Tag Archives: conservation

History of the Knysna Elephants 1908-1979

Mike Hampton Posted on by

1908 In 1908, elephants were proclaimed as Royal Game. Thus they were protected from being hunted by all except the British royalty. Fortunately no further Royals passed by (Watson, 2002). However, it is a well-known fact that you cannot protect a species merely by declaring it to be protected. Because poachers usually come from the more ignorant classes, and quite often they will simply not have heard of the decree. Or if they are a bit more educated they will ignore the edict because they think they are clever enough … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

History of the Overberg and Southern Cape forests (1795-2011)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

1795-1856 Summary of this period: Apart from purely nominal protection and conservation of a desultory kind, from the 1770’s until about 1856, the forests received practically no helpful attention. The timber taken from them was extracted in an unsystematic manner by any who chose to do so. Fire also did much damage locally (Phillips, 1963). During the first British occupation (1795-1803) Plettenberg Bay was also used as a source of wood. Johan Meeding was retained in his post as Post holder of the Plettenberg Bay VOC outpost. In 1797, B. … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

History of the Southern Cape Forests

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma – photo public domain Paul Venter How can education exclude one’s home area? Unfortunately, it often does. Ryno Joubert’s history of Southern Cape forests should be taught in schools. The road to regulation, through woodcutters and colonialism, was tough, recognition.. Although Joubert’s research isn’t political, the reader would early note that many modern South African ‘leaders’ emphasis on black versus white’s right to the land is simply rhetoric at harsh expense to truth. The Khoi and San (Khoisan) occupied the Outeniqua region (Garden Route) for thousands of … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Animal Rights: Do Hunters Support Conservation?

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Do hunters support conservation? Animal rights has long been a contentious topics. In recent years, the battle has become more vicious as activists become more radical and media more sensational. There’s an abundance of armchair emotion from those likely to join an online petition but there’s little factual debate. I’m a liberal so i believe strongly in many things. That includes animal rights. I believe that those who would torture an animal for pleasure should be removed from society. However, i don’t believe in radical, middle class women telling me … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!