News Archives - Africa Geographic

African Parks purchases John Hume rhino farm – pledges to rewild 2,000 captive-bred rhinos

African Parks has purchased the world’s largest captive rhino breeding operation, to rescue and rewild the rhino to safe protected areas

KAZA’s elephant survey – the results are in

KAZA has released the 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey results, revealing that elephant populations within the region are stable

Vultures successfully released after poisoning incident

Vultures are in crisis, threatened by human-wildlife conflict and poisoning events. Organisations like the EWT are helping to save vultures

Mining in Mana Pools

Mining in Mana Pools? Zimbabwean government announces application by Shalom Mining to explore one of Africa’s greatest wilderness areas

Another year of loss – an update on Kruger’s rhino populations

Rhino poaching continues to decimate Kruger National Park’s populations. We dive into the latest rhino population figures from SANParks

The march of Malawi’s elephants – 263 elephants translocated to Kasungu

African Parks has successfully translocated 263 elephants from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu National Park, Malawi

Hosana, famous Sabi Sand leopard, killed under tragic circumstances

Well-known leopard Hosana of Sabi Sand is believed to have been killed in self-defence by an anti-poaching unit on patrol

Botswana to develop 8 new lodges on Chobe Riverfront?

Botswana’s dubious call for tenders for 8 new lodges in Chobe NP, despite regulations preventing developments, has angered environmentalists

Big cat farming and the illegal tiger trade in South Africa

South Africa’s illegal tiger trade and farming of other big cats threatens the wild populations of these animals across the world

Super tusker Tolstoy treated for spear wound

Amboseli super tusker Tolstoy is in recovery after being treated for a spear wound, following a midnight raid on nearby crops.

Japan: An illegal ivory trader’s haven – new report

Japan’s domestic ivory market is driving the illegal ivory trade around the globe, creating a cover for illicit imports and exports

‘Meet the Soldier’ – a VR solution for peace?

‘Meet the Soldier’ – a virtual reality film project helping warring tribes in rural Africa find peace through powerful experiences

Kruger rhino poaching update: 75% population reduction in 10 years

Rhino poaching has decimated Kruger NP populations by 75% in 10 years. We dive into the latest research figures from SANParks

Lion nomad settles in Zinave NP – first in 30 years

A large nomad lion has settled in the remote Zinave NP, Mozambique; the first lion there in 30 years – major conservation success story

Death of another iconic super tusker – Wide Satao

Super tusker ‘Wide Satoa’ has died of natural causes in Kenya. He was one of the few remaining elephants with tusks that touch the ground

Update: Zambia’s Kasanka NP & world’s largest mammal migration under threat

Under threat: The world’s largest mammal migration and Zambia’s Kasanka NP still under threat from a foreign commercial agricultural company

Wildlife economy in the Africa – Unlocking the potential

The ‘State of the Wildlife Economy in Africa’ report inspires investment in nature to improve conservation and support economic development.

70 – leopard trophy hunting quota in Botswana for 2022

Leopard trophy hunting – the Botswana government has allocated a quota of 70 leopards for 2022. Is this sustainable and how do we know?

Proposed wind farm in Addo buffer zone

A proposed wind farm within the acclaimed Addo Elephant National Park buffer zone has created an uproar from tourism stakeholders.

Trophy hunters kill another breeding Hwange lion – Mopane

Trophy hunters kill another breeding lion (named Mopane) from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – in a mirror of the Cecil tragedy

Another giant elephant trophy hunted – is this conservation?

Another giant elephant shot in Botswana. What are the consequences for elephants, local communities, and hunting operations?

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

The end of SA’s shameful lion breeding industry – what now happens to the lions?

Thousands of captive-bred lions in South Africa – what is to happen to them as breeding facilities are closed down

Under immediate threat: Zambia’s Kasanka NP and world’s largest mammal migration

Threat to the world’s largest mammal migration – The buffer zone of Kasanka National Park is under threat from commercial agriculture

Captive lions: NO – says South Africa’s minister

Captive lions: SA government announces intention to bring an end to the commercial captive lion industry in South Africa

Elephant hunting – Botswana grants 287 licenses

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

The death of Hukumuri

Hukumuri the beloved leopard is dead – shot by authorities because he was killing livestock and posed a threat to people in rural villages

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.

Paradise is closing down: The ghastly spectre of oil drilling and fracking in fragile Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta under threat as oil drilling and fracking loom on the horizon after Canadian company tests massive prospecting concessions

580 elephants return to Virunga in DR Congo – and other species follow in their wake

580 elephants have been seen moving again between Queen Elizabeth NP in Uganda and Virunga NP in DR Congo – and other species are following

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

Tembe elephant bull relocated to community-owned reserve

A large young elephant bull has been relocated from Teme Elephant Park to Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal

Nyungwe NP in Rwanda under African Parks management

African Parks has announced the signing of a 20-year agreement with the Government of Rwanda to manage the biodiverse Nyungwe National Park

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)

Coronavirus has finally made us recognise that illegal wildlife trade is a public health issue

The global Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic may prove to be an important moment in the attempts to address the illegal wildlife trade.

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

COVID-19: Will African governments now crackdown on illegal wildlife trade?

With COVID-19 killing people and wrecking economies, will African governments at last treat wildlife trade as a serious issue?

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.

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.

Latest rhino poaching stats: shades of grey

Rhino poaching stats released by South African government do not tell the true story of how dire the situation is, say STROOP team

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.

Victoria Falls drying up? Fake news versus fact

Victoria Falls is not running dry, despite what some international news media keep telling us. Here are the facts.

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.

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.

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.

Katavi National Park takes radical action on hippos

Opinion by biologist: Controversial dam being built in Tanzania’s remote Katavi National Park to save hippos may have negative environmental consequences.

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.

Severe drought affecting elephants and other wildlife in Mana Pools

Severe drought in Mana Pools is affecting elephants and other wildlife – a photographer shares her images and thoughts.

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.

Crunch time as Zambia’s Lower Zambezi NP comes under mining threat

Will Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia be mined? The courts will decide soon whether to allow the proposed controversial open-cast copper mine inside the park. The decision on whether it will go ahead will be handed down on 14 October by the High Court of Zambia in Lusaka.