THE WORLD TRADE IN IVORY
In 1989 the world's trade in ivory was banned by CITES, the UN-based Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. This move followed a drastic decline in the number of elephants, from 1.5 million in the 1980s to 600,000 in the early 2000s, while Kenya, with one of the world's largest elephant populations, saw a drop from 120,000 to 19,000. (Article here) While habitat loss was an important factor, the main reason was poaching. In some places it assumed commercial proportions, with hundreds of animals, of every age, being killed by highly organised gangs. When Richard Leakey, was appointed head of the Kenya Wildlife Service, he declared war on these gangs, arming his men with modern military equipment and telling them to shoot suspects on sight. In a symbolic gesture, he persuaded Kenya's President Moi to set fire to a huge pile of ivory, worth some $3 million.
Since then, the number of elephants has steadily risen, to the point where some countries - Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia in particular - have successfully lobbied to have the ban lifted so they can sell stocks of ivory, using the money to fund elephant conservation.
In 1989 the world's trade in ivory was banned by CITES, the UN-based Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. This move followed a drastic decline in the number of elephants, from 1.5 million in the 1980s to 600,000 in the early 2000s, while Kenya, with one of the world's largest elephant populations, saw a drop from 120,000 to 19,000. (Article here) While habitat loss was an important factor, the main reason was poaching. In some places it assumed commercial proportions, with hundreds of animals, of every age, being killed by highly organised gangs. When Richard Leakey, was appointed head of the Kenya Wildlife Service, he declared war on these gangs, arming his men with modern military equipment and telling them to shoot suspects on sight. In a symbolic gesture, he persuaded Kenya's President Moi to set fire to a huge pile of ivory, worth some $3 million.
Since then, the number of elephants has steadily risen, to the point where some countries - Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia in particular - have successfully lobbied to have the ban lifted so they can sell stocks of ivory, using the money to fund elephant conservation.
The most common cobra in Africa is the Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje), which is found in savanna and desert areas throughout Africa except southern Africa. A common snake, growing to over 2m in length, it feeds on small mammals, lizards and other snakes.
While it is usually nocturnal, it is often seen sunning itself at morning and evening. However it has a habit of approaching human habitation, for example to hunt in chicken runs. Its first reaction is to escape but, if this is prevented, it rears up as high as it can, opens its hood, and threatens - as can be seen in this video, where a spitting cobra takes on four lions. The attack is quick and aggressive. A single bite injects a large amount of neurotoxin venom which results in paralysis of the muscles, including those of the heart and lungs, leading to death.
Cleopatra’s asp, the venom of which she used to kill herself, was probably an Egyptian Cobra.
While it is usually nocturnal, it is often seen sunning itself at morning and evening. However it has a habit of approaching human habitation, for example to hunt in chicken runs. Its first reaction is to escape but, if this is prevented, it rears up as high as it can, opens its hood, and threatens - as can be seen in this video, where a spitting cobra takes on four lions. The attack is quick and aggressive. A single bite injects a large amount of neurotoxin venom which results in paralysis of the muscles, including those of the heart and lungs, leading to death.
Cleopatra’s asp, the venom of which she used to kill herself, was probably an Egyptian Cobra.
HOMOSEXUALITY IN AFRICA
The subject of homosexuality in Africa has generated strong views, as can be seen in this BBC website discussion. Musaveni in Uganda and Nujoma in Namibia launched fierce attacks on homosexual culture, and Mugabe in Zimbabwe has described the practice as akin to 'bestiality'. In this article, it states that the homosexual act is illegal for men in 29 African countries and for women in 20. Yet much of what its detractors hate is based on their interpretation of Christian faith and appears to have little foundation in a pre-colonial Africa, as argued in his link to a rather heavy paper on pre-colonial African homosexuality. Even in the countries where it is illegal, there are large and active gay groups. One country which stands out in its tolerance is South Africa.
Even five years after the event, the controversy caused by the ordination of Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop by the Episcopal church in the USA rumbles on, causing a large number of delegates to boycott the Lambeth Conference in 2008.
The subject of homosexuality in Africa has generated strong views, as can be seen in this BBC website discussion. Musaveni in Uganda and Nujoma in Namibia launched fierce attacks on homosexual culture, and Mugabe in Zimbabwe has described the practice as akin to 'bestiality'. In this article, it states that the homosexual act is illegal for men in 29 African countries and for women in 20. Yet much of what its detractors hate is based on their interpretation of Christian faith and appears to have little foundation in a pre-colonial Africa, as argued in his link to a rather heavy paper on pre-colonial African homosexuality. Even in the countries where it is illegal, there are large and active gay groups. One country which stands out in its tolerance is South Africa.
Even five years after the event, the controversy caused by the ordination of Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop by the Episcopal church in the USA rumbles on, causing a large number of delegates to boycott the Lambeth Conference in 2008.
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THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF USUZWE
The Anglican Communion is divided into 38 Provinces, of which the Anglican Church of USuzwe is one. Each Province has its own Primate (Archbishop) and governing structure.
The numbers of Christians in Africa has increased dramatically. In 1900 there were only 9 million African Christians but this had increased to 380 million by 2000, with 51% of all Africans Christians, of whom 147 million (39%) were Renewalists, that is, members of the Pentecostal Church and 'charismatics', these being the fastest growing groups. The growth of the African Churches is largely down to local evangelism, whereas its early growth was fostered by missionaries. With the centre of gravity of Christianity moving from Europe towards Africa, Latin America and Asia, Africa is likely to see major changes in the religion. Here is some singing in a Zambian church.
Theophilus' association with the church, with Its huge congregation, the largest in Africa, gave him considerable clout.
The Anglican Communion is divided into 38 Provinces, of which the Anglican Church of USuzwe is one. Each Province has its own Primate (Archbishop) and governing structure.
The numbers of Christians in Africa has increased dramatically. In 1900 there were only 9 million African Christians but this had increased to 380 million by 2000, with 51% of all Africans Christians, of whom 147 million (39%) were Renewalists, that is, members of the Pentecostal Church and 'charismatics', these being the fastest growing groups. The growth of the African Churches is largely down to local evangelism, whereas its early growth was fostered by missionaries. With the centre of gravity of Christianity moving from Europe towards Africa, Latin America and Asia, Africa is likely to see major changes in the religion. Here is some singing in a Zambian church.
Theophilus' association with the church, with Its huge congregation, the largest in Africa, gave him considerable clout.
