Cambridge (UK), 25 August 2010 – What do the Amazon peccaries, the African hippos and the North American bobcats have in common? According to a new web-based, research tool of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), they are among the top ten mammal species being sustainably traded around the world for their skins.

The Trade Data Dashboards, that were launched to mark the 35th anniversary of CITES, are a new, interactive way of viewing the wildlife trade data submitted by the governments of the 175 member countries of CITES.

Users accessing the dashboards can learn with a few brisk key strokes that reptile skins, specifically crocodile skins, are legally traded at a high volume and that Colombia is one of the major exporters of spectacled caiman, the reptile most frequently traded for its skin.

Whereas Interpol has a database to track criminals involved in illegal wildlife trade activities, the CITES dashboard displays data on internationally-regulated species that are legally traded under CITES for purposes such as food, personal care, housing, clothing and scientific/medical research.

There are two types of dashboards, available through the CITES website (www.cites.org). The Global dashboard displays global trade trends (e.g. global trade in live reptiles and the top ten countries importing live mammals), whereas the National dashboard shows information by country.

Just like the dashboard of your car, the CITES trade data dashboard is designed to organize and present information in a way that is easy to read. Users can view data in several different ways, including by:

* Taxonomic group (e.g. mammal, bird, reptiles, etc.)

* Type of specimen (e.g. skins or live);

* Source (e.g. wild, captive-bred, etc.);

* Year range (in five year intervals);

* Top species in trade over time; and

* Top importing and exporting countries.

Users can consult the dashboards to determine which species are traded, and in what volumes, both globally and by particular countries.

The trade data dashboards, which have been developed by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) under a contract with the CITES Secretariat, will be a useful tool for monitoring the worldwide trade in wild fauna and flora as more and more terrestrial and aquatic species are used, and sometimes over-used, for human activities.

Mr. John Scanlon, Secretary General of CITES said:” The CITES Trade Dashboards make the trade datasets easier to use and accessible by a wider audience. They offer policy makers an additional tool for identifying patterns of trade in listed species and related issues that may require special attention.”

Jon Hutton, Director of UNEP-WCMC said: “This tool complements others such as the recently launched Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT), which provides general information on biodiversity and natural habitats worldwide. However, the database is composed exclusively of CITES-listed species in international trade, and thereby helps its users to identify which animals and plants may be in need of review and subsequent action.”

More than 10 million trade transactions in animal and plant species have been reported to CITES since the Convention was established. The CITES trade data dashboards have transformed the ability of anyone to understand current trade levels and trends in trade. Indeed, by giving key decision makers ready access to important trade information helping policy-makers make the best possible decisions for ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of species whose trade is regulated by CITES.

For more information, please contact: Maxwell Gomera, Deputy Director, UNEP-WCMC; Email: maxwell.gomera@unep-wcmc.org, Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 814617

I am the proud parent of three dogs: Moya, Cody and Preston. Over the years I have observed their behavior and how they interact with the rest of the world. I soon realized that they have many lessons to share, especially for the traveling sort.

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Our middle fur child, Cody, is a creampuff. He’s tough when he has to be (and he rarely has to be), but things don’t usually bother him. If his toy is taken away he really doesn’t seem to care. Instead of getting angry, he just wanders off and finds something else to do.

Traveling is fraught with little problems. At one point or another, most people will experience the inconvenience of missing a train or getting lost. Rather than shut down or stress over these hiccups, be like Cody and just move on. Believe me, there will be real issues that arise over which you are free to stress. In the meantime, don’t worry about the little things that ultimately do not matter.

2. Take it slow and have fun. As far as canine comfort is concerned, my dogs are in the top percentile. Their every need is seen to and they want for nothing. As a result, they sleep most of the time and when they are curious about something, they are methodical and deliberate about their explorations. This doesn’t mean they don’t have a good time. Preston, the baby of the family, in particular goes through life happy and enjoys his adventures.

This practice of approaching new places and people slowly and thoughtfully is important when seeing the world. Rather than rushing through a city marking off a checklist of museums and monuments, take some time to really explore a new place. Visit grocery stores, quiet neighborhoods, pubs and restaurants in order to really learn about the culture. You will be surprised how much more you learn about a locale from a supermarket than a cathedral. But like Preston, make sure to have a good time.

3. Be cautious but not fearful. Moya, our oldest pup, had a pretty hard life before we rescued her. As a result, she approaches new people and situations cautiously and deliberately. She is not violent or fearful, but she ensures that the new experience is safe before accepting it.

A certain amount of cautiousness and skepticism is important when traveling. I firmly believe that there are good people everywhere and have witnessed incredible acts of generosity on my trips abroad. However, I have also been approached by dubious people including drug dealers and scam artists, all wanting to take advantage of my apparent naiveté. Shady people are rare, but they do exist. Be smart and keep your wits about you. As Ronald Reagan once said, “trust but verify.”

