The Kingdom that burns to bloom
In South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom, fire isn't the end - it's the beginning. Discover the plants that only bloom after a burn.
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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
A Tiny Otter That Vanished From Nepal in the 1800s Reappears
In the same way you can't prove a negative, "extinction" is always an informed guess. If we haven't seen hide nor hair (sometimes literally) of something for long enough, we have to assume it's not out there anymore. But sometimes we assume wrong. Such was the case with the De Winton's golden mole, which no one saw between 1936 and 2023, or the giant, elusive "ghost fish" of Cambodia's Mekong River. But finding these never-extinct-in-the-first place species is rare. However, one more miracle reappearance has just occurred. Amid a global biodiversity crisis, the Asian small-clawed otter has emerged from hiding in Nepal to give otter enthusiasts hope. The Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is the smallest otter species on the planet, weighing only 2.7 to 3.5 kilograms. Its short claws, which give it its name, make it particularly dexterous, helping it pry open the molluscs and crabs it feeds on. These otters are very social and friendly, mating for life and often traveling in large family groups. They're adaptable too, and live in a variety of different environments, including mangrove forests, swamps, swift rivers, stagnant pools, and rice paddy fields. In fact, rice farmers consider them helpful to have around, since they eat crabs, which farmers consider pests. Small-clawed otters still live across Southeast Asia and into India. The last time they were officially seen in Nepal was 1839, so it's no surprise that they were considered extinct there. Over the past few years, visitors to Makalu Barun National Park in the eastern Himalaya have reported scattered, unverified sightings of the little otter. But it remained elusive until forestry officials stumbled upon it. A bulletin by the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group announced the confirmed presence of the Asian small-clawed otter in Nepal. The discovery of a surviving Nepalese otter population came when a local from Dadeldhura village found an injured baby otter by the Rangun and Puntara Rivers. Not knowing the significance of the little creature, the local passed it on to local forestry officials. The Forestry Officer, Rajeev Chaudhary, thought it might be a small-clawed otter. While he was nursing it back it health, he took photos and videos of the pup. Chaudhary then sent them to Nepalese otter experts at the IUCN Otter Specialist Group. They confirmed his suspicions and set about a habitat study in the area. Meanwhile, the pup in question recovered its strength and was released back into the wild. Asian small-clawed otters are listed as Vulnerable to Extinction. This discovery doesn't change that. The fact that these tenacious little otters are clinging on to their ancestral territory in Nepal is only more reason they need immediate support. For one thing, they aren't on Nepal's Aquatic Animal Protection Act list. The river ecosystems they inhabit are threatened by mining, over-fishing, agricultural run-off, and deforestation. Getting official protection, now that they officially exist, is crucial. "A timely conservation effort for this exceptionally rare species, a keystone aquatic mesocarnivore, is now urgently needed in Nepal," the IUCN bulletin concludes.
CNET
15 hours ago
- CNET
I'm Preparing for My Next Road Trip: This Is My Travel Prep Checklist
I love to travel, whether it's hopping a flight to a far flung destination with friends, or hopping in the car for a long road trip. While I love planning my next trip, I still get anxious every time. All of the moving parts of travel start to add up, leaving me stressed and trying to figure out what I've forgotten. Even though I travel often, I still get flustered thinking about how I'm going to fit everything I want to take in my suitcase or carry-on, how best to navigate TSA security lines and even how I need to prepare my home to spend several days away. I'm currently planning a 10-hour road trip to Florida, and while I'm excited to see my loved ones and explore nature, I'm already feeling the pressure of undertaking such a big trip that requires two full days of driving one way. It's nothing I can't handle with a little preparation, though. I just need to take it step by step. To start this preparation journey, I compiled tips to make the whole travel process smoother, no matter if I'm booking a flight or gearing up for a road trip. Want more travel tips? Here are the best times to book plane tickets for cheap airfare and how to avoid having your flight canceled or delayed. Tips for easier flying Airports can be anxiety-inducing even during the best of times. From researching flight cancellations to packing strategically to maximize space in your suitcase, here are some necessary tips for easier, stress-free flying. Fold, roll and cube clothing You may have your own unique approach to packing clothes. Some people opt for the folding method, others prefer rolling garments into tight logs and some choose to flatten their clothes into packing cubes. My suggestion is to combine these three methods. You can maximize space by folding your structured and bulkier