Pretty in Pink - The Flamingo

Pretty in Pink - The Flamingo 

 

Looking out into the enclosed pond of the Chilean Flamingo enclosure, at Durrell Wildlife Park where I am spending my summer, bordered on all sides by thick vegetation, a mixture of thick shrubbery & bulrushes thoughts of recent events are at the forefront of my mind. The sun unleashes its full power on the sodden ground beneath it and envelopes all it touches, unleashing a new beauty that had become faded recently in the monochrome vision created by dull skies, thick, endless clouds and violent storms experienced over the last few weeks. I could see the colony of flamingo going about their morning routine, seemingly un-phased by the recent conditions that had caused a degree of worry in myself, yet despite my concerns I remember that these birds are hardier than their fragile external demeanour. Whilst extravagant in plumage and varying from elegant to awkward on their feet flamingo are known for inhabiting and thriving in some of the harshest conditions Earth can muster, so as I glance out into the enclosure once more, perched on the wall to the pond as the colony gather to feed on their specialised pellet, I put the weather to the back of my mind as the encircled, secluded enclosure forms a metaphor in my mind for the secluded evolutionary niche which has seen these birds remain unchanged for possibly millions of years.

Flamingo are a bird for me that had been a staple part of my youth visiting zoos & wildlife parks. Yet, steady concern is growing for flamingo at an increasing pace to some of those that work with the animals, but not to a lot of the public who can view these marvellous birds in large numbers in a large number of zoological collections in Europe & the America's. Whilst no species of flamingo is currently listed as endangered the concerns stem from issues which could see numbers fall in the not too distant future if ignored. Caribbean, American & greater flamingo are listed as 'least concern' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources (IUCN) but the lesser, James' & Chilean flamingo are listed as 'near threatened' whilst the Andean flamingo is now considered 'vulnerable', deeming it as a species at high risk of extinction. On an evolutionary scale, flamingos have proved resilient and hesitant to succumb to the forces that have rapidly affected other species across the planet, so what has started this downward trend in these remarkable birds?

Flamingos, for highly specialised birds, have a diverse distribution across the world, from South America to the Caribbean, Africa , Southern Europe to South-West Asia & North-West India. Alongside this, in the right conditions these birds have an impressive longevity, the record holder being a greater flamingo from Adelaide zoo in Australia who reached 83 years old. One individual at Durrell Wildlife Park in Jersey also currently resides at nearly fifty years old. The ability for flamingo to move vast distances to establish new colonies also factors into the matter and played a role in what was thought to be the first major blow to flamingo when in 1924 James' flamingo was believed to be extinct, until 1957 where populations were discovered living in the Andes Mountains and in areas of Chile in substantial numbers. However, these reasons are inconsequential compared to the juggernauts which have caused a worldwide decline in biodiversity, one which is now effecting isolated specialists like the flamingo, global warming & inevitably human activity.

Flamingo global distribution

The flamingo's habitat is as diverse as its distribution, against what many would consider viable for a bird which looks suited to nothing but flat land. However, whether in warmer or cooler temperatures as long as the colony has the ability to roam with plenty of resources, such as food, they can survive in most conditions without adverse effects, an adaptation which has certainly aided their evolutionary prowess allowing them to survive efficiently for millions of years. Characteristically though their habitat consists of large alkaline or saline lakes or lagoons that are sparse of vegetation and fish although suitable habitat that is used also includes mangroves, tidal flats and sandy islands. Studies have shown that the alkaline nature of the waters they inhabit is the ultimate deciding factor for a colony of flamingo, if the waters become too acidic the micro-organisms that consume the salt will not thrive, and without them the flamingos cannot survive either. Global warming reduces this natural habitat over time, lagoons  and lakes dry up and the flamingos food disappears along with the water. This global climatic change also affects the flamingos ability to breed and reproduce. Although breeding is stimulated by rainfall, and thus providing more resources to sustain chicks, too much rain can halt breeding and too little rain can mean a colony can lose the desire to partake in reproduction. So by already living in difficult environments alterations to these habitats can make further adaptation very difficult for these birds.

