CONSERVATION CASE STUDY - Hoedspruit Cheetah Project and the Endangered King Cheetah

Image of King Cheetah via Wikipedia

Hoedspruit Cheetah Project and the Endangered King Cheetah by Mark Bottell

Conser- vation volunteers regularly flock to Hoedspruit Cheetah Project to help with the rehabilitation of these big cats. But whilst many people have heard all about cheetahs few people have heard of the enigmatic king cheetah. But with so few sightings in the wild who can blame them?

The king cheetah was first spotted in Zimbabwe in 1926 where it was considered to be an entirely different animal to the standard cheetah. However, although the king cheetahs may look a little different from the other cheetahs that you may spot at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project in truth they are exactly the same animal.

The most notable difference between the two leopards is their distinct coat pattern which features three stripes along its back. It was later discovered that these distinctive stripes were actually the result of a rare form of genetic mutation. King cheetahs must hold a recessive gene from both their parents which explains why the condition is so rare.

Although the condition may be rare, staff at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project have been successful in breeding these exotic cats. This is an important exercise as it expands the gene pool of the species. Conservation volunteers at Hoedspruit Cheetah Project often see first hand the effects of inbreeding, and with so few cheetahs left in the wild the young are often born with crooked teeth and bent tails which shows how important it is to ensure that that the gene pool is successfully expanded to include rare sub-species of cheetah such as the king.

Conservation volunteers at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project are guaranteed plenty of hands-on experience with a particular emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetahs in captivity. Twice a week conservation volunteers will even have the opportunity to feed these elusive big cats which is definitely an experience in itself. There is also the opportunity to assist in veterinary treatment should any arise whilst you are on your animal rehabilitation experience.

As well as the hands-on experience students will attend weekly lectures on conservation, which include plenty of information from subjects as diverse as the biomes that make up the cheetah's natural habitat to presentations on the genetic makeup of the king cheetah.

Whilst at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project, conservation volunteers will have the opportunity to explore many notable places of interest from white water rafting opportunities over South Africa's infamous Blyde River Canyon to early morning hot air balloon trips over the Kruger National Park, which provide a unique viewpoint in which to spot South Africa's Big Five, from elephants munching on leafy trees to lions basking in the long grass. Who knows if you're incredibly lucky you may even get to spot a rare king cheetah from the safe confines of your basket.

Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks upon which you can participate in the Hoedspruit Cheetah project, and other conservation volunteering gap years for grown-ups.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Bottell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hoedspruit-Cheetah-Project-and-the-Endangered-King-Cheetah&id=2549603

http://thezeitgeistischanging.blogspot.com/
http://psychedelichippiefashion.blogspot.com/
http://psychedelichippiemusic.blogspot.com/
http://www.soul-flower.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=SOS&AFFIL=Robert_Muller

CLIMATE CHANGE CASE STUDY: Energy Performance Certificate Set To Target Climate Change

Image via Wikipedia

by Dominic Donaldson

In a bid to address the impact of modern living on the global climate, govern- ments around the world are introducing measures that will help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It is believed that the degree of climate change can be lessened by introducing energy efficiency into everyday living and using renewable energy. As such, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has been introduced in the UK. We take a look at what an Energy Performance Certificate is and how it can help in the battle against global warming.

Having an Energy Performance Certificate is now mandatory within the UK and must be presented to all new tenants or property buyers. It provides the property with a score based on how energy efficient the building is. This score is calculated by assessing various aspects of a building such as insulation, glazing and heating. If the property is double glazed, has an insulated loft and energy efficient heating, then it will achieve a higher score.

The type of energy a property uses is also assessed, and if that energy is from renewable sources then this will help achieve a more favourable rating. For properties that do not score well, there is advice on how to run a more energy efficient building by improving insulation and using renewable energy. It is hoped that the information from an assessment will encourage property owners to adopt a greener approach, which in turn will lower emissions and thereby help meet EU targets.

Energy Performance Certificates were implemented as a result of an EU directive that was drawn up to meet the demands of the Kyoto Protocol. The directive states that all countries within the European Union will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8 per cent by 2010, bringing them below 1990 levels. The Kyoto Protocol was implemented to help stabilize and hopefully mitigate the levels of gasses in the atmosphere that contribute to global warming.

The treaty was introduced in 1991 to guard against a continuing rise in emissions that could cause irreversible and detrimental changes to the world's climate. As well as targeting carbon dioxide emissions, the treaty also restricts the release of other greenhouse gasses which include methane and nitrous oxide. By introducing an Energy Performance Certificate, which is an integral part of a Home Information Pack, property owners are able to identify and address areas that could be improved to be more energy efficient, thereby help combat global warming.

Dom Donaldson is an environmental expert.
Find out more about an Energy Performance Certificate at http://www.nationalenergyrating.co.uk

http://thezeitgeistischanging.blogspot.com/
http://psychedelichippiemusic.blogspot.com/
http://psychedelichippiefashion.blogspot.com/
http://www.soul-flower.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=SOS&AFFIL=Robert_Muller