News Desk Archives - Africa Geographic

Oil in the Okavango Basin – an investment scam?

Okavango oil exploration by ReconAfrica called a scam by Independent financial research organisation Viceroy Research – new report

Lower Zambezi copper mine given the go-ahead

Tragedy: There WILL be large-scale, open-cast copper mine in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia – latest development

New pack of African painted dogs released

Endangered African painted dogs – a new pack has been released into the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve in another conservation milestone for the species

Community stops avocado farm in the Amboseli region

Success story – avocado farm in Kenya’s Amboseli region loses license after local Maasai people and conservationists protest

Elephant hunting – Botswana grants 287 licenses

Botswana elephant hunting: The Botswanan government has granted 287 licenses after the previous season was disrupted by Covid

Meet the world’s smallest chameleon

This dwarf chameleon is officially the world’s smallest chameleon, measuring just 22mm. Found only in Madagascar, this is Brookesia nana

Kruger rhino populations plummet – latest official stats

Rhino populations in the Kruger National Park have plummeted to an estimated 3,529 white and 268 black rhinos – due to poaching & drought

Largest collaring initiative to protect wildlife in Pendjari and W National Parks, Benin

A successful large-scale collaring of elephants and antelopes aids in the restoration and protection of Pendjari and W National Parks, Benin.

Confiscated parrots fly free again over DR Congo forests

39 poached & confiscated African grey parrots released in eastern DR Congo after being rehabilitated at Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre

Riff Raff the ‘problem-causing’ elephant shot and killed

The ‘problem-causing’ elephant known as Riff Raff has been shot and killed by provincial authorities in South Africa

Coal mining in Hwange: gov bans mining in national parks

Coal mining in Hwange cancelled – according to a recent government statement that all mining in national parks is banned with immediate effect

Coal mining in Hwange National Park

Two coal-mining concessions have been awarded to Chinese companies in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and the neighbouring Deka Safari Area

Mauritius oil spill – pictures, map and details

The oil spill threatening the Mauritius south-east coastline was caused by a Japanese ship that is carrying almost 4,000 tons of oil

8 Cheetah cubs rescued in Somaliland – destined for illegal pet trade

8 cheetah cubs rescued in Somaliland during three operations – they were destined for the illegal pet trade that continues despite Covid-19

W National Park in Benin now falls under African Parks management

African Parks has concluded a management agreement for W National Park in Benin, adding the 18th national park to its management portfolio

20 roan antelope die of dehydration in fenced Kruger camp – ranger dismissed

Tragic death by neglect of 20 roan antelope in a Kruger breeding camp leads to the dismissal of a Kruger section ranger

Botswana elephant graveyard: mystery death toll rises to 400

What we know about elephants dying under mysterious circumstances near the northern Botswana village of Seronga, north of the Okavango Delta

POACHED: Silverback mountain gorilla Rafiki killed – big blow for conservation tourism

Rafiki, one of Uganda’s most loved mountain gorilla silverbacks, has been killed by poachers in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Open letter calls on the World Tourism Organization to ban wildlife interactions

Animal welfare & tourism groups call on the United Nations World Tourism Organization to ban captive wildlife tourism interactions

5,5 million hectare Chinko basin in CAR now under African Parks management

5,5 million hectare Chinko basin now under African Parks management – 25 year agreement signed with Central African Republic government

NEWSDESK: Blanket wildlife trade bans + SA venison market & zoonotic disease + call to halt big cat bone trade

Newsdesk: Blanket wildlife trade bans + SA venison market & zoonotic disease + call to halt big cat bone trade

>2,000 vultures now feared poisoned in Guinea-Bissau – largest mass mortality ever

Over 2,000 critically endangered hooded vultures have died across Guinea-Bissau of poisoning due to belief-based use.

NEWSDESK: Caged lions and Coronavirus + Maasai Mara poaching threat under lockdown + eco nightmare project for Limpopo River basin

Caged lions and Coronavirus + Maasai Mara poaching threat under lockdown + eco nightmare project for Limpopo River basin

NEWSDESK: Elephants kill 2 Zimbabweans + US$74bn Chinese wildlife trade explained + Coronavirus link to bats and pangolins (new research from China)

Elephants kill 2 in Zimbabwe + US$74bn Chinese wildlife trade explained + Coronavirus link to bats and pangolins (new research from China)

American parrot breeder wants to import wild-caught African grey parrots for a captive breeding scheme for the pet trade

An American parrot breeder has applied to import wild-caught endangered African grey parrots into the United States of America

Poachers kill white giraffes in Kenya

The famous white giraffes of Kenya have been dealt a devastating blow, as 2 of the 3 are killed by poachers, leaving only a bull giraffe.

