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Will we regret this?
This week, I followed a Facebook discussion about the trophy hunting of the remaining Amboseli GIANT ELEPHANTS by Tanzanian operators. ‘Super tuskers’ are the few magnificent specimens left with tusks that touch the ground. There are 50–100 individuals left across the continent and about ten in Kenya’s Amboseli area – some of whom regularly wander across the border into Tanzania to run the gauntlet of guns.
The gladiators in this discussion consisted of normal people versus the usual hardliners who believe it is their right (and conservation duty) to kill diminishing populations of free-roaming wildlife already under threat from poaching and habitat loss.
Of course, the thought of killing these sentient icons for fun and ego is abhorrent for those of us who have been in their company. But there are enough nutters and pliable government decision-makers out there to threaten the few that remain.
When trophy hunters have killed every last super tusker, will we look back with regret and yearning as we do with woolly mammoths? Will we also try to genetically re-engineer super tuskers at great expense? Time will tell.
MEANWHILE, our safari clients continue to journey to this great place, savouring amazing encounters and doing their bit to keep Africa wild. Did you know that we now donate a portion of every safari sold to impactful charities? Thank you to every client and future client for helping us do what we do!
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
An ode to the photograph – a simple image empowering us to boost conservation, document rare species, support anti-poaching and keep ecosystems in check.
Through camera trap photographs, we’ve seen genets hitchhiking on the backs of rhinos, documented climate change’s effect on birds, confirmed the existence of the mythical Knysna elephant, discovered lowland bongos in Uganda, studied the behaviour of elusive forest elephants, monitored predators without habituating them to human presence, tracked down poachers, and identified spotted hyena in Gabon’s Batéké Plateau NP and lion in Chad’s Sena Oura NP – both after 20-year absences. Photos from citizen scientists have allowed us to capture the extraordinary movements of Southern Africa’s wild dogs, yellow-billed oxpeckers and southern ground-hornbills, monitor the behaviour of Africa’s rarest bats, and document changes in landscapes and ecosystems over decades. All because nature lovers have taken cameras along for their adventures.
Next week, we reveal the winners of Photographer of the Year 2024. Your photographs have given us glimpses into the continent like never before, shown us intimate rituals, altered our understanding of the natural world, and inspired introspection. Through the lenses of your cameras, you’ve become guardians of nature, your images serving as compelling evidence that inspires research, galvanises public support, and inspires global action to protect the continent’s natural wealth. We can’t wait to celebrate your winning photos with the AG tribe.
In the meantime… Izak Smit explores solutions to challenges facing desert-adapted lions in Namibia, and we share Kingsley Holgate’s journey to the source of the Nile in Nyungwe.
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/nyungwe-to-the-source-of-the-nile/
EXPEDITION NYUNGWE
Kingsley Holgate & his Afrika Odyssey team visited Nyungwe, Rwanda, during their journey to connect protected areas managed by African Parks. Read about their trek to the source of the Nile
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/saving-namibias-desert-lions/
SAVING LIONS
Opinion Editorial: Izak Smit explores solutions to human-wildlife conflict in Kunene, Namibia, focusing on the ethical conservation of desert-adapted lions
TRAVEL DESK:
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Don’t miss your chance to witness this epic wildlife bonanza.
Guarding tuskers
Big news! We have partnered with Tsavo Trust to save some of Africa’s last remaining tuskers.
Tsavo Trust monitors and conserves the elephant populations of the Tsavo Conservation Area, specifically focusing on tuskers. An estimated 50–100 tuskers remain in Africa, of which at least eight reside in Tsavo. Elephants with tusks that touch the ground are a natural rarity, and they are under constant threat from poachers seeking ivory and trophy hunters actively targeting tuskers (outside of Kenya).
We invite you to support Tsavo Trust by donating to their aerial and ground monitoring teams, who protect these magnificent elephants. Find out more and lend your support here.
WATCH: In this short video, Tsavo Trust’s Nicholas Haller explains why he is so passionate about his job. Tsavo is essential for cross-border migration. The Tanzania-Kenya border region is a pivotal piece of the migration route of elephants and other wildlife from Eastern to Southern Africa. Safeguarding Tsavo means preserving a crucial link in the chain of African wildlife migration. (01:16) Click here to watch
For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here
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