Zambezi: Keeping Wildlife Alive - African Wildlife Foundation

SUMMER 2007
1961-2007
AWF
Home to elephants,
rhinos and more,
African Heartlands
are conservation
landscapes large enough to sustain a diversity of
species for centuries to come. In these landscapes—
places like Kilimanjaro and Samburu—AWF and its
partners are pioneering lasting conservation
strategies that benefit wildlife and people alike.
Inside THIS ISSUE
Daryl & Sharna Balfour Art Wolfe
page 2
AWF’s New African President
In a move that deepens our roots in Africa, AWF’s
Board of Trustees names Helen Gichohi President.
The Mighty Zambezi River:
Keeping Wildlife Alive
and Nourishing Millions of People
page 4
Hippos: Lords of the River
A decade ago, there were some 160,000 hippos in
Africa. Today that number has dwindled to between
125,000 and 148,000.
page 6
A Golden Opportunity
AWF’s Craig Sholley reports on new opportunities
to see Virunga’s elusive golden monkey.
The Zambezi River is
Africa’s fourth largest
river. It supports
hundreds of bird species, many
large mammals like hippos and
black rhinos, and the world’s
largest herd of elephants. With
more than 250 species of fish,
this mighty river also feeds
millions of people.
Finding ways to protect the
health of the Zambezi River
basin has long been a focus of
AWF. In 1998, we identified the
basin’s vast network of
tributaries, acacia floodplains,
and interconnected wetlands as
so critical to the survival of large
herds of wildlife and rich
aquatic ecosystems that it
became one of AWF’s original
landscape-level priorities: the
Zambezi Heartland.
In January, thousands of
AWF members responded to
our Chairman’s appeal to help
support protected areas along
the lower Zambezi River. We
are grateful for your generous
donations and have already
put them to work in the field.
We are also delighted to
announce that in March,
The Nature Conservancy
joined AWF’s work in the
region by including the
Zambezi River in its Great
Rivers Partnership.
“Working together, AWF
and The Nature Conservancy
can harness enormous
resources to protect this river
and the wildlife and people
whose future depends on
keeping it healthy,” says
AWF’s Chief Executive
Officer Patrick Bergin. “AWF
has years of successful work
and relationships on the
ground in Africa, and The
Nature Conservancy brings
experience and expertise from
around the world.”
The conservation
challenge along the Zambezi is
formidable: rapid human
settlement, water pollution,
dams that alter the river’s
natural flow and flooding
patterns, deforestation,
www.awf.org
continued on page 3

2 African Wildlife News www.awf.org
Machache ~ A FEW WORDS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dennis J. Keller
chair
Matthew T. Weir
vice chair
Wariara Mbugua
secretary
Crandall C. Bowles
treasurer
Edward M. Armfield, Jr.
Robin Berkeley
Wendy McCrary Breck
Jacques J. Busquet
Paul Campbell
Stephen D. Cashin
Dale F. (Tucker) Dorn
Paul Fletcher
James L. Foght, Ph.D.
Donald C. Graham
Christine F. Hemrick
William E. (Wilber) James
Dr. William Kalema
Walter H. Kansteiner, III
Dorothy Kim
Robert E. King
Mark D. Kvamme
Shana Laursen
Victoria Leslie
James F. Makawa
Sir Ketumile Masire
Benjamin W. Mkapa
Eleanor G. Nalle
Kristina Persson
Dr. Mamphela A. Ramphele
Tia N. Roddy
Lisa M. Stevens
David Thomson
C. Bowdoin Train
John R. Walter
Richard W. Weening
trustees emeriti
Arthur W. Arundel
E.U. Curtis Bohlen
David Challinor, Ph.D.
Joan Donner
John H. Heminway
George C. Hixon
Richard M. Jackson
Henry P. McIntosh, IV
Sally Pingree
Stuart T. Saunders, Jr.
