A brief summary of the main decisions taken at CITES CoP17 that affect African wildlife species.
Category Archives:
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.
It’s a no for Swaziland rhino horn trade proposal
CITES delegates vote overwhelmingly to protect rhinos by rejecting a proposal to legalise the rhino horn trade submitted by Swaziland.
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.
Do or die – deciding the pangolin’s fate at CoP17
To date the pangolin has remained under the radar of mainstream conservation campaigns, but the pangolin’s plight is indeed a global one.
Demand for rhino horn outstrips global supply
A new study highlights that even the global rhino population of just under 30,000 individuals is not nearly enough to meet demand if rhino horn trade is legalised.
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.
Crafts, communities and and culture in Soutpansberg
In one of the many hidden valleys of the Soutpansberg in central Limpopo, you’ll find the art-rich Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge.
Ivory trade mechanism rejected in heated debate at CITES conference
Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe’s recommendation for the adoption of a Decision-Making Mechanism for a future trade in ivory is roundly rejected by parties at CITES CoP17.
All about the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere Region
Learn all about the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region – a small area of South Africa with so much to offer.
The legal racketeering of ivory
Are discussions costing more than actions when it comes to saving the elephant from extinction?
Kgalagadi versus Kruger
A daring comparison of two popular Southern African transfrontier parks.
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.
Celebrating culture at the Kuru Dance Festival
Different San groups in Southern Africa celebrate their rich cultural heritage of storytelling, song and dance at the annual Kuru Dance Festival!
Kruger cull: a bad idea?
Culling wildlife in Kruger during times of drought can negatively affect ecosystems – decision-makers should not rush into culling
Leopards: The Cats of the Shadows
Leopards inhabit many habitat types – but they also inhabit a blind spot in conservation. Tough to count, we can only guess their numbers
A Savuti fishing leopard in action
Watch this fishing leopard catch a catfish (barbel) in a muddy waterhole in the Savuti Channel of Botswana’s Chobe National Park
A prehistoric giant of the oceans – the leatherback turtle
Learn all about the giant leatherback turtle – the largest of all living turtles.
Wüstenquell in Namibia offers unique rock formations for photographers
Wüstenquell in Namibia’s abundant rock formations make it one of most spectacular locations for any landscape photographer.
Kruger to Canyons
Kruger2canyons
More dogs for Kruger’s canine unit
Kruger’s K9 Centre welcomes the addition of four new dogs at handover ceremony.
Book Review: Elephant Dawn by Sharon Pincott
Every now and then a book comes along that breaks through the wallpaper of life and delivers its message intravenously. Elephant Dawn by Sharon Pincott does that – it is an intense read, inspiring and moving.
Rhino horn?
Removing the rhino’s horn to prevent poaching is a controversial and emotional matter – as is the related debate about trading in rhino horn
Sustainable utilisation of wildlife not so sustainable
Overexploitation of wild species that cannot be compensated for by reproduction or regrowth has been identified as a threat to biodiversity
I can’t afford to volunteer in my own country
The problem with volunteering: By volunteering at conservation projects you may be robbing local conservationists of jobs
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.
Why you should vote to stop trade in African grey parrots
Sign this petition and help to save thousands of wild African grey parrots!
Rwanda: into the heart of Africa
My self-drive safari to Rwanda in search of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Dian Fossey’s gravesite & much more – Jytte Fredholm Ferreira
The antics of adorable hyena cubs
Meet a clan of hyenas and their absolutely adorable cubs at Balule Private Nature Reserve!
Meet 3 elephant angels
Three of the world’s leading African elephant conservationists offer hope and inspiration for saving elephants from extinction.
Supporting the canines of Kruger
Learn more about the anti-poaching canines of Kruger and how you can help support these dogs making a difference.
Game census safari
Citizen science is when ordinary folk get to help science by, for example, participating in a game census in a private game reserve
Birds, great apes, and so much more in Uganda
Safari report-back: A trip of a lifetime to Uganda – spectacular sightings of birds, great apes, and so much more. By Malcolm and Trish Lund
Bushmeat hunting alarmingly high in South Africa
A recent study shows levels of bushmeat hunting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa are alarmingly high.
