Vol. 17. No.1, 2019
Official Magazine of the Wildlife Clubs of Ghana Cover photo credit | © ZOOTHERA BIRDING Inside this White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) Issue! The white-necked rockfowl (also known as the white-necked CONTENT picarthartes) is a large and unusual bird with a bright chrome yellow and black featherless head and a long neck and tail. It is considered one of Africa’s most desirable birds by birders and is a symbol of ecotourism across its range. They are usually a silent bird however on the occasion that they do call, the sound has been compared to the clucks of a chicken. 4 LETTER FROM AKO 5 EDITOR’S COMMENTS 6 PICATHARTES: AFRICA’S STRANGEST ROCKFOWL 10 WILDLIFE STORIES 12 CLUB NEWS 16 RIDDLES AND PUZZLES 17 POEMS AND JOKES 18 UNCLE DAVID’S CORNER 19 ACTION GALORE !
2 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 3 Editor’s Comments SAVING WILDLIFE IS SAVING
COMPILATION & EDITING Louisa Kabobah OURSELVES Eric Lartey LETTER FROM NKO
DESIGN & LAYOUT You and I can take actions and Raphael Nii Laate Lartey Dear reader, help wildlife to thrive! PICTURE CREDITS Credit to all copyright owners of the photographs used in this edition of the NKO The NKO Magazine is back! regarding our natural heritage. Magazine You are welcome to the All comments from readers will be If you are reading this magazine, it already shows against floods 2019 edition of the NKO incorporated in subsequent issues. that you care about nature, the environment and serves as medicine. T and wildlife conservation. Most of us must have Magazine. This magazine Indeed, the feedback from readers I heard, read stories or watched documentaries For instance, 60% of childhood malaria cases in Ghana is not a scientific journal but will determine to a large extent the about dolphins, leopards, bees, owls and pythons are first treated with herbal remedies. Species such as expected to help you discover more direction of the magazine. and yet have never seen any of them. spiders literally filter insects from the air and animals GET IN TOUCH WITH US about the environment and the things such as elephants, lions, cheaters, turtles and dolphins Part of the charm and beauty of wildlife According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), out of For details on Wildlife Clubs of Ghana and that impact on it. We all have the contribute huge revenues to several countries. the Ghana Wildlife Society Membership, is the myriad of colours and designs about 100 million different species co-existing with us on Remember to add your full name, responsibility to learn about the things available in different manifestations, earth, an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 species go extinct It is, however, sad to see that humankind’s greed for wealth, address and telephone number. The best that impact on the environment and luxury and power had resulted in the overexploitation of contribution will be published in subsequent hence, colourful photographs and each year. This is very alarming, isn’t it? For the past few editions of NKO. Please write to: how we can help protect the planet. decades, there has been a growing concern for wildlife the earth’s esteemed wildlife resources. Today, countries illustrations will form an important part conservation as individuals and governments across the are still confronted with wildlife management challenges Since this is a club magazine, of future editions. globe are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits such as habitat destruction, poaching and over-harvesting club members are encouraged to NKO Magazine In this regard, the Editorial Team of wildlife species and the damaging effects of wildlife of wild plant species. These threats are increasingly Ghana Wildlife Society contribute articles and drawings to driving species to extinction. will rely not only on the support of destruction. Box GP 13252, Accra, Ghana. the publication, as this is one way to members of WCG, but also on all other In this issue of Nko magazine, you will read articles about You and I can still take actions and help wildlife thrive! We develop a sustained interest in them. well-wishers, both local and foreign some threatened wildlife species in the world, including must learn more about Ghana’s wildlife, the challenges they face and how we can help educate our peers about The threats to our environment and to contribute either letters, poems, the White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) in Ghana. Wildlife is viewed as a threat to some people wildlife, join wildlife groups and campaigns, publish www.ghanawildlifesociety.org wildlife habitats are legion, making its stories, riddles, jokes, articles, photos, and their livelihoods. When