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South African researchers are tracing the vibrational language of elephants – using fossils

South African researchers are tracing the vibrational language of elephants – using fossils

RESEARCHERS in South Africa have unearthed groundbreaking evidence that sheds light on the ancient communication methods of elephants, according to an academic report quoted in The Conversation. A research team led by Charles Helm of the African Centre for Coastal Palaescience at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa published a report in ScienceDirect, a scientific research journal, in September 2023. The team's work focused on the discovery of 35 fossilized elephant track sites, some of which are the first-ever trunk-drag impressions. “These have been noted in South African Pleistocene coastal deposits, in apparent association with elephant tracks,” the scholars explain…
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Nigeria to investigate killings of endangered wildlife, environment minister says

Nigeria to investigate killings of endangered wildlife, environment minister says

NIGERIA will investigate the killing of endangered wildlife after a video posted on social media showed a soldier killing two elephants in the northeastern Borno state, the environment minister said. The video has widely circulated on X, formerly known as Twitter, sparking outrage among Nigerians, who have condemned the killing of the animals that were reportedly roaming in farmlands and called for stricter measures to protect endangered wildlife. In addition to the elephants, two booted eagles that migrated from Europe were killed in northwestern Kebbi and Sokoto states last month, and a university professor was reportedly involved in the killing…
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Elephants and floods won’t stop this young volunteer teacher

Elephants and floods won’t stop this young volunteer teacher

CLASS is in session at Musasawanyama Community School and Charles Mvula is teaching with a confidence that belies his years. He is also making every minute count because, in this remote community in eastern Zambia, access to the school is far from guaranteed. All too often, nature gets in the way. "Most of the time, our pupils cannot attend school because the paths are obstructed, especially by elephants. Someone who did not grow up here would not last a week," Mvula explained. The community is located close to Lukusuzi National Park and while the park is a protected area, reaching…
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Dozens of Zimbabwe elephants die as climate change dries up Hwange park

Dozens of Zimbabwe elephants die as climate change dries up Hwange park

DOZENS of elephants have died of thirst in Zimbabwe's popular Hwange National Park, and conservationists fear losing more as a drought caused by climate change and the El Nino global weather pattern dries up watering holes. The seasonal El Nino, which causes hotter, drier weather throughout the year, has been exacerbated by climate breakdown, scientists say, a cause of concern at the ongoing COP28 discussions on climate action in Dubai. Hwange has no major river running through it, and animals rely on solar-powered boreholes, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authorities (Zimparks) officials said. "We are relying on artificial water because our…
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The woman brokering peace between elephants and humans

The woman brokering peace between elephants and humans

VITALIO ANGULA, BIRD STORY AGENCY DR Audrey Delsink has always been saddened by the plight of animals at the hands of humans. However, her interest in elephants started later on in her career.  Upon completion of her graduate studies, she worked as a field guide and game ranger at Manyeleti Game Reserve, south of the Kruger National Park in South Africa where she crossed paths with elephants who were not used to vehicles and people. “I was actually very scared of elephants but when I moved to another private game reserve, much smaller than Manyeleti, I encountered a completely different…
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Elephants or avocados: a Kenyan dilemma

Elephants or avocados: a Kenyan dilemma

JACKSON NJEHIA and NAZANINE MOSHIRI THE majestic sight of elephants roaming beneath Mount Kilimanjaro has long lured throngs of wildlife-lovers to Amboseli National Park on Kenya's border with Tanzania. Yet the free movement of some 2,000 Amboseli elephants, along with two dozen other wildlife species plus cows owned by local Maasai people, may be under threat - from avocados. Kenyan agricultural company KiliAvo Fresh Ltd, which has farms near Amboseli on nearly 175 acres of land, is building nurseries and preparing to grow the fruit, whose popularity is growing worldwide due to its high nutritional value. Conservationists are aghast. They…
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Botswana says toxins in water cause of mysterious elephant deaths

Botswana says toxins in water cause of mysterious elephant deaths

THE deaths of hundreds of elephants in Botswana this year which had baffled and alarmed conservationists were caused by toxins produced by cyanobacteria in water, officials said on Monday. Cyril Taolo, deputy director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, told a news conference that the number of dead elephants had risen to 330, from 281 last reported in July. The department's principal veterinary officer Mmadi Reuben told the same conference that there were, however, still many unanswered questions. "Our latest tests have detected cyanobacterial neurotoxins to be the cause of deaths. These are bacteria found in water," Reuben…
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