Elusive Knysna elephant caught on camera
9 January 2014 An elephant was recently photographed in the Knysna forest by a trap camera set-up for leopard research, SA National Parks said in a statement on Thursday. The camera was placed in the forest by the Landmark Foundation, a conservation NGO whose research involves determining the leopard population status in the Garden Route. The footage includes photographs of an elephant whose tusks, trunk and legs are visible, SANParks said. The forehead shape as well as sex organs and ear-notch patterns were “unfortunately” not visible, making identification difficult. A century ago, there were up to 600 elephants in the Tsitsikamma forests near Knysna. But by the turn of the 20th century, hunters and ivory poachers had thinned out the herds of hundreds to a few score. By 1994, SANParks officially declared that only one elephant remained.Dung samples But research in mid-2000, which included DNA analysis of dung samples, shows that there are at least five cows and possibly some bulls and calves within the 121 000 hectares of forest managed by SANParks. SANParks said its scientists have moved away from relying on photographic techniques for population status determination “due to potential disturbances to the elephants”. “The focus of studies now focuses on non-invasive hormone studies using dung, to determine the reproductive potential of these elusive elephants,” it said. “However, opportunistic photographs such as these recent photographs taken by the Landmark Foundation’s camera trap are always a very welcome addition to SANParks’ elephant research database, existing since 1987.” SAinfo reporter and South African National Parks
10 July 2014The world’s best surfers are in South Africa to contest the J-Bay Open, the sixth of 11 stops on the World Championship Tour. The event, which has a waiting period through to 21 July, was confirmed open on Thursday morning, with five- to seven-foot waves breaking at SuperTubes.At a press conference on Wednesday, Irish surfer Glenn Hall, who won the Mr Price Pro in 2012, was named to join South Africa’s Dylan Lightfoot, the winner of the JBU Supertrials, as the event wildcards who will join the elite ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) Top 34 and complete the field for the J-Bay Open.‘So great to be back here’South Africa’s leading surfer Jordy Smith, a two-time winner in Jeffreys Bay, welcomed the return of the iconic venue to the WCT. “It’s so great to be back here,” he said, “both for the surfers and for Jeffreys Bay.“It’s great for African surfing to have a WCT competition here on home turf. This is such a good event and I’d love to get my first win of the season here.”Completing the South African challenge alongside Smith and Lightfoot in the J-Bay Open will be the experienced Travis Logie.‘It feels good’Gabriel Medina, who currently tops the world rankings, said he is looking forward to a new experience. “This is my first time here in J-Bay and it feels good,” he said.“I’ve brought all my family here and everyone is having a lot of fun. I’ve had some good surfs and I’m going to try and do better than the Brazilian soccer team!”‘A great year for me’Michel Bourez, second to Medina in the standings, was full of optimism. He said: “This has been a great year for me. I’m really happy to be here, especially with these guys.“If the waves are good, the top surfers will do some amazing things and I hope to do as well as them. I’m so excited to be here.”Reigning three-time world champion Mick Fanning previously picked up titles in Jeffreys Bay in 2002 and 2006 and said he was looking forward to surfing the world famous Supertubes.‘So iconic’“This is an event that I’ve always looked forward to,” he shared. “I love right-hand point-breaks and J-Bay is so iconic. I’m so lucky to get the chance to be out there with just one other guy and I’ve got my fingers crossed for some good waves.”Taj Burrow, the 2007 J-Bay Open winner and current world number four, concurred. “This place is really special to me,” he enthused.“We were all so excited when we heard the news that the WCT was coming back to J-Bay. I love it here. When the wind roars and the swell pumps, it’s amazing. I’m so happy to be back.”J-Bay Open Round 1 Heats Mick Fanning (Aus), Sebastian Zietz (Haw), Dion Atkinson (Aus)Taj Burrow (Aus), Fredrick Patacchia (Haw), Matt Wilkinson (Aus)Joel Parkinson (Aus), Kai Otton (Aus), Glenn Hall (Irl)Michel Bourez (PYF), Adrian Buchan (Aus), Raoni Monteiro (Bra)Gabriel Medina (Bra), Adam Melling (Aus), Brett Simpson (USA)Kelly Slater (USA), Mitch Crews (Aus), Dylan Lightfoot (RSA)Nat Young (USA), Miguel Pupo (Bra), Aritz Aranburu (Esp)Adriano de Souza (Bra), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Alejo Muniz (Bra)Josh Kerr (Aus), Filipe Toledo (Bra), Tiago Pires (Prt)Jordy Smith (RSA), Owen Wright (Aus), Jadson Andre (Bra)John John Florence (Haw), Bede Durbidge (Aus), Jeremy Flores (Fra)Kolohe Andino (USA), Julian Wilson (Aus), Travis Logie (RSA)
13 May 2016At WEF Africa 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, Ugandan journalist Nancy Kacungira asked the audience just how many of the cars, clothes or coffees they drink has a label that says “Made in Africa”. Not many.There may be one-billion people living in Africa but its production output is just 1.5%. She said leaders are trying to change this with some success, but there are some challenges.Kacungira speaks to Namibian entrepreneur Ally Angula, Dutch businessman Johan C. Aurik and the CEO of the Industrial Development Corporation in South Africa, Geoffrey Qhena, on the future of production in Africa.They address the way new technologies are transforming the world’s manufacturing systems, how governments can facilitate home-grown innovation and what Africa’s role will be in the fourth industrial revolution.South Africa.info reporter
As a special offer for the first time, Glen will be offering each player an option to purchase a DVD with all of their action shots including celebratory and team shots for just $150. On average, there will be approximately 30-50 images of each player on the disc in high resolution. That is an average of about $3 per photo, which is extremely good value.To order one of these DVD’s, or to discuss your interest in one of the DVD’s, just email Glen at glen@aisle5.com.au. You can find examples of the types of action shots on the TFA website, or on the TFA Facebook page.Work on the commemorative posters has also commenced, so it won’t be too long until you can hang them proudly on your wall and reminisce the wonderful times had in Scotland. But act fast on the DVD’s as they are only being offered for a limited time via Glen directly.
