The International Whaling Commission is meeting in Madeira this week and one of its priorities among the 85 member countries is to find ways to break through the deadlock of polarised views with regards to hunting of whales. Reports commissioned by various interest groups now show that whale watching has doubled in the past decade and as a consequence is of considerable worth to local economies worldwide whilst hunting can be a cost burden on those governments still allowing whaling. Of particular note is Iceland where the outgoing government set a quota of 150 fin whales, none of which would end up in Iceland but would be sold to the East. However whale watching holidays in Iceland continue to be worth more to the economy and the season there is being extended. In Reykjavik the season will to run throughout the year for the first time this year. Clearly whale watching holidays offer a more responsible and sustainable role in a countries economy as well as helping protect whales and oceanic ecosystems.

In a paper published today in Proceedings B of the Royal Society, Australian scientists have determined that dingoes are beneficial to ecosystems in which they are the top predator. Nothing unusual there perhaps, except that dingoes were an introduced species coming with settlers some 5000 years ago from Indonesia and usually alien species are detrimental to their environment. In some areas of Australia where fencing has removed dingoes, kangaroos have increased and destroyed much of the arid grasslands thereby reducing numbers of smaller mammals and other wildlife dependent on that ecosystem. The red fox was also seen to increase in numbers. However, in those areas of the outback beyond the dingo fences the wild dog retained its role as the top predator and more importantly retained a more diverse cascade of wildlife in the pyramid beneath it and the grasslands remained more intact. Therefore a role for dingoes in the conservation of outback wildlife and increased farming productivity is suggested.

2009 is the Year of the Gorilla, a multi-agency initiative backed by the UN among other parties. It aims to increase awareness of the extreme vulnerabilty of these endangered great apes of Africa and to gain funds to increase conservation and education efforts, particularly in those countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo where the species is most under threat. As you know we work closely with wildlife photographer Andy Rouse who last week spoke at a conference on the Year of the Gorilla and today has launched a signed limited edition print with all profits going to this initiative. The print entitled ‘Generations’  is of three generations of one family of mountain gorillas. To show your support for the gorillas you can purchase this superb print at http://www.printsforprimates.co.uk/.

The central Okavango Delta in Botswana reached its high point for flood waters last month and the waters now continue to flow south into drier lands and also down the Selinda Spillway and the Savute Channel. For those that do not know these latter two features to the northeast of the main delta are important ancient watercourses that rarely flow and usually offer rich grasslands and migratory routes to many species, for instance we have previously seen wild dogs out hunting along the Savute Channel. Along with the Okavango Delta they are key areas for safari holidays in Botswana and by all accounts some amazing sights are being encountered with cheetahs and lions taking to swimming and a wealth of wildlife moving alongside the channels.

During the recent research trip to Australia we were privileged to visit Oenpelli in Arnhem Land. This is an aboriginal tribal area in the east of the Northern Territories ‘Top End’, beyond the famous Kakadu National Park. Here a local guide took us on a tour to Injalak Hill and told us stories from the Dreamtime. This was also featured on BBC TV last weekend with Dr. Alice Roberts exploring The Incredible Human Journey. The hill has a tremendous history which is seen through its outstanding rock art as pictured above.

With plenty of time for photography in the Top End it became fun creating art in such a beautiful wilderness environment, nothing to compare with the aboriginal art over 40 000 years old, but enjoyable for its creativity “in camera”…Paperbark Trees in the Wetlands…

Steve writes “Having been back from Australia for a week or so now it is possible to reflect on a superb trip and on some tremendouos wildlife encounters in northern Australia.” Besides the phenomenal birdlife in the Top End of Northern Territories we also encounted 5m long crocodiles, dingoes, possums and plenty of agile wallabies. Little corellas regularly came to camp in good numbers and over in Queensland we encountered many thousands of egrets coming to roost on the Daintree River of an evening. The rainforest experience here is quiet unlike anywhere else and is special for being so primeaval.

However, the highlight of the trip was the incredible encounters snorkelling with whale sharks on the beautiful Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. The myriad of fish here is magnificent and we also snorkelled with manta rays, sharks and encountered dugongs and turtles. For April through to July when the whale sharks are on Ningaloo Reef it is a world class destination for a wildlife holiday and tourism here is helping the research on these mystical leviathans of the oceans.
This has been an excellent grounding for launching our Australia holidays and we are busy designing some very interesting trips to Australia which we hope to launch soon and which will be completely unique.