Hi there
There is a wildlife programme about scavengers tonight.
It is not for normal viewing as it may be a little sad to watch - as it is more to do with scavengers eating carcasses after the elephants life has expired
Anyway mother nature doing her thing as always
Regards
Kathy and Dave
A link to the programme
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/t...fe-after-death
The same programme is on now Ch4 +1 CH13 (freebox) It is very graphic as stated, and I will be watching it now 22.00 - 23.35pm Regards
This was a brilliant programme, i would certainly recommend watching it as it shows some amazing footage whilst also putting across some important conservation messages regarding the roles of key species like vultures and flies. This programme showed the complexities of savannah scrub food webs and how the death of one creature can create life for a myriad of others.
It was amazing to see how timid the vultures were, possibly as a direct result of the decline in their numbers, discussed here. It was a stark reminder of the threats (poisoning and poaching) to the magnificent creatures of Africa. Great to see the dedication of the local rangers working to protect these fragile eco-systems.
Highlights for me had to be the footage of the civet, leopard and hyenas although the avian interest was pretty good too with palm nut vultures, water thick-knees and tawny eagles to name just a few of the birds attracted to the carcass and the insect life that it generated.
So if you can stomach some gratuitous shots of maggots this programme is well worth a watch!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
I missed this post somehow.
Ian, your detailed description of the programme has made me determined to try to watch it on one of the repeat channels. It does sound a bit grizzly, but in a good way. How amazing to see how a death can create life for a myriad of other creatures, as you so eloquently say.
What are water thick-knees????
Cheers
Pipit
Hi Ian
It was a superb film, and I am glad that the filming was more grey than Red as it was graphic enough.
The Palmnut Vultures - fabulous as they are rare birds - and very handsome for Vultures
I hope others are prompted to watch this programme here, and thank you for the informative links
The bugs and beasties where something else.
Loved the Superb Starlings what stunning birds.
Water thick-knees are an African relative to our Eurasian stone curlews. Nocturnal birds mostly that were picking at the maggots as they headed away from the carcass. Great birds!
This was an amazing programme. Although I felt initial sadness that a young bull elephant had had to be put down as a result of poachers wounding him, it was most interesting watching the process that "returned" that elephant to the environment; I was surprised how quickly that process happened, and how many species took part. I had no idea that leopards would scavenge the rotting flesh, I thought they only ate freshly killed prey. It certainly was a bonanza for a huge number of species, from the ants who carried away maggotts to feed their larvae on, to the hyena family who gorged themselves night after night.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
I also felt sad to hear that another Elephant was attacked by Poachers during the filming of the programme
Luckily it got the medical attention it needed straight away. The 'injured' elephant was calmer once it know that people wanted to help dress its wounds on its leg - caught in a snare
The second elephant had a happier ending than the elephant caracass which was poached in the same way - used for the programme.
Humans are so vile at times abusing wildlife as they do
Ian H said: Water thick-knees are an African relative to our Eurasian stone curlews. Nocturnal birds mostly that were picking at the maggots as they headed away from the carcass. Great birds!
Thank you Ian. That is the most amusing name for a bird. They too look a bit like chickens (tee hee, do you remember when Kate Humble likened a Stone Curlew to a chicken!) :)
Pip
It was so wonderful that the death of such a noble animal even at the hand of man provided so much life in its death.
Seems the vultures are being wiped out because man is leaving out poisoned carcasses to kill the larger carnivores
A nice ending with the bull who was crippled pulling through and the baby playing in the muddy water.
So pleased they have not invented smelly vision yet :-)
Chris.
P.S.
It is on 4 on demand ~
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od
A very old Shropshire Lad.