Safari Notes

A recently discovered "psychedelic" fish (shown in a January 2008 picture) is bouncing into the books as a new species, a new study says ........ Read more from the National Geographic . Read more here ; or read more and see more pictures of the fish from Discovery and Nature blogs. Watch videos of the fish on Quick Time here . More videos here , here and here .

The Wildlife Conservation Society, announced on Tuesday that they have discovered 125,000 of the reclusive, and shy Western lowland gorillas living deep in the jungles of the Republic of Congo. The newly discovered gorilla population, now doubles the number of the gorillas previously estimated. This is great news for Africa and all those who care for and love our Planet. All gorillas, like many primates, are on the endangered list . The lowland gorillas are found in tropical forests and swamps in Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon . Their numbers have been drastically reduced in the last few years, mainly due to their being hunted for meat. In some parts of Africa, gorilla meat is more expensive than any other meat. We celebrate this new discovery. At the same time, if the newly found gorillas have to survive and thrive - they need to be better protected. And those who eat gorilla meat, should be...

It seems there is still much left to be discovered about life on Earth. This, just in: An elephant among elephant shrews has been found in remote forests in East Africa, scientists announced today. The previously unknown, squirrel-size species is the world's largest known elephant shrew and the only new species from the group to be discovered in more than a century, wildlife researchers say. Weighing about 1.5 pounds (700 grams), the gray-faced sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) is up to 50 percent heavier than the next largest species of elephant shrew, according to the study team that named the long-snouted creature. The animal was first identified in 2005 by motion-sensing cameras set up in the Udzungwa Mountains of south-central Tanzania by Francesco Rovero of the Trento Museum of Natural Sciences in Italy. National Geographic Note: in 2005, researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society, working in conjunction with other partners, discovered, in Tanzania too, Africa's fi...

For the last few days I have been, as many around the world, transfixed by the plight of the mother-calf duo whales who had become lost in the Sacramento river. I wanted to post some thing before about their ordeal, but I was so pained and worried about them, I couldn't write any thing. But, now, at last - they are free. Bruised and exhausted but FREE!!! All the world is a theater, and the two whales stuck on an international stage for the past several weeks had a happy ending. The mother-calf duo captured international attention as they became lost dozens of miles up the Sacramento River. Scientists, whale enthusiasts — and soon, anyone watching the evening news — were captivated by the whales’ inability to right themselves, and concerned by their inability to heal their wounds in the freshwater. Tuesday night, without fanfare or direct observation, the whales are believed to have slipped back into the Pacific. The episode shows that the natural world can provide lasting entertain...

I hate mosquitoes. Utterly hate them. And rats. Of all animals, the only ones I hate and loathe - are: these! Mosquitoes, tiny as they are, are undoubtedly now, our most dangerous foe. Each year, they kill millions. And make millions sick and miserable. We spend an enormous amount of resources and time, combating the insects. And so far, we haven't won. In fact, they seem to be winning. But, it's the rodents that I hate and loathe most. And they terrify me. Wild rats. All kinds of rats, but mostly those that invade our homes. As much as I adore all kinds of animals and creatures, rats, I have failed to find any attraction or consideration for. I can stand even cockroaches. But not rats. Yes, way back in 1981, when I was then young and a bachelor, I did make friends with this tiny rat. It started appearing in my bedroom, on a table that I kept butter and some bread, on. I began feeding it with crumbs of buttered bread, and within a short time, it wasn't scared of me at all a...

Africa is a treasure house for birding. The continent has over 2,050 bird species recorded, two thirds of which are found nowhere else. East Africa, in particular, has an amazing variety of birds, perhaps due to a mild climate devoid of extremes. The region has 4 of the Top Ten Birding Sites in Africa as rated by the African Bird Club (www.africanbirdclub.org) -an international organisation devoted to the study of Africa's birds. These sites are: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), Bale Mountains (Ethiopia), the Rift Valley Lakes (Kenya) and Murchison Falls Park (Uganda). africapoint Bird watching is an activity that can be done wherever one is, on almost any part of the globe. It is fun, educational and doesn't require much, except a pair of good eyes; at most, a pair of binoculars. No matter where one lives, there are always birds around. Africa offers a large number and a variety of bird species; Eastern Africa has the largest number, especially Kenya and Tanzania. And East...

More new species of animals continue to be discovered. It's amazing. Most of the recent discoveries have been in remote jungles. The latest discovery, is that of the clouded leopard. Scientists have discovered that the clouded leopard found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra is an entirely new species of cat. The secretive rainforest animal was originally thought to be the same species as the one found in mainland Southeast Asia. "Genetic research results clearly indicate that the clouded leopards of Borneo and Sumatra should be considered a separate species," said Dr Stephen O'Brien, Head of the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, U.S. National Cancer Institute. "DNA tests highlighted around 40 differences between the two species." "Who said a leopard can never change its spots? For over a hundred years we have been looking at this animal and never realized it was unique," said Adam Tomasek, head of WWF's Borneo and Sumatra program. "The f...

