If unchecked, the seemingly insatiable demand for the horn could result in the extinction of wild rhinos within two decades. This has led African governments to consider radical — and contradictory — proposals for saving Africa’s rhinos. Click here to read the full story
Read moreAuthor: Martin
In Vietnam, Rhino Horns are Worth Their Weight in Gold
No better place than Vietnam to launch a new campaign to end the illegal international trade in rhino horns that is taking the animal to the edge of extinction. Click here to read the story from Inter Press Service (IPS)
Read moreAfrican leaders must emulate Chinese celebrities to save elephants
Another top notch article from #PaulaKahumbu, this time writing for the Guardian. Click here to read Paula’s article
Read moreKenya – Does the judiciary hinder the war against poaching?
A timely opinion from Dr Mordecai Ogada questions whether we should be celebrating the judiciary’s new found awareness or asking why it has taken them so long to wake up and smell the coffee. Click here to read the full story
Read moreOn World Migratory Bird Day, UN calls for greater protection of habitats
As an estimated 50 billion birds commence their annual migrations, the critical staging areas they need to complete these journeys continue to be degraded or are disappearing completely, the United Nations today warned on this year’s World Migratory Bird Day. Click here to read this from the UN News Centre
Read moreFirst grey whale spotted south of the equator
Astonishing news from Walvis Bay, Namibia, where scientists from the Namibian Dolphin project on Tuesday confirmed the sighting of a grey whale. Click here to read the full article in UK’s Guardian
Read more#PHOTO TIP – Avoid the shakes – Keeping it steady on safari.
OK, the first thing to say is that there’s no rocket science here, this is pretty basic stuff. BUT, if you can get the basics right it makes the complicated stuff much easier. Of course the best way of keeping your camera steady is to use a tripod but there are some occasions when that is simply not practical. One[…]
Read moreFund launched to support families of wildlife rangers killed on duty
40 rangers killed every year by poachers. Now NABU has launched a unique support programme to provide financial assistance to the families that are left behind. Founded in 1899, NABU (NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION UNION), is one of the oldest and largest environment associations in Germany. The association encompasses more than 450,000 members and sponsors, who commit themselves to the conservation[…]
Read moreCheetah cubs born in Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve
AfriCat saw the first ever cheetah cubs to be born in the Okonjima Nature Reserve since the establishement of the Cheetah Rehabilitation Programme in November 2000. The cubs were born to a cheetah named Dizzy. Click here to read this article from Namibia Economist newspaper
Read moreKenyan conservation director charged with ivory smuggling – Claims she was framed.
Amboseli Trust for Elephants director charged with illegal ivory posession. Click here to read the Amboseli Trust for Elephants statement.
Read moreCustoms arrests foreigners over attempts to export elephant tusks
Nigeria Customs Service arrested 2 Chinese and a Malian for attempting to smuggle 21kg of ivory and tusks out of the country. click here to read the article from Nigeria’s Daily Trust newspaper.
Read moreKenyan conservationist charged with ivory possession
If they’ve broken the law they should face prosecution. A top official in a Kenyan conservation group was charged Monday (May 13th) with illegally possessing 19 kilogrammes of elephant ivory worth more than $20,000, AFP reported. Click here to read the article
Read moreKenya must do whatever it takes to protect wildlife
Strong opinion piece from Kwendo Opanga in Kenya’s Saturday Nation Click here to read the full article
Read more#PHOTO TIP – Don’t be scared to crop your photos if it makes the image stronger
When is it right to crop? When composing a photograph most of us try to make sure that our main subject is well placed in the frame. Part of that is the decision whether you should take the picture as a horizontal or vertical image. If you’re using a zoom lens you’ll often have quite a lot of flexibility about[…]
Read moreElephant village turned into elephant graveyard
AT least 26 elephants massacred in world heritage site Click here to read the full article
Read moreBotswana’s Basarwa Minority Evicted from Ancestral Lands:. Is Tourism to blame?
The Basarwa have been forced off their ancestral lands. The government say it is for environmental protection, but some believe it has more to do with diamonds and tourism. Click here to read the full article
Read more#PHOTO TIP – Post Processing – Necessity or Indulgence?
I am regularly asked “why do you need to fiddle with your photos in Photoshop, mine come out of the camera just fine.” It’s true. Most people accept the photograph that their camera produces and, in many cases, that image is perfectly alright for a variety of uses. This is becoming even more the case as an increasing number of[…]
Read moreUS allows Republican donor to import rhino horn from Namibia. Right or Wrong?
On March 28, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife issued a permit for the importation of a black rhinoceros horn shot in Namibia in 2009. (According to Business Week, the rhino was shot by David K. Reinke, a big donor to Republican political candidates). The granting of the licence caused an outcry in many circles, but others accepted it as[…]
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