It has long been established that the activities of humanity alter the lives and processes of the natural world, with regards to the flamingo this activity seems to couple with the effects of global warming often enhancing the negative impacts. one of the biggest fears for these birds is the spread of toxins and diseases (bacterial and viral). With flamingo living in colonies that can number in the thousands an outbreak could lead to whole colonies being decimated in a relatively short period of time. The introduction of industries to countries that can be described as developing can cause vast run offs, of chemicals and toxins into local water supplies polluting the water causing high levels of mortality in flamingo populations, something recently observed in the Rift Valley of South Africa. Whilst not an immediate source of death for these birds it has been concluded that over the last decade bacteria and toxins developing in the water around flamingos has without doubt affected them negatively. More evidence down this vein has been recorded over the years, in Kenya 20'000 flamingo were killed in 1993 due to bacteria that came from pesticides and toxic substances used in the surrounding area, toxins that if used over a period of years can make it difficult for populations to recover due to the saturation across the environment. 

It is important to stress though that although there is concern surrounding flamingo they are proving a valuable case study in favour of preventative conservation. Flamingo due to their popularity have been studied and observed fairly well; there are many efforts already in place to reintroduce once forced out populations and preservation of land is on the increase in some of the regions flamingo inhabit. The cleaning of lakes and lagoons is also being carried out to prevent further damage by the before mentioned problems. This, on top of the high number of flamingo in captivity means that the preservation of many species can be suitably assured should species face problems in the future. These measures of intervention mean that major efforts to limit damage can be avoided and good news can be found in that although numbers are less than a decade ago, populations are still large enough and healthy enough to suggest that there is no overhelming threat to their survival a of yet, but it becomes equally important to know that although there is good, a complacency to act is something that we have learned the hard way when it comes to other species that face a very real danger of extinction in our lifetime. It makes the tale of the flamingo a rather cautionary one.

Chilean Flamingo - Durrell Wildlife Park

Ground Zero: The Vulture- Critical Veins

 Ground Zero: Critical Veins

The Vulture

 

The Graveyard

 

me & Gonzo the hooded vulture

To anyone who has read my blog previously will be aware that I am no stranger when it comes to birds of prey and vultures in particular. I have spoken up before for a call to arms with regards to their conservation but still this magnificent group of birds are facing a crisis which could soon be irreversible.  I have worked with vultures, among other birds of prey (BoP) for many years and had been fortunate to learn a lot about these animals, their ecology, behaviour and what an important role they have in their ecosystems, as well as being exposed to the turbulent problems facing these birds around the world.

There is still a negative stigma regarding the actual term 'vulture', they are depicted are harbingers of death due to their ecology and by how some media has chosen to depict them and they are often at the end of insults such as 'ugly' or 'evil' which I have heard many times myself. This unfavourable public opinion is one I coin as the 'Vulture Complex' an unfair opinion based on a lack of understanding  past visual bias, something all of us are guilty of in one way or another. Yet this is not a way of attacking people, humanity is inherently flawed but the ability to learn and adapt to the information around us is what makes us great as a species. In a wildlife conservation this bias is particularly prominent whereby animals deemed 'classically beautiful' or 'cute' such as the giant panda receive much more attention than those seen as the opposite, such as vultures, tuna and a multitude of invertebrates. Yet this very concept itself is being changed daily as peoples perceptions begin to change.

Old Scars

 

There are 23 species of vulture in total around the world, but 14 of these are considered threatened, endangered or at major risk of extinction. Vultures naturally inhabit every continent except Antarctica and Australia and are split into 2 groups that are not closely related, similarities and resemblances arising by convergent evolution. The New World vultures are found in the America's whilst Old World vultures inhabit Africa, Asia and Europe. Vultures are scavenger's and for the most part will feed on the carcasses of dead animals. A number of evolutionary advantages have helped vultures fill an ecological niche, from corrosive gastric acid to kill dangerous bacteria to bald heads and sometimes necks which allows them to feed without destroying feathers. This necrophagous niche may not appear very attractive but it makes them 'cleaners' of the natural world helping to stop the spread of violent and potentially dangerous diseases such as Anthrax and rabies whilst fulfilling a highly important function in the worlds ecosystems.

California condor

It is only recently that we began to notice a problem with the world vulture populations. The first high profile conservation case surrounding a vulture concerned the California condor. The California condor is the largest bird in North America with a wingspan of 9 1/2 feet. However, throughout the 20th century populations fell drastically leaving the bird highly endangered when it was realised that only 22 individuals remained in 1982. Drastic measures were taken and the last remaining condor were taken into captivity in 1987 leaving no wild condor from the years 1988 - 1991. However, intensive work carried out by a number of conservation organisations means that as of 2013, there are around 421 California condor in the world, 228 of which are free-flying in California, Arizona and Mexico.