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.
Walking Chief’s Island, Okavango Delta, Botswana
The safari of a lifetime in Botswana’s Okavango Delta – buffalo on foot, elephants playing in the water and more. By Tim & Heather Doyle
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.
Gallery: Faces of Africa
This fantastic image gallery of faces of Africa will have you contacting us to plan your next safari, and packing your camera bag and tripod
Swaziland: Africa’s Little Secret
Swaziland enjoys a diversity of landscapes and experiences for the traveller and a laid-back vibe – fantastic for that chilled vacay
Watch: A baby snow-white baboon
An adorable leucistic baboon is spotted playing in South Luangwa as his mother keeps watch.
Gorillas, volcanoes and mountains of the moon
Safari report-back: Mountain gorillas, an active volcano and the mountains of the moon. By Fatima and Dane Harvey
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.
Saving elephants
A look at how The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are working to protect pachyderms.
Gallery: Reflections of Elephants
Reflections on Elephants is a fantastic photographic book celebrating the lives of Africa’s big tuskers that will have you dreaming of your next safari
6 things to do in the Robertson Wine Valley
The towns of Robertson, McGregor, Montagu, Ashton and Bonnievale combine to make up the Robertson Wine Valley – an area that features stunning scenery with awesome opportunities to wine and dine, all led by the most friendly wine-makers, chefs and farm owners.
The wilds of East Africa – photo gallery
These magical black & white images of Kenya and Tanzania by Federico Veronesi will have you contacting us to arrange your next African safari
SANParks concerned about the use of mobile apps for 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).
Why Etosha is the perfect place to sketch wildlife
Etosha in Namibia provided the perfect African wildlife experience for an artist from Spain – check out his artwork and take in his advice
Gallery: Samburu Tribe
This fantastic gallery of Samburu tribe images will have you contacting us to plan your next safari and packing your bags for Africa
Walking with the Maasai
Maasai life and the impact of the 21st-century trends, conservation, political pressures and tourism on these people
Diving with potato bass
While scuba diving on reefs on the east coast of South Africa and Mozambique your are almost guaranteed a close encounter with a potato bass, one of the largest predatory fish on the reef.
Video: 60 hyenas take on a lion
Watch this epic video and images of a stand-off and brawl between hyenas and lions over a buffalo in Kenya’s Maasai Mara
Wounded elephant limps to a local lodge for help
A victim of a failed poaching attempt, this elephant limps to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in search of help.
Trophy hunting – a compromise?
Trophy hunting – the debates rage on. This analysis of the arguments put forward to justify trophy hunting makes for interesting reading
Build your own owl box!
Attracting owls to your garden is a wonderful way to marvel at these incredibly hunters of the dark. Learn how to build an owl box
The truth about volunteering with lions
Volunteering with lions – a volunteer exposes the behind-the-scenes reality of working in one of South Africa’s lion parks
Rhino rangers
The heroes who are working on the ground to save the rhino.
Antelope hybrid in the wilds of northern Botswana
A wild hybrid between a red lechwe and a waterbuck antelop confounds an experienced game ranger in Selinda, northern Botswana
White water rafting Kenya’s Tana River
White water rafting the murky waters of Kenya’s Tana River.
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
Zooming in on mesocarnivores
A camera trap study contributes new insights into the diverse world of small and medium-sized carnivores.
Messages of Hope
Messages of Hope is an inspiring book celebrating the most driven, most successful conservationists on Planet Earth.These are nature’s heroes.
More incidences of vulture poisoning in South Africa
14 more vultures have been found in KwaZulu-Natal that are thought to have been poisoned by an unknown chemical.
The rich history of Zanzibar’s dhows
Zanzibar’s rich, fascinating history is entwined in the use of the dhow – an ocean-going vessel used for trade along the East coast of Africa
Climbing Point Lenana on Mount Kenya
Summiting Point Lenana – one of Mount Kenya’s three peaks and the only accessible one in the UNESCO World Heritage national park.
