Campaigners have warned that ivory peddlers may continue to sell elephant tusks after a new ban if they disguise their products as walrus or narwhal derivatives. The trading in elephant teeth and tusks became prohibited in the UK on Monday, and violators could face fines of up to £250,000 or five years in prison under […]
Tag: hippopotamus
Safari leader viciously attacked by hippo has left arm amputated
After his life-changing encounter with the deadly beast in his native Zimbabwe in 1996 – which he claims “stank of rotten eggs” – Paul Templer was left with 39 “serious” bite wounds “.. The wildlife specialist, who was conducting a six-person safari down the Zambezi river, characterized the horrific encounter as “a horrible day at […]
‘I saw a big set of white teeth coming towards me’: the people who survived terrifying wild animal attacks
Although, mercifully, still rare, there are signs that wild animal attacks on humans are increasing. Research from the scientific journal Nature found that, as our urban areas further expand into the territories of carnivorous animals, attacks on pets, livestock and sometimes humans have been on the rise. In Kashmir, local wildlife departments have been reporting […]
Incredible moment zebra is swallowed whole by a monster crocodile among stunning scenes snapped in nature photo contest
THIS is the incredible moment a zebra is swallowed whole by a monster crocodile. The shocking snap is one of 10 jaw-dropping scenes selected for a wildlife photography contest showcasing Kenya’s serene Maasai Mara savannahs. In the pic, the huge reptile pokes its jaws out of the water with an entire bloodied zebra in its […]
UK government seeks to extend protection of ivory-bearing animals
Hippos, walruses and killer whales could receive greater legal protection under government proposals to extend the ban on ivory poaching. The plans would see the Ivory Act broadened to cover more animals, with ministers saying elephants are not the only species at risk. The proposed protections opened for public consultation on Saturday, and the Department […]
POLL: Should Pablo Escobar’s hippos be culled to halt biodiversity disaster?
Hippos imported illegally into Colombia for Pablo Escobar’s private zoo have gone feral in the lush tropical countryside and must be culled before their invasive presence starts to wipe out indigenous flora and fauna, scientists have warned. One of the notorious drug lord’s great extravagances saw him amass a collection of hippos, kangaroos, giraffes, elephants […]
International trade in hippo teeth sparks new alarm
An international trade in hippopotamus teeth and tusks is fast becoming a legal substitute for elephant ivory, a leading conservationist warned. Azzedine Downes, chief executive of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said the practice was concerning. Speaking during a visit to Dubai to discuss unlawful online sales of animal products, he said an increase […]
How many hippos are too many? Proposed cull raises questions
The hippo — really? That’s the common response when tour guides in Africa tantalize travelers with this question: “What’s the most dangerous animal on the continent?” Lion? Rhino? Elephant? No, no, no. Eventually, the tour guide delivers the answer with a twinkle in their eye: the hippo, yes, that water-loving, one-tonne mammalian oddity. Despite their […]