Russell E. Train
African Wildlife News
is published four times a year.
communications officer
Paul Thomson
©2007 African Wildlife Foundation
1400 16th Street, N.W., Suite 120
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-939-3333
202-939-3332 (fax)
1-888-494-5354
E-mail: awn@awf.org
Website: www.awf.org
CFC# 11219
Printed with soy-based ink
Recycled Paper
AWF’s New
African
President
One of the pillars
of the African
Wildlife
Foundation’s success in
Africa is the belief that
visionary conservation
leadership must emanate
from Africa itself. I am
pleased to announce that
AWF’s Board of Trustees
recently recognized such a
visionary by naming our
own Dr. Helen Gichohi as
President of AWF. This
bold move deepens our
roots in Africa. It is an
evolution in AWF’s
leadership that I have long
worked for, and it will be
my pleasure to continue to
serve as AWF’s Chief
Executive Officer.
It is visionary African
conservationists like Helen,
buttressed by support from
people and organizations
throughout the world
with an appreciation of
the unparalleled assets of
Africa’s wildlife and wild
lands, who will ensure that
African conservation
prospers Africa’s people as
it perpetuates Africa’s
unique species and
splendid landscapes.
A Kenyan national,
Helen holds a Ph.D. in
ecology and has been
working in conservation for
more than 15 years. Prior to
joining AWF in 2000, she
worked with the African
Conservation Center and
the Wildlife Conservation
Society. In 1998, Helen was
selected as one of five
Africans who briefed
President Bill Clinton on
Africa’s environmental
issues. For the past five
years, Helen has served as
AWF’s Vice President for
Program, a role requiring
outstanding technical
knowledge, vision, passion,
and managerial savvy. Her
training, experience, and
outstanding personal
attributes make Helen the
ideal first African president
of AWF.
“For conservation to
succeed in Africa, it
must be of, by, and
for its people.”
For conservation to
succeed in Africa, it must
be of, by and for its people.
That belief is at the heart
of AWF, one that makes us
virtually unique among
international conservation
organizations. Since our
founding in 1961, we have
helped thousands of
African citizens receive
higher education as park
wardens, wildlife managers
and scientists.
When we established
the African Heartlands
program as our overarching
wildlife and landscape
conservation strategy in
1998, we stretched the
envelope of conservation
theory and practice. While
traditional protected areas
remained at the core of
these Heartlands, we
recognized a clear need to
engage diverse private
citizens, tribal landholders,
local governments, and
others to protect habitats
large enough for wildlife to
disperse, migrate,
propagate, and thrive. This
is not something that can
be imposed on people, but
must grow through
engagement with them.
AWF is perfectly
positioned to meet this
challenge. More than 85
percent of our staff is
African. When they speak
about working with ‘local
communities,’ they are not
referring to a theoretical
concept. They are referring
in many cases to their own
aunts, uncles and cousins.
Helen’s new
appointment extends
AWF’s commitment to the
people of Africa as the first,
most important leaders for
conservation. With your
steadfast support, we will
continue to break the mold
as we help define the future
of conservation in Africa.
Dr. Patrick Bergin
AWF Chief Executive Officer
AWF/Paul Thomson

Cardo Kleberg
www.awf.org African Wildlife News 3
Zambezi: Keeping
Wildlife Alive
continued from page 1
incompatible agriculture, and
unsustainable fishing are all taking a toll.
“Maintaining the Zambezi’s role as a
functional lifeline from an ecological and
AWF and The Nature Conservancy are working with
communities in the Zambezi Heartland who depend on
the Zambezi River for fish, agriculture, and fresh water.
economic standpoint is the overall vision
for this initiative,” says Jimmiel Mandima,
Director for AWF’s Zambezi Heartland.
As part of this cooperative venture,
AWF and The Nature Conservancy will
work with government authorities and
other key stakeholders on a basin-wide
assessment that identifies critical ecosystems
and the major threats to them. AWF has
long understood that the only lasting
conservation solutions are those that
include African communities who have the
most at stake.
“Rivers must maintain their natural
ability to provide clean water, convey
floodwaters and vary their flow seasonally,”
says Michael Reuter, Director of the
Conservancy’s Great Rivers Partnership.
“Healthy rivers support all life.”
