Page 27 – Africa Geographic

Wild grey parrot trapping methods are ruinous, says new research

A research paper has investigated how different capture methods and other aspects of the grey parrot trade, other than just the actual volume of birds taken from the wild, can affect sustainability of harvest.

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.

The Ultimate Primate Experience

Safari report-back: Trekking for gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP is the is the ultimate primate experience. By Björn Persson

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.

Witnessing an elephant relocation in northern Kenya

We get an insiders view as to what happens during the relocation process of an elephant heading to a new home from Lewa to Tsavo in Kenya.

Africa comes out tops in megafauna conservation survey

Safari tourism instrumental as African countries dominate as best worldwide in large mammal conservation, according to study.

Manyeleti: The Place of Stars

Manyeleti is Greater Kruger’s secret safari haven – undiscovered by most ardent travellers and yet brimming with Big 5 wildlife encounters

Art safari Q&A: What will I learn on my art safari?

Artist Alison Nicholls answers some frequently asked questions regarding the Africa Geographic Travel art safaris that she runs in the Kruger National Park and Madikwe in South Africa.

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.

Shoebill – 7 reasons to love this dinosaur of birds

The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) looks like a bird that belongs in the prehistoric age. Found in the marshes of East Africa, the shoebill is classified as vulnerable and is a bucket-list sighting for any avid birder. Here are seven reasons to love this big bird.

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.

Macro photography: Capturing a new world

Environmental photographer and filmmaker, Sam Cox, explains his passion for teaching the art of macro photography to international volunteers through African Impact’s Wildlife Photography & Conservation programme. The programme offers volunteers the opportunity to gain practical experience in wildlife photography while helping to raise awareness of environmental and conservation issues in South Africa’s Greater Kruger area. Here, he shares …

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Giant rats: A pangolin’s best friend

The pangolin, the world’s most trafficked animal, might have just found a new best friend – the African giant pouched rat.

Hunting causes life-threatening build-up of toxic lead in vultures

Research in Botswana has revealed that fragments of lead from recreational hunter ammunition are finding their way into vulture bloodstreams, and represent a significant threat to these critically endangered scavengers.

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.

Ethiopia: The living churches of an ancient kingdom

It was early in the fourth century AD, under the reign of King Ezana, when the ancient Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum) – a major naval and trading nation that spanned a large portion of east Africa, including modern-day northern Ethiopia – embraced the Orthodox tradition of Christianity. The capital city of the empire was Aksum, and …

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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.

5 Facts you did not know about African wild dogs

Many will know that Africa’s wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) require vast areas to roam, hunt cooperatively to run down their prey and regurgitate food for pups and other pack members. But there are other remarkable facts about these beautiful animals that perhaps you didn’t know.

Opinion: Timbavati increases conservation levy to fund anti-poaching and other costs

An opinion piece that touches on finding ways to increase financial contribution to the conservation effort in the Greater Kruger.

Magical Maasai Mara

The fascination of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and its abundance of wildlife brings fond memories to many seasoned African safari travellers; I am no exception. In January this year, I was invited by some good friends from the USA to join them on a trip to this remarkable reserve. We departed from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, and …

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The angry hippo and a tragic Mara River crossing

Despite the fact that they are known to have an aggressive nature and displays unexpected behaviour, a cold-blooded kill by a hippo is rarely caught on camera in the wild.

Unique sighting: Cheetahs in group mating frenzy

A unique sighting of a coalition of cheetahs trying to mate with a female cheetah in Maasai Mara National Reserve is captured on camera.

Research: Are there too many elephants in Botswana?

Botswana’s researchers contribute to the debate surrounding large elephant populations and their impact on the environment in southern Africa.

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.

Fantastic sighting: Honey badger versus jackals

Black-backed jackals receive an unwelcomed guest in the form of a honey badger who was keen to get a taste of a giraffe carcass.

The Sad 5: Endangered animals you don’t see in the headlines

With the lion’s share of international hype seized by flagship species, lesser known endangered animals seem to succumb to the shadows. These five species are among Africa’s most endangered, yet many people don’t even know they exist.

11 Leopard facts you need to know

Discover 11 facts about the African leopard – the most secretive and elusive big cat and the most popular request during a safari game drive

The Mighty Zambezi: More than a River

She goes from lazy and beguiling to a raging beast capable of pounding a man and his ambitions into submission. Indeed, the Zambezi River is quite a lady… Most people know the Zambezi as that intoxicating cauldron of the elements and humankind at Victoria Falls – where that massive river inhales and forces itself into …

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Breeding project to save the Knysna dwarf chameleon

The Knysna dwarf chameleon is a species in need of rescuing after devastating fires destroyed most of their habitat in Knysna, South Africa.

Could naked mole-rats live forever?

Naked mole-rats are weirdly spectacular – they are bare-skinned, wrinkly and buck-toothed, and they live in large underground colonies in East Africa where only the queen breeds, with a few selected males. Even more spectacular is that research has shown that naked mole-rats do not age in the same manner as other mammals, and in fact show little to no signs of ageing, and their risk of death does not increase with age.

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.

Klaserie through the Lens

Safari trip report-back: at Klaserie in the Greater Kruger National Park is an epic destination for photographers. By Willem Kruger

Vibrant festivities at Sukuma weddings

A photographer is invited to be part of the vibrant festivities of a Sukuma wedding in Tanzania.

Gory splendour: Lion cub and buffalo carcass

A greedy lion cub wants the buffalo carcass all to itself!

17 Elephant facts you need to know

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest land mammal in the world and one of nature’s great ecosystem engineers, being a major contributor to maintaining the balance between wooded and grass ecosystems. Here are 17 fascinating facts that you need to know.

16 days in Uganda

Uganda beckoned – and after 16 years of planning Gerhard Pretorius finally landed in the steamy city of Entebbe for the safari of his life

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.

Can elephants run, or do they just walk faster?

A fascinating study has revealed that although elephants can move at considerable pace, there is a question as to whether they can run.

Nyiragongo: A hike to the centre of the Earth

Climbing Mount Nyiragongo in DR Congo was one of the highlights of my life – a safari report-back by award-winning photographer Björn Persson

7 Consequences of replacing wildlife with livestock

Seven interesting findings based around the impact on ecological processes and ecosystems of the ongoing extinction of native African herbivore species and the increase in livestock populations.

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.

Lamu Town: A place forgotten by time on Africa’s coast

The charming town of Lamu in Kenya is one of Africa’s oldest and most authentic places, and has so much to offer for the intrepid traveller.

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.

Tantalising Tswalu: The Kalahari’s diamond in the rough

It was like a scene out of the movie Jurassic Park. You know, that adrenaline-fuelled, chaotic scene when the bad guys arrive on the island in their vehicles and speed through the bush while dinosaurs scatter out of their way as they hunt for the ultimate dinosaur trophy. Well, this was like that, except I …

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Cuteness alert: Rescued baby genets

These incredibly adorable baby genets stole the heart of their caretaker

Rhino poaching update – we look behind the numbers

We look behind the 2017 rhino poaching numbers

Pangolin research in the Kalahari

Little is known about how pangolins might cope with the direct and indirect effects of a changing climate. A PhD researcher is therefore investigating the body temperature, diet, and activity patterns of free-living ground pangolins in a semi-arid environment in South Africa.