Latest news with #vandenBerg
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Is Hoedspruit the new Hollywood of SA?
With the recent arrival of international film crews, including global superstar Chris Pratt filming scenes for the upcoming season of the Amazon Prime Video series The Terminal List, Hoedspruit's name is quickly becoming synonymous with blockbuster productions and star-studded visits. 'It's not a secret, but we're asked not to share the exact location while filming is still underway,' says Annie van den Berg, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Wildlife Properties. 'But yes, they're here—and it's not the first time film crews have graced our landscapes…' Hoedspruit has already hosted a growing list of international productions, including I Am a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (an Australian reality TV show), The German Bachelor, Holiday in the Wild featuring Rob Louw, Mission: Impossible 8 starring Tom Cruise, the acclaimed short film Cry My Beloved Country (2023), and the documentary Secret Creatures (2024). According to van den Berg, these film crews and celebrities aren't just flying in and out—they're living in Hoedspruit for the duration of production. 'We handle the accommodation side, including the rentals for housing the crew, chefs, stars, and support staff, while the filming takes place out in the bush or on custom-built sets.' Though film crews receive discounted rates, the rentals still fetch higher than average returns due to short-term, per-person nightly billing. 'Romano Pieterse from our office had a record-earning month thanks to managing these high-profile rentals,' van den Berg shares. More than just a short-term economic boost, the exposure from these productions is driving lasting benefits for the local property market. 'Hoedspruit is fast gaining traction as a premier destination—not just for tourism, but for real estate investment too,' says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa. 'The consistent presence of international film crews elevates the town's profile, showcasing its natural beauty to a global audience. This kind of spotlight often leads to increased demand for both short-term rentals and long-term property ownership.' It's not just investors taking notice. Many A-list visitors are extending their stays post-shoot, inviting family to experience the magic of an African safari. 'More and more celebrities are making Hoedspruit one of their preferred global destinations,' says van den Berg. 'And when they leave, they take the magic of this place with them—often recommending it to others.' With its blend of stardust and savannah, Hoedspruit may just be the rising star of South African real estate. If you're looking to rub shoulders with celebrities or invest in the next big thing—this might be your sign to add Hoedspruit to your house hunting list. Issued by Kayla Ferguson
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors
Sea slugs don't shy away from the fish, crabs, sea turtles, or even other sea slugs that might want to take a bite out of them. Instead, the brightest and most patterned sea slugs are more active during the day. The sun's rays are critical in enhancing the slug's ability to ward off predators with its flamboyant appearance. The findings are detailed in a study published April 15 in the Journal of Animal Ecology. A team from the University of Queensland in Australia analyzed sea slug coloration across 45 eastern Australian species. Poisonous animals like some nudibranchs–aka sea slugs–and poisonous dart frogs have evolved very vivid hues. 'Sea slugs use bright, contrasting colour patterns to send messages to potential predators like 'Don't eat me, I'm poisonous,'' study co-author and visual ecologist Cedric van den Berg said in a statement. The team used special cameras and software to simulate what the sea slugs would look like to a potential predator. They focused on finding any shared properties in color patterns among sea slug species, which directly correlate with daytime activity. The researchers then used sophisticated statistical methods to combine close to 160 different varieties of color patterns into one single fingerprint. This fingerprint captured the difference in appearance of species more active during the day or night. They found that sea slugs use bold visual signals like brightly colored spots, thick stripes, or enhanced body outlines to advertise that they are equipped with stinging cells, chemicals, or other defenses. And daylight is linked to making those signals stronger. 'These tactics are strongly linked to being active during daytime when there's enough light for these signals to function,' van den Berg said. 'It makes sense for these species to avoid the risky and potentially costly experience of being nibbled on or even ingested by a predator whether they are toxic or not. Their bold appearance also educates predators by being distinct from other animals while also increasing the chances of being remembered.' According to the team, the more nocturnal sea slug species don't need to evolve bright colors and patterns aimed at signaling to potential predators. Nocturnal sea slug predators are less likely to use their vision to hunt overnight, when the senses of touch and smell are more important. The team hopes that this new research will lead to more work on understanding how defensive coloration evolved in marine species.