With your steadfast support, the
Zambezi River will continue to nourish the
wildlife and local communities whose
survival depends on it. ■
To learn more about AWF’s Zambezi
Heartland, or make a donation to help, visit
AWF’s website at www.awf.org/zambezi
News in Brief
Tarangire Lion
Project Roars Ahead
TANZANIA—If they stay within the
confines of the park—which they do for
most of the dry season—the lions of
Tarangire National Park stay fairly safe.
To survive however, the lions must follow
prey species which tend to migrate
outside the park during the long rainy
season. As the lions disperse onto
surrounding communal lands, they
frequently come into contact with their
human neighbors and their livestock.
And in some cases, when lions take
livestock, people retaliate by killing lions.
Bernard Kissui
Mighty River of Southern Africa
• The Zambezi is Africa’s fourth largest
river system, after the Nile, Congo, and
Niger rivers.
• This mighty river flows for 1,500 miles
through Zambia, Angola, Namibia,
Botswana, Zimbabwe, and
Mozambique on its journey from
central Africa to the Indian Ocean.
• The awesome power of the Zambezi
carved spectacular Victoria Falls
(pictured), one of the seven natural
wonders of the world.
• The Zambezi basin supports more
than 250 species of fish that are vital
to the ecosystem. Millions of people
in the region rely on the river’s fish,
including tigerfish and Vundu catfish,
for sustenance.
• Hundreds of bird species reside within
the Zambezi basin, including the
snake eagle, Marabou stork, and
African fish eagle.
• The Zambezi and its tributaries
provide habitat for many mammals,
including lions, zebras, hippos, buffalo,
black rhinos—and the world’s largest
herd of elephants.
• Rapid human settlement, water
pollution, dams that alter the river’s
natural flow, deforestation,
incompatible agriculture, and
unsustainable fishing are all taking a
toll on the Zambezi’s ecological health.
Daryl & Sharna Balfour
AWF lion researcher Bernard Kissui
is discovering that if human-lion clashes
continue, Tarangire’s lion population
could be wiped out.
Figuring out how to reduce conflicts
between lions and people is the next goal
for this project. Bernard’s research team
is testing lion-proof livestock enclosures
at key pilot sites. They use radio collars
to track lions (see photo) and map areas
outside the park that are most frequently
used by lions so livestock owners can
avoid them.
Much work remains to be done in
this multi-year project, but Bernard’s
research will ultimately help in the
development of village land-use plans
that reduce threats to Tarangire’s lions—
and protect the livelihoods of
surrounding communities, too. ■

4 African Wildlife News www.awf.org
FOCUS ON SPECIES—HIPPOS: LORD
Craig R. Sholley
Ask a child to describe a hippopotamus and
you’re likely to get a picture of a friendly,
mild-mannered beast wallowing in a river or
even dancing merrily in a tutu à la Disney’s Fantasia.
Indeed, the hippopotamus’ sedentary lifestyle and
roly-poly figure factor heavily in its popular image as
one of the quieter, gentler African mammals.
Mark Boulton/ICCE
The reality—as anyone who has
encountered one in the wild knows—is
that the hippopotamus is a force to be
reckoned with, the lord of African
waterways. Uniquely adapted to its
environment, larger and stronger than most
animals around it, the hippo is neither
quiet, nor gentle, nor necessarily benign.
According to local African lore, hippos kill
more humans each year than lions,
elephants, leopards and rhinos combined.
But as much as hippos pose a threat to
people, people pose a threat to hippos.
Though lions and crocodiles prey on
hippos, humans are the predators driving
hippos to the brink of extinction in parts
of Africa.
Hippos Yesterday and Today
The name hippopotamus comes from
the Greek hippos (horse) and potamos
(river), but this gigantic beast is not actually
related to its namesake. In fact, the hippo’s
closest living relatives are whales and
porpoises. Biologically, hippos have more in
common with whales than they do with
other even-toed ungulates, such as pigs.
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus
amphibius) was once common in most of
Africa except the Sahara. Today it is found
only in sub-Saharan countries, including
Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia,
and Zimbabwe.
