October 2016 – Moonlion Safaris

No to flying over Flamingos at Natron

Published on October 29, 2016 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

October 2016

From Marc Baker marc@carbontanzania. com

Subject: Flights over the Natron Basin

From late September to early January, Lesser Flamingo’s breed at Lake Natron.

The locations are relatively predictable (see map). Lesser Flamingo build cones out of mud as the water levels decline and lay a single egg on top of the cone. The young fledge and then form a creche and move towards fresh water on the fringes of the lake basin. From the time when the egg hatches until the juvenile bird is able to walk through the water, they are susceptible to disturbance.

I have developed a map below to give you some idea of where the breeding grounds are, you should avoid low flying over those areas between September and January.

Spread the word and if you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Snake bite Seminar in Watamu

Published on October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Friday 4th to Sun 6th November 2016

Organized by Bio-Ken snake farm that milks snakes for medical research and for the preparation of anti-venom. It provides anti-venom to treat victims of poisonous snake-bite and, with the help of the James Ashe Antivenom Trust (JAAT), it provides it free of charge to those unable to afford it.

Continue reading →

Kinale Forest Southern Aberdare- flowers in bloom

Flower Power of Kinale

Published on October 29, 2016 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

September 2016

On the southern stretch of the Aberdares

Driving up the escarpment road to Lari, the big valley drops – which of course is the Great Rift. We’re at its highest point along the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway and with the morning mist cleared and the sun shining bright, Longonot’s wide yawn and volcanic ridges show wide.

Checking on Google Earth, we’re on the Gatundu-Kinare road about a kilometer from Kijabe town.

Elephant hill that is one of the peaks of the Aberdares from Kinale forest Copyright Karin Fueg

Kinale Forest Aberdares Copyright Karin Fueg

Stepping out of the car by the clutter of signposts that point to Kijabe Hospital, the Kenya Forest Service and Kinale forest, the patch of planted forest is inviting and while we wait for the rest of the group, a stroll through the forest is refreshing.

Continue reading “Flower Power of Kinale” →

Sita Snake Park, Watamu, Kenya

Published on October 25, 2016 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published on Jul 2, 2016

Jackson Mwamure is the Snake Man of Mida Creek Watamu Kenya. He has a genuine love for these amazing reptiles, who are more friend than foe to humans. Sita Snake Park is a collection of a variety of reptiles are found in this beautiful UN Protected Biosphere Area. The Park is open to the public and everyone can appreciate the snakes, tortoises and a chameleon, in a safe environment, approved by Kenya Wildlife Service.

Learn more about reptiles – and visit Sita Snake Park when in Watamu.

Tracking the rare Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin

Published on October 25, 2016October 27, 2016 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Dolphin researcher Dr Gill Braulik and her team with the Wildlife Conservation Society have been scanning the waters of the Indian Ocean between the islands of Pemba and Misali for humpback dolphins since dawn, when suddenly a pod surfaces for air.

The excitement is palpable. Straightaway, the team starts taking pictures of the dorsal fins and record the exact sighting location with their GPS. The exercise will continue for two weeks, 11 hours a day, using a local dhow, come rain or shine.

Gill Braulik, head of the WCS dolphin team, has been studying dolphins for most of her adult life. She set up a dolphin research project in Pakistan, to study one of the world’s most endangered species — the Indus River dolphin.