Marx Itamalo
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 23:19
An unknown creature is reportedly frightening and threatening village residents in the Uukwiyu Uushona constituency (Oshana region).
According to regional councillor Andreas Mundjindi, the mysterious animal was spotted late last Saturday chasing dogs and goats. Mundjindi says that the beast even almost injured a young man on Sunday afternoon on his way home.
"This is an alien animal that the people have not seen before. We don't have a forest here and only bushes. So, this must be black magic at play", the councillor told Informanté.
The animal is said to be white in colour with a dog-like head and pig-like backside. Locals are now only working and walking in groups whenever they go somewhere - day or night.
One resident told Informanté that the creature originated from a house of a grey haired man. "Everyone believes it is his beast and even he knows that we think so," the source said, adding that the man would be so feared that no one dares to confront him.
The resident further says that people are puzzled that the mysterious animal only attacks dogs of some households while others are spared of the attacks.
"When it comes our side in the night, all the dogs are barking, but if it goes back west, then it's all hush. People must be safe. We don't want to be mauled by things we don't know," he fumed.
A teacher acknowledged that even his learners are talking about the alien animal. "Wether it's true or not, I don't know. Wambos are just like Caprivians. They like magic too much," says the geography teacher. Unknown animals have been regularly spotted in the north over the past years, most notably at Okaku village. There residents accused a certain family of keeping strange animals as pets. The family successfully sued the Ministry of Safety and Security when police searched their house. Nothing was found.
The Uukwiyu Uushona councillor pleads with the owner of the unknown beast to remove it from the open before it causes injuries. "Alikana tukwateni nawa iinima yetu nokuyipa yilye yo kaayi tu fadhukiipo" – translating into "please let's keep our things safe and feed them, so that they don't run out into the open."
Some of northern tribes are said to believe that keeping strange animals in their houses would bring luck, protection and wealth.
http://www.informante.web.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9428:mysterious-beast-terrorizes-villagers&catid=19:inside-pages&Itemid=100
Showing posts with label namibia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label namibia. Show all posts
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Namibia's seals are worth more alive than dead
Seal slaughter is damaging Namibia's economy, says study
September 2011: Namibian fur seals are slaughtered in their thousands each year, but now a new economic study has confirmed the seals are worth three times as much alive rather than dead.
Comparing the latest figures for the seal trade and seal watching, the report says that the annual Namibian seal slaughter poses a major risk to the far more lucrative seal watching tourism industry.
Pelts can fetch less than £4Each year in Namibia, nursing baby seals are forcibly separated from their mothers and beaten and stabbed to death for their fur. Their pelts are sold for less than £4 each. Seal watching takes place on the very same beaches where the killing is allowed: Cape Cross, Atlas Bay and Wolf Bay. During the hunt season, from July 1 to November 15, hundreds of baby seals are clubbed to death between dawn and 8am at Cape Cross, a seal reserve.
At 10am, the same beach opens as a seal-watching attraction and hundreds of tourists flood in, oblivious to the carnage that took place just hours earlier.
The report, produced by the Australia-based independent economics consultancy Economists at Large, reveals that in 2008, the seal hunt generated only £320,000, a poor comparison to seal watching which netted £1.3 million in direct tourism expenditure in the same period.
Culling threatens lucrative tourist industryIt gives a detailed insight into the seal slaughter by examining the monetary benefits attached to each part of the trade. Bull seals account for a large proportion of the profits attached to the seal kills, as their penises are sold in Asian markets for alleged aphrodisiac qualities, at about £85 per kilogram. Aside from the low income netted by the seal slaughter, the practice poses a real threat to the far more lucrative seal-watching industry; large scale killing could lead to a collapse of seal populations, as witnessed in the 1990s.
Seal watching in contrast is a popular tourism activity undertaken by around 10 per cent of tourists to Namibia - just over 100,000 in 2008. Based on current growth trends, the report predicts that by 2016 as many as 175,000 tourists will participate in seal watching, generating close £2.2 million in direct revenues. Seal watching also delivers benefits to a far wider range of Namibian society than seal killing, helping boost tourism support services such as hotels and restaurants.
