Herding 4 Health is a rural community activity promoting conservation by teaching innovative herding in and near wildlife areas
Category Archives: Natural history
Sunbird feathers and the sweltering cost of beauty
Gorgeous iridescent sunbird feathers play an essential role in visual communication but could dangerously increase heat absorption – new research
Caracal – Africa’s deadly beauty
The caracal, with its luminous eyes, dramatic ear tufts, bold facial markings and stocky physique is arguably Africa’s most exquisite cat
Mobilising Africa’s biodiversity experts to put nature on the decision-making map
African biodiversity experts mobilise to produce a continental map of ‘biodiversity intactness’ for African decision-makers.
Striped hyena – the forgotten fourth hyena
Striped hyenas lurk in the shadows, shy and elusive. They are seldom seen, poorly understood and may answer our questions on hyena evolution
White-bellied pangolin pups in Nigeria
White-bellied pangolin pups, rescued from an animal market in Lagos, desperately need help from Namibian pangolin expert Maria Diekmann
Bees – a solution to human-elephant conflict
Bees and elephants – their busy, buzzing ways are providing a solution to human-elephant conflict – an innovative conservation solution
Grabbing the lion by the tail – intervention vs interference
Grabbing the lion by the tail – Interference and intervention in the lives of wild animals are controversial and there are no simple answers as to when or if they are appropriate. Jamie Paterson gives her perspectives.
Oryx – four legendary spear-tipped antelope
Oryx – four robust, dignified and courageous species. Icons of the desert perfectly adapted to their desiccated rangelands.
Crossing the human-wildlife barrier
Crossing the human-wildlife barrier – is it ever okay? Three positive African examples involving a pangolin, a blesbok and a clan of hyenas
African eagles – Avian apex predators
African eagles soar through the skies, sharp-eyed and fierce, bringing unexpected death from above to their prey.
Chobe National Park – Africa’s elephant Eden
Chobe National Park boasts the world’s highest elephant density, lush riverine woodland & vast dry savannas – embodying the safari spirit
Counting the Cape parrot – Africa’s rarest
Counting Africa’s rarest parrot – the Cape parrot – on a mountain top in Magoebaskloof, South Africa. By teamAG, led by CEO Simon Espley
Sable and Roan – the ‘horse-goat’ antelopes
Sable and roan – the two magnificent Hippotragus antelope – delight in their majestic bearing, gorgeous coats and rapier horns.
Wildlife economy in the Africa – Unlocking the potential
The ‘State of the Wildlife Economy in Africa’ report inspires investment in nature to improve conservation and support economic development.
Mukalya Private Game Reserve – Rescuing wilderness
Mukalya Private Game Reserve is a gorgeous piece of restored wilderness on the Zambezi River – an inspiring, family run safari experience.
Is lion hunting sustainable?
Lion hunting sustainability in Africa has been extensively investigated by pragmatic experts desperate to conserve our remaining wild lions
70 – leopard trophy hunting quota in Botswana for 2022
Leopard trophy hunting – the Botswana government has allocated a quota of 70 leopards for 2022. Is this sustainable and how do we know?
Hyena cubs infected by parasite ‘self-sacrifice’ by approaching lions
Funky fact: Hyena cubs ‘self-sacrifice’ by recklessly approaching lions if infected by a microscopic parasite. New research
Chimps kill baby gorillas – observed for the first time
Chimps kill gorilla babies in two separate incidents in Loango National Park, Gabon – the first time the behaviour has ever been observed
Odzala-Kokoua National Park – biodiversity bonanza
Odzala-Kokoua NP in Congo is one of Africa’s hidden gems – a testament to the resilience of both the continent’s people and her ecosystems
Leopard conservation in South Africa
Leopard conservation in South Africa requires a metapopulation strategy and a sustained, transparent commitment from government – expert opinion
Why rural communities choose wildlife hunting over cattle
Rural communities choose wildlife over cattle if they see and enjoy long term benefits from trophy hunting – says Namibian community member
Trophy hunters kill another breeding Hwange lion – Mopane
Trophy hunters kill another breeding lion (named Mopane) from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – in a mirror of the Cecil tragedy
Forest elephant – endangered gardeners
Forest elephant numbers are believed to have plummeted 86% in just 31 years yet their role in maintaining forest ecosystems is critical.
