I first heard about Motswari from a friend. I’d told him I was looking for lodges in the Greater Kruger area we could use for our photo safaris and workshops. We’ve travelled together a lot so he knew the kind of place I would like; Somewhere down to earth with the emphasis on good game viewing, great guiding and impeccable[…]
Read moreThe cheetah, South Africa’s second-most threatened carnivore, has returned to the country’s Free State province for the first time in 100 years with the reintroduction of two male cheetahs at the privately owned Laohu Valley Reserve assisted by the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The Free State is the only province in South Africa that has not had wild cheetahs since their[…]
Read moreFirst Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for the immediate end to foreign countries buying ivory from Kenya. Mrs Kenyatta said countries in Asia, US and Africa said stopping trade in ivory from the country will discourage poaching. “If the countries stop buying ivory, demand will be lower. Buying is contributing to demand which is destroying the future of our elephants,”[…]
Read moreCongratulations Tanzania! A 2 year study by online company ‘safaribookings.com’, taking in views and reviews from more than 1,000 safari travellers has just voted Tanzania the No.1 safari destination in Africa. Click here to read the story in Tanzania’s Daily News.
Read moreThere’s always a great sense of anticipation when I go back to a game park that I love. It’s partly to do with all the photos that I have already got planned; knowing exactly which corners of the park I want to visit and the shots I’m hoping to get. But it is also about renewing my acquaintance with some[…]
Read moreIn the final communiqué of the meeting, G8 Leaders placed the fight against the illegal trade in wildlife alongside fighting corruption, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking of drugs and people. Recognizing the threats posed by such trafficking, Leaders agreed to “… also take action to tackle the illegal trafficking of protected or endangered wildlife species.” They’re talked the talk,[…]
Read moreMany of us have appreciated rhinos when we visited zoos or were lucky enough to go on wild safaris. But there are unfortunately people who do not appreciate their beauty. Rhinos are being killed indiscriminately and there is a chance that they will soon go extinct. Click here to read Stephanie Mizzi’s emotional article in the Malta Independent
Read more2 months ago, all indicators pointed at the annual wildebeest migration running behind schedule this year. But now things are turning out quite differently. By the beginning of June some of the front runners were crossing the Grumeti River and heading towards Seronera before quickly moving further north into Ikoma. Herds of wildebeest were already massing on the central plains[…]
Read moreKWS says poachers have killed 137 elephants, 24 rhinos this year Poachers have killed at least 137 elephants and 24 rhinos this year amid global concerns over trade in game trophies. Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono said half of the endangered species were killed in the Tsavo conservancy area where poachers masquerade as herders from adjacent ranches. Click here[…]
Read moreThe world’s fastest land animal, the sleek and long-legged cheetah,Acinonyx Jubatus, is losing its race for survival. Once a common animal found on five continents, the cheetah is now an Endangered Species. Loss of habitat, conflict with humans, as well as its own loss of genetic variation, are the main threats facing the cheetah today. The cheetah needs large expanses[…]
Read moreWidespread killing of elephants threatens economic prosperity and rule of law, warns African Development Bank. The massacre of elephants has gone beyond being a problem for animal rights activists. It now concerns international institutions and governments at the highest level because it is perceived as a threat to political and economic stability in central Africa. Click here to read Laurence[…]
Read moreIn a recent article under the heading “Save rhinos by selling their horns” Discover magazine argued that although rhinoceroses are endangered, legalizing the trade in rhino horns may be the best way to protect them from poachers. The online magazine, Smithsonian.com, clearly does not agree and put forward their counter argument under the heading “No, Legalizing Rhino Horn Probably Won’t Save[…]
Read more“Poaching of elephants is not only a regional problem. It is necessary to identify ways by which we can assist the countries concern in the fight” . Encouraging words from Nicolas Hulot, French Ecologist and Special Envoy of the French President, François Hollande on a recent visit to Cameroon. Click here to read the article by Lukong Pius Nyuylime in[…]
Read moreUnderpaid, ill-equipped and outnumbered, park rangers fight a one-sided war against vicious gangs of poachers. Hundreds have been murdered in the defence of endangered wildlife, and their deaths leave their own families in jeopardy. Take time to read this article by David Smith in The Observer and check out The Thin Green Line Foundation.
Read moreMore than 7 per cent of the world’s elephants were killed for their tusks in the space of a year – the “worst in history”, according to one researcher. And with over 40 per cent of the ivory haul bound for China, the biggest market for tusks, Joyce Poole, co-director of conservation group Elephant Voices, is urging Beijing to step[…]
Read more“Poaching is depleting our valuable natural resources, especially elephants and rhinos in our game reserves and national parks. Very unfortunately, this business involves rich people who have formed a very sophisticated network,” These chilling words come from Tanzania’s minister for Tourism and Natural Resources, Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki, speaking at a workshop organised by Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) workshop in Iringa.[…]
Read moreBlinding acceleration and phenomenal athleticism are true keys to cheetah’s hunting success in the wild, according to the results of a ground-breaking, high-tech study into the biomechanics of wild cheetahs published this week in Nature magazine. Click here to read more
Read moreSome good news to end the week. Kenya’s President Kenyatta is backing up his words with action; pushing through much tougher penalties for poaching and adding an extra 1,000 KWS rangers. Click here to read the story from Nairobi’s Capital FM
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