Call on Namibia to end slaughterMark Jones, executive director of Humane Society International UK, one of a group of organisation's that commissioned the report, said: ‘The Namibian authorities have long defended the seal slaughter on the grounds that it generates money and jobs, but this report shows that it could actually be damaging to the economy.
‘We call upon the government of Namibia to end the cruel slaughter of baby seals for their fur, and act in the best interest of its citizens and the seals, by promoting seal watching as a viable and sustainable economic alternative.'
Claire Bass, WSPA Interbational Oceans Campaign Leader, said: ‘ Each year up to 85,000 seals are killed in Namibia to make just a few dollars from their furs; this report highlights that they would be worth so much more to the Namibian economy alive.
‘Eco-tourism is a growing part of Namibia's identity but tourists will be shocked to find that a seal they photograph one day may be killed the next morning. There is a clear economic case for the government to protect these animals.'
September 2011: Namibian fur seals are slaughtered in their thousands each year, but now a new economic study has confirmed the seals are worth three times as much alive rather than dead.
Comparing the latest figures for the seal trade and seal watching, the report says that the annual Namibian seal slaughter poses a major risk to the far more lucrative seal watching tourism industry.
Pelts can fetch less than £4Each year in Namibia, nursing baby seals are forcibly separated from their mothers and beaten and stabbed to death for their fur. Their pelts are sold for less than £4 each. Seal watching takes place on the very same beaches where the killing is allowed: Cape Cross, Atlas Bay and Wolf Bay. During the hunt season, from July 1 to November 15, hundreds of baby seals are clubbed to death between dawn and 8am at Cape Cross, a seal reserve.
At 10am, the same beach opens as a seal-watching attraction and hundreds of tourists flood in, oblivious to the carnage that took place just hours earlier.
The report, produced by the Australia-based independent economics consultancy Economists at Large, reveals that in 2008, the seal hunt generated only £320,000, a poor comparison to seal watching which netted £1.3 million in direct tourism expenditure in the same period.
Culling threatens lucrative tourist industryIt gives a detailed insight into the seal slaughter by examining the monetary benefits attached to each part of the trade. Bull seals account for a large proportion of the profits attached to the seal kills, as their penises are sold in Asian markets for alleged aphrodisiac qualities, at about £85 per kilogram. Aside from the low income netted by the seal slaughter, the practice poses a real threat to the far more lucrative seal-watching industry; large scale killing could lead to a collapse of seal populations, as witnessed in the 1990s.
Seal watching in contrast is a popular tourism activity undertaken by around 10 per cent of tourists to Namibia - just over 100,000 in 2008. Based on current growth trends, the report predicts that by 2016 as many as 175,000 tourists will participate in seal watching, generating close £2.2 million in direct revenues. Seal watching also delivers benefits to a far wider range of Namibian society than seal killing, helping boost tourism support services such as hotels and restaurants.
Call on Namibia to end slaughterMark Jones, executive director of Humane Society International UK, one of a group of organisation's that commissioned the report, said: ‘The Namibian authorities have long defended the seal slaughter on the grounds that it generates money and jobs, but this report shows that it could actually be damaging to the economy.
‘We call upon the government of Namibia to end the cruel slaughter of baby seals for their fur, and act in the best interest of its citizens and the seals, by promoting seal watching as a viable and sustainable economic alternative.'
Claire Bass, WSPA Interbational Oceans Campaign Leader, said: ‘ Each year up to 85,000 seals are killed in Namibia to make just a few dollars from their furs; this report highlights that they would be worth so much more to the Namibian economy alive.
‘Eco-tourism is a growing part of Namibia's identity but tourists will be shocked to find that a seal they photograph one day may be killed the next morning. There is a clear economic case for the government to protect these animals.'
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Entire pride of desert lions wiped out by hunting and poison
Entire pride wiped out by hunting and poisoning
July 2011. In April 2001 four lions came walking into the Hoarusib River valley on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. The three adult males and one adult female came walking all the way in from the upper Barab River, two hundred and fifty kilometres to the south. It was the first time in thirteen years that lions had taken up residence in the Hoarusib River valley.
