Snares are killing Zimbabwe’s elephants. This vital equipment can save them
It was a gut-wrenching scene: a frantic mother elephant standing guard over her helpless calf, who had been caught in a deadly snare. Desperate and distressed, the pair were vulnerable to predators and poachers alike – and with the baby unable to move, it was only a matter of time before tragedy struck. As soon as our partner, Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust (KAWFT), was alerted to the danger for the snared baby elephant, it raced to the rescue. But the combination of dense bush, a terrified, territorial mother, and outdated equipment made their work extremely difficult. Without the right tools, rescuing injured wild animals – especially large creatures like elephants – can be incredibly dangerous for both the animals and the rescue team. Our expert team acted just in time – sedating the calf, removing the snare, treating its wound, and reversing the sedation before it was too late. Credit: KAWFT Mother elephants are extremely protective of their young, posing a lethal threat to rescuers trying to help – yet if the rescue teams can’t safely access the injured calf, the infant is almost sure to die. Over two days, the team attempted to sedate the animals – but these attempts failed, as they lacked the enhanced equipment needed to safely tranquilize them both through the dense bush from a safe distance. For the baby elephant and her mother, time was rapidly running out. Luckily, on the third day, a local partner was able to help them with the equipment they needed. Once the pair was safely sedated, the team worked fast to remove the snare, treat the calf’s wound and administer powerful medication, and both animals quickly recovered. Mother elephants are fiercely protective of their young, which can pose a serious danger to rescuers trying to save a snared calf. For illustrative purposes only. Next time, the animals might not be so lucky. The only way to ensure our partner can rescue baby elephants and other poaching victims is to equip them with the specialized, life-saving tools they need. This close call highlights just how important it is for our teams to be properly equipped; in just a few more days, the calf would likely have died from infections, predators or poachers. Our partner needs a vital piece of equipment to ensure they’re ready to sedate and treat snared elephants and other animals at a moment’s notice, saving countless lives. Snares are a serious problem in Zimbabwe, posing a deadly threat to wildlife. These cruel wire traps leave animals with horrific wounds, and often cause a slow, painful death if they aren’t removed in time. Credit: KAWFT If we can raise $2,390 (£1,800), we can equip our partner with enhanced tranquilizing equipment, as well as more essential medicines and supplies to carry out life-saving de-snaring operations. The better our teams are equipped, the more animals we can help save. But we can only do it with your support today. Will you help us fund this vitally important tool for animals in distress? Please, donate as much as you possibly can now, and help us reach our goal.
From the frontline to freedom: Three lions rescued from Ukrainian war zone find sanctuary in South Africa
South Africa, 15 September 2025 In a monumental and logistically challenging operation, Animal Survival International today announced the successful relocation of three lions – a lioness named Cleopatra and two cubs, Zorya and Mira – from war-torn Ukraine to a permanent sanctuary in South Africa. After a demanding journey spanning thousands of miles and navigating a live conflict zone, the lions have finally arrived in their ancestral homeland, where they will live out the rest of their lives in peace and safety. The lions in their crates after disembarking at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa – Credit: ASI/Taryn Slabbert. Background and summary The lions were rescued from the war in Ukraine by Animal Survival International’s partner, the Wild Animal Rescue Center (WARC). Lioness Cleopatra was saved from a private zoo that ran out of funds during the war; without WARC, she likely would have been left to fend for herself amidst the violence. Cubs Zorya and Mira were found wandering the battle-scarred frontlines, both with broken back legs and suffering from extreme malnutrition. With help from Animal Survival International, the cubs received the life-saving care they needed – but with missiles exploding closer to the sanctuary every day, they were still not safe. The rescue mission, coordinated and conducted by Anthony Peniston of the LionWatch Project and his dedicated team, was a year in the making and characterized by immense logistical hurdles. The complex undertaking required custom-built crates sponsored by Animal Survival International, veterinary teams on standby, and coordinated ground teams to ensure the animals’ safety and well-being at every stage. Ukraine is a no-fly zone, and the team was forced to plot a meticulous overland route across the country to Warsaw, Poland, constantly on high alert for explosions and military activity. “The challenges we faced were a constant reminder of the war’s devastating impact on all living beings,” said Animal Survival International executive director David Barritt. “Special permits from multiple countries had to be secured and it took a network of dedicated partners to move the lions safely. But with the war creeping closer to the lions’ temporary shelter by the day, we knew we had to get them out before the worst happened.” The lions safely boarded their flight from Warsaw to Doha, and then on to Johannesburg, South Africa. Qatar Airways Cargo provided the flights, free of charge, as a part of their WeQare Rewild the Planet Initiative. Zorya’s release at the LionWatch sanctuary in Alldays, South Africa. Credit: ASI/Taryn Slabbert Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo said, “Our WeQare Rewild the Planet initiative is our commitment to returning wildlife and endangered species back to their natural habitat, free of charge. “It takes a lot of effort and logistics for our team to organize moving such large animals; from the logistics at the airports, loading and unloading the animals from the aircraft, to ensuring the correct cages and well-being of the animals are in place, but it is something we are all collectively very proud and passionate to be a part of.” Upon arrival at the LionWatch Project sanctuary in Alldays, South Africa, the lions took their first steps onto African soil – a moment that symbolized their true homecoming. Here, they will have the space to roam, the shade of trees to rest under, and the sun on their backs – a life that is a world away from the bombs and suffering they have endured in Ukraine. “This is more than just a relocation; it is a life-saving rescue and a chance for these magnificent animals to finally find peace and comfort,” added Anthony Peniston of the LionWatch Project. “They endured unimaginable trauma, but now they are home in Africa, where they belong. The success of this operation is a testament to what we can achieve when we all work together to help vulnerable animals in crisis.” The relocation would not have been possible without the dedication and coordination of all the people and organizations who contributed towards its success. Animal Survival International extends a heartfelt thanks to the following contributors: Wild Animals Rescue Center (WARC) for their incredible work saving animals from active war zones in Ukraine, including Cleopatra, Zorya and Mira, and for providing the lions with shelter and care while they waited to return to Africa. Anthony Peniston and the entire LionWatch Project team for initiating, planning and executing the evacuation and relocation of the three lions from Ukraine to South Africa. Qatar Airways Cargo for sponsoring the flights free of charge from Poland to South Africa via Doha through their WeQare Rewild the Planet initiative, and the flight and ground crews for ensuring a safe, smooth journey for the lions. Leszek Garczarczyk from AirTrans in Poland for constructing the three customised crates for the lions, and Ewa Zadorożna, Dżesika Cyl, Szymon Zawada and Alen Sierżęga for organising all logistics and providing customs support in Poland and across Europe. Leszek Kwiatkowski and LucasK9 for providing the vehicle and driving the team and the three lions in their crates out of Ukraine to the airport in Poland, where they were safely boarded and flown to their new homes. Michael Falls from Pride of Africa Wildlife Solutions (PAWS) for organising all logistical arrangements and providing customs support in South Africa. Customs agencies BROKBRIDGE in the Ukraine and PORTALLS in Poland for helping to clear the lions at the Ukraine-Poland border. The ground staff and airport teams at Warsaw Chopin Airport, Hamad International Airport, and O.R. Tambo International Airport for their incredible support in ensuring the safe passage of the three lions on their journey to their new home in South Africa. Cleopatra in a transport cage at OR Tambo Airport. Credit: ASI/Taryn Slabbert. Banner credit: ASI/Taryn Slabbert
Rare ‘super tusker’ elephants are being relentlessly hunted for their tusks
Every year in East Africa, thousands of cross-border elephants migrate between Kenya and Tanzania – including fewer than 30 ‘super tuskers’ – which are about to be wiped out for good. These rare bull elephants – the last remaining in the region – have enormous tusks that each weigh over 100 pounds (45 kilograms), and which often grow long enough to touch the ground. As you can imagine, these magnificent tusks make them a prime target for blood-thirsty poachers and trophy hunters. This is the fate of a super tusker in Africa. Credit: Africa Geographic The tragic result? Today, fewer than 90 super tuskers remain on the entire African continent – and they’re being killed as you read this. We MUST help them right away. Less than 90 ‘super tusker’ elephants remain on the African continent. Poachers and hunters want to kill them. In the last 100 years, 90% of all African elephants have been wiped out. Of those that remain, less than 90 individuals are famed ‘super tuskers’, with the rare and special big-tusk gene. Super tuskers are prime targets for trophy hunters and poachers. Credit: Africa Geographic (left); Game Animals of the Past and Present (right) Right now, it’s the dry season in East Africa, and these super tuskers travel through wildlife corridors between Kenya and Tanzania in search of food and water. As they traverse the vast, unfenced corridors, they are extremely vulnerable to being poached and killed. While all the region’s elephants face these constant threats, super tuskers are especially targeted – both by ivory poachers and trophy hunters, who see them as a ‘big ticket’ prize. Their efforts to evade these dangers aren’t the only threats. Increasingly frequent droughts across the region are also shrinking elephants’ habitats. Hunger and thirst drive these large animals into human-populated areas. In desperation, they may eat farmers’ crops or seek out water within communities, leading to retaliatory killings. Desperate herds of elephants are facing deadly threats from all sides. Drones will help them. Please, donate today. After decades of excessive hunting and poaching, fewer than 30 super tuskers remain in East Africa. Credit: CTT We are working with Conservation Through Tourism (CTT), dedicated to safeguarding elephants across wildlife corridors between Kenya and Tanzania. Over the past 10 months, it has responded to approximately 740 elephant-related incidents, saving countless lives. It is also the first team in the area to successfully manage human-elephant conflict at night – the most dangerous time for elephants – using advanced anti-poaching technology. Using drones, the team guides elephants toward safe, designated water sources and food, and then back to safety. This ‘guarding from the sky’ keeps elephants away from humans and hunting zones, reducing the animals’ risk of being illegally poached, shot by trophy hunters, or killed by the authorities for damaging human settlements. Thousands of elephants travel between Kenya and Tanzania through wildlife corridors, crossing vast landscapes in search of water and food. This can put them at risk of injury, death, or being shot. Super tuskers are especially vulnerable because their large tusks are highly prized. Credit: Project Kazi Ya Tembo (“Working with Elephants” in Swahili) by CTT. Credits: CTT Our partner is successfully protecting elephants in three key wildlife corridors, but two remain unprotected. Please help us cover the final two corridors. Right now, our partner has three of the five major corridors covered, but must expand into the remaining two unprotected areas. To do this, they need additional drones. Each drone costs $7,000 (around £5,100). Ultimately, our partner needs nine more drones. Every additional drone brings us closer to full protection across all five corridors. Super tusker ‘Mkungunero,’ named after the area in Tanzania where he spends much of his time, is one of the thousands of elephants that our partner works hard to protect every day. Credit: CTT With the dry season well underway, now is the most perilous time for elephants as they wander thousands of miles in search of food and water each day. The threats are everywhere. We must help right away. Please, donate now, and help us protect East Africa’s last remaining super tusker elephants.
Lions rescued from the Ukraine war have ONE CHANCE to get to safety.
Right now, preparations are underway to evacuate three terrified lions from the war in Ukraine to a safe sanctuary in South Africa. After months of careful planning, we are finally ready to fly the animals – a lioness and two cubs rescued from the war – to safety in South Africa. Securing the relocation of these battle-scarred animals during a horrific war has been a very slow and complex process. Now, as bombs explode right outside their temporary shelter in Ukraine, we are racing to get the lions out before the worst happens. Rescued from the frontlines of the war in Ukraine, a lioness and two cubs have ONE CHANCE to escape the violence. WARC is a temporary shelter for big cats rescued in war-torn Ukraine, but lions can’t stay there forever. With your help, we will relocate Cleopatra, Zorya and Mira to the safety of a sanctuary in South Africa. Credit: WARC These animals have been through hell. Cleopatra the lioness was rescued from a private zoo in Ukraine after it ran out of funds during the war. Without our partner, the Wild Animal Rescue Center (WARC), she likely would have been left to fend for herself amidst the violence – and that’s exactly what happened to the two tiny lion cubs, Zorya and Mira. These helpless cubs were saved from the frontlines, both suffering from broken back legs and malnutrition. We don’t know where they came from or how they were injured; all we know is that they don’t belong in the Ukrainian war zone. The road to freedom for these three lions has been a long one. Ukraine is a no-fly zone, so it was necessary to plot a careful route on land through the war-torn country. For the safety of the animals and our team, we cannot divulge any further details. Now, with a lifetime of safe sanctuary waiting for them in South Africa, we are finally ready to send them home – and for that, we need your support. Recent missile strikes hit nearby Kyiv, shattering windows at WARC. The shock from the blast killed one vulnerable rescued animal and left others traumatized. Credits: Fox News (left); WARC (right) Missiles are exploding all around the lions’ temporary sanctuary in Kyiv Oblast. We MUST evacuate them FAST! Every day we delay puts the animals at a greater risk – right now, missiles are landing so close to WARC’s sanctuary that its windows have shattered. Tragically, a young rescued deer recently died from the shock of the blasts. As the war creeps closer and closer to WARC’s shelter, time is rapidly running out for the animals! WARC has rescued countless big cats from war-torn Ukraine, but with the war escalating, animals and caregivers are at a greater risk than ever. Please help us get them out – fast. Credit: WARC We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relocate Cleopatra and the cubs to a safe sanctuary in South Africa – please, Friend, help us get them there. We have partnered with an established wildlife rescue center in South Africa, which is conducting the rescue and has pledged to give Cleopatra, Zoyra and Mira a permanent home at its magnificent, species-appropriate sanctuary. The animals’ transport permits have been approved, and plans are in place to evacuate the cats soon. But we need your help to fund their travel. We promised to do everything we could to find a home for Zorya and Mira last year — and now that home is finally within reach. Help us bring them HOME! Please help us transport Cleopatra, Zoyra and Mira to the safety of a sanctuary in South Africa. Credit: WARC Today you have the opportunity to change the course of three lives forever – and possibly even more. This is because Cleopatra will be joining a lonely male lion, Mufasa, who desperately desires a partner. Together, they will form their own small pride. This beautiful story is about to unfold in Africa – and together, we can write its happy ending. Please, donate as much as you possibly can today. Cleopatra, Zoyra and Mira deserve happiness, freedom and safety – and together, that is exactly what we will give them.
