From the ring-tailed lemur to the aye-aye, a nocturnal primate, more than 20m years of unique evolutionary history could be wiped from the planet if nothing is done to stop Madagascar’s threatened mammals going extinct, according to a new study. It would already take 3m years to recover the diversity of mammal species driven to […]
Tag: bushmeat
Call for hippos to join list of world’s most endangered animals
Hippos could be added to the list of the world’s most endangered animals because of dwindling populations caused by the climate crisis, poaching and the ivory trade. The semi-aquatic mammals are found in lakes and rivers across sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated population of 115,000-130,000. As well as the trade in ivory – found in […]
To win island-wide conservation, Indonesia’s Talaud bear cuscus needs to win hearts
In northern Indonesia dwells a shy and overlooked species: the Talaud bear cuscus. Critically endangered and found on only a few small islands, the marsupial faces a decline due to hunting and habitat loss. Conservation group Progres Sulawesi is spearheading a community-based program to protect this little-known species across the island of Salibabu, which it […]
Bushmeat trade poses a new threat to Tanzania’s endangered giraffes
Increasing human activities and settlement across wildlife corridors fuel poaching incidents of giraffes for game meat and animal fat in Northern Tanzania. Mussa Juma investigates Giraffes, the national animals of Tanzania, have recently become targeted by bushmeat traders and are now under increased threat in the northern parts of country. Recent investigations on wildlife crime […]
Kenya’s 1,400 giraffes face being killed or horribly maimed by poachers
It’s truly breathtaking to see these giraffes as they frolic and feast on acacia trees in the heart of Kenya. But Meru National Park’s 1,400 gangly giants face being killed or horribly maimed by poachers without the help of dedicated conservationists. Newton Simiyu and Francis Kago, from Born Free Kenya’s Saving Meru Giants initiative, are […]
Jaw bombs, the deadliest threat to Sri Lanka’s elephants, are scaling up
WASGAMUWA, Sri Lanka — Elephant calves arriving at dusk to drink at the Weheragala reservoir tank in Wasgamuwa National Park can be particularly playful. But one day in September 2020, a lonely young elephant was spotted exhibiting uneasy behavior. After all the other members of its herd had gone back to the wilderness to retire for the […]
American imports of giraffe trophies and body parts are driving the animals to extinction
Giraffes, with their iconic long necks and unmistakable, beautifully patterned coats, are facing extinction. There are currently fewer than 69,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild today. And the threats of habitat loss and illegal hunting for bushmeat are only exacerbated by demand for giraffe trophies and other products traded internationally. The U.S. is partly […]
Saving Africa’s biodiversity is a challenging but urgent necessity, says Rodger Schlickeisen
Rodger Schlickeisen made a name for himself in conservation circles from the early 1990s thanks to his leadership at Defenders of Wildlife, which grew rapidly in membership and influence during his 20 years at the helm. The group became known as a staunch advocate for wildlife via its defense of the U.S. Endangered Species Act […]