Mixed feelings
The human population received them with mixed emotions. Local tour operators were happy to have them back while the pastoral residents of Purros were up in arms. The lions got into trouble from the outset. Their first meal in the Hoarusib was the prized stud bull belonging to Headman Daniel Karotjaiva's, followed by several cows and donkeys.
Compensation scheme
Wilderness Safaris and other operators started a compensation scheme in order to ensure the survival of the lions. This was the start of an uneasy relationship between man and lion in the Hoarusib River.
The lions soon moved down river into the Skeleton Coast Park. Shortly after their arrival the female gave birth to two female cubs at the fresh water spring at the mouth of the Hoarusib River. These were the first cubs to be born in sight of the sea in the Park for more than a decade.
Oryx diet
During the dry season the lion remained within the boundaries of the Park. Large herds of oryx concentrated on the banks of the river where they were ambushed by the lions. The lions were safe within the boundaries of the Park.
The trouble started during the rainy season when the oryx dispersed to feed on the plains where the rain had fallen. It was difficult for the lions to hunt. They would then leave the Park and kill live stock around Purros village.
2002 - More cubs
In 2002 another two female cubs were born at the mouth of the river. These two females became the regular residents of the Hoarusib River for the next decade. They were often seen on safari.
These lionesses were closely monitored by Dr. Flip Stander of the Desert Lion Conservation Fund. They became known as Tawney and Morada; they were often visited by Leonardo, the dominant male.
Living in close proximity to humans
The lions became bolder as they grew older. They started frequenting the settled areas. Dr. Stander and Wilderness Safaris addressed the problem by creating a lion task force from local community members. A 4x4 vehicle was bought. The members were trained by Dr. Stander in the use of and given radio telemetry equipment. Now the local community could monitor the lions. If the lions came close to Purros the cattle could be herded out of the river. The telemetry equipment was also used by local guides to take tourists to the lions.
One of the main threats to the lions was that the community has got so used to living without lions for more than a decade, that they have stopped herding their cattle. Now with the lions back, they were reluctant to resume herding.
Problem lions
In the course of time the lions reared cubs. In 2009 things came to a head when Leonardo, Tawney and Morada and three sub adult cubs stayed at the villages of Purros and Okongombe Themba, killing donkeys and scaring people.
Translocation
In November 2009 Dr. Stander recruited the help of Wilderness Safaris again. Wilderness staff, vehicles, fuel and equipment was used to remove the lions from Purros. All six lions were translocated to Sarusas spring in the Skeleton Coast Park. When they returned eight days later, they were physically prevented from re-entering the village by Wilderness staff and the lion task force. However one of the females slipped through the lines to kill another donkey. She was immobilized again and taken to the Hoarusib mouth.
Hunting safari
After three weeks the lions left the vicinity of Purros and moved down river. The community thanked Dr. Stander and the Wilderness Safaris staff, saying that they acknowledge that people are concerned about their plight. Dr. Stander pleaded with them not to kill Leonardo, the breeding male. He asked that they rather shoot one of the younger males for compensation for their stock losses. This was done a few months later in a legal hunt.
Everyone felt that a breakthrough was made. It was a good example of cooperation by all parties, buying time for the lions. Dr. Stander estimated that the operation had cost Wilderness Safaris close to 100,000 Nam dollars.
Leonardo killed by hunter
All of this was made undone shortly afterwards when Leonardo the breeding male was killed by an independent hunter in controversial circumstances that created a media outcry. The other male was also later shot by herders when it wandered into a different conservancy.
Rest of the pride poisoned
That left only the two sisters, Tawney and Morada and a young female, Maya in the Hoarusib River. Their lives came to an end on Saturday 10 July 2011. They were killed by strychnine poisoning fifteen kilometres north of Purros. Strychnine is often used by stock owners to poison predators. One can only wonder who killed the lions.
Benefits and losses
For a decade a lot of people worked together to try and find a compromise between humans and lions in the Hoarusib River. For a decade the lions caused losses, but also brought benefits to the people in the valley.
Was their death inevitable? Could a solution be reached? Are we any closer to sustainable lion tourism in the Kunene Region? Are their still too many rogue elements around? Be as it may-the lions of the Hoarusib River are dead.
