Despite our relatively recent urbanised society, most human beings still feel an innate need to immerse themselves in nature. To marvel at the magnitude of mountains, to feel the still, earthy air of a dense forest, to listen to the gentle trickle of a mountain stream – these are experiences that add value to our lives and provide us with space to think and feel.
Vultures are an important component of an effective scavenger guild and have evolved a number of adaptations that allow them to locate and dispose of carcasses quickly and efficiently.
While this may be true, climate change, natural disasters, and the rapid loss of biodiversity have forced a growing consciousness of the impact of our actions on the Earth and all who inhabit it. Humans have been forced to listen.
What better way to kick off Women’s Month in South Africa than with outstanding performances of our lady Olympians Tatjana Schoenmaker (swimming) and Bianca Buitendag (surfing), who racked up the first South African medals of the Games, with Tatjana setting a new world record!
The Conservation Science Unit has been working on an ongoing project that aims to fill knowledge gaps on the distribution of Endangered species across South Africa.