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WORLD OF BIRDS
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
NEWSLETTER NO. 283 JULY/AUGUST 2006
Click Here to Download the full version JULY/AUGUST 2006 Newsletter .PDF(1MB)
FAREWELL TO RALPH
What is the purpose of life? Why do we sustain life? Why do we prolong life? What’s the point when every living entity is going to die anyway? Do we care for wildlife for purely humanitarian reasons? But then, don’t we also care for our own kind for humanitarian reasons? Isn’t it society’s obligation to prolong life through intensive hospital care and frail care, against nature’s natural end of term?
What we are obliged to do for our own kind, we are morally committed to do for ‘lesser beings’ as well. That’s what WE believe, and a good number of caring others as well, in contradiction to another group, mostly under the name of ‘conservationists’, who would insist on any wildlife rather dead than rescued and cared for, if the alternative is ‘captivity’.
There is a difference between captivity and what we prefer to call protective environment. If an animal couldn’t make it in ‘the wild’ in the first place, it is foolish to force it back into the same predicament after human intervention. It is even more foolish to attempt ‘rehabilitation into the wild’ if an animal is permanently handicapped.
World of Birds and Friends remember with great affection animal personalities of the past, like Hendrik the Pelican, Smurf the Penguin, Peter-Paul the dancing Cockatoo, the Secretarybird living an active extended life for nine years with an artificial leg, which astonished visitors from around the world, and now we have the privilege of the memory of Ralph, the Black Eagle.
It is close to ten years that Ralph was found next to the road up-country. Probably in collision with a car, he had lost an entire wing and was permanently blinded in one eye. How long he had been lying there we don’t know, but in addition he had almost starved to death. A motorist eventually spotted the bird, became emotionally involved to the point of tears (who wouldn’t?), and brought it to the World of Birds.
It seemed a hopeless case, and some would say pointless, perhaps rightly so. We always claim that we care for as long as there is quality of life. We also discriminate. Life for life a sparrow is as good as an eagle, but human emotions often override fairness
Ralph and the carers were fighters, and combined they achieved the impossible. He became a cooperative and willing educational tool, as an ambassador of Black Eaglekind. Heavy enough that the leather-gloved arm of the keeper had to be supported by a forked stick, Ralph showed his perfect side to the most magnificent eagle best, while the other, wingless and blind, side filled the emotions of the people who were made familiar with the perils that wildlife have to face in our progressive world where the speed of a raptor is outmatched by human technology.
Is it fair to say that eagles can be as lazy as lions, and will just sit or laze about for the rest of the day after eating? This will be countered by those who see an eagle soaring in the sky as a symbol of the freedom the whole world longs for. And then one could retort that eagles have to soar to defend their territory before and during the breeding season and strengthen the pair bond.
Whatever the conflicting opinions, Ralph was with us until this year’s harsh winter, when he fell ill. Frail care saw him in the bird hospital, and treated by the vet. Like on a see-saw one day he was up on a perch and eating, the next he had to be hand-fed with softest delicacies. After four weeks we lost the battle.
No-one knows how old Ralph was. Could he have been twenty or thirty years old, naturally at the end of life? It doesn’t matter now. Did we give him quality of life for so many years? Who knows? Was his time with us of educational value? Was it worthwhile?
Visitors were amazed to see this seemingly fearsome and ferocious large eagle sitting in an open-fronted enclosure, sometimes only two metres away. On the good side a perfect specimen of a Black Eagle with the unique opportunity of close-up photographs, on the other side the sorry or shameful part. The educational information explained it all.
In spirit Ralph will always sit on his favourite perch, absorbing the active life around him, or relaxing in a sunny spot on the ground, healthy wing outstretched for maximum comfort. WE MISS HIM…
TWITCHERS, BIRD WATCHERS, AND NATURE LOVERS
A Twitcher is not necessary a Bird Lover, and not every bird lover actually has much comprehension of what makes the birds tick, and how nature works. Most nature lovers may have their opinions, but very few have actually lived in and worked with nature in order to merge perceptions with reality, and emotions with acceptance. TV documentaries do not qualify.
Herman Jonker in the magazine Game & Hunt, describes bird watchers in an almost derogatory way, but I also have my own never to be repeated experience on an organised bird watchers trip to Malawi, many years ago.