Japan considers Greenpeace 'terrorists' and 'pirates'; Japan has gone as far as to refuse assistance from a Greenpeace vessel to tow its stricken whaling ship out of Antarctic waters . In actual fact - who is the terrorist? Under the pretext and guise of 'scientific research', Japan continues its indiscriminate slaughter of hundreds of whales every year; Why? The bottom line is that: Japan hunts whales mainly for commercial reasons and not 'scientific research' as they would like us all to believe. And many Japanese simply have a taste for whale meat. And what a cruel way to fulfill one's culinary taste! "The fate of the world's whales hangs in jeopardy. By way of its vote buying campaign, Japan could very well control the simple-majority vote of this year's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, targeting small island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean with foreign aid for pro-whaling votes. If these countries vote with Jap...

"Creation is all things and us. It is us in relationship with all things. All things, the ones we see and the ones we do not; the whirling galaxies and the wild suns, the black holes and the microorganisms, the trees and the stars, the fish and the whales - the molten lava and the towering snow-capped mountains, the children we give birth to and their children, and theirs, and theirs, and theirs." - Mathew Fox Every year thousands of precious animals are slaughtered in the name of so-called 'scientific research'. When it is only Man's greed that drives this! We have no justification what-so-ever in our continuous destruction of our fellow creatures, except greed and lack of fore-sight! The continuous, senseless and merciless killing of whales - those enormous, but very lovable creatures - is a part of this destruction! The International Whaling Commission convenes this week and pro-whaling nations intend to take control of the IWC! Add your voice by signing th...

Bonobos are in crisis. Humankind's closest relatives are teetering on the brink of extinction. Found only in the forests of the central Congo Basin, bonobos are being hunted for meat and profit. Bonobos are the rarest of all great ape species and no one knows how many survive. In fact, most people don't even know they exist! These amazing primates, who are so much like us, remain shrouded in mystery. Read on to find out more ... and learn how you can help save the Bonobo! Photo: by Jeankern

It is amazing how wild animals and life survive in such a barren and desolate place like the valleys, mountains and deserts of Hadhramout! It takes years some times, for any rain to fall in most areas. And yet: life survives! A variety of life forms. This troupe of Baboons, of the Papio hamadryas species, I guess - survive near an oil field. Here, they are scavenging for food near a garbage dump area used by the oil companies. This lizard survives under and near the accommodation shacks used by oil workers; it too, finds food and water easily in such places. As much as oil prospecting has disrupted their ecosystem, the animals have found a way of surviving around people. The camel! The undisputed 'king' of the desert! There are no wild camels in Hadhramout, but the bedouins , leave their much valued camels to wander in the plains and valleys, around. The bedouins, who have always lived here - found their lifestyle too, disrupted by the discovery of oil; but they too, and t...

The hippopotamus, is a herbivorous mammal found in tropical Africa. It is said to be a relative of: camels, pigs and deer; I do not know how true that is. Recent studies say, they are related to whales. The hippo, lives a double life - staying in water during the day and rarely venturing out; and after sunset, the hippos file out to graze. Hippos, prefer to stay wet; wether it is mating, playing, fighting or giving birth - the hippo is wet. Much of their time is spent standing or swimming underwater, where they feed on aquatic plants; they must rise to breathe every five minutes or so. Hippos make a variety of sounds: grunts, growls, screams and other sounds, even under water - to communicate with each other. Sometimes hundreds of hippos will share the same territory of water during the day; but, they usually live in herds of about fifteen animals. The enormous hippopotamus, has short legs and a broad body with a tough gray or brown hide. The male stands about five feet high at t...

Bats I quote: "Bats often make people think of vampires, creatures of the night, and Haloween." Bats are "one of the most important groups of animals. ... and are one of the most numerous kinds with nearly 1000 species. They are highly adpoted animals, and can be found in all but the coldest habitats". Bats, are warm blooded mammals like us, and they nurse their young ones with milk - just like us. They are the ONLY mammals that can fly!! But, they are not destructive at all; and ARE NOT after human blood as perceived by some or as depicted in movies. In most of our relationships with other creatures, man chooses to be hypocritical. It's US mankind who are most destructive and it's US who seem to go after, not only other creatures flesh and blood - but each other's too. Visit these sites to learn more about these amazing creatures: Batcon , bats.org , Defenders of Wildlife

I Love Elephants. From the first moment I set eyes on these huge creatures, I have loved and adored them. For me, no creature on land compares to them. No creature, including Man, has won my highest regards as Elephants. My Jumbo friends. Photos and pictures just don't do justice to these enormous, very intelligent, very gentle and very organized creatures; one has to see them live in their natural habitats. I first saw wild elephants, when I was about nine; I have loved and adored them, ever since. To me: the Lion is the King of the wild, but The Emperor of the wild is the Elephant. The African Elephant .

Did you know...... Did you know that giraffes make the worst mothers? And that a giraffe's tongue can sometimes be over a foot and half long! All Necks and Legs: The giraffe, the tallest animal in the world, lives on the African plains. It can reach high into the trees, especially acacias, to feed, and can run at nearly 50 kmph. And there are more amazing facts about the giraffe! But they are very peaceful and extremely graceful, especially when running. And I do love watching them. In the wild. Never in zoos! More on Giraffes: African Wildlife Foundation , Animal Diversity Web , giraffes.org ,