NEWS

In his May report, Pedro vaz Pinto mentioned having obtained a few photos taken in dark nights of the Giant Sable.On one occasion a small group of three individuals, in which were one of the young 3 year-old pure males and their "sister", with a third animal in the background almost surely being one of the remaining young male "brothers". Vaz Pinto assumes that a giant sable bull was still present in 2004 in Cangandala, and the herd had then 5 newborns, 4 males and one female. They are all now 3 year-olds and may play a central role in saving this population. A young lonely hybrid female was recorded some ten days later. Vaz Pinto also said that his research group is also about to start activities in Luando, which will include very soon a series of low altitude flights over the reserve. Final arrangements for another expedition into the reserve are also under way.

In early May two communal area conservancies in the Kavango region signed the Khaudum Concession Agreement that will pave the way for the development of tourism facilities in the Khaudum National Park. These are the first agreements following the approval of the national policy on wildlife and tourism concession on State land by Cabinet in July last year. The 20-year concession agreement entails the establishment of accommodation facilities, conducting guided game drives, walks and sight-seeing, sale of crafts and products and meals and beverages. The two conservancies form the Khaudum north complex. Khaudum was proclaimed in 1989 and is described as one of the country's most rugged and remotest national parks, with accommodation limited to camping at Sikerette and Khaudum camps. The two conservancies have a joint hunting concession through which they jointly earned N$252000 from trophy hunting. The concession covers tourism, trophy hunting and harvesting of valuable plant materials such as medicinal plants, thatching grass and plant and animal species for bio-prospecting.

It is estimated that there are currently 1,600 lions in the Kruger National Park, give or take 225 animals, and they are nearly all in tiptop condition. This is the result of a lion population survey carried out during the winter months of 2005 and 2006. The survey is the first to study the park’s entire lion population, as previous lion counts had targeted only certain areas of Kruger. The research was led by Dr Paul Funston from the Tshwane University of Technology and Dr Sam Ferreira from the Conservation Ecology Research Unit at the University of Pretoria and part of their equipment was funded by Conservation Force.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife South African Police Services of the Mtubatuba area, assisted by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff,  have arrested six people following the shooting of a white rhino bull on the western shore of Lake St Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on 6 May 2008. The carcass of the rhino was found in open grassland.  The scene of the incident was thoroughly examined by SAPS and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife investigators who found several cartridge cases and also recovered several spent bullet heads from the carcass.  These items have been for forensic testing.

The accused appeared in the Mtubatuba Magistrate's Court on Monday 19 May 2008 and the case has been remanded to 26 May 2008 for bail applications.  In the course of making the arrests, the SAPS officers recovered an R1 rifle and several rounds of live ammunition, which have also been sent in for forensic testing.

South Africa Imposes National Moratorium on Rhino Horn

Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Extract from the budget vote speech by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, National Council of Provinces, 5 June 2008) Download full report (Word 29kb)

Source:African Indaba

 RHINO HORNS

ScienceDaily reported that Scientists have discovered new details about the structural materials that form the horn and the role those materials play in the development of the horn’s characteristic shape. The horns of most animals have a bony core covered by a thin sheath of keratin, the same substance a hair and nails. Rhino horns are unique, however, because they are composed entirely of keratin. Scientists had been puzzled by the difference, but an Ohio University study has revealed an interesting clue: dark patches running through the center of the horns.

The structure of the rhino horns is similar to a pencil’s tough lead core and weaker wood periphery, which allows the horns to be honed to a sharp point. Thus, the horn is not simply a clump of modified hair and most closely resembles the structure of horses’ hoofs, turtle beaks and cockatoo bills. The study also found that the melanin and calcium patches appear in yearly growth surges but the effects of temperature, diet and stress on the growth are still unknown. The research findings were published in the Journal of Morphology

Return of the Winchester Model 70

Winchester has released a press release announcing the return of the Model 70 bolt action rifle for 2008.

The news is so fresh, in fact, that Winchester's website still refers to the Model 70 as a "historic firearm" and states "We are often asked when the great historic products such as the Model 70, Model 94, Model 1300 and others will be reintroduced into the marketplace. At this time there are no definite plans or announcements."

Winchester had ceased production of the Model 70 bolt-action and the Model 94 lever-action in 2006, putting an end to two legendary American rifle designs.

The Model 70 had fallen out of favor with American shooters after a 1964 redesign that was regarded as cheapening the quality of the guns. The quality of Model 94s had similarly been degraded -- I sold my 30-30 Model 94 years ago, very disappointed with the quality of the rifle.

The re-born Model 70 will be made in America, will feature a new trigger, pre-'64 style controlled-round feed, and an improved version of Winchester's great 3-position safety.

All indications are that the re-born Model 70 should be a great rifle, offered in 4 different grades in a variety of calibers yet to be specified.

There's currently no word on any plans for a Model 94 re-birth.

 Click here for larger view-[Opens in new window]