Discovering additional riverine rabbit populations and gathering information about this elusive species has been a challenge. Here’s why
Category Archives: Natural history
Who’s been sleeping in my bed? New study identifies the bird species that use hamerkop nests for breeding
Hamerkops create one of the largest nests of any individual bird in the world. But other bird species use these nests for breeding
The fragile kingdoms of the African lion
Lions are under threat. A new study examines the fragility of lion populations in Africa, probing socio-political & ecological factors
Net win – saving Africa’s trees from elephants
New research shows that wire-netting can be used to significantly increase tree survival by reducing elephant impact on large trees
The wild pigs of Africa
There are six species of wild pigs in Africa: common and desert warthogs, bushpigs, red river hog, giant forest hogs and North African boars
Trophy hunted: Namibian desert-adapted lion – here are the facts
Trophy hunt: a male desert-adapted lion has been hunted amidst suspicious circumstances – we ask questions of MEFT
Archaeological magic in Makgadikgadi
Archaeological sites in the Makgadikgadi salt pans reveal how ancient humans used black silcrete formed from lake mud to make tools
Kruger rhino population update – the losses continue
Rhino populations in Kruger National Park continue to decline despite innovative strategies implemented to prevent rhino poaching
“Shock” value – the animal toll of electric fences
What is the animal toll of electric fences? Safeguarding protected and wild areas comes at the expense of countless wildlife, says research
The cheetahs of southern Tanzania
A new study, aimed at aiding the conservation of Tanzania’s cheetahs, reveals the secrets of the cheetahs of the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem
The hybrid elephants of Kibale – new research on how to distinguish types of African elephant
A new study from Kibale has laid the groundwork to distinguish between forest/savannah elephant hybrids and different elephant species
The science behind keeping the rhinos of Greater Kruger safe
How effective are Greater Kruger’s interventions in keeping rhinos safe? A new report analyses the effectiveness of rhino conservation
Botswana’s zebra migrations
Botswana hosts two zebra migrations, one of which is the longest mammal migration in Africa. The zebras travel in search of water and grazing
Op Ed: Should Namibia and Botswana bring down their veterinary fences?
Should Namibia & Botswana bring down their veterinary fences? Gail Thomson makes the case for livelihoods, migratory routes & economy
The boudoir of beetles – how this orchid sexually deceives its pollinator
How this longhorn beetle has been deceived into copulating with a rare orchid, Disa forficaria, in order to act as its pollinator
Kudu
Known for impressive spiral horns & doe-eyed, graceful countenance, the kudu is a fascinating antelope and an icon of the African safari
Dwarf mongoose
The dwarf mongoose is Africa’s smallest mammalian predator. With complex social structures, they are fascinating to see on safari
Hyena royalty returns to Maputo National Park
Five spotted hyena have been released into Maputo National Park as part of a rewilding journey for this biodiversity hotspot
Impala
Impala are one of the most common antelope species, often seen on safari. This remarkable African mammal is doe-eyed, resilient & athletic
Trophy hunting in Botswana’s NG13: we follow the money
We follow the money to reveal how this trophy hunter makes huge profits by not adequately compensating the NG13 communities in Botswana
Towering intellect? How scientists discovered that giraffe can use statistical reasoning
Giraffe are an endless source of fascination for scientists. A new study reveals that giraffes are capable of statistical inference
Genets of Africa
Genets are the cat-like carnivores of Africa, frequently spotted on safari. Learn more about the 14 species of genet found on the continent
Nairobi National Park
In the heart of Kenya’s capital, wilderness meets civilisation in Nairobi National Park, offering a safari experience unlike any other
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
Missing the point: new study suggests that dehorning can negatively impact black rhino social behaviours
Dehorning rhinos is a vital anti-poaching strategy. But a new study suggests dehorning can negatively impact black rhino social behaviours
Ethiopian wolf
The Ethiopian wolf is the most endangered carnivore in Africa. Found only in the Ethiopian Highlands, they are threatened by habitat loss
Wildebeest
The wildebeest, star of the Great Migration, is one of Africa’s toughest animals. Seeing this comical antelope on safari is very entertaining
African civet
While they occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the nocturnal African civet is rarely spotted on safari. Learn more about the elusive civet
Spot the difference – do leopards inherit their patterns from their mothers?
