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Frederick T. Crosby's avatar

In 2022 I traveled with my son, his wife and three grandchildren to Panthera at Okonjima up to the San people and west to the Himba. Okonjima on a photo junket (safari but family only) around northern Namibia. Fascinated with the various animals and waterholes with countless species and hierarchies.

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Richard Conniff on Nature's avatar

Yes, Namibia is a great country. So much to see in such an arid environment. It will be a shame if politicians sacrifice it for short-term gain.

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Frederick T. Crosby's avatar

How does elephant culling make a future? Yes food for them is scarce but will human management preserve more than man? Of course man is first! (Even a few crazy people)

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Walt Anderson's avatar

Thanks, Richard. I've been leading safaris in East Africa for 45 years (now stepping down after one last March), and I have seen the explosion of people in Ngorongoro and the overall decline of lions. I always enjoy your stories. I used to sell tons of photos as slides, but the monopolies of big photo agencies and the ease by which anyone can get new photos has killed that enterprise too. Now I focus on painting wildlife and writing, though AE may threaten those too.

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Richard Conniff on Nature's avatar

It's hard to see an upside of magazines no longer being able to send good writers and photographers to these locations. But it might at least create a market for local talent to do the job. Of course, Disney, Murdoch, and the like will try to get them at local rates--not $5, or $3, or even $1 a word, but 10 cents--oh, and you're throwing in the photos, right? Then, in the small print, they'll add that they're buying all rights forever, in any media now existing or to be developed, in this or any future universe, without additional compensation. Geez. Now I'm making myself depressed. Glad you're enjoy these stories in the meantime. Thank you for your interest.

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Walt Anderson's avatar

We lived through some good times, Richard, and I am at least grateful for that.

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Richard Conniff on Nature's avatar

I should acknowledge that Martin van Lokven generously agreed to donate the lead photo for this story.

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Martin van Lokven's avatar

Great article Richard, I really enjoyed reading it. Makes me want to make plans to go to Ndutu again!

I didn't realize before that Kope Lions is such a young initiative.

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Richard Conniff on Nature's avatar

Thank you, Martin. These guys are doing great work. Going back would be great ... but the internet has killed the magazine business, and travel budgets are severely limited these days.

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