He says (and I translate from Afrikaans): there you spot some LBJ (little brown job) in a tree and there is great excitement. The thing is carefully scrutinised through spotting scopes and the birders’ bible is opened. After serious reading and consideration the verdict is pronounced: it’s a twittering twat, without doubt.
The bible is put back into its carry pouch, because from now on the twittering twat is of no further interest. He’s been seen, ticked off, and registered. Whatever he may eat, how he builds nests, where he fits into the scheme of things and how he survives is of no interest.
Just through ‘claiming’ the bird the mystery of the unknown is revealed, and the twitcher is satisfied. The twittering twat has been conquered.
MEETING MRS GATES – THE MOTHER
What does the rest of the family do while hubby addresses delegates at the Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum at the Convention Centre? What are the options in Cape Town to make it worthwhile and memorable for the children, and still be absolutely unmolested as well as safe? Well, they go to the World of Birds.
This is what Melinda Gates did with her children, a daughter and son of about ten and eight. The prominence given to Bill Clinton and Bill and Melinda Gates, during their short sojourn in Cape Town to monitor their HIV and TB projects, did not mention a family visit with the inclusion of children, obviously for security reasons.
A very discreet convoy of three cars, with low-key security agents remaining in the parking area (except for one), allowed Mrs Gates and her children the full World of Birds experience. By the time they came to the Monkey Jungle, this section had already closed for the day. Staff volunteered to come to the rescue by opening up again and assuring a photo session with most of the 36 Squirrel Monkeys all over the children.
This led to a further extended visit to the Bird Hospital with baby owls and penguins and many other creatures in intensive care, and from then onwards the very interested Mrs Gates was given a guided tour through the remainder of the Bird Park and Sanctuary, eventually leaving half an hour after closing time.
To World of Birds staff, the most impressive memory of this high-profile visit was the warm conduct and appearance of Mrs Gates. She could have been any of the Cape Town mothers with her children, leading by example that you can still remain down to earth and caring, in spite of the wealth the media makes you famous for.
CREATURE FEATURE
By Thea Felmore
One of the most recent additions of animal life at the World of Birds can be found in a large glass tank situated along the Birds of Prey pathway.
Peering inside this tank, one can see Nigel, the Green Iguana, constantly eyeing passing visitors. However, he is not alone. Sun-bathing on a log, or hiding under bark, you will find a Blue-tongued Skink. Not just one, but four!
These amazing reptiles came to the World of Birds just over 2 months ago. They are the largest skinks out of the whole skink family, and are found only in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. Of course, their name derives from their most prominent feature – their blue tongue!
With the majority of recent days being very cold and wet, the skinks have not been very active, preferring to hide together under logs or bark, making it difficult for visitors to see them. Though, with Spring just around the corner, they will soon become much more active with the warmer weather and sunshine, which I know we are all looking forward to.
Common/Eastern Blue-tongued Skink Quick Facts
Scientific Name: Tiliqua scincoides
Diet: Omnivorous. May feed on berries, flowers, fungi, insects, spiders, snails and slugs.
Length: Can reach up to 50cm in length (depending on species)
There are eight species of Blue-tongued Skinks. The two most common species that are found and are hardy in captivity are the Common/Eastern Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) and the Northern Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia)
REHABILITATION WOES
It is not only the emotional and time input that make Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres sustainable, it is also the personal financial sacrifices that ultimately may drop the balance of the scale, unless financed from solicited funds.
Wayne and Jackie Furno rendered a very competent service in the Helderberg District, but the personal involvement and the cost of R20 000 per month have financially brought about the closure.
Conservation authorities are trying to plug the hole by taking over part of the service, limiting it to raptors. We don’t understand the pre-occupation with raptors, when there is a very limited need for them when compared with all the other (lesser deserving?) birds and animals, but World of Birds has willingly responded with whatever assistance may be needed for this new setup.
Not good at all is the newspaper report that the Cape Nature and SPCA authorities confiscated 18 baboons and 7 Vervet Monkeys from Stephanie Woolf’s so-called rehab centre, after finding the animals in the most shocking crowded and filthy conditions.
