Natural history Archives - Page 3 of 34

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.

Animals’ eyes are the windows to their survival strategy – research

Read about the research done to find out why lions don’t have ‘normal’ cats’ eyes and what determines the shape and function of animal eyes.

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.

Communities delivering conservation impact & wildlife recoveries

Opinion: Communities are delivering significant conservation results equivalent to those of government parks and reserves.

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.

A leopard hunts baby warthogs

The sombre reality of nature comes to the fore in this account of a mother leopard and her cub killing tiny warthog piglets.

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.

Another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm in South Africa

Yet another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm bells that deliberate poisoning of vultures for belief-based use is on the increase, say experts.

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.

Rhino poaching continues to escalate in Botswana

Rhino poaching in Botswana has escalated alarmingly, with 13 rhinos being killed for their horns in the last two months, and a total of 31 since October 2018.

Millipedes – 10 facts that we find interesting

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

Rhino poaching in Namibia down

Rhino poaching in Namibia dropped to 41 individuals killed in all of 2019 so far, compared with nearly 72 during the same period last year, according to the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Mountain gorilla population continues to rise

Great news! The population of mountain gorillas is on the rise, and now stands at an estimated 1,063 individuals.

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.

Collared elephant hunted in Botswana, tracking device destroyed

A large bull elephant carrying a research collar with a tracking device has been killed by trophy hunters in Botswana, and the tracking device destroyed.

Lions in Gorongosa show population increase

Lions in Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique) are benefitting from better conservation measures, and show a population increase to 146, the nature reserve announced on Wednesday.

The Return of Malawi’s Cheetahs

A total of 5,645 kilometres… That is 845 km more than the distance across the United States of America, 2,500 km further when travelling east to west across Australia, and 2,845 km more than the distance across South Africa. That distance does not even count all the little trips in between, including the time spent […]

Watch: Newborn elephant protected by his herd

An exquisite sighting of the moment an elephant calf is born amongst a family herd in the Maasai Mara.

Strange (non)case of pangolin killings in Mozambique

Investigation: Pangolin poaching and torture case hits a brick wall at court in Mozambique.

Critically endangered addax antelope to be reintroduced in Chad

The critically endangered addax antelope is to be brought back from the edge of extinction through reintroducing captive-bred species into the wild in Chad.

Using ‘chilli balls’ to reduce human-elephant conflict in Zambia

Crop-raiding elephants in Zambia are being deterred humanely through the use of ‘chilli balls’ which are fired at their rumps.

Escape and evade strategies in the reptile world

Taking a look at the diverse escape and evade strategies of reptiles in southern Africa.

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.

Samanyanga – the legendary big tusker of Malilangwe

A moving tribute to the magnificent tusker known as ‘Samanyanga’, of Zimbabwe’s Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve – by wildlife filmmaker and photographer Kim Wolhuter. Samanyanga died of natural causes.

Declining Dynasties – Blacktip

It is a year since the BBC first screened Dynasties: Painted Wolves and nearly three since they stopped filming in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Since then, the dynasty has struggled. In part two of this trilogy (read part one here), Nicholas Dyer, who has followed these packs for the last seven years, continues the story with […]

Katavi National Park takes radical action on hippos

Opinion by biologist: Controversial dam being built in Tanzania’s remote Katavi National Park to save hippos may have negative environmental consequences.

Akagera National Park: The intricate link between conservation and community

Akagera National Park in Rwanda is a success story in the making – where wildlife conservation, tourism and community upliftment are one and the same.

Opinion: Trophy hunting is not all black and white, says conservation biologist

Trophy hunting: Conservation biologist explains the complexity of the situation in a remote area of Tanzania, calls for reason and practical solutions that work on the ground.

Okapi conservation gets a boost, with new DRC reserve management partner

Okapi conservation has received a boost, with the signing of a new management agreement for The Okapi Wildlife Reserve in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Severe drought affecting elephants and other wildlife in Mana Pools

Severe drought in Mana Pools is affecting elephants and other wildlife – a photographer shares her images and thoughts.

Hearing the silence of the African bush

When last did you hear the silence of the bush and when will you hear it again?

Wild Art

Flowers and plants captivate me, skulls, skins and bones fascinate me. To me, they are potent symbols of life and death, inseparable and complementary. Living with my life partner Clive Stockil in the Lowveld wilderness of Zimbabwe, I am an artist and a naturalist, celebrating the indigenous plants and wildlife in the wilderness and in my […]

Opinion: How hunting black rhino contributes to conservation in Namibia

Black rhino hunts benefit conservation of our rhinos – opinion post by conservationist, on behalf of 64 Namibian conservation organisations.

Botswana on alert after surge in rhino poaching

Unprecedented surge in rhino poaching raises alarm in Botswana.

Elephants and trees

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

Skilful climbers: Lionesses scale near-vertical cliff in pursuit of prey

A great sighting as two lionesses show off their athletic climbing skills as they make their way up a near-vertical cliff face in pursuit of potential prey.

Malawi: On the frontline in the fight against illegal wildlife trade

Malawi may be one of the continent’s most peaceful nations, but it is currently locked in a fierce battle to protect some of the world’s most threatened species of wildlife.

Declining Dynasties

It is a year since the BBC first screened Dynasties: Painted Wolves and nearly three since they stopped filming in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Since then, the dynasty has struggled. Nicholas Dyer, who has followed these packs for the last seven years, tells the story of Tammy and the Nyamatusi Pack. 📷 Six […]

Botswana elephant hunting: Chaos and disillusionment as citizen licenses are raffled

Botswana elephant hunting: Eight elephant hunting licenses were awarded to Maun-based Botswana citizens, and the eight winners and almost 6,000 losers were unhappy with the results when the reality of the T&Cs set in.

Son of Mozambican war veteran arrested in possession of rhino horns

Lucílio Matsinhe, son of a popular Mozambican war veteran, has been arrested for possession of rhino horns.

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.

Trophy hunting in Zambia to be suspended due to non-payment of hunting fees to communities

Trophy hunting in Zambia has been halted because communities have not been paid their fees and share of revenue.

Incredible sighting: Rare spotted zebra foal sighted in Maasai Mara

A rare spotted zebra foal with what appears to be pseudo-melanistic colouring has been sighted in the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

A rhino renaissance in the warm heart of Africa

Celebrating World Rhino Day by taking a look at the conservation success story of the formidable black rhinos in Malawi.

The three-legged painted wolves of Manyoni

The team at Manyoni spring into action to rescue two endangered painted wolves, an alpha female and male, after both suffering from serious leg injuries on separate occasions.

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.

Leopard takes down impala

The unpredictable nature of wildlife is what makes going on safari special and unique. Who knows what may be lurking around the next acacia bush or down a quiet dry riverbed? However, knowing what signs to watch for and adopting a deeper understanding of animal behaviour can give you that little boost in ‘reading’ this unpredictability. […]

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 […]