| Hunting ban plan splits delegates
Tens of thousands of tourists flock to Kenya each year to see lions, leopards, elephants, wildebeest and other wildlife roaming the parks and reserves. But animal numbers have fallen by at least two-thirds over the last three decades, and experts blame poaching plus human destruction of their habitats. Those backing sport hunting say it would preserve wildlife by encouraging better management and earning big money that could be ploughed back into conservation. It would also bring Kenya into line with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania, and with South Africa, which all profit from restricted hunting. Opponents have denounced any moves to re-introduce the blood sport and accused elitist hunters of colluding with wealthy local landowners.
Katto’s pace scares Pearl organisers
EMMA Kattos pace at the recent KCB Safari rally has forced Pearl of Africa Uganda organisers to ignore continental rankings when compiling the start list.
The Ugandan rally ace is at basement of the Africa rally championship table but will start fourth this weekend on account of his pace.
Katto was seeded 16th in the Safari but finished the first leg five seconds behind the leaders, forcing organisers to apologise for the misjudgment.
Katto is a very quick driver, we had to move him ahead on safety grounds. We wouldnt want him to be slowed down by dust, Pearl media officer Dusman Okee explained.
World Junior Rally Champion Rautenbach of Zimbabwe will be flagged off first at Kampala Serena Hotel. Reigning Ugandan champion Ronald Ssebuguzi is eighth.
Wildlife population well-managed
I am writing in response to Judith Widman's latest opinion notice on coyotes. Ms. Widman is demonstrating an unfortunate lack of knowledge concerning both the nature of coyotes and the nature of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Ms. Widman seemingly missed the point that Peg Ballou made earlier -- the coyote kills for fun. Not, as Ms. Widman went on to clarify, the "natural killing for food," but instead the killing for sport. Another animal that does this is the mink, which will kill several hundred birds in a night without eating a bite. However, should a human care to kill a few animals for fun, this is wrong, according to Ms. Widman. Why is it right when an animal does it but not when a human does? .
Supposed romance reveals self-centredness
The White Masai is an account of a Swiss woman's love affair with a Samburu warrior she meets in Kenya. In real life, Corinne Hofmann spent four years in the company of the Masai before returning to Europe, where her book about these experiences has been translated into 16 languages and has sold four million copies. On the page and on the screen, The White Masai is a story of love at first sight and a story of overwhelming culture clash. You can see it as the story of a brave, if impetuous, woman who follows her heart. You could also see it as an utterly repellent tale about a narcissist who thinks nothing of taking what she wants at everybody else's expense. (A review of the book called it a story of "colonial plunder." The movie conveys the same message.) Nina Hoss stars as Carola, a young woman who has been on holiday in Kenya with her boyfriend.
Ann Burnett on milk, spears and a Kenyan rescue
Heading out of Amboseli, the car broke down. We pushed it to the top of a rise overlooking the Rift Valley, and there we sat. Gary, a Swahili speaker, was dispatched on a passing beer lorry to phone the AA. Masai children surrounded us, marvelling at hairy legs and whitish skins. One warrior, clutching his spear, the shaft of which had Made in Sheffield stamped on it, jokingly (I hoped) offered my husband two cows for me. Bill refused, explaining jokingly (I hoped) that he couldn't take them on the plane home. .
|