we over-exploit natural articles in our local newspaper, participate in beach clean- imperative for all concerned to devise drawings or paintings and mystery bird resources by encroaching tropical forests, grasslands ups, tree planting exercises and other environmental [email protected] strategies no matter how small, to help letters to us. and other ecosystems where wild animals live, they are projects, sign wildlife petitions and engage with combat the threats. That is why the renowned politicians and celebrities to become wildlife In conclusion, we wish our readers compelled to search for food elsewhere, including our +233 (0) 30 266 5197 formation of Wildlife Clubs of Ghana ambassadors. a happy reading and hope that the homes. In doing so, they may destroy crops, feed on (WCG) and the NKO Magazine to livestock, and become dangerous and defensive when dialogue in these pages will lead to Yes! Wildlife can sometimes be destructive and disseminate information to the public people attempt to drive them away. a better appreciation of the wildlife dangerous so can cars and airplanes, which kill far more is very necessary. and destroy a lot more properties than wild animals. But www.facebook.com/ghanawildlifesoc conservation issues at stake and help But the wild animals some people consider as dangerous that does not stop us from joining cars and airplanes, so Our approach will not be one of self- promote the conservation of wildlife in like the elephants, snakes, buffalos and lions are only a small fraction of wild animals. There are several different why do away with our precious wildlife. Saving wildlife is www.twitter.com/ghwildlifesoc righteous indignation. We should the country as a whole. species of birds, butterflies, turtles and dolphins that live saving ourselves and the future generation! come across as normal citizens with in the wild and all of these, including those that some www.instagram.com/ghanawildlifesociety responsible concern and interests people consider as dangerous, play vital roles that ensure the sustainability of the human race. Ako For example, wild trees and plants clean the water we drink, Louisa Kabobah air we breathe, provide the food we eat, the materials for Conservation Education Officer shelter and clothing, regulate the global climate, mitigate Ghana Wildlife Society
4 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 5 Flip page to read more.
6 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 7 Picathartes
IUCN STATUS, THREATS AND CONSERVATION The bare-headed Picathartes is classified on the IUCN Red List Although protected by law in Ghana, the legislations are in fact 2007 as vulnerable and also listed on Appendix I of CITES. ineffectual, thus prompting the creation of “Picathartes focus Human disturbances, timber felling, mining for minerals in Ghana groups” to champion research and conservation actions to further have put pressure on the species, as the conversion of these save the rather dwindling population of the Rockfowl. forests to farmlands over the years has affected the reproductive Following the rediscovery of the bare-headed Rockfowl in Ghana by rate of this striking bird. the British Ornithologist’s Club in 2003, the Ghana Wildlife Society The low reproductive rate of the Picathartes is susceptible to the began a project of running population surveys to better understand compounding ecological pressures of nest-predation, competition the population size and range of this species. …the Bird that has lived for 44 million years! from other birds etc.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RANGE FEEDING Also known as the bare headed Rockfowl, the Picathartes is a The bird has long black beaks and only feeds on invertebrates brightly-coloured featherless-head bird, with a black patch around from the forest floor, especially worms and army ant colonies. the back of its head. Formerly declared extinct in the 1960s, the During the breeding season, the Picathartes is known to feed on Picathartes was rediscovered in 2003 in Ghana and in some Upper larger invertebrates such as snails and in some cases, on frogs. Guinean forests of West Africa. This normally silent bird has a dark bluish tail and underparts, whereas the neck and upper part of the bird is white. It is mostly said to resemble the Leather aviators cap, as they possess a jet- BREEDING AND NESTING black pair of eyes with a very conspicuous orange patch around Breeding takes place in rocky areas such as on cliffs and cave the eyes. Due to its affinity for rocky environment (hence the name foots. However, some nests of the Picathartes have been found in Rockfowl), the Picathartes prefers clearings within primary and fallen hollow large trees. secondary forests.
