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.
Category Archives: Natural history
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 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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lion populations show significant loss of genetic diversity, say researchers
Lion populations in southern Africa are weakening genetically, and less able to recover from current and future pressures, say researchers.
Rescued baby elephant stabilised, awaits permits for transfer to care centre
A 3-month-old baby elephant found wandering alone in Mozambique has been rescued, and awaits the necessary permits for transfer to a care centre in South Africa, for eventual release back into the wild.
Video: Three pangolins returned to the wild in Malawi
Good news as three pangolins have been successfully released back into the wild in Malawi after being confiscated.
Elephant bull with failing eyesight treated for serious injuries
A collared elephant bull, called Matambu, has been successfully treated for a serious injuries after a suspected tusking by another bull.
Elephant management plan announced for KAZA countries
Elephant management plan announced by southern African countries that host more than 50% of the remaining African savannah elephants.
Taita Hills: The cloud forest in a fragmented landscape
Kenya’s Taita Hills is a dense cloud forest teeming with wildlife. While that may sound like paradise, the forest is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation – which is raising concerns amongst researchers.
Video: Courageous lion cub’s battle for survival
Tiny lion cub goes walkabout for 10 days with pride males, and faces starvation.
Observing wildlife through camera traps
Camera traps, if thoughtfully used, are a wonderful way to unobtrusively observe what is happening in the world around us.
Giraffes may receive USA protection after lawsuit
Giraffes may at last qualify for USA protection after a lawsuit filed by conservation groups. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that giraffes may qualify for protection under America’s Endangered Species Act.
Photoseries: Lion cubs enjoy a feast while the pride looks on
An incredibly adorable sighting as two lion cubs have a field day snacking on a kudu carcass in the Maasai Mara.
Cheering for the cheetahs
Good news for cheetah conservation as the latest female cheetah to be introduced to Manyoni Private Game Reserve has successfully given birth to a litter of four cubs!
Elephants are sentient and conservation strategy should adapt, says researcher
We struggle as humans to understand our own actions. How can we begin to understand and provide possible interpretations for the actions of other species such as elephants?
Another giant elephant taken by trophy hunters
Another blow for Africa’s remaining large-tusked elephants, as trophy hunters kill another massive elephant in Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe. The surgical removal of Africa’s giants continues.
Breaking: STROOP beats media giants to take top film prize
The groundbreaking South African film, STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War, has taken one of the world’s top wildlife prizes, ‘Best of Festival’, at the International Wildlife Film Festival in the United States.
Opinion: The future is here – safari game drives will never be the same again
Our CEO test drives the best electric 4×4 vehicle around, and wants one.
WILDTRUST joins global parties in a bid to stop shark finning
An anti-shark finning letter in a bid to stop finning from being “tolerated” has been signed by 57 signatory parties from academia, retail, fisheries, and the NPO sector.
