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Cheetah mom with 6 cubs in Masai Mara
We were happily surprised with the news that a cheetah in "our" Masai Mara in
Kenya gave birth to 6 cubs and at this moment they are still doing fine (photo
courtesy of Paul Goldstein).
It is always hard for cheetah mothers to raise cubs in the wild as all alone
they have to protect them against all dangers like lions, hyenas and babboons.
The cheetah mothers have to leave their cubs behind when they have to go
hunting. Lots of cubs don't make it to adulthood, but there are always
exceptions to the rule and lots of brave cheetah mothers fight so hard for their
cubs and also succeed in protecting them from all dangers. Let's hope this
cheetah mom will be one of them and we are very much looking forward to see all
7 of them on our next Wild Cats Photosafari 2011 next year end of February.
Bangladesh tigers are the smallest tigers
Bengal tigers, living in the mangrove forests of Bangladesh are much smaller
than their relatives in other areas U.S. scientists have discovered. This
probably has to do with the smaller prey animals (deer) they have for a kill.
Bangladesh tigers weight about 76,5 kilo and in other parts of India the Bengal
tigers can weight like 138,5 kilo or more.
Leopard cubs reunited with their mother
We are happy to share with you the latest work in the field by the NGO Vanamitra
in Bangalore/India. Read here the latest report by the founder of this
organisation, Sumanth Madhav.
Sumanth writes:
We were called by the Assistant Conservator of Forsests, Mysore division
to take charge of 3 Leopard cubs (15 to 20 days old) that were picked up
by Villagers while clearing a Sugar cane field. One was female and the
other two males weighing approx 1.5 kgs in total! Picture enclosed.
Cubs usually picked up like this will either end up in zoos on life time
captivity, crippled to death as a show piece or object of entertainment
for mindless public OR die early.
Vanamitra had come up with the idea of reuniting such cubs with their
mother and had succeeded in one such earlier mission. This not only
ensures restoring the natural process but also saves the cubs a lot of
torture and government a lot of money!
Our mission was to find the mother, reunite the cubs with her. One of the
cub had a deep cut on the neck with muscles hanging out. We had to treat
her first. Then started our mission. In a planned operation of 4 days and
3 nights, all the three cubs were reunited with their mother successfully!
Guess the cubs now must be cuddling cozily together with their mom in
sunlight, with a filled stomach! :-)
We have got 2 more such leopard cubs which is our next operation! Will
keep you posted.
September 2010
Lost Land Of The Tiger: Filming in Bhutan
Is the High Himalaya top the future for our beloved tigers? Read about the
BBC's search for the tiger in Bhutan. We could use some good news about the tigers!!
Still searching...
WCW is still searching for the best options as where to start the project.
Montaud in the South of France has been put on hold for the coming time as a new
great offer came Babette and Eva's way... nearer home, in the Netherlands.
Cannot tell any details yet but we keep you informed on this website.
Wild Cats World - Paradise for the endangered wild cats
A new venture in progress by Babette de Jonge and Eva Julia Christiie.
A non-profit organisation for the endangered Wild Cats like tiger, cheetah
and snowleopard, giving the best life to captive-bred furry felines in a
semi-natural environment. Including a project preparing the strongest born
cubs for a release into the wild.
A unique wild cat experience for Big cat lovers and photographers to try
and spot the cats during guided tours or have a unique and personal
experience with these amazing animals, like cheetah, in an education show
or during a cheetah walk.
Awareness for the endangered Wild Cats by giving you a chance to join us
on special organised Wild Cats (Photo) safaris to places like the Masai
Mara in Kenya or Ranthambhore National Park in India.
Supporting conservation projects for tigers, cheetahs, snowleopards, etc.
in the wild.
Website: www.wildcatsworld.nl
August 2010
Visit to a possible location for Wild Cats World
Babette de Jonge and Eva Julia Christiie (of the new venture Wild Cats
World) have paid a visit to the Provence, South of France, to check out
some land and have some business meetings concerning Wild Cats World. Look
at the first photos of the prospective location.
Individuals and companies who like to sponsor WCW please contact Babette de Jonge, info@wildcatsmagazine.nl.
Wild Cats World Films II
Some more great "Wild Cats World" footage.. just click on this
YouTube link.
Wild Cats Films
Wild Cats Films is another division of Wild Cats... Magazine, World,
Photography, Travels... In this short film you can see the best of wild
cats in the wild in Kenya and India. This is at the same time what Wild
Cats Travels can offer you!
View it on YouTube.
Travel report tigers of Ranthambhore 2010
Read HERE the latest travel report of our trip to the tigers of
Ranthambhore, India.
Article Andean Cat
Especially for WCM Lilian Villalba of the Andean Cat Alliance (AGA) and her colleagues wrote
an article about the most endangered cat of America: the Andean cat (also
Wild Cat of this month). Read the whole article HERE.
Wild Cats World
There is a website about the new project of Babette de Jonge and Eva
Julia Christiie: WildCatsWorld.nl.
This month Eva and Babette will go to the South of France (near Nice) to
check out a nice piece of land... we'll keep you informed.
Book Indian Caracal
The book about the Indian caracal by wildlife biologist Shekhar Kolipaka
in cooperation with Wild Cats Magazine is almost finished and will find
its way to the printstore in October this year. We keep you informed about
the release. In this book unique photos of the rare sightings WCM had of
the Indian caracal in India in 2009.
Cheetah will run again in India (BBC website)
The vast majority of the 10,000 cheetahs left in the world are in Africa
The cheetah, eradicated in India by hunting nearly a century ago, will run
again in the country, as three sites are earmarked for its reintroduction.
The government has approved wildlife groups' recommendations of two
sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh and an area in Rajasthan as potential homes.
The government will spend 30m rupees ($0.6m; o0.4m) to restore these sites
before the animals are imported.
The plan is to import the cats from Africa, Iran and the Middle East.
Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi wildlife sanctuaries in the central Indian state
of Madhya Pradesh and Shahgarh area in Jaisalmer, in the northern state of
Rajasthan, have been selected as the sites to house the animals.
Trophy hunters
Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said the reintroduction of
the world's fastest land animal would "restore the grasslands" of India.
Wildlife experts say the two sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh had the
capacity to accommodate nearly 80 cheetahs, although 23 human settlements
will have to be moved from the one in Nauradehi.
Scores of nomadic human settlements would also have to be cleared at the
site in Rajasthan on the international border with Pakistan.
"The return of the cheetah would make India the only country in the world
to host six of the world's eight large cats and the only one to have all
the large cats of Asia," MK Ranjitsinh of Wildlife Trust of India told the
Press Trust of India news agency.
Pursued by trophy hunters and herdsmen to the brink of extinction during
the Raj, the Asiatic cheetah vanished from India many decades ago.
Conservationists say less than 100 of the critically endangered subspecies
remain in Iran, roaming the central deserts.
The vast majority of the 10,000 cheetahs left in the world are in Africa.
Critics of the reintroduction scheme in India say that without restoring
habitat and prey base, and reducing the scope for man-animal conflict,
viable cheetah populations will not flourish
July 2010
Ranthambhore/India, 2010
Finally our travel report of our trip to Ranthambhore in India is available. Of course with lots of photo's.
More...
Wild Cats World
Read more about the new project of Babette de Jonge and Eva Julia Christiie. Wild Cats
World: Breeding, education and conservation centre (foundation) that is going to be based in France, near
Paris. The project is in progress, starting last month (June).
Mission: The alternative way of giving endangered predators (and primates) the
best possible life in captivity and protection in the wild. Education and
conservation in a different way by bringing the animals closer to the people.
Website: www.wildcatsworld.nl
Wild Cats Photosafari/Sunworld Mara Bushcamp
What you see on this promo you can see and feel for yourself by joining the Wild
Cats Photosafari from 28 february until March 8th 2011 to the Masai Mara in
Kenya. During this year's trip we took part in the recordings of this promo by
BBC filmmaker Gavin Thurston. Just a few more places available so you have to
hurry to be sure there are still place available on next year's trip.