Leonardo's death
The shooting of Leonardo is surrounded by controversy. He was apparently shot by a hunter, Keith Wright, and his client, who only had a permit to shoot a female lion on a different conservancy.
Furthermore, Leonardo was carrying a large collar which marked him out as a ‘research' lion. We believe that the collar has never been recovered and that the hunter has been charged by the authorities over this incident.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/desert-lions.html#cr
July 2011. In April 2001 four lions came walking into the Hoarusib River valley on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. The three adult males and one adult female came walking all the way in from the upper Barab River, two hundred and fifty kilometres to the south. It was the first time in thirteen years that lions had taken up residence in the Hoarusib River valley.
Mixed feelings
The human population received them with mixed emotions. Local tour operators were happy to have them back while the pastoral residents of Purros were up in arms. The lions got into trouble from the outset. Their first meal in the Hoarusib was the prized stud bull belonging to Headman Daniel Karotjaiva's, followed by several cows and donkeys.
Compensation scheme
Wilderness Safaris and other operators started a compensation scheme in order to ensure the survival of the lions. This was the start of an uneasy relationship between man and lion in the Hoarusib River.
The lions soon moved down river into the Skeleton Coast Park. Shortly after their arrival the female gave birth to two female cubs at the fresh water spring at the mouth of the Hoarusib River. These were the first cubs to be born in sight of the sea in the Park for more than a decade.
Oryx diet
During the dry season the lion remained within the boundaries of the Park. Large herds of oryx concentrated on the banks of the river where they were ambushed by the lions. The lions were safe within the boundaries of the Park.
The trouble started during the rainy season when the oryx dispersed to feed on the plains where the rain had fallen. It was difficult for the lions to hunt. They would then leave the Park and kill live stock around Purros village.
2002 - More cubs
In 2002 another two female cubs were born at the mouth of the river. These two females became the regular residents of the Hoarusib River for the next decade. They were often seen on safari.
These lionesses were closely monitored by Dr. Flip Stander of the Desert Lion Conservation Fund. They became known as Tawney and Morada; they were often visited by Leonardo, the dominant male.
Living in close proximity to humans
The lions became bolder as they grew older. They started frequenting the settled areas. Dr. Stander and Wilderness Safaris addressed the problem by creating a lion task force from local community members. A 4x4 vehicle was bought. The members were trained by Dr. Stander in the use of and given radio telemetry equipment. Now the local community could monitor the lions. If the lions came close to Purros the cattle could be herded out of the river. The telemetry equipment was also used by local guides to take tourists to the lions.
One of the main threats to the lions was that the community has got so used to living without lions for more than a decade, that they have stopped herding their cattle. Now with the lions back, they were reluctant to resume herding.
Problem lions
In the course of time the lions reared cubs. In 2009 things came to a head when Leonardo, Tawney and Morada and three sub adult cubs stayed at the villages of Purros and Okongombe Themba, killing donkeys and scaring people.
Translocation
In November 2009 Dr. Stander recruited the help of Wilderness Safaris again. Wilderness staff, vehicles, fuel and equipment was used to remove the lions from Purros. All six lions were translocated to Sarusas spring in the Skeleton Coast Park. When they returned eight days later, they were physically prevented from re-entering the village by Wilderness staff and the lion task force. However one of the females slipped through the lines to kill another donkey. She was immobilized again and taken to the Hoarusib mouth.
Hunting safari
After three weeks the lions left the vicinity of Purros and moved down river. The community thanked Dr. Stander and the Wilderness Safaris staff, saying that they acknowledge that people are concerned about their plight. Dr. Stander pleaded with them not to kill Leonardo, the breeding male. He asked that they rather shoot one of the younger males for compensation for their stock losses. This was done a few months later in a legal hunt.
Everyone felt that a breakthrough was made. It was a good example of cooperation by all parties, buying time for the lions. Dr. Stander estimated that the operation had cost Wilderness Safaris close to 100,000 Nam dollars.
Leonardo killed by hunter
All of this was made undone shortly afterwards when Leonardo the breeding male was killed by an independent hunter in controversial circumstances that created a media outcry. The other male was also later shot by herders when it wandered into a different conservancy.
