African wildlife news Archives

Saving the Northern White Rhino: Third Embryo Successfully Created

International scientists and Kenyan conservation authorities have successfully created the third viable embryo of the near-extinct northern white rhino. The global initiative has taken yet another step in the long journey to pull this subspecies back from the brink.

Another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm in South Africa

Yet another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm bells that deliberate poisoning of vultures for belief-based use is on the increase, say experts.

Large herd of elephants seen in Nigeria’s war-torn northeast

In an exciting discovery, a previously-unknown herd of 250-300 elephants has been spotted in Nigeria’s far northeast corner, making it the first reported sighting of elephants in the region since the Boko Haram insurgency began a decade ago.

Smoked baby chimpanzee on hotel menu, says NGO

Smoked baby chimpanzee on the menu at prominent DRC hotel, says NGO.

Mountain gorilla population continues to rise

Great news! The population of mountain gorillas is on the rise, and now stands at an estimated 1,063 individuals.

Lions in Gorongosa show population increase

Lions in Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique) are benefitting from better conservation measures, and show a population increase to 146, the nature reserve announced on Wednesday.

Riff Raff the “problem” elephant receives extended protection against destruction

Good news as Riff Raff – the “problem” elephant destined to be destroyed – has been granted extended protection at his current reserve by the South African High Court.

Critically endangered addax antelope to be reintroduced in Chad

The critically endangered addax antelope is to be brought back from the edge of extinction through reintroducing captive-bred species into the wild in Chad.

Breaking: Campaigners outraged as Zimbabwe exports 30+ baby elephants to Chinese zoos

More than 30 wild-caught baby elephants, held captive for nearly a year in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, have been flown out of the country via Victoria Falls Airport en route to Chinese zoos.

Okapi conservation gets a boost, with new DRC reserve management partner

Okapi conservation has received a boost, with the signing of a new management agreement for The Okapi Wildlife Reserve in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Malawi: On the frontline in the fight against illegal wildlife trade

Malawi may be one of the continent’s most peaceful nations, but it is currently locked in a fierce battle to protect some of the world’s most threatened species of wildlife.

Botswana elephant hunting: Chaos and disillusionment as citizen licenses are raffled

Botswana elephant hunting: Eight elephant hunting licenses were awarded to Maun-based Botswana citizens, and the eight winners and almost 6,000 losers were unhappy with the results when the reality of the T&Cs set in.

Trophy hunting in Zambia to be suspended due to non-payment of hunting fees to communities

Trophy hunting in Zambia has been halted because communities have not been paid their fees and share of revenue.

Twiga Tracker – Using modern technology to save the endangered reticulated giraffe

In a world first, the single largest GPS satellite tagging of endangered giraffes has taken place in Kenya.

Lion pride kills more than 40 goats in Namibia, in two separate attacks

More than 40 livestock have been killed in a few days by a lion pride in two different locations in the Kunene region in Namibia.

CITES CoP18 – most controversial one ever? Here are the results for African species

CITES CoP18 – all the results for African species, including rulings for elephant and rhino trade that have some African range states questioning their ongoing participation in CITES.

Rhinos: Trade in horn and increase trophy hunting, says Minister. Have your say, within 30 days

South African minister wants white rhinos downlisted on CITES so that horn can be traded internationally, and she wants more black rhino to be trophy hunted. Read this important post, and have your say.

Construction of Luangwa River hydroelectric dam halted, conservationists delighted

The Zambian government has halted plans to build the proposed Ndevu Gorge hydroelectric dam across the Luangwa River – helping to secure the benefits it provides to wildlife and people.

Catastrophic breaking news: 537 vultures found poisoned in dark day for Botswana conservation

Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has announced that they have recently identified a poisoning site with 537 dead vultures (comprising five species) and two tawny eagles.

New population found of critically endangered riverine rabbits

Great news for conservationists as a new population of Critically Endangered riverine rabbits has recently been discovered in Baviaanskloof.

Breaking: Zambian hippo cull via hunting cancelled. Again

Breaking: Zambian hippo cull cancelled. This is the latest about-turn since the Zambian government announced plans to cull 2,000 hippos in Luangwa Valley by offering ‘hippo management hunts’.

Botswana trophy hunting: Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses to be granted annually, says government

Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses will be granted annually, the Botswana government has announced, following the reinstatement of hunting.

Botswana brings back trophy hunting

The Government of Botswana has taken the decision to lift the hunting suspension.

