Blue Cranes Feature at Sasol Scifest 2002
The Blue Crane is South Africa's National Bird and South Africans use the
image freely and with pride. The Blue Crane occurs only in South Africa and
population numbers have fallen to less than 20 000. Sasol SciFest 2002 will
focus on the plight of the Blue Crane by naming it as the Festival's
Spoor-of-the-Year. Conservation experts will explore the main issues threatening
the current population, and in doing so enable Sasol SciFest 2002 to contribute
to the conservation of our natural heritage. The Blue Crane features on the
Sasol SciFest 2002 poster and t-shirt, and will be a
dominant theme in the street parade, workshops, street theatre, lectures and
quiz questions.
Lindy Rodwell is the Africa Programme Co-ordinator of the Endangered Wildlife
Trust's South African Crane Working Group (SACWG). In her lecture entitled Blue
Cranes, Rodwell will explain how a dedicated group of conversationists is
working together with landowners, farm workers,
educators and scientists to establish the cause of the drastic decline in Blue
Crane numbers and to find ways to reverse the debilitating trend. Lindy Rodwell
holds a BSc and HDE from UCT and has completed an aveculture internship with the
International Crane Foundation in the USA. She is a
respected Trustee and a Board member of the EWT and sits on the International
Crane Foundation's Advisory Board. The SACWG has received much support from the
media and public, including coverage in 50/50 on SABC 2.
A series of workshops co-ordinated by Janis O' Grady and Jon Smallie of the
SACWG, will utilize innovative ways to develop a fuller understanding of
important conservation messages. Participants will learn to identify the Blue
Crane and its call, and gain an understanding of the biology and
ecology of the birds. Blue Crane Songs will use songs set to music to encourage
students in the composition of their own songs about the Blue Crane. Blue
Cranes, ecosystems and food chains will look at the role of the crane in
ecosystems and food webs/chains and what happens when the
balance is disturbed. Living with Blue Cranes will teach learners that natural
areas such as wetlands and green areas are equally important in the fulfillment
of human needs. The Blue Crane workshop for bird-lovers enables participants to
meet members of the SACWG, enjoy an informal slide show
and find about successes, challenges and the implications of the latest Avian
census..
Please refer to the Sasol SciFest 2002 Official Programme for further details
on activities regarding the Blue Crane, or contact the Sasol SciFest Office on
046 603-1106. Alternatively visit our website at http://www.scifest.co.za.
For more information please contact Anja Fourie on (046) 603-1106 or email
scimedia@foundation.org.za. Or contact Eve Cambray at (046) 603-1106 or
email eve.cambray@foundation.org.za.
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