APTN National NewsFirst Nations children on-reserve continues to be the focus at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.The 14-week hearing is underway in Ottawa.The case alleges the federal government discriminates against First Nations on-reserve by underfunding child welfare programs resulting in a growing number of Children being placed in care.APTN National News reporter Annette Francis was there.
NEW YORK — The following is a list of initial public offerings planned for the coming week. Sources include IPO ETF manager Renaissance Capital, and SEC filings.Week of Dec. 24.No IPOs scheduled for next week.The Associated Press
Jakarta: Indonesia’s presidential challenger on Friday slammed pollsters as untrustworthy and said they should move to Antarctica so they could “lie to the penguins”, as he refused to concede defeat in this week’s election. Firebrand ex-general Prabowo Subianto has rejected a dozen so-called quick counts that say Indonesian president Joko Widodo was re-elected Wednesday by a comfortable margin. The counts, which are samples conducted by pollsters, have been reliable indicators in past elections. Official results are not due until next month. Subianto — pilloried online for his refusal to concede — ratcheted up the rhetoric Friday, after claiming he was the Southeast Asian nation’s new president. “The people of Indonesia don’t trust you,” he thundered to around a thousand supporters outside his home in the capital Jakarta. “Maybe you can move to Antarctica. You can lie to the penguins.” Friday’s crowd size was small for a city that has seen huge street protests in the past. Subianto portrayed himself as a man of the people during the heated presidential campaign, despite his immense wealth and ties to Indonesia’s corrupt Suharto dictatorship, which collapsed in 1998. “This is a victory of the people. The Indonesian people have risen,” he told the crowd. “The Indonesian people don’t want to be cheated anymore.” On Thursday evening, Widodo said that he had received phone calls from world leaders to congratulate him on the country’s polls, but added that he would await final results before formally declaring victory. Subianto has alleged voter fraud and warned he would challenge the results in court. He did the same, unsuccessfully, after losing to Widodo in 2014 and there is little to suggest Subianto will win this latest fight.
The Real Madrid fans have spoken! They have voted for Harry Kane as the man to replace Cristiano RonaldoThe Portugal captain ended his glorious nine-year spell at Real this summer in favour of a shock €112m move to Juventus after winning four Champions League titles in the past five seasons.But the absence of their all-time record goalscorer, who provided 40+ goals a season, will be sorely missed by both Real and the supporters with Ronaldo having led the charge in their recent dominance in Europe.And the question that everyone at Real has been asking is how can they replace that?Plenty of big-name players have been linked to Los Galacticos with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard the latest favourite to emerge with reports stating that he is set to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu before the end of the summer transfer window.
Fiorentina owner: “Ribery played better than Ronaldo!” Andrew Smyth – September 14, 2019 Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso was left gushing over Franck Ribery’s performance against Juventus, which he rates above that of even Cristiano Ronaldo’s.But lately, there have been no further updates on Hazard with Real having announced the signings of goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, full-back Álvaro Odriozola and 18-year-old Vinicius Junior instead.But now the club supporters have given the board a helping hand in deciding who should replace Ronaldo at Los Blancos with the Spanish media outlet Marca having conducted a poll with 200,000 fans casting their vote.The resultsHarry Kane – 26%Edinson Cavani – 14%Mauro Icardi – 14%Mariano – 12%Robert Lewandowski – 12%Alvaro Morata – 8%Rodrigo – 6%Other – 5%Roberto Firmino – 2%Although Real will have a hard time signing Kane after he put pen to paper on a new six-year contract at Tottenham before the start of the World Cup.Meanwhile, runner-up Cavani has recently been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu with the Real board reportedly “considering” making an approach for him.