Video: Mara Bushcamp
June 2010
Tiger Temple Court Case Update
Tiger Temple Truths has just received some important news via email from
Edwin Wiek, the conservationist currently battling with the Tiger Temple
in both legal and civil court cases concerning the animal abuse and
illegal tiger trading taking place at the Tiger Temple.
Originally, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT)
Edwin Wiek was due to appear in court for the legal case on June 28th -
this is now won't be happening...
The prosecution lawyer has asked the police to extend the investigation
further, due to evidence being uncovered that proves the tigers at the
Tiger Temple are officially government property, after being confiscated
by the Thai Department of National Parks several years ago.
Basically, the tigers at the Tiger Temple are not their property - they
belong to the Thai government, who understandably are furious about the
negative publicity the Tiger Temple is generating, and the fact that the
Tiger Temple has been illegally using confiscated tigers to profit from.
It seems that the prosecutor fighting on the side of the Tiger Temple is
growing increasingly uneasy as the evidence against the Tiger Temple is
shown to him. With official DNP (Department of National Parks)
documentation being included as evidence, the Tiger Temple have the right
to be very worried!
We have learnt that the Director General of the DNP has ordered a ban on
the movement of tigers from the Tiger Temple, effectively ensuring the
halt of illegal trading - whether the Tiger Temple will adhere to this or
ignore the DG's order remains to be seen.
The Director General is also now considering whether to remove the tigers
from the temple completely. There are facilities within Thailand that it
would now be possible to move the tigers to, so this may be an option,
although a decision on this matter is likely to take time.
With positive progress in the legal case between conservationists and the
Tiger Temple, we now look at the civil case - a case brought against Edwin
Wiek and a Thai newspaper who printed Mr Wiek's statements on the Tiger
Temple.
Mr Wiek stated in the newspaper that the Tiger Temple was involved in
animal abuse, the illegal trading of tigers and that they offered no
benefit to conservation - all claims he can support with evidence.
The Tiger Temple was originally suing Mr Wiek and the newspaper in Thai
court for very large sums of money - money that might have ended up
funding the forthcoming Pattaya branch of the Tiger Temple. Perhaps
realising they have opened a can of worms, however, the Tiger Temple have
now dramatically backed down, instead requesting an official apology from
the newspaper and some free advertising. From Mr Wiek, the Tiger Temple
would like an apology.
This is quite a change in direction. We suspect that due to the evidence
mounting up against them, the Tiger Temple are looking for a quick and
quiet conclusion to this civil case, hoping to brush the issues under the
table, but that will not be happening.
Mr Wiek has exclusively told Tiger Temple Truths that this requested
apology will not be given. Having ample evidence to back up his claims,
apologising for publicising the truth and for stating the facts is not a
route that will be taken, and Mr Wiek is determined to push this case as
far forward as possible.
Source: Tiger Temple Truths
Amazing tiger sightings in India
We just returned from an absolutely amazing trip to India where we had the best
sightings of the wild tigers living in Ranthambhore National Park. We saw 11
different tigers and many of them several times, like the Grand lady of
Ranthambhore: Machli (T16). The oldest and most famous tigress was a real poser
and she even treated us with a kill. Right before our eyes she killed a male
sambar deer. How rare is that? Also very special to follow the love couple T17
and T12, ready to mate. In the photogalery
on this site you can already see a nice selection of all great photos taken
during our meetings with the wild tigers of Ranthambhore.
Message from Laurie Marker, Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia
Recently I traveled to Angola to determine whether cheetahs had survived the
country's three-decade civil war. Situated just north of Namibia, Angola is
prime cheetah habitat, but the war had ravaged the country and the cheetah's
status there was not known. Locals gave anecdotal evidence about cheetahs, but
someone had to confirm this. I had no idea what to expect.
It wasn't until my last day, in Iona National Park in the southwestern corner of
Angola, that I identified trees with low, thick limbs that run parallel to the
ground. Cheetahs love to mark these low limbs with scat and urine to announce
their presence, the cheetah version of social networking. Upon closer
investigation of these "playtrees," I found what was without doubt cheetah scat.
Cheetahs had indeed survived in Angola. For a species whose range is rapidly
shrinking, this is significant-and positive-news.
I would have been happy with the cheetah scat, which I collected to learn what
they had been hunting (prey identification through hair) and to study their DNA
in our genetics lab. But as we continued searching for playtrees, suddenly two
large, healthy-looking cheetahs darted from under one. To know cheetahs were
around was one thing, to see them in broad daylight was thrilling beyond words.
Of course now we must ensure that the cheetah continues to survive in Angola.
When I moved to Namibia, it had just emerged from a long war of independence. As
the country rebuilt, I worked with the government and the people to teach them
why they should protect their wildlife and how to live with predators. Now we
must start that process with Angola.
The first step will be to conduct surveys in various parts of Angola to
determine the extent of the cheetah's presence there. Then we must begin
educating pastoral communities and livestock farmers about managing livestock so
that they are protected from predators and working with conservation partners to
protect the wildlife in the Iona National Park. We've been successful thus far
in Namibia, and we have helped develop programs in many other cheetah range
countries. There's no reason to think we can't do the same in Angola as well.
But working to save cheetahs and their ecosystem takes money, and once again I
must ask you for your help, please become a supporter of CCF and the cheetah?
Your tax-deductible gift will help us take our proven methods to other countries
in the cheetah's range. Your continued support means the cheetah will have a
fighting chance in Angola.
Cheetah purrs, Laurie Marker (Cheetah Conservation Fund)
Tiger temple to open new 'branch' in Pattaya
From a source inside the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi we discovered that a
second Tiger Temple is to open in Pattaya, Thailand, in the first half of 2011.
Mr Gonzales working within the Tiger Temple informed one of Tiger Temple
Truth's undercover volunteers who recently left the Tiger Temple, that the
new branch was being opened due to falling visitor numbers at the currrent location.
By opening a branch in Pattaya - a town which attracts numerous tourists -
the aim is to increase revenue, and eventually have 100 tiger cubs, ready
and waiting to have their photos taken with exploitative tourists.
Mr Gonzales has previously threatened the life of conservationist Edwin
Weik, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, due to his
ongoing work in bringing the Tiger Temple to justice and the current court
case. Our volunteer inside the Tiger Temple was very relieved to be able
to leave after Gonzales was growing increasingly aggressive and suspicious
regarding the foreign volunteers at the Tiger Temple.
WCM goes to India
This month we will pay another visit to the tigers, and other wildlife, in the
Ranthambhore National Park in India. Even though it is extremely hot and we will
be suffering temperatures from 45-50 degrees it will be so cool to see these
majestic animals in their own natural habitat again. A full report of this visit
with many photos will of course soon be published on this website again.
Meeting Eva Julia Christiie and her animals - no illusion
The past two decades, Eva Julia Christiie performed worldwide in a lot of
countries such as Monte Carlo, Mexico, Hong Kong, China and Africa but also in
European countries like Norway, Sweden, Holland, Germany, France and Belgium.
This month (may 2010) she is touring with the "National Moscow Circus" in the
Netherlands, so we took the chance to meet the lady and her great animals. This
time not a world of fantasy but reality.
Read the full interview.
May 2010
Truth about death of tigress in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (India)
Not naturalists and tourists run into this tigress but an official from
the government accompanied by some park people entered the Tiger Reserve
at night at full speed and killed the tigress!!
In Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, a tigress was hit by a speeding Gypsy, which
has led to her untimely and unfortunate death. The Jhurjhura Tigress was
the mother of three 5-month old cubs and one of the healthiest and best
mothers in the National Park. She had successfully mothered 2 litters.