Rest of the pride poisoned
That left only the two sisters, Tawney and Morada and a young female, Maya in the Hoarusib River. Their lives came to an end on Saturday 10 July 2011. They were killed by strychnine poisoning fifteen kilometres north of Purros. Strychnine is often used by stock owners to poison predators. One can only wonder who killed the lions.
Benefits and losses
For a decade a lot of people worked together to try and find a compromise between humans and lions in the Hoarusib River. For a decade the lions caused losses, but also brought benefits to the people in the valley.
Was their death inevitable? Could a solution be reached? Are we any closer to sustainable lion tourism in the Kunene Region? Are their still too many rogue elements around? Be as it may-the lions of the Hoarusib River are dead.
Leonardo's death
The shooting of Leonardo is surrounded by controversy. He was apparently shot by a hunter, Keith Wright, and his client, who only had a permit to shoot a female lion on a different conservancy.
Furthermore, Leonardo was carrying a large collar which marked him out as a ‘research' lion. We believe that the collar has never been recovered and that the hunter has been charged by the authorities over this incident.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/desert-lions.html#cr
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Namibia: Creatures Continue Nocturnal Attacks--African Chupacabras?
Stories of unidentified creatures that attack animals at night continue to do the rounds in the north. On the early morning hours of last Friday, a puppy that belonged to Lukas Fotolela, a resident of Ongwediva, died after it was savagely mauled by an unknown creature.
The creature allegedly entered the house through a small gate that was not properly closed.
"I was sleeping with an open window, when I saw a big white animal, with a black or brownish head forcing its way underneath the corrugated iron sheets where the puppies were sleeping. I tried to scare it away by hitting on the window but instead, it jumped towards me, wanting to attack me, but I quickly closed the door," explained Monica Simon.
According to Simon, the creature looked like a dog, but was bigger than a dog. She explained that the animal exuded a strong bad odour.
"After I closed the window, the creature went back to the puppies and killed my favourite puppy. I heard it making sounds as if it was chewing something. I thought it was eating up the puppy but when we woke up, the dead dog only had a bit of blood coming from its mouth. I guess it sucked its blood," said Simon.
The owner of the house, Lukas Fotolela, who worked until late that night came home to find his dog dead.
"When I came home, the incident had just happened. The small gate was open and the dog was already dead. The other puppy survived as it hid on the far corner of the corrugated iron sheets," said Fotolela.
Fotolela said he searched his yard but could not find the animal or its footprints.
For years now stories of unknown creatures that kill animals in the north, especially Oshana Region have been reported. Livestock especially goats and chickens have reportedly fallen prey to these creatures.
Accusing fingers are pointed at individuals who are accused of being the owners of these animals in what is believed to be witchcraft cases. They only suck their victims' blood and eat the foetus from expecting goats.
Early this year, two dogs were killed by police officials and environment and tourism officers at Ehafo Village after the community there informed the officials that these dogs were responsible of the deaths of their animals.
The two dogs that belonged to an Oshakati businessman were killed after "mistaken" identity.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010070670.html
The creature allegedly entered the house through a small gate that was not properly closed.
"I was sleeping with an open window, when I saw a big white animal, with a black or brownish head forcing its way underneath the corrugated iron sheets where the puppies were sleeping. I tried to scare it away by hitting on the window but instead, it jumped towards me, wanting to attack me, but I quickly closed the door," explained Monica Simon.
According to Simon, the creature looked like a dog, but was bigger than a dog. She explained that the animal exuded a strong bad odour.
"After I closed the window, the creature went back to the puppies and killed my favourite puppy. I heard it making sounds as if it was chewing something. I thought it was eating up the puppy but when we woke up, the dead dog only had a bit of blood coming from its mouth. I guess it sucked its blood," said Simon.
The owner of the house, Lukas Fotolela, who worked until late that night came home to find his dog dead.
"When I came home, the incident had just happened. The small gate was open and the dog was already dead. The other puppy survived as it hid on the far corner of the corrugated iron sheets," said Fotolela.
Fotolela said he searched his yard but could not find the animal or its footprints.