This infant flying fox is fighting for life after falling from his mother
Tragically, baby flying fox Onyx was orphaned when he lost his grip on his mother and fell from her body. He was tiny and just a few weeks old. Infants like Onyx are born blind, hairless and completely reliant on their mothers. Becoming separated is bewildering, terrifying and, in most instances, fatal. The odds of survival for orphaned flying foxes are low – but, with your help, Onyx has a chance. Baby flying foxes, also known as pups, cling to their mothers for the first several weeks of their lives. This (pictured right) is what happens when they fall. Credit: Batusi Nights and Hugh Pitty For these remarkable little ecosystem engineers, life can be brutal, and deadly threats are everywhere. Tiny Onyx would have been completely defenceless in an inhospitable landscape. Infants fall from their mothers for a variety of reasons: predator attacks, flying difficulties (due to mothers’ injuries), or their mothers being ill, injured or starving. They are also torn apart when hunters catch the mothers to be killed and eaten in ‘bat curry’ – a local ‘delicacy’ fed to tourists. Most of these helpless infants do not make it. But Onyx was one of the lucky ones, because our partner, Protect Paradise Seychelles (PPS), came to the rescue. He was immediately taken into their care, given critical nutrition and treated for parasites. Now in the safe care of Protect Paradise, the fight is not over during this critical period of treatment and rehabilitation. Credit: Protect Paradise But Onyx’s fight for survival is not over yet – and he needs YOUR help today. This vulnerable infant will need close monitoring, treatment and expert rehabilitation for at least six months. If we can raise $3,000 (£2,240), we can cover his treatment for six months, as well as help provide life-saving care and nutrition for the other orphaned baby bats in our partner’s care. Flying foxes are delicate, harmless and vitally important to the environment. Flying fox mothers and their pups share a strong, dependent bond. Credit: Nico Faramaz/Shutterstock Flying foxes are critical in pollinating flowering plants and dispersing seeds, keeping forests healthy. They reproduce very slowly, giving birth to just one pup a year, so every life counts. Caring for our planet means caring for all its creatures – not only the majestic elephants of Africa, but also the tiniest flying foxes fighting for survival in an unforgiving landscape – like Onyx. Today, this little fighter and so many others like him need every ounce of your support to survive. He’s counting on you – please, donate to his recovery today.
Vulture capitalism: how black markets for black magic threaten African vultures
Article written by Nico Arcilla and Abiola Sylvestre Chaffra Originally published by Cambridge Core blog, 26 August 2025 Many species of vultures in Africa and Asia have exhibited precipitous global declines in recent decades. In Asia, vulture declines have been linked to unintentional poisoning by the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is highly toxic to vultures feeding on carcasses of treated livestock. In Africa, poisoning related to pastoralism has been identified as a major driver of vulture declines, and mass vulture mortality events have occurred at poisoned carcasses illegally left by livestock herders to target carnivores. However, vultures in West Africa are also heavily persecuted for a poorly understood, yet rapidly growing threat: a thriving international black market to supply wildlife for belief-based treatments in what is often called black magic. Across West Africa, vultures are among the highest-priced and most coveted birds among at least 354 avian species persecuted for the rapidly growing international trade related to African religious practices. In Ghana, for example, hooded vultures are persecuted, trapped, and killed at landfills and outdoor slaughterhouses for illegal trade to meet demand in Nigeria. Despite the fact that much of this trade is illegal, black markets in Benin alone feature at least 268 bird species, 96 mammal species, and 59 reptile species, and vultures feature prominently. Although ~50% of Benin’s population identifies as Christian, vodun (also known as voodoo) is recognized by Benin’s government as a national religion. Vodun practices include ritual sacrifice, including both the sacrifice of live animals in rituals as well as the ritual use of animal carcasses and body parts. Vultures and other raptors are among the most traded and valuable products sold in vodun, or “fetish,” markets. High demand for vultures has driven prices paid for a single hooded vulture to exceed the average monthly income in Benin. The result is that hooded vultures are the most commercially exploited vulture species in West Africa, despite the fact that they are critically endangered. We interviewed 115 vendors selling hooded vultures and/or their body parts at nine different markets in Benin to understand the extent and drivers of this illegal trade. The vast majority (95%) of Beninois vulture traders we interviewed reported practicing vodun. Nearly all (99%) were male, and most (85%) were aged between 18 and 30 years old. Most (58%) vendors had no formal education and most (59%) identified themselves as witch doctors. All vendors we interviewed were Fon, the largest of Benin’s approximately 42 ethnic groups. Over four months, we counted a total of 522 hooded vultures in market stalls. The majority (73%) of these consisted of whole dried vulture carcasses, while 17% were vulture heads, and 9% were live birds. Previous research published nearly 10 years ago estimated an annual take of 975–1,462 hooded vultures across West Africa. Our counts of vultures for sale in Benin alone suggest that trade in vultures has grown significantly since then. Vultures offered for sale in Benin originated from at least 10 foreign countries, especially Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Niger, suggesting there are far-reaching impacts of illegal trade on vulture populations in West Africa. Vodun practitioners believe the regular consumption of vulture meat makes them invulnerable to witchcraft. Those willing to pay the price can also obtain prescriptions including vultures or their parts that promise benefits such as bringing good luck, winning the lottery, and success in business and/or politics. Live vultures can fetch prices up to seven times higher than the average monthly income in Benin. Moreover, over a 20-year period, prices paid for hooded vultures increased by over 100 times in Nigeria, and prices paid in Ghana and Benin appear to be even higher. Although Benin laws ban the hunting, capture, possession, and trade of vultures, there has never been a prosecution relating to this legislation in Benin. We also found other endangered and critically endangered vulture species offered for sale, including the white-backed vulture, Rüppell’s vulture, white-headed vulture, and lappet-faced vulture. Current legislation protecting vultures thus appears to be ineffective, despite serious legal, conservation, and animal welfare concerns. The vast majority (92%) of vendors we interviewed reported that they were aware of legislation protecting vultures but did not consider that such legislation applied to them. Benin’s wildlife markets also featured at least 12 other raptor species, including rare and endangered species, for sale, together with a vast array of other wildlife. Previous research in Africa has found that many people relying on belief-based approaches to their problems tend to be poor and that payments associated with visiting witch doctors tend to total more than 10 percent of their household budgets, driving ongoing poverty. On the other hand, recent increases in wildlife trade for belief-based use are partly attributed to wealthy buyers relying on animal sacrifice and other fetish practices to solicit success. For example, a recent study found that nearly half of buyers at Togo’s main fetish market comprised businessmen and politicians seeking to increase their power and wealth.
Devastating – 22-year-old critically endangered black rhino killed by poachers in Zimbabwe
After nearly two decades without a single poaching incident, our anti-poaching partner in Zimbabwe recently suffered a horrifying loss. Gomo, a 22-year-old black rhino, was brutally killed in a meticulously planned poaching attack. Within just 15 minutes, poachers had breached an electrified fence, shot Gomo – whose name means ‘Mountain’ in the Shona language – and hacked off both his horns at the base. They then escaped with the horns and left his still-warm carcass for our devastated team to find. Poachers used an axe to hack off the horns of a 22-year-old black rhino. Gomo didn’t deserve to be brutally killed for his horns. Credit: IRWC (left) & The Guardian (right) The poachers deliberately struck when the team would least expect it – the middle of the day. Most poaching typically happens under the cover of darkness. Anti-poaching equipment alerted our partner, Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation (IRWC), to the breach. But by the time they had navigated the dense bush and difficult terrain, it was too late. Gomo was dead. To prevent more rhino deaths, our partner must improve its early warning system so it can locate rhinos and catch poachers before they kill again. This is where we need your help. Zimbabwe is home to just over 600 black rhinos – a population under severe threat. Credit: Alpha Wolf Vision The anti-poaching team has one drone which they use every day to locate the rhinos and ensure they are safe. But with 11,200 acres (4,500 hectares) to patrol, one drone just isn’t enough. A second drone, as well as training an additional pilot, is crucial to enable the team to provide 24/7 monitoring throughout the massive conservancy. These are no ordinary drones. They have been specifically designed to help anti-poaching teams protect animals and catch criminals before they can strike. Each drone boasts night-vision and thermal imaging technology, so they can be used at any time and in any terrain – ensuring full coverage even at night, or in dense forested areas. Drones also capture crucial footage that can be used to prosecute poachers in court, where those found guilty of killing protected animals like rhinos can face up to nine years in a Zimbabwean prison. Gomo’s death is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of these animals – and of the deviousness of the criminals who hunt them. If we can raise $10,575 (around £7,848), we can pay for the additional drone, giving the remaining rhinos like Gomo, and other animals, an extra layer of safety and protection from cunning poachers. To prevent more needless deaths, we must strengthen security, respond faster, and stay one step ahead of poaching syndicates. Drones are vital in identifying poaching threats, especially in thick brush, and are a critical tool in protecting rhinos from attack. Credit: SANParks Rhino horn is mistakenly believed to have medicinal properties and is sought after for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Driven by greed, poachers are becoming increasingly smart and well organized. Our partners MUST remain a step ahead. Drones are the best solution, and with your help today, we will purchase another for our team, doubling their ability to track and protect endangered animals. Please, donate right away. Gomo’s death is tragic — let his loss be the motivating force we need to better protect our rhinos.
‘Rhino baron’ John Hume in court for 964 ‘fraudulent’ horn permit deals
Article written by Tony Carnie Originally published by The Daily Maverick, 19 August 2025 South African “rhino baron” John Frederick Hume built up the world’s biggest private herd of more than 2,000 rhinos, betting to make a fortune by selling their horns legally to traders in the Far East. But his dreams turned sour roughly two years ago when he was forced to sell his rhinos after failing to overturn an international ban on the sale of rhino horns from this increasingly threatened species — and now he is in the dock with five fellow suspects, facing more than 50 criminal charges centered around allegations of theft, fraud, and “possible racketeering and money laundering.” The 83-year-old former property developer, who grew up on a sheep farm in the Cape and a cattle ranch in Zimbabwe, was released on R100,000 bail after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 19 August. John Hume in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on 19 August. Credit: Felix Dlangamandla With him in the dock were two attorneys, Izak du Toit and Elizabeth Catharina van Niekerk; former rhino ranch manager Johannes Hennop; insurance broker and part-time farmer Mattheus Pogenpoel from the Free State; and Clive John Melville, a relative of Hume who has previously been charged with forging a document to falsely authorise the transport of rhino horns belonging to Hume. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, all six suspects are alleged to be involved in an illegal rhino horn trafficking syndicate. “It is alleged that between 2017 and 2024, the accused operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). “They allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally while intending to channel the horns into illegal international markets in Southeast Asia. The fraudulent scheme is estimated to involve 964 rhino horns valued at R250 million.” Further details of the charges against Hume and his alleged conspirators will emerge in Daily Maverick shortly — including claims that they recruited homeless people as part of a fraudulent scheme to disguise the illegal sale of rhino horns destined for black market dealers in Vietnam, China, and other Far East nations where rhino horn is prized as a cure for hangovers and cancer or simply as a status symbol due to its global rarity. John Hume, Clive Melville, Izak du Toit, Catherina van Niekerk, Matheus Poggenpoel and Johannes Hennop in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on 19 August. Credit: Felix Dlangamandla Search and seizure raids It is understood that the Special Investigating Unit (the Hawks) has been on the trail of Hume and his alleged accomplices for at least eight years, culminating in a series of search and seizure raids earlier this month that led to the confiscation of numerous documents, as well as batches of M99, a powerful veterinary drug used to immobilise large mammals such as rhinos. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo on Tuesday said Hume and five fellow suspects handed themselves over to the Hawks investigation team at the Sunnyside Police Station in Pretoria following a “complex investigation into transnational trafficking of rhino horns. “Investigations discovered an allegation of fraud against the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), where the suspects allegedly applied for the permits to sell and buy rhino horn locally, but they were earmarked for the international illegal markets in Southeast Asia. “Over the past 15 years, more than 10,000 rhinos have been slaughtered by poachers and international syndicates hoping to profit from the illicit smuggling of horns. “The identified fraudulent permit scheme accounts for an estimated 964 rhino horns with an estimated value of millions of rands. Further investigation revealed that the DFFE was allegedly defrauded by a well-designed scheme by the suspects to traffic rhino horns and to participate in the international illegal rhino horn markets.” Singo noted that rhino horns can be bought and sold legally to South African citizens, provided that the seller and buyer apply for permits in terms of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004. The DFFE is the only body that can authorise the issue of permits for the buying and selling of rhino horns at a domestic level, but in terms of an international ban, they may not be exported or sold to non-South African citizens. A rhino is drugged before its horn is removed at John Hume’s farm in Mpumalanga. Credit: Gallo Images / Rapport / Conrad Bornman Sources have indicated to the Daily Maverick that there were attempts to disguise sales of legally registered horns by recruiting homeless people as legal domestic buyers, before the illegal export of horns to the Far East Daily Maverick reached out to some of the suspects and their attorneys for comment but had not received responses by the time of publication. In his WordPress web page, Hume describes himself as one of the world’s greatest rhino conservationists and “a passionate campaigner against their extinction.” In this narrative, Hume recorded that in 1992, at the age of 50, “having made a good living from developing holiday resorts,” he bought his first wildlife ranch, Mauricedale Game Ranch, next to the Kruger National Park. In 1993, he bought his first rhinos and “soon fell in love with this iconic species. “For the next 13 years, he successfully bred 143 rhino calves from a breeding herd of 130 southern white rhinos, until tragedy struck in 2007. This was when he lost his first rhino to poachers. He realised then that Mauricedale’s proximity to both the Mozambican border and the Kruger National Park exposed his rhino to far too much danger, and he made the difficult decision in 2008 to relocate to the safer North West province of South Africa. This more remote location, as well as the flat expansive savanna grassland, provided the ideal habitat for his rhino and afforded much better security options.” Captive breeding ranch With the rhino poaching crisis escalating, Hume established the first captive breeding ranch for southern white rhinos in South Africa “to serve
Last call to have your name honored at new vet clinic for abused tigers
For almost 20 years, Rambo the tiger lived in a concrete cell in Thailand, sentenced to life imprisonment for tourists’ entertainment. The first thing he did upon being rescued was take a swim. For five blissful hours, the Bengal tiger – a species known to love water – experienced the joy of swimming for the first time in his life. Rambo is elderly, half blind, and suffers from severe dental issues due to years of malnutrition and gnawing on the metal bars of his cage. In order to live his final years without pain, he needs the very best, dedicated care – and for that, he needs you. An injured and malnourished Rambo was rescued from the now defunct Phuket Zoo. Credit: WFFT Rambo and other sick, elderly, disabled wild animals have only ever known abuse. Can they count on YOU for kindness in their final years? Rambo was rescued along with 10 other tigers from the defunct Phuket Zoo by our partner, Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT). He and his fellow captive cats had been used as photo props, most likely kept drugged and chained to prevent them from harming visitors. Most suffer from severe health and psychological issues due to malnutrition and poor care, combined with the stress of living in cruel captivity. When the zoo closed down, many of the animals were abandoned to die. By the time Rambo was rescued by our partner, one eye was damaged beyond repair. No one knows what happened, but the injury was so severe it was causing him painful ulcers, and the eye had to be removed. Malnutrition and years spent gnawing on the bars of his cage in desperation has led to Rambo’s severe and chronic dental issues. Credit: WFFT Freeing tigers like Rambo from their cages is only the first step – without your kindness, they cannot receive the life-saving care they need to survive. After decades of abuse, they DESERVE a happy retirement! After 20 years of suffering, Rambo now spends his days lazing in the refreshing lake at WFFT’s Tiger Rescue Centre and hanging out with his best friend and fellow Phuket Zoo rescue, Susu. But the abuse has left him and his friends with life-long damage that causes chronic pain, illness and discomfort. WFFT has an ever-increasing number of animals like Rambo needing rescue and treatment, including animals whose teeth were filed down or removed by their cruel captors. Many of these animals require constant medical care if they are to live a pain-free life – and WFFT needs specialized veterinary equipment to give this to them. Our partner has just built a crucial on-site clinic to enable them to provide the animals with the expert veterinary care they need. But they are missing critical equipment and supplies – and until we can purchase these essentials, the clinic cannot be fully operational. Rambo with his friend and fellow liberated tiger, Susu. Credit: WFFT If we can raise the outstanding $12,000 (approximately £9,000), we can transform our partner’s new clinic into a fully-functioning hospital for animals in desperate need. You have the opportunity to make a lasting impact for these deserving souls. The clinic is about to open, but there are still desperately needed medical supplies outstanding. With your support today, WFFT can be fully operational when its clinic opens, ensuring that every animal gets the high-quality care they need and deserve. If you donate $600 (£440) or more, you will be honored with a personalized plaque at the entrance of the hospital to thank you for your generosity. Any donors who gift $600 (£440) or more will be honored with a personalized plaque at the entrance of the hospital to thank you for your generosity. Should you make this generous donation, please email info@animalsurvival.org once you have completed your donation, and let us know what name you would like on the plaque. Please, donate today, and give Rambo and his friends the greatest gift they could ask for: a healthy, pain-free retirement.
