Tag Archives: Anna

Photo of the Day: A Rhino with an Entourage

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We absolutely adore rhinos at Vanishing Species, and we’ll use any excuse to publish a rhino photo.

Take a good look at this photo. Can you see the little black bird in the bush and the Cattle Egret on the ground? It’s no coincidence that this rhino is traveling with an entourage. The black bird is a Fork-Tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), and both birds know that the rhino is grazing for food. As the huge rhino walks about and grazes, it kicks up the earth and disturbs the surrounding vegetation. This is turn flushes out all sorts of little bugs, which are quickly grabbed by the watchful birds. In return, the birds may be the first to detect any threats nearby. Everyone wins!

Rhino grazing with a cattle egret and a fork-tailed drongo

The White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species  as “near threatened”.
The latest population estimate is 17,480 (December 2007)

The Tasmanian Devil in Trouble

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Let’s stretch our ‘Australian Week’ by just one more day…

We’ve all heard of the Tasmanian Devil, but surprisingly few people know what they actually look like (I blame a certain popular cartoon character). Even fewer people know that since 2000, the wild Tasmanian Devil population has been affected by a mysterious cancer which is threatening to wipe them out entirely in the years to come.

We love the work done by the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, a place I had the privilege to visit in 2010.

Tasmanian Devil at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, by Anna Tinker

Does the Tasmanian Devil deserve its fearsome reputation? We think it does! Have a look at these little devils fighting over their lunch…

You can’t not be drawn to Tasmanian Devil! They’re unique and special and we want more than anything to keep them around.

Here are some quick facts on the disease currently spreading through the the wild Tasmanian Devil population (taken from the small print on the sign pictured below), directly from the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park.

- The Tasmanian Devil is now an endangered species

- More than half of all wild devils have perished

- Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a unique contagious cancer

- It affects only Tasmanian Devils and is always fatal

-  The cancer is transferred directly by biting during feeding and mating

- Preventing Direct contact is the best way to stop the disease from spreading

- The disease was first noticed in 2000 and has spread across most of Tasmania

- There is no barrier to stop it reaching the west coast

- Its origin is not known

Beautiful and wild Tasmanian Devil habitat, by Anna Tinker

Unfortunately, this mysterious cancer is just one of the many threats faced by Tasmanian Devils. According to IUCN, more than 2,200 are killed each year on Tasmania’s roads.

The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “endangered“
population trend: decreasing

Photo of the Day: Tawny Frogmouth

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You aren’t allowed to argue with us on this one (although there’s nothing wrong with starting a debate) –The Tawny Frog mouth is Australia’s most charming bird.

It’s a pleasure to introduce you to ‘Kermit’, the friendly Frogmouth at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Project in Tasmania.

Kermit the Frogmouth, by Anna Tinker

And here’s a very sweet video of Kermit working for his snack:

The Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigides)
is on the IUCN Redlist for Threatened Species as “least concern“

Life as a Safari Guide: A Kruger Leopard Encounter

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Leopard

Leopard, S130 Kruger National Park, by Anna Tinker

It feels like we’re already well into 2012, but this week I’ve been remembering some of the best moments of last year, and looking forward to the best of this year.

Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a safari guide in Kruger Park. During this time, there were so many unforgettable wildlife encounters, but this one was certainly a highlight for me!

I first spotted this leopard from quite a distance. I could see her sitting in the grass at the road’s edge and I stopped. From past experience, I knew that leopards will usually bolt for cover when they realize they’ve been seen.

But this one didn’t bolt at all! When I pulled up beside her, she casually stood up, walked a few feet away and flopped back down again. We watched for close to 10 minutes as she walked around in the bushes by the vehicle. I couldn’t believe how relaxed she was!

She even walked out into the road. I tried to film it, but I was just too excited to hold the camera. We were the only vehicle at this sighting, and if you’ve been to Kruger Park, you’ll understand that in itself is tremendously special.

It’s estimated that Kruger National Park holds about 1,000 leopards, but unlike this one, most of them prefer to stay undercover and aren’t commonly seen.

Will YOU be looking for leopards in 2012? I know I will! And have you got any great leopard encounters to share with us?

The Leopard (Panthera pardus)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “near threatened”.
Population trend: decreasing

Why The Hamerkop is Better than You

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Anna

by Anna Tinker

There are a select few birds in Africa that are just better than the other ones. The hamerkop (scopus umbretta) belongs to this elite little society because as a species, they possess a true self-awareness of their awesomeness.They know that they’re better than other birds. I will explain.

Birds who are comparable in size to the Hamerkop, build themselves cosy little nests. Bless their socks. Most birds build nests (unless of course you’re a brood parasite and you have better things to do with your time). Hamerkops look at the brood parasites and these other birds with their cramped, pathetic, folk-artsy type ‘nests’, and promptly turn up their noses. They may also roll their eyes.