Attention of conservationists was soon taken to Asia though as it came to light that a powerful anti-inflammatory drug called Diclofenac has virtually decimated vulture populations in India, Pakistan and Nepal. The problem began in the 1990's when Diclofenac was readily available and used to treat cattle for a multitude of problems including lameness and fever, and even in death the drug remained in the cattle's system. Cultural factors of the Hindu population (which makes up to 80% of the countries population) are favourable to vultures and by not eating cattle, seeing them as sacred animals, their bodies are left in the open, vultures welcome to feed on the carcass of the fallen livestock. However, one ingested it was found that the vultures would die in less than 24 hours from acute kidney failure. As the countries 80 million vultures decline accelerated research began to investigate the currently unknown cause until Diclofenac was identified. Simulation models formed in 2003 by researchers suggested if only 1% of India's carcasses were contaminated with the drug, the countries vulture populations would have been decimated but when the results of the study were documented it was revealed that up to 10% of carcasses were contaminated. 

The result of Diclofenac was the most rapid decline of a population in history, with Asian vultures falling 99% in a matter of 10-15 years. The species most affected by this drug was the white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) which declined 99.7% between 1993 and 2002. The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) and the slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) fell 97.4% in the same time. Whilst other species such as the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) were less affected due to its exclusivity to mountain habitats, away from human populations, and the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) which only wintered in India. The fall of the Asian vultures though was no malicious act, but rather that of not understanding the affects of these drugs on other populations. Once the decline was highlighted governments were quick to respond, India taking Diclofenac off the market in March 2006, with Nepal following suite in August 2006 and Pakistan shortly after. Since then a replacement drug was developed called Meloxicam which affected the cattle in the same way as Diclofenac but without the components which make it toxic to vultures, leaving it safe to use.However, despite this advancement populations are still falling 20-40% in Asia each year as unauthorised parties still sell the drug. 

Future Hearts

 

The future of the vulture is far from secure. Already a repeat of the ecological disaster looms in both Africa and Europe. Despite, safe alternate drugs available on the market in 2013 Spain authorised the veterinary use of Diclofenac and it is currently available for use on domestic and commercial animals in Spain and Italy, 2 countries that together house 80% of Europe's entire vulture population, with 95% of this in Spain alone. Italy also exports the drug directly the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia and Turkey, something which Antoni Margalida of the department of animal production, University of Lleida, Spain describes as 'the gap between scientific publications and their application.' with these EU countries not properly suited to such a decision ‘Current protocols to authorise this medicine don’t take into account the lethal effects on vultures’. European vultures already face threats of electrocution by power lines and severe lead poisoning and more recently death by wind turbines which claim the lives of many raptors across Europe. The introduction of Diclofenac leaves years of intense conservation and millions of euros hanging on a razor's edge. New studies place the issue now even beyond vultures as in 2012, 2 Steppe eagles were found at a cattle dump in India, their cause of death confirmed to be from Diclofenac, a development that could prove fatal for Spain's already fragile population of Spanish imperial eagles whose population size is already very small. Mark Taggart of the UK's Environmental Research Institute describes this development in a troubling way 'If diclofenac susceptibility goes beyond vultures and into eagles, this has a global relevance'. 

Eurasian black vulture

In Africa, the problem facing vultures is becoming the latest frontier of the conservation 'war' to be brought to a higher level of awareness as populations across the Continent are at risk of collapsing towards extinction. The continents 8 species have declined on average by 62% over the least 30 years, 6 of these considered to be critically endangered. They face a number of threats from power line electrocution to wind turbines, pesticides and poisonings and witch-doctors who ground down the brains of these creatures, believing them to hold magical powers. Vultures are naturally slow breeders and take years to mature, which causes a problem when conservation initiatives are implemented, yet without any form of help Darcy Ogada, assistant director of Africa programs for the Peregrine Fund, believes that vultures could be extinct in Africa in the next 50-100 years. In 2012 Ogada and a team of researchers examined the decline of vulture populations across Africa for the first time using data ranging back to 1961. They discovered that out of the 95 populations examined 89% were either nationally extinct or under severe decline. Their work also suggested that around 60% of deaths were from ingesting pesticide-laced carcasses. 