The death of this one beautiful tigress has rendered these 3 cubs as
orphans and thus, we have lost 4 tigers in one reckless blow.
People from all around the world as well as the people of India demand
that the person responsible is punished as per the laws of the land and
not allowed to go scott free, just because it is an official. If this
person is not punished adequately, it would mean "murdering" the pride of
the nation and getting away with it. We fear it may happen that way and
the whole incident would be hushed up, as it has been in the case of a
number of prominent personalities who have, till date, not been punished
for proven incidents of hunting. This incident has occurred in the core
area of Bandhavgarh National Park despite it being one of the most well
managed National Parks in the country.
We would like to draw your attention to the need for speed regulation of
tourist traffic within all the National Parks in India, particularly in
Bandhavgarh & the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, which is also in the news
for the wrong reasons.
This is a request from millions of people around the world, who are
already aware of the situation, are keeping their eyes and ears open in
this case and will not rest until the culprit has been brought to book.
This time the tigers of India are not alone. Now they have a voice and the
roar will not be stilled until all wildlife in India's forests and
National Parks is safe, especially the cats.
We Seek Justice.
Babette de Jonge (WCM) in India newspaper
On monday May 17th we received the news from India that Babette de Jonge (WCM)
and her big love for the wild cats, also made it to the Indian press. As the
article is in Hindi, we kindly had it translated by the author of the article.
Some ladies love keeping cats as pets. This lady also keeps cats, but these are
the BIG ones. Babette de Jonge from Holland is a wildlife conservationist with
special interest in tigers, cheetahs, leopards and lions. So comfortable are the tigers with De
Jonge that they even allow her to scratch them behind their ears! Babette
travels regularly to Africa and India on safaris. Her favourite pet is a very
cute African cheetah baby she met at a wildlife refuge. Babette has supported conservation measures to save
the Indian tiger from extinction. De Jonge's safari to the Ranthambore National
Park in 2009 resulted in her managing to take photographs of the very rare
Indian caracal, a species of the cat family that is on the verge of extinction
in India. Wildlife needs more ladies like Babette to fight for its noble cause."
Visit to illusionist Eva Julia Christiie and her tigers
Together with friends and illusions from Las Vegas, amazing exotic animals and
the lovable domestic animals, Eva Julia Christiie brings to life a new
fascinating experience that will take you on a journey into the amazing world of
fantasy, magic and illusion. Audiences of all ages and from every part of the
world have experienced Julia's unique performances during the various live full
scale productions in several countries around the world.
Julia Christiie delivers amazing, exciting, incredible performances that leave
everlasting memories. Read about our visit to Eva Julia while she was in
Holland. The article is in Dutch but it is easy to translate it by using
Google translations.
A visit to Eva Julia Christiie and her tigers
Discover for yourself the real magic that has left millions spellbound during
the past two decades.
Experience Eva's magic at JuliaChristiie.com.
Relocated tigress gives birth to cubs in Panna Tiger Reserve
Not long ago all tigers disappeared in Panna Tiger Reserve, due to poaching.
Even though the problem isn't solved there, it was decided to relocate some
tigers from Bandavgarh Tiger Reserve and Kanha National Park. Even though the
start was difficult we can now tell you the great news that a few weeks ago the
Bandavgarh tigress gave birth to three healthy cubs. Let's pray for a great
future for these tigers and all other tigers in India.
No proposal to ban tourism in Tiger Reserves of India
I am pleased to report the Ministry of Environment and Forest have issued
a statement confirming that there will not be a ban on tourism in India's
tiger reserves. This is most welcome statement in view of the recent
uncertainty over tourists being permitted to enter the core area of the
reserves. In my view RESPONSIBLE tourism can be of help in protecting the
tiger and other wildlife from poaching and other illegal activities within
the tigers habitat. See the following report from the Press Information
Bureau/Government of India.
There is no proposal to ban tourism in Tiger Reserves of India. The Ministry of
Environment and Forests is working on detailed guidelines for promoting eco
tourism, i.e. tourism that is ecologically sustainable and is in line with the
carrying capacity of the particular reserve. Denying certain news reports, Shri
Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/c) said in
statement that tourism in the 39 'Project Tiger' reserves will be strictly
regulated. Following is the text of the statement:-
"My attention has been drawn to some news reports that the Ministry of
Environment and Forests is planning a ban on tourism in tiger reserves. I would
like to state categorically that there is no such proposal.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests believes that tourism is essential and
that the revenues from tourism must flow back directly into the management of
each of the tiger reserves so that local communities can benefit. The advantages
of tourism should be felt by these local communities who should be encouraged to
develop a stake in the protection of these tiger reserves. This policy of
ploughing back is already in place in most reserves and it will be in place in
all 'Project Tiger' reserves very soon.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has been concerned with the reports of
mushrooming tourist lodges around tiger reserves such as in the case of Corbett
National Park. That is why the Ministry of Environment and Forests is working on
detailed guidelines for promoting eco tourism, i.e. tourism that is ecologically
sustainable and is in line with the carrying capacity of the particular reserve.
Tourism in the 39 'Project Tiger' reserves, particularly in the core areas, will
be strictly regulated."
April 2010
The Desert Lion Conservation Project
Namibia supports a unique population of desert-adapted lions that survive in the
harsh Namib Desert.
The desert-adapted lions exhibit unique behaviour and habits, observed nowhere
else in Africa. The Desert Lion Conservation Project was started by P. Stander in 1998.
More info...
White Serval
In the wild black servals have been spotted, but have you ever seen a
white serval? Look here...
WILD CATS PHOTOSAFARI 2011
For those of you who already got inspired by the recent travel report of the
Wild Cats Photosafari 2010 in the Masai Mara/Kenya (also on this website) I have
good news, as there will be another trip next year, starting February 28th until
March 8th 2011. More detailed info about this will follow soon though there
won't be changed much compared to this year's trip, only the price will be a bit
better. I managed to get a very good price to offer you, which you cannot get
anywhere for a similar experience in the Mara, and also I like to keep it a bit
small, with a max. of 12 persons. Already a few people booked so it's necessary
to be quick to let me know you are interested. If so, write to
info@wildcatsmagazine.nl.
An advance payment has to be made soon after, so please only react when 100% interested.
Sad news: lioness speared to death
Lion Guardians
My fear has been validated, and I have some very sad news to report. A
beautiful lioness called Narika, who has 3 cubs less than a month old has
been speared to death. We received this devastating news after our Lion
Guardians team, Maasailand Preservation Trust game scouts and KWS rangers
have succeeded in stopping a series of lion hunting parties, all of which
were in retaliation for livestock depredation. But this time we were
powerless to stop it.
More...
Greetings from the Cheetah Capital of the World!
When I moved to Namibia 20 years ago, farmers were killing hundreds of
cheetahs a year, driving the species toward extinction. I spent two years
interviewing livestock farmers to find out how they felt about predators,
what they did to protect their animals, and what they might be willing to
do. Together with some of the most progressive farmers who were already
concerned about conservation, I and our small group of volunteers and
students developed simple and inexpensive ways for farmers to protect
their livestock. Then we took those methods to the people. We're happy to
report that, as a result, the cheetah population in Namibia has at least
stabilized. Fewer farmers are shooting cheetahs, and many now call CCF for
help with predation problems. This change occurred only because people
were willing to put aside deep-seated beliefs about predators-people like
Andronicus Tjituka.
Andronicus grew up on a farm in Namibia, where he developed a love for
farming. His school holidays were spent on the farm; he preferred to be
there than in town. After jobs in the city made buying their own land
possible, Andronicus and his wife were so keen to get a farm that they
went through the phone book, dialing every farm in the area where they
wanted to live until they found a willing seller. Eventually they set up
their farm, raising goats, sheep and cattle.
