Socialise and Mobilise… for Sharks

As apex predators, sharks act as vital ecosystem stabilisers – maintaining a balance between smaller predators and other prey species. Studies have shown that when shark populations are impacted, it has widespread ramifications for the rest of the ecosystem.

On the eastern seaboard of the United States for instance, the decimation of large sharks led to a population explosion among smaller sharks, rays and skates. These n turn virtually wiped out scallops and other  shellfish, leading to a deterioration in water quality because the shellfish were no longer there to filter the water.

This is just one example of a food web being ripped apart due to overfishing of apex predators which closely regulate population numbers, as well as weeding out diseased and weak fish. Scientists term the effect created by removing an apex predator a “trophic cascade” – referring to the run-down effect through all levels of the food chain.

The major reason for this catastrophic loss of shark species is the shark finning industry and particularly trade in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China, where shark fin soup is considered a status symbol and sign of wealth. But younger generations of Chinese are slowly starting to embrace change by refusing to serve the dish at weddings and other functions, while the University of Hong Kong has banned shark fin soup from its campus. Despite these efforts, though, to date there has been little to no impact on the operations of this billion dollar trade as it hurtles out of control towards the destruction of the world’s oceans.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) like the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on South Africa’s northeast coast are being set up all over the world as conservationists and marine biologists lobby to create MPAs, introduce legislation banning shark finning and the sale of fins, and educate decision-makers about the central importance of sharks to the health of the oceans.

The more expansive a MPA is, the more effective it will be, by covering larger areas of an animal’s home range. Many sharks are pelagic, though, meaning that they wander vast expanses of the world’s oceans. So the only effective way to protect sharks is to actually protect them. The world needs a conservation watchdog for its oceans. Governments and the private sector are unlikely and, in many cases, unwilling, to drive this forward; the impetus must come from the general public.

Work Travel SA’s Indian Ocean Reef Conservation Volunteer Programme document the population dynamics of large species such as sharks, manta rays, turtles and endangered species like Potato Bass, while educating foreigners about marine ecology so that they take away a newfound understanding of and respect for marine ecosystems and how they function.

Social media can also help with both education and activism, and numerous online campaigns are continuously on the go. One mass email campaign last year eventually convinced a Hawaiian politician to stop stalling a bill banning the sale of shark fins in the US state; a number of other islands, states and cities have since followed suit.

Social media can also help to educate people about atrocities committed by the shark finning industry (never mind commercial trawlers and longlining). Join one or more of the many shark conservation organisations on Facebook, such as The Global Shark Conservation Initiative, or a dedicated Marine NGO like Oceana; even better, link up with South African groups committed to saving our sharks, such as Sharklife, who aim to educate the general public and create awareness of shark conservation issues.

If you are still not convinced, think about what your reaction would be if, instead of sharks, I was talking about lions, Bengal tigers, or polar bears. Sharks may not translate well into cuddly toys, but they deserve our respect and understanding. This doesn’t include chopping off their fins and throwing them back into the ocean as an immobile stump, to drown while sinking slowly to the seabed.

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11 Apr 12 | Uncategorised | Read on | Comments (0)

Africa’s Big Five – Which One is Your Favourite?

The phrase “Big Five Game” was coined by white hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot.

Which member of the ” Big 5″  do you long to see? The good news is that you won’t have to choose should you volunteer at our Big 5 Conservation Project!

The  Lion

 Better known as “King of the Beasts”, the lion is a must-see on any tourist’s (or local’s) list. Magnificent in stature this (really) large cat has incredible power and hunting abilities.

The African Elephant

The African elephant is the largest land mammal and perhaps the continent’s most charismatic creature. Visitors to Africa’s wildlife reserves and wilderness areas are captivated by the power and grace of these magnificent animals and by their apparent sensitivity and compassion.

The White Rhinoceros

Perhaps the first thing people wonder about the white rhinoceros is why it has its name. It is certainly not white in colour and actually has the same skin tone as its cousin, the black rhino. In fact, the name is thought to have been derived from the Dutch word “weid” meaning “wide” – in reference to the animal’s broad, wide mouth.  The white rhino is a grazer; its low-hanging head and humped shoulders help it to eat grass.

