The Knysna dwarf chameleon is a species in need of rescuing after devastating fires destroyed most of their habitat in Knysna, South Africa.
Author Archives: Guest Contributor
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
Hyena cub births: the good, the bad & 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!