Lizard Island coral death reaches 92 per cent after 2024 bleaching event, study finds
Article written by Stuti Mishra Originally published by The Independent, 08 July 2025 Last year’s bleaching was part of a global marine heatwave that hit tropical reefs across the planet Almost all of the surveyed coral at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef died after last year’s bleaching event, a new study found, revealing one of the highest coral mortality rates ever recorded anywhere in the world. The 2024 bleaching was part of a global marine heatwave that hit tropical reefs across the planet. Even though Lizard Island did not experience the most extreme temperatures, the coral death rate was still “unprecedented”, researchers noted. “These results highlight the fragility of coral ecosystems facing increasing stress from climate change, and the possible devastation resulting from the 2024 global bleaching event,” study lead author Dr Vincent Raoult of Griffith University explained. The study team used drone surveys and in-water observations to monitor 20 reef sections at the island’s northern and southern ends. Bleaching had affected an average of 96 per cent of living coral. By June, after peak heat stress, mortality had reached 92 per cent, with some areas seeing losses of more than 99 per cent. “Our results are concerning for coral resilience considering the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events predicted for the near future, with potentially irreversible consequences for reef ecosystems,” Prof Jane Williamson from Macquarie University, the study’s senior author, said. The researchers used high-resolution imagery from drones to track the same reef areas before and after the bleaching, giving them precise visual data on coral loss. “Using drone-derived imagery, we followed the amount of bleached and living coral during and after the bleaching event,” Prof Williamson said. “Use of this technology lets us upscale the effects of the bleaching event over larger areas but still at high precision.” Unusually, the study found no significant difference in mortality between the northern and southern reef sections. “We often expect environmental differences between sites to influence bleaching outcomes, but in this case, the damage was widespread and severe across all surveyed areas,” Dr Raoult said. In some reef patches, less than 1 per cent of coral remained alive, indicating that even moderate heat stress could lead to catastrophic outcomes for ecosystems already weakened by repeated events. Bleaching is a phenomenon where corals lose their vibrant colours and turn white, normally due to changes in temperature. Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, providing habitat and food for an array of marine species. Scientists say the 2024 event pushed an already vulnerable ecosystem over the edge. According to Animal Survival International (ASI) researcher, Savannah Anderson, coral bleaching leaves corals highly vulnerable to disease, mortality and even more sensitive to environmental changes. “This is a problem because corals provide habitat, shelter, nursing grounds and food for a huge diversity of marine organisms. Corals are “habitat creating organisms” or “ecosystem engineers” as their colonies develop physical habitat for numerous other species. Coral bleaching often results in coral death which ultimately causes “dead reefs” and the loss of important species.” Lizard Island has suffered repeated ecological shocks in recent years, including severe bleaching in 2016 and 2017, cyclones, and outbreaks of coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns starfish. Despite experiencing a heat stress level of 6C-weeks, lower than some other parts of the reef, coral mortality at Lizard Island exceeded historical records. There was no major difference between the northern and southern sites, but the cumulative impacts of climate-linked events appeared to have compounded damage to the reef. The researchers continue to monitor the Lizard Island corals, hoping to assess whether any recovery happens by 2026.
Extreme tourism congestion at Serengeti River crossing imperils lives of wildebeest
We are deeply disturbed by recent social media coverage showing extreme congestion of game-watching vehicles and tourists during the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park. Wildlife tourism should never occur at the cost of the animals’ wellbeing. It is unacceptable that hundreds of vehicles and thousands of tourists blocked key access points for animals, forcing confused and panicked wildebeest to jump off of cliffs, and leaving several injured. We condemn the actions of all those involved and call on Tanzania National Parks and Serengeti National Park authorities to urgently improve regulation and enforcement. Witnessing wildlife is a privilege, not a right. We urge rangers, tour operators, and tourists alike: Do better. Respect the wild. Banner credit: Instagram / @nickkleer
Poachers are decimating critically endangered rhinos in South Africa.
Today, I want to share a truly heartbreaking fact: 95% of all rhinos have been wiped out by humans. There are only around 27,000 rhinos left in the wild. If we allow the slaughter to continue, these majestic animals could vanish in our lifetime. Rhino horn has long been in high demand across Asia, prized for its supposed medicinal qualities – none of which have ever been proven by science – and as a twisted status symbol. To extract a rhino’s horn, poachers will brutally kill the animal, often in front of its infant – mother rhinos are particularly vulnerable as they will not leave their helpless calves alone, making them easy, slow-moving targets. Sometimes, horns are viciously hacked off while the animal lies dying in agony. Credit: Cat Reed Photography South Africa’s anti-poaching teams are on the frontline of the fight to save these precious creatures. With so few rhinos left alive, here’s how YOU can help. We are working with a small private reserve in the North West province of South Africa, which is safeguarding a number of critically endangered rhinos; for safety reasons, we cannot tell you where it is or how many rhinos live there. The team has a multi-faceted approach to providing 24-hour monitoring and protection for their rhinos, including a highly-trained Rhino Protection K9 Unit. Expanding this Rhino Protection K9 Unit is critical to protecting vulnerable rhino populations. Credit: Cat Reed Photography Last year, the team introduced eight new K9s to improve coverage of its vast reserve, especially at night when the risk of poaching is greatest and when the dogs’ keen sense of smell is a crucial asset. The K9 unit is dispatched solely for tracking scents – a critical skill in anti-poaching efforts – and each dog works closely with its handler. The wellbeing, safety and protection of the dogs is a top priority for the team. We know that measures like this are working. Poaching declined 16% in South Africa in 2024, due in large part to the efforts of anti-poaching teams – but if we are to save the species, we must do more. To care for these dogs properly, they need premium nutrition, vaccinations, parasite treatment and shelter. But after being forced to use almost all their emergency funds to feed and water their animals during a devastating drought – and with no help from the government – our partner is now struggling to cover these critical costs. If we can raise $5,400 (£4,050), we can support eight canines for an entire year, providing critical shelter, nutrition and care. This elite rhino protection K9 unit is essential in the fight against poaching – and it works. But without funding by wildlife warriors like you it cannot survive. Your donation will care for teams dedicated to protecting rhinos. Their protection is crucial to safeguard the future of this majestic species. Credit: Jacaranda FM Thanks to the dogs’ agility and exceptional sense of smell, they can track poachers over vast distances, sniff out contraband items, and gather crucial intelligence for convictions, making the K9 unit a vital tool in preventing wildlife crime and prosecuting criminals. Please, donate today, and help us protect our iconic rhinos from disappearing forever.
Cyborg bees to be Chinese military scouts
Article written by Allegra Mendelson Originally published by The Telegraph (July 10, 2025) Scientists direct where insects fly by inserting controllers in their brains How it works: The brain-controlling device, weighing 74mg, is strapped to the bee’s back Scientists in China are turning bees into cyborgs by inserting controllers into their brains and deciding where they should fly. The bees – part insect, part machine – could serve as military scouts or be used to search for survivors following a natural disaster. Zhao Jieliang, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, and his team recently developed the world’s lightest brain controller – weighing only 74 milligrams, or less than a pinch of salt. The device is strapped to the back of a worker bee and pierces its brain with three needles to instruct it to fly in specific directions. Based on the tests conducted by Prof. Zhao and his team, the device worked nine times out of 10, and the bees obeyed the instructions. With this type of technology, the scientists believe that “cyborg bees” can be used in covert operations or in missions in locations inaccessible to humans. The microdevices can be equipped with cameras, listening devices, and sensors that allow the insects to collect and record information, which can then be relayed back to their operator. Given their small size, they could also be used for discreet military or security operations, as they would be able to crawl through small spaces that humans and larger robots wouldn’t be able to reach and do so without arousing suspicion. “Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities, and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,” Prof. Zhao and his colleagues wrote in their paper, which was published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering on June 11. “Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism, and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations,” they wrote. Earlier reports on this research showed scientists outfitting other insects, such as beetles, with microchips and wiring, which they would use to control the bug’s movement with infrared rays and Bluetooth signals. One of the “backpacks” that the scientists had developed weighed only 23 mg, nearly a third of what the cyborg bees carry. Scientists in Singapore have also developed miniature cyborg controllers, but these were bigger and heavier. These devices, however, were strapped to cockroaches, which were used to help the search and rescue efforts following Myanmar’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake in March. Several other countries, including the US and Japan, are also racing to create cyborg insects. While Prof. Zhao’s team has made great strides in advancing the technology, challenges remain. For one, the current batteries aren’t able to last very long, but any larger and the packs would be too heavy for the bees to carry. The same device cannot easily be used on different insects, as each responds to signals on different parts of their bodies. China has been working to miniaturize its technology in other fields, with the country unveiling mosquito-sized drones in June as well.
War threatens the last remaining gorillas in the Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has endured decades of conflict and broken peace deals. This year, war erupted again, leaving millions displaced and thousands dead. Amid the chaos, critically endangered gorillas face a terrifying fight for survival, because they are at risk of being POACHED for their meat. In the chaos of war, endangered and critically endangered gorillas are in serious danger. Rangers recover the bodies of poached gorillas in the DRC. Credit: rwandagorilla.com War has led to a surge in poaching. Driven by desperation, starving people are hunting wildlife, and this puts the region’s iconic gorillas – all of which are listed as endangered or critically endangered – at grave risk. This conflict could wipe out the last of the DRC’s gorillas. We must help right away. We are working with The Gorilla Organization (TGO), which protects gorillas and their habitats in the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Recently, gorilla rangers have battled increasingly hostile conditions, making their already dangerous work even more perilous. To protect these precious animals, they’ve been forced to dodge armed militia and navigate a terrifying, war-torn landscape – yet the rangers have continued their vital work despite the lethal dangers all around them. Dozens of wildlife species, including critically endangered gorillas, are poached for their meat and body parts. Credit: Pan African Sanctuary Aliance The gorilla rangers desperately need satellite communication devices if they have any hope of protecting the last of the DRC’s gorillas. In a crisis like this, reliable communication is critical to saving animal lives. It allows teams to alert one another to situations that could put gorillas at risk, and to coordinate their conservation efforts effectively, intercepting hunters and poachers, and protecting wild animals. But much of the country’s infrastructure, telephone networks and public services are disrupted, and communication is one of the biggest challenges for the team, leaving many helpless gorillas at grave risk of being killed. If the brave, dedicated rangers have any hope of protecting these vulnerable animals, we MUST equip the team with satellite phones right away. If we can raise $4,800 (£3,600), this is exactly what we will do. These devices are designed to provide reliable communication even in the most extreme and remote environments, and offer voice and text messaging, GPS location tracking and an SOS alert button, all with near-global coverage. There has never been a more important time to have a reliable communication network than right now. Some species of gorilla have declined 80% since the 1990s, placing them on the critically endangered list and on the fast-track to extinction. The chaos has enabled poachers in the country to intensify their illegal activities, while driving people to kill gorillas for food. Unless we act, the conflict could easily undo more than 30 years of conservation work. Without help, gorillas will be pushed closer and closer to the brink of extinction – until it’s too late to save them. Please donate right away and help us do all we can to help protect this fragile species.
