VOLUME 51
What does a topic like non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have to do with anti-poaching? If we don't address the root cause of poaching, solving the problem becomes difficult, and sustainable community development and conservation strategies are closely linked. NTFPs provide alternative livelihoods for communities that might otherwise turn
VOLUME 51
Between 2011 and 2018, the Niassa Reserve in northern Mozambique experienced one of Africa's most devastating elephant poaching crises. This protected area, spanning approximately 42,000 square kilometers, witnessed a catastrophic decline in its elephant population. Scale of the Crisis * The elephant population plummeted from approximately 12,000
VOLUME 50
By Duane Jacobsz Technology has become a significant weapon in Africa's battle against wildlife poaching. Advanced tools such as drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, AI-powered camera traps that can distinguish between animals and humans, and GPS tracking collars on animals that help anticipate poaching risks are cool
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Wildlife censuses are systematic surveys that count and monitor animal populations in specific areas. They provide crucial data for conservation efforts, habitat management, and policy decisions. Key Methods: * Direct observation: Visual counts from ground, air, or water * Capture-mark-recapture: Tagging animals to estimate population size * Camera trapping: Using remote cameras to
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The SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association has integrated vulture conservation into their wildlife management approach, recognizing these birds as essential "clean-up crews" in the ecosystem. Their commitment to responsible hunting practices benefits these threatened raptors through several targeted initiatives. The Association runs anti-poisoning campaigns addressing deliberate and
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The seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 to offer a roadmap for addressing pressing environmental challenges by 2030. But what does that have to do with anti-poaching efforts in Africa? The Wildlife Economy is a “thing”, as unpalatable as it may be to animal rights
VOLUME 49
By Prof Brian Child State agencies have played a central and often remarkable role in the conservation of wild resources in many countries (including forests, wildlife, drylands, and fisheries). However, conservation requirements, the role of the state, and the capacity of state agencies are changing rapidly. The fulcrum of governance
VOLUME 49
South Africa has an extraordinary diversity of succulent plants, around 40% of the world's total, with incredible endemism rates. The Succulent Karoo, spanning from the Western Cape into Namibia, represents one of only two arid biodiversity hotspots worldwide. This semi-desert receives minimal winter rainfall (50-200mm annually) but hosts
VOLUME 49
Charcoal's Role in African Energy Charcoal production and trade employs millions of people across Africa. It is the primary cooking fuel in many African cities, with demand rising due to population growth and rural-to-urban migration. In rural Sub-Saharan Africa, where 80% of residential energy is used for cooking,
VOLUME 49
A gin trap is a mechanical device with a simple yet brutal design. In Mozambique, rural blacksmiths use rudimentary materials and tools to make gin traps from old car springs. The typical components include: 1. Metal Jaws: Usually made of steel or iron, these semi-circular components form the gripping mechanism.
VOLUME 48
By Hank's Voice The video Tuskers: Saving the Last Gentle Giants, produced by the animal rights organization Humane Society International (HSI), seeks to convince viewers that Amboseli's super tuskers are on the brink of extinction—unless trophy hunting in Tanzania is banned. But is that really
VOLUME 48
By Prof Brian Child The success of Homo sapiens lies ultimately in the ability to cooperate in bands, clans, tribes, nations, and as a global civilization. We are bound together in common enterprise through uniquely human myths, norms, and rules. As the only species with the ability to trade, we