White-backed vulture

With pesticides poorly regulated and abused across a lot of Africa it is of no surprise that they are a leading cause of vulture death, with farmers using them on carcasses intended to kill larger predators such as lion and hyena, although illegal people are rarely prosecuted leaving a mountain of dead vultures, some instances leading to the death of over 900 vultures from 1 carcass. However, the rapid urbanisation of several African countries is responsible for displacing many vulture populations, leading to power line electrocutions and a lack of food as natural animal populations are forcibly removed from an area. This rapid surge into a modern era has also led to an ever increasing number of vultures to collide with wind turbines. These birds are also victims of the scourge of poaching. They are often killed, their body parts sold in the means of witchcraft, from their brains to their eyes although little is actually known about this trade due to its discrete and illegal nature, circling vultures also act as a beacon of iilegal activity to law enforcement so the illegal poachers poison carcasses so that the vultures cannot give away the position of their work. As if this did not make the vultures chances slim enough, Diclofenac is also in circulation, made by a South African pharmaceutical company who exports the drug to 15 other African countries. This leaves one important question to be answered, what would be the impact to ecosystems if vultures went extinct?

The Consequence

 

The consequence of vulture loss has become no more evident than in India and the rest of Asia where the sudden collapse of vultures has left the region with increasing side effects. The most straightforward consequence is that carcasses once eaten by these scavengers now rot in villages and fields contaminating water supplies in a number of rural areas. Secondly, the disappearance of vultures has allowed vermin and feral animals to rise exponentially in number, such as rats and dogs; these new scavengers though are not efficient at carrion removal as the vulture, whereas the birds acted as a 'dead-end' for pathogens, feral dogs and rats instead become carriers for the same pathogens. This growth has led India to house 18 million wild dogs, the largest population of carnivores in the world which leads into disturbing sanitary issues. Having become carriers wild dogs and rats become directly and indirectly responsible for thousands of human deaths every year through the transmission of infections such as rabies, anthrax and plague, of the annual 55'000 rabies death, 30'000 are from India.

However, more recently the consequence of vulture decline has become more economic and cultural. Treating the diseases caused by feral pests costs India 25 million dollars a year, costing each person 1500 rupees per person for treatment. On top of this pressure by outside organisations means that extermination of feral dogs is no longer legal practise, instead programmes of sterilisation and vaccination, of which the cost is enormous running into many problems along the way such as a lack of personnel and resources, yet it has proven the most effective method of dealing with the problem as its preventative nature means that the void left by the lack of feral dogs cannot be filled by another pest species such as monkeys and rats. Altogether researchers suggest that the decline of vultures has cost India 34 billion US dollars. Culturally Parsi beliefs hold vultures in high regard, as carriers of bodies between Earth and 'heaven' but deprived of their emissaries they have been forced to drop their ancient customs for reasons of hygiene. 

This snowball effect of problems is one that could now be mirrored in Africa where populations are becoming dismally low, the hope is to first regulate pesticides in an umber of African nations. In Europe pressure is still being mounted on the EU for an outright ban on Diclofenac  and in Asia populations have been bred in captivity with the first reintroductions now planned for as soon as 2016. Worldwide intense conservation work is being done by a number of organisations in order to save these ecologically vital species from extinction, but one fact still remains, saving the vulture is going to be a long battle with no immediate end in sight.

King vulture

Palm-nut vulture

In My World

My attempts at fictional writing is something that I hold very close to me. I have partaken in 'creative writing' from a young age back in high school & one of my English GCSE exams was actually just a memorised except of a very early, naive and amateur version of what I now call 'The Last Garrison'. Over the years I have created a myriad of characters who have continuously evolved as my own writing skills have increased.

Emotionally I have infused the majority of what I have felt over the last four years into creating two worlds of characters and stories that deal with everything from vengeance and inevitability to legacy with notable mentions to the demons we all have inside of us.

However, the truth of it all is that whilst I have created universes in my head I have shared little more than a few drawings to the outside world and only 3 people besides myself have actually been shown my green folder, which holds all the designs and stories I am creating, and even then I have little idea as to what those people thought. I want to share this world with more people, its just that I feel a sense of fear, a fear of failure, one that makes me unconsciously reluctant to share my work. I am just waiting for a moment where I am comfortable with someone who has a genuine interest. I want to tell people all about the stories, I would love people to actually read what I have written and I am dying for some feedback regardless of how good/bad people think it is. 

Currently I have 2 universes that I am writing for. There is no expected finish date & the whole goal is likely to take a few years. 

Sagas of Kuyt

Set in a fantasy universe. Sagas of kuyt consists of 4 main stories. Each one delving into a different part of Kuyt's history.

