MAY 09 MEETING

Caroline Staub gave a very interesting and informative talk on the ‘Impact of Elephants on the Woody Vegetation of Majete' which was well attended. This obviously needs to be a long term project and she has set up the basics for continued monitoring. Some concern was expressed by members about the elephant carrying capacity of Majete now that it is fenced.

JUNE O9 MEETING

Julian Bayliss will give a presentation entitled ‘Discovering northern Mozambique 's Lost Mountain Worlds' at Blantyre Sports Club, Tuesday 9 June, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

JULY 09 MEETING

Bentley Palmer will be giving a talk on the Liwonde Black Rhino Project – 16 years on.

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE OF THE JULY MEETING HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD TO TUESDAY 7 JULY.

MWABVI CAMPING WEEKEND

Well, I don't know what YOU were doing on the Labourers' Day Weekend, but the ‘cool' ones were down at Mwabvi ‘just chilling' – metaphorically speaking of course. The weather was a tad on the warm side. One veteran camper mentioned it was the warmest weather ever!

All in all, 16 campers made it to Migudu Campsite, 14 members and two guests. Two intrepid travellers trekked down on the Thursday, whilst the rest arrived sporadically over the Friday. And two determined campers even managed to get to Mwabvi (via a rather round-about route) midday Saturday. This year, there were several actual sightings of game – buffalo, kudu, impala and the common duiker. On the smaller side, the sweat flies and mozzies made their presence felt persistently!

Early morning walks were on the agenda, with the two Mwabvi gorges explored. Expert use of GPS ensured that the gorge outside the park was conquered in record time, the group managing to find its way back from the gorge end in 20 minutes, rather than the usual three hours. Afternoons were spent either resting from the sun, or strolling. One camper even inadvertently tried a sauna – apparently not all that pleasant. Saturday evening saw a very convivial group on ‘Sunset Rock' chatting, sipping and munching and enjoying the views and conversation. Unfortunately the sunset itself was less than spectacular!

All in all, another successful (Mwabvellous?) camping weekend - fine scenery, a few animals, fine company, fine wining and dining – was enjoyed by the WESM group.

( Carmel Young)

MAJETE CROSSOVER WALK

This year's Majete Crossover will take place over the weekend 6 – 7 June. It comprises one group of walkers driving to Mpatamanga Gorge and leaving their cars at the Police Post then walking south and the other group driving to Majete gate and walking north. Both groups meet at our campsite just south of the Mkurumadzi River , camp overnight, swop car keys then complete the crossover the next day. The northern leg is about 12 km and the southern leg around 10 km. Both legs follow the Shire River and pass through beautiful country. As Majete now holds buffalo and elephant, walkers will be escorted by armed scouts.

Walkers are advised to carry a day pack, with a snack, wear a hat, use sunblock and carry plenty of water. The latter is essential as it can be very hot. (The Saturday north-south group carry your swim gear as we usually wallow in the Mkurumadzi). All walkers' heavy equipment (within reason) tents, sleeping bags, food, more water will be driven into the campsite. There will be plenty of firewood at the camp and two grills with plenty of hot water for tea etc. Insect repellent is advisable for the evening.

Entry and camping fees must be paid to African Parks for all participants but there will be additional charges for the scouts, fuel contribution, and a small donation to WESM dependent on the number taking part in the walk. Campers who do not wish to walk are very welcome to drive their own vehicles in and join us.

We meet on Saturday 6 June at Blantyre Sports Club carpark at 5.30 am SHARP. (Paul Taylor 01 669 249 Email: wesmbt@africa-online.net )

KAMZIMBI CAMPING WEEKEND

Saturday 27 June. Meet at Blantyre Sports Club carpark. 6.00 am sharp.

Kamzimbi is 26 km from the entrance to Lengwe situated in the Lengwe Extension Area where the Branch is attempting to build a scout camp and install a borehole. This beautiful area rarely has visitors and the terrain is very similar to Mwabvi. (Phil Pile 09999 617 56, Email: <pvpile @africa-online.net>

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Fund-raising Quiz Evening Tuesday 8 September at BSC, 7.00 pm

Michiru Family Day (date in September to be decided)

Lengwe Game Count 9 – 11 October

SPARE CHAIRS ?

Do you have any dining chairs needing a good home? Or any wildlife/environmental books or magazines?

The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi runs a public library and resource centre within the Heritage Centre in Limbe. It's becoming so popular as a place to study and research that often all the chairs are taken.

The library catalogue is also being updated and donations are very welcome of any publications related to wildlife or the environment, particularly if they are relevant to Malawi .

Please contact Paul Taylor, branch chairman, on 01 669 249, Email: wesmbt@africa-online.net (or Lindsey Macdonald on 088423 8737?) to arrange delivery/collection. Why not pop down and see what's on offer – and then pop into the newly-updated and expanded WESM shop with a wider range of publications and gifts.

GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR BLACK RHINOS

Despite a huge surge in rhino poaching (especially in southern Africa) the news from Namibia is relatively positive. Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) reports that their David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) funded field teams are assisting the Ministry of Environment & Tourism rhino translocation project. In the next few months rhinos are being moved back into the southern range to continue with the expansion initiative, while at the same time training will be given to the communities receiving the rhinos.

As they near the end of this current 5 Year Census, reports indicate another increase in population and show that the Kunene sub-population has tripled since SRT's inception in 1982. In South Africa , the DSWF funded black rhino project has one of its most productive monitoring years revealing unique and fascinating behaviour patterns. But there is increasing concern for the security of all the rhinos in the protection of the project. (DSWF Wildlife Matters)

A WORLD ABUZZ WITH BEES

In the first comprehensive, global census of bees in more than a century, scientists at New York 's American Museum of Natural History have compiled information on more than 19,200 species. That is 2,000 more than were believed to exist only eight years ago. “Most people know of honey bees and a few bumble bees,” says John Ascher, a zoologist at the museum who helped to organize and classify the species list. “ We have documented that there are actually more species of bees than birds and mammals put together.” (National Wildlife)

BEAR RESCUE CONTINUES IN CHINA

The horror of the bear trade in China was revealed once again in February when thirteen more Asiatic black bears were rescued by Animals of Asia Foundation (AAF). The bears which were confiscated from a farmer, arrived at AAF Moon Bear Rescue Centre, in Chengdu , Sischuan province, stacked on a back of a truck still in their farm cages and the vet team immediately prioritised those most in need of medical treatment. Malnourished and clearly distressed, most cowered in terror and sadly one bear had to be euthanised immediately. “These poor animals have endured years of extreme suffering, trapped in tiny barbaric cages. They don't even have access to water and are deliberately starved, because hungry bears produce more bile”, explains AAF founder Jill Robinson. The latest news means that AAF is half way to its target of rescuing 500 bears from China 's barbaric bile farms, an achievement that is in no small part thanks to the generosity of DSWF supporters. (DSWF Wildlife Matters)