Since 2016, WWF has been working with one of the largest social media platforms in the world to address wildlife trafficking by detecting and removing illicit activity that fuels wildlife trade. As part of this effort, Facebook has launched a new pop-up interstitial alert message that informs users about illegal wildlife trade when certain wildlife-related search words are … [Read more...]
Scientists call for change in marine environmental assessment
Oceans Not Oil (ONO) hails an advisory produced by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) on the use of deep-sea seismic surveys to explore for oil and gas deposits in South African waters. In the scope of SAGE’s mandate, an “emergency” is defined as "a serious, unexpected, and potentially dangerous situation that has … [Read more...]
Stop the imminent seismic survey off the Western Cape coast
Civil society movement We Are South Africans has begun the process to seek an interdict to stop Australian company Seismic Searcher from its 2D/3D seismic survey, planned to commence off the Western Cape coast on 15 January. A Reconnaissance Permit in terms of Section 74 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No. 28 of 2002) was granted by the Petroleum … [Read more...]
California frogs proposed for species protection
In response to a Center for Biological Diversity petition and lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed Endangered Species Act protection for four populations of foothill yellow-legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada and central and Southern California. This stream-dwelling frog species has disappeared from more than 50% of its historic habitat in the state. “At … [Read more...]
Wild Coast seismic operations interdicted
In a major victory for Wild Coast communities, the Grahamstown High Court in Makhanda has ordered Shell to immediately cease its seismic blasting along South Africa’s Wild Coast. They also ordered Shell and the Minister of Mineral Resources to pay the costs of the application for the interim interdict. In granting the interdict sought by communities affected by the blasting … [Read more...]
Dispelling Wild Coast seismic blasting misconceptions
Many of us remember being told by our elders when we were young to hold a shell to our ears to hear the ocean, no matter how far you were from a seashore. Later on one learns that it is the reverberant air moving inside the hard, curved inner surfaces of a shell’s cavity, which produces the coincidental, pleasant sound similar to waves on a shore. Interestingly the … [Read more...]
EWT assesses South African companies’ impact on biodiversity
Out of 354 South African companies assessed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust for their performance towards reducing their impacts on biodiversity, only 79 even recognise biodiversity as a material issue, indicating that much work needs to be done to gear up South African corporates to understand the critical role of nature-based capital in their supply chains. On 8 December … [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...]
Rhino massacre in Western Cape as festive season starts
Searl Derman, owner of Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, just outside of Cape Town in the Western Cape, South Africa, and his management and staff are left traumatised after four rhinos (including one pregnant female) were found massacred on Wednesday night. At approximately 22h30 the 24 hour Anti-Poaching Unit raised the alarm as they found the horrific scene of four shot … [Read more...]
Protection urgently needed for Atlantic humpback dolphin
The National Marine Fisheries Service announced today that it would begin a status review to determine whether the highly imperiled Atlantic humpback dolphin should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The agency’s decision came in response to a September petition filed by the Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity and VIVA Vaquita. Atlantic … [Read more...]
Reducing vertebrate mortality on electric fences
Pangolin.Africa, the Tikki Hywood Foundation and the Kalahari Wildlife Project, in collaboration with Stafix electric fence and security company, are currently working on a ground-breaking new project in an effort to drastically reduce the accidental electrocution of pangolins on electrified fences. These electrical installations - prevalent on game reserves, private game … [Read more...]
Eco defenders protest Wild Coast-bound seismic testing vessel
On Sunday morning, before the crack of dawn, nearly 200 concerned environmental defenders took to the Waterfront to get a glimpse of Shell’s seismic testing vessel as it made its way into Cape Town harbour. The vessel travelled down the West coast of Africa, on its way to the Wild Coast, to conduct seismic surveys for an estimated five months. The Green Connection’s … [Read more...]
Upcycling pop bottles for a better night’s sleep
Take another look at that empty bottle of fizzy pop you just threw into your recycling bag. Tonight it could be part of your mattress – if you make the right choices. The problem of plastic pollution is becoming more urgent every day. According to the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), over 82 metric tonnes of PET are used every year to … [Read more...]
