By RONALD MUSOKE - The Independent President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has become the sixth African head of state to join the Giants Club, an international conservation initiative that connects leaders of African states with significant large mammal populations to...
Uganda: One arrested in unlawful possession of wildlife pieces
By Leonard Kamugisha, Parrots The Criminal Investigations Department of police has confirmed to the arrest of David Kisitu, a suspect that has been on the run since December 2020, on charges of possession of prohibited wildlife species. The arrest follows a police...
South Africa: DEFF combating wildlife trafficking but challenges still remain
By Thobeka Ngema, The Independent Online The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) is trying to combat the wildlife trafficking of the rhinoceros, elephant, lion, leopard, pangolin and succulent plants but are still faced with challenges. DEFF laid...
Namibia’s wild elephants destined for foreign zoos, say lobby groups
By Melissa Reitz - Business Day Despite global opposition, Namibia is going ahead and selling 170 wild elephants and the buyer will be announced once the sale is finalised, says the country’s environmental ministry. By going ahead with the sale, Namibia is flouting...
Does the farming and legal trade of wildlife do more harm than good? New study
By Africa Geographic The debate surrounding the farming and regulated, legal trade of wildlife is one of the most polarizing discussions in conservation. Supporters of both sides have reached an effective deadlock over the historical and perceived advantages and...
Botswana: Life-changing Wilderness Safaris journey offers a lifeline for Linyanti elephants
By Botswana Unplugged As part of Wilderness Safaris’ commitment to safeguarding Africa’s precious ecosystems, a unique conservation-focused safari at its brand new DumaTau Camp will offer guests a life-changing experience in support of collaring elephants in...
USA: Crocodile Skin Bags, Ivory, Leeches Seized at Dulles Airport
By Michael O'Connell, Patch DULLES, VA: Customs officials recently seized illegal wildlife products, including crocodile skin bags, ivory, and leeches, from three travelers at Washington Dulles International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S....
Fake it till you save it? Synthetic animal parts pose a conservation conundrum
By Claudia Geib - MongaBay Thanks to technological advancements, it’s now possible to make synthetic versions of animal parts like rhino horn, elephant ivory, and big cat fur, demand for which is contributing to the extinction crisis.Yet this practice is...
South Africa: Six nabbed with elephant tusks in Durban
By Jolene Marriah-Maharaj, The Independent Online An intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks has resulted in the arrest of six suspects caught with elephant tusks in Durban. Police said the suspects, aged between 27 and 40, face charges for contravening the...
The ‘Enterprise,’ the Burundi Stockpile, and other Ivory Behind the Extradition
By International Policy Digest In the morning hours of Monday, January 25th alleged ivory/rhino horn, and drug trafficker, Mansur Mohamed Surur, was led from his Nairobi jail cell to a waiting vehicle. He was told he was going for an interview. He was not. It was not...