A family outing to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park took a disastrous turn when a bull elephant battered and flipped the family’s vehicle this past weekend.
The family – believed to be a husband, wife and their two children, aged 8 and 10, from the coastal town of Mtunzini – all managed to escape death and serious injury after their vehicle was charged and overturned by the angry bull. However they are reportedly severely traumatised.
Daily Maverick reports that the attack took place on a tourist road near Catalina Bay in Cape Vidal. .
At this stage it is still unclear why the elephant attacked the car, but an investigation will be launched by park officials.
Horrifying video footage taken by the occupants of another vehicle show the elephant mauling a white Ford pickup truck after it had flipped the vehicle over onto its roof.
Images circulated on social media show that the windscreen was cracked, with dents to both sides of the vehicle.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is home to more than 100 elephants, living in separate family herds, all of which have been reintroduced to the park over the past 20 years.
The majority of these were relocated from the nearby Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – orphans whose parents were culled in Kruger National Park – with some of the herd being more recent introductions directly from Kruger.
There have been various reports highlighting the long term psychological damage suffered by these orphaned and relocated elephants, with many believing that the trauma caused will never allow them to peacefully interact with humans.
Since the reintroductions began there have been a number of incidents of human-elephant conflict, including one reported fatality in 2005 when Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife general assistant Zelani Ntuli (50) was gored in the chest by an elephant that charged her vehicle.
Ntuli and fellow staff were returning to their camp in a land cruiser when they came across a breeding herd of 26 elephants drinking at a reservoir in the early evening.
In order to not startle the herd, they stopped the vehicle and switched off the lights. After waiting for a while, the team tried to continue, but were stopped by the herd. It is believed the elephants may have become disorientated by the flickering of the vehicle’s lights.
A large elephant then rammed the truck, pushing it back off the road and up against a tree. The windscreen was shattered and the roof lifted off its mounting, while Ntuli, a mother of two, was fatally gored.
In a separate video clip from 2016, a party of tourists recorded a close escape after encountering an elephant at close quarters on a tourist road – highlighting the dangers of visitors approaching elephants too closely, particularly when testosterone-charged bulls are in musth (a condition of heightened aggression and unpredictable behaviour in elephant bulls).
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World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing Will Save Thousands Of Animals In California
California's Groundbreaking Wildlife Crossing: A Bold Step Towards Conservation
In the bustling expanse of Los Angeles County, a pioneering initiative is taking shape above the relentless traffic of Highway 101. The plan is to develop the world's largest wildlife crossing.
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, slated for completion in 2025, represents not just an engineering marvel but a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation.
Spanning 210 feet, this bridge is poised to be the world’s largest of its kind, designed specifically to safeguard a diverse array of animals—from majestic mountain lions to discreet deer and even the tiniest ants—enabling them to safely traverse between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills.
The need for such a crossing has become increasingly urgent. America's roads are perilous for wildlife, with over one million wildlife-vehicle collisions annually causing not only animal casualties but also human fatalities and injuries. This bridge aims to mitigate these incidents by offering safe passage above eight lanes of hectic traffic, thereby preventing the dangerous attempts by animals to cross busy roadways.
The project, with a hefty tag of $92 million, is a testament to the power of collaboration. Funded through a public-private partnership that includes Caltrans, the National Park Service, and the National Wildlife Federation, the crossing is a bold statement in ecological intervention.
Groundbreaking began on Earth Day two years ago, marking a significant step forward in environmental stewardship.
Structurally, the crossing is as robust as it is ambitious. Over the coming months, crews will install more than 80 concrete girders, each weighing up to 140 tons. Once completed, the bridge will not only serve its functional purpose but will also be a habitat in itself, draped in over a million native plants and additional greenery to mimic the natural environments of the crossing wildlife.
One cannot overlook the poignant narrative of P-22, the mountain lion whose life and struggles have come to symbolize the plight of urban wildlife. Born around 2010, P-22's journey across two major freeways to Griffith Park highlighted the severe challenges faced by animals due to urban sprawl.
