I think that an interesting idea would to create an overarching narrative across all four postcards about how wildlife is now becoming a problem in big cities. Depending on which country you are in, obviously, this varies what wildlife you have coming in and sorting through the trash, or in some cases actually causing danger and harassing people. I have this one memory of being in South Africa and encountering some baboons on the road whilst we were driving through this town, we had to wait for ages until they could moved off because driving at them would be too dangerous. In London, as well, foxes being around and seeing them on the streets has always been a thing whilst I was growing up. I find it quite sad almost, because really we're invading in their space or not leaving enough for them to live freely anyhow...
Cape Town - Baboons
- The baboons in Cape Town are really dangerous! They break into people's houses, jack peoples cars.
- They're highly intelligent. The fact that they share so much of our DNA and can think tactically is what makes them so difficult to manage and control.
- There is a special patrol that works to stop the baboons travelling down into urban areas but they are often unsuccessful.
Berlin - Wild Boars
- 3,000 wild boars are said to roam Berlin's green areas - parks, gardens, cemeteries. Which they churn up into muddy puddles during the night looking for insects.
- They migrate to the city because of access to food and the lack of predators.
- Feeding the pigs is illegal and can result in a very large fine.
London - Foxes
- Foxes venturing into urban areas has been a common/well-known occurrence since the 1930s.
- They come in because of easy access to food - especially since some people now feed them.
- There has developed a divide between fox haters and lovers. Some people dislike foxes because of the smell and noise they create, and the myth that they 'kill for fun', whilst others like them due to their sweet and endearing appearance.
Mumbai - Leopards
- Mumbai contains one of the largest urban forests in the world.
- In 2012 it was recorded 21 leopards were living in the forest, and were then sighted in urban areas - slums, schools ect.
- Around 60% of these urban leopards diet are stray dogs that roam the city, especially at the garbage dumps.
- Leopards have always coexisted peacefully with the people of india, and its only in recent years as attacks have been recorded and publicised that they have been tainted as blood-thirsty and dangerous.
- Conservationists worry how this new perception of the leopard population will affect their future.
Anchorage - Black/Grizzly Bears
- This article highlights the problem that despite urban residents are surrounded by wildlife, they remain ignorant to the nature of these animals - leaving them in danger when it comes to a surprise encounter.
- They also claim that sadly some simply do not care or resent the presence of these wild animals.
- Anchorage is proud of their bears, and wishes to conserve their population.
- In recent years however people's tolerance of living in coexistence with these sometimes aggressive animals has decreased.
- The problem is that people do things that may lead to conflict with the bears- despite other advise - such as keeping chickens with no electric fence, leaving food accessible in garbage bins, filling up bird feeders in the summer when it is unnecessary.
- Conflict has also increased, as the population of anchorage has increased and moved into once prime bear habitat.
- People also hike and bike along trails that are known to be used by bears - leading to attacks.
There are so many examples of animal and human conflict in urban areas. I find it really interesting how these conflicts are caused and exacerbated - usually by humans. This is something that I think I would like to make a common theme throughout these postcards!
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