Rescued baby elephant stabilised, awaits permits for transfer to care centre

A 3-month-old baby elephant found wandering alone in Mozambique has been rescued, and awaits the necessary permits for transfer to a care centre in South Africa, for eventual release back into the wild.

Video: Three pangolins returned to the wild in Malawi

Good news as three pangolins have been successfully released back into the wild in Malawi after being confiscated.

Elephant bull with failing eyesight treated for serious injuries

A collared elephant bull, called Matambu, has been successfully treated for a serious injuries after a suspected tusking by another bull.

Elephant management plan announced for KAZA countries

Elephant management plan announced by southern African countries that host more than 50% of the remaining African savannah elephants.

Another giant elephant taken by trophy hunters

Another blow for Africa’s remaining large-tusked elephants, as trophy hunters kill another massive elephant in Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe. The surgical removal of Africa’s giants continues.

Opinion: Kruger citrus farming impact report rated as ‘poor’ – serious questions asked

The Draft Impact Report compiled for the proposed citrus farm near Kruger has been deemed ‘poor in analytical components’ and ‘unsatisfactory because of omissions or inadequacies’ according to Elephants Alive researcher.

Massive rhino dehorning operation in Balule, Greater Kruger

The entire rhino population of Balule (Greater Kruger) has been dehorned, in a massive operation.

Video: The unintended victims of a hidden killer

The piece of looped wire doesn’t look like much. But place this wire in the hands of wildlife poachers, and it becomes one of Africa’s most deadly weapons.

Death row “nuisance” elephant Riff Raff gets a reprieve as judge intervenes to prevent shooting

Wildlife groups say Riff Raff is a victim of human-elephant conflict, call for review of decision that would sentence him to death.

What CITES will debate at CoP18 in May for these African species

CITES debates: White rhino, elephant, giraffe and other African species come under the spotlight at the May CoP18 sessions.

Captive lion breeding is here to stay, says DEA

The Department of Environmental Affairs has rejected the Portfolio Committee’s resolution to end the captive breeding of lions.

‘Silver spoon effect’ provides lifelong benefits for banded mongooses – study

The benefits of the ‘silver spoon effect’ in banded mongoose pups extend across their lifetime, a new study has shown.

Opinion: Dr. Mike Chase on elephant poaching in Botswana

Dr Mike Chase, from Elephants Without Borders, provides a statement on the elephant poaching in Botswana.

Botswana government questions elephant survey report by Elephants Without Borders

Botswana’s government has questioned a new report by Elephants Without Borders detailing their 2018 elephant aerial survey.

Namibia culls hyenas to save its wild / feral horses

Shooting hyenas to save wild horses raises heated debate about whether conservation authorities should intervene between endemic wildlife and ‘feral’ animals.

Video: Elephant experts condemn Zimbabwe’s inhumane capture of wild baby elephants for Chinese zoos

Elephant experts condemn Zimbabwe’s inhumane capture of wild baby elephants for Chinese zoos as video emerges showing animals in distress.

Hunting ban in Botswana should be lifted says government committee, and elephants culled

Hunting ban should be lifted and elephants culled, says Botswana’s government committee. Other recommendations include growth of the hunting industry, some animal migration routes closed and human-wildlife conflict strategies implemented.

Updated rhino poaching stats – what is not being disclosed – comment from award-winning filmmakers

Award-winning filmmakers Susan Scott and Bonné de Bod comment on the latest rhino poaching statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Award-winning STROOP now available via download

Acclaimed South African documentary ‘STROOP’ continues award sweep… and releases on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Vimeo.

First new widow spider species discovered in 29 years

Potentially the largest widow spider in the world has been discovered in the critically endangered sand forest of South Africa.

2 Countries want changes to white rhino CITES listings, to permit trade

Proposed changes in CITES have been released, with Namibia proposing to downlist its population of white rhinos to Appendix II, to allow only international commercial trade in live animals and hunting trophies, and Eswatini seeks to allow unrestricted international commercial trade in all specimens of its white rhino population, which is currently included in Appendix II.

Africa is divided over ivory trade ahead of wildlife meeting

Several African countries with some of the world’s largest elephant populations will push this year for looser controls on legal ivory trade, while another group of countries on the continent says more restrictions are the best way to curb the illegal killing of elephants for their tusks.

4 Elephants die as mercy mission goes wrong during heatwave

Tragedy as four elephant bulls that were causing havoc in the Gravelotte area in Limpopo die during relocation attempt.

Famous super tusker Tim rescued from certain death

Tim, an icon of Amboseli and one of Africa’s largest and most magnificent elephants, has been rescued from certain death.

