Showing papers in "Oryx in 1976"
TL;DR: Looking at Animals, unluckily, is too large for the pocket and perhaps too heavy for some suitcases, but whether packed or not, it should certainly be read before departure and it will surely come down from the shelf again on return.
Abstract: is the world authority, coloration, the art and practice of wildlife photography and the employment of black-and-white drawing to convey the feel of Africa. It all adds up, no doubt, to something of a rag-bag, but is none the worse for that since the contents are of fine material. Not only does he write attractively but the book is lavishly illustrated with his own work. The photography is excellent. As for his drawings, I find them wholly delightful, with an unusual felicity of design and a delicate sense of texture. The pen, guided by Dr Cott's percipient eye and finely practised hand, steals the picture from the camera every time or so it seems to me. Looking at Animals, unluckily, is too large for the pocket and perhaps too heavy for some suitcases. Whether packed or not, it should certainly be read before departure and it will surely come down from the shelf again on return. JOHN OWEN
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TL;DR: In Brazil the trade in spotted cat skins, mainly jaguar and ocelot, built up in the early 1960s and provoked the Government in 1967 to outlaw all commercial exploitation of wildlife.
Abstract: In Brazil the trade in spotted cat skins – mainly jaguar and ocelot – built up in the early 1960s and provoked the Government in 1967 to outlaw all commercial exploitation of wildlife. The author estimates that this cut the annual kill from 15,000 jaguars and 80,000 ocelots to about half, which he thinks both populations can stand without becoming endangered. Moreover, the programme of massive development and settlement on the forest margins along the new Transamazon highway has run into difficulties, and forest destruction has so far been much less than was expected.
31 citations
TL;DR: The author spent eleven months between 1970 and 1975 studying the wildlife of the high mountains in northern Pakistan, especially the large mammals that are endangered in Pakistan, and describes the status of nine, of which the brown bear is on the verge of extinction there.
Abstract: The author spent eleven months between 1970 and 1975 studying the wildlife of the high mountains in northern Pakistan, especially the large mammals that are endangered in Pakistan. He describes the status of nine, of which the brown bear is on the verge of extinction there (although commonly seen in the form of performing bears in city streets), while the Kashmir markhor, snow leopard and Marco Polo sheep are in serious danger. Despite the protection laws and new reserves, including a new national park, the rule is still too often ‘if it moves shoot it, if it doesn't chop it down’.
30 citations
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TL;DR: The authors discuss the implications of the incident, the publicity it attracted, and the changes in public attitudes.
Abstract: In August 1974 a young male tiger moved into a populated area in the Sundarbans, the delta of the Ganges, and killed one woman and a number of livestock Rather than destroy the animal the Forest Directorate decided to capture it, using immobilising drugs, and release it in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve This was successfully done, but less than a week later it was found dead from wounds evidently inflicted by another tiger The authors discuss the implications of the incident, the publicity it attracted, and the changes in public attitudes
19 citations
TL;DR: Harrison as mentioned in this paper presented a comprehensive study of West African carnivores, the first available for students of the mammal fauna of this vast region, is a worthy successor to the author's earlier monographs on the bats and rodents, and an equally valuable tool, for systematists and field naturalists alike, for many years to come.
Abstract: This comprehensive study of West African carnivores, the first available for students of the mammal fauna of this vast region, is a worthy successor to the author's earlier monographs on the bats and rodents, and an equally valuable tool, for systematists and field naturalists alike, for many years to come. A useful general introduction covers the classification, structure and way of life of carnivores, and the keys to identification of the various taxa are clear and practical. The systematic section, occupying the bulk of the book, is well set out with a synonymy for each species and sections dealing with distribution (the absence of distribution maps is a matter for regret), description (with a special section for the skull and dentition), habits, and taxonomy. A new genet species, Genetta bini, is described and two new subspecies of Herpestes ichneumon. Formal treatment of subspecies is rather inconsistent, but the author's taxonomic outlook is refreshingly modern and sensible. A very useful glossary of terms is appended, as well as notes on vegetation in the area covered, and a comprehensive bibliography and index; the use of a different type for scientific names would have made the last easier to use. Rita Parsons's twelve colour plates are exquisite, the line drawings of skulls clear and useful, although the method of shading is not always artistically pleasing. The generally high standard of production and absence of typographical errors is notable and praiseworthy. In summary this is a most valuable work, a veritable mine of information, for which the author deserves great credit, and an essential addition to the libraries of both institutions and specialists in the field of African mammalogy. It is greatly to be hoped that the series will eventually be completed by treatment of the remaining groups of West African terrestrial mammals. D. L. HARRISON
18 citations
TL;DR: This account of the national parks, reserves and other places worthy of protection in Mozambique gives some idea of the wealth of wildlife in this newly independent country.
