South Africa’s popular peri-peri chicken restaurant Nando’s may create fantastic adverts, but according to a global study by World Animal Protection (WAP), they are performing “very poorly” when it comes to taking care of their chickens. In fact, out of nine companies that were assessed, Nando’s came third to last, behind other iconic brands such […]

One of the rarest antelope species in Southern Africa is thriving in the unexpected setting of a Somerset West wine estate. Vergelegen, which hosts 100,000 local and international visitors annually, has welcomed nine newborns to its growing bontebok herd this summer. There are currently 50 bonteboks on the 319-year-old estate, which was acquired by Anglo […]

A High School learner in South Africa is being hailed a hero for braving the smoke and flames that ripped through Hermanus… to save 33 tortoises. Instead of fleeing for his life, Corne Uys not only thought of them… but says he wishes he could have done more. In a message that’s gone viral, Butterfly […]

The Waterberg region of South Africa boasts the third largest population of rhino in the country, most of which are owned by private individuals who receive no financial support in the global fight against rhino poaching… writes René de Klerk for Safari News. Local Waterberg reserve owners Tessa and Ant Baber started Save the Waterberg Rhino (STWR) in […]

PRETORIA – Over 30 pieces of rhino horns were seized at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) Thursday morning during an on-going operation into ridding the airport of criminal activities. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement that recent reports of the detection of Rhino Horns in the East, originating from Southern Africa, […]

Pretoria resident Ria Viljoen is fortunate to be able to visit the Rietvlei Nature Reserve regularly because the City of Tshwane’s 3,800 ha reserve is just 15-20 minutes from her doorstep. But this week Ria had an extra stroke of luck… a rare sighting of cheetahs on the hunt amongst the pink pompoms. On Saturday, Ria […]

They say dogs are a man’s best friend. But today a scared and trapped dog in South Africa discovered that sometimes man can be a dog’s best friend. According to SPCA Midrand a man “came running” to the SPCA today to inform staff about a dog that had fallen into a manhole. Without hesitation, Inspector […]

When it’s so hot, you just have to swim! Thousands of social media users have fallen in love with this video of monkeys ‘monkeying’ around in Durban, South Africa. The video – which has already had over 285,000 views – was shared by regular SAPeople contributor Carol Malley Carol told SAPeople: “We had a cracker […]

South African conservationist Gareth James Legg and his team have just returned from a very successful expedition to Everest base camp where they created some incredible awareness around the plight of the world’s big cats and the environment. During the trek the three passionate South African conservationists – who are all qualified safari guides – […]

A lodge manager and guide at Leopard Rock Lodge, Mark Lautenbach, has been tragically killed in an elephant attack in South Africa. North West MEC for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development, Desbo Mohono said in a statement that Lautenbach was a manager and guide at the Leopard Rock Lodge operating in Madikwe Game Reserve. Lautenbach […]

Animal protection groups have joined forces to persuade Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa to move a 39-year old female elephant called Lammie – who is living a lonely, sad existence since her mate died in September – to a sanctuary. The groups are the Humane Society International / Africa, the EMS Foundation and the Elephant […]

The Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday unveiled four fantastic activity vehicles that will be used to transport tourists with mobility challenges on game viewing activities. The 14-seater activity vehicles form part of the KNP Visitor Management Plan, and can lift weight up to a maximum of 250 kg. “KNP aims to enhance the recognition […]

Big Life Foundation has revealed the harrowing rescue of one of Africa’s largest bull elephants this week in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. The incident occurred on Monday when the elephant was reported to be stuck deep in mud, up to his neck, in a swamp. “Our hearts sank,” said Big Life. “Given the size, […]

Paternal care – where fathers care for their children – is rare among mammals (that is, animals which give birth to live young). Scientists have identified more than 6,000 mammal species, but paternal care only occurs in 5 to 10% of them. Humans fall into that category, along with species like mice and lions. There […]

LUSAKA  – Britain’s Prince Harry on Monday offered Zambia support with boosting the country’s dwindling elephant population, as he began a two-day working visit without his pregnant wife Meghan. The Duke of Sussex, 34, was received at Lusaka airport by dignitaries and colourfully-dressed traditional dancers, later holding a closed-door meeting with Zambian President Edgar Lungu […]

Amidst the horror stories of ruthless rhino poachers or elephant hunters, and the carnage they leave behind, it’s wonderful to be reminded about how many good people there are in South Africa who will never give up saving the country’s wildlife. On Sunday two survivors of rhino poaching will be released back into the wild, […]

Balule Nature Reserve Executive Committee has issued a statement regarding the “harrowing and traumatising” killing of an elephant on Friday afternoon by hunters, near a lodge where visitors were staying. The visitors, staying at the lodge near Hoedspruit next to the Kruger National Park, apparently watched in horror as two hunters gunned down a young […]

NORTH WEST – Eight suspects, including farmers, were arrested on Sunday in South Africa for the alleged illegal possession of game products that ranged from lion bones and meat to tiger’s skin in what has been described as South Africa’s “dirty & shameful predator bone smuggling racket”… which had allegedly been ongoing for years, under […]

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife veterinarian, Dr Dave Cooper, is the 2018 recipient of the Wild Tomorrow Fund’s Umvikeli Wildlife Protector Award. The award is for his lifetime of dedication to the care, management and conservation of rhinos and other wild animals in Africa… reports Larry Bentley from the Zululand Observer. The award recognises an individual or organisation […]

A pride of four lions band together to take down an enormous buffalo in the middle of the road, in the Kruger National Park, in South Africa. The video is quite harrowing to watch as the buffalo moans in pain as it is floored. According to Reuters, the video-filmer said: “On my way to Lower Sabie […]

Hope abounds for South Africa’s lions as a new Parliamentary report has called for an end to captive lion breeding in South Africa! The news has been welcomed by local and international conservationists and NGOs, and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Phillemon Mapulane, has been praised for his part in getting the […]

BEIJING – China has postponed the lifting of a ban on the trade of rhino horn and tiger parts for medicine and other uses, the government said on Monday, after a storm of protest from conservation groups over a plan to water down the decades-old prohibition. In October, the State Council issued a circular replacing […]

The Kevin Richardson Foundation has raised more than R2.7 million in its #LandforLions campaign, breaking the record for the most money ever raised for a single campaign on a South African rewards platform. The campaign by the non-profit organisation was run on crowdfunding website, Thundafund.com, to secure the Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary and ensure a safe […]

The 16th Penguin Festival was held this morning at Seaforth Beach in Simon’s Town… where Nigel Riley captured the ‘waddle to freedom’ of 21 rehabilitated African penguins as they were released back into the wild ocean. The liberation was made even more special for one penguin that had been at a Sanctuary for a whole […]

GABORONE – Around 400 buffaloes drowned after stampeding into the Chobe River along the border between Botswana and Namibia, possibly while running away from lions, the tourism ministry said. The Chobe River flows along the northeastern border of the Chobe National Park, known for the large breeding herds of elephants, giraffe, sable and African buffalo, […]