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.
Video: rare footage of white lions mating
Video footage and epic photos of rarely-seen white lions mating in Timbavati, Greater Kruger. Chat to our safari consultants & pack your bags!
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
Africa’s Big Tuskers
Africa’s tuskers deserve special mention – these huge elephants are facing the combined pressures of poaching and trophy hunting
Lesotho’s only endemic freshwater fish under threat
Startling population crash of the fish species Maloti minnow is linked to dams and water tunnels of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
Elephant poaching – intelligent law enforcement helps
Elephant poaching: Tanzania’s recent success in the ivory war is testament to the powers of a multi-agency anti-poaching strategy
STROOP – your chance to make a difference for rhinos
STROOP: Our CEO implores YOU to help ensure a controversial new documentary about rhinos is completed without censorship
Chapman’s Baobab has fallen down
Chapman’s baobab in Botswana – Africa’s first “post office” and a beacon for early day explorers has fallen down
A photographic journey through traditional Egypt
Outstanding photo gallery by Yasser Alaa Mobarak, a 22-year-old amateur photographer based in Alexandria, Egypt
Meet the orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Orphaned baby elephants changing lives at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
White baboon stands out from the crowd in Arusha NP
A white, albino baboon has been seen wandering around Arusha National Park in Tanzania. This is an extremely rare encounter that has tourists flocking to view the mythical creature
Rhino poaching – Buy No Rhino
Meet the two South African sisters who cycled 6,000km across South-East Asia to save the rhino.
Enchanting Ethiopia
An exploration of a magical corner of the continent.
Coral trees of South Africa – a study in scarlet
There is nothing in Africa quite as emblematic of the colour scarlet as the flaming coral tree. Find out more about this family of colourful fauna.
Who are the Black Mambas?
The black mambas are about girl power! Find out more about the all-female anti-poaching unit that is making waves in conservation
Camels, nomads and an oasis in Ennedi
Australian photographers, Kym and Tonya Illman, explore the towering rock formations of the Ennedi Plateau alongside Toubou nomads and their camels.
How China’s taste for wildlife feeds a killing frenzy
Africa’s extraordinary and charismatic wildlife is clearly under siege from the wrecking ball that is China.
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.
Saving a little elephant
An elephant calf is saved after he became trapped in a dam at Phalaborwa Copper, Limpopo – thanks to the heroic team of Elephants Alive
Asia’s Golden Triangle – a conduit of death for Africa’s animals
The Asian end of the grisly wildlife trade business and a place that has become China’s illegal wildlife supermarket.
Carnivores in decline due to land reform
Population numbers of carnivores in Zimbabwe have dropped significantly due to land reform that has seen large tracts of land change hands
Elusive animals caught on camera trap
WWF releases camera trap images by Will Burrard-Lucas of some of Namibia’s elusive animals – some of which have never been photographed in high definition before.
The secret Garden Route
Off the beaten track in one of South Africa’s most loved tourist destinations.
Peter Beard and The End of the Game
A meeting with Peter Beard, author of the End of the Game – a provocative tale of the harsh reality of starvation, poaching and hunting in Kenya.
The horror of snares
Unravelling the danger of snares – the indiscriminate killer of the bushveld and a serious threat to Africa’s free-roaming wildlife
My gorilla trekking safari with Africa Geographic
Highlights from an unforgettable 3-day gorilla trek in Rwanda – our safari included so much more than gorillas though
Kruger Addicts
An Australian couple share why they are so crazy about Kruger National Park – after more than 25 extended stays in the park over the years
An open letter to point out flaws in legalising the rhino horn trade
An open letter to Mr. Hume, the owner of South Africa’s largest privately owned rhino herd, with regards to his wish to lift the CITES ban on the rhino horn trade.
Lions, trophy hunting and the US government – the 27 facts you need to know
27 things you need to know about lion trophy imports in the US, and the impact hunting is having on lions in Africa.
