We get an insiders view as to what happens during the relocation process of an elephant heading to a new home from Lewa to Tsavo in Kenya.
Author Archives: Guest Contributor
Breeding project to save the Knysna dwarf chameleon
The Knysna dwarf chameleon is a species in need of rescuing after devastating fires destroyed most of their habitat in Knysna, South Africa.
Lion relocation success: Somkhanda lions reveal their cubs
Four cubs have been spotted recently, sticking closely to their mom, at Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This is a true success story around wild lion and their translocation to one of the only community-owned reserves in the country.
Nyiragongo: A hike to the centre of the Earth
Climbing Mount Nyiragongo in DR Congo was one of the highlights of my life – a safari report-back by award-winning photographer Björn Persson
Cuteness alert: Rescued baby genets
These incredibly adorable baby genets stole the heart of their caretaker
Opinion: Elephants damage only 1% of Hwange’s vegetation
One of the main motivations for killing elephants in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is the argument that they destroy the plants and this is accepted by many as a problem. Let’s discuss whether this argument is not just an excuse for proponents of culling to get more ivory for the ivory trade, or to justify higher quotas for nearby hunting areas.
Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park: Protecting the “birthplace of rhino”
Over the past few months, Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal – managed by conservation agency Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – has been hard hit by a significant escalation in rhino poaching. Ezemvelo has subsequently been hard at work developing more effective anti-poaching and resource management strategies. In support of this, Peace Parks Foundation has committed an additional R10,6 million towards the implementation of advanced technology solutions in this sacred rhino protection area.
Fishing spiders: Small but deadly predators
A trip to Africa can sometimes provide unique sightings other than elephants, lions and antelopes. And extraordinary sightings such as a fishing spider feeding on a freshly captured Argus reed frog is one such example.
Opinion: The voice missing from the elephant trophy debate? Africans
People are likely to live with wildlife only when they have some realistic incentives to bear the costs of doing so. If wildlife doesn’t in one way or another form part of the livelihoods of people, it will inevitably make way for activities that do. For elephants, these incentives mean tourism and, yes, even trophy hunting.
Opinion: The trouble with trophy hunting
Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants, shares his insight into the latest news around the import of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe to America.
Video: Lots of gorillas, and luckily not much mist!
As part of our four-month trip around Africa, we decided to spend some of our time with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Problem lions announcement: Conservationist challenges Namibian minister
Conservationist challenges Namibian minister in open letter regarding decision to relocate or kill problem lions in the Kunene region.
The bird-eating heron of the Kgalagadi
The Kgalagadi always delivers unusual opportunities to photograph animal and bird behaviour – such as a bird-eating heron.
Rock-cut churches in Ethiopia to be documented
In Ethiopia, Christians are still today carving new, free-standing churches from solid rock faces, and now there is a project that is currently documenting this at-risk cultural practice.
Rhino horn: Recipes for disaster
In the middle of the sixth mass extinction, when 50% of the living species are at risk of extinction due to the ever growing, destructive human hands, the six rhinoceros species are at the tip of the pyramid, among the most endangered species on Earth.
Kruger: Is this the technological future?
Presently, we are able to instantly globally share everything we see and hear in Kruger and just about every other destination on earth. Animal sightings and locations are given in real time and we are able to send photos and videos across a host of social media platforms.
Kruger: Impact of social media and mobile phones – good or bad?
Technology and social media have shaped the Kruger experience into something radically different from what it was ten years ago.
Understanding elephant movements across international borders
A transboundary elephant connectivity study has been launched in western Zambia with the fitting of satellite tracking collars to wild elephants to investigate their cross-border movements.
Marine flatworms: The butterflies of the sea
Labelled the butterflies of the sea, we often ask ourselves why are marine flatworms so vibrantly coloured? Is it simply that they can be, therefore they are? Or is there a deeper significance?
The wonderful world of nudibranchs
Nudibranchs (the naked gills) are molluscs, the flamboyant snails of the ocean. Their colours and shapes are stunning, and their multiple forms elegant and striking.
The rhino in the room: South Africa’s domestic trade in rhino horn
On the surface, the upcoming legal auction of rhino horn set to begin on August 21 might appear to be a harmless propaganda exercise, but it may in fact signal a deepening of the rhino crisis.