Marvellous meerkats – mongooses of the desert
Marvellous Meerkats – socially complex and fascinating little mongooses found across the deserts of Southern Africa.
Namibia’s livestock guarding dogs are saving cheetahs
Guard dogs are saving cheetahs, says new research based on livestock guarding dogs – because livestock losses have reduced by 91%
A journey to see Africa’s threatened sea turtles
Five of the world’s seven magnificent sea turtles swim Africa’s oceans and nest on the beaches – all are threatened by human beings
Wildebeest sleep and the mysteries of slumber
Wildebeest sleep for just four and a half hours in a 24 hour period – most deeply in the dead of night – says new research
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with the famous crater at its heart, is a spectacular, year-round safari destination of abundance,breathtaking vistas and ancient history.
Do we have an elephant problem?
The ‘elephant problem’ – ecologists, landowners and tourists are grappling with the elephant problem. But what does this mean?
The science behind rebranding wild dogs
Rebranding wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) – new research suggests that “painted dog” triggers the most positive reaction from humans
Luangwa Valley – vast Zambian wilderness
The Luangwa Valley is a vast Zambian wilderness and playground for tourists seeking an authentic safari experience
Lake Malawi – freshwater beach & island paradise
Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s best-kept travel secrets – a freshwater lake surrounded by gorgeous beaches, islands and biodiversity with endless opportunities for fun and relaxation.
How the Kilimanjaro glaciers left truth in the cold
Kilimanjaro’s disappearing glaciers have been a symbol of climate change for more than than 15 years. Science says it is much more complicated.
Otters of Africa – four adorable mustelids
There are four species of otter in Africa – all of them intelligent, playful, fascinating predators.
Do tracking collars impact animals negatively?
New research indicates that animals fitted with tracking collars, experience no long-term, negative effects. Further research is needed however.
White-eared kob and tiang migration South Sudan
A recent survey in South Sudan by the NGO Space for Giants shows that the white-eared kob and tiang migration, continues, despite decades-long civil wars
The end of SA’s shameful lion breeding industry – what now happens to the lions?
Thousands of captive-bred lions in South Africa – what is to happen to them as breeding facilities are closed down
Lion farming and zoonotic diseases
The zoonotic diseases that lions carry and why lion farming is potentially harmful to human beings – new research
Rhino poaching in Botswana – why the smoke and mirrors?
Rhino poaching in Botswana – we try to make sense of the rumours and our CEO asks why the smoke and mirrors?
Four giraffe species, seven subspecies: new research
Giraffe – four species and seven subspecies the correct division – says new research
Banks must help fight illegal wildlife trade
Banks can help fight illegal wildlife trade but their failure to identify the financial footprints of poaching syndicates results in lost opportunities to disrupt trade – new research
Serval
With its long limbs, spotted coat and characteristic spring-loaded pounce, the serval is one of the most striking cat species in Africa
Tuli
Botswana’s Tuli is a place where the wind carries stories of the past, whispering over rocks, around baobabs and across the vast wilderness
New pack of African painted dogs released
Endangered African painted dogs – a new pack has been released into the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve in another conservation milestone for the species
Recreational hunting: 50 years of scientific research
Trophy hunting: Massive meta-analysis on recreational hunting fails to find answers to the crucial questions of the polarising hunting debate
Chobe River lions face an uncertain future
Lions in the Chobe River area face an uncertain future – pressured by human farmers to the north and a lack of new blood from the south
Elephant range is just a fraction of its potential
Africa’s elephants occupy just 17% of their possible range, their historical areas fragmented by human activity. There is potential for expansion – new research
The restoration of Gorongosa National Park
Gorongosa: A long-lost doctoral thesis by an ecologist far ahead of his time helps unleash the massive potential of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
