An elephant cow, with a 2-week-old baby in tow, needed all the help she could get after sustaining a serious injury from a poaching snare.
Category Archives: News
Ranger forces strengthened in Mozambique
On 16 May 2018, 39 recruits, of which three are women, celebrated their graduation as rangers during a passing out parade held in the Limpopo National Park, Mozambique. This follows the successful completion of a gruelling eight-week ranger training course presented by the Southern African Wildlife College, that prepared the new recruits for their stand against wildlife crime in the various conservation areas to which they will soon be deployed.
Tanzania invites bids for logging in Selous to pave way for huge hydropower plant
The Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has invited tenders for large-scale logging in the Selous Game Reserve, a world-renowned wildlife area, where it plans to construct a large hydropower plant.
Kenya to fast-track laws to make wildlife killing capital offence
Kenya will fast-track laws to make wildlife poaching a capital offence as part of the country’s bid to conserve flora and fauna.
Attacks by captive carnivores – the stats revealed in open letter to minister
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.
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.
Wild dogs return to Gorongosa after decades of absence
Wild dogs will soon roam free in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique for the first time in decades.
Body parts from threatened wildlife allegedly widely sold on Facebook
Facebook is allegedly displaying advertisements for well-known American corporations on group pages operated by overseas wildlife traffickers illegally selling the body parts of threatened animals, including elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger teeth.
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.
Lion relocation success: Somkhanda lions reveal their cubs
Four cubs have been spotted recently, sticking closely to their mom, at Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This is a true success story around wild lion and their translocation to one of the only community-owned reserves in the country.
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.
Hong Kong approves vote to ban ivory sales
Hong Kong has voted to ban domestic ivory sales in a landmark move on Wednesday to end the infamous trade in the city.
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.
Rhino poaching update – we look behind the numbers
We look behind the 2017 rhino poaching numbers
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.
Japan’s ivory market must close down, according to study
With China announcing that it would shut down all ivory trade by the end of this year, concerns have been raised that Japan’s failure to prevent illegal ivory exports will undermine China’s prospective ban and the efforts to end the global trafficking of elephant tusks.
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.
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.
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.
Mega-carnivore dinosaur footprints discovered
An international team of researchers from South Africa, UK, and Brazil have discovered massive footprints belonging to a carnivorous dinosaur that roamed Southern Africa 200 million years ago.
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.
Hunters to target last remaining adult male lion in Namibian conservancy?
A suspicious trophy hunting advertisement has been placed online for a threatened Namibian desert lion. And this time it would appear that the target is the only known adult male lion in the Sesfontein Conservancy.
Lion farmers in South Africa threaten big cats worldwide
South African lion farmers are supplying large volumes of lion bone, teeth and claws as ‘tiger parts’ to an insatiable Asian market – says a report recently published by the Environmental Investigation Agency. South Africa is the world’s largest exporter of lion body parts.
Undercover operation reveals rhino trafficking secrets
A recently completed 11-month undercover investigation by Elephant Action League (EAL) called Grinding Rhino has exposed the networks, the players and the means by which rhino horn is trafficked into China.
R.I.P Tullamore – the last lion of the 5 Musketeers
Tullamore, the last of the famous ‘5 musketeers’ desert lions of northern Namibia, has been killed in the Okongue area, along with a lioness and two cubs, in the ongoing battle between rural cattle farmers and free-roaming lions. The lions were poisoned. Tullamore was the last surviving member of a group of 5 desert lions made …
Continue reading “R.I.P Tullamore – the last lion of the 5 Musketeers”
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.
Baby elephants to be exported to Dubai zoo
A game farm in Namibia has been issued permits to sell five baby elephants to a zoo in Dubai. The elephants range in age from four to eight years old. The sale, at an undisclosed price, will be finalised later this year when the elephants are exported.
South Luangwa: dog detection unit hounds poaching
In eastern Zambia, Conservation South Luangwa, in partnership with Working Dogs for Conservation and Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife has launched a fantastic initiative: Zambia’s first ever canine wildlife detection unit.
No Timbavati ‘100 Pounder’ elephant hunt
The last few weeks have witnessed some pretty vicious social media attacks on lodges within Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park
R.I.P SATAO 2
SATAO 2 has died, at the hands of ivory poachers. We pay tribute to this giant elephant by quoting several people who met him
Giant elephant Satao 2 poached in Tsavo, 6 super tuskers left
SATAO 2 is dead, and another of the last super tuskers left in Africa has been poached, leaving only 6 of these giants in the Tsavo Conservation Area in southern Kenya.
Rhino orphans released into iSimangaliso
On Monday, three white rhino orphans were peacefully released into their new home within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
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
Rhino Bombshell: SA Minister plans to permit trade in horn
South African Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has declared that she plans to permit the trade in rhino horn domestically and, in what looks like a loophole big enough to drive a tractor through, the export internationally of horn for ‘personal purposes’.
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 bones: SA public has no time to contest sale
South Africa is about to permit the export of lion bones to produce fake tiger wine but has given the public almost no time to object. The permit will allow an annual export of 800 skeletons to Asia.