England wildlife regulator chair ‘enthusiastic’ about lynx rewilding
Article written by Patrick Barkham Originally published by The Guardian (June 30, 2025) Views on apex predators are still polarized, says Natural England head, as activists apply for trial release in Northumberland The head of the government’s wildlife regulator has said he remains enthusiastic about reintroducing lynx to Britain and would be “absolutely delighted” if it could be achieved during his two-year term. But Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, said debates over the animal’s release were “still quite polarized,” and more engagement was required to understand how communities would be affected. The Lynx UK Trust has submitted a draft application for a trial return of lynx to England’s largest forest, Kielder, in Northumberland, using wild animals rescued from culls in Sweden. The charismatic but elusive Labrador-sized cats live in forests and prey mainly on deer or rabbits, posing no threat to humans. The species was hunted to extinction in Britain, finally disappearing from Scotland in the Middle Ages. By the 1950s there were barely 700 Eurasian lynx left in Europe, but in recent decades the population has bounced back to 18,000, boosted by a reduction in persecution and successful reintroductions to areas of Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and other countries. Natural England officials have told the Lynx UK Trust that a trial reintroduction cannot proceed because the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) rules it illegal under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. According to the trust, this could be solved with a simple statutory instrument – a legal tweak – but the charity’s chief executive, Paul O’Donoghue, said Steve Reed, the environment secretary, had not responded to attempts to arrange a meeting despite giving an initial warm response. O’Donoghue said that if the government would not review the trust’s application for a licence for a trial release, it would launch a court challenge. Asked if he believed lynx could be reintroduced, Juniper said, “It should be looked at, and I know people are looking at it.” He said he hoped that “a cross-border conversation with colleagues in Scotland” could boost prospects for the return of the species. “Lynx do need big areas of habitat, and there could be some opportunities to combine nature recovery over parts of northern England with what’s going on in southern Scotland,” he said. “It is still quite polarized, and some of these things will remain divided no matter how much effort you put in, but we need more engagement to understand how communities that would be living with these animals would be able to continue with what they do. There are in some places still serious doubts about that.” O’Donoghue said calls for more engagement were a waste of time and money. “Unless he has been living under a rock for the past 30 years, Tony Juniper must know that sheep farmers will never change their position on lynx reintroduction, making more calls for more engagement utterly futile,” he said. “The sad and stark truth is that currently the government is actively blocking any legal attempt at lynx reintroduction.” As well as the draft application from the Lynx UK Trust, two other charitable collaborations are conducting consultations over lynx reintroduction. The Missing Lynx Project is exploring the feasibility of reintroducing the carnivore to Kielder, while the Lynx to Scotland partnership last month produced a 100-page report after consulting 53 stakeholders including farmer interests, about a potential return to the Cairngorms. The report identified potential conflict between lynx and sheep farmers and recommended payments for losses and coexistence, as well as a funded rapid-response system for farmers experiencing sheep predation. Any reintroduction in Scotland requires approval from the Scottish government after another public consultation and ecological assessments. Four lynx were illegally released in the Cairngorms in January, with one dying and three females recaptured and rehomed at the Highland Wildlife Park. Rogue rewilders were blamed, but the animals were tame, and many believe they were simply released from a private collection. O’Donoghue said the Kielder reintroduction area in England – where Lynx UK Trust had an application declined in 2018 – would be ideal, offering the spacious landscape that most benefits lynx in a forest environment with relatively few sheep-farming interests. “I have no idea why the government is so scared of lynx. Lynx have naturally recolonized countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands with great celebration and no issues,” he said. “Lynx are proven drivers of both economic and ecological restoration. They would generate millions of pounds every year to the local economy in Kielder, providing both green, sustainable jobs and improving the health and resilience of forest ecosystems. In Germany, a reintroduction in the Harz mountains has been so successful that a second reintroduction is now planned in Bavaria.” Juniper agreed that lynx reintroductions such as that in Harz had boosted regional economies with lynx-related tourism. Juniper also sits on the board of the Fauna & Flora charity, which has projects helping Romanian farmers coexist with the wolf and bear. Juniper said, “It’s not so much about the ecology of whether these animals would have enough to eat or whether they’d have a big enough home range, it’s much more about the social conditions that they arrive in and the attitudes of the communities that would live with them. And so we probably do need to do some more work there to be able to get to that point. But that’s work in progress, and people are working on that, and Natural England is talking to those folks who are doing some of that work.” Asked about a potential legal challenge over the latest lynx reintroduction application, a Defra spokesperson said, “This government is absolutely committed to restoring and protecting nature, and we support species. We will continue to work with Natural England on species reintroductions in England.” It is understood that the government wants more evidence of the effects of the management of large predators before any reintroduction is considered. O’Donoghue said, “The fact that the UK is one of the only countries in
Study reveals surge in illegal arachnid trade via Facebook in Philippines
Article written by Keith Anthony Fabro Originally published by Mongabay (June 30, 2025) New research by wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC reveals a thriving online trade in live tarantulas and scorpions in the Philippines, with more than 16,000 arachnids found offered for sale on Facebook in 2020 and 2022. Most traded species are nonnative, but native and threatened tarantulas are also being poached and sold, often before being scientifically described, raising red flags for conservationists. The study highlights legal and enforcement gaps, with many sellers likely operating without required permits and rare species potentially being smuggled through postal services. Researchers urge stronger regulation of online platforms and closer collaboration with courier services and authorities to curb the illicit trade and protect vulnerable arachnid species. In 2019, customs officers at a post office in the Philippine capital Manila unwrapped what looked like an ordinary parcel from Poland. Inside, they found 757 live tarantulas stuffed inside plastic containers, neatly packed like a twisted birthday surprise. Far from an isolated incident, this seizure reflects a long-running issue. Between 2010 and 2019, arachnids were the most frequently confiscated invertebrates in the Philippines, with nearly 3,000 tarantulas and 1,000 scorpions from more than 40 species seized. Many were rare, newly discovered, or hard-to-breed nonnative species, and were likely caught from the wild and smuggled by post. A study by wildlife trade monitor TRAFFIC, published in the Journal of Nature Studies, highlights this troubling trend. Researchers manually reviewed posts from five of the Philippines’ most active Facebook groups for live arachnid sales, analyzing nearly 7,000 posts from October to December 2020 and February to April 2022. They documented price, quantity, species, and seller location. In total, they recorded at least 14,662 tarantulas from 135 species and 1,387 scorpions from 25 species across nearly 7,000 posts. Although the majority of arachnids recorded in TRAFFIC’s study were nonnative — 96% of tarantulas and 64% of scorpions by volume — many fall under international trade regulations. Of the 42 arachnid species listed under the global wildlife trade treaty CITES, the study recorded 28 tarantula species and one scorpion species being traded online. CITES listing means all of these require proper permits for legal import and export. “Some of these could have been captive-bred,” study co-author Emerson Sy said in a news release. “But for threatened or CITES-listed species, legal trade in the Philippines requires a wildlife farm permit — and that’s rarely, if ever, indicated in these posts.” The top tarantula was the curlyhair tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus), native to Costa Rica and Nicaragua and globally popular in the exotic pet trade. Though relatively easy to breed in captivity, it continues to be heavily wild-sourced despite being listed under CITES Appendix II, which requires permits to regulate international trade and prevent overexploitation. The most traded scorpion was the Asian forest scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus), with 373 individuals recorded. Native to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, this species is popular for its large size and ease of care in captivity. But in the Philippines, it’s frequently poached from the wild in Palawan province and smuggled to Metro Manila and other urban centers. Researchers identified more than 1,097 unique Facebook accounts involved in the trade. Of these, 200 were classified as active users, with 163 (81%) based on Luzon, the Philippines’ largest and most populous island. This concentration, the researchers say, highlights the need for prioritized law enforcement efforts in the area to curb illegal activities and for companies like Meta, parent of Facebook and Instagram, to take a more active role in policing trading groups. “Social media plays a significant role in facilitating wildlife trafficking,” Sy told Mongabay by email. “These platforms need to take a more proactive approach to mitigate the issue.” Regulatory roadblocks Under the Philippines’ Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, or RA 9147, all wildlife — whether wild-caught or captive-bred — must have permits for possession, transport or trade. In theory, this provides a clear regulatory framework. But in practice, Sy said, the main challenge is “weak law enforcement.” “The Philippines has sufficient laws and policies regarding wildlife, but the implementation, as in other countries, is the main gap,” Sy said. What’s needed, he added, is proactive trade monitoring, consistent enforcement, and in-depth investigations to identify key traffickers. Serene Chng, TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia program manager and study co-author, echoed that call for stronger coordination. While she praised past enforcement successes in the Philippines, including major seizures, she emphasized that efforts must be sustained and expanded across online platforms and international ports. “The private sector, specifically online platforms and courier services, also has crucial roles to play. We urge them to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure that they are not implicated in the online trade and transport of illegal wildlife,” she added. Despite existing restrictions, traffickers adapt by using private chat groups and coded listings on online platforms, said Darell Acuña, a systematist and co-founder of the nonprofit research group Philippine Arachnological Society, Inc. This digital anonymity makes regulation and enforcement especially challenging, Acuña, who was not involved in the study, told Mongabay by email. “Platforms or couriers should be held accountable.” Acuña also underscored the issue of poor compliance and awareness. “Many hobbyists are unaware of the legal requirements for owning or trading arachnids,” he said. “Meanwhile, the public often assumes that all arachnid keeping is illegal by default.” He called for public education campaigns to clarify the legal framework and highlight conservation risks. Policy reforms should focus on stricter enforcement, more transparent permitting, and community outreach, especially among potential poachers and sellers, he added. Rising risk for native species Beyond exotic imports, the study flags a more alarming trend: the emerging trade in native Philippine arachnids. Although fewer in number, these species are of significant conservation concern. They’re being poached and illegally shipped both domestically and internationally, primarily to supply the pet trade and, to a lesser extent, the scientific community — a pattern researchers inferred based on observations from online advertisements. For instance, the Palawan blue
Lions butchered in Zimbabwe as poaching surges.
A horrifying poaching incident has shaken Victoria Falls, a small tourist town in Zimbabwe. An adult male lion was found caught in a deadly snare. Injured but alive, he was darted, treated, and released back into the wild – but there was a much more gruesome discovery waiting nearby… The brutalized remains of a lioness – the snared lion’s partner – were found near the snare, her flesh stripped from her bones, and her head and paws hacked off. She leaves behind two four-year-old offspring and three nine-month-old cubs – all of whom must now fend for themselves. Without their mother, their chances are slim. Worst of all, the tiny cubs are acutely vulnerable to poachers. This lion died after being caught in a lethal snare. These torture devices leave animals suffering for hours or days before they succumb to their injuries. Credit: Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust We need to act FAST to prevent more despicable acts of cruelty like this. The grim discovery was made by local conservationists who immediately alerted Zimbabwean wildlife authorities and our partner, the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU). There has been an alarming rise in poaching in Zimbabwe, and criminals seem to be particularly targeting lions. This iconic species may be king of the jungle, but lions stand no chance against armed and ruthless poachers, who violently kill and sell their body parts into the illegal wildlife trade. Lion paws, teeth and bones are especially sought after as fake ‘medicinal’ cures and status symbols in Asia. For poachers in the Zimbabwean wilderness, killing one of these majestic beasts and hacking off its paws and head is nothing more than a quick way to make money. The remains of the freshly butchered female lion that was found near the injured male. Credit: Shutterstock/Juanita Layne (left, IMAGE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY) & VFAPU (right). One of the best ways to stop poachers in their tracks is through innovative AI-powered technology. AI-powered camera traps are a critical and highly-effective tool in the fight against poachers – and with your help, we will install them throughout poaching hotspots in Zimbabwe. This year alone, using four existing camera traps, our partner VFAPU has removed 97 snares, detected 49 attempts, and arrested 11 poachers who, if convicted, could face up to nine years in prison. The team also rescued six animals from snares. AI-powered cameras detect human movement in real time and send instant alerts to anti-poaching units. Teams are immediately dispatched to stop the poachers before they can lay cruel snares or kill an innocent creature. But four camera traps are not enough to catch every poacher, and we must install more as soon as possible. Camera traps are vital to identify poachers, day or night, and send immediate, real-time alerts to anti-poaching teams. Credit: VFAPU For every $400 (£312) raised, we can install an additional camera trap, helping our partner to protect lions and catch poachers. VFAPU patrols a vast area covering 124,000 acres (50,000 hectares). The more sophisticated camera traps we can install, the more animals we can protect, and the more poachers will end up behind bars – where they belong. We need to install at least 10 more camera traps to help the team cope with the dramatic surge in poaching – but we can only do this with your support today. Right now, lions are sitting ducks for poachers. With your support, we can not only protect vulnerable animals, but actively arrest and prosecute the criminals profiting off their deaths. Please donate as much as you can today.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes endangered status for seven pangolin species
Article written by The Washington Post Originally published by The Washington Post (June 18, 2025) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it plans to declare seven species of pangolin endangered, a move meant to stiffen penalties for those who poach and smuggle “the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal.” The pangolin, which looks like a cross between an anteater and an armadillo, holds the distinction of being the only mammal on Earth covered head to tail in scales. But that scaly shield, and people’s quest for it, has led to the undoing of pangolin populations. Demand for both pangolin scales and meat has driven the animal to the edge of extinction – and may have played a role in instigating the coronavirus pandemic. The Fish and Wildlife Service posted a Federal Register notice on Monday proposing to add all species of pangolins to the endangered species list. The notice means pangolins will be among the first species to be added during the second Trump administration. The public will have 60 days to offer feedback before the listing becomes official. Protection under the Endangered Species Act “is long overdue,” said Nicholas Arrivo, an attorney for the Humane World for Animals. “But it’s a good day for pangolins.” Found in savannas and forests from West Africa to Southeast Asia, pangolins scour the earth for ants, termites and other insects at night, scooping them up with their sticky tongues. When threatened by predators, they curl into a ball and protect themselves with their tough keratin scales. But their adaptations for the wild leave pangolins vulnerable to trafficking. As nocturnal animals, they have poor eyesight, which makes them easy to capture in snares, and their defensive curling strategy allows poachers to swoop them up. Fueling the pangolin trade is demand in Asia, where their meat is considered a delicacy, and their scales are believed to heal liver, skin and other problems in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientists who have reviewed the research say there is “no reliable evidence” that pangolin scales – made of the same substance as human fingernails – have special medicinal value. A ban on international commercial trade was agreed in 2016. But illegal trade has continued. That’s how pangolins came to be cited in 2020 as a possible intermediate host for the coronavirus behind the pandemic, with the deadly pathogen potentially jumping from bats to pangolins and, finally, to humans. As poaching and habitat loss have led to the decline of pangolin populations in Asia, poaching and trade from Africa has increased. Researchers estimate that more than 8.5 million pangolins were removed from the wild in West and Central Africa between 2014 and 2021. There is evidence that organized crime networks are involved, the Fish and Wildlife Service said. The proposed listings would add penalties to trading the animals and give law enforcement additional resources for combating trafficking, Arrivo said.
