The Rhinos of South Africa

Good evening

Thank you Mr. Branson. Go to http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog/act-now-to-save-the-rhinos and visit his blog.

In South Africa we have two species of Rhinos. The black rhino and the white rhino. These majestic animals stand out because of the horn on the tip of their noses. Some can grow to record lengths. This is their prize possession and they use it as defense. And believe it or not, it is made from Keratin, the same as your fingernails.

Rhino bulls reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 to 12 years. Cows can start reproducing from the age of 6 or 7 years. The gestation period is between 16 to 18 months. So, it takes a long time for them to breed and reach adult hood. A single calf is born and totally dependable on his mother for survival, but Mother Nature gave her a weapon to protect her calf. They are considered to be vary dangerous animals because of their bulk and deadly horn. It can inflict serious damage and life threatening wounds.

This glimpse of a white rhino was taken last year. Location: TOP SECRET. 

I was so excited to see this prime specimen. Silently grazing, in it natural habitat. 

Drastic measures are taken to help protect them, the horn is cut off. 

Still a Rhino, but not the same!

This small reserve had 4 rhinos when we where there in 2009. In 2010 there was only 3 left. Without their horns. To save them!

But the harsh reality is that these killings are not a pretty sight. The following images may be upsetting, but it is the truth and reality of what is really happening on a daily basis here in South Africa.

  Images courtesy of Google Images.

Despite all their natural defenses, poachers, rifles and bullets stop them in their tracks.

Why was my mother killed? Who's going to look after me?

Sad isn't it. And so upsetting. Often, the young calf come to their dead mother and poachers kill them. Senseless. Some are badly injured and rescued. Some do not survive, those who do survive, will bear the scars for the rest of their lives.

And what is the reason Rhino Horn is in such high demand? Because you can get roughly $65 000 per kilogram (2.2 pounds)? Because it it is seen as a traditional medicine? Can it cure cancer? Is it and aphrodisiac?

Aren't these animals worth more to mankind when they are alive? What animal will take its place in the "BIG FIVE" when it is extinct? 

And is a jail sentence enough punishment for the poachers and masterminds behind these senseless killings?

  

They are robbing us of our natural heritage!  

If you have the means to help, please help the Rhinos. Currently, they are voiceless. The need all the help they can get.

Skilpaddop

Haastige hond verbrand sy mond!

O gaats! Hoe gaan jy daar kom? Sien, ek is te gretig, ek het vergeet om jy te sê waar is dit. Maklik, kyk net regs van die inskrywing staan "Skilpaddop in Afrikaans", klik daarop of gaan direk na http://skilpaddopinafrikaans.blogspot.com. So maklik soos 1 2 3.

In 'n japtrap is jy daar.

Skilpaddop in Afrikaans

Hello of sal ek sê Goeie dag! Skilpaddop is nou ook in Afrikaans. My en jou se taal. Ek is baie lief vir my taal en kan soveeel meer sê. En dis die mooiste taal.

Lank lewe Afrikaans.

Groete

Skilpaddop

A good laugh!

Hello

When last did you really have a good laugh? I mean,you can't stop laughing and then when you think about it again, you start laughing again. I had one today.

I was in the busy cash office and one of the security guards entered. Now, they go to the room next door and there is this glass partition and a metal drawer and they get things through there. He was tapping on the metal drawer while he waited and I look up, because it is iterating.  And then the cash office clerk asked him if all his toys was broken. I just cracked up. It was so funny. He did not know where to look. Later on when I saw him in the store, I would laugh. And nobody knew why I was laughing.

Laughter makes us feel good and relax. I think some feel good chemicals are released when we really have a good laugh.

In my spam box there was another disturbing e-mail. From my bank! Illegal activity has been detected on my account and I must click on this link to verify my details. Luckily the spam filters warned my that it could not verify that this e-mail was send from my bank. Once again, technology warned me. Thank you!!!

My mother and I share the photography hobby and this one of her best pictures

 It was taken last year on our Kruger vacation. We spend the last five days at Shingwedzi, We were driving along the river and heard the branches moving. I stopped and then this long thing came up and my mother just snapped. This is the result, a elephant reaching for the fresh green leaves way on top. 

Have splendid evening. 

Skilpaddop

Monday again!

Hi

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow it is back to work for all of us. And they do not call it blue Monday for nothing, but make the best of it.

If you look carefully, you will see winter on the horizon (only if you are in South Africa). I had the heater on in the car this morning.

I love Youtube, there are really good stuff on there. I like to watch the funny videos. This video is food for thought and very powerful. Just search for "girls gone wild in red light district" or follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gfFzCDIQ_a8 .

The world is full of bad things and only we can stop it. There are more good people on earth than bad ones and we should all stand together to make the world a better place.

But if you know of really funny videos let me know. Check out the one below

I laughed for days when I saw it the first time. It is still a classic. When you are at work tomorrow, just watch this and forget about the Monday blues.

Take care

Skilpaddop

It's weekend...again

Good evening

The weekend came soon this week, but I am working this one. Somebody has too. I had no reply from the Barrister from Malaysia, think he got the message.

My blog's visitors are growing day by day. Thank you to all who visited. It's nice to know there are readers out there. Feel free to add comments. I will start adding pictures to the posts. Photography is my hobby and I got some really good pictures, so I think.

This was taken back in November 2010, weeks after I got my new camera. I left for work and this was just as the sun started to rise. I had time to take 2 pictures and the other one was not in focus.

This one was taken in Kruger National Park in 2010, before I got the new camera. It was by a waterhole between Satara & Tshokwane. It was full of animals, there was even crocodiles and hippos in the water. The waterbuck and impala was lined up and I just snapped.

That's it for tonight.

Skilpaddop

Spam Alert...Spam Alert

Good evening

I was now checking my mail and saw there was a few items in my spam box. Normally I just select them all and delete them. Thank you technology for spam filters, it makes our lives easier.

This one caught my I and I checked it out. It was from this Barrister from Malaysia acting on behalf of his dead client who happens to have the same surname as me. The estate is worth millions and I must pretend to be a relative and later we can share the money. Yeah right, and I must pay fees to get the money! I told him a few short powerful harsh words what he can go do! How stupid does he think I am?

I've been down that road a couple of times. I won the jackpot in some European lottery...twice! What's the odds on that? I won the grand prize in the Nokia promotion...I don't even have a Nokia phone. Once a lady phoned and told me I won R200 000 in a promotion my bank had. When I asked her to which branch I can go and collect it, she hanged up. Probably a first timer!

This is out there. Be careful. I don't get fooled easily, but the stories and tears of people who where and lost money are there. These days you should be very very careful. Personal information could be attained at the click of a button. And don't be fooled by big sums of money.

Have a wonderful evening

Skilpaddop