insert_link Environment Elon Musk could avert global species extinction with only a portion of his wealth A new study has pinpointed the most crucial areas around the world for protecting Earth’s rarest and most endangered species, the vast majority of which are found in tropical and subtropical moist forests. Just five countries — the Philippines, Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar and Colombia — contain 59% of all identified sites globally. Only 7% of land protected over the past five years overlapped with these critical […] todayJune 26, 2024 13
insert_link Environment Baobab trees all come from Madagascar – new study reveals that their seeds and seedlings floated to mainland Africa and all the way to Australia By Andrew R. Leitch, Queen Mary University of London There are eight species of baobab in the world, and they have a surprising distribution. Six are found in Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean; one is found on the continent of Africa; and the last is far away in Australia. The origin of this group of plants has fascinated people for a long time. […] todayJune 7, 2024 4
insert_link Africa How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Mountain biking is surging in popularity across Africa, with global race organizers capitalizing on the continent's diverse terrains—from mountains to deserts—for bike racing events. Morocco has recently hosted what is arguably “one of the most gruelling ultra-mountain bike races,” the 2024 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The annual, 6-stage, 600km race across the desert was held between April 28 and May 3 […] todayMay 23, 2024 5
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 27
insert_link Africa Planting trees in grasslands won’t save the planet – rather protect and restore forests By Susanne Vetter, Rhodes University Tree planting is one of the nature-based solutions being used to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Trees absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide. Many of these tree planting projects target Africa’s rangelands (open grasslands or shrublands used by livestock and wild animals). They include agroforestry initiatives such as the Great Green Wall in the Sahel, or commercial timber plantations that double as carbon offset projects. […] todayApril 23, 2024 12
insert_link Africa We built an AI tool to help set priorities for conservation in Madagascar: what we found By Daniele Silvestro, University of Fribourg Artificial Intelligence (AI) – models that process large and diverse datasets and make predictions from them – can have many uses in nature conservation, such as remote monitoring (like the use of camera traps to study animals or plants) or data analysis. Some of these are controversial because AI can be trained to be biased, but others are valuable research tools. […] todayMarch 27, 2024 8
Namibia Official address by the Republic of Madagascar at the occasion of the State Memorial for the late President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage G. Geingob Your Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia and Chief Mourner, Madame Monica Geingos, Widow, the Children and Grandchildren, and the entire bereaved Family, Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government, Right Honourable Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, Ministers and Deputy Ministers Members of Parliament, Distinguished Service Chiefs, Your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Distinguished Heads of International and Regional Organizations, Senior Government Officials, […] todayFebruary 25, 2024 5
insert_link Namibia Confirmation of VIP Guests at Presidential Memorial and Burial Services The Heads of State of the following countries will be attending this weekend's official ceremonies to mark the passing of former President Hage Geingob: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Qatar, Zambia, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Principe. Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, will also attend on behalf of the British Royal Family, as […] todayFebruary 23, 2024 91
insert_link Environment From exporting coral to restoring reefs, a Madagascar startup rethinks business Koraï divers prepare to install a frame housing young hard corals in the protected waters of Antsoha Island, off northwestern Madagascar. Image courtesy of Koraï. By Valisoa Rasolofomboahangy via Mongabay With coral cover declining in Madagascar, Koraï, a Franco-Malagasy startup, has shifted its focus to coral reef restoration from its predecessor’s specialization in coral export. Jeimila Donty, its founder and CEO, is part of a young “pro-climate” generation keen to […] todayFebruary 7, 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.