Pangolins Should Receive Endangered Protections, U.S. Officials Say
Article written by Catrin Einhorn Originally published by New York Times (June 16, 2025) The armored mammals are trafficked for their scales and meat. Pangolins—strangely adorable, scale-covered creatures believed to be the most heavily trafficked mammal in the world — should receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, federal officials said Monday. The animals are native to Africa and Asia, but the Endangered Species Act requires the government to protect endangered species whether they live in the United States or abroad. The proposal to bring pangolins under U.S. protection comes in response to years-old legal action by conservationists and despite recent moves under President Trump to weaken the Endangered Species Act and other environmental policies. For foreign animals, Endangered Species Act benefits include prohibitions on import and export, hunting, and commercial activity. Protection can also open the door to financial assistance to develop and manage conservation programs in the species’ native countries, although that has been thrown into question recently by funding freezes and cuts under the Trump administration. “The proceeds from the illicit sale of pangolins and other imperiled species often fund serious crimes, including drug and arms trafficking,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrote in a news release. “This proposed listing reaffirms the service’s commitment to protecting these magnificent species and ensures the United States does not contribute to their continued decline.” Pangolins are so threatened that it would be legally indefensible to deny their inclusion, conservationists said. One species of pangolin is already protected under U.S. law, and the proposal would add the seven other widely recognized ones. They would be classified as endangered, the more dire of the two possible categories, which means a species is at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. When pangolins feel threatened, they can roll into a protective ball. While this behavior can be effective against certain predators, it makes it easier for poachers to nab them. Pangolin populations have declined because of habitat loss and poor genetic health, in addition to illegal trafficking, officials said. Pangolins are hunted for their scales, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and their meat, considered a delicacy in China and elsewhere. The scales are made from keratin, like human fingernails, and Chinese research has found that the currently available medical evidence does not support their clinical use. China has been removing pangolin scales from its list of approved medicines, but they are not banned. International trade in pangolins is prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an agreement between governments that is also known as CITES. The proposed U.S. listing would tighten restrictions a bit further, ending an exemption that allows for the sale of some older pangolin parts within the United States. It would also send a message to China, which continues to have a fairly active domestic market for pangolin scales, said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director with the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that petitioned and sued for pangolins to be listed. “Being a leader in absolutely closing our domestic market as we’re asking China to close their domestic market sure seems wise,” she said. International trade in pangolins has decreased since the CITES protections came into force in 2017, experts say, but illegal trade persists. In the 1970s, the United States listed one African species, the Temminck’s ground pangolin, as endangered. But since 2014, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, which is the scientific authority on the status of species, has found all eight widely recognized pangolin species to be threatened with extinction. Two are classified as vulnerable, three as endangered, and three as critically endangered. One thing going for pangolins is how they have expanded into the public consciousness in recent years. “They were virtually unknown 15 years ago, and now my kids have stuffies of them, and they’re showing up in Disney movies,” Ms. Uhlemann said. “That kind of interest, it can really make a difference.” A 60-day comment period on the proposed rule will start Tuesday, and officials will review comments before publishing a final decision.
Will you help protect these two rhino orphans from poachers.
When two mother rhinos were mercilessly slaughtered for their horns in South Africa, their infant calves were left starving, vulnerable and alone. In the first 90 days of 2025, 103 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa. Infants Nola and Cathy could be next – if we do not help them today. Our partner, Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary (CFW), immediately took in the two vulnerable, grieving babies, who were found standing helplessly beside their slain mothers. Dianna, an older orphaned rhino at the CFW Rhino Sanctuary, has been a source of comfort for Nola and Cathy after the loss of their mothers. Credit: CFW They had been forced to watch helplessly as poachers murdered their mothers, then brutally hacked the horns off their dead bodies. Dehydrated, confused and deeply traumatized, Nola and Cathy were quickly airlifted to the safety of CFW’s intensive care unit (ICU). Every rhino lost pushes the species closer to extinction forever. Unless we take action, these animals could disappear forever. Preventing poaching is a vital step in safeguarding rhinos, and we are working with partners across Africa to stop criminals in their tracks. Anti-poaching teams, artificial intelligence and satellite tracking are vital to stopping wildlife crime – and they WORK. Nola and Cathy are growing stronger by the day, which is wonderful news for these orphans. But this is only half of the battle won. This is an example of an advanced AI tracking collar used to protect rhinos from poachers. Credit: CFW Will you help us protect Nola and Cathy with vital anti-poaching tracking collars? Now, each calf MUST be fitted with a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence tracking collar specially designed to provide enhanced protection against poachers and other threats when they are released into a protected wild area. This will ensure the rhinos get to live in a safe, wild area, just as they deserve – AND that they remain protected. For this, they are relying on you, *|FNAME|*. Will you help them? Credit: CFW We couldn’t save Nola and Cathy’s mothers. But with your support, we can save their orphaned babies, giving them a chance at a safe future. We cannot let heartless poachers destroy this species’ only chance at survival. Your support is crucial in the fight to save Africa’s rhinos, and to stop the criminals who are so intent on killing them. Nola and Cathy are counting on you today. Please donate generously, and help give them the safe, protected futures they deserve.
Capuchin monkeys caught abducting baby howlers
Article written by Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell / Konstanz Originally published by Max Planck Institute (May 25, 2025) Cameras on a remote island in Panama captured the origin and spread of a bizarre “fad” To the point Animal abduction: On Panama’s Jicarón island, biologists documented five male capuchin monkeys carrying at least eleven different infant howler monkeys—a behavior never before seen in wild primates. Rise and spread: The sightings were remotely recorded by over 85 camera traps, which allowed scientists to pinpoint the origin and subsequent spread of this social tradition over a 15-month period. (See interactive timeline https://www.ab.mpg.de/671374/Capuchin-tool-use/interspecies-abduction-tradition). Novel animal tradition: The research offers the first known documentation of a cultural tradition in which animals repeatedly abduct and carry infants of another species—without any clear benefit to themselves. On an island off the coast of Panama lives a population of wild primates with a remarkable culture. White-faced capuchins on Jicarón Island in Coiba National Park use stone tools; and scientists have been monitoring this unique tradition with an array of motion-triggered cameras on the island since 2017. In 2022, doctoral researcher Zoë Goldsborough was looking through the camera trap footage when she found an unusual sighting, something they had never seen in the previous five years of data: a capuchin monkey carrying an infant howler monkey on his back. “It was so weird that I went straight to my advisor’s office to ask him what it was,” remembers Goldsborough who is conducting her dissertation at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. The biologists knew it was a rare animal behavior and so they immediately started investigating. If there was to be more evidence of this occurring on the island, they were confident they would find it: “We had all the footage from cameras on Jicarón for the whole year,” says Brendan Barrett, a group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and Goldsborough’s advisor, “so we could reconstruct the scene to see if this weird behavior was just a one-off, or something bigger.” The influencerGoldsborough manually dug through the tens of thousands of images and videos collected by all cameras deployed around this time period. She found not one, but four different howler infants being carried. In nearly all cases, the carrier was the same individual: a subadult male she named Joker. These observations raised several questions. How did Joker get these infants? And why did he carry them for days at a time? “At first, we thought it could be adoption,” says Goldsborough. Anecdotes exist of some animals adopting babies of other species. In a well-known case from 2006, a pair of capuchins adopted a baby marmoset and succeeded in raising it into adulthood. But there was a problem with this interpretation: animal adoption is almost always carried out by females, who presumably do it to practice “caring” for infants. “The fact that a male was the exclusive carrier of these babies was an important piece of the puzzle,” she adds. Then, the trail went cold. Goldsborough found no evidence of howler carrying for months. “We’d decided that it was one individual trying something new,” says Barrett, “which is not uncommon to see among capuchins. These are deeply curious animals who are constantly exploring the forest and figuring out how they can interact with their world.” Eventually, though, the researchers struck the motherlode: they discovered a series of images and video, timestamped five months later, of more howler infants being carried. The authors called on a howler monkey expert, Lisa Corewyn at Ithaca College, who verified that the babies were separate individuals. “We assumed that Joker was at it again,” says Goldsborough. But they soon realized that the carrying behavior had in fact spread to four other capuchins—all young males. The spread Over the course of 15 months, these five capuchins carried 11 different howler monkeys for up to 9-day periods. The camera footage showed the howler babies clinging to the backs or bellies of their young male carriers who appeared to be going about their normal business of travelling or using tools to crack open food sources. The researchers collated the footage on an interactive website documenting the spread of the behavior. “The complete timeline tells us a fascinating story of one individual who started a random behavior, which was taken up with increasing speed by other young males,” says Barrett. The authors describe this as a social tradition or cultural fad—a behavior that spreads in a population through social learning. It parallels trends observed in other animals, such as killer whales donning “salmon hats” or chimpanzees wearing a blade of grass in their ears like an accessory. The implications of the capuchins’ fashion fad, however, are more than skin deep. The howler babies, all less than four weeks old, appear to have been abducted from their parents who were captured on camera calling to infants from nearby trees. Four babies were observed to have perished. The authors suspect that none of the babies survived. “The capuchins didn’t hurt the babies,” stresses Goldsborough, “but they couldn’t provide the milk that infants need to survive.” As is often the case in the natural world, one animal’s loss is another animal’s gain. But what the capuchins gain from this social tradition is a mystery. The males don’t eat the infants, they don’t play with them, and they don’t receive more attention from their group mates while carrying an infant. “We don’t see any clear benefit to the capuchins,” says Goldsborough “but we also don’t see any clear costs, although it might make tool use a little trickier.” Rethinking animal culture The research offers the first known documentation of a social tradition in which animals repeatedly abduct and carry infants of another species—without any clear benefit to themselves. It highlights the ways in which animal culture can parallel our own. Says Barrett: “We show that non-human animals also have the capacity to evolve cultural traditions without clear functions but with destructive outcomes for the world around them.” This, he says,
We’re close to translating animal languages – what happens then?
Article written by David Farrier Originally published by The Guardian (June 1, 2025) AI may soon be able to decode whalespeak, among other forms of communication—but what nature has to say may not be a surprise Charles Darwin suggested that humans learned to speak by mimicking birdsong: our ancestors’ first words may have been a kind of interspecies exchange. Perhaps it won’t be long before we join the conversation once again. The race to translate what animals are saying is heating up, with riches as well as a place in history at stake. The Jeremy Coller Foundation has promised $10 million to whichever researchers can crack the code. This is a race fueled by generative AI; large language models can sort through millions of recorded animal vocalizations to find their hidden grammars. Most projects focus on cetaceans because, like us, they learn through vocal imitation, and also like us, they communicate via complex arrangements of sound that appear to have structure and hierarchy. Sperm whales communicate in codas—rapid sequences of clicks, each as brief as 1,000th of a second. Project Ceti (the Cetacean Translation Initiative) is using AI to analyze codas in order to reveal the mysteries of sperm whale speech. There is evidence the animals take turns, use specific clicks to refer to one another, and even have distinct dialects. Ceti has already isolated a click that may be a form of punctuation, and they hope to speak Whaleish as soon as 2026. The linguistic barrier between species is already looking porous. Last month, Google released DolphinGemma, an AI program to translate dolphins, trained on 40 years of data. In 2013, scientists using an AI algorithm to sort dolphin communication identified a new click in the animals’ interactions with one another, which they recognized as a sound they had previously trained the pod to associate with sargassum seaweed—the first recorded instance of a word passing from one species into another’s native vocabulary. The prospect of speaking dolphin or whale is irresistible. And it seems that they are just as enthusiastic. In November last year, scientists in Alaska recorded an acoustic “conversation” with a humpback whale called Twain, in which they exchanged a call-and-response form known as “whup/throp” with the animal over a 20-minute period. In Florida, a dolphin named Zeus was found to have learned to mimic the vowel sounds A, E, O, and U. But in the excitement we should not ignore the fact that other species are already bearing eloquent witness to our impact on the natural world. A living planet is a loud one. Healthy coral reefs pop and crackle with life. But soundscapes can decay just as ecosystems can. Degraded reefs are hushed deserts. Since the 1960s, shipping and mining have raised background noise in the oceans by about three decibels a decade. Humpback whale song occupies the same low-frequency bandwidth as deep-sea dredging and drilling for the rare earths that are vital for electronic devices. Ironically, mining the minerals we need to communicate cancels out whales’ voices. Humpback whale songs are incredible vocal performances, sometimes lasting up to 24 hours. “Song” is apt: they seem to include rhymed phrases, and their compositions travel the oceans with them, evolving as they go in a process called “song revolutions”, where a new cycle replaces the old. (Imagine if Nina Simone or the Beatles had erased their back catalogue with every new release.) They’re crucial to migration and breeding seasons. But in today’s louder soundscape, whale song is crowded out of its habitual bandwidth and even driven to silence—up to 1.2 km away from commercial ships, humpback whales will cease singing rather than compete with the noise. In interspecies translation, sound only takes us so far. Animals communicate via an array of visual, chemical, thermal, and mechanical cues, inhabiting worlds of perception very different to ours. Can we really understand what sound means to echolocating animals, for whom sound waves can be translated visually? The German ecologist Jakob von Uexküll called these impenetrable worlds umwelten. To truly translate animal language, we would need to step into that animal’s umwelt—and then, what of us would be imprinted on her, or her on us? “If a lion could talk,” writes Stephen Budiansky, revising Wittgenstein’s famous aphorism in Philosophical Investigations, “we probably could understand him. He just would not be a lion any more.” We should ask, then, how speaking with other beings might change us. Talking to another species might be very like talking to alien life. It’s no coincidence that Ceti echoes NASA’s Seti – Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence—Institute. In fact, a SETI team recorded the whup/throp exchange, on the basis that learning to speak with whales may help us if we ever meet intelligent extraterrestrials. In Denis Villeneuve’s movie Arrival, whale-like aliens communicate via a script in which the distinction between past, present, and future times collapses. For Louise, the linguist who translates the script, learning Heptapod lifts her mind out of linear time and into a reality in which her own past and future are equally available. The film mentions Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf’s theory of linguistic determinism—the idea that our experience of reality is encoded in language—to explain this. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis was dismissed in the mid-20th century, but linguists have since argued that there may be some truth to it. Pormpuraaw speakers in northern Australia refer to time moving from east to west, rather than forwards or backwards as in English, making time indivisible from the relationship between their body and the land. Whale songs are born from an experience of time that is radically different from ours. Humpbacks can project their voices over miles of open water; their songs span the widest oceans. Imagine the swell of oceanic feeling on which such sounds are borne. Speaking whale would expand our sense of space and time into a planetary song. I imagine we’d think very differently about polluting the ocean soundscape so carelessly. Where it counts, we are perfectly able to understand what nature has to say;
Reps pass wildlife protection bill
Article written by Abdullah Lamino Originally published by Radio Nigeria (May 28, 2025) The bill will now proceed to the Senate for concurrence. A major milestone has been reached in Nigeria’s fight against wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction as the House of Representatives passed the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, at its third reading. The legislation introduces tougher penalties for wildlife crimes and significantly strengthens Nigeria’s legal framework for investigating and prosecuting environmental offenses. It also empowers judges to fast-track wildlife-related cases, allows for the recovery of assets tied to environmental crimes, and aligns Nigeria’s efforts with international treaties and best practices. The bill’s sponsor, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, emphasized its significance in combating transnational wildlife trafficking. “This Bill sends a clear message that Nigeria will not serve as a transit point for the illegal trade in wildlife products like pangolin scales and ivory,” Ugbor said. “We are modernising our laws to protect the ecological and economic value of our biodiversity for future generations.” He added. Nigeria has been recognized as a major transit hub for the illegal trade in wildlife products, particularly ivory and pangolin scales destined for Asian markets. Between 2016 and 2019, over half of the pangolin scales seized globally were linked to shipments originating in or passing through Nigeria. Environmental groups and conservation advocates have welcomed the passage of the bill. Tunde Morakinyo, Executive Director of Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), praised lawmakers for taking a firm stance: “This is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to wildlife governance and conservation. The House of Representatives deserves credit for its leadership and dedication to this crucial issue,” he saiid. Mary Rice, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA UK), added: “This legislation demonstrates Nigeria’s determination to secure regional security and disrupt international trafficking networks.” Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa, described the move as a landmark moment: “This is a great step forward for Nigeria to lead the region in tackling wildlife crime head-on.” ANI, EIA UK, and Wild Africa have all supported the Nigerian government’s efforts to curb illegal wildlife trafficking. These efforts have received backing from international partners including the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and the Pangolin Conservation Fund. The bill’s next step is review and concurrence in the Senate. If approved, it will be sent to the President for assent and become law.