In 2007, after losing some stock to predators, Andronicus saw a cheetah on
his land and shot it. The cheetah was wearing a radio collar. He reported
the kill to Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism, who then
contacted CCF. We had collared the cheetah and were able to determine from
the data generated by the collar that the cheetah had only just arrived on
Andronicus' farm and could not have been responsible for his livestock
loss. We visited Andronicus, explained what we do, and showed him the map
of this cheetah's movements. When Andronicus realized he hadn't targeted
the correct animal, he deeply regretted killing the cat.
We told Andronicus about our courses that teach farmers nonlethal methods
for livestock protection, and he immediately signed up. He sent his
children to our youth courses, and his laborers attended CCF's farm worker
courses. Andronicus recently added two livestock guarding dogs-bred by
CCF-to his herd. Andronicus is very pleased with the dogs and the other
changes he's made to protect his animals from predators.
When CCF staff visit a farmer who has killed a cheetah-or several
cheetahs-we do not chastise them. To wag our fingers and tell them they're
wrong is not taking into account the fact that the loss of even one goat
can be financially devastating to many farmers. Instead, we look at how
they manage their herds and make suggestions that will protect their
animals from predation without costing much, if any, extra money.
Mahatma Ghandi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." That
sentiment encapsulates CCF's approach to saving the cheetah: showing one
individual at a time how he or she can make a positive difference. In
CCF's 20 years of existence, we've had the great fortune to meet many
people like Andronicus, who exemplify that change.
Many farmers still believe that killing cheetahs is the only way to
protect their livestock. We must help them understand that they can live
peacefully with predators. Help the cheetahs and help the CCF (Cheetah
Conservation fund doing so).
Because they are the least aggressive of the big cats, cheetahs are often
pushed out of protected areas by larger predators. For this reason,
approximately 90% of all remaining cheetahs live on unprotected lands.
Conflict with humans is the number one cause of death of cheetahs. To stop
the killing of cheetahs, CCF works directly with people to solve their
livestock predation problems and open up their minds about co-existing
with predators for the good of the ecosystem. Help the cheetahs and
support the CCF (Cheetah Conservation fund).
With much gratitude,
Dr. Laurie Marker
Founder and Executive Director CCF (Cheetah Conservation Fund)
March 2010
Return to the Big Cats of the Masai Mara/Kenya 2010
Read the Travel Report of the Photosafari 2010 to the Masai Mara/Kenya.
Cheetahs in Angola!
After 30-Year Civil War, Cheetah Presence in Angola Confirmed by Cheetah
Conservation Specialist
(Otjiwarongo, Namibia, 16 March 2010) - Dr. Laurie Marker, Executive Director
of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, an international research based organisation
based in Namibia, confirmed the existence of cheetah in Angola last week during
a three-day survey conducted in Iona National Park, located in the Namibe
province. This arid area in the extreme southwest of the country was one of the
former ranges of the cheetah, however, due to Angola's three-decade civil war,
the cheetah's status in the country has been unknown.
The 1.6 million hectare lona National Park, proclaimed a reserve on 2 October
1937, is located in southwest Angola, bordering Namibia. Although it is very
dry, the area is perfect cheetah habitat with thousands of hectares of open
savannah and a growing prey base such as springbok and oryx, two species that
adapt to an arid environment and are the cheetah's primary prey. During the
rapid survey, Marker used Global Positioning Systems (GPS) through the area,
marking where game was found and recording the variety of habitats. "I probably
saw a thousand springbok." Marker stated. "Then, on the last day in the park, we
were down by dry river beds where there are big trees that look like what we
know in Namibia as "playtrees" *or* territorial marking areas usually used by
male cheetahs. We found nine different marking trees, very similar to what we
find in Namibia and in remote places like Algeria. I found cheetah scat in the
tree. By one of the trees, two big male cheetahs ran out. It was very exciting -
there are cheetahs in Angola."
The rapid ecological survey, designed to assess the habitat and prey in
the area as potential cheetah habitat, was carried out at the urging of
Alvaro Baptista, owner of the Omauaha Lodge near Iona National Park in
Namibe, who visited Marker in Namibia in 2006. Baptista informed Marker of
cheetah sightings in the area and encouraged the undertaking of an
extensive survey to confirm their presence and to help develop a
conservation plan for their long-term protection and survival. According
to Baptista, "This Park is not really functioning as a national park, as
personnel and infrastructure are nonexistent at this point. However,
visits to the area have recently been conducted by people from both the
World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme." Baptista has
been active in the Namibe area his entire life and is considered one of
the guardians of the Park. His Omauaha Lodge is one of the only tourism
camps near the Iona Park.
Marker's visit to Angola was endorsed by the Kissama Foundation
(http://www.facebook.com/l/315d1;www.kissama.org), which has the mandate to
support the development of the National Parks of Angola since peace came to the
country in 2002. As a result of meetings in Angola's capital, Luanda, Marker
hopes to develop collaborations with Kissama, as well as universities and
relevant government officials. The goal is to develop a program using CCF's
proven methods for censusing cheetah populations and assisting with community,
government and non-government organizations in education awareness of cheetahs
and bio-diversity to show the benefits of a predator's role in a healthy
ecosystem and ecotourism.
Wild Cats Photosafari a Big Success!
We just returned from another great trip to the Masai Mara in Kenya, which
turned out to be very succesful again. We saw all big cats and while
seeing the Black Rhino on our final day it also made The Big Five (again)
complete for us. This years' experience was so much different than
previous years, mainly due to the wet weather in the Mara before we
arrived. We managed to take great stills and footage of action moments
like hunting moments of cheetahs, like Honey's Boys, but also the moments
when elephants were chasing off lions and even Olive's cubs. It was
amazing to see the big herds with over a hundred elephants and big groups
of giraffes. Very welcome to see all the baby animals, like all the lion
cubs, cheetah cub and leopard cubs, but also "babies" of elephants,
hyenas, hippo etc. Soon you will be able to read the full report of this
great trip on this website. In the photogallery I will add photos of this
trip every now and then too, so watch this space too!!
Next year there will be another Wild Cats Photosafari. Soon we will
announce the new date, but if you want to book a place in advance you can
do this by writing to info@wildcatsmagazine.nl.
The Wildlife Trade Tiger Temple/Behind the Cloak of Buddha
The true story behind the Tiger Temple: Wildlife Trade and Abuse!
Please read the truth about the Tiger Temple revealed by someone who
worked here for a long time to study the tigers. And also please take your
time to add your signature and voice. This petition will continue to run
and the signatures along with other evidence and material will be
presented to CITES, UNEP, my Government, Thai Government bodies.
Sign the petition!
The Wildlife Trade is a killing game for money, for greed. It is a
sinister business responsible for the desecration of numerous species. As
the Tiger species spirals towards extinction, the time to act is now more
than ever.
In 2007, I worked within the Tiger Temple, Thailand. I became a witness to
the systematic genocide of the tigers within temple by way of wildlife
trade and many varying abuses. Here are the facts:
- The Temple began in 1999, by the acquistion of 8 tigers, 4 male 4 female through a Laos tiger trader.
- The tigers were purchased through the illegal wildlife trade.
- The tigers were never rescued or orphaned.
- In 2002, the tigers were confiscated off the Temple and were ordered to neither trade nor breed.
- Between 2002 - 2010 numerous tigers have disappeared.
- Older tigers or feisty tigers are traded or swapped with new cubs
- New cubs are given the name of the traded tigers name to present a front that all tigers are still there.
- The abuse is voilent and rampant in all areas - diet, exercise, enrichment, veterinary care etc.
- In 2010 there are 45 tigers within the temple
- With the scientific tiger stripe ID the proof is undeniable.
- It is estimated 75 tigers have come and gone through the gates of this so called Buddhist Temple, lost to the wildlife trade.
- The tigers live in small decripit cages, which can be likened to WWI - WW2 torture chambers. Inside these cement cells, most of the tigers live there
24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The exception is the dozen or so tigers, the young ones, which are taken to a canyon area for 4 hours, for
public display and handling, for photographs, for money. They are then returned to their cement cells.
