A formal letter to the Minister of Environmental Affairs from some of the top wildlife NGOs in the country about the captive carnivore interactions in South Africa. Records show that at least 37 incidents of captive carnivore attacks have occurred since 1996, affecting no less than 40 victims.
Author Archives: News Desk
SA hunters expelled over canned lion hunting
Two South African hunting associations that embrace canned lion hunting have lost an appeal to retain their membership to Europe’s top hunting organisation, and have been thrown out of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation for breach of policy.
Wild black rhinos to return to Chad after 50-year absence
An unprecedented collaboration between the South African and Chadian Governments, SANParks and African Parks, is enabling the translocation of critically endangered black rhinos from South Africa to a secure park in Chad on the 3rd May, reintroducing the species to the country after almost fifty years of local extinction.
Lion mass slaughter house
The Blood Lions team and other environmentalists reacted with horror to reports that a lion slaughterhouse was established ‘overnight’ on a farm outside Bloemfontein.
Another collared elephant shot outside Zim national park
Hunters in Zimbabwe have shot dead a bull elephant collared by scientists for research purposes, the second such killing in a month, a conservation group says.
Taiwan to revise laws for complete ban in ivory trade from 2020
Taiwanese officials are working to revise regulations so that a solid ban against trade in ivory can be put into force in 2020.
Britain to ban sale of ivory items, regardless of age
With a prohibition on the sale of nearly all antiques containing ivory, the new legislation will create the toughest ban on ivory in Europe.
Giant elephant killed by hunter – despite research collar
Giant large-tusked elephant (with research collar) removed from the gene pool by a Russian hunter in Zimbabwe.
R.I.P. Sudan – last male northern white rhino
It is with great sadness that Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvůr Králové Zoo announce that Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, age 45, died at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on March 19th, 2018.
Trump administration to allow elephant trophy imports on “case-by-case basis”
The U.S. government will allow hunters to import elephant trophies on a “case-by-case basis”, breaking the president’s pledge.
Mass poisoning incident leaves lions, vultures dead near Ruaha
A mass poisoning incident in the Wildlife Management Area just outside Ruaha National Park has left six lions and over 70 vultures dead.
Largest US safari club slams door shut on SA’s canned lion industry
The world’s largest hunting club, Safari Club International (SCI) has slammed the door shut on South Africa’s canned lion industry, announcing it will no longer allow captive-bred lion operators to advertise or market captive-bred lions (CBL) at its annual convention, and will reject all captive-bred lion entries for its record books.
Trump confirms US elephant trophy ban remains
US President Donald Trump has confirmed in an interview with Piers Morgan that he will not be lifting the ban on elephant trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Federal Court invalidates decision for trophy imports to US
The US Federal Court of Appeals has invalidated the decision to allow the import of animal parts from trophy hunts from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
China’s ban on domestic ivory sales now in effect
China’s complete ban of the buying and selling of ivory products went into effect on Sunday.
New hunting association formed after outcry over captive-bred lion hunting
A new association representing the interests of professional hunters, opposed to hunting captive-bred lions, has been formed in South Africa.
Snakebite season in Southern Africa
Many bites from deadly snakes are difficult to prevent as people accidentally stand on snakes, especially at night. But the snake that has been biting lots of people recently is the poorly-known stiletto snake, also known as the side-stabbing snake.
Trophy hunting may cause extinction in a changing environment
Trophy hunting and other activities involving the targeting of high-quality male animals could lead to the extinction of certain species faced with changing environmental conditions, according to new research.
PHASA approves canned lion hunting, faces backlash
In a change of policy after earlier turning its back on the breeding and hunting of captive lions, the Professional Hunters’ Association of SA (PHASA) has now approved such practices. During their annual general meeting on 22 November, members voted to approve “the hunting of captive bred lions as a legitimate form of hunting”.
Now Trump calls elephant trophy hunting a “horror show”
President Trump called elephant hunting a “horror show” Sunday and strongly suggested he will permanently block imports of elephant trophies from two African nations despite his administration’s earlier approval of the practice.
US to lift elephant trophy ban
US authorities will remove restrictions on importing African elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Lion pride kills over 250 livestock in Namibia in one week of carnage
Over 280 goats and sheep have been killed by the same lions in two different locations over the past week in the Kunene region in Namibia.
Unlocking the potential of Zinave National Park
Zinave National Park in Mozambique has come alive with activity that will see the full potential of this breathtaking conservation area unlocked over the next decade.
49 Vultures poisoned near Kruger National Park
The poisoned bodies of nearly 50 vultures have been found by rangers in Mozambique‚ just a short distance from the boundary of the flagship Kruger National Park.
