The ‘problem-causing’ elephant known as Riff Raff has been shot and killed by provincial authorities in South Africa
Category Archives: Natural history
Captive-bred lion hunting not acceptable – say Dallas Safari Club & CIC
Captive-bred lion hunting “not representative of responsible, sustainable, fair chase hunting … damaging the reputation of hunters” …
Lemurs of Madagascar
The lemurs of Madagascar are a fascinating family of primates of all shapes & sizes that have evolved to fill every niche on the island
“Lost” species of chameleon found in hotel gardens
A ‘lost’ species of chameleoln – Voeltzkow’s chameleon – has been found in a hotel garden in Madagascar after it had been assumed extinct
COVID-19 ‘perfect storm’ threatens conservation in Africa
A new report examines just how bad COVID-19 is for Africa’s wildlife and protected areas and what needs to be done to save our wild spaces
Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story
Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story is a photographic book celebrating these charismatic predators and telling their story
Saving rodents, losing primates – we need tailored strategies to manage bushmeat trade
Viewing all bushmeat trade through one lens over-simplifies the complex situation and could lead to accelerated disappearance of some species
Strawberry leopard – a first for Gauteng
Photos: The ‘strawberry leopard’ is a genetic rarity that seldom occurs, and is almost never seen. Well, one has now been seen in South Africa
HERE BE DRAGONS – The Nile crocodile
The Nile crocodile has evolved over millennia to be a cunning, patient and ferocious predator that is capable of taking down large prey
Cycads: Are you living next door to a poacher?
The most endangered living organisms in the world today are not rhinos, elephants, or even pangolins – they are plants called cycads
Trophy hunting – how do African people feel?
Trophy hunting: How do African people perceive and react to trophy hunting compared to those from the Western public – research
The Power of Unity – Cheetah coalition in Maasai Mara
This is the story of a cheetah coalition of five males – the Tano Bora coalition, meaning ‘The Magnificent Five’ – in Kenya’s Maasai Mara
POACHERS – the people behind the statistics – a reality check
POACHERS – who are they and what motivates them? TRAFFIC investigates the driving factors of poaching activities and suggests solutions
Bee wise
On the south-western tip of Africa, a bee conservation group has spent the last seven years discovering the wisdom of our wild honeybees
Tembe elephant bull relocated to community-owned reserve
A large young elephant bull has been relocated from Teme Elephant Park to Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal
Lion farming – Lord Ashcroft submission to South African High Level Panel
Lion farming presentation by Lord Ashcroft to the High-Level Panel looking at the management of lions and other species in South Africa
Kruger waterhole problems
Kruger waterhole problems are being reported, and it is not clear which waterholes are closed as per the Kruger ecosystem management plan
Human-lion conflict in a key lion population area
Human-lion conflict is a major issue for the conservation of wild lions – we look at the successful Kwando Carnivore Project in KAZA
How much water should lodges be using?
How much water should safari lodges be using? The lowering of groundwater levels could compromise the ecosystem and wildlife.
Selous be dam(n)ed
Selous is facing changes – from increased conservation status to a huge hydro-electric dam being built on the pristine Rufiji River
Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story
Africa’s Wild Dogs – A Survival Story is a photographic book celebrating these charismatic predators and telling their story
Elephants & cattle – restoring soil nutrient levels
Research shows that elephants can assist farmers by restoring soil nutrient levels when cattle have depleted those nutrients
Donkey smugglers profit off wildlife trafficking routes
Cross-border donkey smugglers in Zimbabwe and Botswana are operating pipelines used for ivory, pangolins and Covid-19 contraband
Cyanobacteria to blame for elephant deaths – Botswana officials
Elephant deaths: The sudden deaths of over 300 elephants in Botswana were caused by cyanotoxins produced by blue-green algae, say officials
Swimming blind – why critically endangered blind cave catfish needs research
The blind cave catfish, only found in a cave in Namibia, lives in total darkness. It is one of the rarest freshwater fish species in the world
FOSSA: 5 fascinating facts
The fossa of Madagascar has the predatory skills of mongooses and civets – acrobatic and lightning-fast – and the strength of a cat
The importance of adult male elephants
The selective harvesting of old bull elephants damages broader elephant society because of the important role played by the bulls – research
Why are elephants dying in Zimbabwe and Botswana?
