Wildlife often finds itself displaced as human population increases pressing into  natural environments where animals live. This bobcat kitten was very lucky to be rescued although the person who found it didn't realise that was what it was at first. It's always worthwhile to help an animal in distress I think and I've done so many times myself. Of course a feisty wildcat kitten can be a ball of teeth and claws and caution needs to be taken.

It's amazing how innovative some conservation efforts have become in an effort to reduce human animal conflict. Elephants are facing one of the biggest battles for survival not only from poaching but the ever increasing threat of retaliatory killing because they have trampled or eaten native peoples crops. As farming practices changes and people forge more and more into the wild conflict is inevitable but some creative thinking is reducing unnecessary deaths.

Step 1: Shine very bright flashing lights at the elephant
Step 2: Sound off a very loud air horn
Step 3: Throw a “chili cloud” — chili powder mixed with sand and a lit firecracker inside of a condom — near where the elephant is grazing
Step 4: Set off a roman candle — they are loud, bright, and a little scary!

Its a year since we all read the story of Cecil a magnificent 13 year old lion killed in Zimbabwe by the now infamous American dentist Palmer. The world was outraged at the cowardice and sheer brutality of such a  senseless act of cruelty towards this lion who was collared and had been part of a study by a British team of biologists. The world should be outraged by trophy hunters like Palmer with no remorse for what they do and the damage they do by killing these animals that are so much a part of the survival of a species. What has changed since Cecil prompted us to take to social media and express out disgust and horror ? It seems a lot but is it enough. If nothing else Cecil's death shone a very bright light on trophy hunters and the fact that they have largely been able to just go anywhere and kill anything they want if they have enough money. Since Cecil died airlines have changed their policies about carrying trophy hunted animals, certain countries have banned the importation of trophy hunted animals and body parts. America declared it law that lions be given the status of endangered which is a terribly important move to protect them but how much has really changed in Africa ? We can take heart that the legacy of Cecil lives on in his offspring, many cubs thriving and healthy that are his progeny and may they live on as symbols of a species whose magnificence is undeniable, their place in the world undisputed. Africa will not be Africa without them.