R.I.P Giraneza, the silverback gorilla
Giraneza the famous silverback gorilla is dead. We share images and a tribute from one of our Photographer of the Year entrants
Cycads need protection from poaching
Cycads are one of the most endangered species on this planet, it’s time we educate ourselves on how to save them from extinction.
Watch: Cape leopards caught on camera
The Cape Leopard Trust has caught many wondering Cape leopards in their camera traps across the remote Cape mountains and farmlands
The birth of hyena cubs: The good, the bad and the gory
Imagine the excitement when guests at Nsefu camp in South Luangwa, Zambia, were able to watch a spotted hyena giving birth.
ET the aardvark goes home
ET was found and brought to me at ZURI Orphanage in Namibia in August 2015. Small and alien-like in appearance, ET settled in quickly with life on the farm. We have a house full of cats and dogs but settling in an aardvark was a completely different experience. There is very little written about aardvark so we had to learn as we went along.
Titanic battle between squirrel and parrot
On the morning of the 30th May, I witnessed a tussle between one of the current occupants of the nest, a brown-headed parrot pair, and a tree squirrel which dared to venture too close to the nest.
Mabamba Swamp: A bird-lovers paradise!
Mabamba Swamp is a bird-lovers dream destination. It is home to 260 bird species, including the massive shoebill – Uganda’s most sought-after bird!
The link between hunting & tourism in Namibia
I am not a hunter. Nor have I ever been. I am a vegetarian (since the age of about 11), I am part of the environmental NGO sector and I have interests in the tourism industry in Namibia. So, it might surprise you that I am a strong supporter of the hunting industry in Namibia, and indeed, throughout Africa.
South Luangwa: dog detection unit hounds poaching
In eastern Zambia, Conservation South Luangwa, in partnership with Working Dogs for Conservation and Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife has launched a fantastic initiative: Zambia’s first ever canine wildlife detection unit.
Baby elephant tragedy leads to appeal for help
Eric Sagwe of Wildlife Works received an early morning phone call that a baby elephant had been hit by a large truck in Tsavo, Kenya.
Protecting pangolins with the Tikki Hywood Trust
The Tikki Hywood Trust is doing great things to protect the remaining wild populations of pangolins – the most trafficked animal in the world
Lion bones: SA public has no time to contest sale
South Africa is about to permit the export of lion bones to produce fake tiger wine but has given the public almost no time to object. The permit will allow an annual export of 800 skeletons to Asia.
A closer look at pangolins and the pangolin men
Imagine the possibility of walking with pangolins. Adrian Steirn’s recent photographic series The Pangolin Men captures a unique and exceptional scenario of beasts and men.
The Askari Project: a Tsavo tusker conservation initiative
As part of their fundraising initiatives to help protect the giant (tusker) elephants of Tsavo, The Askari Project offers two adventure tours
Trophy Hunting: unethical Namibian hunters to blame for poor image
Unethical hunters cause poor international image of trophy hunting – says past president of the Namibian Professional Hunting Association
Trophy hunting: sustainability problems in Zimbabwe exposed
Trophy hunting in Zimbabwe’s Matetsi Safari Area is not sustainable at current levels as trophy sizes are declining, there is little scientific data supporting quota sizes and hunting management is seriously incapacitated.
A petrified forest in Sibiloi National Park
Sibiloi National Park in northern Kenya is vast, arid and remote – miles from other wildlife areas that the country is famous for
Taking a safari to new levels
Safari report-back: My trip to Savute (Botswana) and Zimbabwe’s Hwange and Victoria Falls with Africa Geographic. By Justin Mason
4 must-visit Nairobi museums
Discover the rich history of Kenya in these three Nairobi museums.
Behind the scenes of an elephant relocation
An emotional account of what it’s like to be behind the scenes at an elephant relocation as a conservation exercise
The six most memorable white water rafting rapids on the Zambezi
Get hooked on white water rafting on the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – these are the top six 6 rapids on offer
Hiking across Africa’s largest canyon
A group of South African hikers conquer the 85-kilometre Fish River Canyon Hike in Namibia during heritage month!
An elephant family finds a new home
Eight elephants find a new home in an area that hasn’t seen elephants for over 100 years.