Leopard raids ground-hornbill nest

Video: a leopard raids a ground-hornbill nest in the Greater Kruger – yet another threat facing this threatened species

Painted wolf (African wild dog) release with Africa Geographic

Painted wolves (African wild dogs) released after rescue

Ten wild dogs have been released into a private game reserve near Kruger National Park after being rescued from intolerant landowners

The death of ‘Julian’, one of Africa’s last great tuskers

Another of Africa’s great tuskers has died of natural causes.

Lightning kills 4 mountain gorillas

Lighting has killed four mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda – including one pregnant female and one baby.

RIP: Tim the iconic elephant dies

RIP TIM. Africa has lost an icon – Tim the super-tusker from Kenya’s Amboseli has died at age 50 of natural causes. We celebrate Tim’s life with some of the best images ever take on him.

Baboon kidnaps lion cub

A baboon kidnapped a tiny lion cub in the Kruger National Park, and was seen grooming the dying cub in a large tree

Iona NP in Angola joins African Parks

The Angola Government and African Parks have signed a management agreement for the vast 15,200 km² (1,5 million hectares) Iona National Park, initiating their first partnership to ensure the long-term protection of one of the country’s largest protected areas. Iona is an iconic southern Angolan desert landscape, extending from its Atlantic coastline over dunes, plains …

Continue reading “Iona NP in Angola joins African Parks”

Akagera NP (Rwanda) tourism revenue up 25%

Conservation success story – Rwanda’s Akagera National Park’s growth continues with a 25% growth in revenue in 2019.

Breaking: copper mine in Lower Zambezi NP cancelled

The planned open-pit Kangaluwi copper mine in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park WILL NOT proceed, says the Zambian government

Saving the Northern White Rhino: Third Embryo Successfully Created

International scientists and Kenyan conservation authorities have successfully created the third viable embryo of the near-extinct northern white rhino. The global initiative has taken yet another step in the long journey to pull this subspecies back from the brink.

Another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm in South Africa

Yet another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm bells that deliberate poisoning of vultures for belief-based use is on the increase, say experts.

Large herd of elephants seen in Nigeria’s war-torn northeast

In an exciting discovery, a previously-unknown herd of 250-300 elephants has been spotted in Nigeria’s far northeast corner, making it the first reported sighting of elephants in the region since the Boko Haram insurgency began a decade ago.

Smoked baby chimpanzee on hotel menu, says NGO

Smoked baby chimpanzee on the menu at prominent DRC hotel, says NGO.

Mountain gorilla population continues to rise

Great news! The population of mountain gorillas is on the rise, and now stands at an estimated 1,063 individuals.

Collared elephant hunted in Botswana, tracking device destroyed

A large bull elephant carrying a research collar with a tracking device has been killed by trophy hunters in Botswana, and the tracking device destroyed.

Lions in Gorongosa show population increase

Lions in Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique) are benefitting from better conservation measures, and show a population increase to 146, the nature reserve announced on Wednesday.

Riff Raff the “problem” elephant receives extended protection against destruction

Good news as Riff Raff – the “problem” elephant destined to be destroyed – has been granted extended protection at his current reserve by the South African High Court.

Critically endangered addax antelope to be reintroduced in Chad

The critically endangered addax antelope is to be brought back from the edge of extinction through reintroducing captive-bred species into the wild in Chad.

Matusadonha National Park to be managed and restored by African Parks and Zimbabwe government

Zimbabwe’s iconic Matusadonha National Park will now be managed by African Parks and the government in a bit to secure the park and restore wildlife populations.

Large illegal logging operation uncovered in Mozambique

Security operation uncovers large illegal logging operation in Mozambique.

Breaking: Campaigners outraged as Zimbabwe exports 30+ baby elephants to Chinese zoos

More than 30 wild-caught baby elephants, held captive for nearly a year in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, have been flown out of the country via Victoria Falls Airport en route to Chinese zoos.

Celebrated tusker Matt dies in Kenya

One of north Kenya’s largest tuskers, a celebrated bull elephant called Matt, has sadly died – of natural causes.

Okapi conservation gets a boost, with new DRC reserve management partner

Okapi conservation has received a boost, with the signing of a new management agreement for The Okapi Wildlife Reserve in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Update: Open-cast copper mine given go ahead inside Lower Zambezi National Park

TRAGEDY for Zambian conservation as court gives go ahead to mine inside Lower Zambezi National Park.