Forest elephant population collapse in Central Africa
Wildlife censuses carried out in four Central African countries have revealed that forest elephant populations have declined by approximately 66% over eight years in an area covering almost 6 million hectares.
Social media used to sell big cats in UAE despite law
Cheetah cubs continue to be sold on the UAE black market via social media accounts operated by five key dealers, helping fuel a thriving trade in illegal exotic pets.
Video: Adorable sand cat kittens spotted for first time in wild
On a recent expedition to Morocco, Grégory Breton, director of Panthera France, captured stunning (and viral!) videos and photos believed to be the first-ever sighting of wild sand cat kittens in their African range.
66 Giraffes join thousands of other animals exported to China
Sixty-six giraffes arrived in central China’s Henan Province in the early hours of Sunday, on a chartered flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, according to local sources.
Giant Kenyan elephant killed by authorities on suspicion of killing farmer
One of the last big elephant bulls in Africa was shot and killed by the authorities because it was suspected he had killed a farmer.
Video: Young elephants kicked and slapped during capture for Chinese zoos
Rare footage of the capture of wild young elephants in Zimbabwe shows rough treatment of the calves as they are sedated and taken away.
Laos: The fastest growing ivory market in the world
A new report has revealed that China’s neighbouring country, Laos, has now become the fastest growing African ivory market in the world.
Lions escape from Etosha, kill livestock
Lions from Etosha National Park in Namibia have reportedly escaped into the neighbouring Sesfontein Constituency and have managed to kill 19 goats in one night.
‘Iconic tusker’ shot by trophy hunters in Zambia
A large bull elephant, described as an ‘iconic tusker’ was trophy hunted in Zambia this weekend – the biggest elephant trophy in decades.
9 Elephants die in freak electrocution accident
In a tragic accident, 9 elephants have died in a freak accident after being electrocuted by power lines near Sua Pan and a village called Dukwi in Botswana.
Online rhino horn auction met with “disappointing” results
John Hume’s first three-day online rhino horn auction was met with “disappointing” results as there were fewer bidders than expected.
Tsavo ‘Super Tusker’, Ndawe, dies after multiple spear wounds
Ndawe was the missing link, the proof that we were looking for. We were sure that elephants made the long journey between Tsavo and Amboseli, and he was the confirmation.
Trophy hunters lied about Xanda, son of Cecil, says Oxford researcher
The Zimbabwean trophy hunter who shot Cecil the Lion’s son, Xanda, was lying about the circumstances of the hunt, says the Oxford University researcher Andrew Loveridge from WildCru.
Hunting body president resigns over canned lion dispute
The president of the Professional Hunting Association of South Africa [Phasa], Stan Burger, unexpectedly announced his resignation on Tuesday with immediate effect.
New species of dwarf lemur discovered in Madagascar
Scientists have discovered a new species of dwarf lemur In the forests of northern Madagascar – weighing in just 100 grams
Hunting: the colour game is over
The breeding of wildlife to produce unusually coloured animals, in the hope that hunters would pay a lot more to shoot them, has fallen flat in a spectacular manner — with the practice being widely condemned.
Lion skeletons – 800 to be exported annually
SANBI’s recommendation to the Department of Environmental Affairs to allow export of 800 captive-bred lion skeletons from South Africa is coming under fire from Humane Society International and the producer of the film Blood Lions.
China announces end of legal ivory trade
China announces 2017 timeline for domestic ivory ban.
PHASA to defend captive-bred lion resolution
The Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA) is to defend its position on captive-bred lion hunting and breeding in the Pretoria High Court on 22 November.
Zambian poaching crisis fuelled by Chinese military
Zambia’s elephant population has declined by about 90% due to poaching. Its black rhino population, estimated at 13,000 in 1981, is now extinct.
Pack of rogue domestic dogs chase animals in Kruger
A pack of domestic dogs have been seen in the Kruger National Park roaming the roads and chasing wild animals
Letter: flaws in plan to sell rhino horn
Examining the concept of a central selling organisation in the legalisation of the trade in rhino horn – a flawed business model
Video: Johannesburg market sells illegal wildlife products
Footage emerges of body parts of endangered species being sold in a South African muthi market, highlighting “how little is actually being done on the ground” in spite of CITES’ intellectual discussions.
Palm oil trade to develop in Congo Basin
Gorillas, forest elephants and bonobos threatened by plans to make the world’s second largest rainforest the next frontier in the global palm oil trade.
It’s a no for Swaziland rhino horn trade proposal
CITES delegates vote overwhelmingly to protect rhinos by rejecting a proposal to legalise the rhino horn trade submitted by Swaziland.
CITES votes against strongest protection for elephants
CITES meeting blocks proposal for ban on all trade of ivory from four southern African countries.