CITES: observations from a young Honorary Wildlife Warden
A honorary wildlife warden bears witness to the verdict at CoP17 that denies Africa’s elephants any hope.
Do or die – deciding the pangolin’s fate at CoP17
To date the pangolin has remained under the radar of mainstream conservation campaigns, but the pangolin’s plight is indeed a global one.
Demand for rhino horn outstrips global supply
A new study highlights that even the global rhino population of just under 30,000 individuals is not nearly enough to meet demand if rhino horn trade is legalised.
Ivory trade mechanism rejected in heated debate at CITES conference
Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe’s recommendation for the adoption of a Decision-Making Mechanism for a future trade in ivory is roundly rejected by parties at CITES CoP17.
All about the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere Region
Learn all about the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region – a small area of South Africa with so much to offer.
SANParks responds to Kruger off-takes
In line with its approved management plan, Kruger National Park is planning to sustainably harvest some of its wildlife in order to combat the effects of drought and distribute meat to disadvantaged communities.
Celebrating culture at the Kuru Dance Festival
Different San groups in Southern Africa celebrate their rich cultural heritage of storytelling, song and dance at the annual Kuru Dance Festival!
Leopards: The Cats of the Shadows
Leopards inhabit many habitat types – but they also inhabit a blind spot in conservation. Tough to count, we can only guess their numbers
A Savuti fishing leopard in action
Watch this fishing leopard catch a catfish (barbel) in a muddy waterhole in the Savuti Channel of Botswana’s Chobe National Park
Wüstenquell in Namibia offers unique rock formations for photographers
Wüstenquell in Namibia’s abundant rock formations make it one of most spectacular locations for any landscape photographer.
Sustainable utilisation of wildlife not so sustainable
Overexploitation of wild species that cannot be compensated for by reproduction or regrowth has been identified as a threat to biodiversity
I can’t afford to volunteer in my own country
The problem with volunteering: By volunteering at conservation projects you may be robbing local conservationists of jobs
Poaching along the Okavango River
A look into the poaching of elephants, hippos and crocodiles along the Okavango River on the border of Angola and Namibia.
Watch: A baby snow-white baboon
An adorable leucistic baboon is spotted playing in South Luangwa as his mother keeps watch.
Why Etosha is the perfect place to sketch wildlife
Etosha in Namibia provided the perfect African wildlife experience for an artist from Spain – check out his artwork and take in his advice
Wounded elephant limps to a local lodge for help
A victim of a failed poaching attempt, this elephant limps to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in search of help.
Trophy hunting – a compromise?
Trophy hunting – the debates rage on. This analysis of the arguments put forward to justify trophy hunting makes for interesting reading
Build your own owl box!
Attracting owls to your garden is a wonderful way to marvel at these incredibly hunters of the dark. Learn how to build an owl box
The truth about volunteering with lions
Volunteering with lions – a volunteer exposes the behind-the-scenes reality of working in one of South Africa’s lion parks
Antelope hybrid in the wilds of northern Botswana
A wild hybrid between a red lechwe and a waterbuck antelop confounds an experienced game ranger in Selinda, northern Botswana
Zooming in on mesocarnivores
A camera trap study contributes new insights into the diverse world of small and medium-sized carnivores.
The rich history of Zanzibar’s dhows
Zanzibar’s rich, fascinating history is entwined in the use of the dhow – an ocean-going vessel used for trade along the East coast of Africa
Elephant poaching – intelligent law enforcement helps
Elephant poaching: Tanzania’s recent success in the ivory war is testament to the powers of a multi-agency anti-poaching strategy
Chapman’s Baobab has fallen down
Chapman’s baobab in Botswana – Africa’s first “post office” and a beacon for early day explorers has fallen down
A photographic journey through traditional Egypt
Outstanding photo gallery by Yasser Alaa Mobarak, a 22-year-old amateur photographer based in Alexandria, Egypt
White baboon stands out from the crowd in Arusha NP
A white, albino baboon has been seen wandering around Arusha National Park in Tanzania. This is an extremely rare encounter that has tourists flocking to view the mythical creature
Coral trees of South Africa – a study in scarlet
There is nothing in Africa quite as emblematic of the colour scarlet as the flaming coral tree. Find out more about this family of colourful fauna.
