Decoding science Archives - Africa Geographic

It’s not about the worm

Mopane worms are a popular source of protein and delicious snack for rural people in Limpopo – read about a sustainable Kruger harvest program

Aardvarks and climate change

Aardvarks are being severely impacted by climate change, says research being conducted in arid areas where temperatures are expected to rise

Human impact results in leopard inbreeding – research

Human activity is affecting negatively on leopard populations – via changes in age, sex & social structure of leopard populations – research

Trophy hunting ban could harm conservation on private fenced farms in South Africa – says study

Trophy hunting on many private fenced farms in South Africa – this study examines the impact that a ban could have on biodiversity

The real economic value of Greater Kruger National Park

A 2020 study has revealed the considerable economic, social and political contributions of the Greater Kruger National Park

The rat with a deadly secret

Deadly secret: the crested rat transfers poison from the bark & leaves of a highly toxic tree to its fur as a predator-evasion strategy

Lion evolution according to genome sequencing

Scientists have used genome sequencing of lions to reveal the evolutionary history of living & extinct lion species.

20mm pygmy seahorse discovered in South Africa

A divemaster has discovered a new species of pygmy seahorse in a sandy coral reef in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, that is only 20 mm long.

Wildlife trade between South Africa and China exposed – legal and illegal

The vast scale of legal and illegal trade in wildlife species between South Africa and China – many of them CITES 1 species – has been revealed by an extensive report.

Forest elephant populations smaller than previously thought

Africa’s forest elephant populations are smaller than was previously thought, say researchers. This realisation has a significant impact on future priorities and conservation strategies.

What’s in a (scientific) name?

The weird meanings behind animal scientific names – for example, the black rhino scientific name means ‘double horn double horn’

Which African countries have the highest percentage of protected land?

We compare the proportion of each African country’s land that falls under some form of protected status – to assess their conservation ranking

Secretive forest species such as giant ground pangolins and Congo peafowl revealed by camera traps in DR Congo

Secretive forest species such as giant ground pangolin, Congo peafowl and cusimanse revealed by camera traps in DR Congo.

Elephant Warriors

Elephant collaring in the Greater Kruger by Elephants Alive and Blue Sky Society Trust – a process driven by science and the need for data

What exactly is CITES and how does it work?

CITES was established to regulate the international trade of animals & plants, to avoid the over-exploitation of endangered species

CITES processes are corrupt, says report

A report from TRAFFIC explains how corruption undermines the CITES-authorised trade in wildlife and offers suggestions as to how to mitigate its effects.

Newly discovered Taita Mountain dwarf galago (bushbaby) could already be on the brink of extinction

Newly-discovered species of bushbaby (galago) in Kenya’s Taita Hills is already on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss, say scientists

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is one of the world’s most misunderstood animals. Public perception often tends towards scorn and even outright hate – they are reviled as cowardly, thieving, dirty, ugly, lazy…the list goes on. These impressions are embedded in human history and public consciousness then reinforced by mainstream media and films. Fortunately, though, […]

Leopard raids ground-hornbill nest

Video: a leopard raids a ground-hornbill nest in the Greater Kruger – yet another threat facing this threatened species

Elephant body language 101 – a guide for beginners

Elephant body language is a complex topic, yet there are a few simple clues and signals that explain elephant emotions and intentions

There’s a cheetah on the roof – when wildlife viewing crosses the line

How close is too close? Cheetahs regularly climb onto safari vehicles. Here is why this practice is unethical, dangerous and invasive.

Painted wolf (African wild dog) release with Africa Geographic

Painted wolves (African wild dogs) released after rescue

Ten wild dogs have been released into a private game reserve near Kruger National Park after being rescued from intolerant landowners

Black honey badgers spotted in Gabon

4 Melanistic (black) honey badgers captured on a camera trap in Gabon.

Humans not always to blame for genetic diversity loss in wildlife

People are not always to blame for loss of genetic diversity in wildlife, says new study.

Understanding Malaria

Taking a look at malaria: how to reduce the risk of transmission.

Wildebeest migration routes under threat – researchers

Migratory routes of wildebeest in East Africa are under threat as human populations expand, say scientists.

Who is who? Elephant identification tips and tricks

This is how researchers in Greater Kruger identify individual elephants.

Saving the Northern White Rhino: Third Embryo Successfully Created

International scientists and Kenyan conservation authorities have successfully created the third viable embryo of the near-extinct northern white rhino. The global initiative has taken yet another step in the long journey to pull this subspecies back from the brink.

Killifish – suspended animation & shortest lifespan of any animal with a backbone

The killifish is a survivor that scientists are desperate to learn from. Using suspended animation to survive being entombed in dry mud, combined with the shortest lifespan of any animal with a backbone, killifish could unlock secrets to human ageing.

Elephants in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

Conservation needs diversified approaches – opinion

Scientists suggest alternative land-use models to trophy hunting – models that are more inclusive of local people.

Lion poaching: Escalating demand for claws and teeth

The escalating demand for lion teeth and claws in Asian markets is driving the increased poaching of wild lions, says report.

Elephant poaching decimates key Gabon reserve

Elephant population in Gabon’s Minkébé National Park have been decimated, with 25,000 being poached in 10 years (80% reduction), says research results.

Leopard hunting: CITES quotas not sustainable, say researchers

CITES trophy hunting quotas for leopards are arbitrary and not sustainable, says research. Read here to find what the 3 researchers recommend.

