News
We bring you the latest from around the World in wildlife and conservation news.
Mountain Gorilla Killed
A well known silverback mountain gorilla called Rafiki has been killed in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest Park. Up until recently mountain gorilla’s were classed as critically endangered. Following a significant conservation effort, their numbers are on the rise, however Rafiki’s killing could set that effort back.
Snow Leopard Tourism
Snow leopards are elusive. They live high up in the mountains of central Asia. They inhabit rugged, inaccessible terrain. Estimating their numbers is difficult but the Snow Leopard Trust believes there are between 3500 to 7000 snow leopards in the wild. The cold mountainous climate and harsh surroundings make sightings rare. Tourism to view these beautiful creatures would seem unlikely but that is what is emerging in an effort to help protect them.
Increase in Illegal Jaguar Trade
Jaguars in the wild are classified as near threatened. There are estimated to be 173,000 left in Central and South America, and that number is falling. Their decline is largely due to three reasons. In part it is due to ranchers shooting them for attacking their cattle. A greater threat is deforestation, with about 50% of their historical natural habitat having been destroyed. The third reason is the illegal trade in jaguar body parts for eventual use in products.
World Ocean Day: 10 Amazing Ocean Facts
In celebration and support of World Ocean Day on June 8th we have put together 10 amazing ocean facts. World Ocean Day is an annual event that serves to highlight the importance of Earth’s oceans, inform participants about human impact and unite everyone in the need to protect them.
Saving Tigers – Global Tiger Recovery Programme
Ten years ago the Global Tiger Recovery Programme was launched. All 13 countries that contain tiger regions (called tiger range states) committed to the programme with the focussed goal of doubling tiger numbers in the wild by 2022. In 2010 there were less than 3200 tigers left in the wild.
Botswana to Evacuate Black Rhinos
Government officials in Botswana have said that the coronavirus pandemic has prompted poachers to be more active which is forcing officials to take drastic action. Since the beginning of March, there has been a rise in the number of Rhino killed. There is now a race on to evacuate the critically endangered Black Rhino from the Okavango Delta in Northwestern Botswana so that they don’t become victims of the poachers.
World Penguin Day: 10 Interesting Penguin Facts
World Penguin Day is celebrated annually on the 25th April. The date is significant in that it roughly coincides with the start of the northern migration of Adelie Penguins. There are 17-20 recognised penguin species (it varies depending on different authorities division of subspecies), whose habitats can be found distributed across all the southern hemisphere continents.
Leatherback Turtles Take Advantage of Lockdown
The widespread instruction to stay at home amidst the coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent drop in the number of tourists, has provided wildlife, in many parts of the world, with a chance to thrive.