Hers was to be the Western Cape’s official wildlife rehab centre, with all the blessings from her conservation friends country-wide. All we heard was that she bad-mouthed our own (un-official) Care Centre. The proverbial chickens always come home to roost, and this particular mess of a rehab centre is unlikely ever to be missed.
World of Birds’ unofficial Wildlife Care Centre has kept its unblemished reputation for 33 years, without any official and corporate blessing and support ever. The costs of the Care Centre of the Park have been astronomical and unaffordable from the beginning. That’s why we have never achieved financial security and depend on spiritual guidance and friends.
Against all the odds and reasons we are still here to care if and when needed, unofficially of course, with a ‘no kill’ policy where there is quality of life, even while we are depending on miracles to carry from one year to the next.
ENTERING THE 21st CENTURY
Everybody who was progressive or simply couldn’t do without it in this day and age at the World of Birds had a computer on the desk, five in all, except the boss who still lived in the olden days with his ancient portable (typewriter).
This could not be sustained, after Reinhard Stompe of Tokai, a World of Birds member, could not accept such backwardness and offered to bring and connect a computer that was surplus to his requirements.
This has left me without Tippex, the sixth computer at the World of Birds, and this July/August Newsletter typed on a keyboard. It had to come, sooner or later, but while we owe the bank so much money, it seemed irresponsible to indulge in personal luxury, while there are so many other needs.
Thank you, Reinhard, for bringing this `fossil` into the modern world. And what a difference it makes! When I think of the times spent with hammering the typewriter and struggling with corrections, I am actually embarrassed. And the old loyal typewriter? I’m thinking of having it framed. In memoriam.
Another member, Arthur Rogers, also very kindly donated an electric portable typewriter, which will be on stand-by for when the computer system “crashes”.
TO KLITS OR NOT TO KLITS
It always puzzles me when people make a distinction between what they like and dislike, especially when it is a matter of life and death. Agreed, deep down we are all hypocrites and kill cockroaches and rats and germs and viruses, and thus respect for life is truly in the eye of the beholder. There is no right or wrong as some enlightened people interpret God’s assessment of all our actions.
Now what is a good starling and what is a bad starling? Like what is a good African and a bad African, if we discriminate by the colour of our skin? Let’s make it clear: the invasive alien Indian Myna (basically a pretty starling) is here to stay. Even if some people hate anything they perceive as ‘alien’ and undesirable.
If it is here to stay, why not accept the status quo and ratify permanent residence, instead of hatefully and spitefully wishing it away?
It surprises me that the new director of Birdlife South Africa who, by the terms of his office, is charged with the protection and conservation of our collective birdlife, (himself, being an ‘ethical hunter’) in the Game & Hunt Magazine flippantly says that there is nothing wrong to ‘klits’ (Afrikaans for ‘nicking’) an Indian Myna with a pellet gun, as long as it is out of town or on a farm, where shooting with a pellet gun is permitted.
The fact is that the Myna is here to stay. Accepting this and valuing life for life, it is not good advice to promote the shooting of aliens. And once the out of town and farm boys see nothing wrong in blasting out the life of a Myna, then what will stop them in seeing other starlings, and whatever other birdlife, as fair game. It is respect for life, after all, that supports conservation. Not selectivity.
WALTER’S WALL
What do you do when you upgrade your driveway with bricks, and the old paving slabs, mostly broken anyhow, have to go? There is an easy solution that favours both parties. The preferable one (for World of Birds) is you deliver them to the Bird Park (where else could you dump them?) or, if you really don’t have the facilities and transport, ask World of Birds to collect.
What is rubble to some may be treasure to others. We have found a creative way of making use of broken paving slabs. We build walls with them.
It is not just a matter of piling the pieces on top of each other. Apart from being prepared to carry and lift the heavy material (even up a ladder on high walls), it requires artistic perception to join the pieces like a puzzle, and to make the very substantial constructions self-supporting.
The end result is a wall to act as a natural background, instead of intrusive wire, either as a solid frame or as a partition between two aviaries. If done artistically there are little recesses and ledges for the birds and animals to use. With time the walls age and weather with a tinge of moss to merge perfectly with the green vegetation. The walls are also rat-proof!
How long does it take to build such a wall?
