation – so exact, no need to see or hear.

The Lion Once Reigned Over the Continent of Africa as its Master

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:42:33 GMT

Due to mankind's involvement, they are no longer kings, except in the minds of a few. The mighty is now reduced to 'vulnerable to extinction' and found in threatened and small, scattered populations over the continent as most of their original hunting grounds have been turned into agricultural lands (one reason, but a big one).

The highest, but greatly threatened, wild lion populations are found in southern Africa.

Another cause to be well-aware of...

A rapid increase in the poaching of lions has been noticed as bones, teeth, skin and claws are highly sought after in rituals and as usual, used in traditional Chinese medicine – and the abuse of lions for body parts used in traditional Chinese medicine is a less risky operation and a rather lucrative market – hence, the growing destruction of lion populations as the offenders are less severely punished than the criminals found operating in the drugs and arms trade.

An Elephant's Skin

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:25:06 GMT

Awful and shocking photo, I know, but please read further:

Photo credit: © Myanmar Government New Paragraph

Skin needs to be pliable (able to move, like stretch) to work well. Often this pliable skin is described as 'soft' skin. To us, some skins are not soft to our touch, but in essence we are physically soft and tender creatures (no matter how tough you try to make yourself) so tend to lean/view on the extreme side of softness – not the case with many other animals.

An elephant's skin does not feel soft to our touch, but it is likely soft to them. Skin is an organ, a breathing organ besides other beneficial qualities, and as an organ it is essential to the survival of an animal – it must work well besides being a great barrier against outside elements and stop all the insides falling out it also performs many other vital body functions so it is important for an animal to keep it in good condition to ensure it works well, and the elephant is no exception.

Most animals are lucky enough to have glands to feed oils to keep that important barrier (skin) soft and pliable, but an elephant doesn't have those (by the way, its skin is about 2.5cm thick in most places). This is one of the reasons why they need to roll in mud to keep that skin elastic [to a degree]. So, a confined elephant needs to do this – imagine how encumbering and painful cracked and dry skin can get...

A horrible photo but a sadly a necessary one as this shows the ever-increasing horrors inflicted on wildlife to falsely benefit humankind. The Asian market is using elephant skin for traditional medicine, mostly Chinese traditional medicine. As Asian elephants are not as 'ivory-rich' as African elephants, they will never escape the madness of some men. Here is an example of another growing reason for poaching: Their skin.
By the way, reputed to also be used for commercial use, e.g. Shoes and boots.

The ordinary is often the extraordinary

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 09:13:51 GMT

Here's yet another example: The humble green imperial pigeon.

Photo credit: Earthshine

This bird loves nutmeg nuts, but this seed is rather large – almost the size of a hen's egg.

No problem as this bird has a remarkable way of eating it....

It unhitches its lower beak (no other bird can do this) but this doesn't only make its mouth open wider in height (vertically) but also widens it horizontally and can swallow this enormous nut which is slightly larger than its head!

This forest bird's native population extends from Nepal, southern India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Hello Everyone!

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:31:04 GMT

Hello everyone!

It is that time of the year, again, but this time I am not posting throughout the festive season. We are pausing from now and will resume 05 January 2023. So, it has been a fantastic year and although some parts of the world's occupants are suffering, at least around me, they don't. Please remember to put out extra food and water and groomed fur for them to line all types of nests – the furry and feathered voiceless ones count on us more than ever as now [in the northern Hemisphere] they are scrambling to collect winter caches of food and collect for warmth!

See you next year and from us, wish you a truly fantastic Christmas and New Year! Will see you soon!!

Time is revealing the truth.

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 11:17:41 GMT

I have, a number of times, posted the varying importance of elephants tusks – defence, fighting (although they rarely draw blood and even more rarely cause the opponent's death – more a stable tool to help push, unbalance, etc, show of strength), also used for foraging purposes including digging in the earth (like digging for water).

An elephant's tusks seem like an important tool, but not as vital as we thought because quite a few elephants are being born without tusks and thrive out in the wild, for years. They cope extremely well.

So, as this new wave of elephants maturing without any tusks, even fully mature cows as still see older bulls with tusks.... (The boys need to catch up to the girls).

This throws previous theories of the VITAL importance of tusks out the window. As I see it, they have proven they do not need them for survival purposes. Tusks are not that important.

Look at Asian elephants – that reveals a lot – perhaps they are one step ahead of the African elephant's evolution? However, the Asian/Indian elephant is a separate species of elephant – so, that is more of a largely distinct characteristic difference. In Asian elephants a few bulls may bear tusks and only few female's tusks tend to be smaller (in circumference and length) to their African counterparts (both species) and not as solid. Their tusks are actually called another name; Tushes (definition of 'tush': a long pointed tooth). Populations have thrived for generations without the 'important' need for them, so, they have proved they do not need them – no longer feel the need for African elephants to have them, either.

The process of evolution is continuing to largely better the animal's chance of survival. 'Evolution' takes a long time, million's of years – so was the eventual loss of all tusks the actual plan all along and we are lucky enough to witness the gradual evolvement of evolution? Yes, I think so. A case of being at the right time at the right place (or vice versa). In the broad sense of time, if we blinked we could have missed this evolutionary event – and their are still evolutionary deniers out there... :wink:

Why do human's think they can change evolution even merely by flouting strong opinions? We will never be able to control evolution and we are also still evolving – what will we look like in a million years if we do not destroy ourselves? I find that idea amusing and can and will silently accept and observe, indefinitely. The elephants and the importance of their tusks show us NOTHING can fully be factualised while the raw power of evolution is still ever present.

The farmer's best friend: The bat-eared fox.

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:42:58 GMT

85% of their diet are dung beetles and termites, but mostly termites. They can feed on small rodents, chick, lizards and eggs, but that is not often. Why I say they are the farmer's best friend, is because almost everything I read (95%) never fails to mention how farmers benefit from them being around – Along with the Aardwolf, they are one of the best animals at controlling termite infestations.

Venomosity Rule of Thumb

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:22:44 GMT

There is a difference

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 09:48:23 GMT

The warthog is a type of wild pig native to Africa. Most of us do not realise there are two living kinds in Africa because we see one far more often than the other – that one is the common warthog so when you talk of warthogs its wisest to say the complete name: Common warthog or desert warthog.

The common warthog is native to the drier areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

The other one is the desert warthog also called the Somali warthog – found in northern Kenya and Somalia, and possibly Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. They look pretty similar but if in those countries you must know you will likely see both. Luckily, the desert warthog has a distinguishable characteristic in that its ears are different to the common warthog – the tips of the ears curl back.

+ In this photo you can see the dustier desert warthog, but the other can also get very dusty, but it has the top of its ears curled back. Not seen on the greyer one – the common warthog.

Another myth busted

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:51:24 GMT

Via Back to Nature:

“One of the cutest beings on this planet, an opossum, also one of the most misunderstood. They are marsupials, they do not transmit rabies and are indispensable for pest control, they are naturally docile and gentle, and when scared they show their teeth and hiss to appear menacing, but when they are terrified they don't "play" possum - they quite literally faint from fear - so do not harm them!”
Credit: Rhonda Lynn

endemic to the Americas.

The vital elephant matriarch.

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:46:31 GMT

If all goes well the oldest and wisest elephant cow leads the family herd for well over 15 years – the matriarch. She has shown the herd she deserves this high status – she has earned their loyalty and respect. They adore her.

The family herd will regularly travel along ancient routes and besides teaching them this and good manners and also their place in elephant society, she dispenses wisdom and infinite knowledge by teaching them where hidden food and water exists and other important life and survival skills.

For example, they might have to cross a challenging desert, but she knows where to drink enough water and stock up on fuel (food) before they travel across that barren area. She shows them, teaches them (which they remember) for further travels, when she is no longer around, or they have left the family herd – like young bulls know a bit before they team up with a bachelor herd that have a patriarch or when fully mature and seeking a cow in oestrus – he can navigate on his own because she taught him critical survival strategies.

This grand old lady ensures her trusting herd has enough energy to transverse a challenging journey and then the caches where vital food and water offers replenishment after that exhausting journey.

That type of knowledge takes many years to attain.

This is why it is devastating for a herd to lose their beloved matriarch, who is likely the grandmother to most of them. If she dies prematurely, this can break up the herd or completely destroy them. Often her eldest daughter will have to take over her proven status – the daughter may only be about 35 years – still far too young to know where, what and how. Unfortunately, we see this more and more often due to the circumstances already mentioned – broken family herds.

Photo: Clint Ralph. clintralphphotography

Control in wildlife management is slipping and already fallen in some areas

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:42:23 GMT

In Africa we encounter domestic livestock (like donkeys, goats, camels, cattle) sharing grazing areas with wild animals in wild areas. This is a form of habitat loss, and this has to be controlled. HAS to. Besides the threat of diseases jumping around from one species to another, overgrazing of land can occur due to livestock numbers exceeding the carrying capacity of the land. And overgrazed lands cause deserts.
The result on our wildlife is devastating.

...And here is ONE of those recent and amazing wild gorilla stories. I will share more;...And here is ONE of those recent and amazing wild gorilla stories. I will share more:

PAR003_OE@heg.com — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:31:32 GMT

In Rwanda some wild gorillas have shown researchers just how intelligent they are by revealing an awe-inspiring depth of emphatic and altruistic behaviour.

This great behaviour was first introduced (and noted) when an older male gorilla arrived at the place where a crude [and primitive] deadly snare was hiding just waiting for a curious gorilla to outstretch its arm so that its innocent hand entered the ruthless trap. Fatality guaranteed as soon as the quick, strangling action of the wire 'noose' ensnares their hand. Gorilla parts, and their meat, are sought after to sell and trade on the illegal black markets and bushmeat markets – a gorilla hand ashtray is only one use.

Well, we tend to think he just stumbled upon it... But the actual reason was soon apparent when two more adult gorillas joined him. For a few moments, they just stood there and looked at the destructive snare. No gorilla moved. Obviously, they prevented getting ensnared themselves as they dismantled it quickly and efficiently. With determined expertise they began to work on this literal death-trap like seasoned anti-snare experts.

They pulled back the trigger branch and never just left it loose but ensured it could never be used again and effortlessly snapped it in half as easily as a toothpick. This action (pulling back that branch) exposed and released the nasty tension rope, or wire, noose, thereby rendering this snare inoperable.

This was part of their brilliant 'work-day'.

Somehow this Rwandan gorilla family had found a way to rid their land from one of their greatest threats. I am rather amused by this, because I can imagine the poachers arriving to collect their expected bounty and then confronted by totally destroyed traps and I can also imagine irate these poachers/trappers/hunters throwing up their arms in angry frustration whilst stomping around in tight circles while loudly cursing at the 'person' responsible for ruining their financial situation.

He-he.

I'd like to think the gorillas silently watched them from their shielded foliage shelter and gleefully observed their utter despair unfolding and 'gorilla-smiling' all the way.

No person responsible for that applauded destruction, the expertise on full display was orchestrated and performed by their intended victims. The gorillas were clearly underestimated.

So, from that we assume only the mature gorillas, led by a silverback, was responsible for this clever and emphatic action...
Nope.
The elders taught the youngsters.

Researchers, from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Karisoke Research Centre observed juveniles, about 4-year-olds, also dismantling a snare and then intently moving on to the next bunch to do exactly the same. What the researchers witnessed was the start of the gorilla's workday, after that foraging begins. It was obvious this family had learned how to do this because they learned how deadly these snares were because a youngster (previously) had broken his shoulder trying to get himself free from one of these snares and subsequently died from his infected injuries. On another occasion, a youngster managed to free himself, ran back to his troop and it was noted that adults carefully removed the tight wire wrapped around his wrist.

Now, it was also noted that the gorillas knew where the traps were and, therefore, had no reason to destroy them as this family could easily avoid them, not so? Oh, but they did have a valid reason. The thoughtful and compassionate reason why they did so, was because they wanted no other gorilla (or perhaps other animal) to be ensnared. Truly altruistic and documented wild gorilla behaviour learned only by them.

A snare is made by making a strangling noose with some rope or wire, attaching it to a branch that is pulled back toward the ground – creating tension on the rope or wire and then that horrible noose is anchored to the ground with a rock or stick and camouflaged with leaves, other foliage like branches. Along comes any animal, bumps the stick or rock, activating the immediate response of that bent branch - send it soaring upwards only to entrap the unfortunate animal in that deadly noose and the more it struggles the tighter the noose becomes.