A decade ago, there were about
160,000 hippos in Africa, but the
population has now dwindled to
between 125,000 and 148,000. Much of
this loss is attributed to the dramatic
decline of the hippo population in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The country's turbulent political
situation has allowed unregulated
hunting for hippo meat and ivory,
causing a 95 percent crash in its hippo
numbers. Sadly, the hippo has now
joined the ranks of species listed by the
World Conservation Union (IUCN) as
‘vulnerable,’ a designation that a species
is ‘at high risk of extinction.’

www.awf.org African Wildlife News 5
S OF THE RIVER
The ‘Other’ Hippo
There is another, much smaller
species of hippo called the pygmy
hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis).
Limited to very restricted ranges in West
Africa, it is a shy, solitary forest dweller.
The pygmy hippo’s status has recently
been changed from ‘vulnerable’ to
‘endangered,’ which means it is at ‘very
high risk of extinction.’
Perfect Adaptation: Head to Toe
During daylight hours, hippos spend
most of their time wallowing in shallow
water. But this inactive lifestyle belies the
true complexity of hippo behavior and
biology. In fact, many of its characteristics
demonstrate that it is extremely well
adapted for its watery environment.
With its eyes, ears and nostrils on the
top of its head, the hippo can hear, see and
breathe with most of its body underwater,
keeping cool and sheltered from the
tropical sun.
The hippo’s webbed toes splay out to
distribute the animal’s massive weight
evenly and support it on land. Its feet also
help it move through the water, as the
hippo is unable to float or swim. It moves
around by pushing off from the riverbed or
simply pressing through the water in a
slow-motion gallop, lightly touching the
bottom with its toes.
The hippopotamus—whose hide
alone can weigh half a ton—is the thirdlargest
living land mammal after elephants
and white rhinos. Dominant males can
weigh 6,000 pounds or more, while
females and most other males weigh
between 3,500 and 4,500 pounds. They
can live for 50 years.
Despite their weight, hippos are
surprisingly agile and often cross steep
banks each night to graze on grass. They
always enter and exit water at the same
spots and graze for four to five hours,
covering one or two miles, with extended
forays of up to five miles.
Though hippos occasionally battle
with crocodiles, more and more conflicts
are with humans. Capable of sprinting
faster than a person, hippos are fierce and
deadly when threatened.
Helping Hippos Survive
Because hippos live in fresh water,
they stand directly between people and
one of the most limited resources in
Africa. As agricultural development has
increased, the wetland, river and lake
habitats of hippos have been depleted. As
a result, hippos often raid waterside farms
for crops, increasing the risk of clashing
with people. Hundreds are shot each year
in “controlled management” schemes in
populated areas, despite the fact that they
are easily deterred by ditches or low
fences. Others are poached.
As dangers to hippos grow, the
conservation challenge grows more
complex. The key to ensuring their future
lies in an integrated approach to
conservation that looks not only at the
species itself, but at the needs of local
communities, land use, and the ecosystem
as a whole.
In the Democratic Republic of
Congo, AWF efforts will ultimately benefit
hippos and all the wildlife of the region.
We have underwritten a shipping project
on the Congo and Maringa Rivers to bring
agricultural products to market. As the
project’s cargo boat makes its way up and
down the waterways, it brings farmers’
goods to market for the first time in years.
In time, the return of river transport will
Hippos as Targets
In countries beset by civil unrest,
where food supplies for humans are
severely limited, hippos are poached for
their meat. Some are also killed for their
tusk-like teeth, which can grow up to a
foot or longer and which, unlike elephant
tusks, do not yellow with age.
Habitat destruction and human
suffering caused by recent warfare in the
help farmers re-establish their livelihoods,
while reducing the destruction of local
forests and wildlife. Meanwhile, along the
lower Zambezi River—another area where
hippos abound—AWF is working with the
Zambia Wildlife Authority to pump life
back into Lower Zambezi National Park.
The park’s lack of crucial resources
hampers its efforts to protect the region’s
wildlife. AWF plans to help with vehicles,
fuel, GPS tracking equipment, tents, and
food rations for park patrols.
