VIERANAS SAFARIS

Lion and Elephant Update - CITES Meeting

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:41:00 +0000

Update received from THE HUNTING REPORT:

Continuing subscribers know that The Hunting Report has been warning about a move to uplist African lions to Appendix I.

Such a listing would essentially close lion hunting, especially for sportsmen from the US, where US Fish & Wildlife has a history of shutting down trophy imports for any species on the Appendix I list.

The efforts to uplist lion are not all motivated by anti-hunting advocates, such as Kenya, but also by conservationists who believe the listing would create the political will in various countries to support initiatives to protect and conserve lion populations under pressure.

The next CITES Convention of the Parties is scheduled for this coming March, but the deadline to get proposals on the agenda has passed.

This means that anyone who had booked a lion hunt for 2010 or beyond can relax. Lion hunting will continue to take place. Just be aware that the management plans in progress will likely affect hunting in one form or another, much like in Tanzania, where the six-year-old rule is being enforced with stiff penalties.

All things considered, the hunting community should gladly support these conservation plans.

The other good news is that both Tanzania and Zambia have proposed to downlist their elephant to Appendix II for trophy hunting purposes. This means that US hunters would no longer have to apply to US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an import permit.

For the past two years USFWS has delayed making its self-imposed non-detriment findings on Tanzania elephant and has not issued import permits until well after the hunting season has started. This has caused unnecessary angst among US hunters heading to Tanzania for an elephant hunt. Some have even cancelled hunts because they had no assurance that the Service would issue the permits - this despite Tanzania having the second largest elephant population in Africa.

As for Zambia, USFWS has delayed approving importation applications for elephant trophies from this country for five years. In the November issue of Conservation Force Bulletin, John J. Jackson, III of Conversation Force reports how the Service has sat on these applications without taking the first step to review them and has just now begun to ask Zambian authorities for information they already provided five years ago.

Once Zambia and Tanzania downlist their elephants at the next CITES Convention, US hunters will be free to import elephant trophies from these countries without an import permit, just as they already do for elephant from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Jackson will have more details on both the African lion efforts and the plans to downlist Tanzanian and Zambian elephant in the December issue of Conservation Force Bulletin.

VIERANAS SAFARIS - Namibia Eland Hunt

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:24:00 +0000

Blue Heaven
For the best in African bowhunting at an affordable price, never overlook this overlooked country. By Tim Herald

Admittedly, I am an African addict. I love the variety of game, the presence of truly dangerous game, the different cultures, the kaleidoscope of unforgettable sights, the unique smells, and the aura of the Dark Continent's historical hunting. However, South Africa has got a little tame for me, and countries like Tanzania, Botswana, and Zambia are beyond my budget.

Enter Namibia, located just above South Africa on the Atlantic coast. This independent nation is stable and safe, and the national language is English. Hunting opportunities abound in Namibia, from the famous Kalahari Desert, to the hill and mountain country, to the Caprivi Strip that can be as wet and wild as anywhere on the continent. Namibia has its game ranches, but it has plenty of quality free-range hunts, too.

A couple of years ago I met professional hunter (PH) Roger Coomber on the Accurate Reloading African Forums (http://forums.accuratereloading.com). Our mutual passion for bowhunting surfaced early, we became fast friends, and before long I was planning a bowhunt with Roger and his Vieranas Safaris. Roger saves the bulk of his land for bowhunting only.

After months of anticipation, a couple of friends and I took off from Cincinnati on our way to Windhoek, Namibia, via London. With a 15-hour layover in London, we spent the day sightseeing and made the final leg of the trip that evening. Roger met us in Windhoek and personally drove us to his place in the northern part of the country.

Before we began our hunt, Roger made us all pass a shooting proficiency test, which included shooting with broadheads through a narrow window frame that simulated a blind window. All of us passed, so we were good to hunt.

My number one priority was to take an eland. Roger had been seeing a herd at one of his waterholes, but they were drinking only every two to three days. He explained that this herd was ranging up to 30 miles and was likely leaving the property at times. With Cuddeback trail cams on most of his waterholes, he had identified two mature bulls in the group, one an ancient old bull with incredible mass and another with slightly longer horns that veered out into a wide "V."

When eland bulls grow old, their color turns from tan to slate gray, and they get a distinctive tuft of longer hair on the forehead. These old boys are commonly called blue bulls, and I had decided I would shoot only a blue bull. Knowing from Roger's trail cam photos that two such bulls roamed here, I vowed not to shoot any other animal until I got a shot at one of the big guys.

Well, I waited, and waited. During three full days in the blind, I saw giraffes, warthogs, and many other animals, including one tempting mature kudu bull. But I kept my resolve and passed on the shot.

Finally, a half hour before sundown on the third afternoon, a huge shadow passed over the window of the blind. Peeking out, I saw a bull eland standing 25 yards away but immediately realized he was a tan bull and not one of the old guys.

Then I heard the tell-tale click, click of an eland walking. Through my binoculars, I quickly spotted the wider-horned blue bull from Roger's trail photos. He was 75 yards out and coming.
By then, the younger bull was drinking, and the big bull strolled right in and started drinking, offering me a broadside shot. Still, I had a major problem. The younger bull was directly behind him. I hardly expected a pass-through on an animal that big, but I was not willing to take the chance.

After nearly five minutes of guzzling, the younger bull turned to leave, and immediately I drew my bow, settled my top pin low in the chest, and touched off my release. The arrow hit perfectly, and the bull jumped high, kicking his back legs like a bucking bronco.

The eland sprinted in an arc, but less than 80 yards from the blind his back end started to wobble and he went down. In my wildest dreams, I never anticipated shooting a monster bull eland and watching him fall within sight of my blind.

He was everything I had hoped for. His hide showed the blue-gray coloration of a bull past his prime. His long spiral horns had wonderful ivory tips and great mass. And the body was gargantuan. I have killed several kudu, two Cape buffalo, and many North American heavyweights like elk and moose, but for sheer bulk this eland blew them all away. He was a monster.

Cape Eland Bull

Without question, 33 hours in the same blind, numerous passed shots on other animals, and a stressful 10-minute encounter had all culminated in one of my most cherished hunting trophies, a giant blue bull.

When not chasing critters with his bow, the author serves as Director of Marketing for Bad Boy Buggies. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

Author's Notes: After taking my blue bull, I became an opportunist, meaning that any good trophy within range was fair game. That approach resulted in my taking a red hartebeest; a huge male baboon; a warthog; a gorgeous Hartmann's zebra; and, finally, on the last day of the hunt, a mature kudu bull, in my eyes absolutely the most beautiful and regal of all the plains game animals.

