“I realised that I was in a very vulnerable position and retreated as fast as I could. It took a few sweat-pouring minutes of bounding over boulders…”

“I realised that I was in a very vulnerable position and retreated as fast as I could. It took a few sweat-pouring minutes of bounding over boulders…”

The chacma baboons had started moving away from the waterhole, which was nestled in a steep- sided gorge. Troop ‘elders’ led in a purposeful manner, while youngsters and some who had been resting in shady spots slowly followed suit. My colleague Charmaine and I followed, as many of the baboons settled around a rocky outcrop […]

Read More


Seeking swordfish, catching dolphins and whales: EU pushes to rein in driftnets


Seeking swordfish, catching dolphins and whales: EU pushes to rein in driftnets

Driftnets, vertically hanging nets that drift with ocean currents and can stretch for kilometers, are used to catch large pelagic species such as swordfish and tuna. However, they have long drawn criticism from conservationists as they also capture and kill sharks, turtles, dolphins and other marine wildlife. For decades, debate has raged about use of […]

Read More

“One of the ocean’s fastest and most powerful predators.” Photographer witnesses elegant hunter prowling for prey

“One of the ocean’s fastest and most powerful predators.” Photographer witnesses elegant hunter prowling for prey

As a school of fish swirls above, a marlin prowls through the blue water, its distinctive stripes glinting in the sun. This is the stunning moment caught on film by wildlife filmmaker Alex Westover. Westover shared the spectacular video on Instagram with the caption “marlin magic”. He describes the event as “a rare encounter with one of the ocean’s fastest […]

Read More