clothes like jeans, trousers, formal dresses, jackets and coats. Then, roll up the rest of your clothes and fill the remaining spaces in your suitcase. To further compress your items, place some of the rolled clothes into packing cubes for added organization. It's also helpful to pack loose items like socks and underwear into these compressed packing cubes. Prepare for TSA If you're flying, consider getting TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to skip the long lines and for easier security screening. Whether you're a frequent flier with these perks or showing up for the standard TSA lines, keep your electronics in a convenient spot where you can take them out and put them back with ease. It's best practice to have your electronics in the top layer or outer pocket of your suitcase, or your allotted personal item. Otherwise, you'll have to dig around for your laptop, iPad, etc. stalling the line behind you in the process. Pack essentials in your carry-on When you check your suitcase, you run the risk of losing it. I haven't had this happen frequently, but the one unfortunate time my checked suitcase was lost -- and I had to spend three days exploring London without my luggage -- I was thrilled that my essentials were still with me in my carry-on bags. Your carry-on or personal item is the optimal place for the essentials that would be most difficult to replace. This includes your wallet, contact lenses, eyeglasses, prescription medication, chargers, electronics or anything you would hate to not have for several days. Track your bags To give your luggage some extra protection from loss or theft, consider outfitting both your carry-on and checked bags with tracking devices like Apple AirTags or Chipolo One Point Trackers. Leave wiggle room It's very likely that wherever you travel, you'll want to shop and bring back souvenirs. That means you need to take into account any extra space you might need for the trip back to avoid overweight bag fees. Tips for a stress-free road trip Driving comes with its own set of concerns. From preparing for flat tires to mapping out your route, here are some necessary tips for easier, stress-free road trips. Get your car serviced beforehand If you're hitting the road this holiday season, you should take your car for an inspection to make sure you don't have any issues on the route. Ask the mechanic to check the tires, car battery, brakes, fluids and wiper blades, or anything else that may concern you. It's best to do this several weeks in advance to make sure you have plenty of time to fix any issues or order any parts. Prepare for an emergency Roadside emergency kits are a must-have if you're traveling any significant distance. Some 30 million roadside assistance calls are made every year, according to AAA, so it's best to be prepared for any emergency. Plan your route Maybe this seems like a no-brainer, but it's imperative to know which roads you'll be taking on your drive. Not only will this keep you confident while driving, but you can note any road closures or inclement weather that may impact your route and adjust your plan accordingly. For instance, sections of I-40 in North Carolina and Tennessee will be closed for the next several weeks, and knowing this means I can choose a new route for my Thanksgiving road trip and won't need to be rerouted miles out of the way, delaying my trip. As another safety measure, I recommend taking a screenshot or printing directions if you're traveling in regions where cell service could become spotty. You should also take into account any hotels, gas stations and rest stops along the route in case you get tired or need a quick stop. How to prepare your home before your trip To ensure that you'll come back to find your home just as you left it, follow these safety and home-preparation tips. Unplug your electronics Not only can unplugging electronics lower your energy bill, but it will also reduce the risk of electrical fires. Before you depart, unplug your appliances, lamps, chargers, routers, computers and TVs for maximum safety. Lock your windows Triple-check all your doors and secure all windows before you head out of town. Consider purchasing a smart lock that can alert you when a window is unlocked and allow you to lock it remotely or a home security system to arm your home while away. Time your lights Leaving lights on to make it look like you're home can deter any potential burglars. Rather than leaving lights on all day and night, plug light timers into your outlets or install a remotely controllable smart bulb. Then you can set your indoor lights to turn on and off as they normally would, and set your outdoor lights to turn on at night. Safety is a priority for most families when they travel. To keep your home safe and secure while you're away, follow this home safety checklist to complete before going on vacation. Keep your plants alive You don't have to leave your house plants to die when you travel. You can fashion a drip system out of a plastic water bottle by filling it with water, drilling some holes toward the top and placing it into the plant soil. Read this guide for a full tutorial on how to keep plants alive while traveling. For more travel tips, check out CNET's picks for the best travel credit cards in 2025. You can also explore the 12 travel essentials you always need to pack and the worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.