It is not so much a question of construction time, but more the availability of broken slab material. Last year the council uplifted slabs on pedestrian walks and replaced them with tar. The broken pieces are now the beginning of another huge wall, 10m long, 1.5m wide, and eventually 4m high. With so much material required it may take years to be able to reach the top and finish it.
What walls have been built so far?
The first experiment many years ago was an aviary 20m by 6m and 2m high, with all four walls constructed of broken slabs which now look ancient. It took seven years, mostly in wait for broken pieces, but we don’t give up easily. Another very large 2.5m high wall took two years, and an additional wall inside one of the aviary complexes is also under construction. All we need is more broken slabs.
Please remember that the improvements to your home may also make an improvement to the World of Birds.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
By Thea Felmore
Members visiting World of Birds would have noticed the ‘UNDER CONSTRUCTION’ sign that hangs on a large enclosure oppsite the entrance to the Vulture and Birds of Prey walk near the top of the park.
Many of you may wonder what new feature this enclosure will hold. In fact, it is a new home for Ticky and Jabu, the Yellow Baboons.
For some time now they have been living in the enclosure that is along the main walkway. Very soon they will be moved into a more spacious enclosure which is not very far from their old one.
However, the completion of their enclosure has been slightly delayed due to bad weather, though it is closer to being finished than ever before, and I am sure the two baboons will really enjoy their new surroundings.
The sad point is that their son, Benji, now 2 years old, had to be separated from the family and find a new home. He provoked his dad endlessly, then seeking support from his mommy, who then had to bear the brunt of dad’s anger. Perhaps the next child will be a daughter, and keep the peace in the Yellow Baboon household.
We Are All One
Noble sentiments indeed, this spiritual concept of ONENESS. One with everything in creation, even your neighbour, and One with nature, of course.
We have a far way to go in every respect, especially as far as Oneness goes in living with nature. This was drastically demonstrated by a group of Middle-eastern visitors when ‘confronted’ by the privilege of sharing with harmless Squirrel Monkeys.
We have to accept that the Middle East is not as blessed with wildlife as we are in South Africa, and that kinship with animals may well be an extreme concept.
Trouble was brewing already at the entrance to the cafeteria, where one of the cats was resting near the door. Shrieks of fear and terror, not just from the women but also from the men, made us remove the kitty, so they could buy their chips and cooldrinks.
Debbie’s nasty streak was revealed when she suggested the kitty lovingly sidle up to the big lady in flowing robes, rub against her legs and purr, to see what would happen, but wisely relented and held on to the little tiger.
Several times while in the park, the group had to be reprimanded for loud and unruly behaviour, especially near birds of prey and monkeys. Then the group of 10 insisted to come into the Monkey Jungle. They were hardly inside the door when the sight of the first monkey made the women scream in absolute terror and panic, and it was one of those very rare times that I had to chuck the whole lot out again.
Harsh words? They were so thick-skinned you couldn’t offend them if you tried. Then I got them at the other end, outside the Squirrel Monkeys, feeding them with sweets and tissues, and shrieking their heads off, and not responding to demands of proper behaviour towards animals. That’s where my thoughts towards the very long road towards Oneness came in. Living in harmony with harmless creatures is an absolute impossibility with some people. Teasing and angering and provoking them from the safety of the other side of the fence makes them brave. It’s the most natural thing for them to do. No wonder more enlightened people prefer the company of animals. There are times when it actually makes sense.
Evolved humans? At what point did it go wrong? And still, we are ONE, like it or not, in the eyes of our Creator. He has given us the choice. That’s where the problem comes in. Could God have made a mistake?
WHAT’S THE PURPOSE?
Like so many people I have often asked myself what the purpose is in what we are doing, especially during periods when the going was tough. We don’t ask such questions when everything goes well; when everything goes well there is no point in asking for a purpose. Right?
On the personal, conscious level, there is no answer anyhow. Asking for a revelation is pointless, and ultimately it doesn’t matter. Would it make sense if we always intentionally worked ‘for a purpose’?
As long as we enjoy what we are doing (like working at the World of Birds), caring, visualizing, and always creating, there doesn’t have to be a purpose.