I used a BowTech 101st Airborne at 70 lbs. draw weight, Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350 arrows, 100-grain Wac 'Em broadheads, and Nikon's EDG 10x42 binoculars, critical for judging trophy quality and sex.

For an African hunt in a safe and stable environment, give Namibia a look. You can take six or more animals and be treated like a king for less than the cost of a New Mexico elk hunt.

Roger Coomber maintains a small operation so he can guarantee high-quality hunts for parties of one to four hunters. Roger is knowledgeable on all aspects of African bowhunting and practices the highest standards and ethics.
His prices are fantastic, and his bowhunting-only area of nearly 22,000 acres supports plenty of game. For further information on Robert Coomber's Vieranas Safaris, visit the website http://www.vieranasbowhunt.com/.

The above article appeared in BOWHUNTER MAGAZINE : http://www.bowhunter.com/

Warthog Boar

Red Hartebeest Bull

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Chackma Baboon

Southern Greater Kudu Bull

NAMIBIA: Father and Son Bowhunt

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Scott and Chris from Watkins Minnesota returned to hunt with Vieranas Safaris again at the end of August 2009, here are some of their excellent trophies taken with bow and arrow in Namibia during their 14 day hunt.

VIERANAS SAFARIS - main hunt camp "The Waterhole"

Scott's shot this mature Blue Wildebeest Bull

Chris shot a Blesbuck Ram

Chris and his Black-backed Jackal

Scott with his Black-baked Jackal

Chris with a beautifull trophy Red Hartebeest Bull

Scott shot this excellent Letchwe Ram

Chris and his Warthog Boar

Chris - Black Wildebeest Bull

Chris - Gemsbok / Oryx

Scott - Gemsbok / Oryx

Scott - Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Chris - Hartmann's Mounatin Zebra

Congratulations guys, keep those arrows flying straight!

AIR NAMIBIA FLY TO ZAMBIA

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:49:00 +0000

Windhoek — Air Namibia will launch a flight to Lusaka, Zambia from 25 October, the airline said this week.

The airline said it will operate five weekly flights between Windhoek and Lusaka, via Johannesburg. In addition to traffic between Namibia and Zambia, the airline will also offer flights for traffic between Johannesburg and Lusaka.

"We are also pleased to announce at the same time that we will be improving our service offering by providing an early morning departure at 08:10 from Windhoek to Johannesburg and an evening departure at 18:30 from Johannesburg to Windhoek.

This service improves the offering to Windhoek-based business and leisure travellers who can now travel to Johannesburg and return the same day, affording them a full business day.

The same service option is available to Johannesburg originating business and leisure travellers," the airline said. Air Namibia said the Lusaka route marks the beginning of its aggressive regional routes expansion to protect revenues that have come under immense pressure since the onset of the global financial crisis as well as claiming its rightful share in the long-standing battle for control of the continent's airspace.

"The introduction of the Lusaka route is in line with Air Namibia's business plan adopted in 2007 to consolidate and rationalise the existing route network. The airline aims to attain meaningful growth through optimisation and participation in the "open skies" initiative on the African continent.

The new route is also part of the contribution by Air Namibia to the realisation of the SADC vision of contributing towards regional economic growth," Air Namibia said.

The sector between Johannesburg and Lusaka will be done in cooperation with Zambezi Airlines. Air Namibia will operate five flights per week with Zambezi Airlines as a marketing carrier or code partner while Air Namibia will code share on Zambezi Airlines on Tuesdays and Thursdays

NAMIBIA: Photographer won Award of the Year

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:12:00 +0000

Picture copyright Hans Rack

A RENOWNED Namibian wildlife photographer Hans Rack has just scooped one of the most prestigious southern African wildlife awards by winning the Wildlife Photographer of The Year Award for 2009.

The competition is run by Fujifilm and Getaway magazine and is rated one of the top wildlife photographic competitions in Africa.
Hans is the first individual in Namibia to win this award.

His winning entry depicts a sub-adult lion and his siblings relaxed in front of a wide-angle camera lens, mounted on a remote-controlled camera inside a rock at a waterhole in Etosha.
Rack’s technique of close-up wildlife photography has won him many accolades in the past, including the Agfa Wildlife and Environmental Award in 2001 and 2003.

In 2006 he took first place in the Fujifilm Wildlife Environmental Awards and this year his overall winner award is accompanied by a first place in the Animals General Category and first runner-up in Animals Behavioural Category.

Hans will be exhibiting his wining images as well as a wide variety of wildlife photography using his special techniques, at Studio 77 from December 1 2009 to early January 2010.
Hans has previously exhibited at Studio 77 with an outstanding photographic documentation of Namibia’s wild desert horses.

Hans’s photography has the viewer in awe with his ability to get close to wildlife.
His techniques are a combination of skills that transverse the fields of engineering and digital photography, so that the camera’s vantage point is from a wide-angle perspective from close range.

Mounted inside a rock-like structure on a remote-controlled ‘moon rover’ transmitting signals to a video screen, Hans is able to guide the movements of his camera all over waterholes, getting as close to wildlife as he pleases.

Often Hans has to quickly manoeuvre the ‘moon rover’ out of the way of a lion’s paw or the heavy foot of an elephant.

With these tools and the magic of digital photography, Hans has developed this unique method to such a level that he drew compliments from renowned wildlife and National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting when he recently visited Namibia.

NAMIBIA: Wildlife worth Billions

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:11:00 +0000

NAMIBIA’S wildlife is worth an estimated N$10,5 billion, a scientific survey has revealed.
Presenting their findings on Tuesday at an event organised by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, experts Olimpio Nhuleipo and Peter Muteyauli said the wildlife figures they used in their calculations date back to 2004.

“We used the integrated environmental and economic accounting (IEEA) system of the UN,” said Nhuleipo, an environmental economist at the Ministry. “Wildlife stocks represent a significant national asset, comparable with assets like minerals, fish and forests. About two million larger animals live in Namibia and the direct economic benefit recently through photo tourism, trophy hunting, game meat and leather products among others came to N$700 million, representing about 2,1 per cent of the annual Gross National Product. “This compares well with the 4,6 per cent contribution of agriculture or 5 per cent of the fishing sector to GNP,” said Peter Muteyauli, who also works in the Ministry’s environmental economics unit.Most of the wild animals – about 88 per cent – live on private land such as commercial farms and private game reserves.

