Uncategorized Archives - Africa Geographic

‘Gold rush’ as Botswana meets appetite for lion parts

Investigation reveals Botswana is exporting both live lions and lion parts to South Africa – possible links to canned hunting

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

Captive-bred lion hunting not acceptable – say Dallas Safari Club & CIC

Captive-bred lion hunting “not representative of responsible, sustainable, fair chase hunting … damaging the reputation of hunters” …

Cecil the Lion’s son Xanda killed by trophy hunter

Xanda, the 6-year-old son of Cecil the Lion, has been shot and killed by a client of Zimbabwean professional hunter Richard Cooke, a Victoria Falls resident. Xanda, in his prime years and the father of several young cubs, was killed just outside Hwange National Park, as was his famous father. Although the hunt was reportedly …

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Love for elephants on the Elephant Ignite Expedition

The Elephant Ignite Expedition travelled to 10 different countries, to visit projects that work tirelessly to save elephants

18% crash in Kruger white rhino population

Drought & poaching have reduced estimated white rhino numbers in South Africa’s Kruger National Park by 18% during the past year

Protecting pangolins with the Tikki Hywood Trust

The Tikki Hywood Trust is doing great things to protect the remaining wild populations of pangolins – the most trafficked animal in the world

A petrified forest in Sibiloi National Park

Sibiloi National Park in northern Kenya is vast, arid and remote – miles from other wildlife areas that the country is famous for

Behind the scenes of an elephant relocation

An emotional account of what it’s like to be behind the scenes at an elephant relocation as a conservation exercise

An elephant family finds a new home

Eight elephants find a new home in an area that hasn’t seen elephants for over 100 years.

A cultural awakening in Sudan

Joining a traditional cultural ceremony with the Sufis in Sudan.

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.

Kruger cull: a bad idea?

Culling wildlife in Kruger during times of drought can negatively affect ecosystems – decision-makers should not rush into culling

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.

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.

The antics of adorable hyena cubs

Meet a clan of hyenas and their absolutely adorable cubs at Balule Private Nature Reserve!

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.

White water rafting Kenya’s Tana River

White water rafting the murky waters of Kenya’s Tana River.

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.

Video: a human lookout post for meerkats

A group of guests were enjoying observing and photographing meerkats when one used them as a predator lookout platform.

Meet the orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Orphaned baby elephants changing lives at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

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.

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.

Cat fight: leopard vs. caracal

When two big cats meet – it’s a battle between a leopard and a caracal in Botswana!

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.

Leopard steals honey badger’s giant python

An amazing sighting of a leopard trying to dislodge an already dead python from a tree in the Sabi Sand.

5 things I wish I knew before climbing Kilimanjaro

Five things you should know before you summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and a popular challenge for adventurers

Seaweed – 10 facts and interesting uses

Interesting facts and uses for seaweed – the treasured garden under the waves.

Extinct, then rediscovered – the ‘little violins’

The lovely yellow Lachenalia mathewsii, like so many plants in the Cape Floral Kingdom, is at risk of going extinct.

Where did all the penguins go?

Penguins are in trouble. A 1930’s video clip with Cherry Kearton gives an insight into the extent of the endangered African penguin population decline.

Extinct plant discovered on Lion’s Head

A small species of plant, thought to be possibly extinct, has been rediscovered on the slopes of Lion’s Head.

Is it possible to save Congo’s parrots?

An examination of the African grey parrot populations in the DRC and suggestions of what can be done to prevent their extirpation.

Cape parrot identified as new species

The endangered cape parrot really is a distinct species, according to a newly-published molecular study – a finding that could impact conservation decisions and strategies in South Africa for decades to come.

CSI Bushveld – how did the python die?

In an investigation of Bushveld CSI, Corlette examines the corpse of 5 metre long python to determine what killed it.

Seven lions released into Akagera

Rwanda’s new lion residents set free into Akagera National Park.

Drones keep elephants safe in Tanzania

To reduce human-elephant conflict, drones are being used to chase elephants off farms and ensure their safety.

16 pics of sniffer dogs at work in Congo

The Republic of Congo has a new canine crime unit to protect its wildlife.

Rehabilitated secretarybird goes back into the wild

A secretarybird has successfully been released back into the wild after a lengthy period of treatment to one of its eyes.

Pousargues’s mongoose rediscovered after 20 years

Last seen over 20 years ago, the Pousargues’s mongoose has now been discovered in the Chinko Project Area.

The risk of captive carnivores

The EWT calls for the public to question the role of captive carnivore facilities and the management of the animals in their care.

Lions take up royal residency in Akagera after 15 years absence

Akagera’s new lions settle into their boma after a 46 hour journey.

The effects of drought in iSimangaliso

Understanding the problem of drought in iSimangaliso Wetland Park and finding the solution.

A second chance at life for 19-year old penguin

A 19 year old penguin, rescued by SANCCOB in 1997, has been released after recent oil spill.

South Africa’s Street Food Festival

Cow cheeks, samoosas, shisa nyama, bunny chows, gatsbys, rotis and vetkoek are all on offer this year at South Africa’s Street Food Festival!

Melanistic genet sighted in Kafue

A rare melanistic genet spotted in Zambia’s Kafue National Park!

Rehabilitated penguins to be released after mystery oil spill

Watch the first rehabilitated endangered African penguins be released in Cape St Francis this Saturday, after recovering from mystery oil spill in Algoa Bay.

