Publisher's Synopsis
A short safari adventure among Africa's thorny Bushveld wildlife: Part Two - Hunting, Ecosystem Challenges, Wildlife Restorancy." This is the second book in the series of true African travel and adventure safari that passionately deals with sensitive environmental, past political and wildlife management issues that face Africa today. "This book is not just another hunting story. It is the story of discovery, of brutally harsh realities - in short, an epic tale of Africa," summarized Don Heath, former Chief Ecologist for the Zimbabwe Parks Department, "you have the rediscovery of Africa by an ex African and a native American as they make their way through the thorny issues if not downright slippery shibboleths of consumptive conservation - 'wise use' was the Zimbabwean term I coined for the CITES COP 10 to argue for conservation through hunting." The format for the first part of this second book in the series relates Bruce's impressions of the day's hunt and thoughts in Bubye Conservancy and then around a campfire and dinner Bruce, PH Brent Hein, and Lars discuss their Perceptions of the Day, world events, mankind's struggles, Paleolithic behavior, diets, climate, environment, sports, conservation, hunting, reflections of hunting in modern society, rifles, and Africa. Based on their experience and reading, this would be like Teddy Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, Harry Selby, Al Gore, Jarred Diamond, Michael DeBakey and Jane Goodall gathering around an African campfire to discuss matters of interest to them. The authors tell of the random thrilling and dangerous events that occur to them when confronted by charging rhino, wild bush-pigs, elephants, giraffe and buffalo daka Tsotsie (gangsters) in the hot midday sun. Lars delves into the ecosystem challenges, the threat of diminishing wildlife populations in many game reserves and conservation areas, and the mounting problem of over population of elephants in Southern African countries leading to the devastation of habitats. Can ecotourism alone save Africa's wildlife or is hunting part of the financial equation or as Henry Thoreau said, is it true "The hunter is the greatest friend of the animals"? Do we need the biodiversity of distant Africa for Mankind's survival? Is a dead mamba the only good mamba or is there more to snakes? Who were the strong wild bulls of Bashan (aurochs or Pelorovis antiquus or Caper buffalo), and the giant race of Rephaim and Nephilim? Game managers have limited tools to manage wildlife populations, namely: fire, water, fencing, and culling or "off take", like selling of animals. Recent auctions have brought in over $2.3 million for a buffalo, and $0.5 million dollars for a rhino but the prices for the latter are paradoxically falling because of poaching and the cost of protection. The Kruger Park challenges and management is used to illustrate these aspects but also raises the problem of financing large wild life areas and how pressure from surrounding poverty stricken communities needs to be addressed and encompassed in any solution. The issues of harvesting wildlife for meat for local community populations, restaurants and the biltong trade, subsistence hunting, and trophies for tourist recreational hunters, and the ethics, are reviewed. Wild life restorancy is discussed in the broader context of Africa's rising, politics, potential agricultural resources, and future overpopulation food requirements, especially since growth will occur in Africa. Their hope is that African advancing higher education, the growth of the new middle class, African "ubuntu", and strong moral fiber based on religious beliefs will overcome the challenges of corruption and mismanagement. Ultimately, the question is whether one has the faith in Mankind to do the right thing and whether we will be able to resolve the issues? Bruce adds an Epilogue on the stunning turn of events after their return.