Abstract: This account of the national parks, reserves and other places worthy of protection in Mozambique gives some idea of the wealth of wildlife in this newly independent country. One special reserve has 25,000 buffaloes—the largest concentration in the world.
17 citations
TL;DR: The author spent six weeks in Zaire early in 1975 to get first-hand experience both of mountain gorillas, in the Kahuzi Biega and Virunga national parks, and of bonobos, in forests south of the Zaire river.
Abstract: The author spent six weeks in Zaire early in 1975 to get first-hand experience both of mountain gorillas, in the Kahuzi Biega and Virunga national parks, and of bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) in forests south of the Zaire river. As a result he believes that, Tor the mountain gorillas, the enlargement, already planned, of the Kahuzi Biega park is important to ensure that population's viability, and also that thought should be given to introducing new blood into the Virunga population, which may already be suifering from inbreeding. For the bonobos he suggests that, if investigation confirms the view that the Salonga National Park is not a good area for them, the Lomako-Bolombo region should be considered for a bonobo reserve. Dr MacKinnon is a member of the IUCN Survival Service Commission's Primate Group and has made major studies of the orang-utan.
TL;DR: In this article, a large collection of modern colour photographs of animals in their native surroundings is presented, most of which are shown to the best advantage on the large demy 4to pages.
Abstract: terms as practicable with such a full treatment; it should be well within the understanding of the ordinary non-specialist reader or intelligent young person who has done some school biology. The illustrations more than a thousand in all are outstanding: excellent diagrams, mostly in colour, and a lavish and well-chosen selection of some of the finest examples of modern colour photography, mostly of animals in their native surroundings, and all shown to the best advantage on the large demy 4to pages. Unfortunately, far too many have no indication of scale either in the captions or text, which may confuse readers not familiar with some of the less well-known groups of invertebrates. An extensive glossary and good index complete a splendid reference book suitable for library, school or home use, and at current prices good value for money. J O H N C L E G G
TL;DR: One of the key papers at the Technical Meetings that accompanied the IUCN General Assembly in Zaire was Dr Dasmann's showing how the emphasis in nature conservation has shifted as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: One of the key papers at the Technical Meetings that accompanied the IUCN General Assembly in Zaire was Dr Dasmann's showing how the emphasis in nature conservation has shifted. No longer can the ‘biosphere people’ – the people of the developed nations who draw on the resources of the whole world to maintain their life-style – simply urge developing countries to ‘protect’ wildlife and establish national parks while at the same time pressing them to cut back their population growth. One extra person in the USA will consume more in energy and materials than 20 extra people in Tanzania. What Dr Dasmann calls the ‘ecosystem people’—those who depend for all their resources on supplies within their local ecosystem – lived in balance with nature and, moreover, did not live impoverished lives, Today we can only solve our world problems by getting back to some better balance, ‘the old partnership with nature that existed without people being aware of it’. What we need, he suggests, is ‘conservation as if people mattered’ and ‘development as if nature mattered’. Nature conservation today demands new life-styles.
TL;DR: The author came to the conclusion that the total number of orang-utans in Sumatra is not more than 3500, despite higher figures that have been circulated, and that probably half of these – the animals living in forests outside the nature reserves – are severely threatened.