News24
18 hours ago
- News24
Be silly, show you care about healthcare workers' mental health in your crazy socks
Friday 6 June is CrazySocks4Docs Day – and your chance to rescue the oddest pair of socks from your drawer and show you care about those who care for us: our healthcare workers, writes Lizette Rabe. 'I write this because I am a medical student typing on a small laptop in my wardrobe in the dark. Because I am sitting on the floor with my back against the wall. I write this because I cannot ask for help.' Because, she writes, if anyone should know how ill she is, she will not get a position as an intern after her studies. This is how a medical student in America described her experience of depression a couple of years ago. But it could just as well have been a South African medical student. When I quote her when speaking to students, nods of agreement of students in front of me prove they know exactly what I'm talking about. No one is allowed to realise the level of their mental suffering. And after they are placed, the worst is to come. Indeed, a recent report on News24 highlighted the harsh conditions junior doctors in public hospitals have to endure, and that many are already on antidepressants. Healthcare workers – including students in healthcare – experience some of the highest levels of stress which lead to severe mood disorders. That's exactly why the CrazySocks4Docs (CS4D) campaign started several years ago. Dr Geoff Toogood, an Australian cardiologist who lives with severe depression, started the campaign to raise awareness that also healthcare workers can suffer from serious mental illnesses. It was after he wore a funny combination of socks one day – and then heard colleagues giggling that he had 'lost it again'. The truth is that he was quite healthy at the time, but that a puppy got hold of his socks – those mismatched socks were the first ones he could find that morning. While he continues fighting his battle against depression, Toogood's advice to all healthcare workers – including students – is to not see their mental illnesses as a 'failure'. Instead, they should seek help. And know that they are not alone. In South Africa, healthcare workers are working under acute stress. Some state hospitals cannot even afford food for patients, or pay doctors overtime. Our healthcare system is failing, what with 2 000 vacant posts in state hospitals. With the withdrawal of American financial support for Aids programmes, the picture gets even darker. Highlighting a serious problem The CS4D awareness campaign exists so that those who care for us realise that they also need to care for themselves. Besides, it is our opportunity as the public to show we #Care4OurCarers. It may sound frivolous to wear silly socks to highlight a serious problem. But it is a way to break the silence and the stigma. According to studies, suicide rates are higher among doctors than among other groups. Suicide is even described as an 'occupational hazard' for medics. Supplied Research shows suicide ideation begins on medical campuses. The tragic incidence of suicide is also significantly higher among medical students than among other groups. A South African study found that a third of medical students experience suicide ideation and that more than 6% attempt suicide. Another study found that 30% of primary healthcare doctors suffer from moderate to severe depression – a condition 'that is unrecognised, stigmatised, and undertreated – one which can have fatal consequences'. Moral distress In 2023, another South African study found that 46.2% of doctors tested positive for burnout and 53.73% for depression. The irony is that healthcare workers work in the 'caring professions', but seemingly often do not take care of themselves. A professor of psychiatry has described burnout – dysphoria is the medical term – in the healthcare sector as a burning ship that is getting closer and closer. According to him healthcare workers are in 'moral distress'. Plus: Interventions should not just be a 'band-aid', or, as he refers to it, 'baby goat yoga'. Their plight requires 'continuous attention'. Of course, the medical student's cry for help above is a catch-22 situation. They cannot show they are suffering. And then that black dog sneaks up on them; and it can destroy everything. Toogood also referred to how he postponed his own search for help because he was afraid of the consequences. What if it became known that he, as a cardiologist, suffers from severe depression? He also experienced feelings of shame. As a doctor, he thought he must be 'bulletproof'; and comments around the condition made him feel like a failure. That he couldn't handle a demanding profession. That he had chosen the wrong profession. That he wasn't resilient enough. Even that it was his 'choice' to feel the way he did – as if a cancer patient chooses to have cancer. Or this one: 'Everyone feels 'down' or 'a little sad' sometimes.' The importance of self-care Awareness-raising needs to make healthcare workers realise it's okay to seek help and to support each other, says Toogood. Mental health is about the health of your brain – which affects your entire body and life. It's not something you 'imagine'. There is still a long way to go to destigmatise mental illness in the healthcare sector to help more healthcare workers – and students – to seek help sooner. So, dear doctor, nurse, caregiver, student: learn the importance of self-care. CS4D is the ideal opportunity. You are not supermen or superwomen. To help students break the stigma, a 'sock selfie' competition will be held on all South Africa's medical campuses. All you have to do is post your sock selfie on social media with the hashtag #CrazySocks4Docs by 13 June, link it to the Ithemba Foundation's Facebook (IthembaFoundation1) or Instagram pages (@ithembafoundation) and ask family and friends for 'likes'. The student with the most 'likes' on each campus wins a whopping R2 000 in cash. Simultaneously, this is our opportunity as the public to show we care for those who care for us. Find your silliest mismatched socks to wear on Friday (and don't forget to post your sock selfie on social media). It may be a light-hearted way to draw attention to a serious topic, but together we can show we #Care4OurCarers. - Lizette Rabe is professor emeritus at Stellenbosch University and founder of the Ithemba Foundation which promotes awareness of mental health and funds research. *Want to respond to the columnist? Send your letter or article to opinions@ with your name and town or province. You are welcome to also send a profile picture. We encourage a diversity of voices and views in our readers' submissions and reserve the right not to publish any and all submissions received. Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.
