July 10, 2009: Ecotourism Threatened

[xoxoxoBruce]

Africa has been wracked with poverty and little hope of better days, for centuries.

Colonialism, tribal conflicts, civil wars, uncivil wars, etc, have kept the majority of
the people poor and un/under educated.

Of course poor and un/under educated, leads to more colonialism, tribal conflicts,
civil wars, uncivil wars, etc.

With the help of outside funding to establish reserves and pay locals to guard the animals,
the plan seemed to be working moderately well in some areas.

It's been a vicious circle for a long, long, time.




There has been a shocking decline of their big natural resource, wildlife.

Poaching Ivory, and body parts for the Asian medical markets, supplies income to buy food,
and the need for quick protein in the form of bush meat.

You can't farm successfully in the middle of war, or when the wildlife is eating your crops.

Ecotourism has been touted as the great white hope.

Ecotourists would pay big bucks to see the wild animals, if you don't kill & eat them first.

It seemed to be working well in some areas and the animals were doing their part.


But now, it appears the Cheetahs are screwing up the plan by attacking the tourists.




Bad kitty... let my tourists go.