The Black Rhinoceros

The black rhinoceros is smaller and more aggressive than the white rhino. It has a hooked lip, carrying its head high on its shoulders. It is a browser of short woody trees and shrubs, using its pointed upper lip to grasp leaves and twigs. Its grey, wrinkled skin varies in colour due to the mud and dust in which it frequently wallows to cool down and protect against flies and sun.

The two species of African rhino are similar in height, averaging about 1.6m at the shoulder, but the black rhinoceros has roughly half the mass of a white rhinoceros, weighing in at a demure 1000 kg.

The African Buffalo

Closely related to the domestic cow, the African buffalo is one of the most successful and perhaps ecologically important mammals on the African continent. Buffalo are completely dependent upon surface water, so are absent from arid and semi-arid regions. Not surprisingly, however, they provide good meat and few now survive beyond the borders of wildlife reserves and other protected areas. Buffalo are also hosts for several diseases which are lethal to domestic cattle and so have been eliminated from areas suitable for ranchlands.

The Leopard

Few animals possess the mysterious aura of the leopard. Like the lion, the leopard has been held in awe by generations of people across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Although an infrequent man-killer, leopards elicit fear and dread among rural people whose domestic animals may be at risk from these cunning predators. The leopard is the most adaptable of the large predators and may still be found in close proximity to man, even, sometimes, on the outskirts of large cities. It is able to survive in just about any environment (The body of a leopard was once found in the snowfields on Mount Kilimanjaro at an altitude of some 4500 metres!)

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26 Mar 12 | Uncategorised | Read on | Comments (0)

An Internship in South Africa

WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?

Internships provide practical experience in an actual work environment usually related to an individual’s study or career aspirations.  They also offer a wonderful opportunity to explore a different country while learning new skills and gaining knowledge in a particular industry of choice.  An internship is a good way to prepare and even enter into a particular career field.

WHY DO AN INTERNSHIP?

Globalisation

The ability to deal with different cultures and business environments is essential in today’s global economy.  This is becoming increasingly more important as commerce and industry spreads across the globe with many companies now represented across different countries and continents. An internship not only allows you to share knowledge and skills with likeminded career professionals but also helps you make new friends and meet exciting people, which will give you a broader perspective on the world we all live in.

Experience in a Professional Environment

Working in a professional environment will help you decide on prospective career choices.  This learning experience will also help you to gain deeper insight into the processes of an established company and a career you are interested in.

Improve Your People Skills

Whilst gaining invaluable knowledge and experience, working and living in a diverse country will significantly improve your people skills and help you deal with a variety of people in the professional environment.  This will definitely benefit you in all areas of your life irrespective of your career choice.

Personal Growth

Besides the career-related advantages, staying abroad will have a huge impact on your personal development. Taking this big step and being confronted with a new culture requires a huge amount of courage, openness, flexibility and tolerance. This will help broaden your horizons, make you question your opinions and views, as well as overcome personal and career obstacles.

Improve Your English to the Best Level

Speaking English fluently is a desirable skill in most industries and businesses worldwide.  This is especially true with the demands of commerce and globalisation in recent times.  Interns from non-English speaking countries will greatly benefit from being surrounded by English speaking people who are keen to aid you in conversations and help you improve your communication skills.  Better fluency in the universal language of commerce will give you great confidence in your working environment now and in the future!

WHY CHOOSE SOUTH AFRICA AS A DESTINATION?

Combination of Cosmopolitan Cities and Nature

South Africa combines flourishing art, design, music and film with a growing business industry. What other country can offer sleepy towns along the coast, picnics in the wine lands, a beautiful day on a sandy beach and of course the pristine African wilderness?  South Africa embodies urban city life as well as relaxed country living in a natural, unique and beautiful way.

A Country full of Diversity

South Africa is a combination of a 1^st and 3^rd World country. Being a mixture of modern Western and traditional African lifestyles creates am extremely vibrant and enormously captivating dynamic.

Multiculturalism

South Africa is home to many different cultural, religious and language backgrounds. It is no wonder that it has been given the exceptional name “Rainbow Nation”. It is a country full of variety and provides numerous fantastic ways to experience different human perspectives. Prejudices and old hostilities between nationalities are being replaced with social integration and tolerance for one another.

Endless Exploration

You can enjoy great adventure experiences and exciting travel excursions during your leisure time. You will be able to explore some of the most beautiful places on earth and could very well see exotic animals in their natural habitat.