Elephants dying: Professor Keith Somerville investigates the mysterious deaths of more than 300 elephants in Zimbabwe and Botswana
Wild dogs facing increased persecution in Eastern Namibia
Wild dogs face increased persecution, as evidenced by this puppy carcass found on a road – likely the victim of an intentional killing
Trophy hunting quotas for South Africa in 2020: leopards, elephants and lion bone exports
Trophy hunting quotas for South Africa in 2020: leopards, elephants and lion bone exports – announcements by Minister Barbara Creecy
“Lost” species of elephant shrew alive and well
Researchers have rediscovered the Somali Sengi (an elephant shrew) – which was thought to be extinct and was last seen nearly 50 years ago
Domestic cat predation on wild animals in Cape Town
The domestic cat is a honed killing machine whose impact on biodiversity in South Africa is only now being fully revealed
Counting lions: new study shows the importance of good counts for lion conservation
Counting lions using correct techniques is vital to understand how many lions there are. Historical surveys have not resulted in good data
Zebra
The zebra is a firm favourite among safari-goers because of their dazzling black and white stripes and familiar horse body language
Keeping an eye on predators
Attacks on livestock by wild predators is a common problem in Africa – and scientists say that painting eyes on cattle backsides could help
Are Namibia’s carnivores at risk? Calling on citizen scientists
Namibia is conducting an assessment of its carnivores and you can help by using an app to report your sightings as a citizen scientist
Bwindi
Bwindi is the fairy-tale forest we dreamed about as children; it is also where you can meet and spend time with gentle mountain gorillas
“Living dead” – elephants in Kruger NP are sterilizing palm trees, says research
Elephants feeding on fan palm trees are preventing the palms from reaching full size & reproductive potential in Kruger NP, says new study
Lion trophy hunting – we interview Craig Packer
We interview researcher and conservationist Craig Packer about lion trophy hunting – with a focus on Tanzania, his former home
Sitatunga
The sitatunga is Africa’s only amphibious antelope; specially adapted to their habitat by virtue of elongated, widely splayed hooves
Tiny primate: new species of mouse lemur discovered
Scientists have discovered a new species of mouse lemur in Madagascar – which is already threatened by habitat loss & climate change
Roan antelope conservation challenges
Roan antelope populations have dropped to perilously low levels, and there is every chance they could disappear from the areas such as Kruger National Park
Will legal international rhino horn trade save wild rhino populations?
Will legal international rhino horn trade save the wild rhino population? Find out here in this thought-provoking opinion post
It’s not about the worm
Mopane worms are a popular source of protein and delicious snack for rural people in Limpopo – read about a sustainable Kruger harvest program
Aardvarks and climate change
Aardvarks are being severely impacted by climate change, says research being conducted in arid areas where temperatures are expected to rise
Buffalo – Godfather of the African bushveld
The African buffalo has earned itself something of a reputation – particularly the cantankerous old ‘dagga boys’. Learn more here
Rhino poaching stats 2020 – more shades of grey
Rhino poaching for 2020 is lower because of the COVID-19 lockdown – although SA Minister claims the victory for her team
A plane full of hyenas
Four spotted hyenas completed a journey of over 1 400 km to Zinave National Park, Mozambique – after decades of no carnivores in the park
8 Cheetah cubs rescued in Somaliland – destined for illegal pet trade
8 cheetah cubs rescued in Somaliland during three operations – they were destined for the illegal pet trade that continues despite Covid-19
Human impact results in leopard inbreeding – research
Human activity is affecting negatively on leopard populations – via changes in age, sex & social structure of leopard populations – research