Balule responds regarding traumatising elephant hunt incident

Balule Nature Reserve responds to the incident regarding a traumatising elephant hunt.

Illegal collared elephant hunt in Greater Kruger – warden convicted

A warden has been convicted in court after a collared elephant was illegally hunted.

Video: Malawi gains new giraffe population in Majete Wildlife Reserve

Thirteen South African giraffe have been translocated over 2,500 km and safely released into Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve, establishing its first population.

Lake Malawi fish species at risk of extinction

The latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has revealed that overfishing is causing fish species in parts of the developing world to decline, with 9% of the 458 fish species assessed in Lake Malawi at high risk of extinction.

Rare conservation win: Mountain gorilla population ticks up

The IUCN has updated the status of mountain gorillas, officially changing them from ‘Critically Endangered’ – the highest level of threat – to ‘Endangered’.

Captive lion breeding and bone trade: MPs call for an end to the practice

The Environmental Affairs Committee has called for a policy and legislative review on captive lion breeding for hunting and lion bone trade.

Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana

Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana.

China lifts ban and legalises tiger bone and rhino horn for medical purposes

China has revised a law on the ban of rhino horn and tiger bone products that would now allow domestic trade and use of the products for scientific, medical and cultural purposes.

SA rhino film wins top awards at US film festivals

The South African feature documentary STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War has won the coveted Best Documentary award at the prestigious San Diego International Film Festival held this past weekend.

Cannibal cobras

While Cape cobras are known to eat other snake species – up to a third of their diet – recorded instances of Cape cobras eating individuals of the same species has been extremely rare… until now, when researchers investigated and discovered how common and widespread cannibalism in cobras really is.

Social media’s role in advertising illegal wildlife trade, including cheetah trafficking

Cheetah Conservation Fund data analysis confirms social media role in advertising illegal wildlife trade, including trafficking of cheetahs for illegal pet trade.

Elephant hunting: Botswana initiates month-long consultation process

Botswana initiated on Wednesday a month of public hearings to decide whether to lift the 2014 hunting ban, including elephant hunting.

Skye the lion hunting furore: Parliament wants Kruger NP agreement with private reserves revised

Environmental Affairs committee believes agreement between Kruger National Park and private reserves should be revised.

Video: 500 animals journey from Kruger to Zinave

The past two months saw the translocation of zebra, blue wildebeest and impala from Kruger National Park in South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique. The overall goal is to reintroduce 7,500 game animals in Zinave over the next five years and to date over 1,300 animals have been rewilded to the park.

Elephant poaching: Botswana gov provides context, questions irresponsible reporting

The government of Botswana responds to the recent reports alleging that about 90 elephants were killed recently.

Namibian ‘problem’ lion dies during relocation, remaining five are safe in a private reserve

Tragedy as a Namibian desert-adapted lion dies during relocation. This follows two unsuccessful attempts to relocate six ‘problem’ lions to a national park. The five remaining lions are now safe in a private reserve.

Video: 90 African buffalo welcomed into community conservancy in Zambia

Peace Parks Foundation has presented 90 African buffalo to the communities of the Simalaha Community Conservancy, with an additional 110 buffalo still to be brought in over the next month.

Video: Lions return to Malawi’s Liwonde National Park

African Parks has completed a series of lion translocations as part of wider efforts to restore Malawi’s parks; and for the first time in 20 years, a population of the iconic predators has been re-established in Liwonde National Park.

New survey: Lion breeding industry harming South Africa’s reputation

A nationwide survey has revealed that the majority of South Africans believe the captive lion breeding industry is harming the country’s international reputation.

Biologist questions science behind leopard trophy hunting quota

After only two years of no leopard hunting, we now have apparently accumulated enough population data to reinstate a hunting quota and lift the zero quota. I find this very hard to believe for such a cryptic species.

SA reinstates leopard hunting quota – 7 to be shot this year

Leopard hunting: South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs has issued a quota of seven leopards for trophy hunting during 2018.

Elephant saved by vets in Kenya after being hit twice with poison arrows

Struck with two poison arrows, an elephant bull faced a slow and painful death, but fortunately he survived thanks to quick intervention.

Update on rhino translocation fiasco: WWF-Kenya admits mistakes were made

WWF-Kenya has admitted that grave mistakes were made in the translocation operation in Kenya which saw 10 out of 11 critically endangered black rhinos die.