#GorillaWorkdays.

Gorillas look intimidating but they are really laid-back animals and are not aggressive – only grossly misunderstood.

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:27:23 GMT

Gorillas are gentle primates, herbivores and nonterritorial – it may seem like a silverback is territorial by chasing away an intruder from his area... but, he is really chasing them away from his family. They have intimidating canines because they need them to eat certain vegetation, fighting and defence – not for eating meat!

They are social primates that seem to exhibit empathy and altruism, never mind their wonderful intelligence. In the following post I will share a rather profound an eye-opening story about a wild gorilla family in Rwanda. This story encompasses all those fantastic traits by revealing factual and documented behaviour.

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us to remind the UK Government that its promises to protect and restore nature must be kept.

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:02:06 GMT

You are making a difference, but now we need to keep the pressure on.
Share this far and wide and encourage others to add their voice [ https://fal.cn/3siNs|https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffal.cn%2F3siNs%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1RLwVLGZTz5yA1PSR9oBxdENaf_TpYvcQinTBqriZYUTzQoQHCtAIL2KQ&h=AT1SEugNbH6wfDR8-dT_4teljfSxCbYl9g_4CLOW-C6PN1DzhuPPD3Cqcloc55GXCmRgMAVovBZ4i850S43n_PCNoXPDCfKX417Wj7qN8ZTfEo3fCBx1rbmDe4KU_WJ-KJ-xydzOGsvryx7qz2ib&__tn__=-UK-y-R&c[0]=AT0irIdaAAJCjdeQhSzRNewqrEt34ZGOe1VBSfPLuTG-a_5sVMIy_0yDgPHAWdKdl7T0GRDzPnWFcixCciFY3Za65yf7xfC2yTqET-kGVhidLv9IyRDN0h1nLHW-b4A90Wl57_vjvrJCOhAypuOpLr8z-BmEZ9KioEkUIYRIUYAqyusCypArOP-rZQKdUMlgXdDFtUQz58pizWsqiHyw8bc0TnfO1ZsG8g ]

Together we can help stop this attack on nature.

Set the Record Straight

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:53:36 GMT

I will share a truly wonderful story depicting the helpfulness of bears and most will think this is a really special bear – a totally unique bear...

Please allow me to 'set the record straight'.

This is no strange and unique behaviour, if grasping at straws, this may be somewhat unusual mature bear behaviour but only because ignorance still prevails. There is a lot about bear behaviour many of us do not know about. Like one of these wonderful behaviours are exposed [for the good of bears) right here:

Bears know how to read human body language.

It has been documented about little children lost in the freezing woods 1-3 days, and been found a bit frostbitten and that, but by no means suffering from the results of the expected ailments and injuries often associated with severe exposure. These children were kept relatively safe and warm.

When these children were asked how they survived, for days, in these freezing temperatures, and one was also lost in the woods in winter and pouring rain? Situations that could prove fatal to experienced adult hikers, but they were found unharmed.

The answer was almost always the same comforting one. 'A bear kept me warm and watched [over] me. The bear chased all the bad things away from me.'

We would likely choose to think that is only a fairytale-type of story as kids often deal with fear by making up stories and some of them are really fantastical!

Although no definitive proof of the children's initial 'rescue' is available there is enough evidence suggesting the plausibility of this unbelievable, to most of us, explanation. A black bear expert who has been studying bears – mainly black bears, for some time was also a literal subject of his research and experienced some of this protective and nurturing behaviour displayed by female black bears.

He noted that all bears know how to read human body language. By studying your body language and facial expressions they can figure out who is, or not, threatening towards them. To the bears, these children posed no threat and there is another factor we did not fully consider – until now... Female bears are far more nurturing than the male bears so much so that they will notice the vulnerability of a small child and it awakes the 'mama-bear instinct'.

Mother bears are extremely protective of their cubs, but in suitable situations also keep a protective eye over another mother bear's cubs.

This expert found himself in a situation where he experienced their altruistic behaviour in bears (general) – several female bears (not sure of species but likely black bears) surrounded and protected him by chasing away advancing aggressive males. This kind of behaviour allows for the possibility of "saving" the kids. This accredited bear expert says a female bear/s was likely responsible and quite possibly lingered close to the child out of initial curiosity, offering the frightened children a strong sense of company, safety and comfort.

We will maybe never really know the full story, especially where one child said the bear took him to a cave and slept right alongside him and thereby kept him warm. Something kept all of them out of the cold/rain or both and shielded them from harm. What really happened as they did not allow the expert to touch them or get too close but perhaps, they let their guard down for the obvious vulnerability of the nonthreatening lost child in the woods. Maybe, who knows???

There is an African bird that is not at all easy to forget.

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:38:43 GMT

It has a dramatic 'hard-to-ignore' look. This unforgettable and harmless bird (despite looking like some carnivorous creature) is native to east Africa, a stork and a wading bird – the endangered shoebill stork.

It has this penetrating look, its large eyes chill many to the bone. This formidable look is not something they can control – its evolutionary and evolution is all about adapting to increase an animal's chance of survival. The shoebill stork has larger and more forward facing eyes than other wading birds because it needs them like this to accurately judge distance, like focussing on a fish to prey on as they wade through water.

Unknown photographer.

A moratorium

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 09:44:43 GMT

As briefly described – earlier, I am not at all any sort of ‘writer’ for war, or certain war-related activities... Yet, once again I am thrown off balance by Putin, his degenerate generals (leaders) and the f.... up soldiers which they can easily manipulate. How far they can go... Is it limitless? He (Putin and the rest) lives in our world. For years ‘we’ allowed him to sharpen his knife and now we cry at what we boldly created. Who is eviler – Putin or the useless bunch who watched him grow steadily stronger and knew this was going the obvious route and eventual result and it's not stopping even one little bit. I point a finger at the latter, Putin was their puppet. Those who say they knew this would happen and now ‘cry’ at the results, get off your high horse as the blood is actually on ‘your’ hands.

This page is not about war, but wildlife orientated, however, I am unfortunately unable to focus on any positive wildlife info, as I am unable to shake off a recent image of those Bucha atrocities. I am not one to grow emotional or affected by things like that – I acknowledge that terrible activity and its victims, but I slowly move on....

That is my way, but truly unable to shift my attention away from a recent, harrowing image. That image of a man shot off his bicycle, lying face down with a small packet of ‘difficult-to-come-by', really small, and inferior potatoes scattered beside his corpse. That image makes my heart bleed because I can imagine him cycling home to friends and/or family all happy and triumphant in his ability to stave starvation for a moment as he found something substantial to add to their meagre soup for the night.

Then I look at his shoes. Good shoes (tan suede boots), in good condition and clean. I can imagine him lacing them up in the morning before he sets out on his dangerous foraging adventure. What thoughts were in his mind as he brushed them?

So, that is on my mind and those awful and truthful images weigh heavy on my mind (to use a cliché – sorry!). For this reason, I am unable to steer away and change course to write about wildlife. That is too easy and cheap. So, until I can, in a good and healthy way, I am not adding anything as there is far too much sadness in the world, right now. ‘Sadness’ humans created which is powerful enough to affect my mind.

By the way, my Facebook page is inactive due to Facebook locking it last year, citing ‘security’ issues as someone tried to access my page. Yeah, right.... They can keep it.

Wolves are a keystone species

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 10:46:04 GMT

In the previous post I defined that description and highlighted the undisputed value/significance of a keystone species. ‘Undisputed’. Yes, the word and meaning are just so and it's like a badge of honour to class an animal as a keystone species. They are extremely important animals (can't state that enough) – essential to maintain the health of any ecosystem and keep it functioning. The removal (loss) of a keystone species, or too small a population, will cause an ecosystem to crash. A part of the world will die and that will very likely cause a 'domino' effect on many other environments, flora and fauna. Do you now realise how vital they are to ensure that does not ever happen?

A wolf’s (any) role in enabling the survival of many fauna (animals) and flora (plants) is critical and this includes the control of grazing populations which are vital to keep vegetation growing and rivers freely flowing and so on and so on … Just know, they are extremely important animals which, sadly, many have forgotten about, and this blatant ignorance has led to extreme persecution of this crucial animal and obliterated populations in some of their homelands or significantly decreased numbers to negatively affect farmer's production, wildlife and plant life – environments.

From the most vulnerable wolf, the Ethiopian wolf – found only in the Ethiopian mountains in Africa where only about 500 still roam the planet: to one of the worlds most endangered carnivores – the red wolf, rendered extinct by 1980 and only now found in certain pockets only due to reintroduction. About 140 individuals (red wolves) cling on to life; to the largest wolf out there – the grey or also called the timber wolf. These are senseless examples of wolf persecution.

This majestic animal (the grey/timber wolf) was once the most widely spread mammal in the world, but now only small populations are scattered in some restricted environments with greatly threatened populations. They are already extinct in western Europe – hunted/persecuted into extinction. What few of us realise, though, wolves have an instinct that saves them. An adaptation for survival. However, this does not protect them from hunters/persecutors/ poachers: Wolves, avoid people, so if possible, please ensure they have a clear path to escape if you happen to see one, or a pack (that factually incorrect Liam Neeson movie did not at all make life any easier for them, but just reinforced our fear of them). OK, I know that is one of those silly sentences – easier said than done, but hopefully some do that. They would rather avoid than confront, no matter how many in a pack or large they happen to be. Saying that, I read something interesting and proof there are always exceptions to any rule…

A wild grey wolf allowed humans near her and would boldly approach humans with no ill intentions shown towards them. I am no wolf expert, but this is undoubtedly abnormal behaviour of a truly 100% adult wild wolf. I hope she is left alone or taken away and introduced to a stable environment far away from any kind of human contact as the world cannot afford to lose another wolf, especially a female that could likely give birth to vital individuals, thereby ensuring the survival of many species.

Another unusual story also involved a grey wolf (but one with a striking black coat) that frequented a park to play with dogs walked by their human companions and then the domestic dogs were let off the lead to run and play to their heart’s content. For years this endearing big wolf romped and played with many domestic dogs and never hurt anyone/anything (even though wild grey wolves have, only a few times, preyed on domestic dogs) and was dearly loved and greatly admired throughout the entire human community. This large canid, however, never allowed the adoring public to venture too close and would quickly retreat into the forest and lope back to its pack as soon as a human got too close. It only loved and happily tolerated the dogs. Sadly, this story does not have a happy ending because despite the fierce protection of the local community guarding their cherished visitor a hunter squirmed his way in and killed this unusual wild animal, likely as it emerged from the forest to play with its pals.

Most humans and wolves do not mix, largely due to pure ignorance from the general population, which is really sad as we will never realise how important they are/were, nor the depth of their complex but highly social and intelligent characters until it is far too late.

Image Credit: Do not know who took this photo but this is a photo of the said wolf playing with one of his doggy pals.

What is a keystone species.... Actually?

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 10:50:48 GMT

To understand that, its best to start with the explanation of what a 'keystone' is, and to do that please think of an man-made arch – whether it is made from brick, stone or rock. They all follow the same pattern/construction, in this case. An arch is made up of many bricks or stones, but the most important one, is the stone/brick/rock you find in the centre of the arch. When an arch is being built, the keystone is the last stone to be added to the arch because ALL the other stones depend on it to stay in place – it keeps them all together and stops them from falling.

That is the same for a keystone species. They have an extremely important and very powerful job. They keep an ecosystem alive, for example, if we destroy a keystone species we are not only destroying one type of animal, but many other plants and animals will die when keystone species are no longer around as they depend on a keystone species for survival purposes. Any keystone animal has a great positive effect on any ecosystem.

Two examples (there are many more) are beavers and elephants (all three species).

War and the truly forgotten ones

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 11:58:30 GMT

This is more of a personal blog entry – one of the millions flooding the internet every day. However, I will try to curb my personal feelings towards the ongoing conflict as I am located far from the actual fighting and strife, and cocooned in a cosy comfort zone. I am nowhere near the horrors of violent conflict so I really doubt my scribblings will create any positive impact – in fact, all I will accomplish is adding unwelcome litter to a serious situation. There are plenty of legitimate and credible war experts sharing their interesting findings and proven theories with the hungry public - yeah, that’s me (hungry public), so there’s no point me throwing in my 2 cents, but I will, however, write a little bit.

