2011 is shaping up to be one of the worst years on record for rhinos. Poachers in South Africa have already killed 193 of the animals in the first six months of this year alone — that’s according to conservation group WWF. This grim uptick in rhino killing puts 2011 on track to surmount last […]
Tag Archives | kruger national park
Ecological Aspects of Artificial Water Provision in African Ecosystems
Waterholes play an important role in regulating animal behaviour and they influence the functioning of ecosystems. Some examples include: Most conflicts between different species and between members of the same species occur when waterholes, water supplies or drinking space are limited. Aggressive animals such as elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo have been known to kill and […]
Limpopo women team to clean river for a year
A team of 100 women have undertaken to spend a year cleaning up the Luvuvhu River in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Addressing the launch of the Luvuvhu Adopt-A-River project in Tshishaulu, near Thohoyandou, on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, said R800 000 had been allocated for the initiative. “We have set aside […]
Using Fish as Bio-Indicators of Water Pollution
Tilapia now SA’s own bio-indicator of water pollution Southern African water specialists can now use a local Tilapiine species – instead of alien fish species – to test whether water sources are polluted by compounds that can cause hormonal imbalances. Such chemicals can subtly mimic the female hormone oestrogen and alter the male hormone testosterone, […]
The Use of Wind Turbines vs Solar Power in South Africa
Many of us associate a wind turbine with sustainable farming as we regularly see them spinning ferociously on grassy hill tops in rural areas. The truth is that wind turbines have now been specially adapted for residential use and they can be used in addition to other energy efficient products to reduce one’s carbon footprint. […]
Olifants River highly contaminated
The Olifants River in Mpumulanga is highly contaminated, researchers say. Microbiologist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Martella du Preez, said all the sites along the river showed mild to heavy microbial contamination most likely due to untreated, or poorly-treated, sewage flowing into it. “People using untreated water from these contaminated sites […]
