Romy News - 03 April 2024

Hey there! It’s Wednesday and you’re listening to your favorite show, “Romy News”! Today, we’re going to talk about super interesting topics. Are you ready to learn more about rhinoceroses and why some mean people try to harm them? We’ll also travel together to the mountains to discover the animals of the Alps. And finally, we’ll take a little trip to Bolivia to explore this distant country. Let’s go! …

Let’s start with a somewhat sad but important topic: rhinoceros poaching in Namibia. It’s a big problem that puts these incredible animals in danger.

Since the beginning of the year 2024, 28 rhinoceroses have been illegally killed in Namibia, a country in Africa, and that’s really a lot. Especially, 19 of them were killed in the Etosha National Park, a place that is normally safe for them. Last year, in South Africa, nearly 500 rhinoceroses were killed.

But why do people do this? Mainly to sell the rhinoceros horns at very high prices, especially in Asia where it is mistakenly believed that they have medicinal properties. Their horn is so sought after that it can be worth as much as gold on the black market. It’s crazy, isn’t it? This illegal hunting endangers the survival of rhinoceroses, which are already endangered. And it’s not only sad for the rhinoceroses, but also for Namibia, as many people come to visit this country to see its magnificent wild animals. If the rhinoceroses disappear, there will be fewer tourists, and it will affect the country’s economy.

Fortunately, the Namibian government is not sitting idly by. They have increased surveillance in national parks, with more guards and equipment to monitor the areas where rhinoceroses live. They are also working with other countries and organizations worldwide to stop the trafficking of rhinoceros horns. And they are trying to make people understand how important it is to protect these animals, by encouraging them to report poachers.

It’s a tough battle, but we can’t give up. Rhinoceroses need our help to survive. You too can do something to help! Talk about this issue with those around you, raise awareness among your friends and family. We could even create a poster together to show everyone why it’s important to protect rhinoceroses and fight against poaching. What do you think? Together, we can make a difference. …

After talking about rhinoceros poaching, let’s change the scenery and head towards the mountains. I received a super interesting question from Léo, 8 years old, who asks me: “What animals can we find in the Alps?” Léo, you’ll see that there’s a lot of activity on the slopes. Let’s put on our hats and head to the snowy slopes!

Of course, there’s the marmot! It’s one of the most famous animals in the Alps. It’s a small, round animal with big cheeks, living in burrows. In winter, it hibernates deeply. In spring, it comes out to eat and play. When it senses danger, it whistles loudly to warn other animals. It’s quite cute to see them playing in the snow!

Next, there’s the Bearded Vulture. It’s the largest bird in the Alps, with a wingspan of 2.5 meters and a “beard” of feathers under its beak. What’s amazing is that it mainly eats bones. It helps keep the mountains clean by eating the remains of dead animals.

You probably know the lynx? It’s a large wild cat with beautiful pointed ears. It lives in forests and mainly hunts at night. It’s very discreet, so it’s hard to spot. But sometimes, it comes close to villages. Did you know that the lynx had disappeared from the Alps and returned a few years ago?

Let’s not forget about the wolf, which has also made a comeback in the Swiss Alps. There are now about twenty packs. Wolves travel long distances to find a territory, and it’s tough for young wolves to keep up.

We also have the ibex! It’s the “king of the Alps” with its large curved horns. They live in groups, and in summer, you can see them fighting to impress the females. It’s an incredible sight!

And then the chamois is the acrobat of the mountains. It can climb very steep rocks thanks to its special hooves. In winter, it has a thick coat to stay warm.

The Alps are a place full of life, but these animals and their home are in danger because of climate change. It’s changing their habitat and making life difficult for all these animals. For example, the marmot and the Aurelio lizard are struggling to adapt to these changes.

It’s important to protect them. You could, with your parents or at school, go observe the marmots in their natural habitat. It would be a great adventure and a good way to learn more about these incredible animals.

After exploring the wildlife of the Alps, let’s change continents and discover a fascinating country in South America in our Wednesday geography topic: Bolivia. This country is famous for its cultural diversity and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Bolivia is a landlocked country, surrounded by Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. It boasts incredible landscapes: the Andean Altiplano, the Andes Mountains, tropical forests in the Amazon, and even salt deserts. Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is shared with Peru. And then there’s the Salar de Uyuni, an immense salt desert, which is a highly popular tourist destination.

Bolivia’s history is marked by pre-Columbian civilizations like the Tiwanaku and the Incas, and then by nearly 300 years of Spanish colonization. Bolivia gained its independence in 1825 thanks to Simón Bolívar, a hero in Latin America. In the 20th century, the country experienced a lot of political instability, but since 1982, it has returned to democracy. Evo Morales, its first indigenous president, was elected in 2006.

Bolivian culture is very rich and diverse, thanks to the diversity of its peoples: Indigenous, Mestizos, Whites, and Afro-Bolivians. There are many official languages, including Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Bolivia has colorful festivals like the Oruro Carnival and the Feast of the Virgin of Copacabana. Its crafts include weaving, pottery, and canvas painting. And its cuisine is delicious, with many dishes based on potatoes, quinoa, and llama meat.

To wrap up, I suggest looking for traditional Bolivian recipes with your parents to make together. It’s a great way to learn more about Bolivia and taste its culture. …

And that’s it for today’s episode of “Romy News”. I hope you’ve learned lots of interesting things about rhinoceros poaching, the extraordinary animals of the Alps, and the beautiful Bolivia. Remember, every day is an opportunity to learn something new and share that knowledge with others.

If you have any questions or if you want to learn more about a specific topic, feel free to let me know. You can leave your questions and comments on my Instagram page. I love reading your messages and I’m always curious to know what interests you.

It’s together that we grow and make the world a better place. See you tomorrow!