Elephant Poaching for the Ivory Trade

African wildlife is constantly under pressure from illegal poaching. Local residents engage in subsistence hunting acquiring game meat for themselves, large illegal poaching rings poach for the larger and lucrative illegal game meat market, but the most insidious poaching is that which supports the illegal ivory tread. When it comes to ivory trading their is no animal more negatively impacted by this illicit trade than the African elephant. Throughout history from the Egyptians up into the 19th century their have been expeditions in Africa to hunt elephants for their ivory. In the 1970s and 80s this illegal trade had so decimated elephant populations throughout Africa that it became imperative to act, or these magnificent beasts might be lost forever to extinction. A great resource on the history and ecology of the elephant in Africa is the book, "Elephant Destiny: Biology of an Endangered Species in Africa, " by Martin Meredith. I urge any of you with a keen interested in elephants to read this book (Elephant Destiny).

In 1989, "The Elephant Conservation Act of 1989" created the legal foundation for protecting elephants throughout Africa. Using this law, African governments assisted with funding from western governments and environmental organizations, embarked upon an intense campaign establishing Wildlife Agencies in individual countries to combat illegal poaching and arrest ivory traders. This systematic effort reduced poaching for the illegal ivory trade throughout Africa and the elephant was brought back form the brink. Grasstrack Safaris expedition's travel through areas with some of the largest remaining populations of elephants in Africa (Visit our website and view our trips today). Today, however, these large populations are once again threatened by poaching pressures brought on by a resurgence in the illegal ivory trade. this in turn has stimulated new and creative responses from African conservation organizations. At the following link read about what Kenya is doing to combat this renewed threat form the illegal ivory trade (Kenya launches an effort to stem the tide of recent elephant poaching).

Don't forget to visit GrassTrack Safaris and book your trip to Africa before these magnificent creatures are lost to us forever

Similarity in the Grasslands of Botswana and Colorado

The grasslands of Botswana in south-central Africa and of Colorado in the central United States exist on opposite sides of the globe, yet they are eerily similar in appearance and function; a testament to the forces of evolution. When faced with similar environmental conditions like soil type and levels of precipitation, and similar ecology like the patterns of how and when precipitation falls, natural selection opts for plants and animals that tend towards similarity in their behaviors and sometimes even appearance. Can you tell which of the following images is from Botswana and which from Colorado?

The first photo is of the African savanna and the second is of the Colorado steppe. The grasses and plant associations are very similar. And below are close up images of fruiting grasses, with the African savanna on the left and Colorado steppe on the right.

The prairies of central North America are classified as temperate grassland, while those of Africa are tropical savanna. What makes grassland temperate? First, rain falls in spring and early summer, and is limited usually to about 20 inches per year. This lack of rainfall coupled with the relatively thin soils found in temperate grassland prevents trees or shrubs from establishing. Second, temperate grassland experiences tremendous seasonal variations in temperature; temperate grasslands have a winter that limits the growing season.

Savanna grassland is the tropical version of the temperate grassland and in contrast to temperate grasslands they usually receive more rainfall and have some trees and shrubs scattered in the landscape. Savannas don’t experience a winter and are caused by a distinctive climate pattern that includes a wet season followed by a long dry season without rain. Fires frequent the dry season and thin the trees and shrubs that would otherwise invade the grassland. In both, it is the rains that bring another cycle of life to the grassland. In North America it is an awakening that follows a long cold winter, in Africa it's the blood that breaths life back into the parched, dry and fire prone savanna.


The large animals inhabiting the plains of both continents, either did, or still undergo extensive migrations as they follow along behind the rains, engorging themselves on the grasses that respond almost immediately to the sudden abundance of moisture. In North America, it was bison, elk, and pronghorn that occupied the landscape in the 10,000s or even millions in the case of bison, moving like a silent army, tracking the rainfall across the landscape. In Africa, it is the wildebeest, impala, buffalo, and other antelope that still remain today, following the rains across the landscape and giving birth to a new generation of offspring as they move.

 










Bison on the North American plains, left, and buffalo on the African savanna, right.

Along with the large herds of roaming animals there exists robust populations of predators feeding off this cornucopia of wildlife. In Africa there are the wild dog, jackal, lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, hyena, and honey badger. In North America there are or were the wolf, coyote, fox, cougar, bobcat, grizzly bear, and badger. It is striking how similar these predators are, there are canids, cats, badgers, and miscellaneous other predators in each grassland type. Can you tell me what is in the picture below? Is it from Africa or North America?

No this isn't a coyote, it's a jackal on the African savanna

 
 As an ecologist, I find all of this fascinating, something that is almost visceral and meaningful at a very deep level. I would encourage all of you who are reading this to contact us and start planning your trip to Africa today to witness these majestic predators and the magnificent migrations for yourself. Migrations that persist today as they have for eons in a landscape capable of making one think they were in a far off time, experiencing something long sense lost to our modern way of life.