8 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 9 Wildlife Stories
HOW THE TORTOISE OUTSMARTED HOW THE ZEBRA GOT HIS STRIPES, THE UNGRATEFUL EAGLE AND THE BABOON HIS RED BOTTOM It was not often that the Tortoise and the Eagle the Tortoise’s wife told him “My husband is away but please met, for both spent most of their time in totally take this gourd filled with food for your family.” The Eagle In the early days, when the his only option was to fight, so the two different habitats, one flying around high in the flew away with the gourd, totally unaware that the tortoise earth was young, the climate animals started to battle fiercely. They I clouds, and the other moving very slowly down was inside. This time, the Tortoise could hear every wicked was very hot and dry. In the rolled back and forth around the pool I on the ground. However, when the Eagle heard word as he laughed “Ha ha! That Tortoise is even more parched desert land, which struggling for ages, but eventually the what a warm-hearted fellow the Tortoise was, he decided stupid than I thought!” stretched for miles, water could Zebra managed to shake off the Baboon to pay a visit on him. only be found in a few small isolated and then gave him a mighty kick, which When the eagle reached his nest, and emptied the gourd, pools. At one of these pools, the Baboon sent the Baboon flying high into some The Tortoise’s family was very kind and hospitable to the tortoise crawled out and said “Friend Eagle, you have visited stood guard, claiming only he was the rocks behind the pool. But because the Eagle and fed him very lavishly, so the Eagle revisted again my home so many times that I thought it would be nice to rightful owner. “This water is mine and Zebra kicked so hard, he lost his balance and again. But every time he flew away he would laugh to enjoy some of your hospitality too.” The Eagle was furious, mine only, so no one else can drink here and fell staggering back into the Baboon’s himself, “Ha ha! I can enjoy the Tortoise’s hospitality on the however, and screeched “How dare you! I will peck the apart from me,” he would shout if anyone fire, sending the burning sticks flying up ground, but I will never have to feed him as he can never flesh from your bones!”, but he only hurt his beak against approached. into the air. This left black scorch marks reach my nest in the treetops!” the Tortoise’s hard shell. “Now I see what kind of friendship all down the Zebra’s white coat. you offered me” said the Tortoise. “Can you please take Because the nights were bitterly cold in The Eagle continued to visit the Tortoise family often, and me home now because our friendship is at an end.” The the desert area, he had built a fire next Hurt and frightened, he galloped off into gradually his selfishness and ingratitude became the talk of Eagle replied “Take you home? I will fling you to the ground to the pool. One day, the Zebra, arriving the plains, where he has remained ever the forest. The Eagle and the Frog were never on speaking and you will be smashed to bits!” The Tortoise bit hold of from a long and tiring journey, saw the since. Eventually, his new and different terms, since usually the Eagle would swoop down to carry a the Eagle’s leg hard, who screamed “Let go, let go!” The water and desperately needed to quench apparel grew on him, and he became poor frog home for his supper. Tortoise replied “Only when you have set me down at my his thirst. In these early days on earth, very proud of being like no other animal, One day, the Frog called to the Tortoise from the river bank home”, and tightened his grip even more. the Zebra’s coat was pure white, without with his beautiful black and white stripes. “Friend Tortoise, if you give me some food, I will give you The Eagle flew high up into the clouds shaking his leg, any stripes. As he approached the water, However, the Baboon had landed on his wisdom.” After enjoying the meal, the Frog said “Friend turned and twirled, then darted down at the speed of the Baboon jumped up in anger, shouting buttocks with a mighty thud, right on the Tortoise, the Eagle is really abusing your kindness, for after an arrow, but to no avail. He could not rid himself of the “Who are you, how dare you come near hard rocks. He has remained there ever all of his many visits he flies away laughing, saying he will Tortoise, so he set him down on the ground. As he flew my water? I am the Lord of this water, go since, nursing his bald red bottom and still never have to repay your kind hospitality. So next time he away, the Tortoise called after him “Friendship requires the away immediately!” But the Zebra, tired as angry as ever. visits you, say to him “Give me a gourd, and I will send food equal contribution of both parties. If I welcome you, you and thirsty, was in no mood to listen to this to your wife and children too.” selfish Baboon and was not intimidated should welcome me too. Since you have made a mockery by him. He shouted back “Be quiet you The Tortoise followed the Frog’s advice, and when the out of our friendship and laughed at me for my hospitality, ugly monkey! This water is not just for you Eagle called on him, he told him to bring a gourd. The Eagle you need not call again.” alone, it is for everyone!” returned with a gourd, saying “I will call later for the present for my family.” He flew away laughing even more to himself. This brave reply made the Baboon very angry indeed, and he answered “Ok then, When the Eagle left, the Frog arrived and told the Tortoise if you want this water then you will have “Now, get into the gourd. Your wife will cover you with to fight for it!” The Zebra, knowing there fresh food, and then the Eagle will carry you to his home was no other water nearby, decided in the tree tops!” That evening when the Eagle returned,
10 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 11 Club News
WORLD WETLAND WORLD WILDLIFE WORLD MIGRATORY ATEWA EXHIBITION DAY 2019 DAY 2019 BIRD DAY 2019 2019
Wildlife Clubs participated actively The Society, the A member from the Gag Blessed The Society, BirdLife was to highlight the negative An Atewa Exhibition was organised in Accra to in the 2019 World Wetlands Day US Embassy, Home School emerged as winner. International and impact of plastic pollution showcase the remarkable diversity of wildlife w celebration which took place WABiCC, Kali Kteh of the essay writting competion. T GHACEM used on migratory birds and their species at Atewa Range Forest Reserve and T the occasion to habitats. A garner more support for conservation of the at the Mother’s Nest Montessori and A Rocha Ghana organise a bird walk, site. School in Accra on the theme, “Wet- commemorated the day Seventy (70) club members The Presbyterian Boys’ Senior training on construction of bird lands and Climate Change”. with club members in Greater actively participated in the High School (PRESEC-Legon) and boxes and photo exhibition Accra Region through a clean- event. Posters and t-shirts The exhibition was led by A Rocha Ghana with the Ghana Forty-five (45) club members engaged in a the Amasaman Senior High School for club members in the Lower were distributed among Wildlife Society, IUCN and other civil society organisations drawing competition that highlighted the roles up exercise, essay and debate debated on the imposition of the Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo participants to help promote competitions. (CSOs) as key partners. wetlands play in combating climate change. one-month annual fish ban in municipalities in the Eastern the conservation of birds in the Sixty-five (65) club members in Accra joined inthe Awards, comprising of educational materials The theme was “Life below water: Ghana, which saw PRESEC-Legon Region. It was on the theme, area. exhibition. The club members were taken through photo and souvenirs, were presented to the winners. for people and planet”. emerging as winners. “Protect Birds: Be the Solution exhibitions and a canvas session on using the arts to to Plastic Pollution!” The aim The beach clean-up exercise communicate biodiversity conservation. took place at the Mensah-Guinea beach and saw 225 club members participating.
