<i>The sunday ,/i>Telegraph:
<b>"Conservationists say safari lodge a threat to black rhinos"</b>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ck-rhinos.html

Keep bringing this up. Thanks Aby.
Did you sign the petition "Say No to Somak", yet? If not please do so now. Go to

Sign the petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/i-w...ari-with-somak

Find more info here:
http://sites.google.com/site/saynotosomak

Aby,

During your visit, did you see the lodge or go to the area in question? If so, did it look close to completion?

I'm afraid the Kenyan authorities don't seem to care!

We can make a difference.....

Yesterday Somak agreed to suspend sales of the Olkeju Ronkai Camp development and remove all references to the camp from their website. There is however no comment yet on what the Sofat Family will do with the camp.

Please, we need to keep campaigning to get more signatures on the petition and more friends to join this group.

If it takes less than 3,000 signatures for a disguised admittance from Somak that they are in the wrong, then maybe 10,000 signatures will get the camp moved from this critical habitat.

Keep it up everyone, we are really making a difference!

http://www.facebook.com/l/fc2d8;www....ari-with-somak

Don't let this die; Do something to help. Here's another article that proves that we count.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news...-kenya.html#cr

It takes just a moment to add your signature. But the results are concrete. How empowering.

Everybody add your John Hancock!

thanks Safarimama

HariS
i'm back from Tz. haven't been to the Mara (far too long)...
you're right, the number of lodges in the Mara area is by far exaggerated;
There's an OVERGRAZING of tourists in the ecosystem

i'm sorry to say that, but many people who consider themselves
ecotourists don't even understand their indirect contribution
to this situation

can't see a better future

aby

Overgrazing of tourists, that's a good way to put it.

Thanks, Aby. Glad you had a great trip. Great news that the dogs are back at ndutu - let's hope they are able to survive and stay healthy.

"let's hope they are able to survive and stay healthy"

The rhino too. And the rest of what's there.

Here's another thread on this subject
"Report paints grim picture of Masai Mara"
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...aasai-mara.cfm
nd the gene
+ 2 articles on the subject - Masai Mara and tourism's overgrazing devastating Effect

Maybe the rhinos will come back once the construction stops?

I say this because the black rhinos of Etosha don't seem to mind using the water hole just outside Okaukejo restcamp. That camp is A LOT larger than 30 beds.

This is not to say that one should be concerned about the encroachment of tourism facilities like this. I'm guessing that a less-invasive lodging option would have allowed people to experience black rhinos in their habitat and this problem would not have arisen.