Like many people, I am completely hooked on the unfolding events in the Ukraine and Russian war – reading and watching the news every single day and well into the night. At first, I was gripped by the innocent victims. I still am. However, another sad feeling squirmed into my mind, and it’s settled there, growing larger and larger every minute. It can’t be ignored. This invasive mind parasite is an unwelcome visitor, but a visitor which demands attention and will not leave. It’s still early days; therefore, my mind still accepts its bold intrusion.

I am now focussed on the plight of the affected animals.

Wildlife populations are always forced into the forgotten and broken chair found at the back of the concert, or hall. Fauna and flora never fare well in war. Many of them are obliterated in these dire times, with little hope of recovery. I can understand and accept that. It’s sad, truthful and terrible, but acceptable. The confined wildlife in zoos and sanctuaries are struggling. Besides the human crisis, these animals suffer from the same crisis affecting innocent humans, like a shortage of food, water and other basics. They’re also cowering in fear and subjected to extreme noise and shocking events they don’t understand. Luckily, they still have brave keepers caring for them and feeding and watering them and importantly offering them much-needed physical comfort and shelter. However, time is not at all on their side and all that they are currently receiving will soon run out.

We have often witnessed emaciated and dying animals confined to barren and small cages after, and during, the later dates of war-torn zones. Those are often the end results we see, but here in Ukraine, there is still a chance – a chance where that awful and catastrophic result never takes hold. It is very much a result humanity must prevent.

I watch and read about refugees, and witness some of their suffering and anguish. Heart-wrenching stuff, but then I slowly became aware of something... what of the pets, the loving animals sharing their lives with their human family? At first, I saw none escaping with their humans. So, I did a bit of research and my sadness for the refugees hit a higher gear.

As an animal lover I would absolutely hate to be without my beloved pets and them without me. They’d never understand why I abandoned them. My life could never be separated from them. They give so much, and ask and expect so little. Not many humans even come close to showing that unconditional love. In the past, I have gone without eating for days, but always ensured my pets had all they needed and were comfortable mainly due to the free joy and love they so freely bestow upon me. It wasn’t a big sacrifice on my part. That’s the least I could do for them. So, yes, I would be one of those stubborn people choosing to remain with them and eventually dragged away by well-meaning authorities leaving my living treasures in the hands of shelters and the like. Entrusting them to take care of my vulnerable and precious babies.

I can imagine that happened, and is happening, to many Ukrainian refugees. Devastating, and that’s the kind of bad memory which never fades but grows bolder over time. An unforgettable experience, and not one of the good ones. They don’t need to be made aware of this (refugees), and I hope they’ll never read things like this.

The refugees face so much red tape and other nonsense regarding escaping with their pets, many fail to succeed in these painfilled endeavours. Smaller pets are easier to get out, but the larger ones, like big dogs, are forced into crammed shelters. Shelters where they face food and water shortages, never mind the constant bombardments raining down on them, causing the animal’s and keeper’s stress levels to break barriers.

Three young volunteers were very recently and purposefully targeted and killed by Russian armed forces as they bravely attempted to deliver food to one of these pet shelters where the starving animals hadn’t eaten for three days due to connecting bridges being blown up (not by the Ukrainians) and a barrage of heavy fire power. Now, what happens to those pets where their humans believed they’re well taken care of??

On a slightly different note, one of the world’s most expensive sport horses is a certain warmblood stallion kept on a stud farm with about 200 stud mares and foals being diligently cared for by tough and brave employees defying the odds. I bet there are a lot more in that country. Ever think about that side of the war?

Hunting elephants

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 11:32:04 GMT

Those wishing and wanting and often do protect elephants (whether African or Asian) unfortunately, at times encounter the destructible lot – trophy/sport hunters, but please realise if they barge/bulldoze into your conservation plans or similar, conversations etc., You have skewered their factually-challenged and limited negative attention. So hey, you must be doing something right! Keep going ��

This shrinking and unimaginative group repeatedly spout the same line/s over and over. They obviously think we are backwards or whatever. Anyway, the usual - “By hunting, we are supporting conservation” or “the meat of the hunted animal feeds the locals” or “we give millions (currency) to conservation programmes” and similar nonsense. Guys (hunters) do you honestly think we believe that utter rubbish? This, they hope will throw us, disarm, rattle/etc us (buddy, you need a lot more than that) to ever put a dent in our existence.

The last flimsy excuse amuses me (by the way, the guilty are always great at making excuses, little else but they certainly do triumph in that sphere). I recently watched an amusing guy talk about something unrelated to anything to do with wildlife conservation. The subject was a hunter who, what do you know, murdered his equally blood thirsty wife of many years.

This hunter was another dentist from the US (not the one who killed ‘Cecil, the lion’, but there does seem to be a pattern here), anyway this funny guy informed the viewers the said dentist/hunter of course littered wildlife conservation with BS, he was after all the president of an African safari programme.

So, little did the wholesome African safari tourist realise their precious and often hard-earned money was not actually funding genuine wildlife conservation, at all, as they were assured-- namely African elephant conservation endeavours, but the tourists were instead unintentionally and subtly funding the hunting industry. This is all on the internet and fairly- easy-to-come-by realisation by just doing the right thing and that is researching your ‘safari’, whether African or elsewhere before booking.

So, this self-anointed ‘brilliant’ dentist/hunter touted, rather boldly in fact (that is why I said, truthful info. is easy to find out and contradicts this lot’s robust egocentric efforts as it easily outsmarts them. Like every time, only because their giant egos block their common sense) he aids conservation as the money they (hunters) generate is ploughed back into conservation, ensuring the world still is lucky enough to have elephants strolling around. However, the guy telling the story brilliantly and simply slaughtered this dentist/hunter’s moment of reassuring and appeasing the public by drawing attention to an obvious fact – Of course they do (as only that narrow mindset believes – hunting aids conservation) because “they need to ensure they have a steady flow of animals to blow the sh*t out of” and for all involved, also ensure that money wheel keeps spinning.

For those still clinging on to the unproven ‘fact’ hunters do actually help conservation I will share a basic bit of info. Say hunting a healthy adult elephant costs about $350 000. A lot, right? (Let’s put legitimacy and ethical practices on hold, and that includes the (largely corrupt) governments, organisers, scouts, etc allowing/benefitting from these (mainly) nefarious international activities – as lines pockets rather well), but take that same ‘old’ elephant and work out the money it reaps for the same governments and benefits locals 10 times or more, any quantity of hunted meat laid before them ever will only because the endangered elephant is still alive and doing its thing as it should do, and that free and natural activity draws tourists to them and in turn the tourists support conservation, local businesses, communities, etc.

That elephant may still ‘work’ for another 10 years and in that period (this can be factually researched) that ellie will generate 5 times or more. A lot more than $350 000, never mind 20 or 30 years!

They (trophy/sport hunters or legal poachers) struggle with the truth and digesting proven facts is a serious problem for them, like the wonderful fact that the tourism industry of viewing wild animals far outweighs any funds/support generated from any kind of hunt/ legal or illegal poaching.

An afterthought. When ambushed by the thoughtless badgering acts of this detrimental lot (hunters), ask them to please quell your confusion (although you are not really confused by their efforts) if they are so concerned with wildlife conservation then why have they chosen to pay such a high amount to kill instead of donating the exact same amount (not a placating bit) to proven conservation efforts?

See how they respond :wink:

The aardwolf does not kill lambs or chickens

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:22:14 GMT

Actually, this diminutive animal is the smallest (only 55 to 80cm or 22 to 31 inches long, excluding its bushy tail, and weighs 7-10 kg!), and most harmless hyena and doesn’t eat small animals as they’ve often been blamed for doing. This is a rather lovely little creature in looks and behaviour, and another grossly misunderstood one at that.

We can understand them being blamed for killing a lamb, or similar, because the farmer may find their precious livestock’s carcass scavenged upon by aardwolves and bat-eared foxes. And they are automatically blamed for the livestock’s untimely death. However, we need to have patience and not make rash and brutal decisions.

If you watch, or if possible, look closer (like using binoculars) you’ll notice these two ‘carnivores’ snuffling through folds of meat, bone and tissue are actually seeking the insects crawling between them and eating them. You see, these ‘killers’ aren’t at all carnivores. These are insectivores, and the good news doesn’t end there, either.

These two species help the farmer as they favour termites, more so the shy little aardwolf. Termites are responsible for destroying many buildings, like feed rooms, dwellings and so on. In only one night, a nocturnal aardwolf with its sticky tongue can lap up, quite easily, about 250 thousand termites! Natural predators are highly efficient pest controllers and will never release toxins, or hazardous, substances into the air, land or water and... they’re absolutely free!

What pest controller can claim to do that?

Desert giraffes – yes, they’re real.

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:09:18 GMT

A cloudy existence, but nonetheless a rare existence. This unusual habitat is roamed by the northwestern Namibian giraffe. A group isolated from other giraffes because of the desert and their closest giraffe relation and neighbours (found in Angola) were hunted to extinction – and this exceptional subspecies is heading that way if none or little intervention comes their way.

Your first confusion when you spot a large savanna mammal strolling along in one of the world’s driest and inhospitable environments is perfectly understandable.

A place you’d never expect to find giraffes, yet you see one and it’s remarkably healthy and looks like it’s thriving! Your interest is born, and you begin to research this amazing creature... then once again confusion reigns. What? Where? How?!

Right, let’s begin here... I hate writing about giraffes because the factual research is a nightmare, and that profound reason might be why giraffes continue to suffer and are slowly disappearing from this earth. The conservationists and other giraffe ‘experts’ are counterproductive all because the basics are so messed up and that is something they could easily control! Giraffe conservationists, and the like, please get your sh*t together.

I found ‘experts’, credible conservationists, etc, hardly share anything with each other and each group tends to have their own information and largely unsuccessful giraffe conservation programmes. That sentence will not be loved within a few leading circles, but, miffed darlings, even if some of you have made a bit of headway into certain giraffe conservation efforts (‘efforts’ being the operative word), it is poorly documented and shared with other like minds ages later. The proof is in [eating] the pudding... we are still losing one of Africa’s most beautiful and iconic animals essential in maintaining ecosystems, at a startling rate.

To succeed in our conservation endeavours, we desperately require solid, sensible and easy to read general information about a particular species, not so? However, the public is left to contend with scattered, highly confusing and extremely weak... drivel (for lack of a better word) – opinions and ‘factual’ evidence, which only make sense to the blustering wind when all are crudely sewn together. The genuinely interested and often helpful public is forced to read/research and instead of any sort of revelation or appeasement they unfortunately suffer more confusion about the plight of giraffes. Too bothersome for most so they choose to ignore and move onto an ‘easier’ animal.

Education is an extremely important part of conservation, and we hope we’re successful in that area because for a species to survive they initially need to be acknowledged and we’ll happily oblige in that department and hopefully do our little bit to prevent their looming extinction. We’re trying, but geez! Who has the correct information?

This bizarre and wonderful animal is the only primate to do this…

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:47:00 GMT

Can you guess the animal?

Here are a few clues…

It is endemic to Madagascar.

It is an omnivore and most of its diet consists of nectar, fruits and other tree growth, but they’ll certainly not ignore insects, especially beetle larvae.

This is an endangered primate.

It is an interesting member of the lemur family (which are also endemic to Madagascar) but the most specialised member within that family.

It is the remarkable and rarely seen Aye-aye.

Let me add a bit of information about this interesting primate, but first it’s best to begin at the basics….

The aye-aye belongs to a group of primates called ‘prosimians’ – forerunners of monkeys. A group of ancient tree-dwellers different to the other two groups of tree-dwellers. This third group, prosimians, also have hands, but hands developed to use differently. Various tree-dwellers use their hands as hooks, like fruit bats, but prosimians use them as clamps.

Aye-ayes are extremely shy and nocturnal foragers, and they prefer to work alone, so they’re largely solitary primates. Despite this harmless and peaceful animal going about their business in a peaceful manner and going out of their way to avoid people, they’re mercilessly hunted and/or trapped and killed for stupid, superstitious beliefs. The locals believe they’re harbingers of evil, causing and spreading great harm and suffering.

