The first official sale of ivory since 1999 opened in South Africa today.  It's a controversial auction which is sanctioned by the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a UN body.

The sale of ivory has been banned globally since 1989 because poaching was decimating the population.  Since then, until today that is,  there has only been one sale in 1999.  Starting today Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe will auction more than 100 tonnes of ivory mostly from elephants that died naturally.  Buyers will be from China and Japan who will have to comply with strict conditions and are not  allowed to export the material.  Additionally CITES will monitor trade in China and Japan to make sure companies are not mixing illegally sourced ivory with these legal shipments.  The money raised will go into elephant conservation projects. The 1999 auction raised about $5 million for conservation projects.  This time about $30 million is expected.

Some environment groups say the sales encourage poachers elsewhere in Africa to kill elephants for ivory that can be fed into the illegal trade.

"We are deeply concerned that these sales will open the floodgates to additional illegal trade," said Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation.  "For some inexplicable reason some people think that all elephant populations are adequately protected and thriving. Nothing could be further from the truth."

"This new decision is like pouring petrol on an open fire. It is naïve and deadly. Already more than 20,000 elephants are estimated to be illegally killed and dismembered every year by poachers. That’s 55 every day. That’s two every hour." 

Born Free Autumn Appeal

Data collected by the wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic shows that seizures of illegal ivory fell in the years following the last legal sale in 1999.

"We have no evidence that this one-time sale will stimulate increased poaching or increased illegal trade in ivory," said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF International's Species Programme. "There is no evidence that supports this claim but WWF and TRAFFIC will continue to monitor the issue closely."

First Ivory Auction from Southern Africa

Given the number of factors contributing to demand and supply I'm not sure that the decrease after the 1999 sale can be attributed to the sale per se.  What do you think?

Further Reading:

Traffic - The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network

New York Times: eBay will ban ivory sales

Born Free: Stop the Poachers

BBC News story:  Ivory Auction opens amid concerns

After decades of civil war Mozambique is on the road to recovery. In the 1960s and 70s Mozambique was a prime tourist destination. It's unique combination of Latin African culture, unspoilt tropical beaches and magnificent wildlife drew tourists from around the world. South Africans flooded to Southern Mozambique in particular. Hollywood stars such as Gregory Peck and John Wayne visited Mozambique and when they did they visited it's crown jewel, Gorongosa National Park.

1. Gorongosa "Yesterday"

Before the war of independence from Portugal and the civil war that followed it Gorongosa was home to elephant herds and buffalo herds exceeding those of the Serengeti and more predators than Kruger National Park. During the wars poaching to finance the war (ivory), feed soldiers, or just for local communities to survive, devastated the animal population. Estimates are that 95% of the large mammal population was lost. The human population was also devastated. By 1992 over 1 million Mozambicans had been killed and they continue to suffer from high rates of HIV and diseases such as Malaria. But things are finally looking up for Mozambique.

2. Gorongosa Today

Gorongosa National Park re-opened in 1995 and it's rehabilitation is benefiting both wildlife and local communities. Greg Carr, an American IT multi-millionaire turned philanthropist is helping to make this happen by partnering the The Carr Foundation, a U.S. not-for-profit organization, with the Government of Mozambique. The project is to protect and restore the ecosystem of Gorongosa National Park and to develop an ecotourism industry to benefit local communities.

Carr wanted a humanitarian aspect to his project and believes that a restored park will lift the region out of poverty. Communities surrounding the park need to benefit from tourism and, in Vinho village, a subsistence farming community where many of the park workers live the foundation has invested in infrastructure including a $100,000 school and a $200,000 clinic. Now the park boasts newly-built accommodation at Chitengo Camp with a good restaurant serving local and international dishes. Game drives are run twice daily and the park officials also lead hikes to the impressive Mount Gorongosa.

The park does not yet have the abundance of large mammal wildlife that some other parks have but it has spectacular scenery, great diversity of ecology and amazing birdlife. Importantly your visit may help local communities more than a visit elsewhere. Besides- who else do you know who can say they've been to Mozambique let alone Gorongosa!

