Written in the bones

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. In September, a South African lion farmer sent a shipment of ten healthy lions to the East Asian country of Laos – a sale that raised the alarm for animal activists. In Laos, tigers have been hunted to extinction, but their body parts are still in high demand in traditional medicine and used in a fine wine. But with the supply in the tiger bone market shrinking, alternatives are being sought in South Africa. Activists believe that the shipment of lions was destined to be killed to feed the country’s growing tiger bone industry. It’s a complex story where lion bones are used to supplement the tiger bone market. But was the farmer aware that the shipment of lions would be killed in Laos? Carte Blanche investigates and what we find, suggests that these lions were deliberately sent to their deaths. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

On 6 August 2023, we met Dr Keneiloe Molopyane as we headed down the Rising Star Cave in search of pieces of human history. An archaeologist and biological anthropologist, Dr Molopyane has been one of about 48 people to have entered the Dinaledi Chamber – a section of the cave where fossils belonging to at least 15 hominins believed to have been intentionally placed there as part of a ritual. Masa Kekana chatted to “Dr Bones” about paving the way for other aspiring female archaeologists, being an underground astronaut, and making discoveries that could alter the way we view human evolution. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

Angelique checks in on Felicity and gets a heartfelt speech about her past mistakes instead.

Tannie Maria opens one of the letters written to the agony aunt column. Watch the video to find out what it entails and whether she can come up with a response.