Nhuleipo and Muteyauli concluded that investing in wildlife and related tourism activities, and commercialising game meat would increase the economic contribution of this sector.The full report ‘Wildlife Accounts For Namibia 2004’ is available online at http://www.met.gov.na/.
BRIGITTE WEIDLICH

2010 Rifle Hunting Special : March - May

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:55:00 +0000

VIERANAS SAFARIS - EARLY BIRD HUNT SPECIAL

DATES: March – May 2010
HUNT AREA: North-West Namibia
METHOD OF TAKE: Rifle Only

10 Days Hunting – Minimum 2 hunters per group - $ 2500.00

NO HIGH FENCES ALL NATURAL OCCURRING GAME
Kudu - $ 1000
Gemsbok - $ 600
Springbok - $ 400
Warthog - $ 400
Steenbok - $ 400
Duiker - $ 400
Eland - $ 1500
Damara Dik-Dik - $ 1600
Klipspringer - $ 850
Mountain Zebra - $ 900
Giraffe - $ 1300
Jackal / Baboon – FREE

Included:
-10 Days hunting + 2 days arrival/departure travel
-Return airport/hunt area transfers, transport inside hunting areas
-All Accommodations and laundry
-All meals and refreshments during the hunt
-Fruit juice and house wine with meals
-PH/ guide, trackers, 4x4 hunting vehicle
-Skinning and field preparation of trophies
-Trophy hunting permits, delivery of trophies to a local taxidermist
-15% VAT on hunt fees
-15% VAT on all exported trophies

Not included:
-Trophy fees, NAPHA trophy medals
-Taxidermist and/or shipping fees
-Alcoholic drinks
-International telephone/ fax calls
-Photographic Safaris and excursions
-Airfares and travel expenses prior to and after your hunt date
-15% VAT on animals not exported

-Receipt of a deposit equal to 50% of the total package day fees confirms the hunt, the remainder of the hunt fees are due no later than 30 days prior to your arrival in Namibia
-Trophy fees for animals harvested, side trips and personal expenses incurred during the hunt will be payable in full on the last day of the hunt.
-All animals wounded and not found are accepted as taken and therefore paid in full.

For more information or to book your hunt contact Vieranas Safaris

INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:40:00 +0000

On September 05, 2009 more than a 100 organizations will celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day around the World.

Vulture awareness and conservation are being actively promoted by organizations such as Vultures Namibia, Rare and Endangered Species Trust, Raptors Namibia and NARREC. Workshops on the correct and ethical use of poison on livestock farms, ringing of birds, talks with conservancies, schools and the local media have made Namibians aware of the plight of the vulture.

These are the most commonly found Vultures in Namibia:

White-backed vulture

Lappet-faced vulture

Cape vulture

White-hooded vulture

Here is a look at the main causes of deaths and threats to the natural vulture populations in Namibia:

-Poisoning of Vultures remains a huge threat to the country’s vulture populations. Poison is often used by livestock farmers in their fight against varmint like Jackal, Wild cats, Feral dogs and Hyena, these predators cause stock losses and a substantial financial loss to the livestock farmer. Vultures die mainly from this type of secondary poisoning.

-Improved farming methods means less domestic animal deaths on livestock farms therefore less food for vultures

-Due to Namibia’s increased popularity as a tourist destination breeding sites that was once off the beaten track are disturbed and even destroyed with the building of lodges and camp sites in remote wilderness areas thus resulting in eggs and chicks being abandoned

-Poaching of wild naturally occurring game in certain areas caused game to move, leaving these areas with no natural game to sustain vulture populations.

-Man made structures; vultures collide with power lines and injure or electrocute themselves.

VIERANAS SAFARIS applaud the continued promotion of vulture awareness in Namibia and their importance and value to a balanced eco-system. We strongly condemn the use of poisons and trapping of all Raptors!

We’ve had four sightings of White-backed and Lappet-faced vultures in our main hunt area in the north-western region of Namibia and are very happy to report a pair of Black Eagles are nesting in the area as well.

VIERANAS SAFARIS - American Archer TV

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:57:00 +0000

TUNE IN AND WATCH VIERANAS SAFARIS ON THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL

DEAD DOWN WIND - AMERCIAN ARCHER

RETURN TO NAMIBIA
Friday, August 21, 2009 @ 11:00AM

VIERANAS SAFARIS - Wolf Creek Productions

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:47:00 +0000

In an earlier blog post we reported on the Trijicon Outdoor America show featuring VIERANAS SAFARIS all 3 episodes is now available from the Wolf Creek Productions website for download or purchase:

OA-323 Namibia #1 - $0.99 : Wolf Creek Productions, Inc. Online Store, Hunting Goods, Supplies, The

OA-329 Hunting With Friends: Africa II - $0.99 : Wolf Creek Productions, Inc. Online Store, Hunting

OA-332 Africa III - $0.99 : Wolf Creek Productions, Inc. Online Store, Hunting Goods, Supplies, The

NAMIBIA: Suspend Leopard & Cheetah Hunting

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:35:00 +0000

VIERANAS SAFARIS is a proud member of the Namibia Professional Hunters Association, we fully support the following Press Release from NAPHA with regard to all unethical and illegal hunting of Leopard and Cheetah in Namibia:

NAMIBIAN TROPHY HUNTING INDUSTRY DECIDES ON DRASTIC MEASURES TO ENSURE FAIR-CHASE, ETHICAL HUNTING
The Executive Committee of the Namibian Professional Hunting Association – NAPHA – called an urgent Special General Meeting of members on the 31st July in order to discuss the challenges currently facing Leopard and Cheetah hunting in Namibia.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued a moratorium for Cheetah Trophy Hunting Permits and Leopard Trophy Hunting Permits for 2009, on the 24th April and 15th June ‘09 respectively. Reasoning for the moratoria on issuing trophy permits for these two species was that the CITES export quota had been exhausted. This Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s decision was supported by the Association and the members, although a few Hunting Professionals were forced to inform hunting clients of the development at short notice.

As increasing reports of alleged unscrupulous, unethical and illegal hunting practices, often involving unregistered and unqualified persons (often foreigners) posing as hunting professionals had reached NAPHA, the Executive Committee was of the opinion that urgent action was required in order to secure the future of the Namibian trophy hunting industry as well as the reputation of Namibia as a destination for fair chase and ethical trophy hunting.

