CEO NOTE: 05 February 2021
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It is time to rally together and kill the enemy that is IGNORANCE. Because ignorance fuels the ideological differences that cause us to bicker while Rome burns and results in environmental enthusiasts in the western world lambasting African people for a perceived lack of commitment to wildlife conservation – amongst other consequences. At the root of most behaviour that is destructive to biodiversity and ecosystems lies ignorance.
SO THIS IS A CALL-OUT: Please help us destroy ignorance. The more people we can recruit into our tribe, the more we can spread fact and considered opinion to counter the mountains of misinformation that now dominate our lives. You can help us destroy ignorance by sending this link to those of your family and friends that you know care for Africa as much as you do. Let’s build this tribe and kick some ignorant butts.
Our first story below illustrates my call-out fairly well. No single factor killed those elephants in Botswana last year, nor is there a SILVER BULLET solution. Despite what the needy campaigners will tell you, as they draw a straight line between these deaths and their personal feelings. Now, respected scientists have suggested additional factors that contributed to the elephants’ demise. No, it’s not 5G or Covid-19 or any of the other silly suggestions from the armchair experts. This is an important read to understand how complex these situations often are.
Then, some intriguing details about the sexual DALLIANCES of those remarkable creatures – hyenas. And our third story below is the next instalment of our ever-popular Photographer of the Year – week four. Kick back, scroll, enjoy.
Finally, I leave you with this quote, emailed to me by tribe member Mark Winsloe from the US. “The rarer they get, the fewer meanings animals can have. Eventually, rarity is all they are made of.” – Helen MacDonald
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/did-fences-cause-the-elephant-deaths-in-botswana/
THOSE DEAD ELEPHANTS
New study examines whether fences could have impacted the elephant deaths in the Seronga region of Botswana in mid-2020
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/unravelling-the-elaborate-sex-lives-of-spotted-hyenas/
SEX AND THE BUSHVELD
High-ranked male spotted hyenas are more reproductively successful than their low-ranked rivals – based on hormone and behaviour analysis
Story 3
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2021-weekly-selection-week-4/
BEST PHOTOS
Week four of our 2021 Photographer of the Year
Did you know: Giraffes hum to each other at night – according to research
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
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