Absolute Zero

Follow the crew of Captain Luke Young throughout Kuyt as they chase redemption against uncountable odds as an evil who has manipulated history finally enacts a plan, a lifetime in the making. Luke and the crew must fight against an alliance called the Tri-Star, as they threaten war across the whole of Kuyt in search for artifacts thought lost to the world. Although Luke and his crew find absolution harder to find as they come face to face with a cataclysmic mage, known only to the world as The Maniac Messiah.

Renegades

Lanus D'Arten has been a slave for as long as he can remember, bound in chains and forced to fight for survival under the steel boot of the Faceless King, Lord Caracal. However when Lanus does the impossible and escapes the slaver king's fortress he embarks on a journey across the Western Isles of kuyt to learn the skills necessary to get revenge against his opressor and rescue his wife, who still toils under Caracal's whip. Lanus with the help of a group of exiles and warriors, the fierce Lady Lutra, vengeful Aluco, abused lydia and fellow slave Leontu will re-ignite an old resistance group called the Ursus Front with the help of its castaway leader, Ursus, to fight their way back to the gates of Ferox-Sol, through assassins and a clan of giants led by the merciless Loxodonta the Juggernaut, where the Faceless King awaits. However, they soon realise that this is not a journey for good men, but one to take back what was taken from them.

Centuries

The sequel to Renegades, follows the members of The Black Market after the battle with the Faceless King. As each member goes to follow their own path they are soon forced to reunite as a new danger appears, the Shepherd of Fire, Ullyses Pan a general from Tulasa who seeks to take back the lands stolen from his people generations ago.The forlorn general attempts to use a weapon of the Gods in order to take back his world leaving Lanus and the Black market at the mercy of a promise made to them many years ago.

The Golden Warrior (Part I &II)

The Golden Warrior was once the most powerful mortal being in Kuyt. A warrior designed to be the best, the protector of Kuyt against any evil that dare disrupt a long era of peace. However, as the legend grows so does the number of disillusioned but none of the disillusioned are as dangerous as Locusta Septim, a warrior determined to prove himself against the Golden Warrior by killing them all as they rise to power, taking a finger as a trophy. This story follows Drake Dervish, the last Golden Warrior, as he falls from grace and once more rises years later as the world suffers under a devastating curse. 

The Last Garrison

The Last Garrison is set in in a near future in the aftermath of a world affected by a rift in space and time caused by long gone inter dimensional beings. It follows the story of Anthony 'Arat' Ono as he returns to the UK to destroy the man who killed his family aand left him for dead as a teenager. However, Arat has a secret to keep under control a demon living within his body, but he must learn to control not only himself but those around him as he becomes embroiled in a civil war in order to take out his target, the Prime Minister Donald Claxton. The civil war is not all that threatens Arat as a covert syndicate called The Broken emerges from the shadows to thwart his efforts in order to fulfil their own purpose, driven by a mutated human, Tyber.

Fear through the Eyes of Madness
Ground Zero
No World for Tomorrow

Update the Nexus

A small departure from my wildlife related writing although the next part of 'Living Fossils' is currently being written. I wanted to do a little update on what I have been up to as the blog has been inactive for a while until last week. 

At the beginning of this year I spent three months re-writing and editing my Africa journal posts, based on what I uploaded to the blog after my trip last year. The reworked piece beefed up the content of the writing and over all quality as I was no longer writing off of my own excitement and hype of the trip I had just been on. The final product became something more than I could ever had hoped for. After the months of editing I was left with a piece of writing, which with help from a great company called 'Blurb' I managed to get self published. Actual printed copies of my work can be bought online. Something that before had only ever been on my bucket list. 'Chasing the Sun' is a comprehensive journal of my time in South Africa in 2014. To be able to say that technically I am an author is great and is fuelling some of my other writing projects. 

In April I embarked on a new journey though, I went back to South Africa for a month on a game reserve management internship which threw me into some amazing experiences whilst working around the reserve. It included being on the trail of leopard for 4 days as they passed through our camp during the night (only 10m away) and even having a life threatening experience with black rhino. It was an incredible time. However, now that has come to an end I am preparing for my next journey, a student placement at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey for 2 months, starting in July. This is the year I am using to kick start my career. 

In terms of my writing, Absolute Zero has been put on hold fore now as I keep hitting mental blocks with regards to its writing. My focus however, has shifted onto another universe that has been in my sites for a long time. It is a trilogy of books called 'The Last Garrison'. A modern day/ near future tale of deceit, humanity, through the eyes of Anthony 'Arat' Ono' a man who through a destiny, chosen for him, is charged with the task of defeating the enemies who challenge the world. Through his journey he discovers monsters lurking the shadows and a mysterious organisation charged with the forced evolution of humanity through extremist means. Below are 2 excerpts of what I have written so far, giving a nice overview of the general plot points that drive the events in this universe. 