Baby pangolin found clinging to her dead mother’s body
Between 2010 and 2021, over 200 tons of pangolin parts were seized in wildlife crimes linked to Nigeria. That’s at least 800,000 slaughtered pangolins. Today, this number will be closer to one million. Hundreds of thousands of pangolins are poached every year. They are the most trafficked mammal on earth. Today, they have one last hope. African pangolins are routinely trafficked to Asia to be used in useless traditional “medicines,” and Nigeria is a key hub for this despicable trade. But there are good people fighting to save these vulnerable animals. Our partner works tirelessly to intercept poachers and rescue pangolins — like tragic baby pangolin Lulu. This tiny pup was found bewildered and confused in a chaotic bushmeat market in Nigeria, still clinging to her mother’s lifeless body. Heartbreakingly, it was too late for her mother, but today, the heroes who rescued Lulu need your help to keep saving lives. Nigeria’s first dedicated pangolin nursery and ICU is almost complete. With your continued support, we will fill it with vital equipment to save baby pangolins. Countless pangolins – mostly babies – arrive in our partner’s care with severe, life-threatening injuries. They need critical, intensive care immediately to stand a chance of survival. Credit: Green Fingers Conservation Centre Together with our partner, Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative (GWCI), and with our supporters’ help, we built Nigeria’s first dedicated pangolin ICU and nursery. This is a groundbreaking step in protecting the species. The building and interior is now complete. The facility provides a safe, quiet and sterile environment for rescued pangolins – a species notoriously difficult to care for in captivity, as they are highly susceptible to stress and infections. But… Without vital diagnostic tools and veterinary equipment, the clinic is unable to meet all the medical needs of pangolins arriving with severe, life-threatening injuries and illnesses, or those in shock after their traumatic experiences. Will you help us complete this critical care unit today? Rescued pangolin ‘Little Lulu’ was found clinging to her mother’s lifeless body. She survived – but like so many others, she needs long-term, round-the-clock intensive care. Credit: Green Fingers Conservation Center With your help, we can raise the $7,000 (around £5,270) needed to finish equipping this facility with crucial, life-saving veterinary equipment. Your donation will help stabilize, diagnose and provide immediate intensive care for up to 15 pangolins at a time, including severely traumatised infant pangolins rescued from bushmeat markets, who arrive orphaned and in critical condition. Without specialized medical care, they will not survive. Every day we delay could mean the difference between life and death for pangolins rescued from poachers and meat markets across Nigeria. We cannot rescue more pangolins until we have a fully equipped facility. We need your help TODAY. Credit: ASI/Byron Seale Pangolins are fragile, helpless and rapidly declining at the hands of ruthless poachers. Every life matters – and this clinic is critical. The faster we act, the sooner we can save them. Please, donate right away, and be a beacon of hope for this precious species.
Poachers have killed more than 100 rhinos in South Africa this year, most of them in national parks
Article written by Euronews Green Originally published by Euronews (May 6, 2025) South Africa has the largest rhino population in the world, with an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 animals. Poachers in South Africa killed more than 100 rhinos in the first three months of this year, most of them inside national parks, highlighting an ongoing battle to protect one of the best-known endangered species. South African Environment Minister Dion George announced the figures Monday and said that of the 103 rhinos killed between 1 January and 31 March, 65 were poached in national parks. The average of more than one rhino killed a day is in line with last year’s count and “a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife,” George said. Who is killing South Africa’s rhinos? South Africa has the largest rhino population in the world, with an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 animals, according to conservation groups. That includes black and white rhinos. Black rhinos are only found in the wild in Africa and are listed as critically endangered, with around 6,400 left, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Around 2,000 are in South Africa. South African authorities have focused in recent years on criminal syndicates they believe are behind much of the country’s rhino poaching. The environment ministry hailed a conviction last year of what it called a poaching “kingpin” from Mozambique. Simon Ernesto Valoi was sentenced to 27 years in prison by a Mozambique court for running an operation poaching rhinos in South Africa’s huge Kruger National Park, which borders Mozambique.
This magnificent jaguar cub was discarded in a dumpster
Khali was a helpless cub when she was found abandoned in a dumpster in Santa Rosa del Yacuma, Bolivia. Torn from her mother and terrified, she cowered from her rescuers, confused, anxious and starving. Khali’s mother was likely killed to feed Bolivia’s brutal illegal trade in jaguar bones. We’ll never know for sure, but we do know Khali deserves a different fate. Jaguar cub Khali was saved from Bolivia’s horrific wildlife trade. Today, you can help us protect her future. In Bolivia, jaguars like Khali are killed for their body parts, which are in high demand in Asia for use in unproven traditional ‘medicine.’ Their teeth are particularly sought-after, while their bodies are either left to rot or boiled down into a treacle-like ‘paste’ and sold. Body parts are even smuggled into prisons, where they are fashioned into goods for resale. Khali was rescued by ONCA Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for wild animals on the banks of the Amazon’s Beni River. It seems she was discarded by someone who illegally kept her as a pet – but, as so often happens, this wild animal was abandoned when she became less ‘cute’ and harder to handle. ONCA’s goal is to encourage and maintain Khali’s wild nature, which will be vital to her survival if she is released into a protected forest. Under its care, she has grown into a healthy, wild jaguar. The team is working hard to ensure Khali is released into a protected natural area – but this could take two years and she needs your help today. Initially, Khali went on supervised walks with handlers. These are not like the casual dog walks you may be accustomed to – handlers keep a safe distance, do not interact with the animal, and allow the cat to follow its natural instincts as it explores the jungle. Khali’s natural instincts are now very strong, and for her safety and the safety of her carers, she must stay in her enclosure while ONCA secures the ideal release site and prepares her for the wild. Her current enclosure is too small for her to truly embrace her wild nature, and unless we can build a larger space, she may start to lose the instincts ONCA has done so well to preserve. Credit: ONCA Wildlife Sanctuary The best place for a wild animal is in the wild! Your donation today will help ensure that a wild animal can remain just that – wild! It will give Khali the room she needs to remain unhabituated, hone her natural instincts, and eventually be released into a safe, protected area where she can embrace her true nature. With its number of rescue cases constantly increasing, ONCA simply does not have the funds to enlarge Khali’s enclosure – but without it, her entire future is at risk. Khali needs you to live a wilder life.
Two teens and 5,000 ants: how a smuggling bust shed new light on a booming trade
Article written by Peter Muiruri Originally published by The Guardian (Apr 24, 2025) Two Belgian 19-year-olds have pleaded guilty to wildlife piracy – part of a growing trend of trafficking ‘less conspicuous’ creatures for sale as exotic pets Poaching busts are familiar territory for the officers of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), an armed force tasked with protecting the country’s iconic creatures. But what awaited guards when they descended in early April on a guesthouse in the west of the country was both larger and smaller in scale than the smuggling operations they typically encounter. There were more than 5,000 smuggled animals, caged in their own enclosures. Each one, however, was about the size of a little fingernail: 18-25mm. The cargo, which two Belgian teenagers had apparently intended to ship to exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia, was ants. Their enclosures were a mixture of test tubes and syringes containing cotton wool – environments that authorities say would keep the insects alive for weeks. “We did not come here to break any laws. By accident and stupidity we did,” says Lornoy David, one of the Belgian smugglers. David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19 years old, pleaded guilty after being charged last week with wildlife piracy, alongside two other men in a separate case who were caught smuggling 400 ants. The cases have shed new light on the booming global ant trade – and what authorities say is a growing trend of trafficking “less conspicuous” creatures. These crimes represent “a shift in trafficking trends – from iconic large mammals to lesser-known yet ecologically critical species,” says a KWS statement. The unusual case has also trained a spotlight on the niche world of ant-keeping and collecting – a hobby that has boomed over the past decade. The seized species include Messor cephalotes, a large red harvester ant native to East Africa. Queens of the species grow to about 20-24mm long, and the ant sales website Ants R Us describes them as “many people’s dream species,” selling them for £99 per colony. The ants are prized by collectors for their unique behaviors and complex colony-building skills, “traits that make them popular in exotic pet circles, where they are kept in specialized habitats known as formicariums,” KWS says. One online ant vendor, who asked not to be named, says the market is thriving, and there has been a growth in ant-keeping shows, where enthusiasts meet to compare housing and species details. “Sales volumes have grown almost every year. There are more ant vendors than before, and prices have become more competitive,” he says. “In today’s world, where most people live fast-paced, tech-driven lives, many are disconnected from themselves and their environment. Watching ants in a formicarium can be surprisingly therapeutic,” he says. David and Lodewijckx will remain in custody until the court considers a pre-sentencing report on 23 April. The ant seller says theirs is a “landmark case in the field.” “People travelling to other countries specifically to collect ants and then returning with them is virtually unheard of,” he says. Scientists have raised concerns that the burgeoning trade in exotic ants could pose a significant biodiversity risk. “Ants are traded as pets across the globe, but if introduced outside of their native ranges, they could become invasive with dire environmental and economic consequences,” researchers conclude in a 2023 paper tracking the ant trade across China. “The most sought-after ants have higher invasive potential,” they write. Removing ants from their ecosystems could also be damaging. Illegal exportation “not only undermines Kenya’s sovereign rights over its biodiversity but also deprives local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits”, says KWS. Dino Martins, an entomologist and evolutionary biologist in Kenya, says harvester ants are among the most important insects on the African savannah, and any trade in them is bound to have negative consequences for the ecology of the grasslands. “Harvester ants are seed collectors, and they gather [the seeds] as food for themselves, storing these in their nests. A single large harvester ant colony can collect several kilos of seeds of various grasses a year. In the process of collecting grass seeds, the ants ‘drop’ a number … dispersing them through the grasslands,” says Martins. The insects also serve as food for various other species, including aardvarks, pangolins, and aardwolves. Martins says he is surprised to see that smugglers feeding the global “pet” trade are training their sights on Kenya, since “ants are among the most common and widespread of insects.” “Insect trade can actually be done more sustainably through controlled rearing of the insects. This can support livelihoods in rural communities such as the Kipepeo Project, which rears butterflies in Kenya,” he says. Locally, the main threats to ants come not from the illegal trade but from poisoning from pesticides, habitat destruction, and invasive species, says Martins. Philip Muruthi, a vice president for conservation at the African Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi, says ants enrich soils, enabling germination and providing food for other species. “When you see a healthy forest … you don’t think about what is making it healthy. It is the relationships all the way from the bacteria to the ants to the bigger things,” he says. While Animal Survival International (ASI) applauds the decision to recognise the sentience of all animals, we feel the sentences were not commensurate with the crime, and that a much bigger fine should have been imposed. Harsher punishments for wildlife smugglers would send a strong message that animal cruelty, in all its forms, will not be tolerated.