Despite the scariness of their outward appearance to the locals and similar, the aye-ayes are in fact a harmless creature and pose no threat to any person, of any age. Unfortunately, humans tend to destroy what they fear, and their totally unnecessary persecution is a perfect example. So, obviously the locals/natives fear them. The truth is these are helpful animals and pose absolutely no threat to humankind. Fear isn’t the first feeling I get when I see one, so therefore I can only understand the local’s belief a smidgeon. It was likely fear that gripped the villagers at first and that branched out into mass tendrils of the most destructive emotion – hate.

I find their unique appearance fascinating, intriguing and rather appealing – with their large ears which they usually cup against a branch to hear the whispery and tell-tale rustlings of an insect inside the branch, and their wide-set and well-developed eyes with their penetrating gaze. All perfect adaptations to ensure clearer vision as they hunt and move around in the dark.

That skeletal digit scares the hell out of many locals, because they believe once the aye-aye points it at them, terrible, evil things like bad luck, ill-health and even death will befall them. The benign aye-ayes have no time for that utter nonsense and use them for far more practical reasons. That elongated finger, unlike any other toe or finger, taps on tree branches as they move along its surface. They intently listen. They’re the only primates to use echolocation because they listen for the hollow echo of a chamber concealing a destructive, juicy larvae and the faint rustle of the often disturbed and disgruntled larvae squirming about in protest of being rudely awakened.

This rare and enigmatic primate then pushes that long finger, which resembles a jointed rod with a hook at the end (their nail), through a narrow opening, or they gnaw an opening with particularly long and chisel-like teeth, and like a rodent, they have open roots which allows their teeth to grow as fast as they’re worn down. No other prosimian has such teeth. Once they’ve used their unique carpentry skills, they spear those unfortunate larvae with that specially adapted middle-finger and then eat the hooked and extracted insect capable of destroying a tree.

The native Madagascan inhabitants’ misguided and heartless action has largely influenced their demise and caused the aye-aye to be an endangered species. The destruction of their leafy habitats - be it forests, plantations or swampy mangroves - for human living areas, or to clear areas for agricultural and other purposes (largely by companies from other countries) isn’t helping their survival one bit.

And you know what I find funny?

The aye-ayes create a functioning habitat which offers these locals food, shelter and many other beneficial commodities, yet here they are, often killing this poor creature on sight with no idea of the good they do because the aye-aye is responsible for ensuring the survival and health of many trees and plants.

'Photo - That specialised digit comes in handy for scooping out delectable coconut flesh.'

Scavengers are the true heroes of the animal kingdom

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 16:20:16 GMT

We prefer to despise their existence and unconsciously distort our face when we cast a glance their way. Ignorance causes us to dismiss their existence. The feeling of disgust triumphs over any pleasant feeling and we wonder why they populate the earth? The reason is very clear-- if we bother to look. Scavengers fulfil an extremely important role in any and every ecosystem. We need them. From maggots to the more acceptable, but still loathed and considered ‘lesser’ animals by most people, vultures.

Please allow me to share a bit about these incredibly useful birds. We tend to think they are dirty birds, filled and covered with terrible bacteria and spreading diseases wherever they land. But these flying garbage men are just the opposite. Yes, of course they eat putrefying flesh and the most disgusting things, but they are consuming things that can kill us if left to spread and do their worst. Scavengers keep us safe. Vultures keep us safe. These grossly misunderstood birds of prey are amongst the most threatened species in the animal kingdom – most of them are endangered or critically endangered.

We tend to think all that awful and rotten stuff they eat stays with them and gets pooped or vomited out, thereby, only delaying the spread of diseases. Not so? Nope. They are clean birds. Let me explain. Vultures have extremely powerful stomach acid – some of the strongest out there. So, it kills any nasty bacteria as soon as possible. The PH level of that acid is like battery acid. Yes, it’s that strong, so, obviously their stomach-lining can cope. Therefore, their ‘poop’ is so caustic it disinfects their feet and legs they use to move in and around carcasses. How do they disinfect them, you ask? By the obvious method – they poop on them. Some vomit up their food to lighten their load to soar up into the air to escape a predator or in defence, and please don’t think that expelled flesh is a swarming nest of deadly toxin, it’s likely the cleanest and purest meat you’ll ever find.

Currently, in the Covid era, we rely on hand sanitiser a lot. Take my word for it, vulture excreta will easily replace its effectiveness and do a better job at it. However, the world is losing a powerful ally. We are seeing to their demise, but we can also prevent that from ever occurring. The choice is ours.

Their important and vital population is growing less largely due to human ignorance and negligence – persecution, habitat loss and ‘accidental’ poisonings, and many are also electrocuted by power lines often built in their nesting areas. And guess who controls all of them? Yes, the same animal with the supposed highest form of intelligence – humankind. We automatically assume this is due to uneducated minds and mindsets. Hang on just a minute, because vultures are also victims of the well-read and highly educated, but stubbornly ignorant minds. Let me give you an example of this pure ‘genius’ streak weaving its uncontrolled way through some governments.

This is undeniable evidence of why politicians need a strong sense of wildlife conservation and ethics in all walks of life to fully succeed and implement wise and far-reaching decisions. Decisions carried forth to grateful future generations where humankind also benefits. History will always remember that wonderful politician for all the good reasons – they will be mentioned, favourably and often fondly, in history books the world over. A great legacy.

Unlike this lot who ‘masterminded’ these move(s), studies were carried out, many times over and documented. But, where? How did they miss this incredibly crucial information, or did they simply ignore this solid fact? We can all agree India and Pakistan, in many areas, have a huge human crisis to deal with – the type of crisis where too many people occupy and over-crowd an area, and only the worst comes from situations like that, but we will focus on the vultures.

So many humans congregating and/or living in one area guarantees huge piles of uncontrolled garbage left to rot in the blazing sun, spreading diseases – directly or indirectly. These governments spent huge amounts on human health issues. Many millions, eye-watering amounts of cash. Totally unnecessary and near-sighted expenditure. To curb this and dissolve the potentially humongous and largely fatal threat all they had to do was listen and think of nature first. After all, nature always has a plan. Nature never allows a situation to grow out of hand and destroy our world – land, air or sea.

The solution was always there and was always free. Vultures. The vital vulture population has almost been obliterated in these ravaged areas. And the same governments allowed it to happen. Here is an example – in India they allowed the awful drug – ‘Diclofenic’, to be marketed and sold.

When the cattle, treated with this anti-inflammatory medicine, died - their carcasses weren’t removed and disposed of in a responsible manner. Hell, no. No action related to any form of control was enforced. The vultures, nevertheless, did their duty to dispose of the dead these messy humans left lying around the place (literally in most areas) to ensure the land’s free of deadly bacteria. The helpful vultures did their thing and consumed the carcasses and fell victim to those dreaded words – accidental poisoning. Accidental, really?

It is estimated up to 99% of the three main vulture species in India have been poisoned and killed this way. A heart-brokenly staggering but eye-opening statistic. Without these functional birds around there are too many carcasses piling up (not literally, I hope) ensuring an abundance of feral dogs and therefore, allowing a wave of rabies to sweep over the land. Dogs aren’t the issue here – they are merely a result of useless action by people who have the power to do something, and the feral population are only part of the domino effect caused by removing Nature’s key solution (vultures). This has resulted in far-reaching and never-ending problems.

We love rhinos and are extremely concerned about their plight. But using them to draw a comparison, here - the money going into the prevention of rhino poaching far, far, far outweighs any effort going into any form of vulture conservation. Rhinos do their bit to ensure the health of an ecosystem, but when it comes to human life, this world will undoubtedly be poorer with the absence of wild and free rhinos, but we would survive. We will not, however, survive without the presence of wild and free vultures.

The heavy weights of the skies.

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:27:49 GMT

Raptors, like most eagles, often use their talons as fists to knock out, or sometimes, kill their prey outright – like the endangered Harpy eagle. It drives its talons into a monkey’s body, for example, crushing or injuring its internal organs to such an extent that the eagle often kills its prey before landing upon the prey.

The harpy eagle's main threat is habitat loss
Found across Latin America continent, but mainly found in Brazil, in the tropical Amazon rainforest.

Cheetahs do not have a fair chance.

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:24:50 GMT

This post is in relation to the previous post:

Over 15% of cheetah kills are stolen and a lone cheetah holds little chance of defending his or her prey (there is hardly any difference in size between the sexes). A coalition of mature brothers, as the adult female is a loner and a solitary hunter, however, have a far better chance at survival, but not all males are lucky enough to live in coalitions.

A coalition of say, four cheetah brothers will and can be successful in defending their kill which is important as their prey can be larger, like a mature zebra or wildebeest, or even an adult ostrich.

Choose your legacy well

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:22:37 GMT

Cheetahs are the fastest land hunters, but they are built for speed – and do not possess any sort of battle-physique, like the smaller, more robust and therefore, stronger adult leopard.

So, the cheetah’s svelte and athletic form looks beautiful but proves to be pretty useless when they have to defend their kill against predators, like the muscular spotted, striped and brown hyenas, or powerful lions or an opportunistic leopard.

At times, they do try to put up a fight, but must often walk away. They prefer to abandon their kill to the far more menacing predators that are also trying to survive, than suffer great injuries or be killed. This is not a great outcome for the famished cheetah, sensible to a degree but not great, especially a mother requiring food to produce milk for her young cubs, or also hunting for her starving, waiting and weaned cubs That tired and hungry mother might have gone without eating and restoring vital energy for about 6 days and now the greatly weakened cheetah is forced to try again -- with a far less success rate, more like close to zero. Before the growing and crushing threat of habitat loss strangling the life out of them, cheetahs held a chance because that scenario hardly occurred, but now they are forced into smaller areas – forcing them to ’bump’ into the larger predators far too often and far too easily.

Vulnerable cheetahs cannot cope. They are unable to survive these unnatural encounters – directly or indirectly and are therefore one of the most endangered big cats padding carefully along the surface of our planet and facing the great threat of extinction. Some ‘experts’ say, that is nature’s way. Let them be or the situation they have been forced into – do not interfere with nature… Blah, blah, blah. Hello, you dope! We have already done so, and these are the consequences of human interference/actions. The wilds are no longer places, or offer situations, of divine nature in too many areas.

We have seen to that. We are responsible for that largely irreparable destruction and are now obligated to rectify where we can and offer relief, lost/stolen refuge and a fair fighting chance at survival to the innocent victims we have created and are still creating. We are making them suffer, and for what? The natural balance has and is being disrupted and severely so in some areas – by us and in the end, we will be the main victims and sufferers.

As I type, thankfully, some caring and far-sighted and responsible humans recoqnise that growing problem and are passionately and effectively trying to restore and rectify that near-sighted imbalance. Now, imagine this world without wild cheetahs or any fauna and flora. I would, by far, prefer to be remembered for saving a species threatened by the huge and growing problem of habitat loss than say, building an envious and impressive hotel or farm and thereby, often adding fuel to the fire. Would you not share that same ideal?

Due to security reasons, my Facebook account has been locked...

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:51:50 GMT

Due to security reasons, my FB account has been locked (by Facebook 11 Dec. 2021), as of yet, I am still unable to log in... So, unfortunately, I am unable to keep you all updated! Hopefully, all will be sorted ASAP. Thanks!

In north Africa we find a spectacular insect..

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:24:41 GMT

In north Africa we find a spectacular insect, but it can also be found in parts of the Mediterranean, Middle East, southern Asia, and the Canary Islands. This is a type of flower mantis, Blepharopsis mendica mantis. it does, however, have some common and unforgettable names like the Devil's flower mantis and the more exotic, Egyptian mantis.

Please note the different antennae. We kind of expect the male to be far smaller than the female, but in this species size is not the issue because it does not conform to that stereotypical difference and the males have 'feathery' antennae, whilst those of the females are slender and those feathery hairs are absent.

Photo by Igor Siwanowicz.

I don't think any of us have not seen a black ant/s scurrying around...

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:19:40 GMT

Hello!

I don't think any of us have not seen a black ant/s scurrying around our gardens or sidewalks. They are everywhere! Their colonies can reach 40, 000 or so worker ants, and some may seem smaller than the others. Although they are already hard at work, the smaller ants are the first to leave the nest and are then followed by the older generations. They do have something which sets them apart, they have one queen and out of all the insects living in colonies, their queen is the longest-living insect – 15 years average, but can reach 30 years!