The Extinction Business: Lion bone trade threatens world’s big cats

The Extinction Business: South Africa’s ‘Lion’ Bone Trade is an investigative report by EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading that reveals startling and alarming factors that have a significant negative impact on worldwide big cat conservation.

Update on rhino translocation fiasco: Tenth black rhino dies, remaining survivor attacked by lions

A tenth endangered black rhino has reportedly died after a botched translocation, according to Kenya’s tourism minister.

200 Elephants to be moved from South Africa to Mozambique

De Beers Group, in partnership with Peace Parks Foundation, has begun to transport 200 elephants across 1,500km from the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve in South Africa to Mozambique.

South Africa’s lion bone export quota set at 1,500 skeletons

The DEA has announced that the new lion bone export quota will allow 1,500 lion skeletons from captive-bred lions to be exported annually from South Africa.

8 Endangered black rhinos die after translocation in Kenya

Eight out of 14 critically endangered black rhinos have died after being moved to a reserve in southern Kenya, wildlife officials have revealed.

Elephants with a purpose

Why did 53 elephants travel more than 1,250 km across three different countries this month? Here’s why.

Cheetah cub survival impacted by high-tourism areas

A study has found that high levels of tourism can have a negative impact on the rearing of cheetah cubs to independence.

Investigating South Africa’s wildlife cryptotrade

A casual search of some of South Africa’s biggest online marketplaces shows just how easily endangered wildlife species are reduced to their parts – and how simple it is to sell them online while retaining anonymity.

Video: Lions make a comeback

With wild lions under pressure from so many threats, this is a wonderful story of lions being reintroduced to an area that used to have lions.

Botswana MP proposes lifting elephant hunting ban

Botswana’s parliament has adopted a motion requesting the government to consider lifting the ban on the hunting of elephants in areas that are not designated as game reserves and national parks.

Guarding Limpopo National Park’s carnivores

A new carnivore protection ranger force, the Limpopo Lion Protection Team, has been trained and deployed – specifically assigned to support the Greater Limpopo Carnivore Programme and tasked with securing known lion ranges from targeted lion poaching.

Lions tested for tuberculosis in Greater Kruger

A veterinarian and the ProVet Wildlife team recently darted a pride of five lions in the northern part of Greater Kruger to test for TB.

Kruger lion hunted – what we know

A large male lion was trophy hunted on Thursday morning last week in the Greater Kruger National Park.

Zambia’s hippo cull: Valid concerns and questions from those affected

A showdown is looming between tourism operators in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and trophy hunters, in the wake of the Zambian government’s decision to cull up to 2,000 hippos over a 5-year period in Luangwa Valley, across the river from the tourism lodges – and to award the culling contract to a South African trophy hunting outfit Umlilo Safaris (so much for the empowerment of local people and generation of revenue that stays in Zambia).

Zambia hippo cull via trophy hunting not as high as 2,000, says minister

The Zambian government on Tuesday denied reports that it has authorised the culling of 2,000 hippos in the Luangwa Valley.

Forest hornbills being decimated in Ghana

Six out of eight Ghanaian forest hornbill species have shown significant population declines due to uncontrolled hunting, according to a long-term research project.

Elephant cow with calf saved from snare

An elephant cow, with a 2-week-old baby in tow, needed all the help she could get after sustaining a serious injury from a poaching snare.

Tanzania invites bids for logging in Selous to pave way for huge hydropower plant

The Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has invited tenders for large-scale logging in the Selous Game Reserve, a world-renowned wildlife area, where it plans to construct a large hydropower plant.

Kenya to fast-track laws to make wildlife killing capital offence

Kenya will fast-track laws to make wildlife poaching a capital offence as part of the country’s bid to conserve flora and fauna.

Attacks by captive carnivores – the stats revealed in open letter to minister

A formal letter to the Minister of Environmental Affairs from some of the top wildlife NGOs in the country about the captive carnivore interactions in South Africa. Records show that at least 37 incidents of captive carnivore attacks have occurred since 1996, affecting no less than 40 victims.

SA hunters expelled over canned lion hunting

Two South African hunting associations that embrace canned lion hunting have lost an appeal to retain their membership to Europe’s top hunting organisation, and have been thrown out of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation for breach of policy.

Wild black rhinos to return to Chad after 50-year absence

An unprecedented collaboration between the South African and Chadian Governments, SANParks and African Parks, is enabling the translocation of critically endangered black rhinos from South Africa to a secure park in Chad on the 3rd May, reintroducing the species to the country after almost fifty years of local extinction.