People

South Africa is generally considered to be one of the friendliest and most hospitable nations. Meeting new people and making lots of friends is an additional advantage to your stay in the Rainbow Nation.

A Changing Nation

Since Apartheid has been abolished South Africa has been steadily changing. Commerce, industry and the local economy are growing, with continued improvements in transport, safety and communication systems, as well as positive changes towards poverty alleviation and better access  to health and education facilities.

WHO CAN DO AN INTERNSHIP?

We offer placements for School leavers, University students, University graduates or Professionals on a career break. Internship placements range from as little as 6 weeks to 6 months.

HOW DOES THE PLACEMENT PROCESS WORK?

Work Travel South Africa is a South African company based in Somerset West, Cape Town.  WTSA  offers a ‘search and select’ service to candidates interested in an internship position whereby we source a suitable employer and job according to each candidate’s individual skills and internship requirements.  We further ensure that all internships are structured with employers in order to achieve the desired outcomes for both the company and the intern.

As a dynamic and experienced company it is our intention to provide a unique cultural exchange between foreign interns and the people of South Africa. This gives young people from abroad the opportunity to experience South Africa at its best, while contributing to the growth of this great country. Through the mutual sharing of skills and experiences we make South Africa a more international workplace.

If you are interested in doing an internship we will source a suitable internship position, match your requirements to the right employers, contact them on your behalf and advertise you as a potential intern. Upon their acceptance of your proposed internship we will ensure that employers provide a structured and supervised internship, which is contractually regulated.

During the placement process you will benefit from our staff’s intimate knowledge of the local economy, industry requirements and the indigenous internship policies as well as our excellent working relationships with our employers.

We will match your individual needs and career or study aspirations to an appropriate company, ensuring you a customised internship position according to your abilities, experience and unique requirements.

During your valuable customised Internship you will be integrated into your employer’s daily business routine with the same privileges and responsibilities as one of its full-time staff members. You will be given detailed set tasks, specific duties and work assignments which will assist you to develop your skills as required for the specific industry. If needed, we also offer a comprehensive support service throughout your stay and can assist with accommodation, language courses and transfer arrangements.

WHAT MUST YOU DO NOW?

Contact our offices for more information and an Application Form.

We look forward to hearing from you

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31 Jan 12 | Did You Know?, Gap Year Tips, Internships, Travel Tips, Uncategorised | Read on | Comments (3)

Flooding Around Kruger National Park

South Africa’s Kruger National Park has reopened its gates and is mostly back to normal after last week’s floods, which saw park officials having to evacuate 60 tourists who were stranded while out on safari drives.

In a statement issued on Monday, South African National Parks (SANParks) said that all gates to the park were now open, as well as almost all tarred roads within the park, and that most of the park’s safari camps were open and operational.

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve, covering almost 19 000 square kilometres – roughly the size of Wales – and is also the country’s premier safari destination, drawing around 1.3 million visitors from around the world every year.

SANParks said it was busy repairing the damage caused by the floods, adding that some services “might still be down or disrupted during this period. We apologise for inconveniences that might be experienced, and we promise to do everything in our power to minimise the disruptions”.

Kruger National Park spokesman William Mabasa told news agency AFP that the park’s animals were not affected by the flooding, and that no deaths or injuries to the park’s visitors were reported, although six tourists whose car was washed away had received treatment from the park’s doctors.

SANParks urged guests “to use water sparingly, as camps/gates and picnic spots in many areas operate on emergency pumps and boreholes with limited capacity. Guests at Satara are also requested to use electricity sparingly, as the Eskom supply line at Balule was washed away and the camp is operating on a standby generator.”

Article Courtesy of SouthAfrica.info

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25 Jan 12 | Uncategorised | Read on | Comments (0)

8 Rhino Carcasses Found in Kruger

Eight rhino carcasses have been found in the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks said on Wednesday.

“Yesterday [Tuesday] on patrol, eight rhino carcasses were found. Three carcasses were found in Lower Sabie and five in the Pretoriuskop section of the park,” said spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli.

He said all the carcasses were of adults which had been shot and dehorned.

“They [officials] are busy with investigations now, although there are a few leads they are working on as we speak,” said Thakhuli.

Last year, about 443 rhino were killed for their horns, with 333 killed in 2010.

Another sad day for animal lovers in South Africa.

(News 24)

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11 Jan 12 | News, Uncategorised | Read on | Comments (0)