It is Spirit that has a purpose. Astrologer and Sangoma, Rod Suskin says in his book SOUL TALKS: “If you are listening to the inner spirit that guides you, then what you are doing is the right thing, and you are allowing spirit’s purpose to be expressed.”
So, yes, there is a purpose. The answer to ‘what is the purpose’ remains elusive.
COULD HAVE BEEN SUNDAY
Sometimes the weather predictions are right, and Monday started off with very heavy rains to continue the endless winter. The children complained on the way to school why they couldn’t stay at home when it was cold and dark and wet, and we had to point out how fortunate they were compared to the birds and animals in the wild which had no umbrellas, jackets, dry rooms, and snacks and lunch provided.
Imagine all the birds and animals having to find food and survive day and night, whatever the weather, and not even a warm bed. It kept the children quiet, and then Debbie said thank God today is Monday and not yesterday’s Sunday.
What an extreme from full sun to pouring rain, and a difference of having had an income of R20 000, or almost nothing had we had today’s weather yesterday. This is the dilemma in our business, being dependent on good weekends and holidays. Many people envy us for the wonderful outdoor life, but there are times when we would swop gladly for a cosy indoor job, and a regular, predictable income.
HOORAY FOR THE DOUBLE-DECKER!
Hilton Ross last year introduced the Hop-on-Hop-off bus for the round trip from the Waterfront to Kirstenbosch, Hout Bay, and Camps Bay, which fulfilled a need for tourists who did not have their own transport.
Even better news is the introduction of an open-topped double-decker bus for the same route, starting in October. The organisers expect it to be well supported which is good news for World of Birds, and we are looking forward to boost our visitor numbers during the coming summer season.
ALL WRONG
A Rock Pigeon laid an egg on a bird-phobic lady’s balcony who freaked out. A Good Samaritan friend kindly moved egg and nest to a high wall surrounding the swimming pool, and wrote a note to all residents in the block of flats asking them not to disturb it. A furious other resident objected to the considerate treatment of the “flying rats” and destroyed the nest and egg, while the ‘distraught mother’ sat on a nearby wall.
A story of fear, love and hate. The lady’s phobia can be accepted, except for the question why she waited for the bird to settle and construct the nest, before freaking out. The Good Samaritan acted in misguided kindness. Even if the nest had been moved by a meter or less, the pigeon would have rejected the gesture. A wall near the pool had no familiarity with the bird’s original choice. Of course the mommy pigeon still had to lay her second egg. Nobody thought of that to add to the emotions.
The brickbat goes to the skunk who objected to the (misguided) Good Samaritan’s emotional intentions and who, within an hour, assumed the authority to remove the efforts of the kind-hearted and of the “flying rat” that sat distraught nearby.
All were wrong, in the end. Above all the Flying Rat that should have stayed away from mankind in the first place.
AN IMAGINARY DIALOGUE
This is an imaginary conversation, starting with real (and sometimes hurtful) offerings from members being sick and tired of the moans and negative reporting in the newsletter, and not enough of the positive side, and (still) struggling financially.
“OK”, I would reply, “I do have options and, actually, I could be rich if I had a bit more brain.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, let me first state that I have to consider (as an option to being rich) 33 years of following a vision and the creation of the World of Birds, before going into other emotional details.”
“But what’s the point if it means struggling all the while. Is it to satisfy the ego? Why don’t you ask the big corporations/hire out your restaurant/sell some of your birds/advertise more…”
“Hmm, yes. The `why don’t yous` we get all the time. None of them are practical while I have to consider the care and responsibility for 3000 birds and animals, 40 staff who depend on their weekly wages, the forest of the most magnificent trees as the greenest lung in Hout Bay, the expectations and trust of 1000 members, the 100 000 visitors per year, and the 200 birds and animals coming to the Care Centre in need of help every month.”
“What does this have to do with you saying you could be rich?”
“Could you imagine the news going out that World of Birds were to close? Now, if you were me, what would you do to solve the ongoing problem; what would you have chosen to do, and what would you choose now? You tell me.”