Lively discussion and debates on the status quo and the future of Leopard and Cheetah hunting, as well as the hunting of Leopard with hounds, took place at the meeting which lasted for 6 hours. The following motions, which will determine the immediate as well as long-term future of trophy hunting in Namibia, were passed by an overwhelming majority:

The NAPHA Executive Committee is instructed to request the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism to:
1. Temporarily suspend Leopard hunting with hounds with immediate effect;
2. Not to issue Leopard Trophy Hunting Permits for 2010 in order to use the year to put effective Leopard trophy hunting control mechanisms in place;
3. Not to issue Cheetah Trophy Hunting Permits for 2010 in order to use the year to put effective Cheetah trophy hunting control mechanism in place.

A Predator Hunting Committee was elected to work on the drawing-up and implementation of effective hunting control mechanisms.

The Namibian Professional Hunting Association advises all trophy hunters arriving in Namibia that it is essential to make sure that their Outfitter, Hunting Guide or PH is in possession of an original Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism Trophy Hunting Permit which specifies the following:
1. Name of client;
2. Name of Hunting Guide or PH who will personally guide the client throughout the hunt;
3. Valid date;
4. Huntable species.

It is important to be in possession of this document before commencing the hunt, as failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution and the confiscation of hunting trophies by the authorities.

SOUTH AFRICA: International Drivers License now requred for rental vehicles

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:44:00 +0000

Please be advised that an international drivers license is now required in order to drive a rental car in South Africa.

The following extract from the Automobile Association of South Africa's website:

Please be advised that the South African Traffic Department are now enforcing a law which was passed in 1998 that travelers to South Africa wishing to rent a motor vehicle whilst in this country must be in possession of a valid "International Drivers Permit/License". Should travelers neglect to obtain this document before leaving their country of residence, they will not be permitted to hire a vehicle in South Africa.

International Drivers Licenses can be obtained from your nearest AAA office. Take along your valid U.S. driver's license, U$15 and two passport size photos

You may also wish to obtain your International Driving License application in advance. NOTE: International Drivers License may not be issued more than six (6) months in advance of the desired effective date.

Simply print out the application and complete all with all the information requested and bring it with your nearest AAA office.

For more information visit the website of the Automobile Association of South Africa

Air Namibia - Online Check-In

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:43:00 +0000

VIERANAS SAFARIS Hunt / Fish / Tour - Namibia Africa Contact us for your next safari

Air Namibia has introduced Web Online-Check-In! (Launched: 02JUL09)

Web check-in opens 24 hours prior to flight departure and closes 3 hours before departure.

All passengers are eligible to use the Online Check-in facility except:
-Passengers travelling in a group (under a group name and more than 10 passengers in the group – check-in must be done via the traditional airline check-in desk)
-Passengers with a Special Service request, i.e. a wheelchair, unaccompanied minor, assistance at the airport due to medical reasons i.e. blindness, slow walker, etc
-Passengers requiring medical assistance i.e. a stretcher, extra oxygen, etc Passengers with a standby or open ticket
-Passengers, who do not have a confirmed booking on the flight, i.e. are waitlisted

Baggage-drop-off counters will be available in Frankfurt (FRA) and Windhoek (WDH)

For more information, please visit: https://fastcheck.sita.aero/cce-presentation-web-sw/entryUpdate.do

VIERANAS SAFARIS - July 2009 e-News

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Vieranas Safaris eNews - Issue 3 : 2009
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

DEAR SAFARI FRIENDS AND FELLOW HUNTERS

We hope to find you all well.
Winter has arrived with chilly nights and even frost, the hunting season is well underway and we would like to thank all our hunting friends who already hunted with us this hunt season, making us part of memories of a lifetime.

VIERANAS SAFARIS had an incredible few months in terms of press and media exposure. Following the airing of Trijicon Outdoor America on the Outdoor Channel we feature in the North American Hunter and September issue of Bowhunter Magazine, articles written by Tim Herald.
Ray Scott wrote about his hunt in 2008 which appeared in the Bowhunting Down Under Magazine.

---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

CANCELLATION HUNT
U$ 2000.00 buys you a fully guided 8 hunt day / 9 nights in camp at the main hunt area in North West Namibia. This is a “build your own safari” package so you just pay trophy fees. Animals available: Kudu, Oryx, Red Hartebeest, Mountain Zebra, Warthog, Steenbok, Duiker, Giraffe, Springbok, Eland, Jackal, Baboon.

This 10 Day hunting package includes the following:
-Hunt camp accommodation, 3 meals a day, drinks in moderation, laundry
-8 fully guided hunt days on 1x1 hunt basis + 2 days arrival / departure travel
-Windhoek Airport – Hunt Camp – Windhoek Airport road transfer
-4x4 hunt vehicle with all transport inside hunting areas
-Tracker, skinner and field preparations of trophies
-Plains game trophy hunt permit
-Delivery of trophies to taxidermist / shipping agent
-15% VAT tax on package and trophy fees

Not included:
-Trophy fees of animals harvested / wounded and not found
-Taxidermist / Shipping documentation and work fees
-Travel expenses prior to and after hunt dates
-Gratuities and Photographic Safaris

The date for the Cancellation Hunt is: 06-15 September 2009.
Contact us for details

Follow VIERANAS SAFARIS on the Web and join our Social Network:

Subscribe to VIERANAS SAFARIS eNews

CITES: 58th Standing Committee Meeting

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:26:00 +0000

VIERANAS SAFARIS - Bow hunting Rifle hunt Trophy plains game outfitter Namibia Africa

During the 58th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee in Geneva, Switzerland from July 6-10, 2009 the following urgent points will be discussed:

Rhino poaching in southern Africa
Poaching of rhinoceroses and illegal trade in their valuable horns for use in traditional medicine is one of the most serious criminal activities currently facing the Convention. It is also undermining at least 20 years of conservation efforts in southern Africa.

Detected cases of rhinoceros horn smuggling from Africa to Asia reveal that criminal networks are using sophisticated techniques, corruption and abuse of diplomatic immunity to perpetrate their crimes. Poaching of these animals is highly dangerous and, this year alone, several poachers have been killed during exchanges of gunfire with wildlife and parks department patrols.

