A BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT
ADU (Avian Demography unit at the University of Cape Town) and SANBI (S. African National Biodiversity Institute) have teamed up again as major players in a new conservation assessment, which amongst other needs, serves as a basis for compiling red data lists in S. Africa, lesotho and Swaziland. The Bird Atlas Project was followed by the Frog Atlas project and SARCA, the reptile assessment project. The public are invited to participate by joining field trips and creating a virtual museum open to everyone with a digital camera and access to e-mail. A close up of a night adder may not be everyone’s cup of tea but everyone loves butterflies and the latest project, the South African Butterfly Conservation Assessment, is an opportunity to join in a nation wide programme. Some time ago I joined a photographic outing to Monkeyland and when I saw the EQUIPMENT being flashed about, disappeared into the undergrowth with my little digital-one-lens camera. Don’t despair. Of course there will be stunning pics by the boffs with EQUIPMENT but there will be other pics too. I’m submitting one of an orb spider lunching on an Autumn Widow (You don’t have to know the names - just the difference between a butterfly and a moth which the internet will teach you). Its an interesting view of which end of the butterfly serves as a straw for the predator. My pic will contribute to the pool of butterfly knowledge. Find the SABCA programme and links for submission details at http://sabca.adu.org.za The programme also offers field trips to the public. Regards, The OLD CURATOR. PS - if you’d like to know how to go about leaving a positive footprint at a reserve in Knysna, South Africa, foward your e-mail address to pledge@xsinet.co.za