At 97, Endangered Tortoise Becomes Oldest First-Time Mom of Her Species With Four New Hatchlings—and Potentially More on the Way
Article written by Sarah Kuta Originally published by Smithsonian Magazine (Apr 4, 2025) Proud parents Mommy and Abrazzo are both nearly 100 years old, but they’re contributing to Galápagos tortoise conservation at Philadelphia Zoo The world’s population of critically endangered Galápagos tortoises just got a little bigger. This week, Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating the hatching of four Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises (Chelonoidis niger porteri). The baby reptiles—all females—are a beacon of hope for their species. Before the youngsters hatched, U.S. zoos had a combined total of only 44 Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises, “so these newest additions represent a new genetic lineage and some much-needed help to the species’ population,” says Ashley Ortega, who coordinates the captive Galápagos tortoise breeding program for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in a statement from the zoo. The eggs were laid by an elderly female named, fittingly, Mommy. But until now, she had never been a mother. Caretakers believe she’s around 97 years old—which likely makes her the oldest first-time mom of her species. Biologists also consider Mommy to be one of the most “genetically valuable” Galápagos tortoises in the AZA’s breeding program. Mommy has lived at the Philadelphia Zoo for more than 90 years. After hatching in the wild in the Galápagos Islands, she was brought to Pennsylvania by a man named Milton W. Holden on April 23, 1932. At the time, she weighed 40 pounds. Today, she tips the scales at 284 pounds. The hatchlings’ father is Abrazzo, who is estimated to be around 96 years old. His origin story is a bit murky, but the first records for the turtle dad come from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas in April 1929, reports USA Today’s Phaedra Trethan. He’s been at Philadelphia Zoo since December 2020, when he was transferred from the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina. When caretakers first introduced Abrazzo and Mommy in 2022, the two elderly tortoises didn’t immediately hit it off. Abrazzo, it seemed, was out of practice. “At first, it was clear that he didn’t quite know what he was doing,” says Rachel Metz, Philadelphia Zoo’s vice president of animal well-being and conservation, to the Washington Post’s Andrea Sachs. “He was backward.” But, eventually, Abrazzo and Mommy—the two oldest animals at the zoo—figured out how to mate. Starting in 2023, Mommy laid three clutches of eggs, but none of them hatched. Then, in November 2024, she laid another clutch. Zoo staffers collected the 16 billiard ball-sized eggs and incubated them at different temperatures, since the sex of tortoise hatchlings is affected by heat. Half were incubated below 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit to produce males, and half were incubated above 85.1 degrees to produce females. The first egg hatched on February 27, followed soon after by three siblings. All the eggs that have hatched so far were incubated as females. But more could hatch in the coming weeks, according to the zoo. For now, the babies are being kept out of public view in the zoo’s Reptile and Amphibian House, under the watchful eye of the animal care team. They’re eating and growing as expected, with each weighing a little less than three ounces—or about as much as a chicken egg. The hatchlings will be officially introduced to the public on April 23, which also coincides with Mommy’s 93rd anniversary at the zoo. They’re expected to remain at the zoo for at least five years. The last time Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises hatched at an AZA-accredited zoo was in 2019 at Abrazzo’s former home, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina. San Diego Zoo, Zoo Miami, and Honolulu Zoo also have breeding pairs of Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises; Philadelphia Zoo also has another adult female named Little Girl, as well as two Aldabra giant tortoises (Geochelone gigantea) named Wilma and Betty. In the wild, an estimated 3,400 Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises live on the southwestern tip of Santa Cruz Island, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They represent just one of several subspecies of Galápagos tortoises. Scientists believe these giant reptiles traveled from mainland South America to the remote volcanic archipelago roughly two to three million years ago, according to the nonprofit Galápagos Conservation Trust. It’s not clear how they got to the Galápagos, which today are located roughly 600 miles west of Ecuador’s coast. But, once they arrived, the giant tortoises ended up on different islands. Cut off from the mainland population—and from each other—the tortoises evolved into 14 or 15 distinct subspecies. But their populations plummeted in the 18th and 19th centuries, as buccaneers and whalers nabbed tortoises for meat and oil. Lonesome George, the world’s last Pinta Island tortoise, died in 2012 at around 100 years old. Today, 13 subspecies remain, according to the Philadelphia Zoo. Concerted conservation efforts are underway to help the archipelago’s famous tortoises rebound. In addition to the breeding programs, scientists are taking steps to help protect the reptiles from introduced species. Rats, pigs, dogs, and ants prey on tortoise eggs and hatchlings in the wild, while donkeys, goats, cattle, and invasive plants disrupt their habitat. As for Abrazzo and Mommy back in Philadelphia, they may just be getting started. Scientists suspect Galápagos tortoises can live to be up to 200 years old—which means it’s possible the couple could become parents again. In the meantime, conservationists are hopeful that their first hatchlings will “be a part of a thriving population of Galápagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now,” says Jo-Elle Mogerman, the zoo’s president and CEO, in the statement. Banner credit: Philadelphia Zoo
After 30 years of cruelty and abuse, this traumatised, blinded elephant has one final wish.
For almost 30 years, Boon Dee was forced into back-breaking labor in the tourist camps of Pattaya, Thailand. The poor animal carried endless busloads of tourists on her aching back, day after painful day. By the time she was rescued by our partner, Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), Boon Dee was emaciated, nearly blind in her right eye, and her skin was marred by deep, painful abscesses that told the story of severe neglect. After three decades of ruthless abuse, Boon Dee knew nothing but pain and terror. The image on left shows the long-term damage of howdahs (saddles) and the weight of tourists on elephants’ spines. On the right, we see what their backs should look like. Credit: WFFT Until she was saved, this tragic animal had not experienced an iota of kindness in nearly 30 years, and when she arrived at the sanctuary, she was terrified to leave the ‘safety’ of the transport truck. How could she believe she was finally safe? Over 3,000 Asian elephants – much smaller than their African counterparts – live like prisoners in entertainment venues across Thailand. They are kept on short chains or ropes, and often have heavy chains around their necks. Shockingly, their handlers use bull hooks to control them – cruel rods made of steel or bronze, with a sharp metal hook on the end. These are wielded to inflict pain and fear on the wild animals, beating them into submission. As the team led Boon Dee by her chains to freedom, she resisted with all her might, no doubt expecting even more excruciating abuse. Bull hooks inflict pain and fear on wild animals and beat them into submission. Credit: WFFT Boon Dee took her first steps to freedom with great fear and anxiety – but then something miraculous happened. During her first walk in her new sanctuary, she approached another rescued elephant named Gan Da. The team discovered they had worked together at a riding camp in Chiang Rai many years before, and immediately recognized her old friend. After nearly 30 years of hard labor, there is only one thing Boon Dee dreams of: a safe and peaceful retirement. This old girl enjoys her final years, in freedom but we need to help her get her own permanent enclosure. Credit: WFFT As Boon Dee settled into her new home, she discovered something that she never had the chance to find out before – she loves to swim! As she settles into her well-earned retirement, a daily dip is her one non-negotiable requirement. Sadly, due to years of trauma, Boon Dee is afraid of the other elephants, even her old friend Gan Da. Elephants are naturally social creatures, and her fear underscores the deep physical and psychological scars of her decades of maltreatment. While this sweet girl gets two lovely, long “walks” a day with her carers, there is one thing she dreams of: A large enclosure with permanent access to her very own lake, so she can swim whenever her heart desires. Nothing brings this sweet elephant more joy than her daily swims, and with your help, we can build her the retirement home of her dreams. We know you will agree that after decades of heartache and abuse, Boon Dee deserves every bit of happiness she can get. Boon Dee now enjoys regular walks but needs her own permanent enclosure. Credit: WFFT Your support today can make all the difference. Please, give as generously as you can today, and help give Boon Dee the happy retirement she deserves.
China removes pangolin medicine from pharmacopoeia in 2025 edition
Article written by World Animal Protection Originally published by World Animal Protection (Apr 8, 2025) China’s 2025 Pharmacopoeia removes Guilingji, a traditional medicine containing pangolin, marking a step toward wildlife protection. In a promising development for wildlife protection, China has removed Guilingji, a traditional medicine containing pangolin ingredients, from the upcoming 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. The revised edition was released on 25 March and will come into effect on 1 October 2025. Guilingji, once designated a confidential national prescription, was among 19 proprietary Chinese medicines excluded from the new pharmacopoeia. Its ingredients included red ginseng, deer antler, seahorse, and pangolin. The animal-derived products held ethical and conservation concerns. Why Guilingji’s removal matters Guilingji is not just any traditional remedy; it has held a prominent place in Chinese medicine since it was classified as a first-level national secret prescription in 1957. Its delisting from the pharmacopoeia suggests a shift in regulatory priorities, especially as pangolins are now protected under the highest level of international and domestic conservation laws. While this does not constitute a ban on Guilingji’s sale or production, the removal makes it harder to promote and prescribe. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia is the official standard for clinical prescriptions. If a medicine is no longer listed, it indicates that it no longer meets criteria for safety, efficacy, or ethical acceptability, and healthcare providers may reduce or avoid its use altogether. A step toward ethical and sustainable medicine The decision to delist Guilingji may reflect growing awareness of the need to align traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with modern expectations around public health, science, and wildlife protection. Pangolins are critically endangered due to trafficking, and their scales have long been used in TCM despite a lack of proven therapeutic value. Experts in TCM regulation have acknowledged that removing animal-based products with limited clinical support, especially when conservation or ethical concerns are involved, is consistent with evolving standards for quality and safety. Working to protect pangolins Every year we share World Pangolin Day in order to raise awareness of the threats pangolins face. Through our country office based in China, we have worked across Asia and globally to: Raise public awareness of the cruelty and conservation risks linked to wildlife use in medicine Partner with traditional medicine practitioners to promote plant-based, ethical alternatives Advocate for stronger policy and regulatory changes to protect endangered species Conduct research to expose the scale and impacts of the illegal wildlife trade
We already knew chimpanzees were smart – but new research shows their engineering prowess exceeds all imagination
Article written by Freya Parr Originally published by Discover Wildlife (Mar 24, 2025) New research shows that chimpanzees are engineers, with an innate comprehension of material properties that help them choose the best tools for the job Chimpanzees act as engineers in their daily tasks, new research shows. A team of researchers have discovered that chimpanzees are able to choose materials to make tools based on their structural and mechanical properties. The chimpanzees studied are living in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania and are shown to deliberately choose plants that make more flexible tools for termite fishing. This allows the chimpanzees to probe the termites out of their mounds of winding tunnels, a much better approach than using rigid sticks. The study found that the materials ignored by chimpanzees were 175 percent more rigid than their preferred materials. These findings show us the technical abilities associated with the making of perishable tools, which remains a mysterious and unknown element of human technological evolution. Wild chimpanzees, therefore, show an innate comprehension of material properties that helps them choose the best tools for the job, rather than simply using any stick or plant that is available. The multidisciplinary team of researchers are from the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography at the University of Oxford, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, the Jane Goodall Institute in Tanzania, the University of Algarve and the University of Porto in Portugal, and the University of Leipzig. The findings are published in the journal iScience. “This finding has important implications for understanding how humans might have evolved their remarkable tool-using abilities,” says Adam van Casteren from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. “While perishable materials like wood rarely survive in the archaeological record, the mechanical principles behind effective tool construction and use remain constant across species and time.’
We are so close to saving a baby elephant from a deadly snare.
I’m reaching out today because I know this situation will deeply concern you, and as an animal-lover, I’m sure you will want to help. An elephant calf in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, has been spotted limping through the wilderness with a wire snare tearing into its flesh. The calf’s leg is badly swollen, indicating a serious infection that must be treated immediately. This young animal must be suffering greatly – and to make matters worse, its reduced mobility is leaving it vulnerable to predators. If we don’t act quickly, this calf is likely to die. Credit: KAWFT Our partner, Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust (KAWFT), has attempted to dart the calf on two separate occasions from the ground. However, with thick vegetation, challenging terrain and a massive area to search, the team has not yet been successful. Time is running out. We must assist our team with a helicopter to dart the baby elephant from the sky and remove the snare as soon as possible. For illustrative purposes only: It is difficult and dangerous for our team to approach injured elephant calves from the ground, as their mothers are extremely protective of them. Credit: KAWFT The answer is to use a helicopter to spot and dart the calf from above. Aerial patrols are our ONLY option if we are to find the calf before it’s too late. Even with a helicopter, it could take hours or even days to find the stricken calf. Every minute increases the calf’s risk of dying by infection or being attacked by predators. Please help us raise $8,000 (£6,180) to keep the helicopter in the air and provide our team with sufficient aerial coverage to find the calf fast. Your donation will also cover the cost of medication and equipment to safely dart the calf, remove the snare and treat the injury, giving the animal the best chance of survival after this excruciating ordeal. This young animal is suffering terribly, and elephants are so endangered that every single life counts in the battle against extinction. A rescue mission like this is only possible with your support. Can this calf count on your help today? Credit: Steve Edwards Snares are terribly cruel contraptions used by poachers to catch wild animals. Those that don’t die immediately – like this baby calf – suffer for days or weeks, usually succumbing to their injuries after excruciating pain and suffering. Young animals are especially vulnerable, as they fall behind, lose their herd, and die painful, lonely deaths. A helpless calf and its concerned mother are dearly hoping for your help today. Please, donate right away.
Can Wildlife Heal PTSD? The Science Behind Nature’s Unexpected Remedy
Article written by Cabi Originally published by SciTechDaily (Mar 6, 2025) A groundbreaking study reveals that interacting with wildlife helps ease PTSD symptoms in veterans. Walking in forests was beneficial, but direct engagement with animals—especially when the animals initiated contact—was even more impactful. Participants found a sense of connection and healing while also growing more aware of conservation issues. Scientists suggest expanding research to further explore this nature-based therapy. Healing PTSD Through Nature and Wildlife A new study published today (March 6) in Human-Animal Interactions found that spending time in nature—particularly engaging with wildlife and walking in forests—can help reduce PTSD symptoms in U.S. war veterans. Researchers from UMass Chan Medical School studied 19 veterans with PTSD or PTSD symptoms and observed that activities such as forest walks, wildlife care at a rehabilitation center, visiting a wildlife sanctuary, and birdwatching led to notable psychological benefits, particularly reduced anxiety. To help maintain their connection with nature after the nearly four-month study in Massachusetts, participants received bird feeders. The research included visits to Maine Wildlife Park, walks through Harvard Forest, and educational sessions on bird identification at the Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. Immersion in Wildlife Settings Brings Greater Benefits Findings of the study suggest that the veterans benefited more from their immersion in wildlife settings—including coming up close with a Sulcata tortoise at the New England Wildlife Center—than from a forest walk. Dr. Donna Perry, UMass Chan Medical School, said, “While many studies involving interactions between humans and other species aimed at improving psychological or physical health have involved domestic animals, few have focused on wildlife. “We found that the response of veterans with PTSD to wildlife immersion suggests improved psychological symptoms as well as connection to nature/wildlife and increased understanding and concern for animal welfare and conservation-related issues. “Nature-based interventions are dynamic and require a flexible design, which may be addressed through immersion experiences.” The Power of Animals Choosing to Interact Dr. Perry said the participants in the study reflected that interactions with wildlife were especially meaningful when animals chose to engage with humans. One participant said, “Because animals are just—there’s no control . . . They have their own free will. Got their own way of thinking and doing things, so if they like you . . . there’s a feeling of feeling connected with nature.” Another individual described a similar spontaneous encounter in her post-study journal. “I sat on the patio, and I saw a red squirrel running by. He stopped and looked at me; I thought he was so cute. I really felt connected to him.” In some cases, participants seemed to identify with animals, such as an individual who was assisting to feed a baby grey squirrel through a syringe. In this case, a technician held the squirrel for the participant as it was reported to be “a biter.” As she fed the squirrel the participant said, “He’s the black sheep. He’s probably related to me. He’s beautiful.” Healing Through Shared Experiences of Struggle Dr. Perry said, “The findings also suggest that improvements in depression and well-being may be mediated through transcendent feelings in response to the human-wildlife interactions. “The study supports that placing veterans in an environment where they can connect with animals that have also undergone loss and suffering may foster healing in the veterans themselves. “Being exposed to and assisting with the care of injured wildlife also raises awareness of the effects of humans on the environment and may enhance conservation attitudes. This suggests that settings providing wildlife care and public education may be mutually beneficial for both humans and beyond-human animals.” Future Research: Expanding Animal-Assisted Therapies The scientists say that future research with larger numbers of participants would be helpful to more deeply explore mutual benefits for humans and animals within specific realms of interaction, such as physical contact through animal care or reminiscing through the extended realm. They add that additional studies would also be helpful to explore animal-assisted therapies in which formal therapeutic interventions are included with the wildlife immersion.
