Conservation Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Wildlife Photography Africa

Vultures – the silent victims of Africa’s wildlife poaching

12/05/2014 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Tanzania, Wildlife, Zimbabwe

The recent death of up to 600 vultures after feeding on a poisoned elephant carcass near Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park in July confirms that the indiscriminate use of poison is one of the major causes of the ongoing decline in vulture populations across most of Africa. This is particularly evident in West Africa where an average decline of 42%[…]

Cape Mountain Zebra – a conservation success story

03/03/2014 Martin Conservation, South Africa, Wildlife

Of the 4 zebra species in Africa, the Cape Mountain Zebra (equus zebra zebra) is both one of the most beautiful and one of the least numerous. It is indigenous to only part of South Africa’s Western Cape province. 60 years ago the population was estimated to be as few as 80 animals. 15 years ago there were still less[…]

Does Destroying Ivory Save Elephants?

06/02/2014 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Wildlife

In recent months a number of governments around the world have taken the step of publicly destroying their stockpiles of seized illegal ivory to give credence to their anti-poaching stance. Their actions have provoked fierce debate with some arguing that crushing or buring ivory is little more than a publicity stunt when the ivory could be sold to raise funds[…]

The Wisdom of Chief Seattle

21/01/2014 Martin Africa, Conservation, Wildlife

Chief Seattle was a chief of the Duwamish, a native American tribe that have lived in the area of Washington state where the city of Seattle now lies. Chief Seattle died in June 1866, and knew nothing of Africa’s wildlife. Yet, he could see from what was happening around him that the spread of ‘civilisation’ presented a gowing threat to[…]

Get involved in conservation in 2014

01/01/2014 Martin Accommodation, Africa, Camps, Conservation, Kenya, Lodges, Wildlife

Following a year that has seen some of the most devastating statistics about the decline of elephant and rhino populations in Africa due to rampant poaching we thought it appropriate that our first post of the year should be a call to arms. If you are one of those that has enjoyed, or hopes to enjoy, an African safari we[…]

Tanzania’s anti-poaching shambles

24/12/2013 Martin Conservation, Tanzania, Wildlife

2013 has been a disastrous year for Africa’s rhinoceros and elephant populations. South Africa has seen a record number of rhinos poached and in other countries Africa’s elephants are being killed at an unprecedented rate and Tanzania has been one of the countries worst affected. Conservationists and campaigners have been in overdrive; raising public awareness through relentless media campaigns, lobbying[…]

Amboseli & Maasai Mara, 2 private conservancies, 2 tented camps, 6 nights, from $1,765/£1,150

06/11/2013 Martin Accommodation, Africa, Camps, Conservation, Kenya, Wildlife

A 6 night safari staying in 2 private conservancies for under $2, 000 may sound too good to be true, but believe it, it’s not. Gamewatchers Safaris in Kenya are offering you the chance to spend 3 nights in their Selenkay Conservancy, adjoining Amboseli National Park and 3 nights in their Ol Kenyei Conservancy, adjoining the Maasai Mara. This incredible[…]

Vanishing Point – The Horns of the Dilemma

25/10/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Wildlife

2013 is set to be the worst year yet for rhino poaching. One of Africa’s most iconic animals is being hunted to extinction by poachers wanting to cash in on the outrageously lucrative Asian market for rhino horn. One of the most distressing memories from my recent safari in Madikwe was the sight of a black rhino that had been[…]

Black rhino killed 300 metres from Madikwe park HQ – Shameful

13/10/2013 Martin Africa, Botswana, Conservation, South Africa, Wildlife

If this is the best you can do you’ll never beat the poachers One of South Africa’s most iconic species is facing a devastating threat; a threat that – if unchecked – could all but wipe out both species of African rhinoceros. For some time now, conservationists and activists have been trying to make the world – and in particular[…]

The Case For A Total Overhaul Of Kenya’s Tourism And Wildlife Conservation Policies

16/09/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Travel, Wildlife

This thought provoking opinion piece from Calvin Cottar and Wycliffe Muga in Nairobi’s Weekend Star looks at some of the reasons why Kenya’s tourism plans are not panning out as they had hoped and what can be done to put things back on track before it is too late.

Gotta Love Kruger Park

06/09/2013 Jethro Africa, Conservation, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Wildlife

Are wildlife conservation and wildlife safaris just for rich foreigners? Someone recently posted on our forums that wildlife conservation was just for rich westerners. The gist of his argument was that the parks and reserves where wildlife is conserved and protected are usually remote and once you get there you need a 4×4 to get around. In addition to that[…]

Gorilla War

19/08/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Uganda, Wildlife

The Ugandan government is working to diffuse a bitter row between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and local tour and travel operators over the country’s most lucrative tourist attraction, Mountain Gorillas. The local operators, through their body—the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) are not only opposed to UWA’s initiative to have Gorilla viewing permits sold online, they have also[…]

Congo’s rare mountain gorillas could become victims of oil exploration

01/08/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Uganda, Wildlife

WWF warns of environmental disaster and permanent conflict if British firm begins drilling for oil inside Virunga national park. Once again fragile wildlife environments and endangered species find themselves under threat from big business and the eagerness of a government to cash in on it’s country’s natural resources. This amazing park in Africa supports a wide variety of biodiversity, but[…]

Kenyan conservationist takes bird’s-eye view in fight against elephant poaching

22/07/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Wildlife

In the wilds of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, Martin Wheeler, aka ‘bird-man’, and team use paraglider, car and footwork in surveillance effort to help thwart illegal wildlife trade. Africa’s wild elephants are being killed at their fastest rate since 1979-89, the bloody decade in which their number more than halved from 1.4m to 600,000. Wheeler, like many conservationists, is on[…]

HONG KONG AUTHORITIES SEIZE OVER 1.100 ELEPHANT TUSKS

21/07/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Tanzania, Wildlife

If anyone has any doubt about the absolute necessity of campaigns to combat elephant poaching this latest seizure drives home the seriousness of the issue. Bloggers like Jenny Karvunidis who criticized Hillary Clinton for declaring her support for the worldwide crackdown on elephant poaching should take the time to realise just how serious this issue is. Largest seizure since 2010[…]

LEWA DOWNS MAKES IT INTO THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

16/07/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Travel, Wildlife

Years of hard work and dedication rewarded as Lewa Downs and Ngare Ndare Forest join Mt. Kenya World Heritage Site. The Mount Kenya World Heritage Site was recently expanded to include two additional conservation areas, namely Lewa Downs and the Ngare Ndare Forest. Lewa Downs, once upon a time a conventional cattle ranch owned and operated by the Craig family, has[…]

We’ll trample elephant poaching – KWS

12/07/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Wildlife

The Kenya Wildlife Service has assured the country that the fight against illegal trade in ivory has been intensified but noted the number of elephants killed was still high. More tough talk from KWS’s Paul Mbugua, but there is still a lot of work to do to reverse the inexorable march of the poachers. Click here to read Joseph Muraya’s[…]

Guns will not win the war against elephant poachers

12/07/2013 Martin Africa, Conservation, Kenya, Wildlife

Bigger fines and stronger penalties alone won’t be enough to stop poaching for ivory – but traditional values could help Dr Paula Kahumbu has written another thought provoking article for the Guardian. There are few more passionate campaigners – if any – for Africa’s elephants. Click here to read her latest piece.