The ViewFinder
NEWSLETTER : ISSUE NO 59, MARCH 2010
[VIEWFINDERS MILESTONE][LAKE NAIVASHA IN DANGER ][AFTER THE DROUGHT][NORTHERN WHITE RHINOS]
NORTHERN WHITE RHINOS
The four northern white rhinos from the Czech Republic are doing well. They have been moved from their original holding pens into a more spacious area, and are learning which plants are good to eat, as well as how to cope with the electric fence that protects them. Their skin condition has improved dramatically, and their ‘wild’ instincts are coming back. In early April they will be released into a 750 acre area where they will be able to roam further. The males and females are separated at the moment, but showing interest in each other through the fence. The two males are Sudan and Suni – Sudan is very alert to his new surroundings and is marking his territory. The two females, Najin and Fatu are a little shier, but have been enjoying the rains enormously, particularly daily mud baths. Oestrogen samples are being taken on a regular basis, to be analysed in Vienna, to assess the females’ breeding potential. Things are looking promising so far.
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Najin and her daughter Fatu, courtesy Elodie Sampere
AFTER THE DROUGHT
Following the worst drought for many years, rain started to fall in January in many places. In February the rain became more widespread, and in early March it is still pounding much of the country. This is surprisingly unseasonal, but it is very welcome and the dams have now been replenished. One of the areas hardest hit by the drought was Amboseli, where there was a massive die off of plains game last year. In an effort to manipulate the situation to advantage, KWS are undertaking a large translocation of 7,000 zebra and wildebeest from Soysambu Conservancy to Amboseli. This will replenish stocks of food for the Amboseli predators, and relieve the pressure on Soysambu where there are too many animals. Amboseli has recently been having rain, so there is plenty of food for the herbivores.
From one extreme to the other. On 4 March the northern Uaso Nyiro river broke its banks following heavy rain. Camps and lodges in Samburu were seriously affected, with Save the Elephants and Elephant Watch Camp being totally destroyed. Seven helicopters were called in to rescue tourists and residents, and seven camps and lodges have been closed.
LAKE NAIVASHA IN DANGER
Towards the end of February, water levels in Naivasha were alarmingly low, despite reasonable rainfall. There was a huge storm which caused a flash flood, which washed a lot of topsoil into the lake. It was then noticed that there were a lot of dead fish floating on the lake, mostly koi and carp which appeared to have died from suffocation. Samples were immediately taken for analysis, and all fishing banned. The Environmental Agency launched an investigation, and were quick to point the blame at flower farmers, saying that chemicals had been washed into the lake and poisoned the fish. The flower farmers denied responsibility, saying that the problem was lack of oxygen, caused by algal bloom which has depleted the oxygen in the lake. Others say it is because the Malewa river has been dammed and insufficient fresh water is entering the lake. Also the sewage system in Naivasha town has apparently not been functioning for some time, and sewage has been entering the lake – the Council have been given 30 days to rectify the situation. Whatever the cause, Naivasha is not a healthy place at the moment, and several flower farms have been closed down pending investigations.
VIEWFINDERS MILESTONE
We’ve made our thousand! The BBC NHU will start shooting their 2-part series, “The Truth about Lions” next week. Producer Colin Jackson, Mark MacEwen, Jo Charlesworth and Warren Samuels, Andy Hawley, along with Sophie Lanfear, Ross Samuels, Wilson Wemali and Chris Brennan will be heading to the Mara to work alongside Jonathan Scott. Lion numbers are falling drastically due to conflict with humans and the fact that the deadly Furadan is still widely available, but there is still a healthy population in the Mara. We will be sending them with something to enable them to celebrate with us, and are planning a celebration in Nairobi ourselves, when the painters have finished redecorating.