Their queen is one of he longest living insects.
Photo by John Hallmén
https://www.facebook.com/john.hallmen
https://www.facebook.com/john.hallmen

How the kangaroo got her pouch – an Aboriginal story (Australia)

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:16:39 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

A rhino cow's gestation period is 15-16 months.

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 08:23:59 GMT

A rhino cow's gestation period is 15-16 months. They usually give birth to only a single calf, but now and again twins do occur.
A rhino calf is still pretty big and weighs 88 to 140 lbs. (40 to 64 kg).

photo: David Gulden.

Baboon's often play with their infants and they are caring and protective mothers.

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 08:22:52 GMT

Baboon's often play with their infants and they are caring and protective mothers. Rarely, they birth twins, but often other mothers will look after another infant while its mother forages. At about 3-4 months the infant is weaned , but the little guy does not like it and quite often throws tantrums.

uknown photographer.

'Protected areas', no longer guarantees the protection of any species in Africa – to visit the correct spots, please do your research.

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 08:21:19 GMT

'Protected areas', no longer guarantees the protection of any species in Africa – to visit the correct spots, please do your research.

An amusing photo and also proof of how silently the largest living animal – the African elephant, can move. These tourists were completely unaware of this curious bull that snuck up to get a better look at these unusual primates.

Elephants are largely harmless and gentle animals, but due to culling, rampant poaching, and other forms of hunting, elephants in unprotected areas are more wary of humans, and some show aggression – but only out of defense brought on by the violent abuse they have experienced. Ellies born and reared or spent many years in protected areas are different in a pleasant way.

Some elephants only experience it indirectly and that is enough for these intelligent mammals, for example one of these awful situations they were forced into, has burned into my mind...

A herd of elephants was being culled and once the slaughter was finished, the authorities searched for the other herd, and luckily could not locate them... Rescuers eventually found them huddled together on the border of the fenced 'protected' Government Park trying to get as far away from the carnage taking place many miles away – they had not seen it ,or heard it, they were too far away but 'picked up' the vibes (likely felt tremors through their sensitive feet, even miles apart) of the distressed and panicked herd being culled a great distance away (Parks in Africa are enormous and not at all like the European wildlife parks).

So, we use the term 'protected' lightly. There are a few brandishing this word to attract visitors, but at the moment, the best areas are protected areas found on private land (for all species). Elephants are a huge draw card for tourism, but we urge you do do your research to ensure you are visiting genuinely protected elephants, like those roaming huge sanctuaries and similar, and then you will more than likely witness and experience their true, unforgettable nature.
This photo was captured by a fellow tourist who looked in the other direction – photo captured by Marcus Söderlund.

Honeybees asleep in a flower.

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:03:33 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

When you see a bee/s lying motionless in a flower, they are not dead, but asleep. Bees are hard workers, so think of this as a 'power nap', because after a quick rest to regain lost energy, they soon resume their busy schedule.

photo by Joe Neely.

Elephant's dung is nutrient for some insects and beneficial to humans.

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:00:47 GMT

By Abdulhamid Ibrahim Saikpai

Elephants faeces, known as dung, is a "waste" to them, but "wealth" to some living creatures including humans. Their dung is nutrient-rich because it contains undigested food which is an important food source for beetles and related insects. The beetles, in turn, are a food sources for honey badger (an example). So, the absence of the dung disrupts the food chain and other ecological functions.
The dung also contains undigested seeds. So, it serves as a form of seed dispersal as the elephants move around and defecate. The rich manure from the dung also replenishes the soil on which seeds take the advantage to grow favourably into vegetations.
Additionally, the dung is dried-up and burnt to kill mosquitoes, which are vectors for many diseases including malaria. Biogas can as well be produced industrially by this nutrient-rich dung.

This calf was in the wrong place and at the wrong time!
Photo by Jens Cullmann.

A satanic leaf gecko.

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:58:26 GMT

That is really their name, but if you wish to get scientific about it, this name can be used – Uroplatus phantasticus.
Geckos are harmless and not poisonous. Like the unfortunate Aye-aye (recently posted – a primate) dark superstition also plagues this poor creature. The locals, regarding both species, kill them and are terribly afraid of these harmless creatures (Its common name does not help).
Both are native to Madagascar. The aye-aye is greatly threatened with extinction; while this guy is a species of 'least concern – so, their population is currently stable.

This large gecko can hang down from a branch for ages, just waiting for prey. Or also resemble a dead leaf by hiding among them on the ground.
unknown photographer.

Bonobos are more closely related to us than chimpanzees.

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:55:58 GMT

We sometimes hear the word 'bipedal'. That means an animal walking on two legs, instead of four. Like the bonobo ape, is more 'bipedal' than the chimpanzee. And that may also be why they have longer legs (when compared to their body) than chimpanzees (compared to their body).

Both species are endangered.

The only carnivorous bear, happens to be the largest living bear.

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 10:55:31 GMT

Most bears are omnivores (eat vegetation and meat); some only eat vegetation (herbivore); and the polar bear is a carnivore (eats meat). They are dependant on the ice to hunt and live, so as the Earth is warming up, the ice is melting and many parts of their important hunting grounds are vanishing, leaving too many starving bears, inevitably killing them – especially a mother needing to find food to produce milk to feed her cubs, or cubs which are already eating meat.

The Earth's largest and carnivorous bear is at great risk of extinction.

The comb jellyfish is our furthest relation; the bonobo is our closest (DNA)...

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 10:52:41 GMT

The comb jellyfish is our furthest relation; the bonobo is our closest (DNA) – not the chimpanzee as often believed.

The reason why the cheetah and mountain lion cannot create hybrids with other big cats.

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 10:51:09 GMT

Cats from the 'panthera' genus can interbreed (the panthera group, which includes the big cats like lions, all leopards, jaguar and tiger) and the reason why the cheetah cannot breed with any other species of cat is because they split from that group millions of years ago and evolved so differently, they are unique and are the only members of their own genus – 'Acinonyx'.
There is another large cat that is also unique in the genetics department, did the cheetah-thing as well, and have their own genus – 'Puma', and that is the mountain lion also commonly called the cougar or puma.

The mountain lion and the cheetah purr and cannot roar, the other big cats are able to roar, but unable to purr. Some big cats, like the lion, emit sounds which sound like a purr, however, this is a called a rumble and is not a purr sound.

The core of a lion pride is female.

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:57:54 GMT

A lioness will usually care for her cubs until they are 2-3 years old. Younger males will be evicted from the pride, but most often the young lionesses remain. Once no cubs around, she will come into oestrus once again.

That is why the core of a lion pride is female – they hardly ever leave, but the males come and go.

Photo by Andy Rouse Photography

Baby hedgehogs are called 'hoglets'.

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:55:43 GMT

When hoglets (baby hedgehogs) are born, they are already covered with spines and we cast emphatic, but amazed eyes towards the brave mother... Rest assured, this mother is not forced to endure an extremely painful birth. Nature provides. The baby's skin is rather loose and under the skin's surface is fluid.

This watery layer covers the spines and they look like plump little hedgehogs that are all skin, but we have to be fast to notice that, as immediately after being born that water is absorbed into their bodies and then exposes those spines. Therefore, we are pleased to tell you that this brilliant design allows a smooth and scratch-free journey down from the womb and a painless (for the mother) entry into the world.

Tortoises need water.

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:54:06 GMT

Please do not pick up a tortoise if you spot one. They spend ages and a lot of energy (some spend a year) collecting water and storing it in their bladder so that they can use it when they will struggle to find and drink water. By just being inquisitive or removing it off a road, instead of guiding it towards safety, we will pick it up, and out of defence a tortoise will relieve their bladder – releasing all of that vital water.
You can kill them as they probably won't have time to find and collect more water.

The hammer-head bat.

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:14:23 GMT

In Central and Western Africa we find a most unusual bat – a really big bat that looks terrifying but is quite harmless and all fruit bats are very important to the ecosystem – they are pollinators and seed dispersers. This bat has an enormous head – but its huge head has a purpose. This strange mammal was built to make a lot of noise! This bat's larynx takes up half of its body (for example, ours is found in our throat). Their head is one huge resonating chamber.

The male hammer-headed bat, also called the thick-lipped bat, makes a sound you cannot miss – it honks, more than once, like a loud car horn, and the purpose of this is to find a mate. When the female nears him, he makes a buzzing sound. So, we think only the male does this? Once the female and male have done their bit, the female leaves, but utters a 'goodbye' honk.

The photo of this bat is with a fitted radio-collar for research purposes. This important bat is classified as 'least concern'.
Photographer Unknown - Please message/email us for credit.

Truth why and when rhino horn was/is used in Chinese Traditional medicine

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:11:55 GMT

We tend to think the addition or entire product of rhino horn used in Chinese medicine is an ancient ingredient, but it is not and was only added and promoted in the early 1950s.

Via American Scientific by an award-winning environmental journalist: " Mao Zedong promoted so-called traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a tool for unifying the country he had recently come to lead. Even though Chairman Mao himself did not believe in TCM, he called for its use over Western medicine. Among the many "cures" touted by China's "New Medicine" was powdered rhino horn, which was said to cure everything from fevers to cancer."

This was the start of the slaughter. 150 years ago, rhinos numbered over a million, today only 29, 000 remain.
Photo by Greg du Toit.

Knysna Elephants.

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 11:55:43 GMT

These mammals are held by most in a mythical status. I spent a great deal of my life in Knysna (Cape coast, South Africa). My mother and sister still live there – so we grew up with this myth tightly wound around us. Knysna is the heart of the well-known Garden Route – it is a beautiful coastal town, and one of its greatest mysteries is that of the Knysna elephant.

Once, only once, upon a time there were many of them, but they were almost wiped out by European settlers in the 1800s. By the time their area was proclaimed a National Park, which protected them – in 1964, it was already far too late and only a few remained. They tried to help by adding orphans of culled Kruger Park elephants, as these elephants are not another species but also savanna/bush elephants.

However, this was poorly thought out, because all elephants need a leader – especially the young elephants. They needed an experienced matriarch to survive – they did not know what and what not to eat, and many other things they needed to learn and know to survive. After all, these youngsters were thrust into a different environment. Obviously it never worked, and a few years later they were removed and returned (early 1990s).

By that time, it was believed only 10 elusive Knysna elephants remained. For years people speculated how many were left, many made up fantastical stories about these mythical beasts – very aware of this as I was an impressionable kid, and therefore, believed most of them and aided in keeping the mystery going...Although the entire town, back then, had never seen one, it was our most celebrated and mysterious animal – even more so than the famed, breathtakingly beautiful and also elusive Knysna Loerie (Knysna caracao bird).

Many believed there was only a family of five left, and some believed our forests no longer had any Knysna elephants secretly tiptoeing through them. Theories persisted, and pressure was mounting to find out which team was correct – the ones still living in hope, or the team where all hope was dead. One thing was clear, though, the very animals that kept most imaginations burning were becoming legendary.

Recently, 80 camera traps were set up in a large area where clear signs, like dung, broken branches and similar evidence revealed that elephants still lived there. They kept these cameras going for 15 months – hoping to collect graphic evidence to show the believers and bury any non-believer's doubts. These cameras captured something (by the way, the book I am reading, where I'm gathering this factual information, was published 2020. Now 2021, still no noticeable change).

Only one lonely female about 50-55 years-old remained. By this age, she should be leading a herd, with daughters and calves following her, but this poor girl walks these beautiful rainforests all alone.

The point/motto of this story?

Well, this shows you what human greed and their devastating hunger for ivory has done to one of our greatest mammals.

Photo of last Knysna elephant – Oupoot, which means 'old foot', camera trap.
Elephants are extremely social so this must be an awful and sad existence for this old girl.

A Moth Caterpillar

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 11:54:24 GMT

Just look at this! It is incredible and at first glance I believed it was created by human hands because those 'chopped' sticks closely resemble the precision of cut/chopped logs. ...And then perfectly piled up from largest to smallest and to top it, was the masterful addition of moss/camouflage. Unbelievably, learned this is all a very clever little caterpillar's handy work!

Video via nature videos, https://www.youtube.com/c/SoothingNatureSounds :

"This lil being its house on its back and variety is incredible

The meticulously crafted house-camouflage of a caterpillar looks very interesting.

A moth caterpillar (also known as bagworm caterpillars) in the family Psychidae combines camouflage and shelter-building to avoid extinction in one of the most vibrant and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. It has developed a behavioural strategy that covers two important foundations in order to protect itself from creatures such as birds and lizards. These designs; they do it by collecting, resizing, covering themselves with forest debris, designing a costume that is lifeless, invisible, and inedible at the same time."

