September 5, 2016

Read Pedro Vaz Pinto’s latest Giant Sable report from Cangandala and the Luando Reserve

Posted by angolafieldgroup under Giant Sable | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
[2] Comments 

Biologist Pedro Vaz Pinto’s Fourth Trimester 2015 Report with photos of Angola’s Cangandala Park and Luando Reserve, in English and Portuguese, now on our Giant Sable page.

Palanca Report_4TRIM2015-12

Small herd of giant sable with the bull in lead in Luando reserve.

Both Cangandala and Luando are the only two locations in the world where the Giant Sable can be found. They are protected areas yet this critically endangered mammal continues to be threatened to extinction by poachers. Here is an update from the final months of 2015.

In Cangandala Park, there’s good news and bad news. First, the bad news:

“…there had been a poaching incident with shooting involved which resulted in one of the rangers being wounded…….. “This is another sad reminder that even in Cangandala, poaching still remains a very real threat…”

The good news:

“Other than this tragic event, things seem to be going well in the sanctuary where at least the sable are breeding well and look healthy.”

106-0000-077-0-246-

                       Lots of calves and young in Canangdala Park.

In Luando Reserve, also good news and bad news. The bad news again involving poachers:

“…..another mutilated giant sable, tragically a very young female who had been collared in 2013 when two years old, and who should now be attending her second calf. It is another animal lost for breeding, so for the population it is as good as dead.”

Palanca Report_4TRIM2015-3

Angolan air force tracking injured giant sable in Luando Reserve.

The good news:

“On a positive note, the military decided to step up their support to the shepherds in Luando reserve, making a few joint ground anti-poaching operations with ministry rangers, and subsequently deploying a few weapons to the shepherds who from now on will be better equipped to tackle the poachers.”

Palanca Report_4TRIM2015-13
Some more good news, birds and frogs continue to thrive in Cangandala Park and Luando Reserve….

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.



Visit our Giant Sable page to read Pedro Vaz Pinto’s full report and previous reports.

 

December 6, 2011

Read Pedro Vaz Pinto’s latest report from Cangandala on our Giant Sable page

Posted by angolafieldgroup under Giant Sable | Tags: , , , , , |
[2] Comments 

Newly posted, Pedro Vaz Pinto’s report of this August’s Giant Sable Capture Operation. Click here to read the Second Semester Report 2011 in English and Portuguese and see some stunning images of the operation in action.

“There must be no doubt that this magnificent creature is in desperate condition, on the verge of extinction.”

The largest giant sable herd, led by the dominant bull.

“As result of the last few months’ efforts we know now much better than ever before, the real situation on the ground. I believe we know how many herds there are left, exactly where they are all located, how many animals in each herd, and even the detailed population structure. There must be no doubt that this magnificent creature is in desperate condition, on the verge of extinction.”

The shepherds setting fire on a poacher's camp in Luando.

“What does come across very clearly is that not only was excessive poaching that reduced the giant sable population to the current condition, but also it is still very active at the moment and has been impacting the population very severely during the last few years.”

Logistics provided by the Angolan Air Force.

“With assistance from the military forces we are implementing action against poaching but also preventive measures against animal theft attempts.”

Not all is bad news in Pedro’s report. More pure giant sable are captured in the Luando Reserve and taken to Cangandala National Park …

Trying to put Ivan on the stretcher to be hand carried to the MI-17!

“It took us 10 men and an enormous effort to carry that beast on a stretcher across 300 meters of tall dead grass, hidden termite mounds and fallen wood. It’s a shame we couldn’t weigh the bull but most guys agreed he may weigh well over 300kg.”

The difference in size is immense.

“The operation was a huge success. We managed to establish a new breeding group in Cangandala, including a new bull and six young females.”

 

September 12, 2011

Read Pedro Vaz Pinto’s latest report from Cangandala on our Giant Sable page

Posted by angolafieldgroup under Giant Sable | Tags: , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

“It made us wonder if the bull couldn’t have gone under the fence and escaped the sanctuary… there were plenty of fresh tracks inside and the bull wouldn’t leave his girls, would he? But still, how could we be sure? We located a good spot and planted a trap camera there, but we would have to wait a few weeks for an answer.”

The bull wouldn’t leave his girls, would he?

Visit our Giant Sable page to read Biologist Pedro Vaz Pinto’s latest news updates with photos from Cangandala Park, in English and Portuguese.

 

February 26, 2011

Read Pedro Vaz Pinto’s latest report from Cangandala on our Giant Sable page

Posted by angolafieldgroup under Giant Sable | Tags: , , , , , , , |
1 Comment 

The birth of a second pure giant sable calf  in Cangandala park!!

“As for the calving success, and in spite of the joy of facing the second newborn, it was disappointing not to have had more calves in the sanctuary in 2010. Females that at one point seemed to show pregnancy signs ended up not delivering the goods. All in all as we concluded the first year, we were left with a bitter-sweet taste… there was breeding but below expectations.”

The younger calf.

Visit our Giant Sable page to read Biologist Pedro Vaz Pinto’s latest news updates with photos from Cangandala Park, in English and Portuguese.

 

April 23, 2010

April 29 Presentation: Rehabilitating Angola’s National Parks

Posted by angolafieldgroup under Presentations | Tags: |
[2] Comments 

 

Iona National Park, 15,150 sq. km.

Angola has six national parks and some specially protected reserves. During and after the civil war, the parks and reserves lay neglected, victimized by uncontrolled hunting and human encroachment. Now some parks are beginning to be rehabilitated. The Angola Field Group invites you to a presentation Rehabilitating Angola’s National Parks, at the Viking Club, on Thursday April 29th, at 8:00 PM with Angolan environmentalist Vladimir Russo, former Director for Environmental Management within the Ministry of Environment.

Iona National Park.

Iona National Park.

 

Cangandala National Park, 630 sq. km.

He will discuss the current status of Quiçama, Cangandala, Bicuar and Iona national parks, focusing on their rehabilitation and development of conservation programs and he will explore the ongoing challenge of how to deal with poaching and the increase in agricultural, mining and housing activities around these protected areas. The presentation will also look at how the national parks contribute to biodiversity management in the country and the opportunities for tourism.

Cangandala National Park.

Our presenter helped  found the first environmental association in Angola in 1991, Juventude Ecológica Angolana (JEA). For the past six years he has been involved in biodiversity related activities which include the development of the Angolan National Biodiversity Strategy and supporting national park rehabilitation and conservation. Vladimir has a Masters Degree in Environmental Education from Rhodes University in South Africa.

 Quiçama National Park, 9960 sq. km.

Everybody is welcome to attend this presentation. In close cooperation with the Viking Club, this event is offered free of charge. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are sold at the bar, $3.00 each. For a location map of the Viking Club visit our website’s Join Us page. The club is on the main floor of the ‘Predio Maianga’ at Rua Marien N”Guabi, No 118 in Maianga, across the street from the new Panela de Barra restaurant.

Quiçama National Park.