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So I was lying awake last night with monkey brain; pesky mosquitos going through their gears like F1 racing cars adding to my malcontent. Mind racing, I wondered about humankind’s fascination with cryptocurrencies, the metaverse and space travel. And how coming on SAFARI in Africa is the ideal way to get back in touch with real-life 🙂
Thanks to all for the responses to my editorial of last week. Whether you are pro- or anti-trophy hunting or in denial about that industry’s self-imposed slide towards extinction, I enjoy hearing from you. And now the EU has SUSPENDED TRADE in raw ivory on the EU market. My concerns about the loophole relating to ‘ancient ivory’, and whether this update will have much of a dampening effect on poaching aside, this is yet another sign that the wheel is turning, albeit slowly.
Speaking of ivory, our first story below is both sad and a celebration that this big boy lived a full life and his genetic legacy endures. Every big TUSKER remaining is a natural heritage and should be afforded protection from all who covet those tusks.
Our second story is vital because it speaks to the battle between human and animal rights and the use of MISINFORMATION to pressure Africa’s conservation industry to adapt to ideological frameworks that often don’t make sense at ground level here in Africa.
And finally, we all want to know how to travel in a post-Covid era of heightened awareness about our impact on EARTH. Find out how in our third story below.
Have an exceptional festive season y’all. Peace out
Keep the passion
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Scientific Editor
My grandfather was something of a character. He once, for example, enjoyed the hospitality of the Pilgrim’s Rest jail cell (of which there was only one) after being found with a nugget of gold in his pocket. He swore blind forever after that he found it just “lying around”. He hated shopping malls and would mutter loudly about Sodom and Gomorrah if forced to visit one.
When I found myself doing the same thing yesterday, I realised that I may have inherited more than just his love of the bushveld. In all fairness, everyone knows that the absolute worst way to get into the holiday spirit is to visit the shops just before Christmas, especially during a pandemic. But my camera charger packed up, and I was desperate.
The sheer volume of “stuff” – sometimes useful, sometimes fairly useless, all in excess – bore down on me like a relentless analogy for humanity’s overindulgence. Rows of plastic, stands of gimmicks, over-priced (and hideous!) clothing and garish decorations beneath forever-burning lights – no sign here of a world barrelling towards a climate collapse. Though not yet at the point of muttering aloud, I confess the words of Wordsworth ran through my head: ” The world is too much with us…”
But let us not end on such a note. In southern China, scientists have discovered “the best dinosaur embryo ever found in history”. Its name is Yingliang, and it was just about to hatch some 66 million years ago before tragedy struck. You can read more here.
Bah Humbug, everyone!
Story 1
R.I.P.
Super tusker ‘Wide Satoa’ has died of natural causes in Tsavo, Kenya. He was one of the few remaining elephants with tusks that touch the ground
https://africageographic.com/stories/death-of-another-iconic-super-tusker-wide-satao/
Story 2
FURORE
76 affected conservation entities respond to damning journalist report about Namibia’s community-based conservation program
https://africageographic.com/stories/furore-over-namibian-community-based-conservation/
Story 3
BUT HOW?
Covid has taught us to select RESPONSIBLE travel options to make a real difference. Club members only
https://africageographic.com/stories/demand-for-sustainable-travel-what-travellers-can-do-to-help-build-back-better-from-covid-19/
TRAVEL DESK UPDATES:
SPECIAL OFFERS
• GREAT NEWS – we have extended our popular Okavango Delta special offer by three months. Regrettably for African citizens and residents only
• Our Kenya special offer is a bucket list safari for both the year-round magic of the Maasai Mara and those iconic dryland species in Samburu – gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich
DID YOU KNOW: A baby shark is called a pup.
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