Puya raimondii. Native to the high Andes in Peru and Bolivia.

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 11:38:20 GMT

This truly amazing bromeliad can grow to 50 ft and bear 20, 000 flowers! It has a pretty unusual method of pollination... Many plants use birds to pollinate in that the pollen adheres to their feathers (male plant) and then off they flit to a female plant of the same species and deposit the pollen so that fertilisation takes place, and a new plant is created.

However, this plant also uses birds, but is a bit more ... violent (for lack of a better word) and actually ensnares them, but in one species this MIGHT be a defensive mechanism.

This plant reproductive cycle is not fleeting, but as long as 80 years.
This is an endangered species due mainly to fires caused by humans, climate change and a declining genetic diversity.

The maned wolf looks like a fox (on stilts) crossed with a wolf.

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:22:23 GMT

They are neither and classified as a distinct species in its own family – the Chrysocyon family. This large canine calls South America, its home and is a 'near threatened' species due to human activities, even though they adapt to man-made environments. This is a shy animal and prefers to flee than confront any human, so hardly poses any threat to humans.

Photo by Luigi Seronni.

Please think when visiting animals in captivity, and carers also be aware of things like this which affect many captive animals.

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:20:25 GMT

Tarsiers in captivity are too often abused and killed by weak laws which fail to protect them, because many are killed, traumatised and severely injured by callous, may be an ignorance factor on some of the tourist's behalf, but that is something their carers and officials can control, but the majority in Asia are pretty hopeless in that department.

Instead of leaving them be, as tarsiers are shy and nervous – they are fragile creatures. Tourists and visitors abuse and can kill them, indirectly. The flashes from their cameras, being touched and even kept in an enclosure stresses this elusive and nocturnal primate and they resort to banging their head against objects.

This is not at all good for them as they have an extremely thin skull and this stressful behaviour kills them.

Tarsiers are harmless to humans.

Scientists and researchers noticed something extraordinary...

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:19:05 GMT

Yellow-billed ox-peckers between the hind legs of a giraffe – not eating parasites, but roosting!
These are the birds we often see on herbivores. You will find two types; the red-billed and yellow-billed oxpecker.
At night, red-billed ox-peckers roost in trees, so it was assumed the same with yellow-billed ox-peckers.

The reason for this is not factual, but believed it might be because the yellow-billed (photo) are more fussy than the red-billed – the yellow prefers the giraffe and buffalo, and usually, these large herbivores move away from trees by the morning...

So, it is believed the yellow-billed ox-peckers stay put so they do not have to look for their favourite host species

Photographer unknown as a camera trap.

One of the most endangered animals on our planet is the Saola or Asian unicorn

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:05:09 GMT

This rare forest-dwelling bovine looks like an antelope, but is only related to them, and being a bovine it is also related to goats and cattle. The Saola was only discovered in 1992 and one in the wild was only photographed in 1999. Already on the awful list of endangered species.

This was the first large mammal new to science in more than 50 years and how they came across evidence of this mammal is rather sad...

They found a skull with amazing, long and straight parallel horns in a hunter's home.

The Saola is a critically endangered species and found only in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos.
Photographer unknown, likely a camera trap.

Why does a cheetah have such small teeth for a carnivore?

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:37:17 GMT

Carnivores have similar teeth, but those long canines, say in a leopard or lion, are far larger than those found in the cheetah (in proportion to their body size). There is a good reason for this – the cheetah's smaller canines means it has smaller roots and that leaves more room for the nasal cavity. It needs this extra room for when it pants, when it grips the prey at the throat just after chasing it at high-speed.

Elephant tusks

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:35:28 GMT

Elephant tusks are elongated incisor teeth with deep roots. You cannot remove them without killing the elephant.

The boss

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:59:09 GMT

As the Cape buffalo bull matures, the base of his horns moves closer until they only harden about 8-9 years-old. They fuse together and form one big plate of armour under their skin (continuous bone). This protects the skull from damage during their powerful fights. This shield is called a 'boss' (only the bulls have this).

Most birds safeguard their eggs and young by building some sort of protection

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:57:54 GMT

Like the woodpecker excavates or enlarges tree holes; the kingfisher and some bee eaters bore holes into the riverbank's mud walls. Some of them are rather remarkable, like the clever little tailor-bird (about the size of a sparrow) in India, sews growing leaves together to form a safe and protected nest. A cup – it does this by piercing holes along the margin and then sews them together by using plant fibre.

Politics and wildlife have a strained and fragile relationship

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:55:00 GMT

This will make you rethink and likely upset many regarding Botswana's burgeoning reputation concerning elephants. Please read on and share far and wide if you are genuinely concerned about the welfare of African elephants:

A little while ago, we 'boasted' about Botswana's wonderful African elephant population and how they migrate to those lands to avoid poaching/hunting. We thought it was fantastic and MANY of you felt the same way. Botswana boasted a population of about 130 000 elephants, boosting huge revenue from the eager and helpful tourism industry and it would have grown bigger. Not anymore, thanks to a nearsighted few who abuse power.

The elephants tended to stay there for a longer time – a reprieve, as they believed this 'wonderful' land with fantastic foraging areas and easily accessible clean water felt safe. Everyone here was on the elephant's side... Ha! How that has changed in only a few years because of their new President. His predecessor, Ian Khama, imposed a ban on poaching in 2014 and the elephants fled from poaching/hunting to this land as they finally felt safe, but in 2019 the current president Mokgweetsi Masisi set up a committee to review that ban.

That important ban was lifted. Political play at work, but not smart play as he is only able to score political points by local and rural electors as they believe elephants are becoming too destructive! So, instead of finding a solution to that problem, he is resorting to an action that will have a huge and detrimental effect on Botswana's relationship on the enormous and far more powerful international stage.

As a BBC article states: "It could also damage the country's international reputation for conservation and affect its revenues from tourism, the second largest source of foreign income after diamond mining."

In 2019 they were mulling over the idea of using culled and hunted elephants for pet food!

2021 update from a circulating petition: "The hunting season from 6 April to 21 September 2021 is proceeding “as planned” according to Kabelo Senyatso, director of the government's department of wildlife and national parks. Foreign hunters will be allowed to shoot 287 elephants.

In view of the increasing poaching and the collapse of Africa’s overall elephant population, we call on President Mokgweetsi Masisi to take the following actions:

Reinstate the hunting ban.
Do not go ahead with the culls.
Step up measures to fight poaching."

Petition: https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/petitions/1172/botswana-reinstate-the-ban-on-elephant-hunting?fbclid=IwAR331hcTzwRbiRur8-jAwhHrUPh9Q2HNGCQW2GHttaHp25JTosmvZcK0m4Q .

Once a safe haven for traumatised elephants; now a place that has melted into the same rusted pot where poached elephants fund terrorists and the like.
Photo credit: © @damian_aspinall/instagram (shot baby – a healthy adolescent. Great ethics – all round. Quite obviously not at all controlled hunts/culls or an old elephant...).

Why cheetahs and mountain lions cannot breed with other cats?

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:38:33 GMT

Cats from the 'panthera' genus can interbreed (the panthera group, which includes cats like the lions, all leopards, jaguar and tiger) and the reason why the cheetah cannot breed with any other species of cat is because they split from that group millions of years ago and evolved so differently, they are unique and are the only members of their own genus – Acinonyx.

There is another large cat that is also unique in the genetics department, did the cheetah-thing as well, and have their own genus – Puma, and that is the mountain lion also commonly called the cougar or puma.
The mountain lion and the cheetah purr and cannot roar.

Gorillas

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:36:09 GMT

Each gorilla has a different nose print – it is as unique as our fingerprints.

Photo by Abesolem Zerit.

Trees.

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:35:08 GMT

“Dear human, if you do not destroy me, I will give you food, water and oxygen.”

Turtles

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:16:51 GMT

Turtles are one of the oldest reptilian groups -- more ancient than snakes or crocodiles.

*Photo by Philip Waller.

What is up with this bird?

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:13:33 GMT

This happens more often than we think. A sunbird bathing in the pooled water found in the petals of a banana flower in India (this is why birdbaths are so welcomed).

Sunbirds look similar, but are not hummingbirds. These songbirds are more brightly colored and the males have that iridescent sheen.

Their range extends throughout most of Africa to the Middle East, South Asia, South-east Asia and southern China, to Indonesia, New Guinea and northern Australia. Species diversity is highest in equatorial regions.

*Photographer Rahul Singh.

In equines, like zebras it looks like they just have a hoof

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:12:31 GMT

They were once small -- their ancestor was about the size of a medium-sized dog and they had 3 toes. Today, the three toes are no longer easy to spot, but all equines still reveal physical and scientifically proven evidence of them once being there. What we see in all equines is the middle toe.

Something to deeply think about...

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 08:12:59 GMT

"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit."

Greek Proverb

Photo credit: The Mind Circle

Young Yulon magnolia flowers look like little songbirds

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 08:11:14 GMT

It is not a flowering plant, but a beautifully flowering course-textured tree. This is an ornamental tree, stunning enough to be planted in the Emperor's garden during the Tang Dynasty. This rare beauty is native to central and eastern China. It is greatly admired and has graced Buddhist gardens since 600 AD. It is the symbol for purity.

Shanghai's National flower.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

African hunting dogs or African painted dogs or the Cape hunting dog

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 08:07:51 GMT

The alpha female is usually the only female to breed, but sometimes (a rare occurrence) one, even two subordinate females may produce a litter of pups.

In all of these cases, the subordinates have smaller litters than the alpha female and their pups were born after the alpha's pups. The fate of the subordinate female/s pups all depend on the alpha female's attitude...

She can either show aggression towards them (even killing the pups), or accepting them. If acceptance is what she decides, the alpha does a thorough job and even allows the subordinate/s and pups to share her den – they even share suckling their pups.

The three most endangered African predators are:

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:16:34 GMT

1. Ethiopian wolf.
2. African wild dog.
3. Cheetah.

Unfortunately, the others are closing in. Their greatest threat? Mankind.

Photo by @mattyardleyphotography

Please show patience

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:15:50 GMT

Too often people see a lone fawn (deer) or calf (antelope) or lamb (gazelle) hiding in grass, or similar, and think they have been abandoned and need to rescue the baby. They have quite likely not been left by its mother. The mother leaves them there for the day and goes off to eat to produce milk. She usually returns once a day – usually towards the end of the day to feed her baby.

Best to leave it and wait about 24 hours. If she has not returned and you are sure of that, only then should you call WILDLIFE authorities and do not try to create a 'suitable' milk solution (if not trained) as practically nothing can substitute a mother's care and milk and the baby will likely die due to stress and malnutrition.

Born warriors

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:14:32 GMT

Spotted hyena cubs are born with their eyes open and armed with teeth. This is not a 'mistake', but a good reason for this.

The female only has two teats, so the cubs have to fight from the start of their life for food. If there are 3 cubs born, only two, usually only one, will survive.

What is CITES?

Wed, 26 May 2021 13:59:23 GMT

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to make sure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. - CITES.org.

There are 3 categories; Appendix 1, 2, 3.
Appendix 1: Most threatened species and facing extinction. e.g. The elephant, black and white rhino, caracul, cheetah,, gorilla, Cape mountain and Grevy's zebra, lion.

Appendix 2: Species not necessarily facing extinction, but without trading control/regulation (CITES) it is a possibility e.g. Pangolin, lion (also), Hartmann's mountain Zebra, white rhino (also).

Appendix 3: A request by a Party that already controls trade, but needing another country's (asking them) coöperation to prevent the illegal trade of threatened/vulnerable species – preventing their exploitation.

A ring-tailed lemur from Madagascar suckling her babies. These lemurs are primates and is a Cites, appendix 2 animals.

Earth Mazing

Wed, 26 May 2021 13:57:25 GMT

The “Tree of Life” baobab or reniala is a prehistoric species dated back to over 200 million years ago. Reniala means “mother of the forest” in Malagasy.
This is the sacred Tsitakakantsa, (Adansonia Grandidieri), the largest baobab in Madagascar with a girth of 28.88 m recorded in May 2018.
These gigantic and ancient trees are extremely useful to mankind due to just about anything on it can be used – from its edible and nutritious use, to its amazing use in healthy cosmetic products. It is also named 'the Tree of Life' due to its value in saving much human life and wildlife, particularly in Africa's hot and dry season. They are native to Africa, Madagascar and Australia and have been introduced to other countries and can live up to 6,000 years.
Unfortunately, the mighty baobab is a threatened species and nothing is like them, so we can't have another fill its void. This magical tree is greatly threatened by climate change.

