Page 7 – Africa Geographic

RHINO

Africa’s 2 rhino species are the most numerous of the world’s 5 species. Here is everything you need to know about black and white rhinos

580 elephants return to Virunga in DR Congo – and other species follow in their wake

580 elephants have been seen moving again between Queen Elizabeth NP in Uganda and Virunga NP in DR Congo – and other species are following

Female banded mongooses incite violence for better mating opportunities

Female banded mongooses lead their groups into deliberate conflict with rival groups to increase their chances of mating – research

CEO note: Free at last + Hwange + the edge

The Edge of Existence and human-wildlife conflict – we interview James Suter

The Edge of Existence tells the story of human-wildlife conflict on the western boundary of Tanzania’s Serengeti. We interview the filmmaker

HWANGE

Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest national park, Hwange is a safari paradise that hosts large populations of elephants, lions and wild dogs

Confiscated parrots fly free again over DR Congo forests

39 poached & confiscated African grey parrots released in eastern DR Congo after being rehabilitated at Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre

CEO note: Reality check + another ‘problem’ elephant killed

Jens Cullmann, 2020 Photographer of the Year – gallery two

This fantastic gallery by Photographer of the Year 2020 winner Jens Cullmann will have you booking your next safari with Africa Geographic

Forest elephants going hungry as climate change stops trees from fruiting

Forest elephants are losing body condition – most probably due to climate impacts on forest tree fruit production – say researchers

Chacma Baboon

The baboon is one of the largest monkeys in the world, with human-like cunning and 4cm canines that rival those of leopards

CEO note: Captive-bred lion hunting not ‘fair chase’ + Lost & found

Riff Raff the ‘problem-causing’ elephant shot and killed

The ‘problem-causing’ elephant known as Riff Raff has been shot and killed by provincial authorities in South Africa

Captive-bred lion hunting not acceptable – say Dallas Safari Club & CIC

Captive-bred lion hunting “not representative of responsible, sustainable, fair chase hunting … damaging the reputation of hunters” …

Lemurs of Madagascar

The lemurs of Madagascar are a fascinating family of primates of all shapes & sizes that have evolved to fill every niche on the island

“Lost” species of chameleon found in hotel gardens

A ‘lost’ species of chameleoln – Voeltzkow’s chameleon – has been found in a hotel garden in Madagascar after it had been assumed extinct

CEO note: Perfect storm alert + Mana Pools

COVID-19 ‘perfect storm’ threatens conservation in Africa

A new report examines just how bad COVID-19 is for Africa’s wildlife and protected areas and what needs to be done to save our wild spaces

Mana Pools

Mana Pools is Africa’s iconic park for bush walking without a guide – renowned for encounters on foot with wild dogs & relaxed elephant bulls

Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story

Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story is a photographic book celebrating these charismatic predators and telling their story

Saving rodents, losing primates – we need tailored strategies to manage bushmeat trade

Viewing all bushmeat trade through one lens over-simplifies the complex situation and could lead to accelerated disappearance of some species

CEO note: Strawberry leopard + here be dragons + living next door to a poacher

Strawberry leopard – a first for Gauteng

Photos: The ‘strawberry leopard’ is a genetic rarity that seldom occurs, and is almost never seen. Well, one has now been seen in South Africa

HERE BE DRAGONS – The Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile has evolved over millennia to be a cunning, patient and ferocious predator that is capable of taking down large prey

Cycads: Are you living next door to a poacher?

The most endangered living organisms in the world today are not rhinos, elephants, or even pangolins – they are plants called cycads

The Colours of Salt

AERIAL ART is a coffee table book by photographers Jay & Jan Roode who celebrate the spectacular Namibian coastline with astonishing images

Ruaha

The ancient Ruaha landscape, dominated by huge baobabs & elephants, is home to a wide variety of wildlife for the perfect wilderness safari

Trophy hunting – how do African people feel?

Trophy hunting: How do African people perceive and react to trophy hunting compared to those from the Western public – research

The Power of Unity – Cheetah coalition in Maasai Mara

This is the story of a cheetah coalition of five males – the Tano Bora coalition, meaning ‘The Magnificent Five’ – in Kenya’s Maasai Mara

POACHERS – the people behind the statistics – a reality check

POACHERS – who are they and what motivates them? TRAFFIC investigates the driving factors of poaching activities and suggests solutions

Ignorant complicity amongst some safari guides

This refreshingly honest opinion editorial looks at eco-ethics amongst safari guides as they go about finding animals for guests

Bee wise

On the south-western tip of Africa, a bee conservation group has spent the last seven years discovering the wisdom of our wild honeybees

Tembe elephant bull relocated to community-owned reserve

A large young elephant bull has been relocated from Teme Elephant Park to Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal

Etosha

Etosha offers that iconic African safari experience: a waterhole packed with thirsty animals & the drama of stalking big cats seeking a meal

The great elephant balancing act

Elephants are amazing animals and a favourite for holidaymakers on safari. BUT meeting an elephant at night near your home can be terrifying

