Safari Notes

'Nandi'! That's how she is called. The ten year old rhino has just given birth. Due to instability and wars, for decades now, rhinos - which were completely wiped out in Uganda in the 70s - have never given birth in Uganda. Southern White rhinos that are now kept in sanctuaries in Uganda, were all imported from Kenya, South Africa and the United States; Nandi is one of those from the Sates. In 1968 more than 100 Northern White rhinos lived in Uganda, but as of the early 1980s, no white rhinos were seen. Originally, Eastern Black and Northern White rhinos were present in the Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Parks; a recent survey failed to locate the only known surviving population of about 4 remaining individuals of the Northern White rhinos in the Garamba National Park in the DR Congo. A few remaining Northern White rhinos, a total of maybe 8, are in captivity in the US and Europe. Rhinos , which are said to have existed on Earth - in Africa, Asia, Europe and North Am

The Tanzanian government, like the Ugandan one, may soon allow dual citizenship for its people. If approved, this new law will not only benefit thousands of Tanzanians, especially those living abroad - mainly in the Middle East - but the new policy will allow too, Tanzania to benefit economically. The new law, if approved, will allow the many Tanzanians living abroad to invest their wealth, some of which is huge, in to Tanzania. And it will allow too, the free movement of many Tanzanians who were very much restricted by the previous policy. It's very disappointing and sad that, for many years, East African governments never allowed dual or multiple citizenship for their populace. This has always very much restricted the movement of East Africans living abroad; it has also made it very difficult for them, many of whom are wealthy, to invest back home into East Africa. Contrary to what many East African lawmakers have always believed in, the allowing of dual or multiple citizenship w

The Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher or the Vev in Creole ( Terpsiphone corvina ) can never be found any where else on Earth in the wild, except in the Seychelles. Even in this stunningly, beautiful island nation, the bird which was once common in Praslin and other nearby islands, is now restricted to La Digue Island, especially in the Veuve Nature Reserve. This beautiful bird, is one of the world's rarest bird and is under immense threat; and although, great care has been taken by the Seychelles government to increase their numbers, human activity and animals like cats, still threaten the survival of this very rare bird.  More reading: Nature Seychelles , Arkive , Wildlife Vets International , Bird Watch Image: Birdlife

Whatever might be said about Michael Jackson , whatever one might think of him - one thing is certain: he defined an era. As for his lifestyle, it's not for us mortals to judge others; that is only God's prerogative. He will judge him the way He will judge each of us. One thing is certain too: Michael Jackson is a genius and undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians, one of the most talented entertainers and one of the best dancers of all time; and one of the top ten African American entertainers ever, right there with - Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Harry Belafonte. " Star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style, and color too. " TIME Magazine 1984 "It's one of the greatest losses,

Just discovered. It's the new wonder. It's in Mozambique . It's Mount Mabu . Saved from development by Mozambique's long civil war. Surrounded by developed land. And still pristine, largely untouched, Mount Mabu is, now, the largest rain forest in Southern Africa. And it boasts an abundant wildlife of phenomenal biodiversity, some of which are new species. Very few, even in Mozambique - except for the local villagers, have heard of Mount Mabu, one of the few places on Earth that has never been explored or mapped before. It is being described by the National Geographic as a place with a mind-boggling diversity of wildlife and plants . See more pictures of the new wonder here .

"It is the people who must save the environment. It is the people who must make their leaders change. And we cannot be intimidated. So we must stand up for what we believe in." Wangari Maathai For any one who loves and cares for wildlife and the environment, the documentary: Taking Root - The Vision of Wangari Maathai is a must watch. TAKING ROOT: The Vision of Wangari Maathai tells the story of Kenya’s Green Belt Movement, a grassroots organization encouraging rural women and families to plant trees in community groups, and follows Maathai, the movement’s founder and the first environmentalist and African woman to win the Nobel Prize. Maathai discovered her life's work by reconnecting with the rural women with whom she had grown up. They told her they were walking long distances for firewood, and that clean water was scarce. The soil was disappearing from their fields and their children were suffering from malnutrition. “Well, why not plant trees?” she suggested. Maat

He is fast. Very fast. And in the ring, very smart and relentless. Unbeaten. And he is the greatest and best professional boxer today. He is not only the most popular sportsman in his home country, the Philippines but also he is the most admired person in that country. In boxing, he is undoubtedly on his way to becoming one of the all time greats; to rank as high as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.     More on Pacquiao: Official Website , LA Times , HBO , TIME , BoxRec , Boxing Gurus , Fan Site , Times Online , Wikipedia , News , Videos Image: GMANews