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Top 105 photos + Africa’s sky islands
This week, I watched the premier of a stirring documentary in a room packed with camo-clad men and women with serious demeanours and kind eyes.
RHINO MAN tells the story of the most important people when it comes to protecting our wild places against poachers – our game rangers. But this is no ordinary tale.
You see, one of the leading figureheads was assassinated by the evil ones during the filming of this important documentary. What’s more, he knew that they were coming for him, and his main concern – as evidenced in the documentary via recorded voice messages, was for his family. Anton Mazimba was killed because he was good at his job – think about that for a moment.
Anton – posthumously awarded ‘Africa’s Best Game Ranger’ by the African Conservation Awards – has become the figurehead for game rangers. Many like him are good at their jobs and passionate about conservation, yet they stare death in the face every day. This is their story.
It was never meant to be like this. A career as a game ranger should be about the love of spending time in the bushveld, learning about nature and celebrating Africa’s awesomeness. And yet here we are – militarised rangers putting their lives on the line.
Watch Rhino Man and find out how you can help.
“Rangers are buying us time, but it’s what we do with that time that matters” Anton Mazimba.
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
Did you know that the termite mounds of Namaqualand in South Africa have been around for 34,000 years? This makes these mounds the oldest inhabited termite mounds on the planet.
When scientists set out to test why groundwater surrounding Namaqualand is saline, they used carbon dating to see when minerals in the mounds were flushed to groundwater. But their tests revealed much more – that these mounds have been around much longer than the 4,000-year-old mounds from Brazil, previously thought of as Earth’s oldest. This means the Namaqualand termite mounds were there through the end of the Late Stone Age and the transformation from hunter-gathering to nomadic pastoralism. The scientists also found that the mounds act as long-term carbon sinks and sequester carbon dioxide through the leaching of soil to groundwater – a method that carbon-storage companies are spending millions trying to replicate. Though often considered pests in agriculture, termites are ecosystem engineers and occupy an important space in global carbon dynamics.
This week, I am so excited to announce that we have selected the Top 105 photos for Photographer of the Year 2024. Choosing these images was no easy feat, involving days of deliberation between our judges. These four galleries are not to be missed. Plus, a new ecoregion has been proposed for Southern Africa – see more in our story below.
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/africas-new-ecoregion-islands-in-the-sky/
NEW ECOREGION
A new ecoregion has been proposed for Southern Africa’s threatened ‘sky islands’, consisting of 30 isolated rainforest-covered mountains
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-top-105-gallery-1/
TOP 105 – GALLERY 1
The Photographer of the Year 2024 Top 105 is here. The competition is heating up!
Story 3
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-top-105-gallery-2/
TOP 105 – GALLERY 2
A selection of Photographer of the Year 2024 Top 105 pics. Submissions are now closed
Story 4
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-top-105-gallery-3/
TOP 105 – GALLERY 3
More Top 105 pics. Winners win a conservation safari & a lion collar sponsored in their name
Story 5
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2024-top-105-gallery-4/
TOP 105 – GALLERY 4
More Photographer of the Year 2024 Top 105 entries! Winners will be announced in early July
TRAVEL DESK:
Here are two irresistible trips for those wanting to fully immerse themselves in their surroundings while on safari. Check out our recommendations below and book your dream safari today!
Greater Kruger’s exceptional Big 5 game viewing will sweep you off your feet. This safari also includes a full-day road trip to the stunning scenery and cultural delights of the Lowveld. Then, head on to vibey Cape Town, her beaches, and the nearby Winelands.
Pangolin poaching
The bushveld winter is pangolin POACHING SEASON. This pangolin was recently poached and kept for days in a mesh wire contraption in a backpack, unable to uncurl and without much ventilation.
Fortunately, he was rescued from the illegal trade and placed in the capable hands of Provet Wildlife Services & Animal Hospital, Limpopo Pangolin Collective, and Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, who are all giving him a second chance at life. Thanks to these amazing teams, he is now safe and undergoing rehab before being placed back into the wild where he belongs.
You can save a pangolin by donating towards their medical and rehabilitation costs here
Note that all pangolins are housed at offsite locations for security purposes
WATCH: Mother leopard Olimba proves her ability as a skilled hunter as she stalks a troop of baboons. A master class in stealth and speed, and the circle of life in action. (02:20) Click here to watch
For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here
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