Scorpions of

1. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Scorpions of Tswalu Kalahari by Jonathan Leeming Author of Scorpions of southern Africa W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

2. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Scorpions Scorpions are icons of the Kalahari dessert. • Not well known. • Negative perceptions. • Misinformation. • Venomosity! W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

3. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Aims of the project Three aims for the project. • Survey Tswalu Kalahari for scorpions. • Education and public health issues. • Develop ecotourism activities. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

4. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey – Tswalu Kalahari W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

5. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey – Tswalu Kalahari W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

6. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey – Project Duration January December February 2012 2011 November March April October September May August June July W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

7. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey Finding scorpions at Tswalu posed a few challenges: • Vast area. • High temperatures. • Other large animals. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

8. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey The survey was conducted during the day and night. • 9 species of scorpion were found. • Many show distinct habitat preferences. • Southern Africa’s most medically important scorpion. • Extended distributions. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

9. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey - Results W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

10. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey - Distributions Parabuthusraudus Parabuthuskaunyamarum Parabuthusgranulatus W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

11. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey - Distributions Hottentottaarenaceus Uroplectescarinatus Uroplectesvittatus W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

12. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Survey - Distributions Opistophthalmus carinatus Opistophthalmus fitzsimonsi Opistophthalmus wahlbergii W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G.C O M

13. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Education and Public Health Knowledge is the power to creating an understanding. • Lodge staff. • Field Guides. • Clinic. • Occupational health. • Employees. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

14. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Education and Public Health Educational activities included: • Talks. • Presentations. • Courses. • Walks. • Practical field work. • Game drives. • Dune dinners. • Informal “chats”. • Assisting with the survey. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

15. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Education and Public Health W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

16. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Guest Activities Guest activities had to be the following: • Interactive. • Participative. • Interesting. • Personnel. • Informal. • Fun!!! W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

17. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Guest Activities Guest perceptions were a challenge! are cute! W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

18. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Guest Activities Guest perceptions may have been a problem. are not cute! W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

19. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Scary Equation™ Scariness expressed as a mathematical equation ( ) ( ) Misinformation Large + Hairy x Run_Fast 1 = Scary W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

20. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Venomosity Rule of Thumb™ • Medium Tail. • Thick Pincers. • Thick Tail. • Thin Pincers. • Thin Tail. • Thick Pincers. Weakly Venomous Highly Venomous • Life Threatening. • Bee sting. • Localised pain. • Pin Prick. • Itches. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

21. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n JPI (Jonno’s Pain Index™) Hospitalization Pin Prick Nail through hand W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

22. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n General Perceptions W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

23. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Lessons learnt The following lessons were learnt throughout the project. • It’s not just about the big 5! • People are interested in the small creatures. • Building interesting and fun activities adds value. • Interaction is the golden rule. • A little bit of education goes a long way! W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

24. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

25. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Scorpions of Tswalu Kalahari by Jonathan Leeming Author of Scorpions of southern Africa W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M

26. c o n s e r v a t i o n t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n Scorpions of Tswalu Kalahari by Jonathan Leeming Author of Scorpions of southern Africa Without the faith and support of the following, this project would not have been possible! Employees and staff of Tswalu Kalahari. Ian Engelbretch, Russel Binks, Dylan Smith, Gus van Dyk, Caroline Ewald, Duncan Macfadyen, Strilli Oppenheimer. Visit www.JonathanLeeming.com for project details, updates and downloads. W WW . J O N A T H A N L E E M I N G . C O M