Just when ecologists worldwide had cracked all wildlife theories a new discovery has emerged in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area where a sighting of a strangely coloured buffalo is causing a lot of excitement. Click here to read the story in Tanzania’s Daily News
Read moreSouth Africa is seeking permission for a one-off sale of some of its $1bn stockpile of rhino horn to finance conservation and potentially flood a thriving black market, its environment minister said on Wednesday. However, conservation groups fear the plan could end up increasing demand in major markets such as Vietnam, where the horn is sought after for use in[…]
Read more“Africa is facing an unprecedented crisis of elephant poaching that threatens to wipe out the species in a decade. As poachers gun down elephant matriarchs, and destroy their families, buyers of ivory in countries like China, Vietnam and Thailand purchase exquisite ivory carvings of their gods, and believe that they are somehow worshiping God. Don’t they know that their consumer[…]
Read moreFACT SHEET: U.S. Efforts to Combat Wildlife Trafficking A New Executive Order to Better Coordinate the U.S. Response Today the President will sign an Executive Order (E.O.) to enhance coordination of U.S. Government efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and assist foreign governments in building the capacity needed to combat wildlife trafficking and related organized crime. Click here to read the[…]
Read more“Right now the demand for ivory is very high. When that happens, the price rises and suppliers go into over-drive,” says Paul Mbugua, spokesman for the state-run Kenya Wildlife Services. “While there is demand for ivory, nothing will stop these poachers.” In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), teams of poachers hunt from helicopters, packing serious firepower – rocket-propelled grenades[…]
Read moreSerengeti killer highway back on the agenda Words like ‘deception’ but also the undiplomatic word ‘lies’ were used in comments sent to this correspondent when news emerged that the Tanzanian government, in the face of past protests and boycott threats, and in neglect of more viable alternative routes, seems to have gone back to their much disputed position of building a[…]
Read moreA rare antelope that has been absent in the Mara has been spotted after a decade o absence. The single male Roan antelope was spotted near Roan Hill, to the south of the Maasai Mara reserve this week. “The hill named after this antelope has reclaimed its name,” said Paul Kirui, a Kenya Professional Gold Safari Guide. Kirui said the[…]
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 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 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[…]
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