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The Last Lions
R750.00Lions are the stuff of legends. Revered and feared in equal measure, both majestic and terrifying, they once reigned supreme over an extensive domain. But this once-dominant beast’s original range has contracted by some 85%, and the world population is thought to have dropped to just over 20,000 individuals. The IUCN Red Data List now classifies lions as Vulnerable, and the West African subpopulation as Critically Endangered. Not only are lion numbers crashing, but the remaining populations cling to their existence on ever smaller, more fragmented pockets of land. Feared and despised by farmers trying to eke out a living on marginal land, lions are increasingly being exterminated or repurposed for commercial gain. Trophy hunters pay extortionate sums to bag specimens in their prime, and lion bones are being sold for the roaring Eastern trade in ‘tiger wine’.
This landmark book aims to halt the downward spiral. It takes you on a journey across the continent and into the lives of rangers, scientists and communities, and the majestic creatures they work to conserve. Along with the bad news about today’s lions, it offers a message of hope, showing how innovative conservationists are rethinking our approach to human-lion coexistence.
This book, with its searing, inspiring images and vivid accounts from the experts and foot-soldiers of conservation, brings the plight of lions to the attention of the world and is an urgent plea for the actions that need to be taken before it’s too late.
Addresses the alarming state of lion populations today.
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Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa
R570.00Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa – Including Angola, Zambia & Malawi
Southern Africa has a wealth of mammal fauna, and is home to about 530 species, including tiny shrews, intriguing pangolins and majestic whales. All the species that occur in the region are featured in this updated sixth edition of Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa.
This comprehensive guide features:
• Fully updated text based on the most recent research and taxonomy.
• Detailed species accounts describing key identification characteristics, behaviour, habitat, diet, reproduction and longevity.
• Visual identification tools, including full-colour photographs, spoor and size icons, and skull photographs.
• Up-to-date distribution maps showing the geographical range of each species within the region.The ultimate guide for identifying and understanding the mammals of the region
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Tracker Manual
R480.00Featuring all-new spoor drawings, some 200 new photographs, and an extra 35 species, this fully revised and updated edition of the ever-popular Tracker Manual is packed with the latest on the art of tracking. Based on information developed by some of southern Africa’s best traditional trackers, Tracker Manual gives even more guidance on how to identify the spoor of some 190 animal species. Individual chapters cover carnivores, large mammals, antelopes, small mammals, primates, hares and rodents, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and insects. Each account contains:- Simple, bulleted text on key points of each animal’s tracks
- Clear, accurate track drawings
- Numerous informative photographs, sometimes annotated
- A list of similar tracks (where applicable) to avoid misidentification.
An instructive introduction describes the science of tracking and outlines what to look for in the field, while a quick-reference table compares tracks that are easily confused. This detailed and richly illustrated manual to the region’s most common animal tracks and signs will prove invaluable in the field. -
Soogdier-Safari Aktiwiteitsboek
R180.00Hierdie prettige aktiwiteitsboek is propvol speletjies, blokraaisels, doolhowe en kopkrappers oor Afrika se soogdiere, asook interessante het-jy-geweet-brokkies. Meer as 70 verskillende spesies pryk op die blaaie: van die yslike olifant tot die kleine duinmol.Dié kleurvolle, aangrypende boek is ideaal vir kinders tussen ses en nege. Dit tref ’n goeie balans tussen eenvoudige aktiwiteite, soos ‘vind die pad deur die doolhof ’en ‘soek die verskille’, en meer uitdagende kopkrappers. Soos kinders lees en leer oor Afrika se diere, kan hulle taaier raaisels oplos: watter welpie behoort aan die luiperd en watter aan die jagluiperd? Is hierdie bok ’n ram of ’n ooi? Kan jy die sterte by die regte koppe pas? Hierdie aktiwiteite vuur jong natuurliefhebber se verbeelding aan en verskaf ure se vermaak.Die Soogdier-Safari Aktiwiteitsboek vat kinders op ’n avontuur deur Afrika se wildernis – of hulle dit nou saamdra op safari, of tuis in hul eie den geniet. -
Mammal Safari Activity Book
R180.00This lively activity book is jam-packed with puzzles, crosswords, quizzes, mazes and word games about African mammals, as well as interesting facts and did-you-knows. Over 70 species feature – from the towering giraffe to the tiny naked mole-rat. Ideal for children aged 6–9 years, this colourful, interactive book strikes a balance between simple activities, such as find-the-way, spot-the-difference and odd-one-out, and more challenging brainteasers as children read on and learn about African wildlife.
