Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
human wildlife conflictlatest news & developments
Urgent action: Even in protected areas, prey depletion and bushmeat snares pose serious risks. Many African countries have set aside significant protected areas that could support three to four times the current lion population if they were adequately funded and managed. Photo: Supplied
AFRICAN LIONS

Poaching for body parts poses ‘existential threat’ to lions

Scientists warn that rising demand in Africa and Asia is fuelling targeted poaching and could push some lion populations towards local extinction

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
From Arctic shorebirds to Amazon river dolphins, migratory species are facing unprecedented risks from climate change, habitat fragmentation and environmental shifts
AMAZON RIVER DOLPHINS

Rising temperatures and extreme weather endanger wildlife migration

From Arctic shorebirds to Amazon river dolphins, migratory species are facing unprecedented risks from climate change, habitat fragmentation and environmental shifts

  • Sheree Bega
3 min read
A scavenger vulture. (Ali Ihsan Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
BIRD KILLINGS

What’s behind the vulture poisonings in Kruger and Chobe parks?

People poison vultures for various reasons, including a belief that they can see into the future and to stop authorities from being alerted to poaching

  • Ozayr Patel
5 min read
Race against time: Work goes on to rescue the De Winton’s golden mole
CHEETAH OUTREACH PROJECT

Environmentalists are trying to save South Africa’s obscure endangered species

Scientists are digging for De Winton’s golden moles, working on the mystery of the riverine rabbit and using mesh mattresses to save the unique Knysna seahorse

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Hunters and hunted: Caracal prey on rodents, hares and antelope. However, they are hunted by farmers during the lambing season. (Thomas Dressler)
CARACALS

Predators: Beauties or beasts?

How farmers perceive jackal and caracal — as ‘beautiful’ or ‘thieves’ — determines whether they will tolerate them on their livestock farms

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read