Malawi: On the frontline in the fight against illegal wildlife trade

Malawi may be one of the continent’s most peaceful nations, but it is currently locked in a fierce battle to protect some of the world’s most threatened species of wildlife.

Botswana elephant hunting: Chaos and disillusionment as citizen licenses are raffled

Botswana elephant hunting: Eight elephant hunting licenses were awarded to Maun-based Botswana citizens, and the eight winners and almost 6,000 losers were unhappy with the results when the reality of the T&Cs set in.

Trophy hunting in Zambia to be suspended due to non-payment of hunting fees to communities

Trophy hunting in Zambia has been halted because communities have not been paid their fees and share of revenue.

Incredible sighting: Rare spotted zebra foal sighted in Maasai Mara

A rare spotted zebra foal with what appears to be pseudo-melanistic colouring has been sighted in the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Twiga Tracker – Using modern technology to save the endangered reticulated giraffe

In a world first, the single largest GPS satellite tagging of endangered giraffes has taken place in Kenya.

Saving Spots – a new initiative to protect wild cats in southern Africa

A new project called Saving Spots has been launched to protect declining wild cat populations using synthetic leopard, serval and lion furs, known as ‘Heritage Furs’.

Lion pride kills more than 40 goats in Namibia, in two separate attacks

More than 40 livestock have been killed in a few days by a lion pride in two different locations in the Kunene region in Namibia.

Leopards in Namibia – latest population census results

The results of a recent leopard census in Namibia, providing a more accurate estimate of the distribution and number of leopards in the country.

CITES CoP18 – most controversial one ever? Here are the results for African species

CITES CoP18 – all the results for African species, including rulings for elephant and rhino trade that have some African range states questioning their ongoing participation in CITES.

Rhinos: Trade in horn and increase trophy hunting, says Minister. Have your say, within 30 days

South African minister wants white rhinos downlisted on CITES so that horn can be traded internationally, and she wants more black rhino to be trophy hunted. Read this important post, and have your say.

Trophy hunters kill popular Zimbabwean lion Seduli – on World Lion Day

A well-known male lion called Seduli, who was popular with photographers, has been shot by hunters on the outskirts of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe this past weekend on World Lion Day.

Wild-caught elephants for USA zoos

United States zoos look set to take wild-caught elephants from Zimbabwe.

Breaking: STROOP scoops more awards, stands alongside Steven Spielberg, Natalie Portman and Ellen DeGeneres

Acclaimed South African documentary film, ‘STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War’, has continued to attract the attention of international and local judges and audiences alike, winning two more prestigious awards.

Construction of Luangwa River hydroelectric dam halted, conservationists delighted

The Zambian government has halted plans to build the proposed Ndevu Gorge hydroelectric dam across the Luangwa River – helping to secure the benefits it provides to wildlife and people.

Iconic desert-adapted elephant ‘Voortrekker’ killed by trophy hunter in Namibia

In yet another blow to big elephant genes, the iconic desert-adapted elephant bull known by millions of fans worldwide as ‘Voortrekker’ was killed by a trophy hunter after being declared a ‘problem-animal’ by Namibian authorities

Catastrophic breaking news: 537 vultures found poisoned in dark day for Botswana conservation

Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has announced that they have recently identified a poisoning site with 537 dead vultures (comprising five species) and two tawny eagles.

Video: Instagram influencers eat pangolin in Gabon – call it ‘armadillo’

Instagram influencers Jessica Nabongo and Sal Lavallo ate pangolin in Gabon hotel

New population found of critically endangered riverine rabbits

Great news for conservationists as a new population of Critically Endangered riverine rabbits has recently been discovered in Baviaanskloof.

Breaking: Zambian hippo cull via hunting cancelled. Again

Breaking: Zambian hippo cull cancelled. This is the latest about-turn since the Zambian government announced plans to cull 2,000 hippos in Luangwa Valley by offering ‘hippo management hunts’.

Botswana trophy hunting: Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses to be granted annually, says government

Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses will be granted annually, the Botswana government has announced, following the reinstatement of hunting.

Botswana brings back trophy hunting

The Government of Botswana has taken the decision to lift the hunting suspension.

Penguins can inform fisheries management, say researchers

Cape Town’s endangered African penguins respond directly to changes in local fish numbers, and monitoring them could inform fisheries management and marine conservation, say researchers.

Rescued baby elephant stabilised, awaits permits for transfer to care centre

A 3-month-old baby elephant found wandering alone in Mozambique has been rescued, and awaits the necessary permits for transfer to a care centre in South Africa, for eventual release back into the wild.

