Will legal international rhino horn trade save the wild rhino population? Find out here in this thought-provoking opinion post
Post Series Archives:
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
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
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
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
The rat with a deadly secret
Deadly secret: the crested rat transfers poison from the bark & leaves of a highly toxic tree to its fur as a predator-evasion strategy
Lion evolution according to genome sequencing
Scientists have used genome sequencing of lions to reveal the evolutionary history of living & extinct lion species.
20mm pygmy seahorse discovered in South Africa
A divemaster has discovered a new species of pygmy seahorse in a sandy coral reef in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, that is only 20 mm long.
Wildlife trade between South Africa and China exposed – legal and illegal
The vast scale of legal and illegal trade in wildlife species between South Africa and China – many of them CITES 1 species – has been revealed by an extensive report.
Forest elephant populations smaller than previously thought
Africa’s forest elephant populations are smaller than was previously thought, say researchers. This realisation has a significant impact on future priorities and conservation strategies.
What’s in a (scientific) name?
The weird meanings behind animal scientific names – for example, the black rhino scientific name means ‘double horn double horn’
Secretive forest species such as giant ground pangolins and Congo peafowl revealed by camera traps in DR Congo
Secretive forest species such as giant ground pangolin, Congo peafowl and cusimanse revealed by camera traps in DR Congo.
What exactly is CITES and how does it work?
CITES was established to regulate the international trade of animals & plants, to avoid the over-exploitation of endangered species
CITES processes are corrupt, says report
A report from TRAFFIC explains how corruption undermines the CITES-authorised trade in wildlife and offers suggestions as to how to mitigate its effects.
Newly discovered Taita Mountain dwarf galago (bushbaby) could already be on the brink of extinction
Newly-discovered species of bushbaby (galago) in Kenya’s Taita Hills is already on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss, say scientists
Elephant body language 101 – a guide for beginners
Elephant body language is a complex topic, yet there are a few simple clues and signals that explain elephant emotions and intentions
Black honey badgers spotted in Gabon
4 Melanistic (black) honey badgers captured on a camera trap in Gabon.
Humans not always to blame for genetic diversity loss in wildlife
People are not always to blame for loss of genetic diversity in wildlife, says new study.
Wildebeest migration routes under threat – researchers
Migratory routes of wildebeest in East Africa are under threat as human populations expand, say scientists.
Who is who? Elephant identification tips and tricks
This is how researchers in Greater Kruger identify individual elephants.
Killifish – suspended animation & shortest lifespan of any animal with a backbone
The killifish is a survivor that scientists are desperate to learn from. Using suspended animation to survive being entombed in dry mud, combined with the shortest lifespan of any animal with a backbone, killifish could unlock secrets to human ageing.
Lion poaching: Escalating demand for claws and teeth
The escalating demand for lion teeth and claws in Asian markets is driving the increased poaching of wild lions, says report.
Elephant poaching decimates key Gabon reserve
Elephant population in Gabon’s Minkébé National Park have been decimated, with 25,000 being poached in 10 years (80% reduction), says research results.
Leopard hunting: CITES quotas not sustainable, say researchers
CITES trophy hunting quotas for leopards are arbitrary and not sustainable, says research. Read here to find what the 3 researchers recommend.
Millipedes – 10 facts that we find interesting
Giant African millipedes often have unusually brightly coloured legs and bodies.
African grey parrots: How social media is facilitating both illegal trade and the fight against it
A recent study examines how social media marketplaces facilitate trafficking of endangered African grey parrots.
Elephants and trees
Does removing elephants save trees? This fascinating report delves into this important conservation issue.
Zimbabwe elephants: Report identifies existing conservation problems, calls for community involvement
Zimbabwe elephants: Report fingers ZimParks for incompetence and international NGOs for hoodwinking donors, concludes that surrounding communities have to be involved in conservation as beneficiaries.
Lions in Zambia are roaming across areas thought uninhabitable for them
Research: Lions are sneaking virtually undetected through dense human zones in Zambia, thereby ensuring genetic diversity throughout the entire Zambian lion population.
New report reveals the value of lions and their landscapes
The New Lion Economy is the first project of its kind to make the link between ecosystem services, economic development, cultural significance and the survival of lions.
Daisies that close at night have camouflaged petals to protect them from herbivores
A recent study has revealed a novel way in which flowers can avoid being eaten by herbivores.
Elephant ivory trafficking possibly controlled by only 3 major cartels, says research
Major implications for ivory trafficking as research reveals that only three cartels control most illegal trade, according to research.
Bull elephants mate more as they get older – research
Older male elephants are more determined to track down and mate with females than young elephants, says research.