Contact us and book your trip to Africa today!

 http://grasstracksafaris.com/

Elephant Mud Bath

Elephants enjoy a good mud bath to cool off and to add a protective layer of mud on their skin.  Here's a short clip of some elephants in Chobe National Park wallowing in the mud.  As you'll see, sometimes it's easier getting in the bath than out.

The Victoria Falls

Dawn over the Victoria Falls

The final days of our amazing safari were spent at the spectacular Victoria Falls.  Following a few days of bush camping among the game in Chobe National Park our group crossed the Zambezi River at Kazungula on the local ferry.  We were soon checked into a comfortable lodge on the banks of the Zambezi.  After a well deserved shower our group climbed back in the Land Cruiser for our last afternoon on safari: spending a few hours exploring the Zambian side of the mighty Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls is formed by the Zambezi River as it cascades over a 300 foot cliff and follows a series of narrow, zigzagging chasms.   As the Zambezi plunges over the cliff it is over a mile wide, creating the longest curtain of water on Earth.  The falls forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, with about a third of the falls accessible from the Zambian side.   We had 3-4 hours to walk the trails on this side of the Falls and tomorrow we'd cross the Zimbabwe border and explore the remainder.  Both sides offer different perspectives of the Falls and though there are trails are shorter along the edge of Zambian side of the Falls you have the opportunity to hike down to the Zambezi River or (if water levels permit) walk across the river above the Falls for thrilling views down the face of the Falls.

Looking down the gorge from Zambia toward Zimbabwe

Our hotel was only a few minutes drive to the entrance of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.  There's a large curio market here and it's great place to buy almost any kind of African souvenir like drums, carvings, or paintings.  We paid our $10 entry fee and set off.  The park has an excellent network of smooth trails that wind along the edge of the Falls and through the lush forest growing along the rim.  In the wet season it's literally a rain forest with constant water falling from the spray and mist produced as the Zambezi crashes over the cliff.  Excellent views of the Eastern Cataracts and the river itself can be had anywhere.  During the dry season the river shrinks affording great views of the gorge.  The trail winds along the falls and in and out of the forest.  There are plenty of viewpoints with benches tucked under the trees providing a place to sit and simply listen to and watch the falls.  The main trail ends at the Knife Edge overlooking the crack in the basalt cliffs where the Zambezi exits the gorge.  As it leaves the main gorge it makes a ninety degree turn and continues downstream.  This is the Boiling Pot, a launch for white water rafting trips.

The trail now brings you away from the Falls but there's a great view of the Victoria Falls Bridge, linking Zambia and Zimbabwe.  We stopped and watched as bungee jumpers leapt off the 364 foot high bridge to the river below.  Further along there's a second trail that leads to the Boiling Pot.  It's a steep hike down through palm forests and over boulders but well worth the effort.  It ends at the Zambezi River with superb views of the Falls.  There's a good chance of seeing monkeys and baboons along the trail. 

The Eastern Cataracts, Zambia

Once back at the entrance gate we took the trail leading upriver.  The river was low so we made our way across, hopping from rock to rock (we did keep our feet dry) to one of the many islands that dot the rim of the falls.  This certainly was the highlight of our visit.  We sat on the edge of the cliff and watched the river tumble over the rim as the sun slowly sank.

Though our safari had officially ended, we still had one more full day in Africa and so we  decided to visit the Zimbabwean side of the Falls. Different views of the Falls can be seen from this side and there seemed to be a great deal more water as well.  We took a taxi from our hotel to the border post, paid our $50 for a Zimbabwe visa and walked across the Victoria Falls Bridge.  Not one for heights, I tried telling myself that the vertiginous views of the river far below really were spectacular.  I even tried to convince myself that my palms were sweaty from the African heat.  We watched the bungee jumpers (while I stood as far back from the platform as possible without interrupting traffic) then continued on to the park entrance.  From the Zambian border post to the Zimbabwe entrance to the Falls was a hot, one hour walk but well worth it.

The Main Falls, Zimbabwe

At the western end of the Falls is a statue of David Livingstone, the first European to see the Falls, overlooking the Devil's Cataract.  At the Devil's Cataract, the river is eroding along a fault line in the basalt. Come back again in a few million years and the Devil's Cataract will have eroded the basalt behind the current falls, creating a new Victoria Falls.  From the Devil's Cataract we walked towards the Main Falls.  As we approached, the spray from the Falls was starting to soak us.  Keeping our cameras protected from the water we could see rainbows at the base of the falls and clear views of the Falls themselves when the spray cleared.  The trail finally led us to Danger Point, directly across from the Knife Edge and the Eastern Cataracts on the Zambian side.  Keeping clear of the slippery grass we took one last look at Falls, the gorge and the Boiling Pot before heading back to the hotel.

Looking toward the Eastern Cataracts from Zimbabwe

We didn't have the time to take advantage of the wide range of activities available at Victoria Falls.  Maybe during the next visit it'll be a whitewater rafting trip, or plane ride over the Falls, or a tigerfishing expedition.  Or maybe a walk along the park trails during a full moon.  I know one thing for certain: it won't be a bungee jump.

For some brief history and geology of Victoria Falls read this article from our website.