Natural history Archives - Page 3 of 45

Big cat sightings in the Greater Kruger

Catch up on the latest big cat sightings from the team at Tinstwalo in the Greater Kruger’s Manyeleti Private Game Reserve.

Elephants and ivory – CITES CoP18 and what the opposing countries want

Battle lines are drawn at the CITES CoP18 conference which starts this weekend, and elephants and ivory are the controversial issues at play. Here is an opinion post from three organisations about each of the proposals on the table.

Watch: Hippo takes over leopard kill

Always expect the unexpected out in the African bush! A camera trap reveals out of the ordinary behaviour as a hippo robs a leopard of its kill.

Bushbabies – The Southern Lesser Galago

With their large saucepan eyes, big ears and bushy tails, galagos, also known as bushbabies, are one of Africa’s most endearing creatures of the night. Often referred to in South Africa as nagapies, meaning “little night monkeys” in Afrikaans, they are regarded as one of the smallest of the prosimian primate species. Although reasonably common throughout parts […]

Trophy hunters kill popular Zimbabwean lion Seduli – on World Lion Day

A well-known male lion called Seduli, who was popular with photographers, has been shot by hunters on the outskirts of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe this past weekend on World Lion Day.

Surprise sighting! Snake versus bat

A unique sighting as a brown house snake catches a bat and proceeds to swallow it whole.

Scientists write letter to Botswana president about elephants

Prominent elephant scientists write to Botswana’s President Masisi about strategy to manage elephants and reduce conflict with humans.

Poor fencing has devastating effects on roaming elephants

Elephants are being shot because poor fencing results in elephants roaming into communal lands outside of Songimvelo Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Incredible sighting: The black cat of the Serengeti

A rare sighting indeed at Lemala Nanyukie Tented Lodge in Tanzania, where this melanistic serval has been seen regularly over recent weeks.

A closer look at women in the Field Guiding industry

South Africa commemorates National Women’s Month in August and here we take a look at women in the field guiding industry.

Newborn turtles journey to the sea

Nothing quite beats the sensation of watching newborn turtles climb and clamber towards the beginning of their ocean lives. It is a tough journey, however, and to make it to the shoreline there are many obstacles that need to be overcome.

Best photographic hotspots in northern Namibia

Namibia is a photographer’s paradise, where in the north you will find both fantastic scenery as well as unforgettable encounters with Africa’s magnificent wildlife.

The green season – Botswana’s best kept secret

With lush, green landscapes creating a breathtaking setting for countless photo opportunities, the green season in Botswana can be regarded as an exceptional time of the year to visit.

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 […]

5 Great national parks worth visiting in Uganda

Explore the top attractions in five of Uganda’s best national parks.

Watch: Elephant calf rescued from muddy trap

Dramatic rescue of an elephant calf from the mud, with a highly stressed mother having to be sedated. The rescue took place in August 2018, but the edited footage has only now become available from Bumi Hills Foundation.

Snake versus gecko: A classic predator-prey encounter

Incredible sighting as a dwarf beaked snake and a barking gecko cross paths in the Kalahari desert in a classic predator-prey encounter.

Incredible escape and evade strategies in the insect world

Escape and evade strategies in the insect world – where being killed and eaten is an ongoing reality.

Ivory from nearly 300 elephants and scales from an estimated 2,000 pangolins seized in Singapore

A record haul as ivory from nearly 300 African elephants and scales from an estimated 2,000 giant pangolins have been seized by Singapore authorities.

Wildlife photography: Aiming for that ultimate ‘bucket shot’

A wildlife photographer pursues his ultimate ‘bucket shot’ of an up-close and detailed photo of a malachite kingfisher.

Whale watching at its best along the St. Lucia Coast

Whale watching season is in full swing and here we take a closer look at St. Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal – one of the best places to spot migrating whales and their young.

Wild-caught elephants for USA zoos

United States zoos look set to take wild-caught elephants from Zimbabwe.

Elephant ivory trafficking possibly controlled by only 3 major cartels, says research

Major implications for ivory trafficking as research reveals that only three cartels control most illegal trade, according to research.

Opinion: The untold story behind hunting in Botswana

Hunting in Botswana: Human-wildlife conflict scientist takes a deeper look at whether the historic hunting ban was good or bad for elephants and people.

Celebrating Chimpanzees

A gallery of fantastic images of chimpanzees – in honour of our fellow great ape. Images submitted by our Photographer of the Year entrants.

The latest big cat sightings in the Timbavati

Lions and leopards galore at Umlani Bushcamp in the Timbavati.

Bull elephants mate more as they get older – research

Older male elephants are more determined to track down and mate with females than young elephants, says research.

Breaking: STROOP scoops more awards, stands alongside Steven Spielberg, Natalie Portman and Ellen DeGeneres

Acclaimed South African documentary film, ‘STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War’, has continued to attract the attention of international and local judges and audiences alike, winning two more prestigious awards.

Win a painted wolf / African wild dog safari – fundraising event in Hoedspruit

Support painted wolves (African wild dogs) and join the Endangered Wildlife Trust for a fundraiser and auction evening in Hoedspruit to raise funds to purchase much-needed tracking collars to monitor these endangered predators.

Winter highlights from the Greater Kruger

Catch up on the latest wildlife-viewing highlights from the team at Tinstwalo in the Greater Kruger’s Manyeleti Private Game Reserve.