How do you tell a baby cheetah and leopard apart? Can you match the animals’ heads to their tails? Which mammals live underground? Which antelope are male and which are female? These riddles, and many others, are designed to ignite imagination of young minds while also providing hours of entertainment.
Engaging and enchanting, the Mammal Safari Activity Book will take children on a wild adventure through the African bush – whether as a companion on safari or at home in their own dens.
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Hippos, a Mongoose and Me
R320.00In this sequel to the popular A Hippo Love Story, author Karen Paolillo takes us deeper into her courageous but perilous life among Africa’s wildlife.
Hippos, a Mongoose and Me is a collection of vivid stories reflecting the decades that Karen has lived and worked in the wilds of southeast Zimbabwe. The tales encompass a wide variety of animals and experiences, including Karen’s extraordinary affinity with hippos, life with her beloved mongoose, characterful baboons and rescued birds, close encounters with lions and an injured buffalo, and her heart-stopping flight from an enraged elephant. To add to the drama,
Karen and her husband Jean-Roger must face off against the drumbeat of political subterfuge and poaching of wildlife, sometimes at great personal risk.Inspiring, surprising and sometimes sad, this heartfelt anthology is testament to the courage and resilience of its intrepid author.
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Wildlife of East Africa: Photographic Guide
R380.00This photographic guide to the wildlife of East Africa is an accessible introduction to the region’s more conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, flowers and trees. A colour photograph accompanies each account, which describes the species’ appearance, size, and habits, and gives information on their conservation status, habitat and the best viewing localities. This book is an invaluable guide for visitors to national parks and other wildlife-rich places in East Africa and is a handy size for travel.
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Nature Now Mammals of Kruger
R270.00This easy-to-read, fact-filled guide features over 80 mammal species found in the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most popular game-viewing destinations.
Packed with stunning photographs and engaging text, it provides brief pointers for accurate identification and highlights the most interesting facts about each species. Did you know that leopards are more dangerous than lions, elephants use their trunks to snorkel, giraffes give birth standing up, and no two zebras have the same stripe pattern?Aimed at nature enthusiasts of all ages, this compact guide:
– Covers the Park’s rich diversity of mammals – from the world-famous Big Five to the miniature mongooses seen dashing across the road
– Unpacks each animal’s most interesting characteristics and behaviours
– Notes the record-breakers: who has the longest horns, strongest jaws or greatest appetite?
– Provides game-watching tips for successful safaris, as well as ‘Best viewing’ notes for each species
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Quick ID Guide to the Carnivores of Africa
R100.00Of all the animal groups, none looms larger in the imagination than the carnivores. Adapted for hunting and killing other animals, they represent the most powerful predators on Earth. This compact guide covers both the mighty and ferocious – big cats, wolves, foxes and hyaenas – and a variety of smaller but equally formidable hunters – otters, polecats, weasels, mongooses and civets.
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Quick ID Guide to Primates of Africa
R100.00A new addition to the successful ‘Quick ID guide’ series, Primates is a succinct survey of the features and habits of our closest relatives. Divided into the three main primate groups – great apes, typical monkeys and prosimians (including the bushbabies) – this easy-to-use guide rovides pertinent facts, annotated photographs and up-to-date distribution maps to help readers accurately identify the most commonly seen and charismatic primates in the field.
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Marine Mammals: A guide to the whales, dolphins and seals of Southern Africa and the Southern Ocean
R200.00This easy-to-use identification guide to the whales, dolphins and seals found in Southern African waters and the Southern Ocean is compact yet comprehensive. Close to 50 species occur in the region: from the demonstrative Humpback Whale and Dusky Dolphin to the striking Leopard Seal and massive Blue Whale.
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Flying Mammals – Quick ID Guide to Bats
R100.00Following the success of earlier ‘Quick Guide’ books, this slim little volume tackles one of the few groups of mammals that can fly. Divided into large fruit bats and smaller insecteating bats, this ultimate quick identification guide covers Africa’s 12 bat families. An informative introduction touches on evolution, flight, echolocation and reproduction, demystifying an animal that is all too often misunderstood. The text describes the facial characteristics and wing shapes common to each family and points out features that can help to distinguish between them. But it is the photographs and annotated line drawings that are most useful for identification. They include bats in flight and roosting sites, and close-ups of facial structures and wings that highlight key diagnostic attributes. An added extra is a photographic section showing the skulls of a variety bats.
This is a valuable guide for anyone with an interest in wildlife and its less common members.
