African elephants have just over 10 years left before they’re poached to extinction. We’re wiping them out, just to trade in stupid trinkets. But right now we have a chance to shut down a major ivory market in Europe. After experts found Europe's 'antique' trade is driving the slaughter of elephants by giving cover for illegal ivory, the EU launched a public consultation, … [Read more...]
It’s economically beneficial for SA to protect its natural capital
Healthy natural landscapes such as veld, wetlands, rivers, and estuaries across South Africa generate value to the economy amounting to at least R275 billion per year, a new study by economists at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has found. This is equivalent to at least 7% of the national gross domestic product (GDP), or three times the annual combined value generated by the … [Read more...]
Plans afoot to save critically endangered KZN frogs
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is working hard to protect the last remaining locations in which the Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog (Hyperolius pickersgilli) are found. The EWT is pleased to announce the recent publication of the Biodiversity Management Plan for this proudly South African but highly threatened species. An important consequence of the implementation … [Read more...]
Save Langebaan Lagoon from a potential aquaculture disaster
Most people associate Langebaan on the West coast of South Africa with the dramatic scenic beauty of the unspoilt tidal lagoon, its long stretches of pristine beaches and sheltered bays, providing protected waters and a temperate climate for a wide variety of leisure activities throughout the year. However, this RAMSAR site of international importance and tourist hot spot is … [Read more...]
Brazil rejects oil company’s ‘Amazon Reef’ drilling bid
Brazil’s environmental regulator Ibama said on Tuesday it has rejected Total SA’s environmental study on drilling in the Foz do Amazonas basin, warning it needs more information or it will suspend the French oil firm’s license application. Ibama’s repeated refusals to accept Total’s environmental impact study has held up the company’s four-year quest to explore the offshore … [Read more...]
Rhino conservation heroes honoured at awards dinner
The African ethos of Ubuntu promotes the power of a village, supporting one another to achieve common goals. For conservation efforts to be successful, many areas of vulnerability must be addressed. This requires a collaborative approach by a variety of passionate contributors. At the Rhino Conservation Awards, a gala dinner held at Joburg's Montecasino Ballroom on Monday … [Read more...]
Landowners called to report invasive plants as fire risk looms
Landowners who have listed invasive species must notify any relevant competent authority, in writing, of the listed invasive species occurring on that land. Furthermore, landowners must take steps to control and eradicate the listed invasive species and prevent them from spreading, the Department of Environmental Affairs said in a statement on Friday. “Failure to do so … [Read more...]
World Elephant Day: Ecologists join forces to save revered animal
The goal of World Elephant Day is to create awareness of the urgent plight of African and Asian elephants, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better care and management of captive and wild elephants. African elephants are listed as “Vulnerable” and Asian elephants as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. According to conservationists, … [Read more...]
Why are our sea turtles getting smaller?
Sea turtles in South Africa are getting smaller – and scientists are trying to find out why, and how this will affect future populations. “What we are finding is that the size at reproduction of individual loggerhead and leatherback turtles is getting smaller over time, and we are gearing our research to find out what could be the cause,” said NMMU’s Head of Zoology, … [Read more...]
A ranger’s view on the rhino poaching epidemic
Rangers working in the Kruger National Park (KNP) refer to it as ‘the beast’. With a size of 19 485km² and temperatures that sore to a blistering 50°C, working in the field is not for the faint-hearted. Rangers work up to 21 days in the bush under these harsh conditions, without the luxuries many of us take for granted, and away from their families and loved ones. While only … [Read more...]
Sign the declaration of interdependence
The Declaration of Interdependence expresses our values as an organization. It was written for the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This we know We are the earth, through the plants and animals that nourish us. We are the rains and the oceans that flow through our veins. We are the breath of the forests of the land, and the plants of the sea. We are human … [Read more...]
Becoming a Change Maker
Finding your niche as a change maker can be challenging. Start this process by getting clear about your strengths, passions and skills. Becoming a change maker is usually a difficult personal journey to undertake. Mostly, the process unfolds over several phases: first, there is an increasingly painful awareness of the worsening state of the world; second, is the realisation … [Read more...]
Gretchen Daily honored with Blue Planet Prize for tireless eco work
Your summer vacation plans have changed – you’re going to the moon. Stanford biologist Gretchen Daily wants you to imagine this scenario and to consider all the Earth-bound organisms you would depend on for food, building materials, pharmaceuticals and general happiness up there. “You’d get a list of thousands of species,” said Daily, the Bing Professor in Environmental … [Read more...]
