BirdLife Malta’s Post

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 3 -𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐨 Don’t be fooled by the docile appearance of the Cape buffalo. This mean, moody and magnificent animal is possibly the most dangerous of the Big Five, especially if you are on foot. Buffalos are social animals and move around in large herds – sometimes of many hundreds – chomping long grass as they collectively move and feed. In the dry season, you can often see a cloud of dust signalling an approaching herd. Although most of a buffalo’s senses are well developed, it’s their super-charged hearing that helps them find food and alerts them to danger. There’s usually a dominant male – or more if the herd is huge – that stays in the middle of the herd, as well as ‘pathfinders’, which may not be the biggest and best, but lead the herd and keep it together. You may also see a group of old bulls together – caked in mud from wallowing. These are known as ‘Dagha Boys’ after the ‘dagha’, or mud, the Zulus used to build their traditional huts. The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is a haven if ever there was one for seeing cape buffalo in their droves. Here, you have the potential to see thousands of these animals, as they move between the Chobe National Park area and Okavango fairly regularly. 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬: https://bit.ly/4fnyk2c https://lnkd.in/dG9aEut6 #capebuffalo #buffalo #bigfive #wildlife #okavango #botswana #okavangodelta #wildlifephotography #safari #africansafari

Shipwrecks, sea birds and whales: the exploration of Ireland’s first marine park. In an enchanting article, I read this evening of the Kerry Seas national park (Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí) encompasses 70,000 acres of precious marine and coastal habitats off Ireland’s gorgeous Kerry coast. It embraces numerous sites of rich cultural heritage and outstanding biodiversity. The latter includes internationally important seabird populations, plus everything from basking sharks and sunfish to dolphins and whales. Ireland’s south and west coasts have now gained a reputation as a top whale-watching location, with both minke and fin whales regularly seen in summer, and autumn being peak season for humpbacks. The beehive cells of the ruined monastery echo the rugged island outline of Little Skellig. These buildings – strange windowless stone cells – are known as the beehive hut, or clochán – 1,400 years ago, they offered sleeping quarters to monks. There are many wonders on this coast, and this article transports me with joy, and a desire to travel to Ireland, that I have never visited. Inspiration beyond words. Enjoy the article, and perhaps, you too, will one day find yourself on this mystical coast, between bee-hive huts and the spray thrown up by whales. #KerrySeasNationalPark #Kerry #MinkeWhales #Clochán https://lnkd.in/eZaw6W_5

Gulf of Mexico Alliance meetings "Who We Are The Gulf of Mexico Alliance [GOMA] is the regional ocean partnership for the Gulf of Mexico. We focus on enhancing the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico through increased collaboration. Led by the five Gulf states, our network includes over 150 participating organizations from state and Federal agencies, Tribal governments, communities, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry. Our actions support commitments to strengthening community resilience, increasing regional data sharing, serving underrepresented communities, and improving management of coastal habitats and wildlife species." The various GOMA teams have scheduled meetings for this fall. Coastal Community Resilience Team Mid-Year Meeting Data and Monitoring Team Mid-Year Meeting Habitat Resources Team Mid-Year Meeting Water Resources Team Mid-Year Meeting Wildlife & Fisheries Team Mid-Year Meeting Marine Debris Cross-Team Mid-Year Meeting Integrated Planning Cross-Team Mid-Year Meeting Gulf of Mexico Seagrass Community of Practice: Workplan Development Workshop for 2030 Status and Trends Report #DeepwaterHorizon #GulfOfMexico #Alliance #GOMA #workshops #management #restoration #resilience #data #monitoring #habitat #WaterResources #wildlife #fisheries #MarineDebris #seagrass #workplan #environment #ecology #partnerships https://lnkd.in/gRbaGV2b

The Complete Guide to Coronado National Forest https://lnkd.in/gYVJjuRK

"We wish we'd spent more time in Monterey" We hear it time and again from travellers who've been lucky enough to journey California's iconic central coast, yet still returned home wanting more. Monterey isn't just a quick a stopover on a road trip between San Francisco and LA, it's a destination of plenty that demands time for visitors to truly explore its riches. And what riches there are - check out our blog post below to discover nine very good reasons for your clients to extend their stay in Monterey. See Monterey #travelandtourism #travelindustry #traveltrade #luxurytravel #destinationmarketing #tourismmarketing #FindYourWayHere

Teeming with lush foliage and undulating mountains, the Caribbean is a hidden gem for nature experiences, as highlighted in Wanderlust Magazine this week. The feature article, titled 16 Nature Secrets of the Caribbean highlights the region's unique experiences like spotting Antillean manatees in Belize and going cave exploring in Aruba. Learn more in our latest article. #wanderlustmagazine #belize #caribbeantravel #naturetravel #wildlife #caribbeannature #travelguide #travelmagazine

Moving meditation 🧘♀️ Exactly how I would describe the Bay of Fires experience in two words. Latest feature 👇

Why is maintaining a safe distance crucial for coexisting with wild macaques? To maintain a peaceful balance between humans and macaques, it's crucial not to feed them. This ensures the health of both species and preserves their natural behaviors. Take action: - Maintain a safe distance (minimum 7 meters) - Remember not to feed wild macaques - Respect their natural behaviors and habitat - Avoid littering to keep your surroundings clean and safe If you encounter macaques, show respect and understanding. Learning about their behavior helps protect them. Learn more at: www.macaquecoalition.com #AsiaforAnimals #MacaqueCoalition #AnimalBehavior #Primates #Primata #Macaque #responsible #tourism #beach #primatesarenotpets #MacaquePositivity #WildlifeConservation #RespectNature #MacaqueConservation

Here are the most visited national parks in the United States, based on recent data: 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park • Location: Tennessee and North Carolina • Visitor Count: Approximately 13.3 million in 2023 • Description: Known for its biodiversity, beautiful ancient mountains, and remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, it’s the most visited national park in the country. • URL: nps.gov/grsm 2. Grand Canyon National Park • Location: Arizona • Visitor Count: Approximately 4.7 million in 2023 • Description: Famous for its immense size and its intricate and colorful landscape, the Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that offers breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails. • URL: nps.gov/grca 3. Rocky Mountain National Park • Location: Colorado • Visitor Count: Approximately 4.6 million in 2023 • Description: Known for its high-altitude landscapes, stunning mountain views, and diverse wildlife, it’s a haven for hiking, wildlife watching, and scenic drives. • URL: nps.gov/romo 4. Zion National Park • Location: Utah • Visitor Count: Approximately 4.4 million in 2023 • Description: Zion is renowned for its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons, and diverse ecosystems, offering some of the best hiking and canyoneering opportunities. • URL: nps.gov/zion 5. Yosemite National Park • Location: California • Visitor Count: Approximately 4.2 million in 2023 • Description: Famous for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and rich biodiversity, Yosemite is a premier destination for hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing. • URL: nps.gov/yose These parks are among the top destinations for nature enthusiasts and provide a wide range of activities and scenic beauty . #nps #us #parks