Minutes

Springfield Naturalists’ Club

Monthly Meeting February 16, 2005

Recording Secretary: Nancy Condon

Attendance: 43

Program Presenters: Dr. Curtice Griffin and Mr. Alfred Kikoti

Several anxious minutes elapsed in anticipation of the arrival of tonight’s speakers, but thanks to cell phones and play-by-play directions, our guests arrived. The Quadrangle’s web-page directions which were provided to our speakers threw them off as they are not up to date with downtown construction and road closings.

Dave Gallup, president, opened the meeting with his usual pleasant welcome. The past month’s reports of animal sightings included: Coopers Hawk, Bald Eagles, Carolina Wrens, Black bear cub and gray fox.

The treasurer’s report presented by Dave Lovejoy was summarized with the amount in our account: $2,595 plus change.

Nancy Condon encouraged participants to leave tonight with a copy of the phonology chart. We must start making note of spring occurrences in nature.

Our speakers for the evening were introduced. Dr Curtis Griffin began the program on elephant conservation with a powerpoint presentation. Some highlights include:

• Elephant populations have seen a 50% decrease between 1981 and 1987.
• There are now considered 3 distinct species of elephants: Asian, African and Forest elephant. Genetic studies on the forest elephant have found it to be as distinct from the African elephant as the African is from the Asian elephant.
• Elephant communication occurs in low frequency infrasonic sounds (14-30 Hz) which can travel 5-10 km.
• Dr. Griffin’s research concentrates in Botswana, which is the size of Texas. The dry Kalahari desert covers 80% of it, and it contains 1.5 million people.
• Elephants numbered 400,000 here in the early 19^th century. They are considered a keystone species – or one that has a disproportionatly large impact on its environment.
• Mr. Kikoto spoke about Elephant corridors, which connect parks and preserves wtih each other. He said they are as important as the parks themselves.
• Corridors are multi-use areas, not only providing passage for elephants, but cattle are allowed to graze there.
• The Kilimanjaro Natural Resource Security Network is a contingent of local scouts, whose job is to protect elephants from poaching. To date 55 poachers have been arrested and 70% of poaching in the Kilimanjaro region has been eliminated, and 200 snares have been destroyed.
• Future endeavors include:
• improving communication
• Increase anti-poaching patrols
• Mobile radios
• More rugged vehicles
• Continue research

As always, members enjoyed talking with our speakers over snacks and coffee.