Africa could skyrocket tourism investment & earnings – working paper
New report illustrates how African countries can attract tourism investment and significantly increase revenue and socio-economic benefits.
Do elephants affect vulture nesting success? Ongoing research
Researchers highlight the complex relationship between elephant impact and vulture nest survival in the Greater Kruger National Park.
Study: Elephant poaching rates in decline, but iconic species remains under threat
Latest study reveals elephant poaching rates in Africa have started to decline, but levels of poverty, corruption and ivory demand still threaten the iconic species.
Large-tusked elephants are in decline, need to be protected from trophy hunting and poaching, says researcher
The need to protect large-tusked and potentially large-tusked elephants from poaching and excessive selective hunting pressure is more apparent than ever as the progressive decrease in average tusk size over the past three decades is potentially leading to over exploitation of older bulls.
Lion populations show significant loss of genetic diversity, say researchers
Lion populations in southern Africa are weakening genetically, and less able to recover from current and future pressures, say researchers.
Elephants are sentient and conservation strategy should adapt, says researcher
We struggle as humans to understand our own actions. How can we begin to understand and provide possible interpretations for the actions of other species such as elephants?
Bull elephants – their importance as individuals in elephant societies
It has long been recognised that older female elephants are pivotal to elephant ecology and herd survival, but what of older males?
Why identifying individual elephants is important, and the pivotal roles matriarchs and older bulls play
Understanding the importance of identifying elephants and the pivotal roles matriarchs and older bulls play.
Complex communication: Heaviside’s dolphins produce unusual sounds to communicate
Heaviside’s dolphins are shown to produce unusual sounds to communicate and appear to ‘take turns’ calling in larger groups.
Should Africa’s protected areas be reconfigured? – IUCN report
IUCN report asks if Africa’s protected areas need to be reconfigured in light of current conservation realities.
Trophy hunting in Africa is in decline, and no longer pays its way
Trophy hunting in Africa is in decline, and no longer pays its way, leading to poaching and habitat loss in hunting areas – according to IUCN report
‘Silver spoon effect’ provides lifelong benefits for banded mongooses – study
The benefits of the ‘silver spoon effect’ in banded mongoose pups extend across their lifetime, a new study has shown.
Botswana 2018 aerial survey – of elephants, baobabs and cattle
Botswana elephant survey now made public. You’ve seen all the political posturing from all sides, now read the actual report and make up your own mind.
What’s the difference between turtles, tortoises and terrapins?
Turtles, tortoises and terrapins are reptiles characterised by a cartilaginous shell – though often the terms used to describe these species can get a bit confusing, depending on the type of English used.
Research reveals why zebras got their stripes
Why do zebras have stripes? A study takes a step closer to answering this puzzling question and to understanding how stripes actually work.
Fate of meerkats tied to seasonal climate effects
Does a drier and hotter climate present a threat to the meerkats in the Kalahari Desert? Researchers reveal that climate change is likely to impact meerkats, and seasonal rainfall and temperature will be the key factors.
Servals thrive at huge petrochemical plant in South Africa
Researchers have found that a petrochemical plant supports a serval population density far greater than any other site on record across the entire range of the species.
Beach lions again hunting seals and coastal birds in Namibia, after 35 years
Research has revealed that the desert-adapted lions eking out a living on the harsh northwest coast of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park (SCNP) are again specialising in hunting seals and coastal birds such as flamingos and cormorants, after an absence of 35 years.
Warthog facts you need to know
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2019 marks the year of the pig. So what better way to celebrate it than by taking a look at one of Africa’s own wild pig: the warthog!
African, Asian & forest elephants – what’s the difference?
Did you know that there are three species of elephants? We take a look at the differences between the African, Asian and forest elephant.
Hong Kong failing to tackle illegal wildlife trade – study
New study sheds light on illegal wildlife trade in Hong Kong – a high volume and lucrative black market business.
Turtles being ‘feminised’ by climate change, say scientists
Up to 93% of green turtle hatchlings could be female by 2100, as climate change causes “feminisation” of the species, new research suggests.
Understanding lion infanticide
Lion infanticide: A look into why lions kills their the offspring of their own species.
To end wildlife trafficking, engage with local communities – study
The international donor community and governments have invested heavily in fighting illegal wildlife trade, but so far, they haven’t succeeded in ending rhino poaching. New research from UCT shows that for these initiatives to succeed, local communities – many of which live in or near protected areas – need to be involved.
Spotting the underdog: Facts about spotted hyenas
Spotted hyenas are curious, inquisitive and fiercely intelligent. Here are a few intriguing facts about these complex creatures.
Scientists warn that the world’s wilderness areas are disappearing
Scientists reveal that just 23% of the world’s landmass can now be considered wilderness, with the rest lost to the direct effects of human activities.