Millipedes – 10 facts that we find interesting

Giant African millipedes often have unusually brightly coloured legs and bodies.

Survival against the odds – 2 special elephants

The touching stories of two wild elephants whose struggle for survival will amaze (and humble) you, and provide a sense of perspective into the wonderful journey of life.

African grey parrots: How social media is facilitating both illegal trade and the fight against it

A recent study examines how social media marketplaces facilitate trafficking of endangered African grey parrots.

Elephants and trees

Does removing elephants save trees? This fascinating report delves into this important conservation issue.

Collaring elephants in Gilé National Reserve – wilderness at its best!

Elephant conservation in action: Collaring elephants in Gilé National Reserve in Mozambique.

Zimbabwe elephants: Report identifies existing conservation problems, calls for community involvement

Zimbabwe elephants: Report fingers ZimParks for incompetence and international NGOs for hoodwinking donors, concludes that surrounding communities have to be involved in conservation as beneficiaries.

Lions in Zambia are roaming across areas thought uninhabitable for them

Research: Lions are sneaking virtually undetected through dense human zones in Zambia, thereby ensuring genetic diversity throughout the entire Zambian lion population.

New report reveals the value of lions and their landscapes

The New Lion Economy is the first project of its kind to make the link between ecosystem services, economic development, cultural significance and the survival of lions.

Twiga Tracker – Using modern technology to save the endangered reticulated giraffe

In a world first, the single largest GPS satellite tagging of endangered giraffes has taken place in Kenya.

Daisies that close at night have camouflaged petals to protect them from herbivores

A recent study has revealed a novel way in which flowers can avoid being eaten by herbivores.

Vultures of the Old World

“When one thinks about vultures, one envisions a bald-headed, blood-thirsty scavenger waiting for something or someone to perish. We have been brought up to believe that evil surrounds vultures, and this has led to cinematography portraying the species in a negative and unloved light. This has most certainly contributed to the species being disliked and […]

Leopards in Namibia – latest population census results

The results of a recent leopard census in Namibia, providing a more accurate estimate of the distribution and number of leopards in the country.

Opinion: Approval of citrus farm on Greater Kruger border puts the region’s Protected Area Expansion Project at risk

Citrus farm approved on the border of Greater Kruger. Concerned protected area managers believe that this will threaten the entire region.

The Brown Hyena

Steeped in myths and legends regarding magical powers, hermaphroditism and black magic, and more recently cast as villains by Disney, the hyena family undoubtedly suffers from a bad reputation. With their gentle, social interactions and strong kin bonds rarely witnessed, and their reputation amongst farmers as a livestock predator, the misunderstood and secretive brown hyena […]

The Honey Badger

There is an expression in Afrikaans that goes “so taai soos ‘n ratel” – which translates to “as tough as a honey badger”. Across the continent honey badgers have earned the reputation of being tough, even lending their name to an armoured personnel carrier used by the South African Defence Force. This reputation is in part […]

The African Lion

“There are few sounds as evocative and exhilarating as a lion roaring his challenge into the African night; triggering in us all a primordial reaction of fear and awe. Lions are essential players in Africa’s wild spaces, ruthlessly executing the role of an apex predator and so helping maintain biodiversity and ecosystems, which change fundamentally […]

The Cheetah

“A cheetah in full flight is one of Africa’s most breathtaking sights – that blindingly rapid and yet sublimely smooth acceleration and the ability to swerve at full speed take one’s breath away. And, with a hunting success rate above 50%, cheetahs are amongst the most successful of Africa’s large carnivores when it comes to […]

The Mountain Gorilla: Gentle Giants

“The thrill of trekking for mountain gorillas in the astonishingly beautiful misty highlands of East Africa is not difficult to explain. Quietly observing these gentle giants as they go about their day is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a privileged few, and to be treasured beyond compare. If you are lucky enough to exchange glances with […]

Gorilla Doctors

The dart lands just below her left shoulder. Gashangi, a 33-year-old mountain gorilla, reacts as though stung by a bee. She swipes a large hand toward her perceived antagonist but is unable to reach the feathered projectile. A few moments later, she gets up and begins to move off through the lush montane vegetation towards […]

The Okapi: The Shy Forest Dwellers of Central Africa

The mysterious and enigmatic okapi is one of the oldest mammals on Earth, but it has only been known to the western world since the early 20th century. Covered in unusual markings on their rump and legs, okapi are elusive, shy and gentle, and nearly impossible to observe in the wild due to their secretive […]

The Chimpanzee: Our Forest Kin

“The alpha male chimp was sitting in the forest path ahead, staring into the distance in a melancholy way as if contemplating life’s challenges, chin resting on balled fist. My party and I were waiting it out, aware that it was us who were intruding on his territory and home. He knew we were waiting […]

The Cape Leopard

The Cape leopard is the stuff of legends. This seldom seen, highly elusive apex predator survives in some of the most inhospitable habitat possible – the rugged, low nutritional fynbos biome of the Cape Fold Mountain ranges. Despite the habitat limitations, this region did historically host many wildlife species such as black rhino, Cape mountain […]

Giraffes – The Silent Extinction

It’s hard to comprehend that giraffe numbers have plummeted by almost 40% in just three decades. This rapid slide now places them amongst the most threatened species on the planet, with only approximately 98,445 individuals remaining across this massive African continent! A population collapse of this nature could conceivably be driven by that evil Far […]

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 […]