Botswana’s Elephants: Myths vs. Facts
The recent lifting of Botswana’s elephant hunting ban was made possible, in part, by myths about elephants and the impacts of hunting. Those lies are exposed here.
Author Conservation Action Trust
Conservation Action Trust
The Conservation Action Trust works for the protection of threatened species by promoting the objective investigation and reporting of important conservation and environmental issues affecting these species. Click to see author's profile.
Johannesburg Zoo To Get Second Elephant In Spite Of Public Outcry
‘Lonely Lammie’ has become the poster animal of South Africa’s struggling captive animals since the death of her partner Kinkel last year. The zoo’s decision flies in the face of worldwide outcry and numerous specialist recommendations.
Saving Giraffes is a Tall Order
Will giraffes survive humanity? They are as iconic as lions, rhinos and elephants, and their long-term existence in the wild is under a similar threat. However, the world’s tallest animals get much less public attention and protection.
US Poll Says ‘No’ to Botswana Plans to Hunt and Cull Elephants
As tourism is a mainstay of Botswana’s economy, lifting the hunting ban could, the poll suggests, have severe economic consequences and damage Botswana’s international reputation.
Young Elephant Shot 13 Times as Tourists Watched in Horror
Balule Associated Nature Reserve has justified the killing of a young elephant bull in front of tourists as an “act of self-defense,” ignoring eye-witness accounts and backtracking on an original announcement condemning the act.
Where Wild Things are Under Threat, Wildlife Trade is an Urgent Issue
Before more exploitation of the natural world is proposed as a way to solve rural poverty in developing African countries, we need to interrogate the nature of corrupt and damaging financial relationships between those countries and the wealthy global North.
Zambia Forges Ahead With Hippo Cull Despite Global Backlash
South African hunting outfitters are eagerly awaiting the end of the Zambian rainy season in April to start a killing spree of up to 1,250 hippos living in the world-renowned Luangwa Valley.
Does Trophy Hunting in South Africa Really Benefit Conservation and Local Communities?
Every year, thousands of tourists visit South African private nature reserves to see wild animals. But how many travelers know that some of these self-declared champions of conservation also allow animals to be killed by trophy hunters for ‘sport’?
Pangolins in Peril
Slowly, the tiny ball in the wooden crate began to unwind. His scales moved and a pointy nose followed by two black button eyes emerged. Natalie was entranced. The baby pangolin unwrapped his tail, held out his front legs and gazed at her, asking to be picked up. It was love at first sight.
Zoos Need a Radical Rethink: A Plea for Johannesburg’s Lammie the Elephant
We need to talk about the future of zoos. There are about 1,500 formal and many more informal zoos in the world, holding between three and four million animals, displayed for our curiosity and amusement. It’s fair to ask: to what end?
No Bright Future for Wildlife with Ineffective CITES in Charge?
CITES is a convention ostensibly dedicated to wildlife protection that does nothing other than enable trade on a massive scale with minimal regulation and oversight, resulting in plummeting wildlife populations. They need to rehaul their system or step aside, so a conservation-focused rather than a trade-focused system can be put in place.
Johannesburg Zoo Ignores Calls to Free Lammie the Lonely Elephant
Lammie has been alone at the zoo since her partner, Kinkel, died. Despite calls from various organizations to let Lammie live out her days on a reserve with a herd of previously-captive elephants, the zoo won’t budge.