 Animals
|
|
|
Elephants at Zakouma National Park in Chad. Photo: Kyle de Nobrega, African Parks
|
|
African Parks Rebuilding Wildlife Populations
Wildlife populations that have been devastated by poaching are being successfully repopulated in national parks in several African nations by the South-African based, private nonprofit African Parks, that is increasingly becoming the go-to operator of these wildlife areas. The New York Times profiled their efforts to bring back elephants to Zakouma National Park in Chad, after poachers killed 90% of the park's elephants between 2005-2010. Now the park has a herd of elephants 500 strong, which is one of the largest herds in Central Africa according to a 2016 population assessment by the Internationa Union for the Conservation of Nature.
But African Parks is working in many other countries to repopulate other species in national parks as well. The Washington Post reported on their work to restore wildlife to Chinko National Park in the Central African Republic and Garamba National Park in Congo, where violence from war and poaching had stripped the parks of most of their iconic wildlife. The CEO of African Parks, Peter Fearnhead, takes wildlife such as lions, rhinos and elephants from parts of South Africa and Malawi, where their populations are strong and growing, and "replants" them in national parks where they once had flourished. Fearnhead's approach is to, "use these thriving populations to seed other areas.” And they protect these areas from poachers -- they have built the largest private anti-poaching operation in the world.
Why This Matters: It will take bold action and leadership like that of African Parks to replenish wildlife populations throughout Africa. But if they can, the parks with restored wildlife populations will help to build the tourism economy in Africa that can sustain local communities. And that is a much brighter future than they would otherwise have had. And perhaps, by better guarding this investment, it will help to stamp out the poaching that fuels some African terrorist organizations to boot.
To Go Deeper: We highly recommend that you read both stories the from The Times and The Post and enjoy the beautiful wildlife photos in each.
|
|
 Oceans
|
|
|
The tracks of a single brine shrimp over time. Image: Isabel Houghton
|
|
Small Creatures in the Ocean Stir Things Up
A recent study published in the journal Nature describes how even the smallest ocean creatures play an important role in mixing nutrients through the layers of ocean water. Scientists knew that these small animals -- krill and copepods -- move the water when they swim but they were not sure how much. Now they have a much better idea. There are so many of these animals in the ocean that when they all move in synch they can stir the water even hundreds of feet deep.
The ocean needs the nutrients it contains to be mixed -- the deeper the water the more nutrients it contains. Wind and currents move the nutrients around but this study demonstrates that the smallest ocean creatures also play a role in ensuring that food for larger fish and animals is spread throughout the various marine layers. Now that they have observed this in tanks in a lab, scientists will try to observe the same mixing effect in the actual ocean.
Why This Matters: When it comes to stirring up the ocean, size doesn't matter! The smallest creatures in the ocean play an important role in its health. They are definitely mixing above their weight!
|
|
|
Tiny swimmers make waves!
|
|
Whales
|
|
|
Dead Minke Whales on the Japanese "Research" Ship Photo: Tim Watters, AFP
|
|
|
Japanese Kill 122 Pregnant Minke Whales and 53 Juveniles
The Japanese reported this week that during their "scientific" whaling program last winter in the Southern Ocean, they killed 128 female minke whales, and 122 of them were pregnant. They also killed 53 juveniles out of 333 whales taken this year during 12 weeks of so-called research. The supposed scientific purposes of this hunt have long been challenged by environmental groups and anti-whaling nations like Australia, the U.K, and Latin American nations. Because the Japanese kill these whales under a self-granted scientific permit, they are required to report the number to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission that oversees and coordinates global cetacean research. The full Commission meets later this year, and Japan's hunt will certainly be a huge source of controversy there.
Australia challenged Japan's whaling in the International Court of Justice, which ruled in 2014 that the scientific program was an illegal commercial hunt, prompting Japan to withdraw its support from the Court. Japan sells the whale meat in markets in Tokyo purportedly to offset some of the costs of the "research" but because it is not profitable, the government must subsidize much of the hunt's costs. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society used to trail the Japanese to the Southern Ocean and interfere with the hunts, which was the subject of the Discovery Channel TV show Whale Wars.
Why This Matters: Japan's stubborn refusal to end its whale hunts undermines its scientific integrity and its status in the world of conservation. Expert scientists across the globe pan the hunt because it yields no important advances in the understanding of whales -- the scientific whaling exemption in the whaling treaty was never intended to be used to kill this many whales. Not to mention that Japan undermines the rule of law on the high seas by ignoring the International Court of Justice's ruling against it. There are many significant threats to whales today, including pollution and climate change, so there is simply no reason to kill them and killing pregnant females and juveniles is particularly heinous.
|
|
 Food
|
|
World Central Kitchen Changing Lives in Haiti
It's been over 8 years since the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti and left a wake of rubble and human misery in its wake. It's a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people that they've been able to rebuild and even bring back a growing tourism industry to the island. To be clear, millions of Haitians still need aid and the country remains one of the poorest in the world but the investment in people and providing them with job skills and employment is one of the most impactful means of development.
Last November World Central Kitchen began classes at its brand new culinary school in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The school provides expert chef training to 40 students per year and 100% of them are placed in internships in top restaurants in Port-Au-Prince following graduation and over 60% receive jobs upon completion of their internship.
Why This Matters: As Peter Kujawinksi wrote in the New York Times, it has been several generations since Haiti was a major tourist destination, but it may become one again. International hotel chains have arrived, and the number of flights to the country has increased substantially. For years, American Airlines was the only U.S. carrier flying in or out but now JetBlue, Spirit and Delta also serve Port-au-Prince, and American has begun a daily flight to Cap Haitien. Because of World Central Kitchen’s investment, young adults in Haiti are able to find lasting employment in Haiti’s growing hospitality industry, and increase their lifetime earnings by an average of 500%. If you're interested in supporting WCK's job-creating programs, click here!
Enter our contest! We're giving away two tickets to WCK's annual benefit, Dine N' Dash, which is happening in Washington DC on June 6th. Leave your wallet at home and dine in 30 top DC restaurants in one night, including the chef's favorite dishes and drinks. It's one of DC's best events! To enter the giveaway all you have to do is be a current subscriber and get a friend to sign up for ODP. Then shoot us an email with your name and your referred friend's name and you're both entered! * We'll pick a winner on Friday. Good luck!!!
*transportation/lodging are not covered so make sure you live in DC or can get yourself here June 6th
|
|
 Sustainability
|
|
Calling All Craft Brew Lovers
Most beers made in America use commercially grown grains from big farming operations. So while local brews are indeed brewed locally they often source hops, wheat, and barley from across the country. According to Vine Pair, some breweries are starting to think through this part of their production to become truly local. Much in the way that the Slow Food and farm-to-table movements began revolutionizing American foodways 15 years ago, forward-thinking microbreweries in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are carefully sourcing ingredients with sustainability at the forefront. If you're planning on traveling this summer and love microbrews, check out these 16 breweries committed to making hyper-local beer. For those who live in the DC area, Milkhouse Brewery is only an hour drive from the city in Mount Airy, MD!
Why This Matters: Sourcing products locally not only reduces carbon emissions from transporting goods over long distances but also helps grow the local economy and keep local dollars there. We can't say anything about the taste of the beer yet, but we love the spirit (get it?)!
|
|
 Land
|
|
One Fun Thing: Which National Park Vacation is Best for You?
Take the Buzzfeed quiz and find out!
|
|
|
|