Removing incentives for poaching,
protecting habitats, and empowering local
communities are key to securing a safe
future for hippos in the wild. The success
of each depends on your continued and
generous support. ■
Visit www.awf.org to learn more about hippos
and AWF conservation projects that help them.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
has caused a dramatic decline in the hippo
population there. Numbers in DRC’s
Virunga National Park dropped from
29,000 in the 1970s to about 900, raising
concerns about the survival of that
population. Local militia groups, poorly
paid Congolese soldiers, and others have
been responsible for poaching the animals,
probably for money and meat.
Craig R. Sholley

6 African Wildlife News www.awf.org
A Golden Opportunity
by Craig Sholley
Over the past several decades, thousands of people have
traveled to Rwanda and Uganda to spend a magical
hour in the presence of mountain gorillas on the slopes of
central Africa’s majestic Virunga Mountains. Recently,
however, I was treated to another Virunga adventure that
both surprised and delighted me: tracking a troop of golden
monkeys—a lovely primate found only in the bamboo forests
of this misty volcanic chain.
The golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) weighs
10 to 25 pounds and has a light russet-brown body, cheeks
and tail with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail-end.
Little is presently known about its ecological requirements,
and its numbers have not yet been determined. Sharing the
lofty montane forests of the Virungas with its great ape
relatives, the golden monkey faces some of the same threats as
mountain gorillas, including snares set for small antelopes and
human encroachment on its habitat.
Over the course of my work with mountain gorillas, I had
seen this elusive primate, but most encounters were fleeting
flashes of gold as the monkeys acrobatically propelled
themselves from one stand of bamboo to another and then
quickly disappeared. Given past encounters, I was skeptical
when I heard that several troops of golden monkeys had been
‘habituated’ in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and I kept
my expectations in check.
Arriving at Volcanoes National Park headquarters early
to meet our guide, we had a brief orientation about forest and
monkey ‘etiquette.’ Then we drove over rough roads to a wellworn
path. Entering dense stands of bamboo interspersed
with open glades, we hiked at 9,000 feet on narrow trails for
about 45 minutes. Sounds of movement ahead of us halted
our guide, and he turned to inform us that we would be
spending one hour with the monkeys and our time started
now. I was pleased to learn that strict guidelines similar to
those adopted for viewing gorillas are being used for golden
monkey visits.
Our group moved forward quietly, in perfect position
for a natural history extravaganza, but the wildlife ‘stars’
were ‘no-shows.’ Just as my earlier skepticism began to
return, a large male golden monkey confidently strode
across a stalk of bamboo no more than 20 feet from me.
Seemingly unfazed by the group’s presence, he perched in
plain view and began feeding on bamboo leaves.
We then watched in amazement as nearly 50 more
monkeys crossed in front of us. The real show was about to
begin. One of the females moved to a gap in the bamboo. A
dozen feet or more of thin air separated her from the next
clump. Contemplating the distance for about 30 seconds, she
spring-boarded from her roost to the next stand. For the next
half-hour, our group of elated onlookers watched as monkey
after monkey made the leap. The hour passed, and all too
soon it was time to depart.
Two groups of golden monkeys have now been
habituated. As a result, researchers are learning more about
this little-known species and how best to protect it. Carefully
timed visits allow tourists to observe another rare primate in
its native habitat. And both bring economic and conservation
benefits to the national park, the local community and, in the
long term, the elusive golden monkey. ■
Craig R. Sholley
AWF’s Craig Sholley has lived in or been traveling to Africa for more than 30 years.
A knowledgeable and engaging safari traveler, Craig leads AWF member safaris.
Travel with AWF This Winter!
December 3 – 14, 2007
Are you ready to take the African safari of a lifetime
AWF and Ker & Downey Safaris Ltd. are leading a
spectacular African safari this December in Kenya. The
safari showcases some of the country’s most spectacular
wildlife viewing areas, and offers ‘behind-the-scenes’
interactions with some of the country’s prominent
conservationists and scientific researchers. ■
For more information, please contact Craig Sholley at
csholley@awf.org or call 1-202-939-3339.