Hamerkop

Hamerkop (c) Birdorable (www.birdorable.com) and used with their kind permission. Details below

The Hamerkop chooses his tree fork carefully. It must be large enough to accommodate the 100kg structure he plans on building in it. In addition to these requirements, he can’t do without his fresh sushi and caviar de grenouille, so he prefers waterfront properties. And his back garden must be much larger than yours.

Roughy 10,000 of the finest sticks and grasses are found, judged on their quality and added to the fork in their chosen tree and soon a colossal dome is constructed, with a diameter of about 1.5 meters. It’s the largest and most elaborate double-occupancy nest in all of nature.

But that isn’t enough for the Hamerkop. Unsatisfied with their dull and terribly ‘common’ home, the Hamerkop couple set about decorating it. Like Australia’s Bower Birds, they have developed an affection for man-made objects, such as discarded handkerchiefs and the little wrappers that Beacon chocolate Easter eggs come in. These are added to the outside of the nest to assert the couple’s worldliness.

The inside of the nest consists of a grand entrance tunnel, leading to a large chamber with cathedral ceilings. Hamerkops have a unique habit of standing on each others heads, and their living space must accommodate this. The walls and floor are exquisitely carpeted with only the finest mud, ensuring the entire mansion is waterproof.

Warning: The following paragraphs refer to other birds using the Hamerkop’s nest for various birdy purposes. But don’t think you could get away with it like they can. You cannot. People who interfere with a Hamerkop nest WILL pay for it. When you are inevitably struck by lightning at some point in your life, all your buddies are going to know what you did to the Hamerkops. San fact #264.

Hamerkop

Hamerkop, by Sergey Yeliseev, details below

Some birds are so desperate to be associated with their local Hamerkops, that you sometimes find other nests attached to the outside of a Hamerkop nest. These hangers on are attempting to social-climb and the Hamerkop will see right through it, although they do tolerate it.

But bigger birds (*cough* *OWLS* *cough*), will often look at their own modest nests and get jealous. They’ll sometimes attempt a takeover before the poor Hamerkops have even finished building their house, which is foolish, because if it’s not finished, it won’t yet be decorated with chocolate wrappers, and no owl possesses the knowledge to add these all-important finishing touches.

Despite having a bill somewhat reminiscent of their distant Shoebill cousins from the North (and you would NOT mess with that) and a head that can bash nails into metal, the Hamerkop doesn’t really bother to fight back.

Hamerkops seem reasonably easy going. Like an eccentric and laid-back billionaire who’s conducting a routine check-up on his uninhabited Knightsbridge property and finds it has been overrun by squatters, a Hamerkop put-out by owls may protest surprisingly little at the re-appropriation. “Chin up. You silly owl squatters. Tut-tut. When you leave, I shall simply return. In the meantime, I shall build a new house – one that puts yours to SHAME”.

And they do. They don’t seem to mind starting over, because the Hamerkop may build between three and five of these palatial homes each year. With no regard for economy, they build whether they’re breeding or not. They seem to build because they love. One bird book that I own, refers to Hamerkops as ‘DIY enthusiasts’. This is why they have named themselves the ‘Hamerkop’. The name stems from their deep-seated love of DIY and tools. This is contrary to the myth that their name comes from the shape of their head. The Afrikaans word for ‘hammer’ is ‘hamer’ and the word for ‘head’ is ‘kop’, but this is purely coincidental. Personally, I think they’d do well being called, ‘chateaukops’.

Hamerkop

Hamerkop, by Anna Tinker, details below

So there appears to be little evolutionary explanation for their nesting behaviour. It’s suggested that these waterfront mansions serve as ‘territory beacons’, but I suggest they rather act as ‘fabulosity’ beacons, not only advertising their status, but actually allowing them to perpetuate their well-heeled lifestyle.

For example, if the Hamerkops have managed to keep their fabulous home free from owls, they use it to breed. Being wealthy, and possessing the living space, they can afford to have more children than your average wader. Their kids are exceptionally low maintenance, owing to the fact that insulation in the nest acts as a built-in nanny. So Mr and Mrs Hamerkop are free to spend their leisure time loafing about at places like Sun City, where they impress their friends and exhibit their superiority by being impeccably well-groomed, owing to a built in comb on their middle toe. They have their social traditions too. While on holiday, they’ll often gather in cliques of about ten, and run around each other in circles while loudly insulting each other.“SQUAAAAAAK! My house is bigger than yours!” SQUAAAAAAK! And my children are warmer than yours!” “SQUAAAAK! My house is decorated with posh chocolate wrappers and yours is decorated with inferior wrappers! SQUAAAAAK!”. Win.