The Standing Committee decided last year on the establishment of a CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force, consisting of law enforcement officials from a range of countries, together with representatives of Interpol and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

This year, the Committee will review the recommendations of the task force and consider new measures to protect these animals. Although rhinoceros populations saw an increase in numbers in the 1990s, the recent upsurge in poaching and illegal trade is a serious threat to their survival in some countries. It is estimated that over 200 rhinoceroses have been poached in southern Africa in the past year.

Other issues
The Committee will consider a report on the use of the 15 million USD generated by the sale of 102 tons of stockpiled ivory at the end of last year. Southern African states are reporting that the income generated (3 times the annual budget of the Convention) will be used exclusively for elephant conservation and community development programmes within or adjacent to the elephant ranges. The average price paid was USD 157 per kg, which contrasts sharply with the prices allegedly fetched on the illegal market over the past year (USD 1,800).

Additionally, the Committee will provide guidance on the interpretation of the criteria used to list marine and other species under CITES. This guidance will have a long-standing impact on the proposals that member countries can submit to adjust the rules governing wildlife trade. Countries will vote to accept, reject or modify proposals for amending the CITES rules at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to take place in 2010. Arrangements for the 2010 CITES Conference will be also discussed at the present meeting.

The meeting will finally consider the regional reports on the state of wildlife trade and implementation of CITES rules in Africa, Asia, Central, South America and the Caribbean, Europe, North America and Oceania and the results of a workshop on wildlife policy reviews organized for the 22 member States of the Arab League.

For more information visit the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora website.

ADDRESSES OF NAMIBIAN MISSIONS ABROAD

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:02:00 +0000

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in Angola
PO Box 953
Luanda
ANGOLA
Tel: 00-244-2-2-2-397 335 / 335583
Fax: 00-244-2-2-2-339 234
Email: embnam@netangola.com

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to Austria
Ungargasse 33/5th Floor
A-1030, Vienna
AUSTRIA
Tel: 00-43-1-402 9371/2/3
Fax: 00-43-1-402 9370
Email: nam.emb.vienna@speed.at
Website: www.embnamibia.at

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to Belgium & EU
Avenue de Tervuren 454
B1150 Brussels, BELGIUM
Tel: 00-32-2-771 1410
Fax: 00-32-2-771 9689
Email: nam.emb@brutele.be

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to Brazil
SHIS QI 09, Conjunto 08
CASA 11- LAGO SUL
CEP: 71.645-080
BRASILIA - DF
Tel: 00-5561-3248-6274
00-5561-3248-7621
Fax: 00-5561-3248-7135
Email: info@embassyofnamibia.org.br
Website: www.embassyofnamibia.org.br

High Commission of the Republic of Namibia to
Botswana
P.O. Box 987
Debswana House
GABARONE
Tel: 00-267-390 2181
Fax: 00-267-390 2248
Email: nhc.gabs@info.bw

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to China
2-9- Ta Yuan
Diplomatic Office Building
BEIJING
100600
Tel: 00-86-10-653 24810 / 653 22211
Fax: 00-86-10-653 24549
Email: namemb@eastnet.com.cn

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to Cuba
36 Street no. 504 between 5th and 5th
A Miramar, PLAYA – HAVANA, CUBA
Tel: 00-53-7-204 1428/204 1430
Fax: 00-53-7-204 1431
Email: embnamib@ceniai.inf.cu / mfahav@enet.cu

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to DRC
138 Boulevard du 30 Juin
Kinshasa
GOMBE DRC
Tel: 00-243-81 880 7208 (general line)
Fax: 00-243-81 301 0546
Email: namembassy_drc@ic.cd

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to Ethiopia & AU
Bole Road W.17 K.19
House No. 002
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
Tel: 00-251-11-6-611 966/6612 055
Fax: 00-251-11-6-612 677
Email: nam.emb@telecom.net.et

ZIMBABWE: Park loses U$5 million to poaching

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:32:00 +0000

ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has lost more than US$5 million in revenue due to poaching and other indirect operations.

The director of conservation, Mr Vitalis Chadenga, said the authority has lost US$5 million through poaching.

"Poaching has become a major problem and we lost quite a number of our black rhinos and measures have been put in place to counter the problem," he said.

Areas hardest hit by rhino poachers are Lake Chivero, the Midlands, Hwange and the south-eastern Lowveld, where there are many unlicensed guns smuggled through the country’s porous border with Mozambique.

The parks authority is currently exploring ways of curbing the poaching of rhinos by reviving intensive patrol zones that were successfully employed in the past to combat poaching of endangered species like rhinos.

Mr Chadenga also revealed that efforts are underway to recruit and train more rangers to beef up staff to tackle the new challenges posed by poachers.

The parks authority is also working with other stakeholders such as the police and private conservancies to come up with new strategies to combat poaching, he said.

Environmental and Natural Resources Management Minister Francis Nhema acknowledged that there has been a steady decline in poaching after the nation embarked on an intensive awareness campaign in communities surrounded by parks.

"We are seeing a decline in cases of rhino poaching after we held massive campaigns in these communities educating them about the value of the animals and their importance to the economy."

After our successive operations with the police and army we are making a lot of difference in these parks and our security forces on the ground have been assisting us to flush out poachers," said Minister Nhema

The killing of at least 70 rhinos in the past 12 months by well-co-ordinated poaching syndicates around the world has placed the country on the agenda of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) meetings scheduled for next year.

Since January this year, at least 10 poachers have been shot dead and several arrested trying to kill and de-horn rhinos around the country.

Minister Nhema added that the availability of resources has also enhanced the decline in cases of poaching around the targeted areas.

"We now have sufficient equipment and resources to carry out our operations in rhino-infested areas as this is also assisting us in nabbing the poachers."

Our rhinos now have collar bands through which we can easily track them in a given radius, therefore monitoring of the animals has become easier," he said.

Government has been making concerted efforts to de-horn rhinos so as to reduce their value to poachers, but the process must be repeated because the horns sprout after a given period.

Recently the ministry has been relocating rhinos to safe areas near towns so as to derail attempts of poaching. The surge in poaching in recent years is partly attributed to the rising demand for rhino horns by the Chinese black market.

Mr Nhema added that the security forces and the community awareness campaigns in the country’s rhino-infested areas would continue until rhino killing has gone down.

Article from The Sunday Mail - Kudakwashe Mutandi

TANZANIA:Woman caught smuggling ivory to China

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:03:00 +0000

FOUR suspects, including a self-described Dar es Salaam businesswoman and three airport officials employed by the Government, have been arrested at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) for allegedly trying to smuggle ivory and other Government trophies to China.

