Responsible Tourism Partnership has announced that South African conservation organisation, Wildlife ACT, has been awarded first place for ‘Best for Nature-Positive Tourism’ at the prestigious WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards for 2023. Having won Gold at the WTM Africa World Responsible Tourism earlier this year, Wildlife ACT was then entered into the pool of regional … [Read more...]
MPAs a massive ecotourism drawcard for SA
Known as the ‘game reserves of the sea,’ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are earning their place in the spotlight as the MPA Day celebration on 1 August goes global this year. In addition to the many ecological benefits of these protected ocean areas, MPAs bring with them significant tourism potential which aligns with the 2023 World Tourism Day theme, Tourism and Green … [Read more...]
13 Reasons to celebrate MPA Day in 2023
“Research involving visitors to uShaka Sea World revealed that only about half knew what an MPA is. This means that days like #MPADay are vital to building awareness of MPAs and their role in sustainability.” - Dr Judy Mann, Founder of MPA Day What started as a local celebration of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in 2021 grew into a global event in 2022, with the 2023 … [Read more...]
Oil spill model to give SA a glimpse of the future
At any given time, an average of 90% of the oceans around South Africa (our Exclusive Economic Zone – EEZ) are under lease for oil and gas exploration or extraction. Applications for exploratory and extractive drilling rights by oil and gas giants are being approved yet at the same time are being objected to by many stakeholders, including NGOs, coastal communities, and … [Read more...]
Biodiversity concerns raised in SA’s provincial reserves
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in collaboration with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), recently assessed the state of South Africa’s provincial nature reserves (PRs) in terms of management effectiveness. The country’s municipal and provincial reserves cover just over three million hectares and are protected for their intended contribution to … [Read more...]
Let’s stop deep sea mining in its tracks
Greenpeace is working to prevent a new destructive extractive industry from ever getting started in the oceans. Their position: no deep sea mining, ever. To achieve that, they are joining Pacific communities, champion nations, and dozens of allied organizations across the globe in calling for a UN moratorium on deep sea mining. In a planetary emergency, why would governments … [Read more...]
Island nations get new lifeline to beat pollution
Thirty-three Small Island Developing States (SIDS) took significant steps towards a cleaner environment earlier this week, with the global launch of a half-billion-dollar initiative to avoid marine litter and sustainably manage hazardous chemicals and waste. Because of many islands’ small size, limited disposal capacity, and prohibitive export costs, over 80 per cent of … [Read more...]
Oxfam cautions against mining in Lower Zambezi
Oxfam in Southern Africa has expressed concern over the ongoing and highly controversial Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) mining saga and cautions the Zambian government on the move to proceed with mining activity in the national park. On 31st January 2022, media reports cited the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment as having indicated that the embattled open-pit … [Read more...]
Civil society fights West Coast seismic survey in court
Yesterday, less than a month after the successful court action that stopped Shell’s attempts at seismic surveys on the Wild Coast, in its search for oil and gas in South Africa’s oceans, small-scale fishers – with the support of The Green Connection – head back to court, this time to protect the West Coast. In its Confirming Affidavit against the Minister in the Department … [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...]
Rehabilitated leopards released at Mpumalanga game reserve
Leopard siblings Jack and Claudi began the adventure of their young lives when they were recently released into the wild at Nkomazi Private Game Reserve near eManzana (Badplaas) in southern Mpumalanga. The two animals were stolen from their den while they were still tiny cubs and offered for sale to illegal wildlife traffickers. Members of the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism … [Read more...]
Mqeku Picnic Site: an ideal spot for family outings
Head for the great outdoors, enjoy the early-winter crisp weather and discover somewhere new: visit the Mqeku Picnic Site - a magical unexplored playground only 20 minutes from Hillcrest in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Hills. With Youth Day and Father’s Day both coming up in the next fortnight – families may be looking for interesting things to do together. Mqeku … [Read more...]
Why Kenya is conducting its first ever wildlife census
With borders closed during the pandemic, Kenya’s billion-dollar tourism industry has lost over 80% of its revenue. In a report from Amboseli National Park, CNN’s Larry Madowo joins the Kenya Wildlife Service as they conduct the country’s first ever National Wildlife Census. Najib Balala, Kenya's Tourism Minister, tells Madowo that the industry is not expected to recover … [Read more...]
