Budget crisis in Natal parks

Cape Town – It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago that rhinos would be dehorned for their own protection in a park as large and famous as the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal. The 96 000 hectare park is the province’s flagship Big Five reserve and is often referred to as the “cradle” of … Full Story ?

April 2017 | SANParks | Project Team |

Dear Stakeholder, SANParks has started the review process of the Kruger National Park’s Management Plan in compliance with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act No.57 of 2003. Interested and affected parties are invited to participate in the Kruger National Park (KNP) Management Plan review process (as per Section 39(3) of the Act).   The SANParks … Full Story ?

17 April 2017 | National Geographic | Morgan Trimble |

As I pushed through thick, towering reeds in the Bangweulu Swamps of northern Zambia, my heart pounded in anticipation of what creature I might find in the clearing beyond. But it was empty. Only a single set of huge, round impressions trailed through the soft mud—the tracks of an elephant that had passed through perhaps … Full Story ?

19 April 2017 | The Guardian | Oliver Milman |

Five environmental groups point to ‘trophy’ hunting – largely by Americans who travel to Africa – among key threats to animals. Conservationists have lodged a formal request for the US government to list giraffes as endangered in a bid to prevent what they call the “silent extinction” of the world’s tallest land animal. A legal … Full Story ?

18 April 2017 | Business Day | Melissa Reitz |

Conservationists are alarmed by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa’s increasingly dangerous ‘conservation’ proposals Edna Molewa. Picture: RUSSELL ROBERTS Many conservationists are becoming increasingly alarmed about a spate of controversial proposals by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa they feel could jeopardise attempts to conserve the Big Five animals. Over the past two months Molewa has published … Full Story ?

April 2017 | Plos One | Elissa Z. Cameron |

RESEARCH ARTICLE Savanna elephant numbers are only a quarter of their expected values Read original report: Robson et al 2017 Savanna elephant numbers are only a quarter of their expected values Full Story ?

April 2017 | Species+ | |

CITES CITES LISTING APPENDIX COUNTRY DATE NOTES I   13/09/2007 Included in Appendix I, except the populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, which are included in Appendix II. II   13/09/2007 Populations of BW, NA, ZA, ZW See full note I r Malawi 18/01/1990         I   12/01/2005 All populations except … Full Story ?

19 April 2017 | iafrica.com | Oscar Nkala | FREE TO PUBLISH CREDIT CAT

Botswana’s world acclaimed anti-poaching success story is being threatened by budget cuts that have forced the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) to curtail patrols of the crack Rhino Squad. The cuts have also created a huge backlog in unpaid farmer compensation claims arising from the human-animal conflict. Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism minister, … Full Story ?