His subsequent health issues and untimely death in December after a series of unfortunate events underscore the critical need for solutions like the wildlife crossing. P-22's legacy is thus immortalized, inspiring not just donations but a wider awareness and commitment to wildlife conservation.
This crossing does more than bridge two physical locations; it connects us with a larger story of survival and adaptation. It forces us to reckon with the impact of our urban environments on the natural world. By weaving natural landscapes into our urban fabric, projects like the Annenberg Crossing guide us toward a more harmonious coexistence with nature.
Experts believe that without such interventions, the genetic diversity of local wildlife populations, particularly mountain lions, could deteriorate to the point of local extinction. The bridge is thus a critical step in preserving these populations for future generations.
As we anticipate the completion of this monumental project, it's clear that the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is more than just a pathway over a freeway—it is a lifeline, a new hope for wildlife conservation in urban settings.
WATCH: Lioness Teaches Her Cubs to Climb in Sabi Sands
Unusual Lessons given by a Lioness at MalaMala
In the dense, sun-drenched bushveld of South Africa's MalaMala Game Reserve, an extraordinary scene unfolds that challenges the traditional perceptions of lion behavior. Here, a lioness, identified by local guide Michael Moth, turns a casual day into a lesson of survival and adaptation by teaching her cubs the art of climbing trees.
Lions, known primarily for their might and ground-based hunting tactics, are not typical climbers like their feline cousin, the leopard. However, in a captivating display of maternal instinct and adaptability, this lioness has decided to impart this critical skill to her offspring.
The footage of this rare event, shows the lioness patiently coaxing her cubs to ascend a tree—a sight that both bewilders and fascinates.
The scene begins with the lioness perched in a small tree, her cubs playfully circling below. Her calls, a mix of encouragement and command, draw the cubs' gaze upwards. Initially hesitant, the cubs assess the daunting climb. One ventures onto a fallen branch, a smaller challenge to start with, under the watchful eyes of its mother.
This behavior, as observed by wildlife experts, might seem unusual but is laden with potential benefits. "Climbing may provide these cubs with an evolutionary advantage," explains Dr. Angela Larkin, a wildlife biologist specializing in African carnivores. "In areas where food is sparse or competition fierce, the ability to climb could be a significant edge, offering escape routes and access to new hunting grounds."
Determination and Discovery
The footage further shows one cub, spurred by its mother's steady encouragement, finally making the climb successfully. This cub's triumph appears to inspire its siblings, though their achievements vary. One reaches halfway, while others barely manage a few tentative grips. The lioness, descending from the tree after the session, looks visibly proud of her cubs' attempts, regardless of the outcome.
"Their mother's pride is palpable, and each cub has learned a valuable lesson in persistence and bravery,"
Moth shares, reflecting on the day's events.
"Such lessons could one day prove crucial for their survival."
This event is more than a simple anomaly; it reflects a broader narrative of adaptation and survival in the ever-changing landscapes of the wild. As human encroachment alters natural habitats, and climate change shifts the dynamics of prey availability, adaptive behaviors like these could become more common among lions.
This remarkable lesson from a lioness at MalaMala not only provides a thrilling spectacle but also a poignant reminder of the resilience and adaptability of nature. It prompts a deeper appreciation for the ways in which wildlife continues to surprise and adapt in the face of challenges—an essential lesson for us all.
Sperm Whales Poo On Orcas In Self-Defence
The Poonado Incident: A Mysterious Encounter in the Depths of Bremer Bay
In the vast, unpredictable waters of Bremer Bay, Western Australia, spectators aboard a whale-watching vessel witnessed an extraordinary event that could alter our understanding of interspecies interactions in the marine world. The unexpected encounter between a pod of sperm whales and a group of orcas has sparked intense discussion among marine biologists and enthusiasts alike, suggesting a rare defensive strategy that might be termed "defensive defecation."
A Day of Discovery
What began as a typical whale-watching excursion quickly evolved into a pivotal observation session.
