Last week welcomed significant news and positive movement for marine conservation in South Africa - a country that sits in the top five as a global hotspot for shark and ray diversity – as the WILDTRUST announced the launch of its newest marine campaign. On The Brink is a campaign underwriting a 3-year project called ‘Sanctuary for Sharks & Rays’ driven by WILDTRUST, in … [Read more...]
Artists and environmentalists start conversation about conservation
Art has a key role to play in supporting and promoting conservation, particularly in Southern Africa. This was the core premise of a thought-provoking event called “Art and Conservation – a Southern African Dialogue” held at the Alliance Française in Johannesburg on 15 June. The event showcased a photographic exhibition and the work of contemporary South African artist, … [Read more...]
Winter Wonders Special comes to Kirstenbosch
From 25 June to 18 July, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is holding its annual Winter Wonders Special where children 17 years and younger receive free entry into Kirstenbosch. A #mywinterwonders competition will add even more excitement to the winter school holiday. Winter at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden offers the most sensational views and natural … [Read more...]
Opening the door to conservation cooperation
The signing of two important agreements at the residence of French Ambassador Mr. Aurélien Lechevallier, in Pretoria on 7 June, has opened the door to critical regional and inter-continental co-operation in the field of biodiversity. This will impact on spatial and development planning as well as policy making and open the door to critical peer-to-peer learning, said … [Read more...]
Developing a sustainable venison sector in Africa
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations says that wild meat possesses several added advantages over domesticated species in terms of range usage, physiological and ecological adaptations to the African environment, disease tolerance and productivity, crediting it among the healthiest meats available. This year as part of the annual Taste of Game campaign, … [Read more...]
Cheetah introduction to boost Mozambique’s population
Karingani Game Reserve in southern Mozambique has successfully released four translocated cheetahs as part of a project to expand cheetah range. The world’s fastest land mammal is quickly running out of time as they are often illegally stolen from the wild as cubs and sold into the illegal pet trade in the Middle East, threatening cheetah populations … [Read more...]
Building biodiversity knowledge for action
A € 6.7 million (approximately R110-million) spatial biodiversity assessment, prioritization and planning (SBAPP) project that will improve environmental planning and monitor the status of indigenous species and ecosystems in four Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, namely South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Malawi, commenced this month. The South … [Read more...]
Chris Bertish to relaunch Transpacific Wing Project
Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, big wave surfer, Guinness SUP World Record holder and conservationist, announces plans to launch the Transpacific Wing Project again in late May early June, the world’s first solo, wing foil, transpacific crossing Channel Islands Harbor Marina. The new expedition will be slated to finish at the end of July, beginning … [Read more...]
Caroline Reid Awards honour this year’s clean-up champions
Awards were handed out to this year's clean-up volunteers to recognise their tireless efforts in keeping our rivers and oceans clean. Plastics SA used National Water Week (20-26 March 2022) to recognize the commitment and dedication of our country’s water warriors by awarding the annual Caroline Reid Awards for Clean-Up Champions of the Year. “We launched the Caroline … [Read more...]
Protecting African wild dogs in KwaZulu-Natal
On Saturday 2nd April 2022, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal released it's newest pack of African Wild Dogs, which is composed of four 3 year old males who were originally brought into the reserve from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve at the end of 2020, and two 2 year old females born in HiP. African Wild Dogs are Southern Africa’s most endangered carnivore with an … [Read more...]
Flipping the traditional approach to conservation
Known as South Africa’s ‘Steve Irwin’, Dingo Dinkelman has fast become a household name on the global conservation platform through daring wildlife videos, death-defying escapades and genuine love for all wildlife. And while Dingo supports all conservation efforts worldwide, he believes there needs to be a fundamental shift in tactics right now if there’s any hope of saving the … [Read more...]
A long road ahead to COP15 after Geneva
Last week Wednesday marked the closing of two and half weeks of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting was the first chance parties have had in two years to meet in person and begin detailed discussions on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. It was also expected that this meeting would be the last before the CBD’s … [Read more...]
Slumbering with a clear conscience
As a sustainability pioneer with decades in the field, it is so exciting to experience well-known brands moving into the world of sustainable business. Of course this is what educated and conscientious shoppers are demanding. No longer is just the ‘green fringe’ reading labels and asking for production details, but the mainstream of our population also want to shop products … [Read more...]