Video: Three pangolins returned to the wild in Malawi

Good news as three pangolins have been successfully released back into the wild in Malawi after being confiscated.

Elephant bull with failing eyesight treated for serious injuries

A collared elephant bull, called Matambu, has been successfully treated for a serious injuries after a suspected tusking by another bull.

Elephant management plan announced for KAZA countries

Elephant management plan announced by southern African countries that host more than 50% of the remaining African savannah elephants.

Another giant elephant taken by trophy hunters

Another blow for Africa’s remaining large-tusked elephants, as trophy hunters kill another massive elephant in Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe. The surgical removal of Africa’s giants continues.

Breaking: STROOP beats media giants to take top film prize

The groundbreaking South African film, STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War, has taken one of the world’s top wildlife prizes, ‘Best of Festival’, at the International Wildlife Film Festival in the United States.

Massive rhino dehorning operation in Balule, Greater Kruger

The entire rhino population of Balule (Greater Kruger) has been dehorned, in a massive operation.

Video: The unintended victims of a hidden killer

The piece of looped wire doesn’t look like much. But place this wire in the hands of wildlife poachers, and it becomes one of Africa’s most deadly weapons.

Death row “nuisance” elephant Riff Raff gets a reprieve as judge intervenes to prevent shooting

Wildlife groups say Riff Raff is a victim of human-elephant conflict, call for review of decision that would sentence him to death.

Captive lion breeding is here to stay, says DEA

The Department of Environmental Affairs has rejected the Portfolio Committee’s resolution to end the captive breeding of lions.

New research study looks to empower Namibian communities to champion environmental conservation

A new environmental research and education organisation will work with rural communities in Namibia to promote nature and wildlife conservation.

Luxury lodge closes as loggers move in to make way for dam in Selous Game Reserve

Azura Selous, a luxury game lodge situated along the banks of the Great Ruaha River in the remote Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania, has announced its sudden closure due to the unexpected arrival of loggers in the area.

Botswana government questions elephant survey report by Elephants Without Borders

Botswana’s government has questioned a new report by Elephants Without Borders detailing their 2018 elephant aerial survey.

Namibia culls hyenas to save its wild / feral horses

Shooting hyenas to save wild horses raises heated debate about whether conservation authorities should intervene between endemic wildlife and ‘feral’ animals.

Video: Elephant experts condemn Zimbabwe’s inhumane capture of wild baby elephants for Chinese zoos

Elephant experts condemn Zimbabwe’s inhumane capture of wild baby elephants for Chinese zoos as video emerges showing animals in distress.

Hunting ban in Botswana should be lifted says government committee, and elephants culled

Hunting ban should be lifted and elephants culled, says Botswana’s government committee. Other recommendations include growth of the hunting industry, some animal migration routes closed and human-wildlife conflict strategies implemented.

Researchers discover tiny new frog species in Ethiopia

A new species of puddle frog has just been discovered by researchers on the unexplored and isolated Bibita Mountain in southwestern Ethiopia.

Updated rhino poaching stats – what is not being disclosed – comment from award-winning filmmakers

Award-winning filmmakers Susan Scott and Bonné de Bod comment on the latest rhino poaching statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Award-winning STROOP now available via download

Acclaimed South African documentary ‘STROOP’ continues award sweep… and releases on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Vimeo.

Parliament attacks Kruger agreement with neighbouring private reserves

The South African Parliament has strongly criticised South African National Parks for signing a formal agreement on 5th December to ratify a long-standing cooperation arrangement between Kruger National Park and several neighbouring private and community game reserves, which together form an area known as “Greater Kruger”.

First new widow spider species discovered in 29 years

Potentially the largest widow spider in the world has been discovered in the critically endangered sand forest of South Africa.

New Tanzanian reserve declared to protect invaluable forest

A rich forest teeming with unique and endangered wildlife in Tanzania has finally been placed under protection, supported by World Land Trust and other partners.

2 Countries want changes to white rhino CITES listings, to permit trade

Proposed changes in CITES have been released, with Namibia proposing to downlist its population of white rhinos to Appendix II, to allow only international commercial trade in live animals and hunting trophies, and Eswatini seeks to allow unrestricted international commercial trade in all specimens of its white rhino population, which is currently included in Appendix II.

Africa is divided over ivory trade ahead of wildlife meeting

Several African countries with some of the world’s largest elephant populations will push this year for looser controls on legal ivory trade, while another group of countries on the continent says more restrictions are the best way to curb the illegal killing of elephants for their tusks.