insert_link Environment Leopard DNA study in South Africa traces ancestry to ice age – and will guide conservation By Laura Tensen, University of Copenhagen An ice age almost one million years ago led to a meeting between leopards from central and southern Africa that were searching for grassland. New research into the leopards’ genetics – their mitogenome – has revealed that the descendants of these two groups are the leopards found today in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. One of the researchers, molecular ecologist Laura […] todayMay 17, 2024 21
insert_link Namibia Wildlife special court reconvenes in Katima Mulilo The Wildlife Special Court has reconvened in Katima Mulilo for the second time since its establishment in 2022. The court is expected to hear over 60 wildlife crime cases in a period of two months. Here is the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism's Chief Control Warden, Morgan Saisai with more. Meanwhile, the latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s World Wildlife Crime Report reveals that wildlife trafficking hasn't […] todayMay 15, 2024 6
insert_link Africa Madagascar’s ancient baobab forests are being restored by communities – with a little help from AI By Seheno Andriantsaralaza, Université d’Antananarivo Six of the world’s eight baobab species are indigenous to Madagascar, where the distinctive trees with giant trunks have historically grown in huge forests. But these forests are threatened by slash-and-burn agriculture – 4,000 hectares of baobab forest in Madagascar are destroyed every year. Baobab trees can live for 1,000 years and one hectare of land can support eight […] todayMay 13, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Enough With the Veto, Mozambique Vents to the ‘P5’ Security Council Members Ambassador Pedro Comissário of Mozambique leads the UN Security Council in May. He said: The “veto should have never been allowed in cases of flagrant violation of international humanitarian law as we are witnessing in Gaza at this moment.” JOHN PENNEY/PASSBLUE By Damilola Banjo The veto power of the five permanent United Nations Security Council members is the bane of countless failed resolutions across decades. Now, Mozambique’s ambassador […] todayMay 6, 2024 7
insert_link Environment Great white sharks off South Africa’s coast are protected by law, but not in practice. Why this needs to change By Enrico Gennari, Rhodes University; Neil Hammerschlag, University of Oregon, and Sara Andreotti, Stellenbosch University In less than eight years, white sharks in South Africa have all but disappeared from their historical hotspots in False Bay and Gansbaai, on the Western Cape coast. These areas were once known as the “white shark capital of the world” and were home to a flourishing ecotourism industry. One possible […] todayMay 6, 2024 24
insert_link Africa Blue whales: first discovery near Seychelles in decades – what our study found By Jeremy Kiszka, Florida International University Blue whales are fascinating animals. At 24-30 metres in length (longer than a basketball court) they are the largest creatures on Earth. They are also among the rarest. Estimates suggest that there are only around 5,000 to 15,000 blue whales left in the world. Their populations experienced a 89-97% decline due to commercial whaling activities worldwide that started in the North […] todayApril 22, 2024 4
Local Children in the wilderness annual eco-camps back in full swing Now in its twenty-second year, Children in the Wilderness (CITW) has proudly hosted more than 270 children, teachers, and Eco-Mentors at its annual 2023/24 Eco-Camps over the past few months. These four-day environmental leadership camps host the most deserving CITW Eco-Club members from its partner primary schools across all Wilderness’ areas of operation in Africa. “As our flagship programme for the Educate pillar of our Impact strategy, these Eco-Camps […] todayApril 18, 2024 4
Local Wilderness Namibia rebuilds iconic desert Rhino camp In the vast landscape of the Palmwag Concession in Namibia’s Damaraland, Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp is undergoing an extensive rebuild. The reinvigorated camp is set to reopen in July 2024 with an elegant new look and feel. Continuing to pay homage to its natural desert surrounds, the camp is a celebration of its inspiring conservation success story – the ongoing protection of one of the world’s last free-roaming Critically […] todayApril 15, 2024 4
insert_link Africa Analysis of largest elephant surveys ever shows stable population, but disturbing trends By Jim Tan via Mongabay New research comparing data from the two largest-ever elephant surveys reveals the overall population in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is stable, but also uncovers some concerning local trends. Elephant numbers in Botswana, home to more elephants than any other country, are stable overall, but declining numbers in areas where hunting is permitted, and increasing numbers in protected areas, suggest underlying […] todayApril 11, 2024 11
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