I think that is about it for the time being. Don't forget to check out my other recent posts including one on the current state of rhino poaching and a response to a damaging article regarding the UK's predatory birds. 

The Last Garrison: Fear Through the Eyes of Madness

"At the beginning of the 21^st century superheroes, inhuman’s and mutations were all factors of fantasy and the supernatural, at least until 2004 when the sky above us all was torn open in a flurry of fire and inaudible noise. As the twisted metal ships from a far realm attempted to cross through the tear in time we all knew that the world would not be the same again. Even though the event dubbed ‘The Rift Crisis’ was ended by an interdimensional being from the rift the subsequent radiation that leaked into our small blue planet changed the physical and mental nature of millions both alive and yet to be born. Some embraced their gifts whilst others let the powers consume them leading the remaining humans to grow fearful of the god-like beings among them. Among these fearful humans was Donald Claxton, a prominent figure who unlike others had the means to ‘protect’ at least the United Kingdom regardless of the collateral damage. However, I was unaware of Claxton’s existence for many years and grew up in a happy home because of it, loved by all around me, unknowingly a pawn in a larger game which eventually led me to collide with Donald Claxton. My name is Anthony ‘Arat’ Ono and this is how I lost my humanity."

"...we both know the man in the mask that killed your parents, the vigilante who called himself Indominus, is Donald Claxton. However, what happened since that day is vital if we are truly able to reach an understanding. 2015 marked the beginning of the dark days for the United Kingdom. The man the world knows as Donald Claxton could now legally dispose of those he had tried to rid himself of whilst wearing a vigilante’s mask before his political career. A mere week after his election as Prime minister of the UK he sanctioned the ‘Rift Affected Defence Programme’ (RADP legislation). This piece of legislation was an advancement on the ‘Rift Affected Manifestation Index’ (RAMI). Whilst RAMI forced all citizens affected by the rift to submit to examinations and documentation of their powers leading to years of tension, the RADP allowed government sanctioned forces the ability and right to arrest and imprison any individual affected by rift radiation deemed to be a threat and to dispose of with lethal force, any individual who attacks or endangers the life of any sanctioned government force or civilian. A destructive act built upon a necessary defensive framework. Claxton had begun to achieve his dream, a society free from ‘Rift freaks’ a term he coined in his campaign, the first step to real life citizen control. Proxy societies built upon his word and will. On the 19th May Claxton stood down the British armed forces instead choosing to opt for ‘Ratel’, a national private military company (PMC) to undertake actions under RADP. A move justified by a desire not to distract our sovereign forces from the looming terrorist threats that surround the United States of America (USA). Led by Claxton’s personal hunter and pitbull, Gregory Marsdon, the cruel undertaking began with hundreds dying in the initial stages of the programme. Although many still supported Claxton through their fear of the ‘affected’, more opposed his sudden radical view that he had kept hidden for years. Claxton had coaxed and manipulated previous governments to demolish ties with the European Union (EU) thus by extension abandoning the basic laws for Human Rights designed to prevent legislation such as the RADP. That is when I, Stuart Bellamy, along with other concerned politicians split away from Westminster and formed the Lynx Military Resistance Coalition which consisted of concerned politicians, civilians and military. Despite negotiations Claxton made it clear to us that the RADP would continue until the UK was cleansed of the danger these people posed. It was not an easy choice to make but our resources and numbers allowed me to declare war upon Claxton and his and his UK Conserve government over his inhuman acts, thus leaving the United Kingdom gripped in the clutches of this Civil war. Those brave enough to join our ranks, including European resistance and freedom groups such as the Franco-Germanic Syndicate (F-GS) and the Black Sun fight tirelessly to gain ground across the UK with the endgame being the removal of Claxton. My actions may seem violent but to protect this great nation we must fight terrorism by any means necessary, no matter its form.” Bellamy’s monologue came to an end with a triumphant sounding ring to his voice, an obvious pride in his actions. Arat looked on, despite his relaxed demeanour he had a keen mind for the workings of the world around him and was taken in by the recent events yet he could not help but make a sharp remark towards the politician “did you just refer to yourself in the first person?” “That is hardly the point Anthony!” Bellamy responded..."