I have to say that the programme was not a diappointment at all. I think this documentry showed that Vultures have characters and most important of all a place in the eco system
The one thing I found disturbing is that they are being poisoned (heard of it before). and it affected the eco system due to the excess rotting 'kill' lying around in the river system.
A bit more respect for these birds would be better now, and in the future. A better educatation of the local people would not go amiss - something needs to be done so species vultures do not become extinct.
I did not know that they are very effectual at being immune to all of the diseased that are around ie rabies, and foot and mouth - so they are a blessing in ther own right.
Beauty is not them, but a firm contender in the eco system is them through and through :t:
Regards
Kathy
x
Farmers and poachers are poisoning other animals and it is by eating these dead carcasses that Vultures are being poisoned.
China is the biggest market for horns and animal bones.
If only one thing could be done to reduce poaching it would be to stop Asian and particularly Chinese demand. Rhino horn now sells for more $'s per kilo than gold.
Preventing local famers from poisoning, e.g. lions, is another story
It was a very interesting programme and the fact that of the Migrating 1.5 million Wildebeest and 500,000 Antelopes and Zebra, maybe 10,000 die, (are drowned), in the migration and the reduction in Vulture numbers, through poisoning of carcasses is now causing pollution of the river because of rotting carcasses, (which in past years were eaten by Vultures).
Again, the influence of man has and is really making a real mess of nature, from the introduction of non native species through to the killing of animals for sport.
When I was in S Africa last year I spoke to a young S Africa who was a diving instructor. In winter he spent his time in Mozambique escorting mainly wealthy US "hunters" on big game shoots. He said that they were paying US$ 100,000 plus US& 20,000 per week to hunt and shoot ONE elephant - not sure how true it was but I had no reason to disbelieve him. He said that the tips were very good and it was the only way that he could make a living as , as a young white S African it was very difficult to find a job in S Africa.
He also said that the Chinese were "big" in Mozambique timber and that ivory and similar were being smuggled out in timber shipments.
If we could influence the Chinese it may help with animal conservation in Africa - from Rhino horn to Shark fins - (they kill sharks just for the fin which is sold locally for $10).
Another disturbing fact is that poachers hack the horns from Rhinos who are sometimes still alive, i.e. only wounded. They use chainsaws or hack away with machetes leaving the animal to bleed to death, (Rangers have found Rhino with their horns removed still alive and bleeding to death). On most game reserves they now tranquillise their Rhinos and saw the horn right down so that they are less attractive to poachers - plus they are using other techniques to render the horn unattractive to poachers)
