World Wild Fund for Nature SA (WWF-SA) CEO Morné du Plessis said on Friday the conservation organisation was concerned that the escalation in rhino poaching — from 13 in 2007 to 668 in 2012 — "threatens to undo years of successful conservation effort." Poachers seeking rhino horn to sell in East Asia, where it fetches an estimated $60,000/kg, have already killed at least … [Read more...]
Joy as migratory falcon arrives in KwaZulu-Natal
Raptor enthusiasts across the world were overjoyed and relieved to learn that a migratory female Amur Falcon Falco amurensis finally reached her wintering grounds at Newcastle in Kwa-Zulu-Natal on the 10th of January 2013 after an eventful 14 500km journey from the species’ breeding grounds in northern China and Mongolia. This bird was fitted with a satellite transmitter in … [Read more...]
Chimp to make history giving birth online
History is about to be made: nine-year-old chimpanzee Nina stands on the brink of delivering a baby at the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary in Mpumalanga while being monitored live via a special video webcam. Up until now there has never been a live broadcast of a chimpanzee birth, according to David Devo Oosthuizen, Executive Director of the … [Read more...]
Rolling hills bring forth heavenly organic wine
There’s a lot to be said about winemaking the way it used to be. There were no chemicals, no “technological advancements” that made the process a process, and natural balance was far more important than balance sheets. It’s an approach that’s not just better for the earth, it’s also better for the wine – as respected critics have confirmed. So, while it may be somewhat … [Read more...]
Help make life worth living for pregnant pigs
Pregnant sows all over the world are being given the right at last to use the legs they were born with! Now 60 000 pregnant sows in South Africa need your voice to help them gain their freedom too. On 1st January 2013, keeping pregnant pigs in stalls/crates longer than the first four weeks of pregnancy, was banned throughout the European Union. This means that pregnant … [Read more...]
Help save our frogs this December
Frogs are the most threatened group of species on Earth. These creatures of popular folklore are teetering on the brink of extinction and unless we act NOW to save them, South Africa too will start losing species. Frogs are not just potential princely suitors. These water-loving amphibians are extremely important in our ecosystems by providing food to a wide array of other … [Read more...]
The kind farmer gets his due
Angus McIntosh, biodynamic farmer at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, received a Good Earth Keeper Award for his humane treatment of farmed animals at a glittering Green Tie fund-raising dinner/dance/auction last month at the Coleyn Estate in Klein Constantia, Cape Town. The function was organised by Soil for Life in co-operation with Compassion in World Farming, with … [Read more...]
End is near for vulnerable SA species
Some experts say the world is heading for the "sixth extinction." Unlike the five separate mass extinctions millions of years ago, this one will be caused not by natural events, but by a single species: humans. To highlight the biodiversity crisis, the IUCN and London Zoo published a report identifying the 100 most threatened species on the planet. Four are found in SA. … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Pt 1: Getting a head start on seeds
Read about the trials and joys of organic farming in this series by Sue Vingerhoets, from Foxglove organic farm: Every year I berate myself for not planting earlier. This year, I really tried to get a head start on seedlings. Seed growing began even in the cold. The germination cupboard Jan made from scrap roof brandering and discarded greenhouse plastic worked well to … [Read more...]
Global fin trade plummets shark population
Shark finning - cutting a shark’s fin off and releasing the live shark back into the water - is outlawed in SA, but commercial shark fishing with the aim of selling the fins is allowed, according to the Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries. Shark fins are among the world’s most expensive seafood products, with $1,000/kg the most commonly quoted price on the Hong … [Read more...]
Doing good is good business
This was one of the founding principles of Pick n Pay. It’s in the DNA of how the company does business. But what does that mean and how are they supporting good? “Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility goes back to when the company celebrated its 30th anniversary,” said Bronwen Rohland Pick n Pay Marketing and Sustainability Director, “it was then that the … [Read more...]
Help stop the Nam seal slaughter
On July 1st 2012, a total allowable catch (TAC) of 85 000 Cape Fur seal pups are set to be beaten to death in Namibia. These pups are still dependent on their mothers, they are not yet weaned and consequently are not yet eating fish. According to Avaaz the pups are separated from their mothers. They are herded away from the safety of the sea, where they are then beaten to death … [Read more...]
Pilanesberg’s new anti-poaching tech
Anti-poaching systems and initiatives already in place at the Pilanesberg National Park were furthered recently thanks to a donation of the latest communications technology from Altech Alcom Radio Distributors together with its channel partner Lazer Communications. With a collective value exceeding R300 000, the donation comprises 18 Motorola MotoTrbo digital two-way radios, … [Read more...]