You can’t deny it. The Hamerkop is better than you. That is all.

The Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “least concern“

PHOTO CREDITS:
Hamerkop cartoon (c) Birdorable (which may be the best website I’ve ever seen)
and is used with their kind permission
Hamerkop photo by Sergey Yeliseev is used under a Creative Commons Licence
Hamerkop photo by Anna Tinker was taken in Pilanesburg, January 2010

A Wild ‘Wallaby Safari’… on the Isle of Man?

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By Anna Tinker

I wanted to spend the first day of 2012 doing something a little different. So I dressed my parents in khakis, handed them binoculars and piled them into the car for a ‘Wallaby Safari’.  This is not normal.

We live in the middle of the Irish Sea on the Isle of Man. Few people (even those who live here) know about the 100 or so Red-Necked Wallabies we’ve got living wild in the north of our island- all descendents of one legendary pair who escaped from a wildlife park in the early 1970’s.

Not a 'Manx' Red-Necked Wallaby, but rather one I photographed in the Dandenong Ranges, Australia. By Anna Tinker

I’m happy to report that our ‘safari’ was successful. Just as darkness descended and the freezing wind had forced us back to our car, I noticed two large, black figures in the field. Binoculars confirmed them to be a pair of our special Wallabies. Being perhaps the most thrilling of the Island’s wildlife, the sighting certainly made for an exciting start to 2012.

But it got me thinking.

Our wild Wallaby population is steadily growing and their range is thought to be expanding. Our Wallabies are said to inhabit the same ecological niche as hares and they don’t seem to be outcompeting our local hare population for the vegetation they both like to eat. On the surface, it seems they’ve slotted in nicely up in the Curraghs where they’ve taken up home. There’s been little research into the ecological impact of these wallabies on the Isle of Man but for now their presence hasn’t generated much concern.

Wallaby in Sherbrooke Forest, Victoria. By Anna Tinker

I’m not sure how to feel about our Wallabies. I know about the massive and devastating consequences that introduced species can bring to an environment. I recently wrote about the impact of the introduced European Fox on Tasmania’s fragile Quoll population. This is one of countless examples.

Entire ecosystems can be and are thrown fatally out of balance by introduced species. Species are often driven to extinction, and rarely does an ‘alien’ introduction fail to leave a threatening impact somewhere in its new environment.

But yet I feel a special affection to ‘my’ wallabies. As long (and only as long) as they aren’t having a negative impact on our indigenous wildlife, the wallabies add a sense of exoticism and excitement to our little island. In this moment in time, I like that I live somewhere where I can go on the occasional ‘wallaby safari’.  Is this selfish? Is it naive?   There is much to learn and explore here, and many questions to be asked.  The treatment of Introduced species will always provoke strong debate, both ecological and emotional.

So I’d like to know…

What are your thoughts about introduced species? Can they ever be ‘okay’? Have you got any stories, examples or opinions you’d like to share?

Click here for a clip from BBC’s ‘Springwatch’ Programme: ‘In Search of the Isle of Man’s Wallabies’

The Red-Necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)
is native to South Eastern Australia and Tasmania.
It’s on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “least concern“
and its population trend is stable.

Meet the Enchanting Eastern Quoll

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Eastern Quolls at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Tasmania, by Anna Tinker

Here’s one of those ‘lesser known’ animals. The sort that you may go your whole life without knowing about.

Which is a pity because the enchanting Eastern Quoll is one of Australia’s smallest and most endearing marsupials. They have lovely little toes, pink button noses and are exceptionally dotty. Now here’s the bit we don’t like: over the last 40 years, it’s become extinct on the Australian mainland and is now found only on the island of Tasmania, where I photographed these little guys.

Traditionally, they’ve been threatened by habitat loss and predators such as feral cats- a huge problem in Australia. It’s thought that they survived in Tasmania because of its lack of dingoes and foxes. But since 2000 and despite conservation efforts, the European Red Fox has been present in Tasmania and poses a huge threat to the state’s unique and precious wildlife, especially its Quolls.

What Can I do?

Do a little research and learn about the often devastating impact that non-indigenous species can have on an environment. Have a look at this website: Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. And if you’re lucky enough to visit the unforgettable island of Tasmania, go and drop in on these friendly people and see what fabulous work they’re doing at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park.

Not in love yet? Watch this pair of munching marsupials crunch their lunch!

The Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is extinct in mainland Australia but has a reasonably stable population in Tasmania where it is now listed on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “near threatened“

5 Reasons We Love the Southern Ground Hornbill

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Southern Ground Hornbill, Kruger National Park. We can tell this one is a girl because she has blue patches on her neck.

1. They have eyelashes to die for.

2. They smash windows! Upon seeing their own reflection in a window, a territorial male will mistake it for another male and proceed to destroy it with their great big bill. As you could imagine, this makes them deeply unpopular with humans.