www.awf.org African Wildlife News 7
Avis Goodwin’s
Legacy Lives On
Her Bequest Continues to
Safeguard the Wildlife She Loved
When Avis Goodwin joined AWF in 1990, she was drawn to
our work to safeguard elephants, lions and other large
mammals. She was also deeply committed to AWF’s belief that the
future of Africa’s wildlife lies in providing educational and
professional opportunities for young African conservationists.
“Avis served as my
friend and mentor…
emphasizing that
education gives one
the right to choose and
think wisely…to make
this earth a better
place to live.”
—AWF’s Josephine
Simon
The bequest Ms. Goodwin left
to AWF when she died in 2003 has
supported many important projects
dear to her heart, including our
elephant research in West
Kilimanjaro, and lion monitoring
studies in Kazungula.
Ms. Goodwin’s legacy also lives
on in the African women whose
conservation careers she helped
financed. Among them is Josephine
Simon, an AWF Community Conservation Officer who works
with Maasai women helping them manage, conserve, and benefit
from their natural resources. After studying in the United States,
Josephine returned to her native Tanzania in 1998, where she
worked as an AWF intern. When her internship ended in 2000,
Josephine received a scholarship from Ms. Goodwin to pursue her
studies in environmental resource management.
“Avis served as my friend and mentor,” says Josephine. “She
encouraged my academic efforts, often emphasizing that education
gives one the right to choose and think widely, that the knowledge
received—if used properly—will make this earth a better place to live.”
A resident of Santa Barbara, California, at the time of her death,
Avis Goodwin was born in
“Providing educational
Maine. She held a master’s degree
opportunities allows
in psychology and counseling,
Africans to play critical
worked in public schools in
roles in achieving a
California, became active in local,
national, and international
balance between using
wildlife issues, and credited her and preserving their
love of elephants to a trip to natural resources.”
Africa that changed her life. —Avis Goodwin
It was during an interview in 2003, however, that Ms. Goodwin
elaborated on her interest in AWF’s education programs. “Education
promotes freedom, and opens doors that otherwise would not exist,”
said Ms. Goodwin. “Providing educational opportunities allows
Africans to play critical roles in achieving a balance between using and
preserving their natural resources. Educating girls and young women
is a critical part of this.”
Through her vision, commitment, generosity, and far-sighted
estate planning, Avis Goodwin’s legacy will continue to help the
wildlife and people of Africa for many years to come. ■
Looking for New
Ways to Help
Africa’s Wildlife
Your IRA May Be the Key—But
You Must Act by December 31st
If you're looking for a tax-effective way to increase your
support to AWF’s wildlife conservation programs, your
individual retirement account (IRA) may well be the best
choice.
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 presents a new giving
opportunity—but the deadline for action is Dec. 31, 2007.
The law allows individuals aged 70 or older to make gifts
now to qualified charitable organizations like AWF using
funds transferred directly from their IRAs. Furthermore, these
individuals will not have to pay taxes on the amounts
transferred. You can transfer any amount you desire up to
$100,000 on or before Dec. 31, 2007.
Benefits to You
• The transfer counts toward your minimum required
distribution as long as you have not yet received
your 2007 distribution.
• The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a
tax deduction, so you will receive the benefit even if
you do not itemize your tax deductions.
• You can increase the conservation impact your
philanthropic dollars provide for Africa’s wildlife.
How the New Law Works
Sandy, aged 73, has $150,000 in an IRA. She had been
thinking of substantially increasing her annual contribution to
AWF this year with a gift of $5,000 or more. She had the
choice of giving cash or other assets. Now she has another
option. If she transfers $5,000 to AWF from her IRA on or
before Dec. 31, 2007, she can avoid paying income tax on
$5,000—a huge benefit, even though she cannot use the
donation as a charitable deduction. The Pension Protection
Act gives her an easy and convenient way to benefit Africa’s
wildlife without tax complications.
Another tax-smart strategy is to name AWF as beneficiary
of all or a portion of your IRA assets. By naming the African
Wildlife Foundation as beneficiary of your IRA, you can leave
a gift that is free of all income and estate taxes because AWF is
a qualified charitable organization. ■
If you would like assistance in completing a gift from your IRA—or
more information on other estate planning opportunities—please
contact AWF’s Planned Giving Office, toll-free at 1-888-494-5354 or
plannedgiving@awf.org.

