Thanks to a huge restoration effort implemented after Mozambique’s brutal civil war that destroyed most of the country’s wildlife, Gorongosa National Park is now an extensive protected area with an abundance of game. The restoration of Gorongosa – funded by entrepreneur and philanthropist, Gregg Carr – has been a huge effort involving national government, including the … [Read more...]
Pangolin poaching requires urgent government action
South Africa and neighbouring states must act urgently to save what is already the world's most smuggled mammal. The conservation NGO WildAid estimates that 100 000 pangolins are taken from the wild each year in Africa and Asia. Scales from more than a million pangolins have been traded globally in the past decade, with seizures by law enforcement surging from 21 kg in 2011 to … [Read more...]
Team effort needed to conserve South Africa’s natural heritage
In three recent papers, South African biologists and environmentalists have listed pertinent research priorities for the next decade. These could help steer the protection of the country's plant and animal wealth, and that of the Cape Floristic Region in particular. The authors believe that the priorities set out could go a long way in addressing key threats raised in the … [Read more...]
Relocation success for crucial Mozambique wildlife
In a large translocation operation recently concluded, 388 animals were moved from Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park to Maputo Special Reserve and Zinave National Park. Zinave received 47 reedbuck and 48 sable – the first sable to return to the park in decades. In Maputo Special Reserve 247 waterbuck and 46 oribi were added to the reserve’s wildlife family. There had not … [Read more...]
Vietnamese youth experience once-in-a-lifetime conservation activities
Five Vietnamese youth were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the World Youth Wildlife Summit, experience the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, join a rhino de-horning exercise, visit the Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing and K9 Unit, and participate in a walking trail with a renowned guide. Dinh Thi Thuy Nga (24), Do Quang Thien (20), Le Anh … [Read more...]
Expanding conservation in the Soutpansberg Mountains
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is proud to announce the acquisition of an additional 1,335 ha of critically important habitat in the Soutpansberg Mountains, bringing the area under EWT conservation management to around 2 800 ha. This recent acquisition borders the Medike Nature Reserve, which was acquired in 2018, a wonderful feat made possible by the generous support … [Read more...]
Ecosystem restoration is everyone’s responsibility
Delegates at the 8th World Conference on Ecological Restoration have expressed their unanimous support for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030 with a call to action: ‘One earth, one future, one chance.’ At the conference, more than 850 knowledge holders from 68 countries shared their experiences and expertise of ecological restoration research, … [Read more...]
Youth delegates from across the world pledge to protect wildlife
The World Youth Wildlife Summit brought together 225 youth delegates, adult chaperones (educators and community leaders), conservation experts and keynote speakers from the 21st – 24th September, to equip the youth to become Ambassadors for Conservation and influencers to reduce wildlife crime. The impact of wildlife crime was highlighted during the Opening Ceremony when … [Read more...]
5G space appeal: lifestyle versus planet earth
The call for people to deliver the 5G Space Appeal to the world’s governments has so far elicited 85 volunteers from 25 countries. The Appeal now has more than 150,000 signatures. If it is delivered in hard copy, the signatures will take up more than 4,000 pages. The list of scientists alone will take up 100 pages. It will be difficult to ignore. It will force government … [Read more...]
Lion trade: the secret threat faced by SA tourism industry
Annually, thousands of tourists flock to South Africa to experience our unique wildlife. But behind this booming industry is an ugly truth, many wildlife encounters support the mistreatment of iconic species, such as lions. Tourism plays a vital role in job creation and contributed over R130-billion to the economy in 2017, about 2.9% of the total gross domestic product … [Read more...]
Trained dogs to be placed across SA to stop poachers
World Rhino Day this year is again marred by horrendous statistics illustrating the poaching pandemic across the African continent. According to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), since 2008 some 7,900 black and white rhinos have been slaughtered for the illicit trade of their horns. The fight against poaching has been arduous and continually … [Read more...]
Ethiopia plants 350 million trees to fight deforestation
Ethiopia has planted more than 350 million trees in 12 hours, its government announced, claiming a world record. Across the country, volunteers took part in the mass planting as part of the “Green Legacy” initiative, a programme that aims to reforest large swathes of the land. The efforts far surpassed an original target of planting 200 million seedlings in a day. … [Read more...]
Africa’s critically endangered vultures face relentless poisoning
In a letter published yesterday in the journal Science, vulture researchers have raised the alarm over the relentless poisoning of Critically Endangered vultures across Africa. During the past 20 months, over 1,000 vultures across the African continent have perished due to widespread poisoning. Vultures have succumbed to poisoning in Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, … [Read more...]
