Ramblings of a 70-year old: south africa

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Cheetahs went extinct in India in 1953 and the first batch of 12 new animals will arrive from South Africa soon

South Africa has experience in relocating cheetahs to other countries. They will now transfer 12 of these animals to India where it has become extinct in 1953. These cheetahs will arrive in batches and the first batch is expected to reach India from South Africa next month. This will be the first part of an ambitious project to reintroduce them into India. Their distinctive spots identify these animals. A team of wildlife experts from South Africa has gone back to their country from India after inspecting the holding facility where the animals would be released. Officials explained that nine of the animals are quarantined in Limpopo province, while the other three were quarantined at Natal province. Cheetah experts from South Africa would travel with the animals when they reach India. First batch of 12 cheetahs likely to reach India from South Africa in October. Incidentally, the translocation of cheetahs from South Africa will come after that of eight of the animals from Namibia next week.

During flight, the animals will be fully awake in their transport crates. However, they would be tranquilized to keep them calm. The process is simple. A dart gun is used in which there is a combination of chemicals. Once the effect of anesthesia takes over, they are put into suitable crates while others do the work that needs to be done and scan their microchips. Officials of the government will check the microchip numbers for accuracy. This is necessary because there is disease testing and vaccination protocols required by India. Therefore, the microchip numbers have to match. After satisfactory checks, the cheetahs would be released from their crates into a holding facility. Then will come monitoring of their health by the Indian team. That would ensure that they are hunting again and fit for release into the reserve - their final destination.

Monday, August 29, 2022

Meghan Markle says she and her husband were "happy" to leave the UK

In another tell-tale interview to a New York magazine, Meghan Markle admits she and her husband Prince Harry were "happy" to leave the UK. The main reason was apparently adjustment. In her words - "just by existing, we were upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy." She went on to add that the two of them were prepared to go anywhere in the Commonwealth. They wanted to move out of their life in Britain and relocate to Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. That was before deciding on a home in California. The Duchess of Sussex explains that she did make efforts to patch up with both her in-laws and members of her own family and she is “still healing" from the ordeal. . Meghan’s interview comes amid speculation she and Harry might noit be able to visit the Queen at Balmoral during their forthcoming visit to Britain next week due to security issues.

Meghan recently launched her Archetypes podcast on Spotify. In it, she reveals that in spite of her son Archie narrowly escaping a fire in his bedroom, she and Harry had to go ahead with their visit to South Africa. The couple now live in Montecito. This is a small coastal village north of Los Angeles. On the subject of her relationship with Prince Harry, she said they were like "salt and pepper." This is because they "always move together." The couple has made some plans related to their upcoming trip to the UK. They will make appearances to "support several charities close to their hearts." Their itinerary includes a trip to Manchester on 5 September for the One Young World Summit. Later they will visit Germany for the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 One Year To Go event.