I'm confused, which post is from your nom de plume?

Kavey,
Apologies for not making it clear it is the long one directly above Andy's tracker comments dated 10.45 from cbdemille.

Andy,

We have never had a tracker on the back at any camp other than Mashatu.

Now that we know that such a system exists then we shall be sure to ask whether it is operated at any camp we may visit in the future.

Aah OK.

Just curious: why two different IDs?

Hi to all... Unfortunately this forum seems to bring the worst out of most of us, including myself. I can feel the emotions boiling when I read certain things...but I realise that a lot of it has to do with personal differences, and in certain instances, ignorance. Therefore I have decided to make only a few last points, rather than write out everything I’m feeling as I did previously:

1) I do not condone any unethical research practises, including poor collaring techniques or collaring wildlife for eco-tourism purposes alone! The communication and information provided by Mashatu researchers seem to be a problem and should be investiged!
2) I think the only way that wildlife researchers and rangers can work together, is by working as a team! I can understand why conflict might happen when goals are not the same...
3) If there IS a lion with a collar that is too tight, I sincerely hope that SOMEONE does something about it!!!!!
4) I support the collaring of young male lions in the Tuli 100% and believe that the data gathered from satellite collars are groundbreaking in the area and WILL ensure better protection of the species outside the reserve!
5) I support the four collars on the wild dogs, knowing how large packs have the tendency to split when the pack becomes too large... Knowing where the dispersers go, is critical in their conservation!
6) Some of you have been very hard on the poor Mashatu trackers... Yes, they should be called spotters or trainees...but they have a big role to play on the drives. Who will shine the spotlight, fix flat tyres, pack out the drinks during sundowners...etc, if you kick them off the vehicle?? Let them learn. Let them spot – they really have great eyes! And, if you want to make the most of the drive, learn a bit about the young guy – where he grew up and why he wants to be a ranger!? You will find that they have incredible stories, knowledge and backgrounds... And you might just inspire the youngster in talking with him...
7) A good guide can drive into a herd of elephants at Mashatu without putting his guests in danger. A person right on the bonnet, however, IS dangerous, since the elephants often pass right past the nose... Breaking up the vehicle’s outline at that specific place, is not a good idea in Mashatu.
8) Driving and tracking is most definitely possible without a person on the front. Drive next to the tracks, not on top of them. Remember, the vehicles have no doors in front, so it’s a simple matter of looking down to the side for the ranger to keep on track... and not constantly as many may think... Two pairs of eyes are, however, better than one, no doubt! But, believe it or not – a good spotter on the back CAN most definitely see the tracks of a lion or leopard as well and help the ranger to pick up a lost track direction... But hey, we will keep disagreeing on this one, so let’s just leave it before we get really nasty!
9) I honestly believe that each and every one of us who have written on this forum loves nature and the animals we see on safari!! We will always have differences, though! Let us be respectful of these and try to listen to others as well...

My apologies to anyone who may have been offended by what I have written! I want to reiterate that I do not condone any poor conservation or research practises in the wild and that it seems clear that all is not well at Mashatu... I take it upon myself to get to the bottom of this, especially regarding the lion with the tight collar!!, as well as the slack response from the researchers’ side... I fully understand the frustration these answers may have caused.

My final hope is that you will also try to understand why large predators in this area needs our help! If we only photograph them, they may very well disappear. The collars and data WILL help, I am convinced! We have so much to learn about their movements in this area...

Kind regards

PS: Does anyone have a photo of the lion with the tight collar??? If not, why didn't you take one? It would just really help to make a point to those parties who might deny it!!! Please remember this in the future...

Livelife,
Thanks for your input. I have some video of a collared young male lion at Mashatu. It was too dark for photos so I used my camcorder because it does a better job in low light. I'll have to go back and watch it - I don't recall thinking the collar was too tight but as I said it was getting dark. I'll try and post the video too but I'm not very computer savvy-I'll see if my kids can help.
Our guide Richard made it very clear that the "tracker" is a tracker/guide in training. And that they are there to learn and help when needed.
I was very happy with my time at Mashatu and plan on going back in 2010 for a longer stay.

I love Mashatu...always will

i won't change my mind in ANY case!

i am who i am not somebody else or any other alias!

but of course i appreciate if there is anybody out there who shares my opinion!

thank you!

i don't want to seem to be arrogant - but i have done at least 40+ safaris mounting up to at least 1000 days in the bush! i am not talking of anything i have not experienced myself.

anybody is entitled to an opinion. i would appreciate to be intiteled mine:

- tracker in the back - not an option

- researches in unfenced large border-crossing environments collaring youngsters - not AT ALL acceptable

- only driver-guide - not an option for a camp of such (financial) magnitude!

div

How thoroughly boring!

Sniktawk, what a surprise! You struck me as someone who simply say what you thought under your own name/ ID. No need to resort to hiding behind secondary IDs. How disappointing!

Thats messed up

You should all go to Mashatu then, it is made for you!

What a twisted bit of logic! How does someone's lack of appreciation for double-IDs used to post snide comments relate to whether or not they will like Mashatu?
I posted above that I felt your report valid and useful.
I post now that I am disappointed by your hypocritical use of two IDs on this board.
Neither opinion is related to the other.

Author: sniktawk
Date: 10/08/2008, 12:15 pm

I obviously posted the above message under a wrong nom de plume.
I do hope that this does not cause any confusion

>>> isn't that the very same sniktawk who wrongfully distributes i would be posting under different aliases?

very interesting and enlightening >

div

Wow, enlightening. He doesn't deny anything, he just makes personal attacks. So 3rd grade. So creepy. This is why I'm ambivalent about these forums. Their helpfulness is often undermined by people and information you just can't believe.

LAleslie and All - Come on now, you know the internet forums are no better than the newspapers, magazines, TV. So that's pretty sleazy company What is your favorite, most reliable, most honest, source of information regarding safaris? Oh wait, I know, it's the Fodor's Safari Planning Book

regards - tom
ps - does Rick Steves have a safari guide book?

Ah, multiple aliases. Nothing like a transparent forum.

Another vote for a new forum software, complete with IP address information when posting. That way we can see who double posts under different aliases.

;-)

Not true Tom. Don't lump all messengers together please. It's the lack of transparency, as suggested above, that's the issue. With other sources, you know where the info is coming from and you can judge it accordingly. On the Internet, it's often anonymous, and therefore suspect from the get-go.

LaLeslie, Andy and others,

How is it that you consider that the post made by me under a different login name means anything less than it does. How can it lack "transparency" or be "hidden" when the error was confessed to by myself, and at least one poster did not spot it.
Where are the personal insults that you claim have been made?

You can believe the posters representing or employed by Mashatu if you like, or you can read the views of a completely unrelated and uninterested third party.

The only reason I posted this report on this forum was to see how many defenders would appear.

The results have been interesting.

Many thanks to all of the posters who agreed with my disgust at the comments of Mashatu!!

you posted under a second alias in order to support your very own opinion!
using of a second alias in order to underline the first post is misleading and also manipulating others and therefore is unethical.

that's the point!

div

Please can we stop this and get back to posting about Africa.