Our website use cookies to improve and personalize your experience and to display advertisements (if any). Our website may also include cookies from third parties like Google Adsense, Google Analytics, and Youtube. By using the website, you consent to the use of cookies.

Cash-strapped conservationists in South Africa are struggling to collect biodiversity data – how to change that

Cash-strapped conservationists in South Africa are struggling to collect biodiversity data – how to change that

SOUTH Africa’s government conservation organisations have experienced substantial budget cuts. Even after steps to cut costs, South African National Parks reported a big shortfall (R223 million or about US$11.92 million) for 2021/22. So did the provincial body KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife (R89 million; about US$4.77 million). South African conservation authorities manage millions of hectares of protected areas. However, recruitment freezes and insufficient funds have reduced their ability to conduct basic operations. One of these is biodiversity monitoring. Knowing which plants and animals are present in protected areas and where they are is vital for making conservation decisions. You need to know…
Read More
Human-wildlife conflicts surge in Namibia

Human-wildlife conflicts surge in Namibia

NAMIBIA has seen a surge in incidents of human-wildlife conflicts involving elephants, buffaloes and other species, mainly in the north and northeastern parts of the country, the environment minister told parliament on Wednesday. Like several other African nations, Namibia is trying to strike a balance between protecting high-value species like elephants and rhinos, while managing the danger they pose when they encroach on areas of human habitation. The country has resorted to auctioning off some of its elephants while relocating others to national parks. In some cases, government would "destroy" problem-causing animals, the minister said. The plans have riled some…
Read More
Conservationists trying to save Kenyan giraffes stranded on flooding island

Conservationists trying to save Kenyan giraffes stranded on flooding island

CONSERVATIONISTS are working to rescue giraffes stranded on an island in Lake Boringo in western Kenya after heavy rains led to the flooding of their rangeland habitat, threatening the animals with drowning. Relentless rains have increased lake levels which began to swallow up the peninsula where the giraffes have been living. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in collaboration with the United States-based Save Giraffes Now and Kenya's Northern Rangelands Trust rescued two of the giraffes with a custom-made steel barge and is working to rescue the remaining six from the island. "There is great urgency to execute this rescue," said…
Read More