Man Killed by Elephant in Balule Nature Reserve

Yesterday around 9am a man was tragically killed in a vicious attack by an elephant bull.

The incident occurred on the Balule region of York (not too far from our Railway gate). Arriving on the gruesome scene I was able to ascertain with reasonable accuracy that the attack was unprovoked. The men were laying a water pipe when two elephant came up on them, one of which charged chasing down one of the men and killing him. I

n light of this and other recent aggressive behaviour from bulls particularly those in musth, we appeal to members to be extra cautious when viewing elephant. And under no circumstances should you walk on the reserve.

Shareholders are warned of the dangers elephants, especially those in musth. Please familiarise yourself, your authorised users, and guests of the hints given below. Shareholders are reminded that walking and cycling on the farm are not permitted.

Hints for safer viewing of elephant

1. If the circumstances permit, always reverse into a sighting. This way if things turn nasty, you can always drive away in your forward gears.

2. Never allow any of the passengers to stand up in the vehicle. There won’t be time to go back and collect them once they have fallen out when you “popped the clutch” getting away from a charging elephant.

3. Only switch off your engine if you are reasonably sure your vehicle will start again easily, otherwise leave it running.

"Busy weekend.

5 year old girl stung by male Opistophthalmus glabrifrons in Warmbaths on Saturday evening. Not serious but it caused a lot of worry (and speeding ride to Unitas hospital) after everyone thought it was Parabuthus transvaalicus.

Man stung by what seems to be Uroplectes olivaceus in Letaba Kruger Park. Still Experiencing intense pain, kidney problems and insomnia. On his way to doctor right now.

Guys, our scorpions are beginning to wake up. If you work in the bush know how to handle a scorpion sting BEFORE it happens not after!" (Posted by Jonathan Leeming on Facebook)

Jonathan is an authority on southern African spiders and scorpions. In 2003 his ground breaking book Scorpions of southern Africa was published by Struik Nature. For the first time, a book on scorpions was available to the general public and soon Jonathan was giving lectures, presentations and courses all over Africa.

Zebra ♡: Kiss for Mom! x - by Mary Golding

Dear Shareholders,

You may be aware of the increased intensity of rhino poaching and petty crime in the Hoedspruit area. In the past week alone there have been several incidents of rhino poaching and security breaches on neighbouring properties in the area and as many as 7 rhino have been shot. These poachers are no longer rag tag bush meat hunters but well organised and well-armed groups that in most cases consist of trained ex-soldiers and they are likely to be extremely dangerous when confronted.

The Board and Manager, together with our neighbours, are looking at ways in which we can be proactive on the reserve to protect our fauna and property from such unauthorised incursions of this nature and we are currently in the process of obtaining a quotation from a security company to act as a reaction force should we come across any spoor or have an incident. One of the first indications that there are unauthorised people on the farm is the presence of strange spoor – (all our staff wear specific and identifiable footwear). On finding such spoor the manager and his tracking staff will immediately take steps to follow the spoor whilst at the same time calling in professional assistance from specifically trained security backup personnel and air surveillance. Our staff are currently not authorised to apprehend intruders forcibly and we want to ensure that they are also protected in the event of an incident.

CAPE TOWN 29 AUGUST 2012, at 18H30

CHRIS AND MONIQUE FALLOWS
The Cape's unexpected visitors: when orcas come to call

Chris Fallows specializes in shark conservation and marine wildlife photography. His main focus of work is at Seal Island in False Bay South Africa, which has become famous for the breaching Great White Sharks.

Chris and a colleague discovered the unique breaching behaviour here in 1996 and since then has completed just over 1400 trips to Seal Island. His work has appeared in over 35 international natural history documentaries and on the covers of many of the world's most prestigious magazines and newspapers.

He is also passionate about all forms of wildlife and whilst not working with great white sharks at Seal Island, he and his wife travel extensively to photograph and spend time with a large variety of other wildlife, both on land and at sea.

Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk
RSVP: www.capeunionmart/co.za/events

PRETORIA 15 AUGUST 2012, at 18H30

ALBIE VENTER
Kenya through the lens

A qualified conservationist and registered safari guide for both southern and Wast Africa, Albie has been involved in conservation, tourism and guide development for the past 15 years. 

After living in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve for several years he recently returned to his native Lowveld, and now runs specialised tours to East Africa. Albie is a regular contributor to Africa Geographic where his photographic skills inspire admiration and envy.

Find out how he captures such wonderful images at this evening's behind-the-scenes look at photographing in the home of the safari: Kenya.

Cape Union Mart, Woodlands Mall
RSVP: www.capeunionmart/co.za/events

Hoedspruit has been chosen as the LIMPOPO finalist in the Rapport/Kwela – 2012 SA Town of the Year competition. It will mean a great deal to the Hoedspruit people and have a massive impact on our local economy should we be successful and be voted SA Town of the Year for 2012. See attached jpeg

The winning town will receive R1 Million Rand in TV advertising from KYKNET as well as an additional R1 Million Rand in advertising from Rapport.

We NEED YOUR HELP to do the following;

1.       SMS your VOTE FOR HOEDSPRUIT (SMS HOEDSPRUIT to 33157)

2.       Forward this email to your database of friends and people you know who have an interest in Hoedspruit so that they can do the same.

3.       Make a donation for SIM CARDS to enable the less fortunate to vote for their town.

FUNDRAISING DONATIONS:

·         All donations for the SIM cards can be paid into the following account number:

Hoedspruit Training Trust (Hlokomela)

ABSA Branch: 632005

Account Number: 405 505 1951

Please help the beautiful "Wild Coast" of South Africa to be declared a No-Go area for mining and demand that the South African government honour its international commitments as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Please click here:

http://www.causes.com/causes/21445-save-the-wild-coast/actions/1665760

The attached video is a preview of the forthcoming documentary on the mining issues on the Wild Coast. Well worthwhile watching!

YouTube: 

Dear friends across South Africa,

Hundreds of South African lions are being slaughtered to make bogus sex potions for men in Asia. But a global public campaign can stop this cruel trade by hitting the government where it hurts -- the tourism industry.

A ban on tiger bone sales has traders hunting a new prize -- the majestic lions. Lions are farmed under appalling conditions for "canned hunting", where rich tourists pay thousands to shoot them through fences. Now experts say lion bones from these killing farms are being exported to phony 'medicine' makers in Asia for record profits. Trade is exploding and experts fear that as prices rise, even wild lions -- with only 20,000 left in Africa -- will come under poaching attack.

If we join with people across the world and show President Zuma that this brutal trade is hurting South Africa's image as a tourist destination, he could ban and punish the trade in lion bones. Avaaz is taking out strong ads in airports, tourism websites and magazines, but we urgently need 1 million petition signers to give the ads their force. Sign below and forward this email to build our numbers fast:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/1_million_to_ban_the_lion_trade_sa/?bcOtecb&v=15611

DURBAN 11 JULY 2012

ADAM RILEY
Exploring Ethiopia

Ethiopia has emerged as one of Africa's top birding destinations. Harbouring numerous endemics, such as Blue-winged Goose, Prince Ruspoli's Turaco, Nechisar Nightjar, and Degodi and Sidamo Larks on its impressive birdlist of some 816 species, Ethiopia offers the travelling birder a first rate experience.

We invite you to share tour leader Adam Riley's latest experiences in that country.

Gateway Shopping Centre
RSVP: www.capeunionmart.co.za/events

JOHANNESBURG 4 JULY 2012

JOHANN GROBBELAAR
Pearls and pitfalls in bird and wildlife photography

Without getting too technical, Johann's talk touches on the basics of long lens photography, camera settings and exposure. It includes pointers on choosing equipment, handling varying lighting conditions, and composing your shot.

Different ways to get 'close enough' to your subject will also be discussed.

Finally Johann will incorporate a selection of action shots, giving advice on how you too can achieve such spectacular results.

Eastgate Adventure Centre
RSVP: www.capeunionmart.co.za/events

2012 Reader Evenings

• Jejane PNR Facebook
• Jejane PNR @ Twitter