Decoding Science Archives - Africa Geographic

Private rhino – the importance of private sector rhino conservation

More than half of Africa’s rhino are in private hands. With rising protection costs, what will it take to build a resilient private industry?

A passage to India – how the journey of southern Africa’s cheetah divided the experts

The reintroduction of cheetah to India is dividing conservationists. Is this an ecologically unsound vanity project or a conservation win?

Putting elephants on the map – exploring connectivity in southern Africa

How do elephants move across southern Africa through protected areas and beyond? New research explores the value of habitat connectivity

Seven safari myths – busted

Can you separate fact from fiction when it comes to the tall tales told about Africa’s wildlife? Our experts bust common safari myths

Giraffe social structure as complex as elephants’

Giraffe social structure is as complex as elephants’ – consisting of intricate communication, stable kinship groups and supportive mothering

Population growth, exploitation and climate change: safeguarding Africa’s wildlife into the 22nd century

A study on population growth, resource exploitation & climate change highlights the necessary steps for preventing loss of wild habitats & species in Africa

Human-wildlife conflict: long-term trends in Namibia

Research in Namibia on the type & frequency of human-wildlife conflict incidents between 2001–2019 can aid in mitigating future conflict occurrences

Vanishing lions – a 75% decline in Africa’s iconic predators in just five decades

Africa’s lions are disappearing. New research shows that lion populations across the continent have declined by 75% in just five decades

The elephant in the room – how social media attention misses more pressing conservation threats

Social media impacts conservation. Research shows that the attention elephants receive on Twitter fails to address urgent conservation issues

The state of Africa’s rhino

Here’s our analysis of the IUCN report containing the most recent rhino numbers, trends, poaching incidents, conservation measures & trade updates

Human-wildlife conflict: The ones that got away from snares and shotguns

Scientists can now detect injuries from snares & shotguns on trophy-hunted lions & leopards – quantifying the extent of previously unreported human-wildlife conflict

Elephants that creep in the dark – how elephants distinguish between human activities

Chobe elephants have learnt how to change their activity patterns to reduce risk of human encounters – new research

Lions target particular types of cows – research

Understanding how predators select cattle for prey could help in protecting livestock from lions, mitigating human-wildlife conflict

Five years until the Kalahari’s hornbills start to vanish

Scientists have predicted that the Kalahari’s hornbills will start to vanish in five years – and climate change is to blame

Hawaii’s conspicuous African chameleons

How did chameleons come to evolve their kaleidoscopic capacity? Escapees from the 1970s Hawaiian pet trade may hold the answer

Kids eat first: research on wild dog feeding habits

New research shows that there is order in wild dog hunts. Painted wolf pups are the first to eat at a carcass.

Giraffe evolution – pieces of the puzzle

Under pressure – genetic research on giraffes reveals evolutionary secrets of how they cope with high blood pressure and maintain bone density.

Making Hippocrates proud: How animals self-medicate

Scientists have observed chimpanzees medicating the injuries of their peers – a behaviour never before witnessed in the animal kingdom

Kalahari’s overlapping cheetah litters

A cheetah mother has been observed simultaneously raising two cheetah cubs of different age classes – behaviour never witnessed in the wild

Elephant bulls – breeding and trophy hunting

Does the hunting of elephant bulls with large tusks lead to the decline of Africa’s tuskers? We examine the science

Keeping count – wildlife populations in Kruger’s private nature reserves

Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR), part of Greater Kruger, completed their 2021 wildlife census. We analyse the ebb & flow of results

Farmed vs wild rhino horn – what the research tells us

Does farming of rhinos prevent illegal trade in wild rhino horn? Research into consumer preferences sheds light on the rhino-horn trade

Counting animals – the technology helping conservationists

Counting wild animals can be a complicated process, particularly when estimating populations in some of Africa’s massive protected wild areas

Caracals of Cape Town – navigating a landscape of fear

Caracals navigate the dangers of the urban Cape, attracted to the edge of urban spaces at a significant potential risk – new research.

Hope for African wild dogs? New report

Could we double African wild dog (painted wolf) numbers by 2050? With funding, collaboration and recovered territory, it’s possible.

