NEWS: Hope for African Species
We start the week off with some good news for some of our beloved and endangered African species. Every little bit of extra help is noted in the protection of our most precious of animals.
Top of the Big 5 and King of the Jungle rings synonymous with the African Lion, unfortunately “Endangered” does not. Some would question the word “unfortunately”, but let me fill you in. currently there is only 32 000 lions inhabiting the African continent, a far cry from the 200 000 there used to be a century ago. As so many other species, due to poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation the number of lions have drastically decreased and they have disappeared from 80% of the areas they use to be found.
Unknown to some, most of these illegally hunted lions are shipped out of the country and 55 – 60 % of them head straight to the U.S. Luckily, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) is opting to include the African Lion on the Endangered Species List.
In other good news, a critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros calf was born the previous Sunday in the Atlanta Zoo. The new-born is the first Black Rhino to be born in captivity in 124 years. Normally found in grassland-forest transition zones of Africa, these endangered herbivores have been reduced to less than 5000. The birth of the little one brings hope and will hopefully be the start of a motion that will help it escape the fate of its cousin, the Western African Black Rhino. The Western Black Rhino was declared extinct in 2011 due to illegal poaching and the lack of protection programs.
Furthermore, the Royals are continuing their bid to fight for the endangered species of Africa. After the hubbub of the new Prince’s birth, Prince William agreed to be interviewed about Prince George as long as he can also talk about his on-going passion for Africa and his dreams to save the most endangered species of the world.
Related article: Royal Concern for Environment
THIS WEEK’S FEATURED SPECIALS:
Weekly Specials
Last Minute Special - From R 1650 pps
Shark & Stay
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:
“We can stay young by focusing on a dream instead of on a regret.” Unknown