Comments

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  Kat Morgenstern October 13, 2010 at 11:19pm

  When will people understand that it is not an 'us or them' choice, but that the quality of life on earth for all species depends on balanced integrity. We need animals and functioning ecosystems for human survival as much as the animals or plants need it with whom we share it.The reason of course why we think that humans are the only ones who count is because we want to exploit and make money off the rest, essentially enslaving other species for our own comfort. Granted, in the Serengeti people are in dire need of 'the basics'. Perhaps they should try to figure out how to develop their region with sustainability as the key factor, cause otherwise sooner or later the region will be doomed. And then what?
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  Lise Tyrrell October 13, 2010 at 11:09pm

  Sam, I think he's crazy and I hope he finds lots of opposition!
  Lise
  http://www.eco-tropicalresorts.com
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  Sam Scribe October 13, 2010 at 10:31pm

  Edward Lowassa, a former p.m. of Tanzania who's running for re-election, seems to want a "showdown with environmental and conservation groups" over the proposed road through the Serengeti.
  
  According to eturbonews.com, "He vowed to team up with supporters of the road project to make sure the road was constructed irrespective of its impact on the migration patterns of the big wildebeest and zebra herds."
  
  Is he crazy, or are we environmentalists too quick to root for animals rather than humans?
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  Ed Wetschler October 7, 2010 at 6:43pm

  And now, some good news: With

  

  help from Ocean.org, Chile has created Sala y Gómez Marine Park, a no-take marine reserve of 150,000 square kilometers around Sala y Gómez Island. And the plan is to enlarge it, knock wood.
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  Lise Tyrrell September 30, 2010 at 10:57pm

  The sad truth is that if history is to be repeated, nothing will be done and we will lose irreplaceable fauna as we're losing it in the Amazon. The Tropics on our planet have a bio diversity that is precious, it's why I promote ecotourism in the tropics. My small way of trying to protect that area. I'm open to other ideas of how to help.
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  Sam Scribe September 30, 2010 at 10:23pm

  Arlane, I agree with you on the futility of getting these numbers down to the second decimal, so I was careful to use quotes around the sentence that quantifies "the global fauna total."
  But even if, as you correctly point out, his numbers are not as precise as he believes they are, his basic premise -- that a lot of fauna are crowded onto the subcontinent, and that they're threatened by sprawl -- is valid. So I still wonder, what's to be done? (Or will nothing be done?)
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  Ariane Janer September 30, 2010 at 7:24pm

  Sam,
  How can you be precise to the second decimal, when the estimate for the total number of fauna species ranges between 2 and 30 million. Nobody even agrees on the number of described species (which is lower).
  
  But maybe EO Wilson can give you a pointer with his HIPPO concept
  http://72.3.218.115/talks/e_o_wilson_on_saving_life_on_earth.html
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  Sam Scribe September 30, 2010 at 6:59pm

  India
  Here's something you might not know. According to the president of L'Orient Travel, "With a fauna species count of 89,500, India accounts for nearly 7.31% of the global fauna total, though it occupies only 2.4% of the total world area."
  
  Naturally (or unnaturally), this is all threatened by sprawl. What's to be done?
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  West Africa Discovery September 27, 2010 at 7:37pm

  What better way to see a country, discover the local heritage and experience truly awe-inspiring scenery than to oil your chain and take off on your bike! We have just listed a new holiday idea which offers the opportunity to discover Sierra Leone in the most environmentally friendly, respectful and unique way allowing also for 'people-to-people' experiences so that cultural-exchange is part of the experience.
  
  To learn more click right here.
  
  

  
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  Montecristo River Lodge September 20, 2010 at 11:35pm

  I will like to be a member vendor under lodging, could some body help me out. please add Montecristo River Lodge (Nicaragua)