Photo: zhihu.com

Fauna & Flora International

Wed, 26 May 2021 13:55:20 GMT

Covid-19 has decimated Africa’s tourism industry - which paid rangers wages and gave potential poachers other options. Unless we step in, the cost - in lives - is going to be unbearable.

The world was already running out of elephants to protect, and if elephants are put in a situation where the number of poachers surges and the number of rangers plummets they will be gunned down on a sickening scale.

Please help stop this. If everyone reading this donates just £3, you could help bridge the funding gap left by Covid-19 and keep rangers in the field. Please donate now and help save elephant lives.

* Image credit: Fauna and Flora International.

The whistling antelope

Tue, 18 May 2021 10:00:44 GMT

This cute antelope got its name 'Dik-Dik', from its wheezy and whistling alarm call through their long nose.

Only the mature males of this species have horns.

The #MightyMapogos

Tue, 18 May 2021 09:58:31 GMT

This group of lions will be eternally etched into African lion history. They are infamous, almost legendary. It is highly doubtful you will travel throughout lion country without the names 'Mighty Mapogos' bulldozing their way into the conversation. They have been gone for a few years, but have left a deep memory that no lion/s has yet been able to fill or surpass:

Here's a bit of their story – There was a well-known pride dominated by 6 lions. Five of them were brothers, the older and sixth lion was was from another pride (believed to be related to the young lions – he was the leader of that bachelor/coalition group, and later, their pride).

They easily took over a pride and ousted the dominant male/s. This lot reigned over that large area for many years... Far longer than any other pride of lions. Their numbers ensured the safety and stability of their pride for many years, and seemed like their cubs went on forever. Nothing could defeat these powerful kings. The 6 lions were something, but ended up with a sinister reputation, because they did a few unusual things like they would often go out of their way to wipe out entire prides – lionesses, cubs and the dominant lions. Prides that posed them no threat – were not too close that the Mighty Mapogos had to defend their territory, or similar.

The way they slaughtered them was similar to the almost automatic killing of a spotted hyena (getting rid of the competition), but this had a more brutal feeling to it, it seemed like they did it for their own enjoyment – no other genuine reason. Then, they did something very unusual for a lion – they ate some of them. Researchers believe this was an added sign of their dominance. They destroyed too much. Nothing was safe from them, only their own pride... No other lion genes were finding their way into the lion's blood within that area. But wait, Nature always wins in the end.

It seemed as if Nature noticed this and said, 'hang on a minute, let me step in here..'

The lionesses, from the other prides, gave birth to a larger number of male cubs, leaving fewer female cubs in a litter. When the juvenile males were evicted from their pride, some formed a coalition. Their larger number meant more would probably survive the tests of the wild, and ensured the competition was really tough. Only the most powerful males would survive and these youngsters spent a few years roaming the wilds and fighting challengers and growing stronger and stronger.

While these budding challengers were growing more powerful, the six were reigning a growing area and continued to kill lions, lionesses and cubs left and right. These six were given a Zulu name, meaning 'rogues' – mapogos (although they had established their own pride). These powerful lions (the Mapogos) met their match in these young roaming lions – and finally their bloody reign ended.

By this time, age was not on their side. They were no match for these really strong fighters in their prime. A group of 4 powerful young lions picked them apart, killing one Mapogo after another, and worked their way closer to the pride. Eventually, they killed the final two Mapogos, and took over their pride. The Mighty Mapogos ceased to exist. Most people thought they would reign until they finally died of old age – After all, they controlled a vast territory, arguably larger than any lion pride and it seemed as if no lion/s could challenge them. However, to use a cliche, they died, but their memory did not and today they are infamous.

Photo of the six Mighty Mapogos by Kimbiny photography.
A wild lion rarely lives passed the age of 10, the final Mapogo was still breeding by the unheard of age (for a wild lion) of about 14!

This world has some truly fascinating creatures

Tue, 11 May 2021 09:00:25 GMT

One of these is the striking and endangered humphead wrasse. It is a large fish and can reach 2 metres and weigh about 180 kg (397 pounds). What makes this fish so interesting is that they can change gender throughout their lives! They start off as females, but change to males in their late adulthood, but not all change gender/sex. This is a long-lived fish, reaching about 30 years, but take long to breed – only reaching sexual maturity between 5 - 7 years, and some change into males at only 9.

The factors responsible for this incredible change is not known. Sadly, the numbers of this great fish are declining, primarily due to overfishing. Their reduced numbers have made them an endangered species.

mainly found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. Found on the east coast of Africa around the mouth of the Red Sea, and in some areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Image Credit: www.worldheritagetrip.com http://awesomeocean.com/conservation/extinction-unique-humphead-wrasse-edition/

XY and XX chromosome explained

Tue, 11 May 2021 08:57:39 GMT

In all mammals there is quite a clear difference between the sexes – although this is not a physical difference. Genetics, but to be more specific, chromosomes. We can see this by examining their blood and tissue because chromosomes are present in cells. This makes it easier to establish sexes while still developing in the early days, within the womb.

Male mammals all have XY chromosomes; while females have the XX chromosome.

The 'Y' chromosome masculinizes the body (male qualities), and this chromosome is absent in the female and feminizes them.

Leopards can be man's best friend...

Tue, 11 May 2021 08:56:31 GMT

Leopards can be man's best friend...

We love dogs and are mortified at the inhumane treatment of controlling 'wild' dog populations (created by humans – that is why it bothers us so much), this is still awful, but the least inhumane method of controlling their population in those environments. Let us take Mumbai, in India for example. The leopards in that area have become human helpers. These 'wild' dogs that often run in packs and are obviously unvaccinated, and are responsible for about 21% of human deaths every year caused by rabies.

As humans have encroached on the leopard's habitat, they (leopards) prove how incredible they are at adapting and surviving in different areas (and environments). However, that has also proved just how stupid some humans can be when they turn fearful to the extreme and try, and sometimes do kill the hungry leopard when in fact they should leave it alone.

The 'wild dog' problem the leopard controls well, if left to do what they have now adapted to do (also includes change of primary prey). That 'dog' pest-problem is best controlled by the rural leopards as a large part of their diet are these 'troublesome' wild dogs running around in the cities and towns (that only got there because of humans). About 40% of the leopard's yearly diet consists of these feral (wild) dogs.

Photo by Nayan Khanolkar.

The Rockstar snail

Tue, 04 May 2021 12:57:16 GMT

One of the rarest snails in the world reached rock star status:

This rare and amazing snail looks like a photoshopped image, but it is 100% real. It is called the fire snail (Platymma tweediei). A large land snail native to Maylasia (Peninsular Maylasia, to be exact).

This snail is only found in a small and rather specific area – 100 km (66 miles) radius in the Cameron Highlands. This beauty can only survive in cool but humid environments and cloudforests are perfect (lush mountain forests – quite high up. So high, that many touch or enveloped by clouds – hence the name).

This rarity is likely extinct in the wild, due to deforestation but mainly due to greed as they were heavily poached to satisfy the frothing demand in the pet trade.

Why don't giraffes faint

Tue, 04 May 2021 12:51:52 GMT

If we had to dip our head like a giraffe we would faint from the rush of blood to our brain... So, how on earth does the giraffe do that with such a long neck – without any sign of discomfort?

When a giraffe lowers its head, a network of elastic-walled blood vessels – at the base of the brain, expand to absorb that rush of blood. If they never had that great adaptation, that necessary act would cause great damage.

Does an African wild dog have a den?

Tue, 04 May 2021 12:49:28 GMT

African wild dogs roam their home ranges (which are usually quite large) so they do not really have dens. Why we leave that fact open to interpretation is because when the alpha female (the dominant female is the only one to breed pups), the entire pack will stop and find a den (usually an abandoned Aardwolf, Aardvark or bat-eared fox's burrow) for her to give birth. The pups will remain in the den for about 10-12 weeks and by then they are strong enough to join the pack in their nomadic lifestyle (they are always on the move).

This dog is Africa's most successful large hunter and an endangered species which is very sad as their fading numbers are evidence of a dying ecosystem. These fantastic hunters are vital to maintain the health of an ecosystem – more so than any other African predator as they hunt so well and prevent overgrazed lands and they keep savannas looking like healthy savannas. Once they go, the ecosystem crashes.

The entire hunting pack eats from a kill, but some of those chunks do not reach their stomach – so, not vomit. They then trek back to the den and regurgitate this undigested meat for the babysitter (they always leave one adult behind to guard the pups – often an older brother) and the waiting pups.

The most unique crocodile is disappearing from our planet

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:44:12 GMT

These unusual-looking crocodiles do not stalk and jump out of the water to catch their prey. They have that long and unusual snout for a good reason – they contain sensory cells that can detect vibrations in the water and by whipping their head from side-to-side a few times, they can zero in on a fish.

Here are 3 reasons why they are nearing oblivion:
1. About 98% of these rare crocs have been wiped out due to hunting them to use their body parts in traditional medicine.
2. Many rivers are blocked and dried to develop land for human habitation and/or for agricultural purposes. This poses a great problem because another difference is that unlike other crocs, they cannot walk over land to find another source of permanent water – they are stuck, so draining their rivers is a 100% death sentence.
3. Another point adding to the critically endangered status is that many young Gharials are often accidentally caught in fishing nets.

A Gharial does not attack humans, unless it has to defend itself, like many animals. They are thought to do so because they are sometimes seen eating corpses as India, often 'bury' their dead in rivers.

No crocodiles = no fish

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:42:43 GMT

Crocodiles keep rivers healthy and their faeces are a highly nutritious food for fish.

Flies bugging you?

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:41:14 GMT

Could be that all, or too many spiders were killed. We often forget how brilliant this little animal is at controlling insects. The most natural type of pest control! Please do not think a house should have thousands of spiders running around. No, not necessary. You will never know they are there, as spiders avoid humans and prefer to be hidden and eat their insects in peace.

Spiders do not hunt and attack humans. If you leave them alone; they will do their job and leave you alone. Spiders will only bite you in defense, and like snakes and scorpions they prefer to avoid humans.

Elephants hold a secret - the pharyngeal pouch

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:47:34 GMT

This pouch is found at the base of their tongue and capable of holding one gallon (about 4.5 litres) of water. When times are tough and it is really hot and dry, the elephant will reach into this pouch with its trunk, and as they do not have sweat glands, to speak of (they only have them between their toes), they have to cool their bodies by other means, like spraying water over themselves.

Thanks to the pharyngeal pouch, they are able to use this for emergency purposes.

Some basic facts about leopards

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:46:05 GMT

Leopards Some basic facts about leopards that get a bit mixed up, and one myth few are aware of:

- Africa has 3 big cats, the lion, the leopard and the cheetah. Their babies are called 'cubs'.

- Africa is home to 7 wild and small cats, and their babies are called 'kittens'.

Therefore, this is a leopard cub and not a leopard kitten.

- A leopard is the most adaptable of the big cats, and can be found in almost every environment from snow to hot deserts.

- Leopards are secretive animals and you are considered lucky if you see a live one in the wild. Some African tribes believe their ancestors, or some believe a dead villager's soul, is in the leopard. Their ancestors visit the earth in the form of a leopard. To many African tribes, live leopards hold a powerful symbolic and religious meaning.

A fter all, they are secretive and mysterious big cats and therefore, bound to be inextricably linked to myths and ancient folklore.

The variegated spider monkey

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:41:56 GMT

At least 148 species of plants rely on this South American primate to disperse its seeds, ensuring the jungle is always bursting with many fruit and plants -- the critically endangered variegated spider monkey.

Lionesses are great team hunters...

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 10:11:15 GMT

Lionesses are great team hunters and have a strong hunting strategy – some are the 'centre' and some are the 'wing' (in football and rugby), and the lionesses on the 'wing' herd the prey to the 'centre' lioness/es.

Original photo by Mel Massimo.