Research shows that leopards inherit their patterns of rosettes and whisker spots from their mothers – an exciting finding in leopard genetics
About those 6 speared lions – comment from Big Life’s CEO
Six lions speared to death in Amboseli: Big Life Foundation CEO Benson Leyian comments on the complexities of human-wildlife conflict
A wounded rhino or a parasitic worm? Filariasis explained
Ever noticed wounds on the skin of a rhino? These lesions have an interesting source. We examine Filariasis, caused by a parasitic worm
Eland
The eland is the largest antelope in the world. Sometimes tricky to find, ticking them off your African safari list is a rewarding experience
Measured in millions – the years needed to restore the lost biodiversity of Madagascar
It would take millions of years to reverse the damage done to Madagascar and its unique and precious biodiversity, according to a new study
Gelada
With intricate social structures & complex vocabularies, the cliff-dwelling gelada of the Ethiopian Highlands is one of Africa’s most striking primates
A second silent spring – the impending insect apocalypse
Insects are essential ecosystem engineers, but are vulnerable to climate change. Scientists are warning of an impending insect apocalypse – which will severely impact human life
On the brink: Namibia’s wild desert horses
The fate of the Namib’s wild desert horses is uncertain. There are no easy answers when weighing up their role in Namibian tourism & wildlife
Private rhino – the importance of private sector rhino conservation
More than half of Africa’s rhino are in private hands. With rising protection costs, what will it take to build a resilient private industry?
A passage to India – how the journey of southern Africa’s cheetah divided the experts
The reintroduction of cheetah to India is dividing conservationists. Is this an ecologically unsound vanity project or a conservation win?
The bongo
The bongo is one of Africa’s most attractive antelope yet its shy nature keeps it off the safari radar. We shed light on this alluring mammal
Putting elephants on the map – exploring connectivity in southern Africa
How do elephants move across southern Africa through protected areas and beyond? New research explores the value of habitat connectivity
Giraffe
The giraffe is a wonder of evolution, and a vital part of Africa’s ecosystems. Read all there is to know about the planet’s tallest creature
Rhino poaching on the rise in Namibia
Rhino poaching is on the increase in Namibia, with 87 rhinos poached in 2022 – almost double than in 2021. Elephant poaching is declining.
Maasai, maize and mammoths – human-elephant conflict in the Amboseli ecosystem
Averting crop-raiding elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem is a constant battle. Josh Clay reports on how rangers prevent human-elephant conflict
Seven safari myths – busted
Can you separate fact from fiction when it comes to the tall tales told about Africa’s wildlife? Our experts bust common safari myths
Warthog
Warthogs are the fast and courageous tusked pigs of Africa. Known for their haggard looks, the warthog is an entertaining sight on any safari
Safari Season – visit Africa in Jun, Jul, Aug
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in June, July and August.
Giraffe social structure as complex as elephants’
Giraffe social structure is as complex as elephants’ – consisting of intricate communication, stable kinship groups and supportive mothering
African penguin
The African penguin is an endangered bird found along the coasts of southern Africa, drawing thousands of tourists every year
Safari Season – visit Africa in Mar, Apr, May
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in March, April and May.
Population growth, exploitation and climate change: safeguarding Africa’s wildlife into the 22nd century
A study on population growth, resource exploitation & climate change highlights the necessary steps for preventing loss of wild habitats & species in Africa
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
Iconic Tsavo super tusker Lugard dies
Iconic Tsavo super tusker Lugard, has died of natural causes. Lugard is the second tusker to be found deceased in Tsavo in the past month
West African giraffe conservation success in Niger after daring translocation
A vital population of West African giraffe in Niger has been bolstered after the translocation of 4 giraffe from a security stricken region to Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve
Cape porcupine
Cape porcupines are fascinating creatures. Protected by deadly quills, they are the largest rodents in southern Africa
Hippos to be uplisted? CITES CoP19
Ten African states have proposed the transfer of the hippo from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I ahead of the 19th Conference of the Parties. What does this entail?
Human-wildlife conflict: long-term trends in Namibia
Research in Namibia on the type & frequency of human-wildlife conflict incidents between 2001–2019 can aid in mitigating future conflict occurrences
Tsavo tusker Dida dies of natural causes
Elephant Dida, tusker and matriarch of Tsavo National Park – possibly Africa’s largest female tusker – has died of natural causes
Vanishing lions – a 75% decline in Africa’s iconic predators in just five decades
Africa’s lions are disappearing. New research shows that lion populations across the continent have declined by 75% in just five decades
The tragic human cost of elephant translocations
Human-elephant conflict: Communities near Kasungu face tragic losses following the introduction of new elephant herds to the national park
Aardvark
The elusive aardvark is a keystone species, shaping the landscape around it and providing dwellings for other mammals, reptiles and birds
The elephant in the room – how social media attention misses more pressing conservation threats
Social media impacts conservation. Research shows that the attention elephants receive on Twitter fails to address urgent conservation issues
Safari Season – visit Africa in Dec, Jan, Feb
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in December, January and February,
The state of Africa’s rhino
Here’s our analysis of the IUCN report containing the most recent rhino numbers, trends, poaching incidents, conservation measures & trade updates
Human-wildlife conflict: The ones that got away from snares and shotguns
Scientists can now detect injuries from snares & shotguns on trophy-hunted lions & leopards – quantifying the extent of previously unreported human-wildlife conflict
Elephants that creep in the dark – how elephants distinguish between human activities
Chobe elephants have learnt how to change their activity patterns to reduce risk of human encounters – new research
The miniature owls of Africa
Africa hosts a variety of miniature owls. From scops-owls, to white-faced owls & owlets, here is the rundown of these small, endearing birds
Pongola’s elephant management crisis: a different perspective
Pongola Game Reserve faces an elephant management crisis. Paul Cryer & Pete Ruinard provide a different perspective on the challenges at hand
Safari Season – visit Africa in Sept, Oct, Nov
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in September, October and November.