Nyungwe NP in Rwanda under African Parks management

African Parks has announced the signing of a 20-year agreement with the Government of Rwanda to manage the biodiverse Nyungwe National Park

Lion farming – Lord Ashcroft submission to South African High Level Panel

Lion farming presentation by Lord Ashcroft to the High-Level Panel looking at the management of lions and other species in South Africa

Kruger waterhole problems

Kruger waterhole problems are being reported, and it is not clear which waterholes are closed as per the Kruger ecosystem management plan

KHWAI

Khwai in Northern Botswana is a wildlife haven. Bordering the Okavango Delta, Moremi & Chobe – Khwai is an iconic safari destination

Human-lion conflict in a key lion population area

Human-lion conflict is a major issue for the conservation of wild lions – we look at the successful Kwando Carnivore Project in KAZA

How much water should lodges be using?

How much water should safari lodges be using? The lowering of groundwater levels could compromise the ecosystem and wildlife.

Selous be dam(n)ed

Selous is facing changes – from increased conservation status to a huge hydro-electric dam being built on the pristine Rufiji River

Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story

Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story is a photographic book celebrating these charismatic predators and telling their story

Elephants & cattle – restoring soil nutrient levels

Research shows that elephants can assist farmers by restoring soil nutrient levels when cattle have depleted those nutrients

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular tourism destination, for obvious reasons – offering tree-climbing lions to chimpanzees

Donkey smugglers profit off wildlife trafficking routes

Cross-border donkey smugglers in Zimbabwe and Botswana are operating pipelines used for ivory, pangolins and Covid-19 contraband

Cyanobacteria to blame for elephant deaths – Botswana officials

Elephant deaths: The sudden deaths of over 300 elephants in Botswana were caused by cyanotoxins produced by blue-green algae, say officials

Swimming blind – why critically endangered blind cave catfish needs research

The blind cave catfish, only found in a cave in Namibia, lives in total darkness. It is one of the rarest freshwater fish species in the world

FOSSA: 5 fascinating facts

The fossa of Madagascar has the predatory skills of mongooses and civets – acrobatic and lightning-fast – and the strength of a cat

The importance of adult male elephants

The selective harvesting of old bull elephants damages broader elephant society because of the important role played by the bulls – research

Why are elephants dying in Zimbabwe and Botswana?

Elephants dying: Professor Keith Somerville investigates the mysterious deaths of more than 300 elephants in Zimbabwe and Botswana

Wild dogs facing increased persecution in Eastern Namibia

Wild dogs face increased persecution, as evidenced by this puppy carcass found on a road – likely the victim of an intentional killing

Trophy hunting quotas for South Africa in 2020: leopards, elephants and lion bone exports

Trophy hunting quotas for South Africa in 2020: leopards, elephants and lion bone exports – announcements by Minister Barbara Creecy

“Lost” species of elephant shrew alive and well

Researchers have rediscovered the Somali Sengi (an elephant shrew) – which was thought to be extinct and was last seen nearly 50 years ago

Tsavo – Land of legends

Tsavo East and West National Parks in Kenya are part of the broader Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem where there is a feeling of vast ancient space

Coal mining in Hwange: gov bans mining in national parks

Coal mining in Hwange cancelled – according to a recent government statement that all mining in national parks is banned with immediate effect

Domestic cat predation on wild animals in Cape Town

The domestic cat is a honed killing machine whose impact on biodiversity in South Africa is only now being fully revealed

Counting lions: new study shows the importance of good counts for lion conservation

Counting lions using correct techniques is vital to understand how many lions there are. Historical surveys have not resulted in good data

Zebra

The zebra is a firm favourite among safari-goers because of their dazzling black and white stripes and familiar horse body language

Coal mining in Hwange National Park

Two coal-mining concessions have been awarded to Chinese companies in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and the neighbouring Deka Safari Area

A different safari – photographic hides

Fantastic images from a day in the photographic hides of Indlovu River Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve near the town of Hoedspruit

Keeping an eye on predators

Attacks on livestock by wild predators is a common problem in Africa – and scientists say that painting eyes on cattle backsides could help

A Black and White Photo Safari

An exquisite gallery of black and white images that will have you contacting Africa Geographic about your next safari

Are Namibia’s carnivores at risk? Calling on citizen scientists

Namibia is conducting an assessment of its carnivores and you can help by using an app to report your sightings as a citizen scientist

Bwindi

Bwindi is the fairy-tale forest we dreamed about as children; it is also where you can meet and spend time with gentle mountain gorillas

“Living dead” – elephants in Kruger NP are sterilizing palm trees, says research

Elephants feeding on fan palm trees are preventing the palms from reaching full size & reproductive potential in Kruger NP, says new study

Lion trophy hunting – we interview Craig Packer

We interview researcher and conservationist Craig Packer about lion trophy hunting – with a focus on Tanzania, his former home

Mud

This fantastic photo gallery of wildlife coated in mud will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari

Sitatunga

The sitatunga is Africa’s only amphibious antelope; specially adapted to their habitat by virtue of elongated, widely splayed hooves

Tiny primate: new species of mouse lemur discovered

Scientists have discovered a new species of mouse lemur in Madagascar – which is already threatened by habitat loss & climate change

Roan antelope conservation challenges

Roan antelope populations have dropped to perilously low levels, and there is every chance they could disappear from the areas such as Kruger National Park

Understanding the Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is an enormous watery oasis, home to an astonishing variety of wildlife and host to some of the best Botswana safaris

Mauritius oil spill – pictures, map and details

The oil spill threatening the Mauritius south-east coastline was caused by a Japanese ship that is carrying almost 4,000 tons of oil

Will legal international rhino horn trade save wild rhino populations?

Will legal international rhino horn trade save the wild rhino population? Find out here in this thought-provoking opinion post

It’s not about the worm

Mopane worms are a popular source of protein and delicious snack for rural people in Limpopo – read about a sustainable Kruger harvest program

Aardvarks and climate change

Aardvarks are being severely impacted by climate change, says research being conducted in arid areas where temperatures are expected to rise

Buffalo – Godfather of the African bushveld

The African buffalo has earned itself something of a reputation – particularly the cantankerous old ‘dagga boys’. Learn more here

Rhino poaching stats 2020 – more shades of grey

Rhino poaching for 2020 is lower because of the COVID-19 lockdown – although SA Minister claims the victory for her team

A plane full of hyenas

Four spotted hyenas completed a journey of over 1 400 km to Zinave National Park, Mozambique – after decades of no carnivores in the park

Kruger roan antelope deaths by neglect – more of the same, says informant

Roan antelope in Kruger breeding camps are dying due to neglect, with reasons varying from dehydration to disease – here are the facts

8 Cheetah cubs rescued in Somaliland – destined for illegal pet trade

8 cheetah cubs rescued in Somaliland during three operations – they were destined for the illegal pet trade that continues despite Covid-19

Jens Cullmann, 2020 Photographer of the Year – gallery one

This fantastic gallery by Photographer of the Year 2020 winner Jens Cullmann will have you booking your next safari with Africa Geographic

Human impact results in leopard inbreeding – research

Human activity is affecting negatively on leopard populations – via changes in age, sex & social structure of leopard populations – research

Declining Dynasties: Painted Wolf Pressures

Some say that the painted wolf (African wild dog) population in Mana Pools is the lowest in a decade. Why is this and how can we help?

Trophy hunting ban could harm conservation on private fenced farms in South Africa – says study

Trophy hunting on many private fenced farms in South Africa – this study examines the impact that a ban could have on biodiversity

Chameleons – 6 must-know facts

Chameleons are unique, weird & wonderful – changing their skin colour & shooting their tongues out to reach 100 km/hr in 1/100 of a second !

Understanding rinderpest

Rinderpest is a deadly virus that devastated livestock & African wildlife species in the late 19th century – the impacts are still felt today

Cheetah brothers go on international walkabout

A cheetah brother coalition has attracted the attention of researchers as they journey across international borders in search of territory

Change is coming to the safari industry

This story is about how technology and human nature are shaping the future of your dream hand-crafted safari – is that a good thing?

North Luangwa

North Luangwa in Zambia is remote and wild, accessible only by air or tough 4×4 vehicle – the perfect place for walking safaris

W National Park in Benin now falls under African Parks management

African Parks has concluded a management agreement for W National Park in Benin, adding the 18th national park to its management portfolio

Rescued pangolins given a rare second chance

Seven rescued pangolins rehabilitated and moved to a new home that is secure and ready to once again play host to pangolins

The real economic value of Greater Kruger National Park

A 2020 study has revealed the considerable economic, social and political contributions of the Greater Kruger National Park

Lion cubs to bones – we interview Lord Ashcroft about ‘UNFAIR GAME’

We spoke to Lord Ashcroft about his book UNFAIR GAME – a must-read exposé of South Africa’s morally bankrupt captive lion breeding industry

Leopards: silent, secretive and full of surprises

Leopards: These breathtakingly beautiful, charismatic, powerful & mysterious creatures are the top request on safari. Learn about them here.

20 roan antelope die of dehydration in fenced Kruger camp – ranger dismissed

Tragic death by neglect of 20 roan antelope in a Kruger breeding camp leads to the dismissal of a Kruger section ranger

Botswana elephant graveyard: mystery death toll rises to 400

What we know about elephants dying under mysterious circumstances near the northern Botswana village of Seronga, north of the Okavango Delta

Can CITES be fixed? Practical suggestions that make sense are being ignored

CITES is failing to protect species from too much international trade. Here are some practical solutions to CITES problems

Serengeti

The vast Serengeti in northern Tanzania is home to an extraordinary amount of wildlife and plays host to the greatest show on Earth – the Great Migration