In a tragic incident near Kajiado, Kenya, 14-year-old Peace Mwende lost her life to a lion attack, a stark reminder of the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region. The incident occurred less than a kilometer from the author’s home, where lions are frequently spotted, even in residential areas. Nairobi’s unique proximity to Nairobi National Park has long been a source of pride, but rapid urbanization and shrinking wildlife habitats are intensifying the challenges. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) faces a dual mandate: protecting endangered species like lions, whose population has dwindled to just over 2,000, and ensuring the safety of residents who share their space with these predators. KWS has implemented measures such as feeding interventions during lean seasons, but the encroachment of residential and industrial developments on traditional migratory corridors threatens the delicate balance. Non-government initiatives offer small incentives to landowners to keep their properties unfenced, but the question remains: will these efforts suffice? The lack of public awareness on how to coexist with predators exacerbates the issue. The author recounts personal experiences, including a close encounter with a lioness during a safari and a harrowing incident where a neighbor was killed by a lion. While KWS has taken steps to mitigate risks, such as shooting lions involved in fatal attacks, the shrinking habitat and diminishing prey availability for lions suggest that conflicts will only escalate. The author, a seasoned journalist, reflects on the duality of living amidst such a unique yet perilous environment, expressing both grief for the lives lost and hope for sustainable solutions that preserve Nairobi’s remarkable wilderness.
分类： society
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Chad cuts ties with wildlife charity linked to Prince Harry
The Chadian government has officially terminated its 15-year agreement with African Parks, a prominent conservation organization that counts Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, among its board members. The decision comes amid allegations that the charity failed to effectively combat poaching in two of Chad’s key protected areas: the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which includes Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks. The government also accused African Parks of displaying an ‘arrogant and disrespectful attitude’ and insufficient cooperation with local authorities. In response, the charity stated it has initiated discussions with the environment ministry to understand the government’s stance and explore future conservation efforts. This development marks another setback for Prince Harry’s philanthropic endeavors, following his recent resignation from Sentebale, a charity he founded to support children orphaned by AIDS in Botswana and Lesotho. African Parks, established in 2000, manages over 20 million hectares of protected areas across 12 countries, aiming to ensure ecological, social, and financial sustainability. The organization has faced criticism in the past, including allegations of employee misconduct in the Republic of Congo and a refusal to publish an independent report on the matter. Despite its high-profile donors, including the European Union and heirs to the Walmart and Buffett fortunes, the charity now faces scrutiny over its effectiveness and governance.
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Young boy dies in road traffic incident
A tragic road traffic accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Rathmintin, Jobstown, Dublin, resulting in the death of a young boy. The incident took place at approximately 14:00 local time outside a residential property. Emergency services swiftly transported the boy to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, where he was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. The Gardaí, Ireland’s national police service, have initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. Forensic experts conducted a technical examination of the scene to gather crucial evidence. The community has been left in shock and mourning as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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Everest hikers guided to safety after being stranded by blizzard
In a dramatic rescue operation, 580 hikers stranded near Mount Everest due to severe weather have been safely evacuated to the Tibetan township of Qudang and surrounding areas. The rescue, reported by Chinese state media CCTV on Tuesday, also included 300 local guides, yak handlers, and support staff. A final group of approximately 10 hikers, accompanied by rescue workers, has reached a rendezvous point equipped with heating, oxygen, and emergency supplies but has yet to arrive in Qudang. The hikers were trapped at an altitude exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) after heavy snowfall blocked their route on Everest’s eastern slopes over the weekend. The unexpected blizzard occurred during China’s Golden Week holiday, a peak tourism season. October is typically favored for hiking in the Everest region due to clear skies and moderate temperatures. Hundreds of hikers had ventured onto the Karma Valley trail, a scenic but less-traveled route offering views of the world’s highest peak. The snowfall, which began on Friday evening and intensified over the weekend, caught even experienced guides off guard. One trekker, a veteran of over a dozen Himalayan expeditions, described the conditions as unprecedented. Among the stranded, several individuals showed signs of hypothermia, with one group reporting snow depths of up to a meter during their retreat. The rescue effort mobilized police, firefighters, and hundreds of Tibetan volunteers. In a related incident, one hiker in Qinghai province died from hypothermia and altitude sickness, while 137 others were evacuated. Meanwhile, neighboring Nepal has faced torrential rains, causing severe flooding and landslides that have claimed over 50 lives.
