poachinglatest news & developments
There are far more African forest elephants than conservationists previously thought — not because the critically endangered species is recovering, but because scientists are now able to count them more accurately.

DNA surveys reveal far more African forest elephants than previously known

A new IUCN report shows African forest elephants are more numerous than previously believed, not due to recovery, but thanks to groundbreaking DNA-based surveys that have transformed how the elusive species is counted

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
Horns of a dilemma: A scenes from The Last Ranger, starring Avumile Qongqo, which explores the relationship between human communities and the conservation of rhinos.

The Last Ranger: They are my family, says actress

Oscar-shortlisted South African film is a cinematic call to action against rhino poaching

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
Wild dogs are not the only animals being caught in snares — more than 30 elephants were caught in 2023 alone, as well as hyenas and lions. (File photo by Dianah Chiyangwa)

Unravelling the threads of snaring in Kruger park

Incidents of wildlife snaring have rocketed in South Africa’s flagship national park in the past four years. What’s driving the surge, and how are conservationists facing up to it?

  • Eyaaz
12 min read
The department of forestry, fisheries and the environment awarded a four-year bursary to two learners, one of whom is Kgaugelo Marema, who is in grade 12 at Mapanolla Secondary School in Mokopane.

Lapalala Wilderness School’s rhino initiative works to empower the next generation of conservationists

Two learners receive four-year bursaries plus two years of work after they graduate based on presentations they prepared

  • Eyaaz
3 min read
Photo by Julian Hahne

Meet the real rhino whisperers protecting black rhinos in KwaZulu-Natal

The WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project has established 17 new populations

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
The animals, formerly owned by rhino breeder John Hume, are expected to significantly boost biodiversity in their new home. Photo: Michael Dexter

120 captive rhinos moved to the Greater Kruger wild

The animals, formerly owned by rhino breeder John Hume, are expected to significantly boost biodiversity in their new home

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has reluctantly decided to dehorn its rhinos after KwaZulu-Natal lost 325 rhinos since 2023, the majority of them to poaching.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife resorts to dehorning rhinos to limit poaching

Most of the 325 rhinos that died in KwaZulu-Natal were a result of poaching the animals for their horns

  • Umamah Bakharia
2 min read