“Surely there must be a way of getting out of this. Why don’t you…”
“Here we go again. It’s exactly the ‘why don’t yous’ which have never led to an actual solution. It’s the ‘why don’t yous’ which can be hurtful if they are not practical or lead to a cash-flow solution. As if we had never thought about these suggestions, which still leave the ball firmly in our court. We don’t need ‘why don’t yous’. What we need is normal tourism in Cape Town that brings enough visitors to our Park to pay for the charitable service we have been rendering over the past 33 years.
That’s where the main problem comes from, the Wildlife Sanctuary that should have been supported and shared. But then again by whom?”
“Why don’t you go to the newspapers or TV and ask for support?.”
“Thank-you. Been there. Still wearing the T-shirt. Truth is people support the rich. They support what’s successful. They don’t want to hear of anyone struggling. Except for sport. But that’s another story.”
“But you said you could be rich! How?”
“Fine. I’ll give you my options which obviously have been considered a few times, and dismissed a thousand times. That’s the part where many would consider me intellectually challenged.
It’s the easy way out, emotions aside, but an option `too ghastly to contemplate` in the memorable words of a politician.
What would you (or anybody else) say to the easy option. Would it be a betrayal of myself, of others, of spirit?
Here goes:
Do you realise that through whatever hard work/ hardships/ sacrifices/ good fortune I am actually (relatively speaking/relative to other wealthy people) a very wealthy person and, exercising this option of being, could be living in financially independent luxury for the rest of my life, not moping that the family had to forfeit the hope for another holiday this year, struggling to pay the children’s school fees, worrying where the weekly staff wages are to come from in winter, and waiting for the miracle of another bequest to keep going and growing.”
“Wait a bit. What are you going on about?”
“Let me spell it out for you. Yes, right now I owe the bank close to one million Rands, which is not unusual. No problem! Deduct it from the asset value, if selling were to be a consideration. There is the World of Birds property, conservatively valued at R20 million, the birds and animals at over 3 million, the value of the trees and plants at 2 million, and other bits and pieces if one were to sell up.
Now tell me, what would you do? Then tell me what I should do?
It’s a moral dilemma, isn’t it? Ultimately, there remains only one choice. Tourism and business will pick up again, right? A permanent solution is waiting just around the corner, right? We’ll have to give positive thinking more power, right? To give up would be admitting defeat, right?”
The battle between the Why Don’t Yous, the Ego, and blindly following a Vision, continues.
What would you do? (Apart from offering `WHY DON’T YOU?)
FROM THE MAIL BAG
Our Friend, Brian Hollman, shows concern for our financial obligations by suggesting the following:
“I received the May/June Newsletter a few days ago. I trust your article on the cost of printing and postage strikes a few purse strings. Enclosed is my cheque for R117 which covers the cost for myself and two more pensioners who may not be so well off.
Whilst on the subject, why not look at the ‘free entry’ for members, families, guests etc. Surely you could introduce reduced tickets to cover the above?
I’m sure members wouldn’t mind paying a small amount to enter the park in addition to their membership fee.”
NEWSLETTER LATE
It’s the stuff you see on TV. Flash floods and the family marooned on the wrong side of civilisation, waiting for the river to subside, or rescue. This Newsletter is a little late because the Mangold family made an error of judgement by five minutes.
We had booked for at Montagu Springs’ special offer (three nights, pay for two), and accepting that there would be no annual holiday this year, we extended to four nights. Many activities were planned to make it exciting for the boys, Garron 5 and Ryan 3.
The second day was drizzle and light rain on and off, and we had returned from the village with some groceries and promised toys. There was a commotion at the drift over the wide shallow tranquil river that we had crossed many times before to the modern comfortable chalets rising up on the other side.
“Do you stay over there?” a police officer enquired. “Yes we do.”“You have five to ten minutes to evacuate. The river is going to come down in flood!”
We had seen before what it looked like after one of those rare floods, so we sped up to the house, threw all possessions into cases and boxes and carrier bags, and were back across the river in no time. And then we waited for the show to start.
There had been very heavy rain all over the district’s mountain ranges, and now our river was predicted to come down in one devastating wave.
Pre-warned, the resort’s management had herded the full free-ranging extensive waterfowl collection to higher ground. That was the good news, while scouts reported the flood still 8 km higher up in the valley, now a wait of less than an hour to get to the drift.
