VOLUME 54
With the endless challenges facing African governments, such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, and institutional fragility, wildlife conservation is invariably at the bottom of the "to-do list". One of Africa's central paradoxes is that the continent has unparalleled natural wealth, from iconic megafauna to diverse ecosystems,
VOLUME 54
Conservation has been a key objective of the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association since its inception in 1949. The Association has evolved into a locally and internationally respected organization that supports an integrated and rational approach to conservation. It is recognized within the wildlife sector for its thought leadership
VOLUME 53
By Prof Brian Child In my early career working with African villages, I, like many others, assumed that these small communities had high levels of social capital. Surveys of livelihoods and governance in dryland communities in at least five countries in Southern Africa suggest the opposite. Trust within communities is
VOLUME 53
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable resource use. Founded in 1948, it brings together governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, and experts to develop and implement conservation strategies worldwide. Key Functions of the IUCN: 1. Biodiversity Conservation – Works to
VOLUME 53
The Luwire Wildlife Reserve, situated in the Niassa Reserve in northern Mozambique, employs various anti-poaching patrol approaches. Foot patrols are sent out from eight scout outposts. Vehicles are deployed to reach the more remote parts of the area, and cheap Chinese motorbikes are the most economical and versatile for various
VOLUME 53
Zimbabwe's Savé Valley Conservancy has transformed from struggling cattle ranches to one of southern Africa's largest private game reserves. The Heritage of Ranching The foundations of what would become the Savé Valley Conservancy stretch back to the 1920s. Roger Whittall's father immigrated to Rhodesia
VOLUME 52
How one safari operation transformed a war-torn landscape into Africa's most inspiring conservation success story By Zig Mackintosh In the heart of Mozambique, an extraordinary conservation triumph has unfolded over three decades, largely hidden from the world's view. Spanning 500,000 acres of once-decimated wilderness, Coutada
VOLUME 52
The deserts and semi-arid regions of South Africa are home to some of the world's most unique and diverse succulent plant species. But these botanical treasures are vanishing at an alarming rate through poaching. The silent theft of these ancient, slow-growing plants is pushing entire species to the
VOLUME 52
Is it a misconception that people from the Global North put animal interests ahead of human interests and the interests of individual animals over groups of animals? What do the people of Africa think? A 2025 research paper by Mutinhima et al. examines these enduring ideological divisions in biodiversity conservation.
VOLUME 52
Between 2011 and 2012, caravans of Sudanese poachers decimated Northern Cameroon's elephant population with shocking speed. Where elephants were once a daily sight, all signs of them disappeared entirely. The poachers operated in heavily armed groups of 25 to 30 men, traveling on camels and horses. Whenever Professional
VOLUME 51
By Prof Brian Child Most rural people in forests and drylands have insecure land rights, especially in Africa. The perpetuation of so-called communal land is a tragedy, holding people in neo-feudal conditions, where the land is owned ‘on their behalf’ by the state, and they are the ‘subjects’ of traditional
VOLUME 51
With Professional Hunter, Pete Fick There's nothing quite like the shimmer of Lake Kariba at dawn. The water stretches out like glass, reflecting the orange-pink sky, with silhouettes of fish eagles perched on dead trees jutting from the water. It is magical... or at least it used to