Chinese traders going after Africa’s donkeys
According to several sources, there is a growing demand in Chinese markets for donkey pelts, and some rural areas in Africa are reportedly being stripped of free-roaming donkeys to feed the demand.
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.
The Askari Project: a Tsavo tusker conservation initiative
As part of their fundraising initiatives to help protect the giant (tusker) elephants of Tsavo, The Askari Project offers two adventure tours
Trophy Hunting: unethical Namibian hunters to blame for poor image
Unethical hunters cause poor international image of trophy hunting – says past president of the Namibian Professional Hunting Association
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
USA bans trophy imports of captive South African lions
The USA government has tightened regulations about the importation of lion trophies – focusing on South African captive lion trophies
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.
CITES CoP17 – Africa in a nutshell
A brief summary of the main decisions taken at CITES CoP17 that affect African wildlife species.
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.
CITES votes against strongest protection for elephants
CITES meeting blocks proposal for ban on all trade of ivory from four southern African countries.
Countries fail to agree on complete ban to protect African lions from global trade
The 182 countries at the Johannesburg summit did reach a compromise, banning only the trade in bones, teeth and claws from wild lions.
Global trade in African grey parrots banned
Delegates at a global wildlife conference on Sunday voted to ban international trade in African grey parrots, one of the world’s most trafficked birds.
Video: Shocking evidence emerges of Japan’s dirty ivory trade
The dirty secrets of Japan’s illegal ivory trade revealed in undercover video with Japanese ivory traders.
SANParks responds to Kruger off-takes
In line with its approved management plan, Kruger National Park is planning to sustainably harvest some of its wildlife in order to combat the effects of drought and distribute meat to disadvantaged communities.
Poaching along the Okavango River
A look into the poaching of elephants, hippos and crocodiles along the Okavango River on the border of Angola and Namibia.
The first arthroscopic surgery on a rhino is performed in South Africa
A behind-the-scenes report from a groundbreaking operation on a poached rhino!
Breaking news: Wild leopards captured for hunting on Walter Slippers’ farm
Seven wild leopards found in a concrete shed on Walter Slippers’ farm – reportedly trapped then stored there for American hunters to shoot.
Barbaric elephant slaughter in Angola
Barbaric elephant slaughter creates horror scene on the banks of the Okavango River.
Vietnam’s booming ivory market
Vietnam’s growing illegal ivory trade threatens Africa’s elephants.
Hope: a rhino’s story of survival
The rhino poaching documentary STROOP is to be released this year, this is the story of one character, the rhino called Hope.
Africa Geographic team finds new location for previously ‘extinct’ frog species
The rare Bururi long-fingered frog, previously thought to have gone extinct in 1952, has been rediscovered in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda.
Famous big tusker Tim speared
Tim the well-known super tusker elephant from Kenya’s Amboseli has been speared in a human-wildlife conflict incident
Missing the Mark: African trophy hunting fails to show consistent conservation benefits
African trophy hunting fails to show consistent conservation benefits – according to the US House Committee on Natural Resources
Tourists answer our 2016 African travel survey
The answers to our 2016 travel survey on travellers preferences while on safari holidays.
Leopard kills 33 Endangered African penguins
A leopard has killed 33 Endangered African penguins in a single incident in Betty’s Bay, South Africa
SANParks concerned about the use of mobile apps at wildlife sightings
The introduction of mobile applications designed to share information on interesting animal sightings in national parks has become a major cause for concern for South African National Parks (SANParks).
Botswanan communities want exemptions to hunting ban
Communities in Botswana want elephants and buffaloes to be exempted from the country’s two-year-old hunting ban, arguing that the two species are not in decline.
Video: Cecil the lion’s adorable grandcubs
Cecil the lion lives on in Zimbabwe’s Hwange NP – check out this cute video of eight cubs thought to be Cecil’s grand-cubs
Kenya’s ivory burn: the story in pictures
Photos documenting the biggest ivory burn in history, which took place in Nairobi National Park last weekend.
What will Africa propose to CITES?
A provisional list of proposals by African states for amendment of current trade allowances at CITES for endangered species
Travel companies call for an end to activities that exploit lions
Leading African tourism companies call for an end to captive breeding, canned hunting and other forms of abuse of lions
Swaziland proposes a regulated trade in rhino horn
Swaziland proposes to trade in rhino horn that is sustainably harvested from its rhino population – CITES COP 2016
Illegal logging in DRC revealed by church
Catholic church blows the whistle on illegal logging in the Democratic Republic of Congo – by Chinese nationals
Video: Elephant spotted again in Knysna forest
Oupoot, the Knysna elephant, has made an appearance again!
African grey parrot bust in the DRC
Illegal shipments of African grey parrots intercepted in the DRC and local governors make efforts to crack down on the trade before it is too late.
World’s rarest antelope, the hirola, flourishes under community conservation
Meet the hirola – an unassuming creature that is the centre of what may be one of the most successful conservation efforts in recent history.
