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

The seasons are changing

This morning when I came out of the shower I could feel winter is around the corner. And for those who get up early, it is still dark at 05h00. The sun only makes an appearance at around half past six. And at seven in the evenings it is almost dark.

I got a wonderful birthday present earlier this year. A coffee machine. A big thank you to my boss. Sometimes they do listen when you say something (I do have the best boss in the world). I love it and it is big one. It's one of those 3 in 1 types. And best of all it's got a timer. You just set it for when you wake up and it starts making coffee and when you get to the kitchen your coffee is ready. No time to wait for the kettle to boil. Don't you just love that. I do! In summer it was nice to have that first cup of coffee so quick, but now I makes more sense. You can just pour and run back to your warm bed.

I can highly recommend one! It will certainly makes those cold morning a bit better.

The long weekend is over...almost!

Good evening

Its almost time for bed, for some. Tomorrow it is back to work... luckily, Friday is not far away. I hope you had some good rest this weekend. I hear on the N1 in Pretoria's direction at Kranskop Toll plaza it is chaos. Some say the cars are backed up for 5km, other say 20km. What ever the distance, it must be hectic. If you there, keep you cool.

This week I will intensive start marketing Skilpaddop. And I will post something every night. Who are on Google+? It looks very interesting.

Till tomorrow, take care

Skilpaddop

Relaxing on Easter Weekend

Hallo

I really hope you are enjoying your Easter long weekend. Places in Gauteng had some rain tonight. I was watching some tv this weekend. And for true entertainment, I can recommend TOP GEAR. Those 3 guys are so funny. There is a lot of reruns of Top Gear on DSTV and I love it. I am a petrol head.

But today, Jeremy had me laughing. He was in a Mercedes-Benz C-class C63 AMG coupe around the Top Gear track and he said it was like Winnie the Pooh with road rage. Thank you Mr. Clarkson, that made my day. Nothing like a good laugh. Visit the Top Gear website for more on the trio.

Tomorrow is the last day of this long weekend, make the best of it. For those driving back home, drive safely and think for those who don't think when they driving.

Skilpaddop

Skilpaddop Travel is here!

Skilpaddop Travel is here! View the video and let me know when you want to get away! E-mail me at skilpaddop@gmail.com

Almost Easter

It's almost Easter weekend. For some a long weekend, for some a celebration of their Christianity. If you going away, please drive safely and get some rest. For those spending time home, relax. Those who are working, I feel for you. Remember, there is another long weekend at the end of the month. Put that leave form in or make plans. Don't miss out on a long weekend.

My wish to you is that you find the real meaning behind Easter. May you and your loved ones be blessed and be save. Obey the road rules.

Skilpaddop

Website is live!

My website is now live! Please visit it at http://skilpaddop.webs.com or click on the logo on the bottom of the page.

April Fool's Day

1^st of April 2012

April fool’s Day

Today was April fool’s day. I completely forgot about it. The meaning is to me: to pull a believeable joke off that would fool people, for the fun of it. The focus is on fun!

Today a college decided to pull one on me. A very tasteless one I might add. She got somebody else to phone me and tell me that she passed away during the night. I mean, how sick must you be to do that. Come on people. Where is the creativity? That one is dead and buried.

To get a message that somebody passed away is not nice. You have all this emotions and thoughts running trough your head. And then minutes later, the “dead” is standing by your door! Well, I did not take it very well. And to stand there laughing was the cherry on the cake for me. Well, I can not repeat the words I said on here. Believe me, they were not nice.

So, how was your April fool’s day? Where you fooled? Did you fool somebody? Share your April fool’s experiences.