More forest elephants in Gabon than previously thought – new research

Good news: there are more forest elephants in Gabon than previously believed – first countrywide elephant population estimate in 30 years

The emotions of human-wildlife conflict

Human-wildlife conflict – emotions and cultural significance attached to wild carnivores strongly influence mitigation strategies. New Research

Orange bat discovered in Guinea

A new (orange) bat species has been discovered in Guinea. With bright orange fur and black wings, Myotis nimbaensis is unlike any other bat

High society – spotted hyena inherit social networks

High-ranking spotted hyena cubs inherit a social network of allies which increases access to resources & breeding opportunities: New research

Poaching and tuskless elephants – the scientific confirmation

Ivory poaching selectively drives the evolution of tuskless elephants – new research confirms what many experts have suggested for decades

Sunbird feathers and the sweltering cost of beauty

Gorgeous iridescent sunbird feathers play an essential role in visual communication but could dangerously increase heat absorption – new research

Is lion hunting sustainable?

Lion hunting sustainability in Africa has been extensively investigated by pragmatic experts desperate to conserve our remaining wild lions

Hyena cubs infected by parasite ‘self-sacrifice’ by approaching lions

Funky fact: Hyena cubs ‘self-sacrifice’ by recklessly approaching lions if infected by a microscopic parasite. New research

Does tourism benefit local people? A Namibian case study

Does tourism always benefit local people? A new study of an established project linking Windhoek to the Zambezi region in Namibia suggests not

Chimps kill baby gorillas – observed for the first time

Chimps kill gorilla babies in two separate incidents in Loango National Park, Gabon – the first time the behaviour has ever been observed

Namibia’s livestock guarding dogs are saving cheetahs

Guard dogs are saving cheetahs, says new research based on livestock guarding dogs – because livestock losses have reduced by 91%

Wildebeest sleep and the mysteries of slumber

Wildebeest sleep for just four and a half hours in a 24 hour period – most deeply in the dead of night – says new research

The science behind rebranding wild dogs

Rebranding wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) – new research suggests that “painted dog” triggers the most positive reaction from humans

How the Kilimanjaro glaciers left truth in the cold

Kilimanjaro’s disappearing glaciers have been a symbol of climate change for more than than 15 years. Science says it is much more complicated.

Do tracking collars impact animals negatively?

New research indicates that animals fitted with tracking collars, experience no long-term, negative effects. Further research is needed however.

Lion farming and zoonotic diseases

The zoonotic diseases that lions carry and why lion farming is potentially harmful to human beings – new research

Four giraffe species, seven subspecies: new research

Giraffe – four species and seven subspecies the correct division – says new research

Banks must help fight illegal wildlife trade

Banks can help fight illegal wildlife trade but their failure to identify the financial footprints of poaching syndicates results in lost opportunities to disrupt trade – new research

Changes to CITES listing process recommended

CITES listing process needs to change with careful consideration given to the complicated set of conservation implications for each species.

Elephant range is just a fraction of its potential

Africa’s elephants occupy just 17% of their possible range, their historical areas fragmented by human activity. There is potential for expansion – new research

African grey parrots in traditional medicine

African grey parrots are targeted for medicinal and spiritual practices in West Africa. The trade is a significant threat to grey parrots – new research

Forest elephants – vanishing ghosts

Forest elephants have finally been granted species status (something scientists have known for decades). With this has come the appalling IUCN classification of ‘critically endangered’

Fairy circles – ghostly footprints of dead Euphorbias

Fairy circles – Euphorbia toxins are responsible for the bizarre fairy circles that have baffled and fascinated scientists – new research

The story behind the Namibian elephant auction

Namibian elephant auction: We look at the background, reasons and context of the controversial sale by auction of 170 wild-caught elephants

Does the farming and legal trade of wildlife do more harm than good? New study

Farming and legal trade of wildlife could increase demand for wildlife products and so be negative from a conservation perspective – research

Did fences cause the elephant deaths in Botswana?

New study examines whether fences could have impacted the elephant deaths in the Seronga region of Botswana in mid-2020.

Spotting elephants from space

Artificial intelligence and satellite images can help conservationists count elephants from space, says new research.

The extinction business – South Africa’s cold-blooded reptile trade

South Africa’s amphibian & reptile trade is a growing industry that is unregulated, unsustainable, and unethical – says report

Arch-enemies? New research on lions vs hyenas

Lions vs hyenas is the ultimate African drama. New research has shed light on the dynamics between these two apex predators

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Elephants & cattle – restoring soil nutrient levels

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

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

“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

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

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

“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

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

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

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.