Preston

4. Try new things. Dogs have an innate curiosity and express it in a number of ways. For my dogs it is usually a sniff, poke and a chomp. Sometimes it doesn’t go well—Cody’s attempt to eat a bee was not a good idea—but dogs seem to enjoy the process of trying to understand that which is foreign.

You should not be afraid to sample new foods, even ones that seem strange, or try new experiences. Traveling teaches us a lot, but perhaps most importantly it teaches us to reach out of our comfort zone and grasp for new experiences that may help us grow as individuals. Sometimes the rewards for this heroic fearlessness are great and sometimes, like Cody, you get stung. But without this karmic balance of traveling sensations, the trip would be as bland as a trip to your neighborhood store.

5. Kindness will always be returned. Dogs are the most popular pet in the United States for a reason (sorry to all of you cat lovers). They have the unique ability to give unconditional love in large doses that can be practically overwhelming. There have been many times in my life, such as the loss of a family member, injury or just a bad day when they have approached and carefully nuzzled against me. This simple act of kindness and empathy can melt even the coldest heart and it is impossible to fully reciprocate this most basic act of kindness.

Backpacker, wanderer or just an average person on vacation will all encounter times when they will face a unique opportunity. The chance to extend a hand in aid or provide a shoulder in comfort arises when least expected and creates a bond not only between people but cultures as well. This act of kindness though is certainly not one sided, as you too will find that hand or shoulder from a stranger when you least expect it, but most need it.

While many of you may stil be experiencing various degrees of post-World Cup withdrawal syndrom, thankfully the world of ecotourism and sustainable travel continues to offer a wide array of inspiring stories and experiences that will make your day and help you find reasons to be even more excited about the amazing continent of Africa!

The world has only experienced a tiny bit of the incredible vibe of the African continent during the Soccer World Cup. It is now time for you to come and experience this part of the world with your own eyes!

Southern Africa is an amazing destination with many different highlights to be discovered. Once you’ve been here, Africa will be in your blood and you will be hooked forever. The incredible beauty of the many different nature and wildlife reserves like the Kruger National Park in South Africa and Etosha National Park in Namibia will leave you in awe. The majestic Drakensberg where you can hike endlessly, the vibrant city of Cape Town with Table Mountain as a beacon will want you to come back many times. In Lesotho you will meet the friendliest people ever and ride the cute Basotho ponies, in Zimbabwe or Zambia the Victoria Waterfalls are not to be missed and Namibia has the highest red sand dunes in the world. But, your most precious memories will be of the friendliness of the locals.

WHEN THE GLOSSY BROCHURE CAME
THE OFFERINGS ALL SEEMED THE SAME
AND THEN I THOUGHT, “LET’S SEE BIG GAME”
BUT COULD THAT REALLY BE THE PRICE
OF AFRICA’S HARSH PARADISE?

IT WAS THE HARSH THAT DID APPEAL
WE’D THOUGHT IT OUT AND GO FOR REAL
WITH LIONS, ELEPHANTS AND SEAL
THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WORD IMPLIES
FOR AFRICA’S HARSH PARADISE

NO-ONE COULD SAY WINDHOEK WAS TOUGH
THE HOTEL WAS NOT REALLY ROUGH
THE CASINO WAS JUST A BLUFF
I DON’T THINK WINDHOEK CLASSIFIES
AS AFRICA’S HARSH PARADISE

THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK WAS GREAT
BUT EVERYTHING WAS ON A PLATE
(WHY DO FRENCH GIRLS STAY UP SO LATE)
BUT WE MARVELLED AT STAR-SPANGLED SKIES
IN AFRICA’S HARSH PARADISE

BY 4X4 TO SOSSUSVLEI
THOUGH FORTY DOLLARS WE MUST PAY
TO SEE THE DUNES THERE’S JUST ONE WAY
(IT WOULD BE HARD WORK OTHERWISE)
IN AFRICA’S HARSH PARADISE

THE MARTIN LUTHER LOOKS FORLORN
IT’S FINAL WAGONS LONG SINCE DRAWN
SO THERE IT STANDS A DREAM LONG GONE
A SORRY FAILED ENTERPRISE
IN AFRICA’S HARSH PARADISE

WE LIKED THE HANSA HOTEL’S STYLE
(I COULD HAVE STAYED THERE QUITE A WHILE)
BUT I YEARNED FOR COUNTRY MORE HOSTILE
IN COMFORT – I COULD VISUALISE
SUFFERING AFRICAS HARSH PARADISE

NEIL TELLS US ALL THE WHATS AND WHYS
THE AGE AT WHICH AN ELEPHANT DIES
AND WHY AN OSTRICH NEVER FLIES
IT’S GOOD TO HAVE SUCH EXPERTISE
IN AFRICAS HARSH PARADISE

WITH SPRINGBOK HERDS TO LEFT AND RIGHT
GIRAFFE AND KUDU – WHAT A SIGHT
EVEN RHINO – IN THE NIGHT
AND HYENAS WHO WE ALL DESPISE
IN AFRICAS HARSH PARADISE

