Futi Elephant Corridor Closed by Cyril Squirrel: In another remarkably typical and senseless move, the ANC government has moved to close off a centuries-old elephant and big game corridor. This corridor is known as The Futi Corridor. The move has been made under the leadership of Cyril the Squirrel. Who has been instrumental in the project’s development.
They are building a friggin concrete wall across the corridor for 160kms!
In the meantime, here is The Sardine News for today the 26 September 2024…
Back to the elephants…
The SIU have been busy. Dodgy tenders and the usual siphoning or looting of the country’s coffers are the real reason for the fence. And to hell with the elephants. Who have been using this vital arterial corridor far longer than any putrid humans have been around.
In fact, the corridor was hailed as a huge success at it’s inception. Way back in 2009. By the very same government!
Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area: 4,195 km2 in extent, of which 317 km2 (8%) is in Swaziland, 2,783 km2 (66%) is in Mozambique, and 1,095 km2 (26%) is in South Africa.
Background
The Lubombo TFCA is a unique and complex TFCA, consisting of five mini TFCAs. The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area (TFCA) Protocol was signed between the Governments of Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland on 22 June 2000 . These mini TFCAs are as follows:
Ndumu-Tembe-Futi TFCA is between Mozambique and South Africa (SA)
Ponto do Ouro-Kosi Bay Marine and Coastal TFCA is between Mozambique and SA
Nsubane-Pongola TFCA is between SA and Swaziland
Lubombo Conservancy-Goba TFCA is between Mozambique and Swaziland
Songimvelo-Malolotja TFCA is between SA and Swaziland (recently incorporated into Lubombo TFCA)
Where is the Lubombo TFCA?
Ndumo-Tembe-Futi TFCA will link the Maputo Elephant Reserve, through the Futi corridor, with the Ndumo Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa . Other community conservation areas within this region will be incorporated into this TFCA.
Ponto do Ouro-Kosi Bay Marine and Coastal TFCA will link the Greater St Lucia Wetlands World Heritage Site with the coastline of Mozambique.
Nsubane-Pongola TFCA would encompass the Jozini region in SA and the Lavumisa region in Swaziland
Lubombo Conservancy-Goba TFCA will encompass the Royal Hlane National Park and Mlawula Game Reserve in Swaziland and the Changalane region in Mozambique
Songimvelo Malolotja TFCA will include the Songimvelo Nature Reserve in SA and the Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland.
Major features
Significant biodiversity resources exist in the area, some of which are listed below:
The area represents a substantial proportion of the core area of the IUCN designated Maputoland Centre of plant endemism
There is an unusually high level of endemism from all high level taxonomic groupings e.g. aves, amphibians, reptilians.
A diverse landscape which is intact in this geomorphical, hydrological, aquatic, terrestrial and ecological functioning.
Several established protected areas, namely, Ndumo Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park, Maputo Elephant Reserve and Sileza Nature Reserve.
Ndumo Game Reserve, listed as a Wetland of International importance in terms of UNESCO’s Ramsar Convention.
The Futi Delta is a unique wetland.
The region has the potential for reestablishment of the natural movement range for elephant and other species.
Many tropical biota and unique vegetation communities such as sand forests and woody grasslands exist in the area.
The bird species are also prevalent.
The World Heritage Site, Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park’s significant features include:
Coral reefs which include soft corals
800 species of marine fish
Humpback whales pass close to the shore in route to east Africa
Ragged tooth shark aggregations are popular attractions for SCUBA divers
Whale sharks and manta rays are sighted frequently.
Cultural importance
The rich sociological, cultural and historical resources of the areas are as follows:
The communities practice the unique form of traditional fishing and fishery management ( fonya ).
There are several ancestral and sacred sites and important cultural associations with certain species of animals.
The area has a rich history with past linkages with Arab traders, Portuguese and British colonisation.
There is considerable movement and tribal affiliation of people across the international boundaries.
Traditional craft markets allow the communities to market their goods.
The Futi Elephant Corridor joins the Maputo Special Reserve with the Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa
Sardines n Sighting Maps
It has been a fantastic sardine run this memorable 2024. And all the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. This year’s map has been viewed 182,000 times and keeps growing.
Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado!
These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for chilly day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.