The woman, 27-year old Devota Kassolo, is said to have been caught with whole elephant tusks and carvings made from ivory stuffed into a suitcase and destined for the Far East.

Three employees of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) - Bakari Rashid, Nicholaus Jeremia, and Edmund Kabushemela were also nabbed for allegedly colluding with her in the smuggling attempt.

After being detained in custody following her arrest on Tuesday night, Ms Kassolo - who identified herself as a businesswoman - told the police in front of reporters at the airport that the consignment belonged to a Chinese national based in Dar es Salaam known as ’’Mr Zhung.’’

She claimed to be just working for the Chinese man and did not know the origins of the elephant tusks and other Government trophies.

’’These items are not mine...I was just following instructions from the owner whose name is Mr Zhung,’’ she pleaded with police in front of reporters.

She said ’’Mr Zhung’’ had told her all the key airport officials had been ’’sorted out’’ to ensure the illegal consignment passed through airport security unhindered.

The Commander of the Airport Police Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mwajuma Kiponza, said police officers on duty on Tuesday evening observed suspicious movements by several airport employees as the suitcase went through the usual customs checking procedures.

They (police) then intervened and ordered that the suitcase be opened, hence discovering the Government trophies within.

ACP Kiponza described it as ’’the biggest heist of ivory ever made at this airport.’’ She said several Chinese nationals have in the past been arrested with smaller packages of Government trophies.

’’We are still investigating this incident with a view to arresting more suspects,’’ she added.

The Government trophies seized on Tuesday included five elephant tusks, 55 ivory sculptures, 86 chopsticks made from jumbo tusks, jewellery, and dozens of other items made from ivory.

Police also found 60 lion claws and teeth, 82 bracelets and rings made from turtle shells, and several other items. Suspected cocaine narcotics were also found in the suitcase.

Officials said the entire contraband, which weighs a total of 53 kilogrammes, will be sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism for verification of total value.

A recently-devised revolutionary genetic technique to pinpoint areas in Africa where elephants are being slaughtered more frequently has revealed that Tanzania is at the centre of the continent’s poaching activities to feed a worldwide trade in illegal ivory.

Using a DNA map of Africa’s elephants, scientists have found that most recent seizures of jumbo tusks can be traced to animals that grazed in the Selous Game Reserve, situated in the country’s southern zone.

The discovery suggests that only a handful of cartels are responsible for most of the world’s booming trade in illegal ivory, and for the annual slaughter of tens of thousands of elephants.

The smuggled ivory is said to be aimed at satisfying the Far East’s growing appetite for ivory, a new status symbol for the middle classes of the region’s swelling industrialized economies.

As a result, ivory prices have soared from $200 a kilo in 2004 to more than $6,000 today.

Six officials of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) are currently facing court charges on suspicion of involvement in a multi-million-dollar organised crime syndicate smuggling large numbers of elephant tusks through the port of Dar es Salaam to foreign lands.

The TRA sixtet were arrested specifically in connection with the smuggling of jumbo tusks worth a staggering $29.41m (approx. 40bn/-) from Tanzania to Vietnam in March this year .

Article from ThisDay: Sayuni Kimaro

SOUTH AFRICA: Park staff caught poaching

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:01:00 +0000

Since the beginning of 2008 forty-five white rhino and two black rhino has been poached inside the Kruger National Park in South Africa said Water and Environment Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.

Two staff members of Sanparks (South African National Parks) were found with poached fauna, the first a traffic officer from the Kruger National Park who had poached Rhino horn in his possession.
The second a ranger sergeant from the Table Mountain National Park who was arrested for having poached 122 Abalone. Both staff members were fired and face criminal charges.

Since the beginning of last year, 15 Buffalo, 3 Lion, 2 Giraffe, 8 Kudu, 5 Zebra, 87 Impala, 7000 fish and several bird species and smaller antelope have been poached in the Kruger National Park.

During the same period 5 676 abalone, 20765 fish, 2677 plants, 210 rock lobster and 2 baboons have been poached in the Table Mountain National Park.

Why Do Zebras Have Stripes?

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:23:00 +0000

The general believe is that Zebras are actually dark with white stripes, the pigmentation found only in the animals’ hair and not the skin, is inhibited.

So the question "Why do Zebra have stripes?" Scientists believe through evolution that the Equidae are striped because of the following:

- The stripes serve as camouflage; colour blind animals for example lions can confuse Zebras with tall grass in the savannah, especially at dusk when they are in herds

- Biting insects like the tsetse fly favour single-coloured animals; tsetse flies are carriers of sleeping sickness. Horses and donkeys suffer far more than Zebra from sleeping sickness.

- The stripes act as a cooling system through convection; the black stripes can be up to 10 °C hotter than the white stripes, causing air circulation and cooling the Zebra down

No two Zebra have the same stripe pattern; they use this to identify each other. A Zebra foal will recognize his mother on her stripe pattern and vice versa.

Burchell's Plains Zebra are recognized by the shadow stripe between the black stripes. Trophy was hunted with Bow and arrow with Vieranas Safaris.

Hartmann's Zebra have pure black and white stripes with a noticeable dew lap.

The Mountain Zebra is naturally occurring in the main Bow and Rifle hunt areas of Vieranas Safaris.

NAMIBIA hosts meet on 'blood diamonds'

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:25:00 +0000

WINDHOEK: Diamond-producing nations open a meeting Tuesday to review global efforts to prevent trade in the gems from fuelling conflicts, with an eye on alleged abuses in Zimbabwe and Venezuela's recent suspension.

An international scheme known as the Kimberley Process, named after a South African mining town, was launched in 2003 with the aim of curbing the flow of "blood diamonds" into the mainstream market.

Namibia, which currently heads the process, is hosting the three-day meeting to deliberate on efforts to further curb the illegal diamond trade blamed for financing wars in developing countries.

About 200 delegates are attending the meeting in the Namibian capital, where roads were blocked around the hotel with heavy security for the closed-door talks.

The Kimberley scheme aims to certify diamonds to prove to buyers that they are not linked to violent conflicts. But rights groups have already sounded the alarm over possible violations of the pact in Zimbabwe, while Venezuela recently withdrew for two years to address concerns about its compliance with the regime.

"The clock is running out on Kimberley Process credibility," said Annie Dunnebacke of the London-based Global Witness, which monitors the exploitation of natural resources.