12 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 13 Club News
SPRING ALIVE (SA) WORLD ENVIRONMENT PROJECT DAY 2019
Hundred and five (105) club members in Accra Staff from the Society organised a film/video were trained on how to reduce bird collisions presentation for club members of the Faith H with glass windows, using card paper, scissors S Evangelical School in Accra to commemorate and transparent vinyl papers to make window World Environment Day. The purpose of the and door stickers. presentation was to raise awareness among the A PowerPoint presentation was also carried out to educate members on easy ways to reduce air pollution in their schools WORLD CLEANUP CONSERVATION participants on the importance of SA birds, the plight faced and at home. 88 club members participated in the event. The by migratory birds and actions to take to minimise the threats. theme for the celebration was “Beat air pollution”. DAY 2019 SCHOOL Bookmarks were shared for promotion of the project.
The Society, Let’s the conservation of the local Two clubs, the Legacy Academy and St. Do it Ghana and environment, habitat and Theresa’s Preparatory Schools in Accra, other partners nesting sites of sea turtles in were educated on feeding relationships and T organised a Ghana. T trophic levels within the wild ecosystems, clean-up exercise Fifty-eight (58) club members using games and presentations. This aimed at the Mensah Guinea Beach participated in the clean- at getting the members to appreciate the need for the in Accra to mark the day up exercise. T-shirts were conservation of wildlife species. appropriately themed ‘People distributed for promotional for a clean Planet!”. The event purposes. was meant to contribute to WORLD EARTH DAY 2019
The day was commemorated with a debate competition held at the Museum of Science and Technology between the Achimota School and T Kinbu Senior High School in Accra. The partners were GWS, Kali Kteh, WABiCC and the Wildlife Division. Achimota School emerged as winners on the topic, “Human interference in protected areas is significant”. They took home a trophy, medals and educational materials. Club members from the Sakumono School Complex were also in attendance to support the event.
14 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 15 Riddles, Poems, Puzzles & Jokes
Just for laughs RIDDLES NKO PUZZLE A hunter went into the bush to hunt for 1. I am an animal when my first letter is removed, E G U P O L A R B E A R Q R H O M B U S an antelope. Upon reaching the bush, E L I K M N I N T U G N E P Y M O R A L I become one of the basic particles of matter, he noticed a lion chasing him. With fear L D E C J U Q V F A R B E Z E L A H W J who am I? and trembling, he hid himself among the Q I N T A L I D O C T U P Q N W G O R F G U M S R N E L T R U T C H A M E L O N bushes to pray for God’s direction in 2. I am an animal, I have the biggest ears, U Q I E P I T A Q S Y N I H P L O D R R who am I? order to escape the lion unhurt. After L S H A T W C Y P P U P B E D B U G C E S N E L R E D F I S H M E F L W O V A T praying, he opened his eyes to notice A U W A S E E B I O N G E C S U N U T S the lion also praying. In shock and fear, 3. I am an animal, I am the king of the birds and E E Q E L J R U T S P R D S K K I L O B He asked the lion “Why are you praying”. the strongest of them all, S F T A B I T O A D H I P P O E H T R D who am I? U M S S O P O D R A G O N T V X R U R L The lion answered, “Don’t you know when J E S E U S W N A U T I L U S F S R A Q lions are ready to eat, they also pray?” T A R A V X B A B O O N K E L G A E P K Hearing this, after the lion said amen! The 4. I am an animal, I have a black body with a white R U A S D N I D M I C E O G N I M A L E underside, a tall and a triangular dorsal fin, K C O C A E P A N D A V X S U P U T C O hunter fainted. who am I? DISCOVER THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 5. I am an animal, I also give out light in the night, Benjamin Quartey-Papafio who am I? St. Theresa’s Preparatory School Follow the puzzle and fill each each box. You may be shocked you can find these wonderful 6. I am an animal, I have the deadliest flatulence, animal all around the globe! THE TREE’S PRAYER who am I?