- The tigers and other animals endure immense long term suffering with illnesses and injury going untreated, sometimes resulting in death.
The tigers are abused in every possible way from the collection of their
own urine to be squirted in their faces, to beatings so violent, and then
the ultimate abuse - sold into the wildlife trade doomed to death.
In Laos the tigers are transferred either to illegal tiger farms or killed
instantly for body parts or fur. However, all tigers in these farms will
eventually be murdered for money, for greed.
This is the foundation of the Tiger Temple.
There are approximately 2500 adult breeding pairs of tiger left in the
wild on our earth. The captive wildlife trade is directly linked to this
as the adult tigers are killed in the wild, the cubs taken to tiger farms
to be grown for the illegal and violent traditional medicine industry, and
for the vanity for those who think it is a status symbol to own a tiger
fur mat, or tiger fur item.
While working inside the Temple to study the Indochinese tiger, I
witnessed the vicious cruelty and abuse inflicted on these creatures, and
then the wildlife trade. This is a place that was promoted as 'Monks and
Tigers living in harmony'. This is a lie. During clandestine night trades
I watched these majestic tigers be subjected to wildlife trade, and
disappear into the night, doomed to death. I attempted educating the
temple staff and management in the correct care and handling, enrichment,
veterinary care, diet etc, provide education on the critical status of
tigers in the wild and the direct link to the wildlife trade. However I
came to find out numerous people (conservation agencies, professionals,
animal lovers, and people) have tried this for nearly 10 years, to no
avail.
There has been a huge outcry to close the Tiger Temple down, this is
completely understandable. Who wouldnt want a horror place like this
closed down. However the very high powered people that support the Temple,
(a financial bomshell for them due to the tourism industry) would never
allow the money to disappear. This is one of the only high tourism money
spinners in this poverty ridden area.
So what do you do when you know that these things are happening, even
though the evidence is overwhelming and the authorities know, yet it still
continues.
To these people this is soley about money, not the tigers or other
creatures.
As long as the temple remains supported by these powers, it will remain
open. So how do you address this.
The need to think outside the box, sensibly is vital. Using the brains
that we were born with, and being the united humans that I know we can be.
So until these tigers, lions, bears, leopards - all purchased or bred
illegally, are safe then I for one will never stop.
Action is now occurring, see below:
- Communication with CITES, UNEP, Thai Governing bodies is in motion.
- As you read this, new homes for these tigers are being secured, just in case.
- There is a court case unfolding presently where I am involved with the evidence against the Temple.
- And the Facebook group 'Behind the Cloak of Buddha' are some the human voices being heard.
Short of going in at midnight and rescuing all of these creatures, do you
have any idea's on what else can be done in the legal framework? Contact
me if you do.
There are times when after witnessing their clandestine cold sinsiter
wildlife trades at night, I have been so very temped to give them a taste
of their own medicine. But of course that would end up in tragedy.... I am
human, and I saw some of my wonderful animal friends leave doomed to
death. Grief and sorrow are natural.
When this began in 1999, there were no other people that made the decision
to purchase the tigers through the wildlife trade other than the Abbot. A
couple of years later, even when the Temple linked up with the powerful
supporting bodies, the Laos tiger trader that sold the Abbot the original
tigers, had enough command in him to send fear into the Abbot by demanding
that a beautiful Bengal tiger called Mek, a so-called 'beloved son', be
returned to the tiger farm in Laos, and he was.
The temple was getting well known then. The Abbots words were 'Laos needs
a breeding male and they want Mek, and I dont want trouble from Laos'. Mek
was traded and swapped for a few buffalo. Mek is dead, if anyone on the
face of this earth can prove otherwise, step forward now.
No matter who is running the Temple now, there is one person responsible
for starting this debacle. Sadly and tragically it is a Monk.
The Buddhist faith is a wonderful and utterly respected and revered faith,
true Buddhists are inspiring and hold morals that all human beings should
aspire to hold.
But we are not dealing with true Buddhists inside the Temple. We are
dealing with corruption at a most vicious level.
I often wonder how many trainee Monks the Abbot infected.
The money men, are money men, and they will try very hard to stop the
temple from closing, or in other words prevent the loss of their money.
So that is why I offered that other solution. The money in the Sai Yok
region stays, but with the implementation of all things mentioned above.
To implement that solution would be wonderful, however is it possible.
The last thing I ever wanted to see was tiger abuse and trading inside the
place I thought was beautiful. But they do it, that is fact.
My goal has only ever been, to get these tigers safe forever. If standing
up and giving them the voice they so long have deserved, and asking people
all over the world to also give them that voice, if it takes a million
people to make this happen, then that is what is going to happen.
Understand that when you are dealing with people who commit such
extraordinary abuses, that these people must be handled in extraordinary
ways. This is one of them.
I wish with all my heart that things were different, but how many
opportunities must the temple get? Each day that goes by another tiger is
closer to unnatural death, and each tiger is suffering, and each day the
tiger species is going extinct because of places like this.
But one way or another this will not be tolerated anymore.
There are two ways:
- As the temple is in an area of low income, poverty etc, and with
knowledge that there are some good people inside the temple too, I was
inclined to the possibility of another try at education. This worked very
well with SOME staff and horribly with the management. I addressed the
management personally, right to the top. I just became another number on
list of people who had tried and failed.
There is absolutely no one in any conservation agency, professional
standing, animal lovers, volunteers and the general public, who have been
inside this place that has made one iota of difference to prevent the
temple from wildlife trading and the various abuses carried out on the
animals.
Due to the fact that the Temple is supported by some high profile people,
it is suspected that they have a large say in the running of the Temple.
This is about money.
So, as the Temple is located in an area of high poverty and unemployment,
a management plan has been designed that includes the removal of the Abbot
and ALL of his cohorts who are responsible for the abuses and wildlife
trades. This includes proving without a doubt the wildlife trade and abuse
has been embedded in the Temple since it began, and the enforcement of
CITES and Thai law breaches. The absolute evidence for this part has been
done.
The next steps are to retain the good and innocent workers, and then with
help from professionals and solid police checked individuals, to turn the
temple into a place of Thai pride.
Run by Thai management in conjunction from foreign help. The foreign help
provides education and training, along with financial aid to assist with
the rebuild of tiger enclosures, and all elements needed for the correct
care and handling of these creatures. This enables economic stability and
employment in the Sai Yok province, so then the authority figures keep
their money winning tourism spot, the innocents continue with employment,
but most importantly all of the creatures are safe from anymore trade and
abuse, and the Temple is finally a sanctuary.
This was and is not what some pivitol people want, and there is a school
of thought only to close the place down. I would agree if it were
possible. But it isnt at this point.
- The second plan is too spread the word out about this place into the
world and let people know that this is a place of wildlife trade, that
when tourists walk through the gates of the temple and pay their money,
that they are inadvertantly contributing to the illegal wildlife trade and
death of these creatures. I doubt that any decent person would go if they
knew this information.
There is only one problem with this idea. If the money goes from the
Temple, then the animals suffer further. No tourism - No money- No food If
this was to happen, an around the clock monitoring of the tigers would be
needed. The easiest way for the Temple to get more money is to sell some
more tigers to the illegal wildlife trade.
An example of the mentality we are dealiing with - A female tiger,
Chomnapa (2) was deliberately poisoned out of spite. She died a horrendous
death. This was done due to an staff member being upset...
Imagine what would happen if the money went, hence an around the clock
surveyance.
Personally I hold out some hope that with communication and education,
this place could become a miracle in the making. However to get rid of the
illegal elements involved in this place is a mighty task.