"The work it was set up to do is vital — it would be scandalous if uncooperative governments and industry succeeded in hobbling it into ineffectiveness."

Global Witness has pointed to worries over smuggling, money laundering and human rights abuses in the world's alluvial diamond fields. In Zimbabwe, the Kimberley Process is preparing a new report into claims of government-led human rights abuse in diamond mining areas, as well as smuggling and weak internal controls.

Kimberley officials visited Zimbabwe in March to express concern to authorities over the allegations. The World Federation of Diamond Bourses in April banned the sale of diamonds from the eastern Zimbabwean region of Marange, after authorities sealed off the area to allow a state-run firm to gather the gems amid reports that small-scale miners were forcibly evicted. Venezuela agreed in September 2008 to suspend its diamond trade until new control systems could be established, after it stopped reporting its production and exports in 2005.

Most diamond mining in the South American country is conducted by small-scale miners who are supposed to belong to cooperatives that submit monthly reports to authorities. The rights group Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) sent a mission to Venezuela in May and found that diamonds are still being mined and smuggled into legitimate markets with the knowledge of authorities, despite the suspension.

"In condoning the status quo, the Kimberley Process has become an active party in an overt diamond smuggling enterprise," PAC said in its report. Other countries of concern were Lebanon and Guinea, which were exporting significantly more gem-quality rough diamonds than they import, Global Witness said. Guinea has seen a 500 percent increase in its exports over just two years, the group said.

The Kimberley Process emerged from global outrage over conflicts in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone. In back-to-back conflicts in those nations from 1989 to 2003, rivals plundered Liberia's wood and diamond resources to purchase the arms they used to wage war in a conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Now the Kimberley Process covers about 99.8% of the world's production of rough diamonds, with 49 members representing 75 countries working within the scheme. Under Kimberley, rough diamonds are sealed in tamper-resistant containers and required to have forgery-resistant, conflict-free certificates with unique serial numbers each time they cross an international border. -The Times of India

NAMIBIA: More Roan & Tsessebe Would Boost Revenue

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:46:00 +0000

WINDHOEK – Increasing the densities of roan antelope and tsessebe could increase the numbers of hunter days five-fold and also double the gross income earned from the wildlife species.This is contained in the background information and species management guidelines for Namibia’s rare and valuable roan, a sable antelope and tsessebe – a booklet released last year by the Transboundary Mammal Project of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.Namibia has about 800 roan antelopes, 1 200 sable antelope and 350 tsessebe. Half of these animals are on freehold farms while the rest are in areas with low rainfall which does not augur well for their survival.

The three are classified as Low Risk Conservation Dependent, meaning they are not threatened at the global, continental and regional levels.

They are however of conservation concern in Namibia because their numbers are low and declining. Many of their sub-populations are also isolated from one another.

The booklet says substantial populations of the three species are likely to have significant effects on wildlife tourism for game viewing, live capture and sale and sport hunting.

“Enhancing the populations of these antelopes would further increase land use values as existing wildlife uses are already more profitable than subsistence agriculture and cattle husbandry – the role or potential role of these species in a land use context is very significant,” says the booklet, adding that the development of substantial populations of the three species on private farms will probably also increase the viability of the farms.

The effects of the increase would be more pronounced in Caprivi and Kavango regions, which are already guaranteed tourist destinations.

Roan, sable and tsessebe are highly prized hunting trophies, whose potential income from sport hunting could almost double by including reasonable quotas of these species in international sport hunting quotas.

The booklet says the high value of the species in international safari hunting could result in the net income from wildlife-based land use being substantially increased.

“If the densities of roan and tsessebe could be increased from one square kilometer and sable density increased to two kilometers, this would result in the five-fold increase in the numbers of hunter days, a doubling of gross income from about US$5 per hectare to US$10 per hectare and an increase of some 20 percent in net earnings from the land,” it said.

Auction prices per animal in May 2008 were N$120 000 for roan antelope, N$160 000 for sable antelope and N$21 000 for tsessebe, according to the booklet.

The contribution of the three species to the potential earnings under non-hunting tourism in certain parts of the range could be even higher. Especially in areas where tourism is low, such as in the northeastern part of Namibia, an abundance of the species would make a difference.

Wezi Tjaronda - The New Era

Court Ruling On South African Lion Hunting

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:53:00 +0000

VIERANAS SAFARIS is totally opposed against all Canned Lion hunting and strongly support Fair Chase hunting.

This report by "The Hunting Report" on a recent Court Ruling in South Africa regarding the hunting of Lion - Barbara Crown, Editor.

Anyone who has booked a lion hunt in South Africa, or is considering a lion hunt there, should be aware that big changes are likely on the way in how these hunts are conducted in the future. That's because the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein, South Africa, has ruled that captive-bred lions must be allowed to roam freely for two years before being hunted.

You'll recall that the South African Predator Breeders Association had taken the South African government to court when the new wildlife regulations that were passed in 2007 required the two-year release of lions bred for hunting. The association argued the requirement is so financially burdensome that it would destroy the captive-bred lion hunting industry. The requirement for the two-year release, and the applicability of other regulations on lion, was suspended pending the outcome of the case.

Now that a judge has ruled on the issue, the required two-year release period is bound to cause some cancellations and shuffling of safari dates. At this writing, it was unknown when the regulations would take effect, but I'm told the change is not likely to occur very soon, as the regulations currently in force need to be legally amended to include lion. I should have more details for a complete report in the July issue of The Hunting Report.

As for the future of lion hunting in South Africa, a flurry of newspaper articles and online forum postings rang the death knell for lion breeders and lion hunting. Reports claimed that breeders would be euthanizing 3,000 captive-bred lions and up to 5,000 people would be out of work. But my sources tell me that lion hunting in South Africa is likely to survive, albeit on a smaller scale and with operators who have already taken steps to bring their lion hunts in line with the regulations initially passed two years ago. See my July report for all the developments.

Visit "The Hunting Report" website and subscribe to their E-Mail Extra Bulletin for up to date news on world hunting.

