Botswana and Zambia bans hunting of lions and leopards

Here's a great news!!!

Botswana an Zambia used to be the most premier wildlife destinations. The Governments have banned trophy hunting of big cats in Botswana and Zambia. Late, but both Zambia and Botswana are now aiming at promoting Ecotourism. The rapid and shocking decline in the population of lions and leopards has been a big loss, affecting the ecosystem adversely. This encouraged the government to stop issuance of hunting licenses from January, 2013.

According to Zambia's tourism ministry game-viewing tourism was more valuable than blood sport, which brought in just $3m (£1.9m) last year. Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo told Reuters, "tourists come to Zambia to see the lion and if we lose the lion we will be killing our tourism industry". However, on the contrary according to Chuma Simukonda from the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) said that that ban would be harmful for tourism. Chuma's words are really ear assaulting, especially when the world is on a move to save life. Chum should understand that ecotourism can generate more revenue and can add real value to wilderness through creating more scopes for employment . It is important to spread the awareness; Chum should be proud for his precious wildlife.

Photographer by guide Lee Whittam in the Okavango, Botswana. (essentialafrica.co.za)

Neighbouring Botswana committed that they are going to ban all kind of hunting on 2014 and onwards. Kenya has already made a halt to sport hunting for years ago.

It really feels nice to think that Africa has realized their wildlife is actually a global treasure. Banning of hunting lions and cats in is a highly appreciable step of African Governments.

Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions talked about banning of trophy hunting in Botswana and Zambia in the Explorers Journal on January 22, 2013.

Wishing You A Happy New Year - 2013

The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.  It is that we should have a new soul, with a new purpose... Making this planet a better place for humans and animals.

Wish you a very Happy New Year - 2013...

What Makes a Dog Crate Aversive?

Dog ownership responsibilities entails satisfying every single commitments towards your dog - including training, socializing, regular health check and even driving out with your herd. Crate training is an important part, and probably one of the most critical of training types. If not introduced correctly and training strategies not implemented properly crate training may breed behavioral issues like separation anxiety that can end up with nightmare for both you and your dog. Here's what makes a crate aversive to a puppy.

Enforcement: The act of enforcing the crate habit in your dog will eventually make the crate aversive. Forcing a puppy or a dog to enter the crate is considered as an abusive training method.

Too Small Space: Too scant space really cannot make room enough to teach your puppy to stay in the crate when desired. Your dog will feel jailed in the crate - especially when the space is too small and lack of air circulation.

Comfort factors: It is important to make your dog feel that a crate is his/ her private place and a comfort zone, where he/she can repose in peace and spend some quality personal time. At least his blanket and his favorite toy should be made available in the crate. This will keep away frustration.   

Feel of Punishment: Once the dog starts considering a crate as a tool for punishment, the crate will become highly repulsive for him. 

Crating Your Dog For Too Long Time: Crating your dog for too long time is torture to the animal. It is important to release your dog at least once in ever one-two hours.


Guest Post by: William James, representing www.wooddogcrate.com

Misuse of Choke and Prong Chains

Obviously, the most dangerous of all training tools is the choke chains and prong chains. If used on a dog that has not been trained properly can even claim life within a second chance. If used by an inexperienced handler the choke chains can lead to serious injury.

Records have shown evidences of canine injuries due to the misuse of choke and prong chains. Serious choke/ link chain injuries such as oesophageal damage, tracheal injuries, ocular vessels injuries, necks sprain, laryngeal nerve paralysis, misalignment of the cervical vertebrae, horner's Syndrome, transient foreleg paralysis and hind leg ataxia etc. have been documented in the veterinary record in March 1999.


The Kennel Club and RSPCA, however, still considers the choke chains as legal training tool – provided they are used by "experienced handlers". This policy, by itself sounds vague, because there's no parameter to count the experience of a handler. Most significantly accident can happen at any point of time even though they are used by experienced people.


Electronic dog training collar, however, has proved to be quite humane and a thousand times safer than the prong and choke chains. The device works on a static stimulation system. The dog gets a static stimulation by a device attached to the collar. The device is operated by the trainer by a remote transmitter. One pressing the button of the transmitter the device generates a static stimulation or an ultrasonic beep upon which your dog is trained to act.

Get more information about dog training collar at http://dogtrainingcollars.com

Non-Abusive Dog Bark Collar

Does your dog bark up a storm each time he finds other animal passing by? First off... it is your fault because you have not been able to socialize your dog to different situations, sounds and sights. However, the non-abusive dog bark collar has come up with a solution and acts as one of the most effective Temperament Teaching System. It is a simple device that works on sound impact sensor for detecting the sound vibration of the bark of the dog that wears the collar. This device has been designed to address the mad barking behavior of individual dog.

The device works in three simple phases:

• First – It detects the sound sound vibration of the dog's bark, as soon as the dog that wears the collar bark.
• Second – As soon as the sensor detects the vibration, it delivers a corrective ultrasonic beep that is perceived by the dog in question
• Third - The dog stops barking as soon as the dog hears the irritating ultrasonic sound

Following phases are used by the trainers to teach the dog to bark or to stop barking on command. The trainer knows that the dog is going to stop barking, because the dog bark collar is worn round his neck. So, as soon as the dog starts barking, deliver a command 'NO' (which acts as the corrective command as the ultrasonic sound) firmly and the dog will stop barking – not because of your command but because the device's corrective beep. Once your dog stops barking reward him with his favorite tidbits and praise him lavishly. This lets him know that it pleases when he stops barking and he gets the reward. Repetitive practices with consistency will eventually correct the bad barking behavior.

More information about dog bark collar can be found at http://www.dogbarkcollar.com.

Disadvantages of a Wifi Dog Fencing System

Dog is unparalleled in their loyalty and friendship among all companion animals on the Earth. If you have ever loved a dog, I sure you have been showered by million-fold return. I have come across thousands of dog owners, but a few - just a few of them have exhibited responsible ownership.

Owning a dog is a lot easier than being a responsible owner. Not training him or not providing him the right kind of nutrition can save you some dollars instantly, but can claim a huge loss in future. It is important to fence your dog's yard. Physical fencing is preferred over the electronic fencing system, but many dog owners cannot meet the expense involved in installing a physical fence. A hi-tech wifi dog fencing system is however a great alternative for an expensive traditional fence.

An wifi dog fence works in the same way as the traditional enclosure, by creating a virtual boundary that you set. Whenever you dog tries to out pass the boundary, an automatic warning beep alerts the dog. The entire system is controlled automatically through a device that is set to monitor your dog’s movement based on the maximum the range that you set.

However, there are certain limitations of a wifi fencing system:

This hi-tech containment system may not work for you if:

1) Your dog is not fence trained - Proper fence training is a must for optimum success
2) Your dog's yard is beyond the wifi signal range - DIY Dog Fence system works best in yards not more than 100 acres.
3) Minimum yard size or dimension of the dog's yard is too large - The yard must be near to the power outlet


Check out more information on http://www.dogfencediy.com