As hoped by so many people who have been following the story of Thandi – the brave rhino who survived a cruel poaching incident exactly three years ago today – her little rhino calf, whom she miraculously gave birth to recently, has been named Thembi. The name is meaningful for two reasons. Firstly, Thembi means Hope in isiXhosa. And […]

Kirstenbosch’s suspended walkway, the Boomslang, was today declared Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) at Design Indaba Expo 2015. This award comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden attracted more than one million visitors last year, securing it as one of the most important tourist attractions in South […]

Initial reports that China had banned ivory imports for a year got a severe dousing later today after it was clarified that this ban only referred to ivory carvings. The ban, effective immediately from today (Thursday 26 February 2015), was reported by various media around the world. The New York Times quoted international conservation organizations […]

Today is ‪#‎WorldPangolinDay‬ – an important day to raise awareness for the Pangolin, which is not only one of the world’s weirdest animals (with a tongue longer than its body) but also one of the most heavily trafficked wild mammals in the world. Like the rhino and elephant before it, the Pangolin is threatened by […]

The savage poaching epidemic in South Africa – that has seen over 54 rhino poached in the first six weeks of this year in the Kruger National Park alone – has an impact on not only the rhino, but on the humans who work tirelessly to protect them and are faced with excruciatingly difficult decisions. Karen […]

In less than five minutes, the video below tells the heartbreaking – and inspiring – story of Themba and Thandi, two rhino in South Africa that were brutally poached and left to die two years ago. One of them did ultimately die, tragically drowning 24 days later because of his weakened state. The other survived…and gave […]

Two suspects are expected to appear in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 20th January 2015, for allegedly being involved in the transportation of stolen vehicles across the border and smuggling rhino horns and explosives. The two were arrested following a high level investigation of a syndicate suspected of operating in the Kruger National Park. Police […]

A South African production company has filmed a beautiful documentary series that showcases not only the beauty of Africa, but also the hard-working conservationists on this continent who are protecting and caring for our wildlife and our land. They are The Wild Bunch. (Watch the promo reel below.) Thelma Roos and Robert Waldron, from Wild Dog Productions, […]

There is happy news from the Bush today. Thandi, the female rhino that survived a horrific poaching attack almost three years ago, gave birth to a calf this morning at 08h50. The birth took place at Kariega Game Reserve where two rangers witnessed the joyous event. Shortly afterwards wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds observed the mother and her calf from […]

South Africa has a vast system of natural reserves established to protect the country’s indigenous plants, animals, landscapes and associated cultural heritage, ranging from the vast flagship Kruger National Park – occupying an area larger than Swaziland – to the tiny Bontebok National Park in the Western Cape. These are managed by South Africa National […]

The SanWild sanctuary is on the brink of closure unless urgent funding can be secured. As South Africa’s only dedicated rhino and elephant sanctuary under the control of an animal welfare organisation, this closure would be tragic. The sanctuary has provided a protected refuge for injured, orphaned and traumatised wild animals for the past 14 years, where […]

British photographer Richard Humphries, who recently won an award for his graphic photographic portrait of “South Africa’s Rhino War”, describes the poaching scenes he witnessed in the Kruger National Park as nothing less than a “full-on war”. Richard has a history with South Africa, having lived in the country, with his wife Jill, for three years from […]

Is it the same for everyone now when they hear a sentence with the word ‘ivory’ in it? Does everyone get that feeling? The slightly panicked feeling that we are at the end of yet another year and still the numbers of poached elephants grows. I suspect not everyone feels exactly the same when they […]

It is with sad regret that we have received reports on the death of South African (and international) conservation legend Dr Ian Player. Dr Player who was 87-years-old suffered a serious stroke last Thursday and passed away peacefully at his home in Karkloof, Kwa Zulu Natal today, surrounded by his wife Anne and close family. […]

It is with both hope and despair that we read the latest South African National Parks (SANParks) Press Release on Rhino Poaching in South Africa, and we know that the situation is no less bleak in other African countries. It’s never nice to be the prophet of doom, but really – hasn’t the time come […]

Every year thousands of tourists flock to the Arctic to view the psychedelic swirling skies of the aurora borealis, or northern lights. But few know that this beautiful display is actually a geomagnetic solar superstorm in our atmosphere.   This general lack of knowledge of the sun’s effect on our atmosphere is why the South […]

A South African advertising agency could be taking its cue from the iconic Kevin Costner movie In ‘The Field of Dreams.’ In the movie, Costner’s character gets this crazy notion that he must build a baseball field in the middle of his corn farm in Iowa. A voice keeps telling him, ‘If you build it […]

Most of us, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, have complained at some point about the ‘thieving’ monkeys in South Africa who brazenly enter our homes and steal our bananas. But deep down we’re secretly a little fond of them. We admire their agility, apparent humour and ability to outwit us! And we quite enjoy the fact that […]

The US Department of Justice revealed yesterday that two South African brothers who own Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris have been charged with conspiracy to sell illegal rhinoceros hunts in South Africa in order to defraud American hunters, and engage in money laundering and the secret trafficking of rhino horns. UPDATE JULY 2021: Dawie Groenewald and AB […]

Since early 2011, the ANC Government has been promising the people of the Karoo that they would be consulted before any decision to exploit shale gas in the region was taken. The then Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, vowed her people would speak to everyone in the Karoo. In September 2012, when the moratorium […]

Here’s photographic proof it’s not just humans who like whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears! Award-winning South African photographer Rob Tarr captured this tender scene during a trip through the Kruger National Park. “We’re so spoiled to have such a magnificent nature area available to us,” said Rob. “And every visit to the Kruger always […]

A UK couple who fell in love with South Africa during a holiday here last year, have captured the scene of an eagle with its prey in the Kruger National Park…and would appreciate it if a wildlife expert could identify the prey for them. “We saw this large eagle drop from the sky ahead of us,” […]

As the world joined together today – October 4, 2014 – to take part in the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, the people in Dubai (of which many are South African expats) went a step further. Watch this cool video in which they not only marched…but also created the shape of a rhino on […]

Countries around the world are taking part in the Global March for Elephants and Rhino this weekend, with South Africa’s Soweto making history as it becomes the first time ever that the people of Soweto – who have marched so many times over the years – will now march together for animals. That is how serious the situation […]

Renewable energy spells big things for South Africa’ economic future, if sustainable and affordable solutions are found. Working towards making solar power a feasible source of motoring energy, the Sasol Solar Challenge invites renewable energy addicts from across the globe to compete in an eight-day country-wide endurance challenge. Held every two years under the auspices […]