Hunt Namibia with VIERANAS SAFARIS

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:33:00 +0000

2008 Namibia Rifle Hunt with VIERANAS SAFARIS - Karen Meyer
“EXPERIENCE OVERLOAD” is what I must say about my visit to Namibia and VIERANAS SAFARIS. Much more success hunting than I ever dreamed. Thank you for opening my eyes to a whole different way of life.
I enjoyed the wonderful food and the sincere friendship and hospitality

“Magnificent” Warthog
Warthogs are gray, hairy, ugly, and dirty looking. Why would anyone want one? Late morning on my first day of hunting we arrived at a lovely pond nestled in foothills. Tracker Pete, guide Andre and I walked in and sat in the shade under some bushes. We had not been there more than 10 minutes when Andre on my right whispered warthog and indicated to my left. At that distance I could hardly see it walking in. Andre said it looked like a “nice” warthog. As it got closer he said it was a “good” warthog. He then said it was a “really big” warthog. When the warthog was about 10 feet from the water’s edge, Andre exclaimed that it was a “magnificent warthog”. I thought, darn, maybe I’d better shoot it. I had already put my rifle up on the short sticks. The warthog dropped where it stood. It ranged 92 yards across the pond. I immediately christened the pond “Lake Karen”

Springbok
Mid afternoon while driving across flatland in bright sunshine we came across a small Springbok herd off to our right. We drove farther past them and stopped. Tracker Pete, guide Andre and I stalked parallel to the herd for 30 minutes and then began to move to the right. We came up behind them. I mounted my rifle on the safari sticks and made a good shot before my trophy was able to moved out of clear range.

Kudu
While making periodic scouting visits to the pond, aka “Lake Karen”, it was concluded that unlike the Warthog, the large animals were coming in at the other end where two hills dropped down and came together at a shady cove. A plan was hatched to go back the next day and build a blind on the open bank across from the cove. I watched in fascination as tracker Pete and guide Andre wired a structure of cut mopane trees, wrapped it in camo cloth, and hung cut leafy branches around the outside. Work stopped when a herd of Oryx came to drink in the cove. The finishing touches to the blind included a wool blanket on the floor and folding camp chairs inside facing the cove. An hour passed and we decided to have our sandwiches, cookies, and Coke. I had just finished the last of my Coke when a herd of Kudu appeared in the cover. Andre pointed out his preference. It all came together for me. The perfect scope setting, a solid rest on the sticks, and time enough to perfectly place the shot. Distance ranged 120 yards.

Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
After taking the two animals I had wanted, the Springbok and Kudu, a last minute decision was made to also hunt a Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. After climbing to the top of a mountain of boulders, called a kopje, tracker Colin, guide Andre, and I sat four hours in the sun watching for Zebra known to be in the area. After going back to the truck for lunch we set out to roam over hill and dale in search of the elusive Zebra. Just as hope was fading late afternoon, Andre spotted a Zebra standing farther down the dirt road under a tree. An amazing sight happened when I took the shot. Out of the brush to the right of the road flushed perhaps twenty-some Zebra. They ran across the road in front of us and up the hill, my Zebra going with them. Colin and Andre sprinted up the hill as well. As I followed up the hill, I was quickly reminded that once you lose site of the truck you are lost in a world of rocks and bushes. It took some time for Colin and Andre to locate my Zebra, and it took a little more time for me to locate them.

Return of the Royal Barbary Lion

vieranas@gmail.com (VIERANAS SAFARIS) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:06:00 +0000

A possible Barbary lion once living in Leipzig Zoo

A royal stud book could help return the majestic Barbary lion to the wild.
Conservationists have created a stud book detailing every descendant of a group of lions once owned by the Sultan of Morocco.
These blue-blooded royal lions, all captive, are suspected to be the last Barbary lions in existence.

The stud book will help establish a breeding programme, and could also settle a controversy over whether the Barbary lion was a unique subspecies.
The Barbary lion is one of the most enigmatic of all large predators, both due to its impressive appearance and uncertainty over its fate.
Once numerous across north Africa, the Barbary lion was the most physically distinctive type of lion, including those living elsewhere in Africa and Asia.

Now that we have this information, zoos can come together and plan breeding exchanges to avoid inbreeding Conservationist Simon Black
It had an extensive mane, and differences in the shape of its head included a more pointed crown and narrow muzzle. People at the time also talked of it being larger, with different coloured eyes to other lions, though it is unclear whether either difference was real.
"Historical records suggest that certain behaviours in Barbary lions were also distinctive, for example, they tended to live in pairs or small family groups rather than the prides familiar in Africa," says Simon Black, of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK.

The last firm record of a Barbary lion is an animal shot in Morocco in 1927, though there is circumstantial evidence that Barbary lions may have survived in the wild in the Atlas Mountains till 1942.
However, even by 1899, the lions were becoming rare in the wild, with those seen most often belonging to the Sultan of Morocco.
In 1912, these lions were moved from an original captive location near the Atlas Mountains to a lion garden at the Royal Palace in Rabat.
When the last Sultan was forced to abdicate in 1953, the lions were moved to two zoos, but on his return in 1955, 17 were returned to the Palace.
In 1973, their descendants were moved to Rabat zoo at Temara. Later, further examinations suggested that these zoo lions shared the characteristics of Barbary lions.

"There is strong circumstantial evidence, therefore, that the animals at Rabat zoo were a relic from the original Barbary lions collected from the wild," says Black.
However, the possibility that some Barbary lions survive, and they may be the last remnants of a lost subspecies of lion, has become an extremely marketable concept.
"It is not uncommon for zoos to advertise [that they possess a Barbary lion] when there is little or no evidence to back up the fact," Black says.
Worse, those lions that are true descendants of the original Moroccan royal lions are in danger of dying out.

Breeding exchanges
To prevent this, Black and colleagues Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, Adrian Harland and Jim Groombridge have created a Barbary lion stud book, that identifies the surviving individuals, their locations, their interrelatedness and their line of descent from the original captive Moroccan population as far back as records are known.

The researchers based the stud book on a review of the handwritten zoo records in Rabat kept from 1969 to 1998, plus a detailed review of breeding records across zoos worldwide kept from 1974 onwards.
Alongside details of the stud book, published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, Black's team also calls for a managed and co-ordinated breeding approach to optimise the overall captive population of Moroccan royal Lions.
"Now that we have this information, zoos can come together and plan breeding exchanges to avoid inbreeding, ensure genetic diversity is maintained and with it animal health and population viability," says Black.

"In this way, if the opportunity exists to re-establish the population in the future, it is not lost by the lions dying out in captivity now," he says.
"Several zoos are still keen to continue breeding the animals. They deserve the constructive support of the scientific community."
Also that will allow time to perform genetic tests on the lions and "buy time" for scientists to further examine evidence to support whether or not these animals are true representatives of the now extinct subspecies, he says.

Matt Walker Editor, Earth News - BBC News