Pat Miller
8 African Wildlife News www.awf.org
Wildlife WATCH
At least one meerkat takes
sentry duty when the
troop is above ground.
Standing on its hind legs,
the sentry’s job is to scan
for predators that might
harm the others.
The meerkat is a small African mammal whose
gregarious antics were popularized by
Timon, one of the animated ‘stars’ of Disney’s The
Lion King. The species’ tight knit family structure
is also the subject of Meerkat Manor, a televised
‘soap opera’ based on the actual field studies of
Cambridge University scientists.
A distinctive-looking mongoose with a tan or
gray coat, pale underside, and black ringed eyes,
the meerkat (Suricata suricatta) weighs about 1.5
pounds and stands about a foot tall. When up on
its hind legs, balancing its slender body on its tail
with its front legs dangling like two arms, the
meerkat’s posture seems uncannily human.
Found in the dry open country of
southwestern Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and
South Africa, meerkats live in troops of up to 30
individuals. Their home range typically includes
several burrows spaced 160 to 330 feet apart. A
troop will occupy the same underground dens
every night for months, sometimes even years.
Meerkat
When the meerkats emerge, usually well
after sunrise, they spend some time sunbathing
until it’s time to forage for the beetle larvae,
termites, crickets, spiders, and other invertebrates
that are the mainstay of their diet. While foraging,
at least one meerkat stands sentry—up on its hind
legs or perched in a bush or tree—scanning the
skies for the eagles and hawks that are their main
predators. When danger is near, this sentry sends
out a distinctive call to warn the others.
Within their own troops, meerkats are
extremely cooperative. They maintain visual and
vocal contact with noises that sound like
murmured human conversation. Non-breeding
members of both sexes help with the care and
feeding of the troop’s young. Scientists continue
to be intrigued by the meerkat’s highly
cooperative lifestyle and its well-developed sense
of play. ■
Matching Gift
Challenge Over
the Top!
With an overwhelming show of
support from you, our members,
the matching gift challenge offered by
AWF’s Chairman Dennis Keller earlier
this year far exceeded its original
$600,000 goal. Countless numbers of
Africa’s most imperiled wildlife will
benefit as a result.
We are deeply grateful to our
Chairman for his leadership in pledging
$600,000 of his own funds as a pool for
this matching gift opportunity. “I couldn’t
think of a more concrete way to express
my personal commitment,” says Mr.
Keller, “and I am truly impressed by the
generosity of AWF members.”
Combined with an impressive
response from AWF’s Baobab Society, a
special group of donors who make
contributions of $1,000 or more annually,
you helped us meet the Chairman’s
challenge—and then some!
While this provides a welcome boost
to our programs, there are still many
worthwhile conservation opportunities
that need funding. So as we pause to
reflect on reaching—and exceeding—one
important goal, let us also redouble our
commitment to the African wildlife we
are working together to safeguard now
and long into the future.
Thank you for your support—and
your extraordinary generosity! ■
Here’s My Special Additional Contribution!
YES, I can see that my membership contributions are being put to good
use—and to honor 45 years of AWF conservation accomplishments, I
want to do even more to help Africa’s wildlife. Please use the enclosed
tax-deductible donation where it is most urgently needed:
❑ $25 ❑ $50 ❑ $75 ❑ $100 ❑ $500 ❑ $_____
DONATE WITH
CONFIDENCE
TODAY!
Billy Dodson
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
PHONE
■
Please send me information about...
___including AWF in my will.
___gifts that pay me income for life.
___I have already included AWF in
my estate plans.
Please visit our website at www.awf.org.
E-MAIL ADDRESS
■
Please send me your online newsletter,
AWF Africa News Online, so I can
receive special updates on breaking
news affecting the wildlife and wild
lands of Africa.
Thank you! Please detach this form and return it with your tax-deductible
gift in the enclosed envelope to: African Wildlife Foundation,
1400 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Suite 120, Washington, D.C. 20036.
If you have questions, call us at 1-888-494-5354. Or, e-mail us at
Africanwildlife@awf.org.
A081