News
How conservation efforts are succeeding despite misleading measurements
5+ hour, 34+ min ago (293+ words) An international study co-authored by a University of Pretoria (UP) conservation scientist argues that global biodiversity conservation is delivering measurable gains. Global doom-and-gloom narratives are masking real ecological victories. It is time to swap alarmism for raw, real-time data. Published…...
Understanding the evolving relationship between humans and wildlife
1+ week, 6+ day ago (457+ words) A groundbreaking study published this week in the journal People and Nature reveals that managing the encroachment of people and wildlife requires looking far beyond traditional ecological data. As human populations expand further into the world's remaining wild spaces, he…...
FOUR PAWS urges action against big cat exploitation in South Africa
3+ week, 2+ day ago (174+ words) ions kept in a small cage at a South African lion farm where 30 lions were euthanized after being burned in a fire. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has issued a stark warning ahead of Endangered Species Day on May…...
The impact of trophy hunting: 40, 508 animals killed in South Africa
3+ week, 4+ day ago (719+ words) Lions bred in captivity. Last week I saw a post on Linked In. It was Dr Stephanie'Emmy Klarmann's Mongabay commentary on South Africa's trophy hunting numbers. One line stopped me: 40, 508. I still think that. Not because I'm against hunting. But…...
Blood on the hides: South Africa's failure to halt the gruesome donkey skin trade
4+ week, 13+ hour ago (386+ words) During what was meant to be a routine inspection at the Brievo Abattoir in Schweizer-Reneke, National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) inspectors were met with a scene of skeletal neglect. Rather than adhering to the AU's prohibition, South Africa has opted…...
City Nature Challenge: South Africa's role in global biodiversity conservation
1+ mon, 5+ day ago (316+ words) Nature lovers participating in the City Nature Challenge. The annual City Nature Challenge (CNC) by i Naturalist transformed ordinary citizens into vital scientific contributors. This four-day international Bio Blitz invited participants to use their smartphones to document global biodiversity, and…...
Mc Laren Circus faces scrutiny from animal rights groups over permits
1+ mon, 5+ day ago (510+ words) The Cape Argus team previously gained exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Mc Laren Circus in Milnerton, where animal rights activists, including Beauty Without Cruelty, are protesting against the use of wild animals in captivity. Animal rights organisations are challenging how…...
The hidden cost of conservation: why uncharismatic species are overlooked
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (323+ words) Conservation science is inadvertently sidelining some of the planet's most vital species because they fail to meet a human standard of "cuteness" or "charisma", according to a new study from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The research, published in the…...
Bebe the parakeet: an underwater explorer with a taste for adventure
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (991+ words) Bebe enjoying the outdoors. He sometimes flies off on his own, Lawyer says, but always comes back. While most parakeets are content with a swinging mirror and a bowl of seeds, Bebe is busy making history beneath the waves of…...
Cape Nature's Green Noise podcast tackles the devastating impact of wildfires in the Cederberg
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (270+ words) The fire in the Cederberg damaged hundreds of hectares of vegetation. As South Africa finds itself amid a gripping wildfire season, Cape Nature has launched an urgent series of its acclaimed'Green Noise'podcast to delve into the heart of the crisis....