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40 Hume rhinos rewilded + phenomenal pics + Botswana safaris
During a recent stroll on a nearby wooded hillside I took a photo of my foot – to determine my GPS coordinates courtesy of the photo metadata stored by my iPhone. When I swiped up to view the location metadata I was prompted to research Jack Russel terriers. My split-second confusion was replaced by a chill that ran down my spine. One of our Jackies had walked by when I took the photo – as evidenced by a white blur in the bottom left corner of my photo. Just think about that.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creeping into our lives at a rapid rate – like it or not. Some you know about (using Chat GPT to write your speech, for example), and some is coded into stuff you use every day. Some of the coding is to improve your product experience, but most is to benefit the relevant product manufacturer.
AI has massive implications for wildlife conservation. It will improve our ability to gather and process relevant data, for example population numbers, habitat health, and surveillance networks, and so better focus our efforts. AI will also weaponise poaching syndicates to do their thing better. To further illustrate my point, consider drones – a fun flying camera for some and lethal killing machine for others.
Tiger by the tail …
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
We know that elephants are great communicators. They have specific names for one another and transmit rumbles that connect them over large distances. They bond by placing their trunks in each other’s mouths – to comfort and reassure. Plus, they have elaborate greeting rituals – but not much is known about what the various gestures in their greetings mean. But a recent study has revealed a new level of intent and consideration in their greetings.
The researchers found that elephants greet intentionally and adapt their greetings to what other elephants are doing. For example, if a companion were not paying attention, the elephant would capture their attention by using touch before greeting. Or, if attention were already held, they’d revert to visual greetings only. Not a species for airs and graces, elephants only greet the fellows they know and like (and ignore those they don’t). And the most common form of greeting? Waving. With ears, that is. The combination of ear flapping and rumbling was the most frequently used greeting recorded by researchers. We are still learning to unpack the complex social behaviours of elephants, and every study unveils something a little more fascinating about these sentient beings.
This week, African Parks shared the news that they have rewilded the first 40 rhinos acquired from their purchase of John Hume’s Platinum Rhino operation – see below. It’s been another bumper week of Photographer of the Year, with two galleries filled with action-packed photos. Plus, Kingsley Holgate and his Afrika Odyssey team have shared the ups and downs of their expedition from Malawi to Rwanda, where their journey takes them to this fascinating country’s protected areas managed by African Parks. More below.
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/african-parks-rewilds-first-hume-rhinos/
RHINOS REWILDED
African Parks has rewilded the first 40 southern white rhinos purchased from John Hume’s rhino-breeding farm, to Munywana Conservancy
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/the-journey-north/
JOURNEY NORTH
Kingsley Holgate & his Afrika Odyssey team are connecting 22 African Parks protected areas. Read about their journey from Malawi to Rwanda
Story 3
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-weekly-selection-week-9-gallery-1/
GALLERY 1
Check out our Photographer of the Year Week 9 entries. Just over 2 weeks left to enter for a chance to win
Story 4
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-weekly-selection-week-9-gallery-2/
GALLERY 2
More great pics from Photographer of the Year Week 9. Stand a chance to win a lion collar sponsored in your name & a safari
TRAVEL DESK:
Searching for the ultimate Botswana experience? Check out the below safaris – or better yet, combine the two! Our safari experts are ready to plan your dream journey.
ANOTHER BIG TUSKER DOWN
The Kruger National Park region has lost one of it’s emerging tuskers: Ntshembo.
With only a few big tuskers still present in Kruger, it is critical to conserve remaining bulls known to have these large-tusk genes. Ntshembo (translated to Believe) was recently spotted with an infected wound, and teams from Elephants Alive decided to assist this magnificent bull. Ntshembo was in his prime breeding years, and so the vet team, led by specialist vet Dr Cobus Raath, set out to do all they could to try to save him, and allow him the chance to pass his large-tusk genes on to future generations.
When the vet team assessed the severity of the injuries, they found that Ntshembo had suffered severe nerve damage. This damage prevented Ntshembo from eating. Ntshembo was also most likely deaf in his right ear and blind in his right eye, and had lost significant condition – all likely due to having suffered this injury months before being spotted. Based on decades of experience working with injured wildlife, the vet team took the difficult but informed decision to end this exceptional bull’s suffering.
Elephants Alive is still working to help elephants like Ntshembo, and has a Fast Action fund to help in instances like this. They need your support to give elephants the best chance of survival. Please consider donating here.
WATCH: Kafue National Park is one of Africa’s largest protected areas, and is situated in the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area, the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA TFCA). The park hosts a critical population of savannah wildlife. This beautiful short film was created to highlight the importance of Kafue as a wildlife destination, and its potential to deliver revenue and provide employment to local communities. (03:13) Click here to watch
For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here
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