Africa Geographic October 2003 [antikvár]

EditorialOCTOBERfter receiving reports about conflict between the trout-fishing industry and otters, we sent David L Rogers to investigate (see page 24). What he found makes disturbing reading. Otters - there are two species in South Africa, the spotted-necked and the Cape clawless - are seen as pests by some trout breeders and stockists who have laid traps, set dogs onto them and have even shot them. In reality, otters do not eat many fish, depending far more on freshwater crastaceans for food. However, trout farming and the demands of fly-flshermen have upset the ecological balance, diminishing the natural diversity of streams and creating 'flsh supermarkets' that the otters find irresistible.Rogers' even-handed account recognises that not all trout farmers see otters as enemies, some preferring instead to find solutions that allow their industry and these engaging mammals to live side by side. 1 would hope that all of South Africa's avid fly-fishing fraternity, which has played an important role in the conservation of other species such as the wattled crane, will follow the example of their more enlightened members and embrace otters as a legitimate, desirable element of the streams and dams into wtiich they cast their lines.In a follow-up article to his feature on the Congo Basin in last month's issue, March Tumbull visits a bonobo sanctuary (see page 38) and learns about the habits and conservation status of the 'pygmy chimpanzee'. If the conflict between humans and otters is disturbing, then the situation between our species and the great apes is the stuff of nightmares.Bonobos and chimpanzees are our closest relatives in the animal world - we are closer to them than horses are to zebras or the African elephant is to its Asian counterpart. Yet this closeness has brought no benefit to the apes - in fact, the very opposite. In his recent book Eating Apes* author Dale Petersen, working closely with Kari Ammann, exposes how the opening of Africa's great forests by European and Asian logging companies has caused the traditional consumption of wild-animal meat to soar. In fact, it is believed that apes will not survive beyond the next few decades if current rates of slaughter are maintained. Petersen has a way of driving home his points with more than compelling statistics: 'Apes are distinguished as being among the very few items on the menu capable (before preparation) of laughter as an expression of mirth.'In a few weeks the Endangered Wildlife Tmst (EWT) begins its 30th anniversary year. Since the early 1970s this energetic organisation has consistently been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in South Africa and has been instinamental in many successful projects involving species such as the blue swallow, the aforementioned wattled crane, the African wild dog and the Cape griffon. Africa Geographic endorses the efforts of EWT, believing that it will continue to play a seminal role in the conservation fortunes of the country. To find out how to support this worthy cause, contact Jane Axon at tel. (-1-27-11) 486 1102 or e-mail [email protected]'Apes are distinguished as being among the very few items on the menu capable (before preparation) of laughter as an expression of mirth'