An hour passed, while rain drizzled persistently, and bored spectators drifted away one by one. Then came the news that there wasn’t going to be a flood, just the river rising a foot or so. This seemed to be the end of the emergency. Debbie walked over to the nearby hotel shop to buy bread and eggs (just in case), while the boys climbed into the combi to get back to the house and to Cartoon Network. Debbie was to follow the short distance on her own steam.
Had I looked upriver while crossing over, I would have seen the muddy wall of disaster hurtling its way down. Seconds later, on reaching the house, there was a wide brown river roaring next to and below us.
An experience like this is not easy to describe, and now we understand how cars are washed off bridges and lives lost. All I could think of was Debbie on the other side. Through the willows we could see her sprint over the bridge, and miraculously just make it as the metre high wave crashed behind, to be with her children, a second from losing her life.
For the next few days, the river kept on rising, with rafts of reeds, shrubs, and tree trunks coming down endlessly. To cut the story short, we were stranded by a raging river, the worst flood in 25 years, by an error of judgement, of not having waited just five minutes longer on the other side.
Our four days of holiday activities turned into eight days of enforced solitude, looking across to the hot springs, playground, shops, and a world wide open to be explored. More flash floods in the mountains and overflowing dams dashed all hopes of an early escape.
Resort management eventually found a 10 km roundabout way over a bridge upriver and through vineyards to supply the family with groceries to sustain the stakeout.
And what about World of Birds? End of month payments had to be made. The weekly all winter Friday worries over (lack of) wages money was cleverly manipulated by manager Hendrik and his team, aided by a God-given totally unexpected bequest payout of R15 000, and a Member’s cheque for R5000, again as a sign that we are in good hands.
Bless cellphone communications for peace of mind. World of Birds management proved they can do without the boss, when proof is needed, and to be on call day and night, if necessary. For Hendrik it also meant driving out of town to rescue our old broken down bakkie on Sir Lowry’s Pass, laden with apples, and finally getting home at eight at night. (His cellphone message said that we urgently needed another bakkie, but that’s another story, and a matter to be resolved).
We welcome the following new members for May 2006:
Iris Nathan Elmarie Smith Kim Lewis
Paula Phillips Xanthe Bester Fiona Van Aswegen
N Ellenberger-Bothma Birgit Wandel Carine & Robin Marks
Mrs J Lewis Jaco De Vries Rodney Daniels
Brawerman Family Patricia Acevedo Scott Paterson
Kevin & Tonya Stanfield Penny Knight Molly Gartland
Thomas Renz Hadfield B Sharwood Genee Rodinis
Robin Brogden Val Brooks T Moolman-Timmermans
C Slijpen Mrs Margaret Aubrey
and June 2006:
Joan Brewer Catherine Rodwell Jean Brazendale
Lundy Ingrid Graham Kim Ambor
Anneliese Schauerte Martin Ramsay Karen Arnot
Neil Horn-Moolman Holger & Jilly Schein Mark, Tania & Claire Mundell
Carina M Pienaar Alastair Rippon Mr & Mrs Spagnoletti
Shamiela Tyer Trevor Warries Bruce & Myrtle Sahd
Geoff Prowse N Jacobs Mr AJ Pearson
World of Birds extends its sincere thanks to the following members for donations received during May 2006:
Mrs Pam Marten Mrs ML Thompson Elsabe Braxton
Cdr. D Gordon-Davis Mrs GU Hardy Mr & Mrs Lynch
A Leslie Bobby Crow Mr John Bewsey
Ms Sally J Louw Mr & Mrs Bruyns Mr & Mrs Critchley
Frau Gerda Nicolussi Bob Hahndiek Two A Day Group Ltd.
Vredebest Farm
and June 2006:
Mrs ML Thompson Ms Sally J Louw A Leslie
JE Lucke Cdr. D Gordon-Davis Mrs D Brunnschweiler
Bobby Crow P Theron Mr Gavin Lawson
Mr John Bewsey Mr Eric Steadman Ms Elsabe Braxton
Ms Marion Cross Mrs MC Van Egmond Eugen Lingel
Vredebest Farm Two A Day Group Ltd.
World of Birds’ continued growth and development is due in large part to the generosity of such wonderful people and organisations, and we are very grateful for all their assistance.
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