3. The famous Casa des Leos, or the "House of Lions"

4. Vinho Village

Park Facts:
Location: The southern end of the Great Rift Valley. Central Mozambique. (About 100km/60m from Beira on the coast)
Size: 3,770 square kilometers/ 1,456 square miles
Ecology: Diverse. Gorongosa is an Eden of grassland, miombo forest, flood plains, waterways. In the outer reaches of the park granite outcrops rise majestically out of the bush. A spectacular limestone gorge with rain forests marks the southern end of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Gorongosa dominates the horizon.
Accommodations: Chitengo’s rondavels (traditional round cabins) have been restored and visitors have increased from less than 1,000 in 2005 to around 8,000 this year. The camp boasts a good restaurant serving local and international dishes.

5. Diverse landscapes

From Bush to Beach:
A visit to Mozambique would not be complete without a stay on it's magnificent coastline. Most well traveled is the southern coastline including Bazaruto Archipelago but The Quirimbas Archipelago – a string of remote tropical islands in the far north of the country is the newest draw. Over the past few years ever-more luxurious lodges have opened on the exclusive islands. Fortunately like at Gorongosa, there are also grass-roots initiatives taking place.

Get ahead of the curve: Visit Mozambique and contribute to the restoration of this beautiful country.

Photographs:
1. Gorongosa "Yesterday": Game viewing bus (Antonio Jorge), Pungwe River, Chitengo Safari Camp (Antonio Jorge), Elephants (Celestino Goncales)
2. Gorongosa Today: Chitengo Safari Camp Cabanas, Cabana (Antonio Jorge), Game viewing vehicle, Lion (Richard Baker)
3. The famous Casa des Leos, or the "House of Lions" once inhabited by a pride of lions (Celestino Goncales)
4. Vinho Village, benefiting from hard work and philanthropy
5. Diverse landscapes: Lake Urema (Jeff Barbee), Grassland, Mountain

Further Reading:
Gorongosa National Park
One Man's Plan To Save A Natural Treasure (CBS News, 60 Minutes)
Wanderlust Magazine Article
Carr Foundation

CBS 60 Minutes Feature:

Eco Africa Social Ventures is a U.S. based Non Profit corporation founded by Janice Ashby whose mission is to uplift the daily lives of artists, crafting artisans and their families in Zimbabwe who are struggling under extreme hardships owing to the economic catastrophe that has overtaken their country.

Roar Africa and partner lodges are donating a luxury safari to help families survive the food emergency. The safari includes 3 nights at Singita Pamushana Lodge in Zimbabwe, 3 nights at Steenberg Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, and 4 nights at Londo Lodge, Pemba Island, Mozambique. The safari will be donated at an event held at the home of Leila Straus on Park Avenue West, New York on November 12th.

Peter Godwin, the acclaimed author of "When a Crocodile Eats the Sun", will be at the event for a special reading and book signing. A magnificent photograph "The Dancing Wildebeest" by Chris Dei will also be auctioned at the event.

If you would like to attend please email info@ecoafricasocialventures.org for an invitation. You can also email info@roarafrica.com for a copy of the luxury safari worth $14,000.

You can help by referring others to this posting/invitation or by a direct donation through Pay Pal to Eco Africa Social Ventures.

News Reports on the Zimbabwe Crisis: New York Times, BBC
Peter Godwin: NY Magazine, New York Times, Vanity Fair

Roar Africa is promoting a special fusion of South African highlights. A five day exclusive journey into the wild heart of Africa, the coastal beauty of the Eastern Cape, and the modern Charm of Port Elizabeth. This five night adventure for two is in a malaria-free safari area and can of course be supplemented with any other destinations in Southern Africa.

