This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter.
Finest photos + celebrating glorious gerenuks + sidestepping rhino realities
The denial and spin continues …
South Africa’s Minister of the Environment – Barbara Creecy – hosted this CRINGEWORTHY scripted ‘interview’ a few days ago, where she again heralded the drop in rhino poaching numbers as a ‘step-change in anti-poaching activities’. However, again she ignored the primary reason for the reduced poaching – the 75% plummet in Kruger rhino populations over the last 10 years.
BUT this time, she went one step further – claiming a ‘shift in poaching to private reserves’ and suggesting that government anti-poaching units were doing so well that they could now educate private landowners. Chokes on his breakfast cereal. The poaching numbers from 2021 suggest that she is either misinformed or intentionally DEFLECTING focus from the facts. 451 rhinos were poached last year, of which +/- 320 were from government reserves/parks.
My network suggests that about 1,500 Kruger rhinos remain (2020 estimate was 2,809) – from 11,026 a decade ago.
Perhaps anti-poaching funding is due for renewal, and this was a publicity stunt? It’s time for our minister to extract ground-level info and shift from spin doctoring to factual accuracy. She is blessed with hard-working, loyal staff in the reserves – and yet she ignores their input. She should address the REAL ISSUES that hamper efforts to save rhinos – like endemic corruption at all levels of government.
Keep the passion
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor
What goes into taking the perfect photograph?
All of the photographers featured in this week’s Photographer of the Year selection can attest to the power of being at the exact right place at the right time: at a waterhole in Addo Elephant National Park as hyenas take down a kudu; on the banks of Chitake Springs as a herd of buffalo storms in to drink; up at the crack of dawn to capture the vapours of a lion’s warm breath on a cold Maasai Mara morning; tracking an Ethiopian wolf on the Sanetti Plateau moments before it hunts; or waiting out the pouring rain for the reward of a dramatic cheetah hunt in Phinda. You can indulge in these experiences in our second story below. Our first story deals with a rather photogenic, cheerful, and comical subject: the gawky gerenuk of East Africa.
There is an extraordinary experience waiting around every corner of wild Africa. All you need is a little patience, and a pinch of luck. And quite a bit of preparation.
Being at the right place at the right time takes planning: working out itineraries, seeking out expert guides, finding the best route and transport, and the ideal spot to lay your head. That’s why our team of safari experts is constantly planning once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our AG tribe. You can check out these safaris on our website and these camps and lodges in our private travel and conservation club.
Happy indulging in Africa to you all!
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/gerenuk-africas-gawky-oddball/
GLORIOUS GERENUK
Endearing, comical and almost alien – these giraffe gazelle are high on the safari bucket list
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2022-weekly-selection-week-2/
BEST PHOTOS
Photographer of the Year 2022 entries for Week 2 are here! Enter for a chance to win your share of US$10,000 and a Botswana safari.
TRAVEL DESK UPDATES:
IT’S SPECIALS SEASON!
We have added two lip-smacking special offers to our travel desk – each of which offers an epic safari at seldom-seen prices.
- Stay 4, pay 3 at the stunning & luxurious Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Big 5 Manyeleti Game Reserve (Greater Kruger, South Africa). Check out the low price for club members in the info section on the right.
- 3 places left – 6 days in the magical Botswana wilderness for US$2,215. This is a fully catered mobile safari that journeys to Moremi and Khwai.
DID YOU KNOW: Familiar voice: HIPPOS recognise vocalisations from individuals and respond differently to those of “strangers”
WATCH: Super tuskers – huge, gentle, majestic icons of a species under pressure (0:36)
To comment on this story: Login (or sign up) to our app here - it's a troll-free safe place 🙂.