I will continue to pursue the education and communication channels,
because I still have hope that if the abusive and trade elements are
removed, and if the temple can be turned into a place of Thai pride, this
would no doubt set a precedent, and send a blazing message out to other
places that Thailand will no longer tolerate wildlife trade of their
beautiful creatures in their beautiful country. If that can happen, that
would be miraculous. And I do hold that hope I always have.
At this point, due to the fact that there is continuing trades, continuing
abuse, lack of nutritional diet for a captive carnavore, lack of adequate
veterinary care, enrichment etc, it seems this idea is a losing battle, at
the moment. However, the closure of the Temple seems highly unlikely due
to the money aspect.
So what do you do when you know that these tigers are dying in vain, for
no reason, except greed.
Do you sit and say nothing? Do you smash down people who are trying to
help? Do you sit back and say "It's not my country so I shouldnt
interfere"?
A couple of years later, even when the Temple linked up with the powerful
supporting bodies, the Laos tiger trader that sold the Abbot the original
tigers, had enough command in him to send fear into the Abbot by demanding
that a beautiful Bengal tiger called Mek, a so-called 'beloved son', be
returned to the tiger farm in Laos, and he was.
The temple was getting well known then. The Abbots words were 'Laos needs
a breeding male and they want Mek, and I dont want trouble from Laos'. Mek
To do this we need to work together. Humans are capable of such wonderful
things, and I know that together we can save these tigers and other
creatures, and maybe along the way educate enough people so we protect the
tiger species from extinction.
If we stop and do nothing, then it is over. So DON'T go and support this
Tiger ABUSE temple anymore!!!
New Rescue Arrives at Drakenstein Lion Park
Ares Arrives Safely
Ares was found starving and close to death in a French circus. After being
confiscated, he was placed in a temporary refuge where he underwent veterinary
treatment for almost 10 months to ensure that he was fit enough to travel. Ares
arrived at the sanctuary on 10th February 2010.
Despite the 10 months of treatment, Ares still has a very serious condition that
threatens his vision and he will have to undergo extensive eye surgery to ensure
that he does not lose his sight.
Please help us meet the costs of this specialized eye surgery.
How you can help:
You can make a secure online donation on our website.
Saving one animal may not change the world, but surely for
that one animal the world will change forever!
© 2010 Drakenstein Lion Park. All Rights Reserved.
www.lionrescue.org.za
Rocky Mountains and a Hard Place
Sebugwaawo Ismail
20 February 2010, RAS AL KHAIMAH - The wild caracal, a predatory cat found in
the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, has become a problem for residents in the
higher reaches of the emirate.
It has prompted the local environment protection authority to announce
compensation for those whose livestock has been attacked or killed.
The Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) of Ras Al
Khaimah is also chalking out a plan to protect residents and their
livestock, EDPA Executive Director Seif Al Ghais says.
Known locally as Al Hambra or Al Washaq, the eight to 12kg wildcat has
inhabited the rocky mountains here for 17 years and is not known to attack
humans.
Al Ghais says wild caracals live in mountain caves and only come down when
snakes, lizards, rats and other typical prey became scarce in their
habitat.
The thought does not help the residents in vulnerable areas, including
Wadi Qada'a and Sha'am, who complain of huge losses because of Al Hambra
attacks.
The situation is tricky for EPDA because wild caracals are part of the
country's wildlife heritage and residents are being urged not to kill
them.
Officials from EPDA will soon coordinate with people living near mountains
to trace the wildcats and capture them to be kept in wildlife centres,
according to Al Ghais.
His message is easy: Treat it with kindness. But it is not proving easy.
Just last week, a caracal was shot dead after it attacked and injured an
Emirati, having shaken itself free of a trap.
Ghais said the Al Hambra does not often attack people or larger animals.
It does so only when it senses danger, purely as a mechanism of defence.
Ahmed Rashid, a resident of Sham, said they have on many occasions found
their livestock, especially cattle and goats, dead as a result of the
attacks from the wild caracals.
Not many have seen how these wildcats kill. But their predatory style has
begun to leave telltale signs. Walid Shaban says he cannot risk grazing
his animals near the mountains anymore.
Speak of being caught between a rock and a hard place! ?
Tiger temple admits abuse tigers
"Some physical pain is needed to discipline them for pictures." - A message for
the tourists that continue to go there!
They say they abused the tigers due to the fact that they 'were poor in 2007' -
this is a lie, they were not poor. However, Buddhist Monks in a Buddhist Temple
admitting to abusing the tigers just made the job easier to proof them guilty -
now they just have to admit the wildlife trade....
Article in The Nation (09/02/2010) - Tiger Temple Sues Top Wildlife Activists
Over Cruelty Claims
The "Tiger Temple" in Kanchanaburi has sued 2 top wildlife activists and a
reporter for defamation over claims of animal torture, illegal possession of
wildlife and alleged trade in tigers to other countries without a permit.
Staff at the "Tiger Temple", formally known as Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno
Forest Monastery, say that charges are groundless.
Local conservationists Edwin Wiek and Dr Surapon Duangkhae were handed by police
to Kanchanaburi court last week, but the journalist refused to turn up.
The three are seing sued after a news report in the Thai Post in April last year
in which claims were made about animal torture, illegal possession of wildlife
at the temple and illicit trade of a protected species. The activists and animal
welfare experts quoted in the article were critical of the temple.
The "Tiger Temple", located north of Kanchanaburi town, is a well-known
attraction that welcomes hundreds of foreign tourists a day to see and be
photographed with tigers. The fee to enter is Bt500 per person, and taking
"special photos" with the tigers costs Bt1000 extra. People can also pay Bt4500
for a morning in which they feed tiger cubs and watch an exercise session.
The temple is a huge money spinner, but questions have been raised about the
safety of it's operations and legality of monks running a virtual provate zoo.
It is believed to have got a zoo permit - for a seperate location - only late
last year.
Yearly revenue was estimated as Bt30 million in 2006, and is likely to be much more now.
Wiek, a Dutchman who runs a highly regarded animal rescue centre in Phetchaburi,
is no fan. "At least a dozen tigers are being dragged from their small
enclosures every afternoon down to a sunbaked hot valley to pose with tourists.
These tigers are extremely lethargic and allegations have been made that they
are drugged," he said.
"When the tigers are not obedient before, during or after the photo session they
are pulled by their tails and/or hit with wooden sticks on their backs and
heads. We just want to stop this torture and suffering to stop".
Wiek and Surapon, who is with the Environmental Network of Thailand, have been
freed on bail. They and others say pulling tigers by the tail causes serious
damage to their spine and is known to cause paralysis if done on a regular
basis.
According to a report by Care for the Wild International (CWI), a non-
governmental group based in the UK: "CWI investigators uncovered disturbing
evidence of serious conservation and animal welfare concerns, including illegal
tiger trafficking, systematic physical abuse of the tigers held at the temple,
and high risk interactions between tigers and tourists".
The manager at the Tiger Temple, Athithat Seemanee, has a different view:
"Brutality to the tigers here is not true. A lot of the pictures that show
torture of the animals are old, when the Tiger Temple did not have any income.
Now they are fed well with boiled chicken and canned dog food.
"As for pulling the tail and punching tigers on the head, these are ways to make
a tiger obey. It is similar to training dogs or elephants. Some physical pain is
needed to discipline them for pictures."
Athithat said there were 50 tigers at the temple and many were born there. DNA
tests have reportedly proven that the tigers are hybrids and of little
conservation value.
"We plan to release these tigers into a tiger island we are building. It should
be ready soon. There they will have more space and less interaction with people.
We have 70 people taking care of the tigers at the temple and proper medical
care is given to them", Athithat said.
The tiger island was to have been completed in 2008 and Athithat was unwilling
to give a specific date for it's opening, which has been postponed many times."
