biodiversity loss

Etosha National Park wildfires under control

Wildfires that scorched large areas of Etosha National Park and surrounding regions have been contained, the government has confirmed. The fire, which broke out on 22 September, destroyed nearly a third of the park despite days of firefighting efforts involving volunteers, soldiers, and helicopters. Authorities estimate that more than 775,000 hectares inside the park and another 171,000 hectares outside its borders were burned. The park, which covers 22,935 square kilometers, […]

30 September, 2025

Africa

Ahead of COP16, groups warn of rights abuses linked to ‘30×30’ goal

By Aimee Gaba, via Mongabay Two years since global policymakers agreed on the concept of protecting 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030, there’s still little clarity on how achieving this goal will impact Indigenous communities who safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas on Earth. In October this year, government representatives are set to meet at the U.N. Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia to talk […]

19 September, 2024

Africa

‘Extinct’ trees found in Tanzania sparks hope for ecosystem recovery

Conservationists in eastern Tanzania have found two specimens of a rare tree feared to be extinct. Millettia sacleuxii was only known from six specimens in forest reserves that have almost disappeared. Thousands of seeds have been collected and seedlings raised, and these are due to be planted out as part of a reforestation project in the Nguru Mountains. The two surviving Millettia “mother trees” were found near an area that […]

17 July, 2024

Environment

UN Chief calls for action to protect biodiversity and combat climate change

One million species now under threat, and humanity is to blame, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned, in a call to protect the plants, animals, microorganisms and more, that sustain all life on Earth. Pollution, climate chaos, habitat loss and exploitation of nature have pushed a million plant and animal species to the brink of extinction. Guterres called on developed countries to invest in biodiversity and climate action […]

23 May, 2024

Lifestyle

Migrating animals face collapsing numbers – major new UN report

By Joseph Ogutu, University of Hohenheim The world’s travelling animals – marine turtles, whales, sharks, elephants, reptiles, wild cats, birds, and even insects – have entered a period of sharp decline, new research has found. The first ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report, released today by the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, showed that the conservation status of […]

13 February, 2024