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Two Austrian women switched at birth meet 35 years later
In a remarkable turn of events, two Austrian women, Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner, who were accidentally switched at birth in 1990, have finally met each other after 35 years. The incident occurred at the LKH-Uniklinikum hospital in Graz, where both women were born prematurely. Shortly after their births, a mix-up led to them being handed to the wrong families. The truth began to unravel in 2012 when Doris discovered her blood type did not match her parents’ during a blood donation. Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported on the case in 2016, but the other family remained elusive at the time. Jessica, raised by Herbert and Monika Derler, learned of the switch when a doctor informed her about the mismatched blood types during her pregnancy. The two women connected via Facebook and eventually met in person, describing the encounter as akin to meeting a long-lost sister. ‘We got along right away,’ Doris shared. ‘It was an indescribably good feeling.’ The families also met recently, with the emotional reunion captured by an ORF TV crew. Mrs. Derler expressed her initial ’emotional turmoil’ but emphasized that Jessica would always be her child, while Evelin Grünwald reflected on the expansion of her family. Gebhard Falzberger, the hospital’s operations manager, apologized to both families, acknowledging the grave mistake. Legal steps were taken in 2016 to secure Doris’s inheritance rights and compensation, and the Derlers are now pursuing similar measures. Jessica described the clarity as a relief but admitted to the emotional complexity of the situation, highlighting both the beauty and pain of the experience.
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German mayor critically injured in stabbing attack, police say
A shocking act of violence has rocked the small town of Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as newly-elected mayor Iris Stalzer was stabbed near her home, leaving her in critical condition. Stalzer, a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), assumed office in September after winning the mayoral election. Local authorities have launched a major police operation in the area, though specific details about the incident remain undisclosed. Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, describing it as a ‘heinous act’ and expressing deep concern for Stalzer’s life while wishing for her full recovery. The SPD has also voiced its profound shock over the assault. According to reports from Germany’s Bild newspaper, Stalzer’s two adopted children, aged 17 and 15, were inside the family home at the time of the incident, though this has yet to be officially confirmed by authorities. The attack has sparked widespread alarm, raising questions about the safety of public officials in Germany.
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Gold demand puts Peru’s Amazon at greater risk from mercury poisoning, bishop warns
As gold prices reach unprecedented levels, a prominent Catholic leader in Peru’s Amazon region is calling on gold-importing nations to address the rampant illegal mining that is contaminating rivers with mercury. Miguel Ángel Cadenas, a Spanish Augustinian missionary who has lived in the Amazon for 30 years, highlights the alarming increase in illegal mining since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rivers such as the Tigre, Nanay, Napo, and Putumayo are now hotspots of mercury pollution, posing severe risks to local communities. Scientific tests reveal mercury levels in fish exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits, while hair samples from residents show dangerously high concentrations. Cadenas warns that the Amazonian diet, heavily reliant on fish, is leading to food insecurity and health crises in a region already lacking adequate medical services. Mercury, used extensively in small-scale gold mining, contaminates water, accumulates in fish, and causes neurological and developmental harm in humans. Research in Peru’s Madre de Dios region found 43% of women of childbearing age and nearly 80% of residents in Amazonian villages exceed WHO mercury safety thresholds. Cadenas emphasizes the need for better public awareness and alternative food sources, as many locals remain uninformed about the dangers. He also calls for stronger traceability systems to prevent illegally mined gold from entering global markets. Countries like China, the UAE, the UK, and Switzerland, which are major gold buyers, must enforce stricter regulations, he argues. Cadenas further highlights the escalating violence against environmental defenders in the Amazon, with illegal miners often linked to armed groups. Despite Peru’s efforts, including Operation Mercury in 2019, illegal mining persists, fueled by cross-border mercury smuggling. The recent Amazon Water Summit in Iquitos brought together 400 participants from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil to discuss solutions, but Cadenas stresses that international action is essential to curb the demand for illicit gold and protect the Amazon’s fragile ecosystem.
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Burbank and other US airports see delays as shutdown hits air travel
The Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles experienced a significant disruption on Monday evening as air traffic control operations were left unmanned for nearly six hours due to staffing shortages. This incident, part of a broader crisis exacerbated by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across multiple airports, including Newark, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, and Burbank. Delays ranged from 40 to 60 minutes, according to flight data. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that some air traffic controllers are calling in sick, citing the stress of working without pay during the shutdown, now in its seventh day. He estimated that staffing levels have plummeted to 50% in some areas. Air traffic controllers, classified as essential workers, are required to work without pay during government shutdowns. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), representing over 20,000 professionals, has warned employees that absenteeism could result in termination. Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority, even if it means delays or cancellations. He expressed concern that controllers are distracted by financial worries, such as paying mortgages, rather than focusing on their critical duties. The shutdown, which began on October 1 after lawmakers failed to resolve a budget dispute, has left approximately 750,000 federal workers on unpaid leave. This situation mirrors the 2019 shutdown, which strained air travel and ultimately led to its resolution after 35 days. The current deadlock in Congress shows no signs of ending, raising fears of further disruptions to air travel and other essential services.
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Canadian marine park threatens to euthanise 30 beluga whales
Marineland, a Canadian amusement park located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has sparked widespread outrage after threatening to euthanize 30 beluga whales due to its financial struggles and the Canadian government’s refusal to approve their transfer to a theme park in China. The park, which houses the largest captive group of beluga whales in Canada, had sought to relocate the cetaceans to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China, following years of animal welfare concerns and financial instability. However, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson denied the export permit, citing Canada’s 2019 fisheries legislation that prohibits the use of whales and dolphins for entertainment. Thompson stated that approving the transfer would have perpetuated the animals’ life in captivity and subjected them to public entertainment, a fate she could not endorse. Marineland then requested federal funding to continue caring for the whales, but this was also denied, with Thompson labeling the request as ‘inappropriate.’ Facing a ‘critical financial state’ and unable to provide adequate care, Marineland has now warned that euthanasia may be the only option. Animal welfare advocates have condemned the park’s actions, with organizations like Animal Justice and World Animal Protection calling for provincial intervention to ensure the whales’ safety and well-being. The controversy follows years of scrutiny over Marineland’s treatment of its marine life, including the deaths of 20 beluga whales since 2019 and a 2020 investigation that found all marine life at the park to be under distress.
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Funeral Mass held for O’Connor family in County Louth
The close-knit community of County Louth gathered in profound sorrow at St. Patrick’s Church in Dundalk to bid farewell to the O’Connor family, who tragically lost their lives in a devastating incident. Louise O’Connor, 56, her husband Mark O’Connor, 54, and their son Evan O’Connor, 27, who had additional needs, were found deceased at their rural residence in Drumgowna on September 29. The joint funeral Mass, presided over by Fr. Gerry Campbell, the administrator for Louth parish, was a poignant tribute to the deeply cherished family. Fr. Campbell reflected on the outpouring of admiration, affection, and grief expressed by countless individuals who knew the O’Connors. He emphasized the family’s unity in love, describing Evan as the embodiment of his parents’ joy, pride, and world. Mark was remembered for his tireless advocacy for individuals with special needs and his unwavering commitment to justice and compassion. ‘Mark gave himself completely for the good of others,’ Fr. Campbell remarked, highlighting his passion for running and his encouragement to others to persevere. Louise was celebrated for her vivacious spirit, warmth, and musical talent, as well as her compassionate nature. ‘Her heart was alive with love,’ Fr. Campbell shared, noting her deep devotion to Mark and Evan, whom she cared for with gentleness and humor. Evan’s vibrant personality and love for life were also fondly recalled, from his enthusiasm for holidays and swimming to his quirky fashion choices and joy in community activities. ‘His love was unfiltered and wholehearted,’ Fr. Campbell said. The funeral was followed by a private cremation service. In a related development, Robert O’Connor, 31, of Drumgowna, appeared before Drogheda District Court on September 30, charged with three counts of murder. The community continues to grapple with the profound loss of a family that touched so many lives.