Jennah Tucker, a marine biologist with Naturaliste Charters, detailed the scene:
"The orcas were embarking on long, deep dives, which usually indicates foraging behavior. We were expecting a beaked whale to surface since that's what this population of orcas typically preys on."
Instead, the observers were taken aback when not one, but several sperm whales surfaced, appearing visibly fatigued and encircled by orcas.
Sperm whales release mysterious large, dark cloud to deter orcas | Naturaliste Charters, Mark Jackman
The Encounter
Sperm whales, known as the ocean’s largest toothed predators, found themselves in what Tucker described as an "intense pursuit." This interaction is notable not just for the drama and size of the creatures involved but for the strategic responses observed.
As the orcas tightened their circle, the sperm whales arranged themselves into a defensive rosette formation, with juveniles in the center—a tactic observed in other cetaceans when protecting vulnerable pod members.
The Poonado Incident
The turning point in this aquatic standoff came when a large, dark cloud emerged among the sperm whales. "We initially thought it was blood, which is usually a sign of a successful predation," Tucker explained. However, it soon became clear that this was no blood cloud but a massive expulsion of feces.
This cloud of fecal matter, whimsically termed a "poonado," led to an immediate and unexpected reaction from the orcas. "The orcas just took off into a surge," Tucker recalls, noting that the predators moved away swiftly, maintaining a distance thereafter. The sudden retreat sparked speculation: was this fecal cloud an intentional defense mechanism?
The concept of defensive defecation, while observed in various animals as a stress response, is relatively unexplored in marine contexts. Tucker remarked on the ambiguity of the situation, "Defecation in sperm whales has previously been observed in association with behaviors that indicate distress. However, whether this is a stress response or an offensive technique to deter predators isn’t well understood."
Experts are cautious about jumping to conclusions. The retreat of the orcas could be coincidental or influenced by other unseen factors. Yet, the timing and effectiveness of the response suggest a possible evolutionary adaptation worth further study. Marine biologist Dr. Samuel Gruber notes, "In the animal kingdom, survival often inspires innovative defense strategies.
While not glamorous, the effective use of such a biological response could indicate a new layer of interspecies communication and defense we’ve yet to fully understand."
One orca was spotted with something yellow in its mouth. Flesh from whales or other marine mammals is usually a dark red, like beef, with white tissue. The researchers were confused. | Jodie LoweThis incident not only enriches our view of sperm whale behavior but also challenges existing notions about predator-prey dynamics in the deep sea. It raises significant questions about the capabilities and strategies of marine mammals, highlighting the complexity and adaptability of these creatures.
The implications for conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems are profound. "Each observation like this gives us a new perspective on the natural world, encouraging deeper investigation and greater appreciation for these magnificent creatures," says Tucker.
Source: Discover Wildlife
Orange Sahara Dust Cloud Descends Over Athens
Orange Dust Haze Over Athens: The Sahara's Impact and What Lies Ahead
As Athenians woke up to an otherworldly scene, a striking orange haze enveloped the cityscape, an eerie reminder of nature's untamed forces. This isn't the first time the skies over Greece have turned shades of Martian orange, but the recent Sahara dust event is among the most severe since 2018.
This phenomenon, resulting from vast clouds of mineral dust carried from the Sahara Desert, casts a surreal glow and a thick blanket over Athens, extending as far north as Thessaloniki.
A Persistent and Expansive Issue. The Sahara Desert, an immense landscape of arid expanses, annually releases between 60 to 200 million tonnes of mineral dust into the atmosphere. While much of this dust settles back to the earth's surface relatively quickly, finer particles are swept across continents by upper-level winds.
In this instance, the dust not only shrouded Greece but also affected regions as disparate as Switzerland and southern France in late March and early April. This wide-reaching impact highlights the interconnectedness of environmental phenomena, transcending geographical boundaries.
Atmospheric Conditions and Public Health
The mingling of dust with unusually high temperatures has created stifling conditions in southern Greece. Kostas Lagouvardos, a noted meteorologist, likened the view from a local weather station to the surface of Mars, emphasizing the dramatic alteration in the landscape and atmosphere. The compromised air quality poses significant health risks, particularly for those with respiratory ailments. Greek authorities have advised the public to wear protective masks, limit outdoor activities, and postpone physical exercise until the air clears—a temporary but vital adaptation to the hazardous conditions.