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Cuddle Me, Kill Me
R230.00Canned lion hunting sprang to the world’s attention with the 2015 launch of the documentary, Blood Lions. This movie blew the cover off a brutal industry that has burgeoned in the last decade or so, operating largely under the radar of public concern.In Cuddle Me Kill Me,  veteran wildlife campaigner Richard Peirce reveals horrifying facts about the industry. He tells- The true story of two male lions rescued from breeding farms
- The exploitation and misery of these apex predators when they are bred in captivity
- How young cubs are removed from their mothers mere hours after birth
- How they are first used for petting by an adoring (and paying) public
- Their subsequent use for ‘walking with lions’ tourism
- And how, in the final stage of exploitation, they are served up in fenced enclosure for execution by canned hunters – or simply shot by breeders for the value of their carcass, a prized product in the East.
Well researched by Peirce with the help of an undercover agent, and illustrated with photos taken along the way, this is a disturbing and passionate plea to end commercial captive lion breeding and the re-purposing of wildlife to cater for human greed. -
Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa
R580.00Of the more than 5,500 mammals species worldwide, at least 1,200 occur in Africa. Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa  concentrates on the more visible and easily distinguished larger species, as well as some of the more frequently seen smaller mammals.This new edition has been extensively revised, expanded and redesigned and includes:- the most recent research and taxonomy
- revised distribution maps and many new images
- colour-coded grouping of orders
- size icons
- detailed descriptions of each species, offering insight into key identification characters, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity
- whales and dolphins now featured too
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Understanding Elephants
R200.00Elephants are arguably Africa’s most charismatic animals, and among the biggest drawcards to our game reserves. While the burgeoning game-park industry may be increasing our access to these magnificent creatures, rising human-elephant encounters are an inevitable outcome – sometimes, sadly, fatal. Such encounters could likely have been avoided had those involved understood elephant behaviour, and particularly how these intelligent animals interface with traffic through their territory.  This book describes elephant family life, from rearing of infants to establishing dominance within a herd; it unpacks regular elephant behaviour, the matriarchal system, the particular dangers of males in musth, and many other aspects of their lives. Most of all, it provides guidelines for ensuring safe and enjoyable encounters with these majestic animals.  This is an essential guide for those planning visits to reserves: aside from the interest factor, being able to read the tell-tale signs may just save lives.
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Natuurlewe van Suider-Afrika
R450.00Hierdie gewilde veldgids tot die natuurlewe van Suider-Afrika, jare lank al ’n vertroude metgesel van natuurliefhebbers, is nou omvattend bygewerk. Dit bied beskrywings en akkurate illustrasies in volle kleur van meer as 2,000 plante en diere asook verspreidingskaarte vir die meeste groepe. Elke hoofstuk het sy eie kleurkode om naslaan te vergemaklik en uitkenmerke in die beskrywings is in vetdruk. Elke hoofstuk is geskryf deur ’n kenner op sy gebied.
Al die vernaamste plant- en diergroepe is ingesluit:
- Laer ongewerweldes
- Spinnekoppe en ander spinagtiges
- Insekte
- Varswatervisse
- Paddas
- Reptiele
- Voëls
- Soogdiere
- Grasse, biesies, varings en swamme
- Veldblomme
- Bome
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Wildlife of Southern Africa
R450.00This long-standing, trusted field guide to the wildlife of southern Africa has been comprehensively updated and now includes distribution maps. It describes over 2,000 plants and animals, each accompanied by accurate illustrations in full colour. This book has been a trusted field companion for many years. Comprehensively updated, it now features range maps for most groups. The chapters are colour-coded for easy reference, and diagnostic features appear in bold type within the descriptions. Each chapter is written by a leading expert in the field.
All the main plant and animal groups are covered:
- Lower invertebrates
- Spiders and other arachnids
- Insects
- Freshwater fishes
- Frogs
- Reptiles
- Birds
- Mammals
- Grasses, hedges, ferns and fungi
- Wild flowers
- Trees
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First Field Guide: Mammals of Southern Africa
R120.00Sasol First Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the wild animals of the region.
Through full-colour photographs and distribution maps, and easy-to-read text, the beginner and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common mammal species found in southern Africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique feeding and breeding habits.
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Wild Ways
R300.00NEW EDITION MAY 2014
Wild Ways brings together all the latest studies of the behaviour of southern Africa’s rich and accessible mammal fauna, describing not only what mammals do, but also the often surprising reasons why they do it, and covers species as diverse as fruit bats, pangolins, lions, rats and whales.
Well-established as an invaluable resource for visitors to parks and reserves, hikers, hunters, farmers and outdoor enthusiasts, this classic guide has now been thoroughly updated and revised, has a fresh, lively design, and is packed with new and engrossing detail.