The rare and highly endangered golden snub-nosed monkey

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:19:02 GMT

In an earlier mention, the adorable monkey with a blue face and their characteristic snub-nose. They can be found in large groups reaching 600, but they are now more often seen in smaller social units comprising females, their young and a male. These groups range from 9-18 individuals.

* These primates are really geared for winter's freezing temperature (notice the hands covered in fur - furry mittens, and fur covered little feet).

The pig that has a cult following: The Sulawesi babirusa wild pig

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:17:02 GMT

Nature is a wonderful and beautiful thing, and like us, can make mistakes and also like us, at times, design something that leaves us scratching our head in puzzlement. One of these nonsensical creations is the unusual and bizarre babirusa wild pig -- to be correct, the Sulawesi babirusa wild pig (as you get 4 types, but this one is the most bizarre).

Native to the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru, this wild pig has a very prehistoric look -- the upper canines of the males, are those top tusks and they grow through their flesh, and then start to curve towards their snout!

And then they have lower canines that grow vertically. Those tusks/teeth never stop growing and the top canines/tusks can penetrate the flesh, but luckily this is not common.

There is only one documented case where the tusks grew too far and killed the animal. So, it can happen. What on earth was Nature thinking? There is no clear reason for those tusks, but one reason, given by a renowned researcher, may be the most plausible -- that is the males may need them to protect their eyes during fighting.

Once, their biggest threat was not from predation, but from the competition (competing males) so the males needed those tusks. Today, their decline is not natural and deforestation and poaching have shoved them into the terrible category of a threatened species.

* Yes, they do have a cult following because this is such an unusual and interesting animal -- they are followed by biologists, conservationists, mammal geeks and extreme wildlife travellers.

Photo by Coke Smith.

Black and white Angolin colobus monkey

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 13:43:54 GMT

If you are visiting or live in the beautiful Angolan forests you will probably see a troop of chatty and striking monkeys – a subspecies of the black and white colobus monkeys.

Out of all of Africa's monkeys, this lot are the most arboreal – they spend nearly all of their time in trees. Some troops have only 10 individuals, but some have a staggering 300-400!

They often call to each other in a singsong voice and a croaking roar from the dominant male. When they suddenly fall silent, despite it looking like a good day, bad weather is coming.

* The Angolan colobus is a vulnerable species and very important to keep the forests in good condition.
Photo by Joel Sartore – National Photographic photographer and speaker.*

The vulnerable and dangerous Komodo Dragon

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 13:43:17 GMT

The Komodo dragon can reach 10 feet and weighs about 300 pounds (136 kg) and although it is a very powerful, the biggest lizard and eats just about anything, it is classified as a species vulnerable to extinction.

Many think it is bacteria that can kill, but we now know it is actually venom. However, they are not completely incorrect as the venom contains 57 different strains of bacteria.
The Komodo's venom kills anything, it has bitten usually within 24 hours.

* Only native to Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands.

The pink fairy armadillo

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 13:42:35 GMT

There are 20 species of armadillo and all are interesting mammals – we have posted about a few. However, we have not posted about the smallest armadillo – only about 5 inches long.

To give you an idea, imagine a hamster hiding in a lobster or crab shell. It inhabits the dry and sandy areas of Argentina, and moves incredibly fast through the sand – so fast that it looks like it's swimming through the sand and can disappear within a few seconds, by digging a hole with its strong and long claws. Sand is abrasive, so its armour is really there to protect it from sand friction.

* This wonderful little mammal is responsible for keeping soil healthy and allowing good plant growth and feeding on many insects. It needs its status to be updated as now showing as 'data deficient', but this unusual animal could quite possibly be an endangered species.

Image credit: NICHOLAS SMYTHE/GETTY IMAGES

There Is an Animal That Is the Most Effective When Protecting Itself: The Three-banded Armadillo, Endemic to Eastern Brazil, Where It Is Known as 'tatu-bola'.

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 16:16:13 GMT

There is an animal that is the most effective when protecting itself: The three-banded armadillo, endemic to eastern Brazil, where it is known as 'tatu-bola'.

This amazing creature is one species of armadillo and is so good and it likely knows it has incredible protection because during the day, sometimes it will be found relatively out in the open, laying under a tree and your quick glance may mistake it for a fallen fruit because when this well-armoured insect-eater rolls up into a ball, it is often no larger than a grapefruit.

Its incredible design is envied by many human warriors because it is so perfectly well-put together – It has 3 sections/bands of incomplete armour, comprised of elastic skin and bony plates:

Cup-shaped armour shields its shoulders and haunches.
A band of armour encircles its middle.
On the top of its head and on its tail is a perfectly designed triangle.

When this brilliant design rolls up, those three bands connect and protect it so well because the middle acts like a 'hinge' and those triangles meet up to form a rough rectangle. This armoured ball looks like it can never open again, but it does and after a few minutes, a crack appears and an inquiring eye peeps out. The armadillo sees the threat has left and then unrolls and trots off on four little feet in a rickety way because it runs on the tips of its feet.

In the last ten years, their wild population has dropped by an alarming 30%.

Geckos Are Non-Venomous And Harmless To Humans

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 16:16:11 GMT

By Abdulhamid Ibrahim Saikpai

The common house gecko is native to Southeast Asia, but are now found across the world, including large parts of Africa. It's a slippery house lizard called "Tsaka" in Hausa, "Onile" in Yoruba and "Gusunon-wenror" in Baatonum (all West African languages).

There was once a Facebook update that went viral, posted by a Nigerian in 2017, that said,"a wall gecko fell into a pot of soup and killed a whole family after eating with the soup, due to its poisonous nature". Well, this is not true, because several researches have revealed that wall geckos are not poisonous.

It is either that the gecko heavily hosted bacteria which could multiply within a short time and cause harm to the victims or something else coincidentally led to their demise. A scholar from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reported in 2019 in "Africa Check" that "wall geckos are not poisonous".

The Animal Diversity Web (ADW), a Michigan database website revealed that geckos are non-venomous and harmless to humans after repeated experiments. Similarly, the Australian Department of Agriculture and Fisheries also submitted that geckos do not present a threat to human safety.

*The myths believed by people about geckos and many other animals will soon be dispelled here.

The bushmeat Trade is Destroying Africa

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 16:16:10 GMT

The bushmeat trade is destroying Africa.

For thousands, not hundreds, of years, mankind and wildlife in Africa had a fantastic relationship. As meat was a great source of protein the indigenous people only hunted when they needed, and only took what was necessary and that caused no problem with wildlife populations.

Today, the bushmeat trade is growing and in some areas is even greater than the other forms of killing off the wildlife, particularly in East, Central and West Africa. The African bushmeat trade is greatly helping the uncontrolled hunting and poachers from other countries strip Africa of its unique beauty. The wildlife can no longer compete or survive well. The losses are too great.

Besides the slaughter of small and medium-sized animals, and some of them are threatened with extinction, traps set to kill small wildlife for bushmeat, snare and kill, far too often, large animals just trying to find food.

Owls Are Not Messengers Of Witches

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:05:06 GMT

By Abdulhamid Ibrahim Saikpai

Photo by Nigel Pyeph

Some cultures in Africa and around the world believed that owls are messengers of witches. From ancient times, owls have been linked to death, evil and other superstitions. Many people see them as a sign of impending death. For instance, an owl was said to have predicted the death of Julius Caesar.

In some other cultures like that of the Chinese, they see the owl differently. The Feng Shui owl is a source of good luck, knowledge, wisdom and protective energies.

In essence, all the myths are not true. The bird exhibits great ecological functions beneficial to humans. Without owls, the food chain will be off balanced. They also control the populations of pests like rodents, by preying on them.

Owls do not attack humans. They may only do so if their young is tempered with. The reality is, owls usually don't want anything to do with humans, because they are shy. A group of owls is called a 'parliament'.

What don't all elephants like, or are afraid of?

admin@ciutz.co.uk (Blog Admin) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 12:58:21 GMT

What don't all elephants like, or are afraid of? They are afraid of bees and ants, and really do not like spicy scents, particularly chilli. For these reasons, farmers have hung up bee hives, randomly, or have constructed bee or chilli fences that surround their crops. Just the sound of buzzing bees is enough for them to change direction as they manage to sting an elephant's sensitive parts – like around the eyes, and although elephants have thick skin, the skin on their ears are remarkably thin and sensitive, especially to bee stings. Chillies have a similar effect as the spicy smell irritates them, and they prefer to avoid those areas. The farmer also benefits from the additions and can sell the honey and chili produce, along with their crop's produce.

The Ethiopian Wolf

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:27:29 GMT

The Ethiopian wolf is Africa's most endangered carnivore and one of the world's rarest canids (wolf and dog family). Only found in the Ethiopian Highlands of Ethiopia, Africa.

Buffalo Blog | Crying Buffalo

Cecil, you did not die in vain

Some great news!

Besides the African lion, what other large predator is the other African top predator?

A Clever Girl...

It is considered that the female trapdoor spider builds the most protected hole/tunnel out there.

The Bush Baby

An owl is not the only animal with enormous eyes and can turn its neck, effortlessly, 180 degrees.

Piglet?? Nope

Bees, bees, bees!

The most trafficked mammal in the world

Something we need to set right...

The Lion Once Reigned Over the Continent of Africa as its Master

Another cause to be well-aware of...

An Elephant's Skin

Awful and shocking photo, I know, but please read further: ﻿

The ordinary is often the extraordinary

Here's yet another example: The humble green imperial pigeon.

Hello Everyone!

Time is revealing the truth.

The farmer's best friend: The bat-eared fox.

Venomosity Rule of Thumb

There is a difference

Another myth busted

The vital elephant matriarch.

Control in wildlife management is slipping and already fallen in some areas

...And here is ONE of those recent and amazing wild gorilla stories. I will share more;...And here is ONE of those recent and amazing wild gorilla stories. I will share more:

Gorillas look intimidating but they are really laid-back animals and are not aggressive – only grossly misunderstood.

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us to remind the UK Government that its promises to protect and restore nature must be kept.

Set the Record Straight

There is an African bird that is not at all easy to forget.

A moratorium

Wolves are a keystone species

What is a keystone species.... Actually?

War and the truly forgotten ones

Hunting elephants

The aardwolf does not kill lambs or chickens

Desert giraffes – yes, they’re real.

This bizarre and wonderful animal is the only primate to do this…

Scavengers are the true heroes of the animal kingdom

The heavy weights of the skies.

Cheetahs do not have a fair chance.

Choose your legacy well

Due to security reasons, my Facebook account has been locked...

Due to security reasons, my FB account has been locked (by Facebook 11 Dec. 2021), as of yet, I am still unable to log in... So, unfortunately, I am unable to keep you all updated! Hopefully, all will be sorted ASAP. Thanks!

In north Africa we find a spectacular insect..

I don't think any of us have not seen a black ant/s scurrying around...

How the kangaroo got her pouch – an Aboriginal story (Australia)

A rhino cow's gestation period is 15-16 months.

Baboon's often play with their infants and they are caring and protective mothers.

'Protected areas', no longer guarantees the protection of any species in Africa – to visit the correct spots, please do your research.

Honeybees asleep in a flower.

This is a subtitle for your new post

Elephant's dung is nutrient for some insects and beneficial to humans.

A satanic leaf gecko.

Bonobos are more closely related to us than chimpanzees.

The only carnivorous bear, happens to be the largest living bear.

The comb jellyfish is our furthest relation; the bonobo is our closest (DNA)...

The reason why the cheetah and mountain lion cannot create hybrids with other big cats.

The core of a lion pride is female.

Baby hedgehogs are called 'hoglets'.

Tortoises need water.

The hammer-head bat.

Truth why and when rhino horn was/is used in Chinese Traditional medicine

Knysna Elephants.

A Moth Caterpillar

Puya raimondii. Native to the high Andes in Peru and Bolivia.

The maned wolf looks like a fox (on stilts) crossed with a wolf.

Please think when visiting animals in captivity, and carers also be aware of things like this which affect many captive animals.

Scientists and researchers noticed something extraordinary...

One of the most endangered animals on our planet is the Saola or Asian unicorn

Why does a cheetah have such small teeth for a carnivore?

Elephant tusks

The boss

Most birds safeguard their eggs and young by building some sort of protection

Politics and wildlife have a strained and fragile relationship

Why cheetahs and mountain lions cannot breed with other cats?

Gorillas

Trees.

Turtles

Awful and shocking photo, I know, but please read further: