Streaming Adventure Through Africa

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Feb 24, 2002

The following is a bit of a diary, kept during my involvement with an African wildlife site online. For a short time, I was able to partake in some new technology through the magic of streaming video. It allowed me to go on virtual game drives at the Mala Mala Reserve in Africa. Essentially my monitor became a real-time window allowing me to visit and explore this South African treasure. It was amazing to listen while rangers discussed the landscape we were viewing first-hand. Besides the true-life animal sounds, the experience was greatly enhanced by the ability to communicate with the rangers. It was very exhilarating to have your questions answered directly, all within the time needed to send email. Sadly, this operation has fallen prey to its own technology. With the insurmountable costs and uncertain market, they have not been able to continue.

Although halted much before I would have liked, I learned a great deal during the time spent with the rangers. Not only about the wildlife, I also learned about land-use and local inhabitants. Throughout the article, I will refer to the rangers as such, for it refers to a fair number of people, of whom I have no permission to use names. I would like to share some of these experiences with you and hope that sooner rather than later, I shall once again be able to witness such beauty.

...Today we spot a juvenile bird resting atop a sun-drenched tall tree. This immediately spurs on a debate amongst the rangers over what species it is. Essentially all juvenile birds of prey are very similar in appearance at this age. Finally, after much bantering the rangers concluded that it is a juvenile Martial Eagle. Impressively strong, these eagles are able to kill an antelope for food. Using their powerful talons, they are able to crush the skull of their victims. The rangers go on to tell us that these birds have even been spotted hunting lion cubs. Certainly not the type of prey you would expect a bird to hunt. Describing it as confident and an extremely skilled hunter, it is also the heaviest bird in Africa. By the way, their talons have approximately 3.5 tonnes of crushing ability!

...I was curious about the reserve and how it was used commercially. The rangers explained that for obvious reasons, tourism was the major money generator. Although, this is not to the exclusion of photography and research, which has produced substantial income. Larger reserves like Mala Mala (Kruger National Park), will also auction off their over-populated species to smaller reserves, which may be in need of more inhabitants. Rural people around the reserve are allowed to enter the park to collect wood and grasses, although this is not for profit. It is a nominal gesture to aid the locals.

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The copyright of the article Streaming Adventure Through Africa in Environmental Ethics is owned by Robin Greenhalgh. Permission to republish Streaming Adventure Through Africa in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.