As with all our experiences the package is private rather than a tour. Starting from $4,825 (for two people sharing) this includes:

• Two nights at Shamwari Game Reserve*
  
• Two nights at Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve*
  
• One night at Shamwari Townhouse**

* includes accommodation, meals, game drives, selected beverages

** includes accommodation & breakfast

When you book through us you'll receive complimentary upgrades, transfers and luxury spa treatments. Valid until April 2009. See attached flyer or call 1 877 ROAR AFR for details.

See other blog posts referencing Shamwari here and here.

At 7pm on Saturday, November 8, Roar Africa will host a private screening of the award-winning movie "The World Unseen".

"The World Unseen" is a moving and passionate love story set in 1950's South Africa just as Apartheid was beginning. The screening will be at Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street, New York on Saturday November 8th 2008.

Following the movie will be a Q & A session with Writer/Director, Shamim Sarif, and Executive Producer, Katherine Priestley.
If you would like to attend please contact Virginia Haynes at vhaynes@montcom-ny.com

"The World Unseen" movie trailer:

We thought we'll kill two birds with one stone: Share some Art & Culture from Southern Africa and give you an opportunity to save yourself some luggage dilemmas. We've seen the frustration of trying to pack or ship art back to yourself after your trip to Southern Africa so we're introducing you to Amaridian, a beautiful gallery in New York.

Amaridian is the vision of two South African's, Mary Slack and Fraser Conlon, and provides a platform from which emerging artists from sub-Saharan Africa can present their work. The name Amaridian is a combination of the Zulu word "Amadlozi" meaning "ancestral spirits" and "meridian" the imaginary lines that traverse the globe. The gallery is adorned with art, home décor, and furniture from sub-Saharan African designers. You'll find a wide range of carefully selected items. Examples include vivid hand-sewn fabric collages of Billie Zangewa, lifelike oil paintings by Deborah Poynton, imaginative Ardmore ceramics inspired by Zulu folklore, traditional Nguni pots from Andile Dyalvane, and street-inspired furniture from Cheick Diallo.

If you're in New York pop in to the gallery at 31 Howard Street, SoHo, and speak to Fraser Conlon or Michael Head who run this art gem. It won't beat a safari but on the plus side you won't have jet lag. And of course Roar Africa will still help you get the artworks you do find while on safari back home. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite.

Photographs (1): The Gallery

Photographs (2): Art (clockwise)

Andile Dyalvane - Traditional Nguni Storage Vessel, Cerramic Matters - Rose and Bird Bowl, Astrid Dahl - Earthenware Ceramic Vessel - Pod, Ethnographic Art - Ethno Statue, Ceramic Matters - Cast White Kudu Horn, Ethnographic Art -

Pygmy Statues

Photographs (3): Art (clockwise)

Cheick Diallo - Armchair, Ardmore - Crocodile Teapot, Egg Designs - Bug Sidetable, Beezy Baily - Untiltled, Gregor Jenkin - Van Die Stel Setalite Floor Lamp, Gregor Jenkin - Rolled Stell Table.

www.amaridianusa.com

James Fernie from Uthando sent us a few photographs taken recently and showing how donated funds are being put to use in the townships around Cape Town. Uthando distributed 15 badly needed cots to various day care centers in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Phillipi. Herewith a few of the pictures to show just one way that a small donation on your trip with Roar Africa can help local communities.

James helping to put it all together.

A small donation goes a long way here.

For more about donating to or visiting with Uthando while on your trip see our other posts here and here or just give us a call on 1 877 ROAR AFR.

Uthando (Love) South Africa is a non-profit Roar Africa supports. Their mission is to raise funds to support a broad range of grass roots, community based, sustainable, innovative and empowerment projects with substantial and enduring value to the most destitute and marginalized communities in South Africa.

Ten years ago when elephant matriarch Wonky Tusk and her family returned to a favourite mango tree while on migration they discovered that a lodge had unwittingly been built next to it. Sensing no danger from the Mfuwe Lodge staff and visitors they decided not to let minor details get in the way of their breakfast. From that day forward they have returned unhindered every November, sometimes multiple times per day, wandering through the lobby and grounds to the delight of staff and guests alike.


