It is with sadness that I write these lines, for in the face of pressure applied by those who do not know any better, conservation within a wilderness area is apparently a forgotten concept.
Recently a decision was taken that all venomous snakes inside Chitengo camp must be killed. The decision was taken because some people were not happy that I would leave certain snakes where they were, or catch then release them to a safer place. This decision, taken in a National Park, is unforgivable, and was taken by people who do not even know much about snakes; they were unable to identify a snake found in the camp site so this unfortunate creature was killed.
All over Africa, tourists pay good money to visit places where there are no fences cutting them off from the wildlife. They are all looking for that ultimate African experience, and some have saved for years to afford such a trip. At many African destinations, the people running the wilderness areas are lovers of nature, and recognise that they live in the homes of wild animals, and they respect that. One can visit professionally run lodges where no fences divide people from the surrounding wildlife, and these lodges ensure the safety of their guests by providing trained staff to escort people to and from their rooms and wildlife is observed from a safe distance in the presence of trained, professional guides.
Another incident earlier this week created panic among some of the staff here at Chitengo, when some Lion showed up at camp. Instead of reassuring these staff and providing trained people who know how lions behave, to escort people around camp, a vehicle full of armed scouts patrolled instead, and shots were fired into the air to frighten off the lion. A foot patrol was sent to check the fence was intact and, I have heard, additional budget has been approved to upgrade the fence. Honestly, why don’t they just move back to town and be done with it? The mind boggles!! Train the staff properly and only employ people who have a genuine love of nature and want to learn more about it.
Recently, in the name of education, for I hope that people who work at or visit the park will be taught about the importance of nature and everything in it, I killed two snakes and preserved them in a 10% formaldehyde solution. One was a Bibrons Burrowing Asp (Stiletto) and the other a beautiful baby Puffadder. I really hated doing it, but I was trying to follow this new rule, and by preserving the specimens, I hope that some people at least, will realise what wonderfully adapted creatures these are. But my conscience is not happy, my ‘karma’ is not at peace and I need to put that right. Since then I have released the lovely Vine Snake (See picture) and shall continue to release even the venomous snakes.
Such is life; on one hand there are the true nature lovers with a hunger to know more and more about nature, and then you have those who are clueless, they are afraid and superstitious. Professional Guiding is such an important job because a good guide will open the eyes and ears of others and hopefully ignite a spark of interest which will blossom into a yearning to know and understand more.
This story is just one example of why it is necessary that the protection of wilderness areas is placed in the hands of people who genuinely care for, love and understand nature. Just as the future of farming should be placed in the hands of people who understand the natural cycles so that the incredible burden that ‘modern agriculture’ has placed upon this planets natural resources and the massive destruction wrought through deforestation, mining and the pollution of our atmosphere, soils and waters in the name of agriculture, can be reversed whilst at the same time, food can still be produced in sufficient quantities.
At the moment, I live in a tent, and have done for more than a year. Yes, at night I zip up the door so snakes cannot get in whilst I sleep, and yes, I catch spiders inside the tent and release them outside, but I do share my tent with a number of geckos’, lizards, red toads and a recent addition, a blister beetle. They provide endless amusement and I have learned much about their habits. We have a great symbiotic relationship going; they entertain me and eat the odd mosquito, whilst my light brings insects in for them to eat. I also remove the odd snake that comes along hoping to feed on one of my little family members! I share the home of wild animals, and feel privileged to be in that position…..but not everyone shares my love of nature. My heart bleeds, really it does!
Grant Norvall
Recently a decision was taken that all venomous snakes inside Chitengo camp must be killed. The decision was taken because some people were not happy that I would leave certain snakes where they were, or catch then release them to a safer place. This decision, taken in a National Park, is unforgivable, and was taken by people who do not even know much about snakes; they were unable to identify a snake found in the camp site so this unfortunate creature was killed.
All over Africa, tourists pay good money to visit places where there are no fences cutting them off from the wildlife. They are all looking for that ultimate African experience, and some have saved for years to afford such a trip. At many African destinations, the people running the wilderness areas are lovers of nature, and recognise that they live in the homes of wild animals, and they respect that. One can visit professionally run lodges where no fences divide people from the surrounding wildlife, and these lodges ensure the safety of their guests by providing trained staff to escort people to and from their rooms and wildlife is observed from a safe distance in the presence of trained, professional guides.
Another incident earlier this week created panic among some of the staff here at Chitengo, when some Lion showed up at camp. Instead of reassuring these staff and providing trained people who know how lions behave, to escort people around camp, a vehicle full of armed scouts patrolled instead, and shots were fired into the air to frighten off the lion. A foot patrol was sent to check the fence was intact and, I have heard, additional budget has been approved to upgrade the fence. Honestly, why don’t they just move back to town and be done with it? The mind boggles!! Train the staff properly and only employ people who have a genuine love of nature and want to learn more about it.
Recently, in the name of education, for I hope that people who work at or visit the park will be taught about the importance of nature and everything in it, I killed two snakes and preserved them in a 10% formaldehyde solution. One was a Bibrons Burrowing Asp (Stiletto) and the other a beautiful baby Puffadder. I really hated doing it, but I was trying to follow this new rule, and by preserving the specimens, I hope that some people at least, will realise what wonderfully adapted creatures these are. But my conscience is not happy, my ‘karma’ is not at peace and I need to put that right. Since then I have released the lovely Vine Snake (See picture) and shall continue to release even the venomous snakes.
Such is life; on one hand there are the true nature lovers with a hunger to know more and more about nature, and then you have those who are clueless, they are afraid and superstitious. Professional Guiding is such an important job because a good guide will open the eyes and ears of others and hopefully ignite a spark of interest which will blossom into a yearning to know and understand more.
This story is just one example of why it is necessary that the protection of wilderness areas is placed in the hands of people who genuinely care for, love and understand nature. Just as the future of farming should be placed in the hands of people who understand the natural cycles so that the incredible burden that ‘modern agriculture’ has placed upon this planets natural resources and the massive destruction wrought through deforestation, mining and the pollution of our atmosphere, soils and waters in the name of agriculture, can be reversed whilst at the same time, food can still be produced in sufficient quantities.
At the moment, I live in a tent, and have done for more than a year. Yes, at night I zip up the door so snakes cannot get in whilst I sleep, and yes, I catch spiders inside the tent and release them outside, but I do share my tent with a number of geckos’, lizards, red toads and a recent addition, a blister beetle. They provide endless amusement and I have learned much about their habits. We have a great symbiotic relationship going; they entertain me and eat the odd mosquito, whilst my light brings insects in for them to eat. I also remove the odd snake that comes along hoping to feed on one of my little family members! I share the home of wild animals, and feel privileged to be in that position…..but not everyone shares my love of nature. My heart bleeds, really it does!
Grant Norvall
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