Jun 28 2008
More on media, lions and conservation
If you have a moment, do have a look at William’s post (the Mara triangle blog) on the recent BBC story that covered the poisoning of several lions. It makes for some thought-provoking material. I’ve posted a few comments there. What do you think?
6 responses so far
I would like to ask a question about a National Geographic article which suggests two large lion die-offs have been as a result of climate change.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080625-warming-lions.html
here is a bit of paraphrasing:
While lion populations survive outbreaks of canine distemper and infestations of a tick-borne parasite regularly, the two diseases don’t usually occur simultaneously.
But extreme drought followed by heavy rains as a result of climate change set up the conditions for outbreaks of both diseases in 1994 and 2001 with the lethal effect of wiping out one third of the lion population in Serengeti in 1994 and similar numbers in Ngorongoro Crater in 2001.
My question is: what do people think of this article as I have not heard much talk about this being a factor on these blogs
Thank you
drought followed by heavy rain = favorable condition for tick to reproduce
lots of ticks = higher chance of getting tick-borne parasitic disease like Babesia
tick-borne disease = lowering of immunity
lowering of immunity = more prone to viral disease
(e.g. distemper)
Thanks Azuka
I think that attack is not always the best form of defence.
Wim, that sounds a great deal like the writing of Sun Tzu or Sun Pin. Interesting to hear it in this post-modern medium, and very appropriate.
I hope in the long term some good comes out of that discussion.
Ah yes, The Art of Blog.
Like; No William, its not those pesky BBC people and their prying ways that are making a bad impression, it’s all those dead poisoned things lying around…
But what do I know?
I’ve given up, it’s become too surreal and no good will come of it.