What is amazing about this is that they are completely wild elephants. They are living in the 5,000 square mile South Luangwa National Park in Zambia and yet in this unusual circumstance they are comfortable in close proximity to humans. Andy Hogg, director at The Bushcamp Company that runs the Lodge, has lived in South Luangwa National Pazrk for 26 years has never seen another occurrence of wild elephants freely getting so close to humans.

'The elephants do get reasonably close to the staff as you can see with the pictures of the elephants near the reception,' he explains. 'But we do not allow the guests to get too close. Guests can stand in the lounge area but as long as there is a barrier between the elephants and the guests that is okay,' he added.

If you visit in November you might be fortunate to witness Wonky Tusk and family from a safe distance.

Mfuwe Lodge is hidden amongst huge ebony and fig trees on the banks of a beautiful lagoon on the Luangwa River. The Bushcamp Company operates a six other camps and caters especially to those looking for the classic adventure of a walking safari. You don't have to do a walking safari. You might choose to relax at one or other camp and go on game drives. However you can in fact move between camps on guided walking safaris. Don't worry you wont have to carry your suitcase.

Video footage of the Mfuwe elephants:

Herewith an exciting press release we have been itching to share since a meeting with our friends and partners from Shamwari/Sanbona last month.

*****

WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA (10/6/08) -- Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in South Africa’s Western Cape Province has successfully released into the wild an integrated lion pride comprised of two adult male and two juvenile female white lions. The release of the pride onto almost 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) at Sanbona is the culmination of a years-long White Lion Project sponsored by The Shamwari Dubai World Africa Conservation team.

The striking coloration of white lions makes them visible on the savannah and thus vulnerable to predators. The goal of the White Lion Project was to boost their genetic integrity by mating their offspring to the tawny wild lion, thus breeding in survival skills lost through successive generations bred in captivity. Due to poaching and “canned” hunting, the white lion population has dwindled over the years to the brink of extinction. The 300 or so remaining white lions are found in zoos and circuses around the world.

White lions, also known as blond lions, are not a separate sub-species of Panthera leo, the African lion, nor are they colorless albinos – pigmentati

on occurs in the eye, paw pad, and lip. Rather, their coloring is the result of a recessive gene causing a condition known as leucism. Cubs may be born normal tawny lions, but carry the recessive leucism gene, which may show up in future generations. Another explanation for their ivory or cream color is that the recessive gene for white/blonde arose in the lion’s ancient past when its habitat was more wide-ranging and in

cluded snowy and desert regions. In this explanation, it mutated for camouflage. Normal lion cubs are spotted at birth; the coat of white cubs is almost pure white.

Legends about white lions abound, doubtless because of their rarity and spectral appearance. Some believe they are children of the Sun God sent to earthlings as gifts. Other say they are messengers of the gods borne to earth on ships of white light. But “messengers” might be translated “angels,” since white lions are also believed to be the bearers of goodness. They were first spotted in the wild some 400 years ago, but the next recorded sightings were not until 1928. It took almost a half century more before a litter with two white cubs was documented at Timbavati Game Reserve near Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The pride released at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is being closely monitored by dedicated members of the Shamwari Dubai World Africa Conservation team. Typically the pride separates, but they reunite on a regular basis, and are able to hunt and fend for themselves. They communicate, interact and appear to be experiencing life as wild lions have from time immemorial.

*****

Congratulations to the Sanbona and the Shamwari Dubai World Africa Conservation Team.

Contact us if you are interested in visiting Sanbona. It is situated at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains in the heart of the Little Karoo just 3 hours from Cape Town. Along with Shamwari it is part of the Mantis Collection , sets the standard for responsible tourism, and provides a beautiful malaria-free safarai destination near the famous Garden Route in South Africa.

October 27 Update: Sanbona Group Ecologist interviewed on GMTV about the White Lion Release: