THIS WEEK - Africa Geographic

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Odzala-Kokoua sojourn + magnificent pics

And just when you thought things couldn’t get more bizarre… Did you know that deforestation could be linked to the spread of novel coronaviruses? And in one case, the international demand for tobacco is the culprit.

Many studies show how forests form barriers between humans and disease. Now, a new study says tobacco farmers who all but depleted Raphia farinifera palms in Uganda’s Budongo Forest Reserve have inadvertently exposed primates and other wildlife to virus-riddled bat guano. Chimpanzees, reliant on the palms for minerals, turned to feeding on bat droppings after the palms disappeared. Black and white colobus monkeys and red duikers also started feeding on the guano – which scientists found contained 27 viruses, including a novel betacoronavirus. When ecosystems are disrupted, so are relationships between species – and the risk of pathogens jumping from animals to humans increases.

The simplest daily choices we make can have extreme, unintended consequences.

This week, we share Simon’s report on his incredible trip to Odzala-Kokoua NP – see below. Plus, we have a bumper load of Photographer of the Year entries for you to see – check out our two galleries.

Taryn van Jaarsveld – Editor, Africa Geographic

Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/odzala-kokoua-sojourn/
ODZALA-KOKOUA NP
A sojourn in Odzala-Kokoua NP brings Simon Espley face to face with a paradise of forest elephants, western lowland gorillas & forest baïs

Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-weekly-selection-week-8-gallery-1/
GALLERY 1
Check out our striking Photographer of the Year 2024 Week 8 entries. There is less than a month left to enter for a chance to win – get your entries in now

Story 3
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-weekly-selection-week-8-gallery-2/
GALLERY 2
More stunning photos from our Photographer of the Year 2024 Week 8 entries. Stand a chance to win a lion collar sponsored in your name & a conservation safari

TRAVEL DESK:

Want to follow in the footsteps of Africa’s greatest tuskers or experience Kenya’s wildebeest migration? We have just the safaris for you below. Our travel experts will help you plan your next safari

Walking with giants in Tsavo – 13 days – from US$12,550pps

This walking safari tracks the wise old elephant herds as they follow the Galana River through Tsavo National Park, Kenya. Sharing the elephants’ home on equal footing and encountering the famous maneless lions, gerenuks and hirolas of Tsavo will supersede any previous game-viewing experiences you’ve had. Stay in beautiful camps harking back to a bygone era, and explore the surroundings on game drives. The perfect balance between comfort and adventure.

Maasai Mara migration season safari – 7 days – from US$5,720pps

Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya with this bucket-list safari. Stay at Sentinel Mara Camp, perched on the high banks of the Mara River in a cool riverine forest, and explore Musiara Marsh and Paradise Plains – known for their excellent big-cat sightings. Settle into your front-row seats for the greatest show on Earth, embrace the drama of the Mara River crossings, and enjoy the expertise of excellent Maasai guides.

Searching for more safari inspiration? Check out our wide variety of safari ideas here

Collaring Kruger’s lions

Ten lionesses in Kruger National Park will soon become part of an exciting project aiming to provide insight into how lion pride behaviour differs in fenced and open systems. In August, teams from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and the Southern African Conservation Trust (SACT) will set out to fit satellite-tracking collars on the lionesses.

This exciting project aims to compare various behaviours between open and fenced systems by:

Testing the effect of pride strength on territory size;
Measuring territory infringement;
Testing the pride’s aggressive response during territory infringements;
Comparing stress levels of prides; and
Comparing the ratio of prey-resource availability to home-range size.

You can help in this important study by sponsoring a collar in full or donating any amount – large or small – to support this critical conservation project. Learn more here.

WATCH: Experience the magic of a safari in May. Explore Southern Africa’s vibrant wildlife with fewer crowds, Mozambique’s pristine beaches and Seychelles’ crystal-clear waters. Don’t miss the Maasai Mara’s secret season, and marvel at the majestic Victoria Falls in full glory. (02:30) Click here to watch

For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here

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HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC:

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