Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 29 February 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services say it has made good progress in trying to contain the Du Toit’s Kloof fire. The fire broke out close to Du Kloof Lodge in Du Toitskloof Pass on the N1 yesterday afternoon, and quickly spread toward the road, disrupting traffic flow. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, says the fire line above the entrance to the Huguenot Tunnel has been contained:

# Swakopmund residents in Namibia have rejected plans for a proposed radioactive storage facility in the coastal town’s industrial area. The residents cite health and environmental risks. The facility is anticipated to store hazardous materials near homes, sparking safety concerns. Former minister of Health and Social Services, Bernard Haufiku, says there is long-lasting danger to humanity and the environment:

# And finally: The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has adapted to spread between birds and marine mammals, posing an immediate threat to wildlife conservation. This is according to a study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Scientists collected brain samples from four sea lions, one fur seal and a tern found dead at the most affected sea lion rookery in Argentina. All tested positive for the virus. Author Agustina Rimondi says this confirms that while the virus may have adapted to marine mammals, it still can infect birds.

Stay tuned for more news………….