For years now stories of unknown creatures that kill animals in the north, especially Oshana Region have been reported. Livestock especially goats and chickens have reportedly fallen prey to these creatures.
Accusing fingers are pointed at individuals who are accused of being the owners of these animals in what is believed to be witchcraft cases. They only suck their victims' blood and eat the foetus from expecting goats.
Early this year, two dogs were killed by police officials and environment and tourism officers at Ehafo Village after the community there informed the officials that these dogs were responsible of the deaths of their animals.
The two dogs that belonged to an Oshakati businessman were killed after "mistaken" identity.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010070670.html
Namibia: Creatures Continue Nocturnal Attacks--African Chupacabras?
Stories of unidentified creatures that attack animals at night continue to do the rounds in the north. On the early morning hours of last Friday, a puppy that belonged to Lukas Fotolela, a resident of Ongwediva, died after it was savagely mauled by an unknown creature.
The creature allegedly entered the house through a small gate that was not properly closed.
"I was sleeping with an open window, when I saw a big white animal, with a black or brownish head forcing its way underneath the corrugated iron sheets where the puppies were sleeping. I tried to scare it away by hitting on the window but instead, it jumped towards me, wanting to attack me, but I quickly closed the door," explained Monica Simon.
According to Simon, the creature looked like a dog, but was bigger than a dog. She explained that the animal exuded a strong bad odour.
"After I closed the window, the creature went back to the puppies and killed my favourite puppy. I heard it making sounds as if it was chewing something. I thought it was eating up the puppy but when we woke up, the dead dog only had a bit of blood coming from its mouth. I guess it sucked its blood," said Simon.
The owner of the house, Lukas Fotolela, who worked until late that night came home to find his dog dead.
"When I came home, the incident had just happened. The small gate was open and the dog was already dead. The other puppy survived as it hid on the far corner of the corrugated iron sheets," said Fotolela.
Fotolela said he searched his yard but could not find the animal or its footprints.
For years now stories of unknown creatures that kill animals in the north, especially Oshana Region have been reported. Livestock especially goats and chickens have reportedly fallen prey to these creatures.
Accusing fingers are pointed at individuals who are accused of being the owners of these animals in what is believed to be witchcraft cases. They only suck their victims' blood and eat the foetus from expecting goats.
Early this year, two dogs were killed by police officials and environment and tourism officers at Ehafo Village after the community there informed the officials that these dogs were responsible of the deaths of their animals.
The two dogs that belonged to an Oshakati businessman were killed after "mistaken" identity.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010070670.html
The creature allegedly entered the house through a small gate that was not properly closed.
"I was sleeping with an open window, when I saw a big white animal, with a black or brownish head forcing its way underneath the corrugated iron sheets where the puppies were sleeping. I tried to scare it away by hitting on the window but instead, it jumped towards me, wanting to attack me, but I quickly closed the door," explained Monica Simon.
According to Simon, the creature looked like a dog, but was bigger than a dog. She explained that the animal exuded a strong bad odour.
"After I closed the window, the creature went back to the puppies and killed my favourite puppy. I heard it making sounds as if it was chewing something. I thought it was eating up the puppy but when we woke up, the dead dog only had a bit of blood coming from its mouth. I guess it sucked its blood," said Simon.
The owner of the house, Lukas Fotolela, who worked until late that night came home to find his dog dead.
"When I came home, the incident had just happened. The small gate was open and the dog was already dead. The other puppy survived as it hid on the far corner of the corrugated iron sheets," said Fotolela.
Fotolela said he searched his yard but could not find the animal or its footprints.
For years now stories of unknown creatures that kill animals in the north, especially Oshana Region have been reported. Livestock especially goats and chickens have reportedly fallen prey to these creatures.
Accusing fingers are pointed at individuals who are accused of being the owners of these animals in what is believed to be witchcraft cases. They only suck their victims' blood and eat the foetus from expecting goats.
Early this year, two dogs were killed by police officials and environment and tourism officers at Ehafo Village after the community there informed the officials that these dogs were responsible of the deaths of their animals.
The two dogs that belonged to an Oshakati businessman were killed after "mistaken" identity.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010070670.html
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