Who are the Black Mambas?
The black mambas are about girl power! Find out more about the all-female anti-poaching unit that is making waves in conservation
How China’s taste for wildlife feeds a killing frenzy
Africa’s extraordinary and charismatic wildlife is clearly under siege from the wrecking ball that is China.
Saving a little elephant
An elephant calf is saved after he became trapped in a dam at Phalaborwa Copper, Limpopo – thanks to the heroic team of Elephants Alive
Asia’s Golden Triangle – a conduit of death for Africa’s animals
The Asian end of the grisly wildlife trade business and a place that has become China’s illegal wildlife supermarket.
Carnivores in decline due to land reform
Population numbers of carnivores in Zimbabwe have dropped significantly due to land reform that has seen large tracts of land change hands
Peter Beard and The End of the Game
A meeting with Peter Beard, author of the End of the Game – a provocative tale of the harsh reality of starvation, poaching and hunting in Kenya.
The horror of snares
Unravelling the danger of snares – the indiscriminate killer of the bushveld and a serious threat to Africa’s free-roaming wildlife
An open letter to point out flaws in legalising the rhino horn trade
An open letter to Mr. Hume, the owner of South Africa’s largest privately owned rhino herd, with regards to his wish to lift the CITES ban on the rhino horn trade.
Local community rallies together to save elephants that are stuck in the mud
The tale of an attempt to rescue two elephants from the mud after they became stuck after trying to drink water from muddy pools
Why you should care about thickets
A thicket is a dense, almost impenetrable tangle of trees, shrubs, and vines, that is home to a host of biodiversity. Here is why you should spare a thought for thickets
A very special pangolin rescue
This is a story of two rescued pangolins, a story of compassion and transboundary teamwork to help two endangered mammals
5 things I wish I knew before climbing Kilimanjaro
Five things you should know before you summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and a popular challenge for adventurers
8 unexpected uses for elephant dung
Elephant dung has many uses to humans – from delicious coffee and beer, to medicine, insect repellant, biogas and paper
Seaweed – 10 facts and interesting uses
Interesting facts and uses for seaweed – the treasured garden under the waves.
12 edible indigenous South African plants
Connect to your food and the rhythm of nature in a new, fresh and wild way by growing these 12 indigenous edible plants.
Extinct, then rediscovered – the ‘little violins’
The lovely yellow Lachenalia mathewsii, like so many plants in the Cape Floral Kingdom, is at risk of going extinct.
18 000 Mauritian flying foxes: to cull or to treasure?
The Mauritian government plans to cull 18,000 endangered flying foxes – scientists say that this drastic measure threatens their existence
Where did all the penguins go?
Penguins are in trouble. A 1930’s video clip with Cherry Kearton gives an insight into the extent of the endangered African penguin population decline.
Rescuing Beatrice the baby aardvark
‘A’ is for aardvark – a strange nocturnal creature that wanders some of Africa’s drier areas. ‘B’ is for baby aardvark that was rescued
Welfare of elephants in captivity comes under question
Elephants are still being ridden in South Africa, despite a growing international move away from the controversial practice
‘Extinct’ plant discovered on Lion’s Head
A small species of plant, thought to be possibly extinct, has been rediscovered on the slopes of Lion’s Head.
Graphic content: Baby hippo killed by its pod
A baby hippo is slaughtered by its pod in a startling series of photographs that highlights the realities of wild Africa
Drones keep elephants safe in Tanzania
To reduce human-elephant conflict, drones are being used to chase elephants off farms and ensure their safety.
Lions are in trouble in Namibia
Lions could be in trouble in Namibia’s arid northwest if nothing is done to reduce human-predator conflict
A Rock Art Jewel
One man’s mission to document a complex rock art panel on the roof of a shelter in a remote area of South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains
A Southern African Mesosaurus site
Discovering the fossils of the Mesosaurus in Namibia.
Putting right the black mamba’s reputation
The black mamba is a misunderstood snake – the subject of many urban legends and exaggerated claims Learn more here
The creatures of the Boland caught camera traps
See what creatures live on the Boland’s mountains thanks to these great camera trap images!