Entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, has recently returned from an exciting journey to Zimbabwe. Branson has a deep affinity for the country and is known for his dedicated advocacy for wildlife conservation. Branson’s visit to Zimbabwe has sparked interest and curiosity, and he has contributed towards the protection of Zimbabwe’s fauna.
Lion farming in South Africa is a contentious issue that has been in existence since the 1990s. This industry involves breeding lions in captivity for various purposes, including entertainment, canned trophy hunting, and traditional medicines. However, the industry has gained notoriety due to illegal activities such as exporting lion bones, leading to a significant rise in poaching and illegal trafficking. Wildlife researchers Neil D’Cruze and Jennah Green have expressed their concerns about the lion farming industry and advocate for its closure.
The Ministerial Task Team (MTT) has called for captive lion owners who are interested in voluntarily exiting the captive lion industry to register their interest. This move is part of a broader effort to end the commercial use of captive lions and their derivatives.
In a groundbreaking operation, a starving vulture received the world’s firstever beak transplant on a bird of prey, allowing it to feed once more. ## The Procedure
In 2021, four friends from Kenya embarked on a unique expedition to raise funds for wildlife rangers by traveling 23,000 kilometers in two tuktuks from Kenya to Cape Town. The journey, which was projected to take three months, turned into an 18month odyssey of discovery, resilience, and connection.
Rhino poaching continues to be a critical issue in South Africa, with the country being home to more than 80% of the world’s remaining rhino population. The illegal trade in rhino horns, fueled by demand in Asian countries where it is believed to have medicinal properties, has continued to thrive, despite efforts to curb it.
A recently released promotional video has caused outrage by showcasing the brutal and inhumane nature of “canned” lion hunting in South Africa. The video reveals a male captivebred lion being attacked by a crossbow and shot multiple times by professional hunters. The video arrives just before the anticipated phasing out of the captive lion hunting industry and highlights the need for change to protect animal welfare.
Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, are fascinating creatures that remain unknown to most people. These unique animals constantly struggle for survival as they are the most trafficked mammal globally. ### Pangolins: A Unique Species
In a stunning show of bravery and expertise, Taru CarrHartley and his brother Roan, both wildlife conservation fliers, rescued a truck driver stranded in a crocodileinfested river for over six hours. The incident took place in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, during a flash flood that caused the driver’s fully laden tanker to be swept away and overturned.
Cape clawless otters are one of the most endearing creatures on South Africa’s coastlines. These shy, nocturnal, and diurnal animals, slightly larger than one might expect, are the largest freshwater species after the South American otter. Unfortunately, their population is slowly decreasing, and they were listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2014. However, their playful nature and endearing appearance make them a favorite among locals and tourists.