In this podcast, the hosts go on an adventure in Cape Town to search for fossil footprints. They also discuss the decline of African penguins and Sandcob's efforts to protect them. The challenges faced by a bird rehabilitation center and the importance of disease control are explored. The podcast also delves into the use of sounds in conservation and monitoring dolphins, and the abundance of bird species in the Cape.
Trained experts using optically stimulated luminescence discovered ancient elephant footprints in Cape Town, highlighting the importance of historical preservation.
Sankob's efforts to protect African penguins include advocating for fishing closures and studying the impact of climate change and bird flu on the population.
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Tracing Ancient Footprints: Discovering Elephant Fossils
Technologist and fossil footprint expert Charles Helm, along with his partner and co-hunter Linda, and local parks ecologist Mike Fambritius, embark on an expedition to find ancient elephant footprints in Cape Town, South Africa. Through their expertise and observation skills, they identify distinct tracks that indicate the presence of elephants from around 85,000 years ago. Using a technique called optically stimulated luminescence, the area is dated to be between 80 and 90 thousand years old. This experience not only provides a glimpse into the ancient past but also highlights the importance of trained eyes and historical preservation.
Sandcob: Protecting Endangered African Penguins
Sankob, a charity organization located on the outskirts of Cape Town, is dedicated to the conservation of African penguins. With the African penguin population declining by 75% since 2000, Sankob's efforts are critical in protecting this species. A major factor contributing to their decline is the scarcity of food, particularly due to low sardine stocks caused by competition with industrial fisheries. Sankob has been advocating for fishing closures around penguin colonies to allow for population recovery. Additionally, they are studying the impact of climate change and highly pathogenic bird flu on penguin populations, providing valuable insights for conservation and mitigation strategies.
This week we're out in the wild and noisy spaces in and around Cape Town, South Africa.
Ichnologist Charles Helm takes Roland on a bumpy ride in Walker Bay Nature Reserve to hunt for fossilised animal tracks, with a few brilliant surprises.
Producer Ella Hubber visits the SANCCOB seabird rehabilitation centre to speak to researcher Katta Ludynia about what challenges the African penguin faces. We also hear about the ever-present threat of bird flu from SANCCOB vet David Roberts.
And, in the beauty of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Tess Gridley and her team from the African Bioacoustics Community are collecting the sounds of South Africa's diverse bird populations for the public and future conservation efforts.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Content Producer: Rema Mukena
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
(Image: Roland records Ichnologist Charles Helm at Walker Bay Nature Reserve. Credit: Ella Hubber)
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