Snakes – everything you need to know
Admired and feared, snakes are marvels of natural engineering, behaviour & movement. Here’s everything you need to know to understand snakes
Lions target particular types of cows – research
Understanding how predators select cattle for prey could help in protecting livestock from lions, mitigating human-wildlife conflict
Five years until the Kalahari’s hornbills start to vanish
Scientists have predicted that the Kalahari’s hornbills will start to vanish in five years – and climate change is to blame
Hawaii’s conspicuous African chameleons
How did chameleons come to evolve their kaleidoscopic capacity? Escapees from the 1970s Hawaiian pet trade may hold the answer
Not on our watch: The Timbavati Traverse
The Timbavati Traverse is an excellent opportunity for bushveld walkers & runners to make a real difference for Greater Kruger’s rhinos
Kids eat first: research on wild dog feeding habits
New research shows that there is order in wild dog hunts. Painted wolf pups are the first to eat at a carcass.
Habituating leopards
Following the death of leopard Hosana, Jamie Paterson & Maxine Gaines take an in-depth look at leopard habituation & tourism ethics
Giraffe evolution – pieces of the puzzle
Under pressure – genetic research on giraffes reveals evolutionary secrets of how they cope with high blood pressure and maintain bone density.
Making Hippocrates proud: How animals self-medicate
Scientists have observed chimpanzees medicating the injuries of their peers – a behaviour never before witnessed in the animal kingdom
Kalahari’s overlapping cheetah litters
A cheetah mother has been observed simultaneously raising two cheetah cubs of different age classes – behaviour never witnessed in the wild
Northern Madagascar
Northern Madagascar – biodiversity, lush rainforests, mangroves, azure lagoons, palm-fringed beaches, lemurs and ferocious fossa
Trophy hunting will not save Africa’s lions – Opinion editorial
Trophy hunting will not save Africa’s lion populations, & the UK ban on imports is a positive step for conservation, writes Hans Bauer
Pongola’s elephant management crisis
Pongola Game Reserve can no longer keep its elephants. Malcolm Thomson explains the challenges of elephant management
Surviving in post-pandemic Zimbabwe
As tourism slowly recovers in post-pandemic Zimbabwe, hunger still stalks the country. Many resort to the basics to survive the loss of income
Elephant bulls – breeding and trophy hunting
Does the hunting of elephant bulls with large tusks lead to the decline of Africa’s tuskers? We examine the science
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus – a large semiaquatic mammal – is one of the most powerful, speedy and feared animals in Africa
Keeping count – wildlife populations in Kruger’s private nature reserves
Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR), part of Greater Kruger, completed their 2021 wildlife census. We analyse the ebb & flow of results
Farmed vs wild rhino horn – what the research tells us
Does farming of rhinos prevent illegal trade in wild rhino horn? Research into consumer preferences sheds light on the rhino-horn trade
How much to kill a woolly mammoth?
The trophy hunting of 2 of Botswana’s largest tuskers threatens community wealth, a wildlife corridor & tusker survival. By Simon Espley
South and central Madagascar
South and central Madagascar is popular with tourists who enjoy the spiny forests, elegant sifakas, ring-tailed lemurs and desert canyons
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
Iconic Amboseli super tusker Tolstoy dies
Famous Amboseli super tusker Tolstoy has died at the age of 51, six weeks after being treated for a spear wound
Trophy hunters kill two of Africa’s biggest elephants in Botswana
Trophy hunters have killed 2 of the largest elephants left in Africa. The ongoing removal of large-tusked elephants is a conservation concern
Counting animals – the technology helping conservationists
Counting wild animals can be a complicated process, particularly when estimating populations in some of Africa’s massive protected wild areas
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
Jackals of Africa – consummate survivors
Jackals are the ultimate survivors of the African bushveld. These social & intelligent canids are expert opportunists and masterful lurkers
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.
Namibia’s elephant auction: Evaluating the results
Namibia’s controversial elephant auction: balancing conservation, welfare and legality – Opinion editorial
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
Southern ground-hornbill – Africa’s rara avis
The southern ground-hornbill is a complex, social, endangered species that marks the dawn chorus with its haunting, thunderous call