WE HAD A REALLY SUPER TIME
IMMORTALISED RIGHT HERE IN RHYME
A HOLIDAY THAT’S BEEN SUBLIME
BUT TOMMOROW WE MUST SAY GOODBYES
TO AFRICAS LOVELY PARADISE

MICHEAL TOD AUGUST 1995

HE POINTS OUT THE HOME OF THE SEAL
AND THE FACT THAT “THOSE DUCKS ARE CAPE TEAL”
HE IDENTIFIES BIRDS AND ANIMAL TURDS
WITH A CONFIDENCE – VERGING ON ZEAL

OUR AFFECTION IS SINCERE AND REAL
AND TO ALL I WOULD MAKE THIS APPEAL
PRAY GET UP OFF YOUR ASSES
AND RAISE YOUR GLASSES
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY” OUR GUIDE
(AND FRIEND) NEIL

A few tips

The Best Seats On An Open Safari Vehicle for Those of you who have been on a safari know the drill: as soon as the time to go on a game drive has arrived the rush to the vehicle starts. ‘I wanna sit there’, ‘No, I wanna sit there!’ (especially when kids are around) can be heard often. Here are some tips that give you an insight in which seats to choose.

The backseats
Funnily enough a lot of people like to sit in the back. True, often the backseats are the highest of the ground and give the best view. You even have the possibility to look backwards. But there are certainly some drawbacks to sitting in the rear.
First of all you sit furthest away from the guide and you might have difficulty hearing what he says. Secondly, you have just climbed onto the most bumpy part of the vehicle. Safari vehicles are often customized and heavier shocks and springs have been put in place, something that doesn’t always make the ride nicer and as you can imagine, some roads in Africa’s national parks can be rough. Especially when the rear seats are hanging over the back of an open vehicle, the bouncing and jumping can be rather unpleasant.
Lastly you are sitting closest to the exhaust. If you happen to be riding with a guide that doesn’t switch off his vehicle when being stationary, you are going to wish for a gas-mask. Also might the sitting close to the build-up frame lead to some unwanted head-banging.

The middleseats
Not too bad. You sit a bit closer to the guide and you might still be a bit higher up than the seats in front of you. Viewing back will be difficult as there are seats (and most likely people) behind you. The biggest asset about sitting in the middle row is the comfortable ride as the bumping of the car is felt less than sitting in the rear.

seats1 The Best Seats On An Open Safari Vehicle

The frontseat(s)
Definitely my favorite. The guide is easy to understand (even when he whispers) and the shaking is minimal. The biggest set back is the fact that one sits the lowest of all passengers and this means that the view can be limited. At the same time there is a positive here, as the front view will be unobstructed by other travelers. If the game drive vehicle has a tracker on the front, you view might be lousy though.
The biggest advantage however is the angle with which one can take photographs. From the middle and the rear photographs will always show a view ON the subject, as images taken from the front have a natural angle and simply look nicer.

Some advice: It is an unwritten law that during the game drives people change seats regularly. In this way everybody will have a chance to shoot images from different angles. Obviously will old and frail people always have those seats that are easiest to reach.

Have fun!

July 31, 2010 by Johan Knols

Its expansive game parks and preserves, while offering wildlife as diverse and abundant as that found anywhere else, are still largely undeveloped and untamed. Botswana lies immediately to the north of South Africa. It is bordered on the north and west by Namibia, on the north and east by Zimbabwe, and is connected by a narrow strip of land on the northern border to Zambia. Its territory consists almost entirely of a broad, flat, arid subtropical plateau, though there are hills in the eastern part of the country.

Nearby is Chobe National Park, a beautiful grassland reserve that has gained international fame for its abundant elephant population. Botswana’s two largest parks, the Central Kalahari Game reserve and Gemsbok National Park, are found in this region.

The aboriginal inhabitants of Botswana, who have made the Kalahari their home for at least 30,000 years, are the San, or bushmen.

The San number about 60,000 today, constituting a small but fascinating cultural minority in the country. Almost two millennia ago, a Bantu people known as the Tswana arrived, supplanting the San and now constituting the great majority of the population.

It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are situated. Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Located on the shore of Table Bay.

Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa.

Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony.

This should be your next destination, for your African Safari, in our company, of course.

Our second two days in the Delta delivered a lot more animals. Cheetah on two consecutive days, 2 male Lions, Waterbuck, Impala, Elephant, Red lechwe, Greater kudu and Hippo. But most of all, cheetah, lion and leopard in one day!

Mahango Park in Namibia also proved to be great, as usual! Roan and sable antelope, Buffalo and lots of good birding that included Dickinson’s kestrel, Wattled Crane!

Etosha was the best with great views of three separate cheetah, several lion and a lion pride of 12 that included a huge male only a couple of meters from our vehicle. Elephant herds of 28 and 42 at Goas and Okaukuejo waterholes respectively. Good views of Hyena. All in all, Etosha is tops for wildlife viewing!