BBC’s Top Gear damaged African wildlife

8 July 2007

BBC’s Top Gear damaged African wildlife

Jeremy Clarkson of the programme Top Gear was accused of damaging one of the world’s pristine natures after shooting one of the show’s episode. A branded usb is a good way of storing your best (or worst!) bits of any tv show.

Clarkson and his team used three cars and quad bikes while recording for their show. Apparently, the vehicles left scars on the Makgadikgadi salt pans landscape in Botswana, Africa.

The Makgadikgadi salt pans are considered to be the largest in the world. It was once a lake that covered 23,000 miles of Botswana’s northern part. Due to climactic changes 10,000 years ago, the lake evaporated and left only salt deposits.

According to conservationists, quad bikes should only be used in salt pans on dry conditions and in single file so that there is only one track on the land.

The BBC defended its programme saying they were guided by environmental experts. However, a tour guide told the Sunday Telegraph that he saw Jeremy Clarkson and his team driving their vehicles on the salt pans in a way that would cause permanent damage.

The tour guide said, “They said they were making a big film for the BBC and ignored me. They had quad bikes and three cars and they were driving all over the place, making marks on the salt pans.”

he Environmental Investigation Agency head of campaigns, Mary Rice said BBC is having it both ways. While clearing their schedule for the Live Earth concert, they also are spending money and sending people to damage one of the last pristine places on earth.