insert_link Africa Wildlife traffickers carried on their illegal trade during COVID lockdown – what legal traders can learn from their resilience By Annette Hübschle, University of Cape Town and Meredith Gore, University of Maryland The world literally stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. But while countries locked down to keep coronavirus at bay, wildlife traffickers carried on their illegal activities. Global risk governance and criminology academics Annette Hübschle and Meredith Gore studied the traffickers’ methods and share lessons from their resilience. How did wildlife traffickers continue their […] today14 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Africa’s wildebeest: those that can’t migrate are becoming genetically weaker – new study By Joseph Ogutu, University of Hohenheim Wildebeest – large African antelopes with distinctively curved horns – are famous for their great migrations on the grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. One hundred and fifty years ago, they migrated in huge numbers across the continent, in search of grazing and water and to find suitable areas for calving. Migration is crucial to sustain their large populations. But their […] today15 April, 2024
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 […] today15 April, 2024
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 […] today11 April, 2024
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa is to shut down captive lion farms. Experts warn the plan needs a deadline By Neil D’Cruze, University of Oxford; Angie Elwin, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Jennah Green, Manchester Metropolitan University The South African government has officially confirmed that captive lion farms will be shut down. A new ministerial task team report just released has cemented the government’s intention, first made public in 2021, to put an end to African lions being legally sold and traded live, both internationally and domestically. […] today8 April, 2024
insert_link Environment Wildlife migratory “corridors” set to grow, Africa-wide By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Wildlife, particularly roaming species, exhibit remarkable mobility, covering vast distances in pursuit of essential resources such as water, grazing land, mates or favourable conditions like ideal calving sites. Estimates by the Tsavo Trust, a Kenyan conservation nonprofit, reveal that elephants within the Tsavo conservation area undertake daily journeys of between 50 and 150 kilometres, following distinct migration routes and pathways. In […] today5 April, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenya’s wildlife conservancies make old men rich, while making women and young people poorer By Joseph Ogutu, University of Hohenheim Kenya once had an exceptional abundance and diversity of wildlife. But as the country’s population boomed, wildlife lost space to people, buildings, roads and agriculture. Since 1948, Kenya’s population has surged by 780%, from 5.4 million people to 47.6 million people in 2019. This was accompanied by a 70% drop in wildlife numbers, between 1977 and 2013. This massive loss of wildlife […] today5 April, 2024
insert_link Environment South Africa’s Cabinet approves end to lion and rhino breeding South Africa’s cabinet has approved a phased end to the captive breeding of lions and rhinos as the country plans to end practices that have corrupted its reputation as a custodian of some of the world’s biggest wildlife populations. SA’s cabinet, according to Bloomberg, also agreed to limit the hunting of leopards and hold off on a push to resume the international trade of elephant ivory. today2 April, 2024
insert_link Environment Government assesses extent of rhino poaching amid recent incidents The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is conducting an assessment to determine the extent of rhino poaching following recent incidents in the Etosha National Park. Since the beginning of the year, 28 rhinos have been poached, with 19 in Etosha National Park and four on a private farm in the Otjozondjupa region. According to ministry spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, the ministry has called for an urgent high-level meeting on security. today2 April, 2024