Up-date leopards Masai Mara by guide Paul Kirui
The Mara is now very green and still wet in most places. Driving around requires
one to be cautious enough. The grass has now grown tall very fast due to the
rains. After a short break and being away from the Mara, I just came back a
couple of days ago and was really longing to catch up with my cats again. I was
fortunate on arrival to find male leopard Kali who had been away from his birth
area for long. He has grown big and I am worried he will soon leave this area
and not come back again. This is because of his step dad, the Rhino ridge male
has now taken over big boy's territory completely. For the first weeks after he
came into the area, we thought big boy will see him off, but now it is many
months after and this confirms to us that Big boy has finally let go his grip on
his territory.
This morning, I went out on a game drive looking for Olive with the cubs. After
about an hour with no success, I stopped the vehicle just to listen to the
sounds of the bush and that is when I picked up an alarm call from some guinea
fowls. I went to check and found Binti. Another guide from Rekero had been
trailing her since early morning. She is obviously looking for the male as she
could not stop calling and she went around sniffing on the trail of the male who
was in the area yesterday. This has now confirmed to us that she has not been
pregnant as thought by some guides. If she mates with the male now, we should be
expecting the cubs by mid May.
After spending sometimes with Binti, I headed back to camp and was just called
by a fellow guide that he has found Olive and she was hunting. I dashed there
just when she got a young warthog. She had a rough time with the mother but
managed to ward her off. In no time, a hyaena appeared on the scene, forcing her
to hastily take the kill up a nearby tree, which was really a comfortable one,
but at least kept its prey safe from the hyaena. I am still combing the area to
see the cubs.
From the 3rd of March WCM will be in the Masai Mara so hopefully we will see all
these lovely leopards again. Photos and full report will be published on this
website again of course.
Three cheetahs spare tiny antelope's life...
and play with him instead
Hello little antelope, would you like to play with us?
Coming from three deadly cheetahs, it's the kind of invitation that's best
refused - but amazingly, this impala escaped unscathed from its encounter.
Luckily for the youngster, it seems these three male cheetahs simply weren't hungry.
Read more ...
Source: Daily Mail
Something Special, the tiger!!
A breathtaking video, watch this.
WFFT - PRESS RELEASE - 2/2/2010
Tiger temple sues conservationists and newspaper reporter over complaints
of illegal wildlife possession, animal torture and alleged illegal trade
in tigers with foreign countries without permit.
Three local conservationists are being handed over by police to court on
Wednesday the 3rd of February at 10:00AM at the provincial court of
Kanchanaburi Province. The three are being accused of defamation by the
infamous Tiger Temple after a news article in the Thai Post newspaper in
April 2009 where accusation were made about animal torture, illegal
wildlife trade and possession taking place at the tiger temple. All three
conservationists and animal welfare experts were quoted in this article as
having a derogatory opinion of the tiger temple.
At the Tiger temple (Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno, Kanchanaburi)
hundreds of foreign tourists daily vist the zoo to see and make pictures
with the tigers. Entrance fee is 500 baht per person while making "special
photos" costs 1,000 baht extra. For a morning experience people pay 4,500
baht per person to feed the cubs and watch the cub-exercise session.
At least a dozen tigers are being dragged from their small enclosures
every afternoon down to a sun-backed hot valley to pose with tourists.
These tigers are extremely lethargic and allegations have been made that
they are being been drugged. When tigers are not obedient before, during
or after the photo-session they are sprayed by the keepers with urine from
bottles in their eyes and faces and/or hit with wooden sticks on their
backs and heads. All tigers at the Tiger Temple are hybrid tigers that
originated from a commercial tiger farm in Ratchburi province. The value
to conservation of hybrid wildlife is zero. The release of hybrid wildlife
back to the wild is considered a biological crime by conservation experts
worldwide. In the past years several tigers from the tiger temple have
mysteriously disappeared once mature, and some when there were excess
cubs. The copy of a contract was found in 2008 where the tiger temple
agreed to send tigers to an illegal tiger farm in Laos, signed by the
tiger farmer, the abbot of the temple and a member of the temple board.
The export or exchange of protected wildlife such as tigers is illegal by
Thai law and the international treaty CITES (Convention on International
Trade of Endangered Species). The Department of National Parks, Plants and
Wildlife has never issued a permit to the tiger temple to exchange or
export tigers. As a matter of fact the tigers at the temple have been
confiscated in 2002 as they were illegally obtained, but were allowed to
stay at the temple as the authorities had no shelter available to care for
the tigers while the authorities were looking in to the legal case. A zoo
permit was issued on a plot of land next to the temple on the name of a
commercial enterprise in July 2009, however nothing has been built there
to this date and the tigers are currently still being exploited on temple
grounds.
Comments and complaints made by many conservationists and animal welfare
activists were made to make people aware about the torture, illegal trade
and the real value to conservation and to make a stop to the suffering of
animals.
People being charged:
Edwin Wiek
Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT)
Tel: 08-90600906
edwin.wiek@wfft.org
Dr. Surapon Duangkae
Wildlife Fund Thailand under Royal Patronage
Tel: 08-67790454
suraponwft@gmail.com
Mr. Sawan Sangbunlang
Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tel: 08-19347374
info@thaispca.org
Web: http://www.facebook.com/l/44fad;www.thaispca.org
Leopard Cubs (almost) free again!
A little while ago we received an e-mail from a Wildlife Rescue and
Rehabilitation Centre called Vanamitra in Bangalore/India. They rescued 5
leopard cubs after their mother was killed by the locals. Their wish is to
rehabilitate these cubs and release them back into the wild instead of sending
them into life time captivity. They wanted to know more info to set up a rehab
plan after that. The cubs are now about 2 months old. They have been kept in a
temporary enclosure which is surrounded by wallpapers of forests on all sides
and all they here in the noise of the forest that we play for them through a
sound box. Human interaction is minimized as much as possible. Only during the
time of feeding and a few vaccinations they are being handled otherwise they are
all by themselves.
Now the real rehab works starts for us as the cubs are replaced into a bigger
enclosure deep into the heart of the jungle for an eventual soft release. Thanks
to our still expanding network we could introduce them to leopard expert Fred
Barrangé from Leopard Conservation in South Africa and he's more than willing to
help out, even willing to come over to India to help out and release these cubs
into the wild again. Now this is great news. We will keep on sharing the news
about this release with you on this website of course!
Release caracal Book bit delayed
The release of our book about the caracal is a delayed because of a sudden
extended trip to India of our co-writer Shekhar Kolipaka. In March, after our
trip to the Masai Mara in Kenya, we will finish off this project and have it
printed. Watch this space.....
January 2010
Tiger killed, eaten by villagers in Arunachal Pradesh
NDTV Correspondent, Monday January 25, 2010, Itanagar
A full grown Royal Bengal Tiger was hunted down by villagers
of Numuk in Arunachal Pradesh's West Siang district.
Villagers gathered around the tiger after the kill. The meat
was then consumed by the people but even more disturbing is
the information of a possible wild life trade racket
flourishing in that area.
The skin of the tiger was allegedly sold to a certain
businessman from Assam for 1.5 lakh rupees.
"They must have gone for some small animal hunt and came
across this tiger and killed it. It is about 30 km from Along.
It was a heavy animal, even four persons could not carry it
properly, you may have seen the picture. Gun ammunition was
used to shoot. The skin was sold to some trader from Guwahati
at Silapathar. Wildlife authorities talk about penalties but
wildlife crime is going on. This is the season of deer hunting
and deer is being hunted regularly," said Tapak Kato, an
eyewitness from Namuk.
In the last one year this is the third incident of tiger hunting in the area but
the first time that there was photographic evidence.
Villagers beat tiger to death in Sunderbans/India
A Royal Bengal Tiger was beaten to death by villagers at Abadchandipur
adjacent to the Sundarbans in Shyamnagar upazila on saturday evening,
January 23rd.
Local sources said villagers trapped the tiger in a kitchen at about 8:00 am
on this evening but forest department officials failed to bring
tranquilliser gun till 6:00pm when the tiger was killed.
