The cheetah is the fastest land animal, with a body built to incredible acceleration. But its also fast heading towards extinction in the wild
Category Archives: Natural history
Why you should care about thickets
A thicket is a dense, almost impenetrable tangle of trees, shrubs, and vines, that is home to a host of biodiversity. Here is why you should spare a thought for thickets
Rehabilitating and releasing baby rhinos
Baby rhinos need special care and Ntombi was no exception. This is her story – after 18 hack wounds from poachers who had killed her mother
A very special pangolin rescue
This is a story of two rescued pangolins, a story of compassion and transboundary teamwork to help two endangered mammals
8 unexpected uses for elephant dung
Elephant dung has many uses to humans – from delicious coffee and beer, to medicine, insect repellant, biogas and paper
12 edible indigenous South African plants
Connect to your food and the rhythm of nature in a new, fresh and wild way by growing these 12 indigenous edible plants.
Zimbabwe elephant hunter identified as German mogul Rainer Schorr
Animal rights group PETA has named the hunter who killed one of Africa’s largest elephants as German businessman Rainer Schorr
18 000 Mauritian flying foxes: to cull or to treasure?
The Mauritian government plans to cull 18,000 endangered flying foxes – scientists say that this drastic measure threatens their existence
Rescuing Beatrice the baby aardvark
‘A’ is for aardvark – a strange nocturnal creature that wanders some of Africa’s drier areas. ‘B’ is for baby aardvark that was rescued
PALF’s dogs sniff out illegal bushmeat
Crocodiles and turtles are released after the PALF dog team sniffs them out in a road block.
Elephants held hostage in Laikipia
Young bull elephants held hostage in Laikipia after destroying crops. It is estimated that local communities lose over a US$1 million in revenue from raiding elephant in Kenya each year.
Dereck Joubert responds to a hunter on the economics of hunting
Dereck Joubert responds to hunter claims – explains how the argument for hunting gets thinner each time it is tested
‘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.
The hidden struggle of South Africa’s freshwater fish
A new conservation film, entitled Fins in the Fynbos, aims to turn the spotlight on threatened fish species and how to save them.
Lion cub petting – but first, let me take a selfie!
An exploration of the reality behind the lion breeding industry and the heavy implications of taking a ‘selfie’ with an adorable lion cub.
Graphic content: Baby hippo killed by its pod
A baby hippo is slaughtered by its pod in a startling series of photographs that highlights the realities of wild Africa
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.
Drones keep elephants safe in Tanzania
To reduce human-elephant conflict, drones are being used to chase elephants off farms and ensure their safety.
Professional hunters’ association president calls for a review of lion hunting
After viewing the new film Blood Lions, Hermann Meyeridricks is asking the hunting association to reconsider its position on lion hunting.
Snakebite!
A miraculous escape from death, and how to prevent and treat snakebite.
Blood Lions – a film exposing the brutal exploitation of the king of beasts
We interview wildlife campaigner Ian Michler, and filmmaker Nick Chevallier about their new film, Blood Lions.
Female elephant mistakenly shot by hunters
A female elephant was accidentally killed instead of an allegedly ‘damage causing’ bull elephant when a hunting permit was suspiciously issued at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve.
Increased poaching causes surge in African vulture deaths
Facing multiple threats including poisoning by poachers, African vultures are declining at a critical rate and researchers suggest that they are heading towards extinction.
Lions are in trouble in Namibia
Lions could be in trouble in Namibia’s arid northwest if nothing is done to reduce human-predator conflict
4 fun facts about the bat-eared fox
The bat-eared fox is a cute, shy creature that wanders around southern Africa’s drier landscapes at night in search of food
Mounting up against poaching in Zakouma
Since man tamed the horse, the majestic animal has gone from a means of transport to a tool of industry and war. Human society has advanced on the backs of horses, but we have since dismounted, finding little use for horses other than leisure. However, in some remote corners of Africa, the horse plays a …
Oiled African penguins and chicks rescued
SANCCOB rescues 30 penguins from an oil spill in the Eastern Cape.
A Southern African Mesosaurus site
Discovering the fossils of the Mesosaurus in Namibia.
Elephants to roam between Knysna and Addo?
Building and hiking an ecological corridor from Eden to Addo.
Putting right the black mamba’s reputation
The black mamba is a misunderstood snake – the subject of many urban legends and exaggerated claims Learn more here
The creatures of the Boland caught camera traps
See what creatures live on the Boland’s mountains thanks to these great camera trap images!
Turtles – ninjas of the Deep
Turtles – the wanderers of Earth’s vast oceans – played a vital part in changing the conservation status of our coastline
Wild dogs of Serengeti
Wild dogs: a lost species is returned to Serengeti National Park.
65 endangered vultures killed in poisoning incident
65 vultures and a tawny eagle found dead in a poisoning incident on a private farm north-west of Hoedspruit.
Bangweulu horses on anti-poaching patrols
Meet the Bangweulu Wetlands Project anti-poaching horse patrol – ensuring that this excellent conservation project thrives!
Gaboon adder – iSimangaliso’s special snake
What you didn’t know about Gaboon adders at iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The wild beneath the ocean waves
‘What’s great about the ocean is that you swim a hundred and fifty meters from the shore, and you feel vulnerable – you are in the wilderness,’ says Craig Foster. Feeling vulnerable is something most modern humans try to avoid, but it would have been a regular part of our ancestors’ lives, and it draws …
Unravelling the mystery of Mmamoriri – the maned lioness
Meet Mmamoriri the maned lioness of Mombo!
9 Fascinating baobab tree facts
Here are some interesting facts about baobabs, Africa’s ancient trees.
Hand-rearing a black-bellied pangolin
Joel Gunter meets a critically endangered black bellied pangolin.
Finding gold in Gabon – the golden cat
I was used to working in the savannahs of eastern and southern Africa, where the animals I studied roamed in full sight. I was used to the relative comfort and safety of getting around in a 4×4, and my camera went everywhere with me. Then, in 2010, I arrived in the Central African country of …
Ivory dealers busted thanks to German travellers on safari
On Monday the 16th of March 2015, two German travellers, Martin and Christin Kotthoff, led to the arrest of two ivory dealers near Kasane, Botswana.
Cape fire – life in the Ashes
Walking through the ashes of Table Mountain National Park after last week’s monumental fire, I didn’t expect to see it as a landscape teeming with life, and yet it was. The sensation was one mixed with awe at the devastation and wonder at the nature that has survived or is already emerging. The fire raged …
Rejuvenating cacao industries in the Congo
Cocoa plants proving to be a sustainable alternative to poaching in the Congo.
When a melanistic serval meets a spotted serval
Black / melanistic serval sightings are a rare occurrence, and getting great photos is even less likely. Check out these exquisite photos!
Running the Gauntlet in the Serengeti
The perils 1,3 million wildebeest face along their Serengeti migration route – as expanding local populations seek much-needed protein
NSPCA’s formal stance on selective breeding wild animals for colour mutations
The NSPCA speaks out on why selective breeding for colour morphs has absolutely no benefit to the individual animal, the species, biodiversity or conservation as a whole.
Treating Africa’s tuskers
Three large tuskers where treated for after being hit by poisonous arrows.
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.