You who pass by and raise your hand against me, 7. I am an animal, my middle letter is an E and my Why are you torturing me? last letter is also an E, I am the heat of your heart on a cold winter’s night. who am I? Nko PoemsThe friendly shade screening you from the summer’s sun, And my fruits are refreshing droughts, quenching HOW CAN MAN BE A FOOL? your thirst as you journey on. 8. I am an animal, and a country, I am the beam that holds up your house, the board who am I? How can man be a fool, of your table, the bed on which you lie, And the timber that builds your boat. To say animals aren’t cool, I am the handle of your home stool, the wood of 9. I am an animal, I look like an octopus, but I They mock every creature, your cradle, and the shell of your coffin. have ten arms, Just because of their features, I am with you through life’s journey. who am I? Lions, scorpions, snakes and many more. I am a gift from God, How can man not love or adore, And the friend of man, You can pass by to listen to my prayers, So man should accept animals whether prey or 10. I am an animal, I am very intelligent, and I like HARM ME NOT! to mimic people’s actions, predator. who am I? Daniel Nii Dremor Annoh Eric Narh-Korli Christabella Mabena Marfo
St. Theresa’s Preparatory School Oborpah West School Thelma Leona Abraham Sakumono Complex “2” J.H.S.
3. EAGLE 3. 6. SKANK 6.
9. SQUID 9. Sakumono Complex “2” J.H.S
2. ELEPHANT 2. 5. FIRE FLY FIRE 5. 8. TURKEY 8.
1. LION 1. 4. ORCA 4. 7. ANTELOPE 7. 10. PARROT PARROT 10. ANSWERS TO RIDDLES TO ANSWERS
16 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 17 Uncle David’s Corner Uncle David solves your bird identification problems ... Action Galore! COMMON BIRDS OF ACCRA Plant trees and shrubs that flower and fruit on your school compound to attract birds, insects, bats and other wild
Laughing Dove Splendid Glossy Starling (Streptopelia senegalensis) animals. (Lamprotornis splendidus) The Laughing Dove is a smallish dove with the Though this is a forest species, they can be head and back being pinkish (Rufous brown), the found in the wooded areas of Accra. They wings blue-grey and the belly whitish. It has a have white eyes and are relatively large. small white patch on the chin and long white tips There is a broad black band on the wings on the outer tail feathers. The key distinguishing and tail. feature of the Laughing Dove is the blueish-grey Encourage non-club members wings and a brown band across the lower fore- IUCN STATUS: Least Concern neck that is spotted with black.
IUCN STATUS: Least Concern to participate.
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus)
The Common Bulbul is a very common and conspicuous bird. It is primarily brown in colour with the head region being dark brown.
IUCN STATUS: Least Concern Nko welcomes articles
Yellow-billed Kite We need your personal work to be published in the NKO magazine. Of course, (Milvus migrans parasites) Western Grey Plantain-eater it must have a wildlife or environmental theme, and we will try to publish all good (Crinifer piscator) works that are sent We will even award special prizes for the best story, the best The Yellow-Billed Kite is a Raptor and is quite common in the Accra metropolis. It is It is mainly found in the wooded areas of Accra poem and the best drawing. Uncle David is also waiting for your bird identification chocolate-brown in colour, with a distinct it is mainly grey and white in colour with a pale letters and will answer each one personally. So let your creative juices flow and start yellow bill and a long slightly forked tail. yellow bill. It has a conspicuous white wing patch which is best seen during flight. writing, drawing or bird watching NOW! IUCN STATUS: Least Concern IUCN STATUS: Least Concern
Illustration by - Nik Borrow and Ron Demey: Birds of Ghana *Illustrations are not to scale. 18 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019 NKO MAGAZINE 2019 / 19 20 / NKO MAGAZINE 2019