This World Ranger Day nominations are open for the 2022 African Conservation Awards. This annual celebration aims to recognise the brave men and women across Africa who play a vital role in protecting our endangered species and in doing so raise awareness of their amazing work. Often facing physical danger, political opposition and severe financial constraints, this … [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...]
No wild animal jumps through burning hoops
It sounds like a cliché but I am passionate about the big cats. Hence we are happy to share a story about the work of one sanctuary that has been a haven for rescued big cats. With the tiger being synonymous with Slumberland, they recently supported Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary's educational efforts with a donation of R10 000. Please read more about Slumberland's … [Read more...]
Boosting wildlife security at Somkhanda
As game reserves continue to struggle in dealing with the impact of Covid-19 through the loss of income from the tourism model and the loss of manpower to combat wildlife crime, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Save our Species African Wildlife initiative, co-funded by the European Union (EU), recently approved an investment that will see a rapid … [Read more...]
South Africans say “no!” to exporting meat from endangered species
More than 45 000 people reacted to Dear SA’s campaign inviting comment on draft legislation allowing meat from endangered species to be added to the list of animals allowed to be slaughtered, consumed and traded. The overwhelming majority of those participating in the campaign objected to the South African government’s plan to expand the list of animals for slaughter and … [Read more...]
South Africa’s live cheetah export exposed
South Africa is well-known for its intensive captive lion breeding industry, but its captive cheetah breeding side has never received the same exposure. As with lions, captive bred cheetah cubs are taken away from their mothers within days of birth to be hand-reared, which starts the habituating process. They are then used for petting, walking with cheetahs, and as photo … [Read more...]
Knowledge hub established to save Africa’s most iconic cat
When you think of a species on the brink, you probably don’t think of the African Lion – the king of the African savannah. But for the last two decades the lion has been quietly sliding closer to extinction, and Africa has lost half its wild population of this iconic species in the last 25 years alone. A new knowledge hub, recently launched by the Endangered Wildlife Trust … [Read more...]
Landmark decision for lions ahead of World Lion Day
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is delighted to note that the Pretoria High Court has today set aside the 2017 and 2018 lion bone quotas, stating that these were both unlawful and unconstitutional, and that due process was not followed in the setting of these quotas. Before giving his judgement, Judge Jody Kollapen said that this issue has implications for both current … [Read more...]
Calls for captive lion breeding ban welcomed by civil society
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) have come out strongly in favour of a new Parliamentary report that calls for a ban on captive lion breeding in the country. Entitled Captive Lion Breeding for Hunting and Bone Trade in South Africa, the new report finds: Captive lion breeding holds no conservation value; There is no … [Read more...]
Lion breeding industry harming SA’s reputation according to new poll
A nationwide survey, by the Humane Society International (HSI), has revealed that the majority of South Africans believe the captive lion breeding industry is harming the country’s international reputation. This announcement comes on the first of a two-day South African Parliamentary inquiry into the lion breeding industry. According to the study, South Africans demonstrate … [Read more...]
Local rockers pledge to keep our carnivores Wild ‘n Free
In the build up to World Lion Day on 10 August, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), a champion of conservation in Africa, has launched an exciting new project, entitled Wild ‘n Free. Through this initiative, the EWT is calling on all South Africans to be the voice for the voiceless and join the fight against keeping carnivores in captivity for petting, walking-with, … [Read more...]
Journey to the Star Lions
White Lions are known by the African Elders as “Star Lions” and the name Tsimba Vati- is an ancient one, directly translating into “Lion Star.” The Shangaan people, indigenous to the area, believe that the white lions are guardians of the land. These words of Maria Khosa, who was known as the “Lion Queen of Timbavati,” “Loku u Dlaya ngala basu u dlaya tiko” (If you kill a … [Read more...]
Finally free?
Being something of a free spirit, I wasn't too keen to visit a lion park for captive-born lions. Maybe the lions would be depressed and the pens small. Instead I found a genuine sanctuary, and a story of hope and human kindness. Paul Hart is the owner and manager of the Drakenstein Lion Park, situated scenically between Stellenbosch and Paarl. It was a freezing day when I … [Read more...]
