50|50 Episode 24 Season 8: 17 September 2017
Doodsbenoud: Red hartebeest
Red hartebeest antelope are usually found grazing on open plains with territorial bulls typically standing statue-like on termite mounds. This week’s lucky Doodsbenoud survivor was therefore naturally astonished when one unruly fellow thought it might challenge her to a dual, resulting in her having to dodge the uninvited attentions of a stroppy red hartebeest while she was washing her car.
Journey of Plastic: from trash to treasure
Every year, an astounding 8 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean in addition to the estimated 150 million metric tons that already circulate our marine environments – that’s like dumping one garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute of every day for an entire year. That much plastic is bound to have a serious impact on ocean ecosystems. Plastic in the ocean is a people problem, which means people can help to solve it. We find out more about one initiative that is making a substantial dent in the size of the used plastic pile.
Wonderwêreld: Fishing Party
The Luangwa Valley is one of Africa’s most diverse locations. The valley stretches along the Eastern part of Zambia, rising in the Mafinga Mountains and making its 1100 km-journey to join the Zambezi River above Cabora Bassa. In summer, high rainfall transforms the Luangwa River into a raging torrent but the river is defeated by the unforgiving sun and dries up in the ensuing heat between August and October. The shrinking river exposes wide sand banks and the oxbow lagoons, gradually shrivel up. For a spectrum of water birds, a shrunken puddle with a mass of trapped fish is the perfect playground.
Shawu update: our favourite little elephant
You’ll remember the little elephant orphan, Shawu we met earlier this season. He’d been left behind by his herd on a reserve near Hoedspruit and is now being cared for by the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Hermien went to check up on the growing pachyderm recently to bring news on his progress.
VeldFokus:
It’s all about the birds in this week’s episode of VeldFokus. A Little sparrowhawk proves that dynamite comes in small packaging, a kingfisher proves that timing is everything, while an ibis colony demonstrates how raising chicks is a VERY social affair.