Abstract: In the course of his WWF survey for rhinos in Sumatra, the author also made a study of orang-utans. He came to the conclusion that the total number in Sumatra is not more than 3500–4500, despite higher figures that have been circulated, and that probably half of these – the animals living in forests outside the nature reserves – are severely threatened. Not only are they hunted and poached, but their habitat is being rapidly destroyed by big timber companies with concessions for clear-felling-15½ million cubic metres of timber were exported in 1973.
TL;DR: The black-footed ferret depends on prairie dogs for both shelter and food, living in their underground ‘towns’ and preying on them as discussed by the authors. But the animals were subjected to intensive poisoning campaigns which successfully exterminated them over most of their range and heavily reduced their numbers in the rest.
Abstract: The black-footed ferret depends on prairie dogs for both shelter and food, living in their underground ‘towns’ and preying on them. But the prairie dogs, regarded as pests by the ranchers and farmers, have been subjected to intensive poisoning campaigns which successfully exterminated them over most of their range and heavily reduced their numbers in the rest. This has brought the ferrets to the verge of extinction. A conservation management programme is urgently needed but difficult to devise, because so little is known about these elusive, nocturnal and now very rare underground dwellers. The author believes that computer simulation models now offer a good study method, and suggests how this should be done.
TL;DR: One of Colombia's finest national parks, La Macarena, is being gradually encroached by settlers as discussed by the authors, and the park area has been nearly halved since 1948, and there is no sign of an end to the process.
Abstract: One of Colombia’s finest national parks, La Macarena, is being gradually encroached by settlers — the park area has been nearly halved since 1948, and there is no sign of an end to the process. The author, a research zoologist of the New York Zoological Society, describes the situation and appeals to the President and the government to act to save the park.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the possible relationship between the hippopotamus population and the erosion of land adjacent to the Semliki, Rutshuru and Rwindi rivers.
Abstract: In recent years several African national parks have been faced with the 'hippo problem' a large population of hippos accused of causing serious erosion and habitat destruction. Should they be culled? Uganda decided yes, in the Rwenzori National Park (formerly Queen Elizabeth); but the Zaire (formerly Belgian Congo) parks have always been regarded as strict nature reserves and no killing has been allowed. However, at a joint meeting of the Survival Service and the National Parks Commissions, at Kinshasa, last September, the question was raised in regard to the Virunga (formerly Albert) National Park. The commissions were asked to advise the Parks Administration on the possible relationship between the hippopotamus population and the erosion of land adjacent to the Semliki, Rutshuru and Rwindi rivers. It had been suggested that a hippopotamus population explosion in recent years was responsible for overgrazing and damage to the river banks, increasing erosion to such a degree that the whole river valley was threatened with denudation and destruction. Should the hippopotamus population be culled? Dr Paul Leyhausen was among the delegates who were able to visit the Virunga park in the course of the IUCN meetings, and in this note records his observations and conclusions on the problem and incidentally gives some idea of the complications of the situation.
TL;DR: It is shown that, unless breeding success can be achieved with captive-born animals – which so far no zoo in the world has done – zoo numbers will continue to decline, with little hope of replacement from the wild now that the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species is in operation.
Abstract: The author examines the age structure of captive orang-utans in zoos and institutions. He shows that, unless breeding success can be achieved with captive-born animals – which so far no zoo in the world has done – zoo numbers will continue to decline, with little hope of replacement from the wild now that the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species is in operation. John Perry is Assistant Director for Conservation at the National Zoo in Washington, and a Vice-Chairman of the IUCN's Survival Service Commission.
TL;DR: The author explains why this drastic step is considered necessary and why many conservationists have regretfully agreed to support it.
Abstract: There is widespread concern in Britain at the Ministry of Agriculture's decision to eliminate all badgers in sets where TB has been proved. Such sets are presently only known in a few small areas in the West Country – see Oryx, October 1975, page 114. The problem concerns bovine TB, which in Britain in the 1930s was estimated to cause at least 2500 human deaths a year (in addition to those caused by human TB), but which has now been almost eliminated with the pasteurisation of milk and the near elimination of the disease in cows by a ruthless slaughter policy. In this article the author explains why this drastic step is considered necessary and why many conservationists have regretfully agreed to support it.