Plan B for rhinos

Enjoy a talk in Cape Town that will discuss the solutions to saving rhinos.

Fly SA Express at your peril

Open letter to SA Express CEO, Inati Ntshanga.

Oiled African penguins and chicks rescued

SANCCOB rescues 30 penguins from an oil spill in the Eastern Cape.

Elephants to roam between Knysna and Addo?

Building and hiking an ecological corridor from Eden to Addo.

The creatures of the Boland on camera trap

See what creatures live on the Boland’s mountains thanks to these great camera trap images!

On tour with the leatherback turtles of iSimangaliso

These ancient mariners find protection on the coast of South Africa.

Jackal: 1, wildcat: 0

Who killed the wildcat?

Wild dogs of the Serengeti

Wild dogs: a lost species is returned to Serengeti National Park.

A project for penguins and people

A successful penguin release at Burgher’s Walk Restoration Project in Simon’s Town.

Porcupine released after Cape fire

A porcupine is returned home to Silvermine Nature Reserve after two months of rehabilitation due to the Cape fire.

iSimangaliso’s slithering specials

What you didn’t know about Gaboon adders at iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Strong data from latest roadkill survey

A road kill survey of Pilanesberg National Park produces some interesting results.

Unravelling the mystery of Mmamoriri – the maned lioness

Meet Mmamoriri the maned lioness of Mombo!

The lovely long-tailed widowbird

From being rather bland the long-tailed widowbird transforms in a Cinderella-like way into the most miraculous bird in the bushveld!

The lions and the fox

Lion cubs interact with a bat-eared fox in the Kalahari.

Hand-rearing a black-bellied pangolin

Joel Gunter meets a critically endangered black bellied pangolin.

5 steps to brilliant underwater macro photography

5 tips for underwater macro photography for both compact camera users and DSLR users.

The last Somali elephants

A search for Somali elephants in Ethiopia’s Babile Elephant Sanctuary.

Canines take command of Akagera National park

Meet the dog unit taking at stand against poaching in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park.

Black-breasted barbet spotted in Zakouma

The first photo of a black-breasted barbet in Chad’s Zakouma National Park!

SPCA responds to grysbok injured by Cape fire

The SPCA is called out after the discovering of a Cape grysbok that is in need of help after the Cape fires.

Elephant trapped in muddy well is rescued

An elephant walks free after getting stuck in a muddy well in Kenya.

Camera traps in conservation

Conservation through the lens of a camera-trap.

A successful shoebill release

One shoebill’s stork’s flight to freedom!

Celebrating Zakouma National Park

Zakouma National Park a picturesque conservation success story.

Samburu National Park’s top 10 birds

Your Samburu birding bucketlist!

Captive bred vultures fly free

10 endangered Cape vultures were released back to the wild this February.

The cuckoo’s nest

The parasitic relationship between cuckoos and sunbirds in Uganda.

Ponta do Oura hippo not seen since Valentine’s Day

The Ponta do Oura hippo has gone missing.

Southern African bearded vulture decline

Humans are largely to blame for the rapid demise of one of Africa’s most famous birds – the bearded vulture.

African penguin release on Boulder’s Beach

Endangered African penguins waddle their way to freedom in Simon’s Town.

Crowned cranes given a second chance

40 endangered crowned cranes are released into Akagera National Park.

Orcas hunting in False Bay

Observing unusual hunting behaviour by a pod of orcas in Cape Town’s False Bay.

Pictures of the killer whales in Cape Town

A pod of killer whales spotted in False Bay

Photographing birds in action

Birder, Mark Drysdale, explains how to photograph birds using a pair of mating pin-tailed whydahs as an example.

Africa’s most common bird viewed by agriculture as a major pest

Every year thousands of tons of wheat, millet and sorghum is lost as a result of millions of queleas devouring crops both from commercial and subsistence farmers.

Observing purple-banded sunbirds

Purple-banded sunbirds feed their chicks in KwaZulu Natal

Running for conservation in the Sahara Desert

Teams to run grueling ultra-marathon for the establishment of a new national park in Chad and raise funds for anti-poaching.

The Cape’s new canopy tour

The Cape Canopy Tour opens in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.

Dogs save African greys in Congo

Meet Rick and Shon, the dogs who helped rescue two African grey parrots, a crocodile and turtles on a canine mission in the Congo.

Book review: My Lion’s Heart by Gareth Patterson

Gareth Patterson’s book, My Lion’s Heart, is the incredible story of one man’s determination to give a small group of young orphaned lions a fresh start in life.

The king of the beasts to return to Akagera National Park

Play put on to prepare locals for the lion’s return to Akagera.

White lion cubs in the Timbavati

Scott Ramsay is lucky enough to see all five of the Timbavati white lions: two adult lionesses and three white lion cubs.

Baby elephant and ostrich rescue

An orphaned elephant is rescued from Milgis Lugga, Kenya along with two tiny ostrich chicks.

Melanistic serval seen again

The elusive black cat is back!

A good sign for the buffalo at Liuwa Plain National Park

The return of the buffalo to Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia

Celebrating community conservation liaisons

In wake of World Rhino Day, we celebrate the teams that help to conserve our precious rhino.

A desert elephant siesta

During our recent Africa Geographic visit to Namibia, we shared a rather special moment with a family of desert elephants, as they settled down for a mid-morning siesta.