Meanwhile, at least 15 people were injured as Bangladesh Rifles (BDR)
personnel charged baton on a gathering of villagers who attempted to kill
the tiger at about 5:00pm.
Villagers also threw brickbats at law enforcers and forest officials while
incidents of chase and counter-chase took place throughout the day between
local people and members of law enforcement agencies.
Locals and forest officials said the tiger entered the village in search of
food after crossing river Chunna Thursday night.
In the morning, villagers found the tiger sitting near the house of Khorshed
Ali of Abadchandipur village and chased it. At one stage, the tiger entered
the kitchen of Khorshed Ali and villagers locked its door from outside.
They later started guarding the kitchen so that the tiger could not come out
and attack them. Meantime, police, BDR and forest guards rushed to the spot.
Jatiya Party (Ershad) lawmaker HM Golam Reza, commanding officer of 7 Rifles
Battalion Lt Col Badrul Alam, officials of local administration and forest
department also rushed to the spot and asked the villagers not to kill the
tiger.
They told villagers that they were bringing tranquilliser gun to catch the
tiger alive.
At one stage, villagers killed the tiger at about 6:00pm as forest
department officials failed to bring tranquilliser gun by the time, local
sources said.
Sources in the forest department said they could not bring tranquilliser gun
by the evening, as there is no such gun kept at its Khulna office.
China wakes up, calls for protection of tigers
Source: The Economic Times
NEW DELHI: India's newfound partnership with China on environment issues has
yielded results in the area of tiger protection as well. In what could be seen
as a new year's gift for the Indian tiger, China's State Forestry Administration
has issued a directive calling for the protection of tigers, especially the need
to step up action against illegal trade in tiger parts and products.
Poaching and smuggling of tigers fuelled by China's incessant demand for tiger
parts has been a thorny issue between India and China. This vital conservation
issue dominated Jairam Ramesh's first visit to Beijing as minister of state for
environment in August last year. At that time, however, the talks between India
and China to save the endangered animal failed to make much progress. Now, it
would seem that the Indian government's efforts have made some impact.
The Chinese order is aimed at protecting tigers in the wild, enforcing laws
against illegal trading of tiger parts & products and better management and
monitoring of tiger farms. Though silence on the issue of closing down the tiger
farms could continue to be a cause of concern for India's effort at conserving tigers.
The order has called for improved protection of tigers and their prey in the
wild. This will have to be done through efforts in "research, monitoring, anti-
poaching and alleviating human-tiger conflict". China has some 20-odd tigers in
the wild.
It has also mandated a crackdown on illegal smuggling and trade of tiger parts
and products. The order has specifically asked local forestry bureaus to
collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to increase monitoring and
undertake enforcement measures against tiger trade.
Officially, domestic trade in tiger parts is illegal in China. However, the
ever-growing demand for tiger parts, which are used as aphrodisiacal drugs and
to make Chinese traditional medicine, has contributed to a flourishing black
market, which fuels increased poaching and smuggling of tigers out of India
through the Nepal and Myanmar borders. The latest directive from the Chinese
authorities seeks to address the issue by trying to curb this demand.
It calls for promoting public awareness to reduce consumption of tiger parts and
a public rejection of illegal trade. It suggests encouraging and motivating the
public to report wildlife crime to authorities. At the same time, those
officials who repeatedly ignore public complaints about illegal trade will be
held responsible.
The Chinese order has also called for increased monitoring and management of
tiger captive breeding facilities. This will require creating a database that
would track all tigers bred on these facilities, with special attention to tiger
deaths in these farms. To prevent trade, stockpile of tiger bodies and parts
should be sealed to prevent use.
Those facilities that do not have storage capabilities would be required to
destroy stockpile, under the supervision of local authorities. Each tiger farm
will be required to have permits and meet conditions before opening up for
public viewing.
Nearly 4,000 tigers are bred in scores of these controversial tiger farms in
China. While the government maintains that these farms have been developed to
attract tourists, experts maintain that these farms are used to harvest tiger
body parts, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Mr Ramesh has pushed
for phasing out of tiger farms and destruction of stockpiles of tiger parts. The
minister had sought an assurance from China's minister for environment
protection Zhou Shengian that China would sensitise people to the problem and
take steps to discourage trade in tiger parts.
Gir National Park
Towards the end of 2009, Gir National Park, the last abode of the extremely
endangered Asiatic lion has been in the news for most of the wrong reasons.
On October 7th a group of 11 people were caught watching a "show" when a pride
of lions killed and preyed on a buffalo. The forest department recorded their
statements and after it was ascertained that it was not a "planned show" they
were let off with after being fined of Rs. 500/- for intrusion.
In what seems to be a gross violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, a
2.5km 10 foot wide cement concrete road has been constructed in Girnar Wildlife
Sanctuary near Junagadh city. The road starts from Wellingdon dam and goes to
Hatipaga on Datar Hills. When questioned about it, the deputy conservator of
forests (DCF), Anita Karne said, "We are not aware of this but we will inquire
into the matter and do the needful."
A report came in on October 17th 2009 about the death of a ten year old Asiatic
lion whose body was found after 2 days near the Pipalva village in the Khamba
taluka. Though it was sent for a post mortem to the Khamba Veterinary hospital,
initial reports claimed the lion died of old age or a disease.
Within a week of the first death came the news of an eight year old lion who was
found dead in the Khamba taluka by some villagers. Initial reports again claimed
that the death could be because of a disease.
Asiatic Lion at Gir NP
A few days before this, an injured lioness was found and rescued in the Mandvi
area of Jasadhar range close to the Babariya range known for poaching cases. The
lioness, old and blind, was found in a trap where it lay for 3 weeks before
being rescued. Earlier a cub was also found in a trap in the Veraval range and
another lion was shifted to the Sakkarbaug zoo from the Ranishav area after it's
condition deteriorated.
Then towards the end of November 2009, there were reports of big cats straying
away from the protected Gir forest. The Asiatic lion which was earlier found
only around Sasan and Dhari in Junagadh was now being spotted in Bhavnagar and
Amreli districts. 14 lions were found in Ranigala village in Bhavnagar district,
which is probably one of the biggest prides spotted in recent times. Forest
officials said that from scattered reports of lions in these areas, finding
prides of 10 had become regular. A senior forest official said that the Gir
forest could carry 250 lions at most and there are around 370 lions living
there, so over a 100 lions have moved out of the sanctuary in search of food and
due to territorial fights.
Next, in the first week of December, another lion, possibly aged 7
years was found dead after falling 25m from a bridge near the Bhelchhar
village. It was later confirmed by an eyewitness (identity withheld), that
the animal was startled by the headlights of a speeding car as it was
crossing the 20m long bridge going towards Junagadh. Feeling threatened,
the lion jumped atop a narrow meter-high parapet on the left side of the
bridge but lost it's balance and plunged down hitting it's head on a rock
near the river bed, it walked another 4m before collapsing under the right
hand side of the bridge. The cause of death as per the postmortem report
was stated as hemorrhage to the head and chest.
Then on 20th December 2009, the state forest department found the carcass of a 7
year old lioness in the Tulsishyam range of the Gir forest in the Amreli
district. She had been brutally killed using a sharp weapon. As per the
postmortem report, she had received several wounds to the left of her chest,
Some were deep enough to break two of her ribs.
All these incidents and only in the last quarter of 2009. It's about time
someone is held responsible for this. The forest department need to be
congratulated for their efforts but at the same time such carelessness
shouldn't be tolerated. With only 350 odd Asiatic lions in the wild today,
no chances can be taken with their survival. About the lion sightings, it
has become synonymous with Gir National Park now. From what I hear, they
have moved a number of lions into a part of the national park where the
tourists are allowed to go. Otherwise also, with more than 350 lions in
that small area, the chances of a good sighting are very high.
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