3. The call they make is a tremendously bizarre deep booming sound. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were hearing a lion!

4. They spend their evenings up in a tree and their days on the ground – but they don’t always choose the best spots to land. I once watched a family of 4 land for the day… at the entrance of a hyena den. You could only imagine the chaos that ensued when 5 hungry hyenas thought they’d been handed an easy breakfast. Luckily, all birds survived. We can breathe a sigh of relief because…

Ground Hornbill gathering nesting materials to build a nest alongside Kruger's busiest stretch of road. By Anna Tinker

5.  …We can’t afford to lose even one Ground Hornbill. They live in small family groups with only 1 breeding female who has a chick every 9 years. Actually, she has 2 chicks, but they’re always born a few days apart, meaning the older one outcompetes its little sibling and the younger invariably dies. This makes their population painfully unsustainable.

We absolutely love these guys: the Mabula Ground Hornbill Conservation Project. One of the ways they help the hornbills is by hand-rearing the otherwise doomed ‘second’ chick. They also put up artificial nests, conduct vital ongoing research and work with local communities to educate, raise awareness, and explain why their windows are always being smashed. Visit their great site to find out what you can do for the Southern Ground Hornbill.

The Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus cafer) is on the on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species.  In 2010, it was re-classified from “least concern” to “vulnerable”. With an estimated 1,500 individuals in Southern africa, it’s population trend is decreasing.

The Prized Pangolin

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by Anna Tinker

I’ve seen the ‘Big 5′. That’s easy. I’ve seen some of Africa’s most fantastic nocturnal creatures too. The wildlife I’m privileged to see never fails to amaze me, from everyday impalas to things obscure and quirky, like Golden Moles and Giant Land Snails. Each is unforgettable and life-changing. But the geeky checklist I secretly keep is missing something. An animal so impossibly cool that if I do see one, I may just retire and die happy… or spend 20 years searching for the next one.

Pangolin. (I can’t even type the word without getting all goosebumpy.)

How can I even begin to describe a pangolin? Well, imagine a big, long pinecone wandering about on the African savanna, on its hind legs. It’s a mammal, and certainly the only one to have scales. It walks on its hind legs because its front nails (adapted for digging) are too long, an inconvenience best understood by ladies whose long, manicured nails render their hands entirely useless for day-to-day use.

When a pangolin feels a little uneasy, it bunches itself into a tight ball, tucking its head and feet inside an impenetrable wall of razor-sharp scales. Perhaps it wrongly believes that if it can’t see you, then you can’t see it.  More likely though, it is using its very best survival strategy: confusion.

Because what do you do if you’re a lion and you come across a pangolin? Poke at it? Roll it around a little? Push it down a sand dune to see if it cracks? It seems that pangolins make their way by simply being confusing.  Confusing things are generally unappetising. It’s like facing a plate of blue pancakes. You could… but you probably wouldn’t. And remember when they tried to introduce green ketchup? Same thing.

Lion and Pangolin (image by Kibuyu)

The pangolin feeds on ants and termites and hunts by night. It has an epic long tongue, capable of probing unexpectedly up to 16 inches into an ant hole or termite mound. It’s also sticky, like fly paper, so best of luck escaping it.  But ants? Termites? Really? I feel that one of Earth’s most elusive animals should be a little more eccentric in its tastes.

So is the pangolin’s survival tactic (eat ants, avoid daylight, be confusing) working? Sadly, it would appear not. While the IUCN currently lists southern Africa’s pangolin as “least concern”, its population is decreasing, and several of Asia’s pangolin species are already endangered.

The pangolin’s wacky scales are made from keratin, but are used by humans as love charms and medicine. Try biting your nails? It’ll have the same effect. And there’s at least one case of an entire coat of armour being made from pangolin scales. I can assure you they look better on the pangolin.  When they aren’t being worn, pangolins are also eaten. The bushmeat trade in Africa is cited as one of the pangolin’s biggest threats.

Pangolins, NHM London (by Anna Tinker)

Will I ever have my chance to see this vanishing species? There are game reserves that will almost guarantee a leopard sighting, but no where in the world you can go and expect to see a pangolin in the wild. They’re seen entirely on their own terms, and while that keeps them away from me, it draws me to them all the more.

Have you been lucky enough to see a pangolin? Please share your stories and photos with us!

The southern African pangolin, Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “least concern”.
Population trend: decreasing

There are 7 other species of pangolin, scattered throughout Asia and Africa.
All are included on the IUCN Red List, ranging from
“least concern” to “near threatened” and “endangered“.
The population trend for every species of pangolin is decreasing.

(Photo of pangolin and lion by Kibuyu, used under a Creative Commons licence)