Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: poaching

  • Saving Cecil’s Pride.

    Saving Cecil’s Pride.

    Cecil was no ordinary Lion; he was a personality, a member of a specialist research project overseen by Oxford University, and the star attraction at the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. He was thirteen years old when he was killed, by being lured away from his territory by fresh kill.

    He was then shot with a bow and arrow, finally being killed some thirteen days after he was first shot by an illegal ‘hunter’, a man who was out to be a big hero; to bag a trophy!

    Cecil’s senseless death caused outrage worldwide and once again drew the focus onto this barbaric practice of hunting for so called sport, by people who have absolutely no care, compassion or desire to protect, simply satisfy their own base desires at all costs.

    Cecil was the head of his pride and father to six cubs at the time of his death. Simply another tragedy on the one already caused as the survival of the cubs was precarious to say the least.

    Musicians of the world united to create compilation series as a project to try and help towards the conservation of the remaining lions of Africa, and other endangered species, the only way they could, with their music.

    Released late in 2015 the album, a three disc CD, has something for everyone from world-fusion to  ambient new age groove, world beat and the way out there experimental music, all reflective of what is being done in Africa to try and  conserve and preserve so many species which are bordering on extinction.

    Artists such as Louis Colaiannia with Auroa’s Light, Sherry Finzer with Mystic Haze, Mystified contributes Pride Groove and Paz de la Dame Sauvage with At the Water’s Edge, Robert Otto’s A Place Of Hope and the final track of so many, The Beginning with Rocky Kej are just some of the 42 artist who have contributed. Many of the track titles reflect the emotion of the contributor, their thoughts and feeling about this atrocity.

    By supporting the artists who have given so generously, you can have a part in saving some of the wildlife protected under the auspices of the Big Life Foundation, a conservation organization working in the ground in Africa to protect wildlife.

    The message is, get out there, buy a copy and become a part of the much bigger project; that of protecting endangered species by supporting those on the front line of wildlife protection to create innovative and effective solutions.

  • Phantom Wings over the North

    Phantom Wings over the North

    This is Desmond O’Connor’s first novella, and reflects his love and knowledge of the Australian outback, as well as his experiences with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The story is set in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia and is well supported with maps of the region as well as the author’s local knowledge.

     Two outback prospectors Paddy and Bluey, take Paddy’s teenage nephew and niece, on a driving holiday to show them what the outback is like and how prospectors live. The twins learn the signs of the desert and how to live under the stars; they even find a couple of small nuggets. All is well, until Paddy notices a second midnight flight by a small plane to a portable laboratory. The prospectors know that a European Company has set up there to search for minerals, and they have spoken to the men. These flights though are certainly out of the ordinary and appear to be on a regular schedule.

     Mark and Joan, the twins, agree with Paddy that the situation is unusual and decide to investigate further. Under the cover of darkness they follow a truck that leaves the air strip and heads towards some caves. The next day the group return to the caves where the truck is parked. While Bluey distracts a man on guard there, the others go into the cave and discover the real reason for the flights. An illegal operation has been discovered and the appropriate authorities are called.

     Unfortunately, while climbing down a mining shaft Bluey has a fall and the Royal Flying Doctor has to be called. Their expertise in dealing with accidents in difficult terrain is exemplary. Joan and Mark are able to finish their holiday, knowing that Bluey is well taken care of and with a couple of nuggets to show for their troubles. 

     This story is aimed at present day teenagers, however, minus mobile and everyday equipment most would find it hard to relate to the teenagers in the story. Several issues are brought to light, such as protection of our wildlife, and how it is important to be vigilant as sadly poaching wildlife is still a very real issue. The professionalism and expertise of the Royal Flying Doctor Service to outback people is also highlighted.