Complicating the environmental challenge are the wildfires that have flared up concurrently. In the past 24 hours alone, the Greek fire service has battled 25 wildfires. One particularly fierce blaze near a naval base on Crete necessitated the evacuation of homes and a kindergarten as temperatures on the island soared above 30°C (86°F). This confluence of dust, heat, and fire underscores the broader climatic vulnerabilities that Greece, like many parts of the world, faces amid changing global weather patterns.
Looking Ahead: Environmental Implications and Actions
The recurring dust episodes and their intensification call for a reevaluation of environmental and health preparedness strategies. Enhancing predictive meteorological models and public health advisories can play pivotal roles in mitigating the impacts of such dust storms. Moreover, understanding the broader implications of these dust clouds on climate change, soil deposition, and even marine ecosystems will be crucial.
As we contemplate the orange haze that temporarily transforms day into dusk, it serves as a vivid, visual reminder of our planet's dynamic and interconnected environmental systems.
The need for increased research, international cooperation, and proactive measures has never been more apparent, ensuring that societies can better anticipate, respond to, and ultimately thrive amidst these challenges. The dust will settle, but the conversation and actions it precipitates must continue to evolve.
‘Whale Bones’ Capturer Earns Underwater Photographer Of The Year
In the icy waters beneath Greenland's vast frozen expanses, a spectacle of history and present intertwines, illuminated by the minimal natural light filtering through the thick ice sheet above.
Here, Swedish underwater photographer Alex Dawson captured a scene so compelling it earned him the prestigious title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024.
His photograph, titled "Whale Bones," portrays a diver navigating the remnants of a whaling past, a stark reminder of the transient yet impactful intersections between human activity and marine life.
The image features freediver Anna Von Boetticher, a friend and frequent collaborator of Dawson, as she explores the skeletal remains of a minke whale. The setting is haunting and ethereal. Located no more than 7 meters below the ice's surface, the site is relatively accessible, yet the conditions are anything but ordinary. The limited light creates an otherworldly glow around the diver, who, equipped with a torch, appears as an explorer from another planet.
Alex Mustard, chair of the judging panel for the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 awards, described the photograph as being shot in "the toughest conditions." He praised the composition for its ability to guide the viewer through the narrative seamlessly, highlighting the "visiting alien" feel that the diver's suit and torch contribute to the scene.
The image not only captures the physical remnants found beneath the ice but also tells a broader story of ecological and historical significance.
Celebrating his victory, Dawson took to Instagram to express his gratitude and honor for receiving the award. His post reflects a deep appreciation for the craft and the profound experiences that underwater photography can afford.
He noted, underscoring the challenges and unique aspects of capturing such a shot:
"This image was submitted in the Wide Angle category with freediving mode,"
Anna Von Boetticher's own reflections on social media add a personal touch to the achievement. She shared her pride in both the recognition of Dawson's work and her role in it, celebrating the collaborative spirit that such projects entail. Her words highlight the partnership and shared dedication required to bring such compelling underwater narratives to the surface.
This win for Dawson is not merely a personal triumph but a resonant moment for the underwater photography community. It underscores the genre's capacity to engage with pressing environmental narratives and to evoke both beauty and contemplation through visual storytelling. The photograph of the whale bones beneath Greenland's ice is a poignant reminder of the delicate balance marine ecosystems must navigate amidst human influence.
As the viewer's eyes traverse the contours of whale bones and the diver's illuminated path, the image of "Whale Bones" invites a meditative pause on the impact of past actions on the present and future marine environments. It serves as both a window and a mirror—showing us the hidden wonders of underwater realms and reflecting our own roles within these narratives.
In exploring these depths, Dawson and Von Boetticher not only capture images but also capture imaginations, prompting a dialogue about conservation, exploration, and the unseen parts of our world.