3 Tips for unique wildlife photography

Read about these three techniques that will provide you with the knowledge to take your wildlife photography to the next level.

Yes or no – boycott tourism lodges in Greater Kruger because of neighbouring trophy hunting operations?

Does it make sense to boycott tourism lodges in the Greater Kruger because of trophy hunting on neighbouring properties? Our CEO answers the question.

Scorpions: facts you need to know

Scorpions are fascinating creatures that deserve our respect. They come in all shapes and sizes and this article explains how to differentiate

Introducing the Safari Guide of the Year 2019

And the winner is… After a tough week of scrutiny from mentors and intense but convivial competition amongst the five chosen finalists, the coveted title ‘Safari Guide of the Year 2019’ has been awarded. Find out about the winner here.

Iconic desert-adapted elephant ‘Voortrekker’ killed by trophy hunter in Namibia

In yet another blow to big elephant genes, the iconic desert-adapted elephant bull known by millions of fans worldwide as ‘Voortrekker’ was killed by a trophy hunter after being declared a ‘problem-animal’ by Namibian authorities

Hyena Birth – Moment of Magic

There have been many viewpoints written about the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), from both sides of the story. They have been painted with broad brushstrokes as the evil, thieving scavengers of the African bush on the one hand and the other, highly intelligent, cohesive and beautiful animals. Yet, in a world of pure survival, where […]

Finding my purpose on a safari adventure

Connecting ethical adventure travel with the purpose of making a difference. A member from the latest Journeys with Purpose expedition shares her insights.

Africa could skyrocket tourism investment & earnings – working paper

New report illustrates how African countries can attract tourism investment and significantly increase revenue and socio-economic benefits.

Life with elephants

Botswana elephant debate: We speak to the MOST important people in this equation – those living with elephants. Beyond the politics and ideologies, what do rural Batswana feel about elephants? Read more.

Catastrophic breaking news: 537 vultures found poisoned in dark day for Botswana conservation

Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has announced that they have recently identified a poisoning site with 537 dead vultures (comprising five species) and two tawny eagles.

Pangolin research at Tswalu

Fascinating new research on ground pangolins is under way and should help us to learn more about these shy and elusive mammals and how they move within their home ranges.

Watch: African wildcat kitten in my garden

Cuteness alert! Our CEO finds a tiny African wildcat kitten in his garden near the Greater Kruger, notices signs of possible inbreeding with domestic cats.

Video: Bucket the tiny lion cub is still going strong!

Good news: The tiny lion cub named Bucket that left her mother at the tender age of five weeks to follow the pride males, and endured 10 days with no mother’s milk before rejoining her mom, is alive and well.

Video: Instagram influencers eat pangolin in Gabon – call it ‘armadillo’

Instagram influencers Jessica Nabongo and Sal Lavallo ate pangolin in Gabon hotel

Leopard kills child in Kruger

A leopard has killed the young child of a Kruger National Park staff member. The leopard was subsequently shot, to prevent future such attacks. Condolences to the family of the child.

Do elephants affect vulture nesting success? Ongoing research

Researchers highlight the complex relationship between elephant impact and vulture nest survival in the Greater Kruger National Park.

New population found of critically endangered riverine rabbits

Great news for conservationists as a new population of Critically Endangered riverine rabbits has recently been discovered in Baviaanskloof.

Breaking: Zambian hippo cull via hunting cancelled. Again

Breaking: Zambian hippo cull cancelled. This is the latest about-turn since the Zambian government announced plans to cull 2,000 hippos in Luangwa Valley by offering ‘hippo management hunts’.

Study: Elephant poaching rates in decline, but iconic species remains under threat

Latest study reveals elephant poaching rates in Africa have started to decline, but levels of poverty, corruption and ivory demand still threaten the iconic species.

Exploring the fascinating world of camouflage in nature

The classic idea of camouflage is a unique, cryptic colour-pattern combination of an organism that enables it to blend into its environment to escape detection. This ability to blend in has the obvious benefit of helping both prey and predator alike.

Botswana trophy hunting: Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses to be granted annually, says government

Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses will be granted annually, the Botswana government has announced, following the reinstatement of hunting.

Large-tusked elephants are in decline, need to be protected from trophy hunting and poaching, says researcher

The need to protect large-tusked and potentially large-tusked elephants from poaching and excessive selective hunting pressure is more apparent than ever as the progressive decrease in average tusk size over the past three decades is potentially leading to over exploitation of older bulls.

Botswana brings back trophy hunting

The Government of Botswana has taken the decision to lift the hunting suspension.

Penguins can inform fisheries management, say researchers

Cape Town’s endangered African penguins respond directly to changes in local fish numbers, and monitoring them could inform fisheries management and marine conservation, say researchers.

NEWS WRAP: 3-month-old baby elephant rescued + pangolins returned to the wild

In the latest news wrap a three-month-old baby elephant has been rescued after being found wandering on its own in the Maputo Special Reserve in Mozambique; three pangolins have been released back into the wild in Malawi after being confiscated; an almost blind collared elephant bull was successfully treated for serious injuries after a suspected tusking by another bull; and South African National Parks (SANParks) has begun dehorning selected rhino cows in the southern reaches of Kruger National Park to reduce the impact of poaching losses on its population.