Amid Legal Troubles, Monkey-Breeding Facility Backers Expand Operations
Article written by Marjorie Fishman Originally published by Animal Welfare Institute (Mar 3, 2025) The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is deeply concerned by the recent announcement that Safer Human Medicine (SHM)—the company behind a massive monkey-breeding facility planned in Georgia—has acquired a facility in Florida to hold non-human primates slated for biomedical research. The 70-acre facility in LaBelle, Florida, will help SHM “accelerate its holding and quarantine operations for non-human primates,” the company said in a release, while supporting a planned $396 million complex in Bainbridge, Georgia, that, at peak capacity, would hold 30,000 long-tailed macaques. This is at least triple the number currently housed at any other US breeding facility. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reported last month the findings of its investigation that identified a “secretly orchestrated deal between monkey importer Charles River Laboratories and SIMI United States, LLC, a company newly incorporated by the executives behind Safer Human Medicine.” SHM has denied PETA’s allegations that the deal was a secret. Members of SHM’s executive leadership have a troubled track record on animal welfare issues. SHM’s CEO served as COO of Envigo during a time when conditions at that biomedical company’s Virginia dog-breeding operation were so atrocious that the facility was eventually shuttered following the execution of a federal search warrant and subsequent court orders. Envigo was convicted of conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and paid the largest-ever fine in a case involving this federal law. Additionally, SHM’s president and COO previously held executive positions at Charles River Laboratories, which is still being investigated by the federal government for its conduct regarding shipments of long-tailed macaques from Cambodia. Charles River Laboratories previously proposed building a mega monkey-holding facility in southeast Texas, but abandoned those plans last year after encountering opposition from local leaders and residents. Since 2022, long-tailed macaques have been classified as “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. A scientific study published last year found that the population of this species has declined by 80% over the past 35 years, attributing it in part to accelerating demand from the biomedical industry. That same industry has formally petitioned the IUCN to strip long-tailed macaques of their endangered designation. SHM’s planned Georgia facility is currently mired in multiple legal disputes filed by local residents. They have reason to worry. In November, 43 rhesus macaques escaped from the Alpha Genesis Incorporated primate research facility in Yemassee, South Carolina, putting the health of the monkeys and the town’s residents at risk. “Safer Human Medicine is solidifying its investment stake in its monkey-breeding operation and ignoring residents’ objections, even though the fate of the Bainbridge facility is far from decided by the courts,” said Dr. Joanna Makowska, director and senior scientist for AWI’s Animals in Laboratories Program.
Disaster strikes in the freezing winter – rescued lions and tigers need your help.
Battle-worn Ukraine is in the midst of a freezing winter, with temperatures dropping as low as 4°F (-20°C). For countless lions and tigers, many brought into the country illegally, these sub-zero temperatures are deadly. Abandoned lion cubs rescued from the cold need access to warmth to survive the Ukrainian winter. Credit: WARC Lions and tigers native to warm climates are battling to survive Ukraine’s freezing winter. These animals, native to the warm climates of Africa, India and Asia, are ill-equipped for Ukrainian weather, but at least when they were in zoos or private hands, they did not have to brave the winter months without warm shelter. Rescued by our partner, Tigrulya has kidney failure and severe hind leg injuries. Without a warm indoor enclosure, he will not survive. Credit: WARC But now, even that small mercy has disappeared. When war broke out, many of these big cats were abandoned as their owners fled – some left in their cages to starve to death, while others were tragically killed by their owners who saw no other option. These big cats cannot survive in freezing war-torn Ukraine without your help. Many of our partner’s rescues are struggling with illness and injuries. For these animals, exposure to the cold could be deadly. Credit: WARC Our partner has rescued lions and tigers with severe injuries and health complications – now they need warm shelter if they are to make it through the winter. Our partner, Wild Animal Rescue Center (WARC), has rescued dozens of these unfortunate animals abandoned during the war. Many of the big cats in WARC’s care are battling the foreign climate, as well as injuries, illness and disability. Abandoned in a zoo as bombs exploded around him, Simba the lion broke his nose on the bars of his cage. He is one of many big cats that need your help. Credit: WARC With below-freezing temperatures expected to last at least another month, and food and veterinary costs soaring, WARC fears they won’t be able to provide warmth for much longer. If they cannot pay their heating bills, their electricity will be cut off – a devastating tragedy for the lions, tigers and other animals who depend on them for survival. Credit: WARC We need to raise $10,000 (approximately £8,000) to cover critical heating expenses, before a brutal winter claims the lives of even more majestic big cats. A heated enclosure at our partner’s facility. Credit: WARC Please help in any way you can today.
12 endangered wild cats endured years of abuse at “sanctuary” in UK.
Kit Kat, a sick, elderly puma, hissed and spat in fear as rescuers approached. In all his years, he had never met a human he could trust. Along with 11 other vulnerable and endangered wild cats, Kit Kat was rescued from years of cruelty and abuse at a UK “conservation center” in Hertfordshire. Their story is heartbreaking… Kit Kat, one of 12 big cats recently rescued from hellish conditions at a UK “conservation center.” Credit: WildSide Exotic Rescue Police discovered shocking scenes of sick and dead animals at the facility. Some animals were too ill to be saved and had to be humanely euthanized. The conditions Kit Kat and his fellow captive cats endured were beyond horrific. Many were sick, injured and severely suffering, left to languish in pain. Police found animal carcasses packed into freezers; those still alive were living in cramped cages and forced to perform for visitors. Authorities finally shut down the facility recently after finding the owner guilty on a litany of animal welfare charges. Any animals that remained at the facility by the closure date in January were to be euthanized. That was when our partner, WildSide Exotic Rescue, stepped in. Rescuers from WildSide Exotic Rescue sedating and treating the rescued cats. Credit: WildSide Exotic Rescue The rescued cats have suffered for YEARS. They need critical medicines and special food to survive and regain their strength. Kit Kat was in terrible shape, barely clinging to life. When WildSide finally got him to their sanctuary and assessed him, they realized he had been living with an untreated broken leg and other horrific injuries. Estimated to be at least 16, he must have lived in constant pain – possibly for his entire life. 11 other cats like Kit Kat are fighting for their lives – together, we can help save them. Credit: Herts Police Every $2,460 (£2,000) we raise will provide food, medication and veterinary care for all the cats for a month. Rescued pumas Billie and Galaxy were kept in cramped conditions and left traumatized and sick as a result of their cruel captivity. Credit: WildSide Exotic Rescue Suffering from a range of health problems, the cats all need immediate, specialized care, proper enclosures and high-quality food. Can these poor, sick animals count on your compassion today? Please, donate generously now, and help them live out their final years free of pain and suffering.
This vulnerable aardvark needs your help to survive.
Little Henry was just a few months old when he was tragically orphaned in South Africa. When he was found, he was covered in parasites and on the brink of death – the sun beating down on him as he lay in the dirt. Henry is an aardvark — a gentle, nocturnal, burrowing mammal who is no threat to anyone. But sadly, aardvarks are hunted for their meat and body parts. They are killed out of ignorance, or because they are considered a “pest” by farmers. Tragically, this is probably what happened to Henry’s mom. Orphaned, alone and barely alive, he was rushed to the nearest veterinary clinic. Rescuers didn’t know if he would make it. Credit: Kalahari Wildlife Project A medical exam revealed that Henry was severely dehydrated, struggling to drink on his own, and experiencing severe diarrhea. Henry should have still been with his mom. Aardvarks stay with their mothers for the first six months of their lives. Little Henry was just three months old. Henry needs special milk formula and long-term rehabilitation if he has any hope of survival. Once Henry was stabilized, he was transferred to our partner, the Kalahari Wildlife Project (KWP), which immediately began intensive care. Credit: Kalahari Wildlife Project Just $53 (£43) will cover the cost of Henry’s special milk formula and monthly care. Henry will need specialized care and intensive rehabilitation for up to a year. Vital to his recovery is special milk formula for the next three months. Every $53 (£43) we raise will give Henry an entire month of rehabilitation and care, and will also cover the cost of three months’ worth of special milk formula. Credit: Kalahari Wildlife Project If we can raise $640 (£520), we can fund his entire recovery. By helping Henry, you’re supporting a keystone species that plays a crucial role in the health and biodiversity of ecosystems. Please will you help give orphaned Henry the second chance he deserves? Credit: Kalahari Wildlife Project
Nearly 20,000 live animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in largest-ever wildlife and forestry operation
Article written by Interpol Int. Team Originally published by Interpol (Feb 4, 2025) 138 countries and regions join forces to target fauna and flora trafficking worldwide. LYON, France – Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO). Operation Thunder 2024 (11 November–6 December) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry, and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017. Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items, or as pets and competition animals. The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates, and reptiles, were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide. Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centers, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols. The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends. Large-scale trafficking of animal parts, plants and endangered species In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life, and arthropods. Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs. Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach. More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified. Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General, said: “Organized crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change, and even fuels conflict and instability. “Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations.” Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, said: “Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts, we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies. “The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative, and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.” Significant seizures include: Indonesia: 134 tonnes of timber headed to Asia via ocean freight. Kenya: 41 tonnes of exotic timber headed to Asia via ocean freight. Nigeria: 4,472 kg of pangolins scales Türkiye: 6,500 live songbirds were discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border. India: 5,193 live red-eared ornamental slider turtles concealed in passenger suitcases arriving from Malaysia at Chennai Airport. Peru: 3,700 protected plants were intercepted en route from Ecuador. Qatar: Eight rhino horns were found in a suspect’s luggage while transiting from Mozambique to Thailand. United States: One ton of sea cucumbers, considered a seafood delicacy, smuggled from Nicaragua. Hong Kong, China: 973 kg of dried shark fins originating from Morocco were seized at the airport. Czech Republic: Eight tigers, aged between two months and two years, were discovered in a suspected illegal breeding facility. Indonesia: 846 pieces of reticulated python skin, from the world’s longest snake species, concealed on board a ship. Australia and the United Kingdom reported seizures of bear bile, often used in traditional medicine. More than 300 firearms, vehicles, and poaching equipment. Building a global intelligence picture of wildlife and timber trafficking Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases. Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive. Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real time. The Operation Thunder series is backed by the CITES Secretariat and carried out under the partnership framework of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). The 2024 edition was co-funded by the European Union, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Tiger poachers use fishing boats to smuggle body parts out of Malaysia, study shows
Article written by David Rising from Associated Press Originally published by abc NEWS (Jan 29, 2025) Commercial fishing fleets have been playing a key role in the trafficking of parts of tigers poached in Malaysia, according to new research, information that could help enforcement efforts to save the critically endangered cat BANGKOK — Commercial fishing fleets have been playing a key role in trafficking parts of tigers poached in Malaysia, according to research released Wednesday that could help enforcement efforts to save the critically endangered cat. The fishing boats are part of a network of routes used by sophisticated teams of poachers to move parts of illegally killed Malayan tigers and other poached animals to Vietnam, according to the study by conservation organizations Panthera and ZSL in conjunction with Malaysia’s Sunway University. Through interviews with more than four dozen people involved in the operations, including poachers and those who brokered sales of the illicit goods, researchers found that fishing boats were able to carry larger consignments cheaper and less likely to be checked by customs than land or air routes. “To really crack a problem and insert the right intervention that’s going to have any impact, you have to understand the thing inside out,” said Panthara’s Rob Pickles, the lead author of the study, in a phone interview from Kuala Lumpur. “That’s what we hope this study does—contribute to that depth of understanding of the problem to allow us to tailor the interventions.” From a population estimated at some 3,000 tigers in the middle of the 20th century, the latest estimates are that there are only about 150 of the cats left in Malaysia, and they have already gone extinct in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam over the last 25 years. In addition to poaching, tigers have lost much of their habitat to deforestation, and they have been falling victim in recent years to the canine distemper virus while a major source of food, the wild boar, has been decimated by the African swine fever virus. “It’s their last gasp,” Pickles said. “This is the last chance to turn things around.” The tigers live in the forests of peninsular Malaysia, which is connected by land to Thailand to the north. They have also been targeted by poachers from Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand, but researchers said the Vietnamese teams operate on a “different order of magnitude.” Almost all from the poor, rural, and rugged province of Quang Binh, where many took to the jungles to escape relentless American bombing during the Vietnam War, the poachers use well-honed bushcraft skills to live as small teams in the forests for three to five months at a time on poaching excursions. They capture wild tigers with heavy steel snares made of wires as thick as a person’s index finger, as well as other animals. Once caught, the tigers are killed and processed largely for their bones, which are boiled for days until they become a gelatinous, glue-like substance that is pressed into small blocks and sold for perceived medicinal benefits. Claws and teeth are used to make amulets. As Malaysia went on lockdown during the COVID pandemic, poaching operations came to a near standstill. The researchers were able to use the time to find and interview more than 50 individuals involved in the operations for the study, which was done in two phases concluding in 2024. Researchers learned that fishing boats were also used to carry bear paws and bile, live civets, wild boar tusks and meat, pangolins, monitor lizards, and turtles. One person told researchers the fishing boats were ideal to send larger items like tiger skins. “Nobody checks,” the interviewee was quoted as saying. “In addition, people can go back by boat, so many things also can be brought back by this route.” Malaysia and Vietnam have both been increasing maritime controls recently, making trafficking by fishing boats riskier. Malaysian authorities have also had success in catching poachers and have substantially increased punishments for wildlife crime in recent years, though the study also found that the managers who send the teams into the forests are rarely caught and can easily recruit replacements. Researchers also learned that many Vietnamese poachers take on significant debt to travel to Malaysia. They recommend that in addition to focusing more on fishing boats, authorities should target potential poachers in their home villages in Quang Binh with information about the increasing risks and diminishing returns to try and dissuade them from coming to Malaysia in the first place. Officials in Malaysia and Vietnam, both of which were celebrating public holidays this week, did not respond to requests for comment on the survey and its recommendations. “We can’t arrest our way out of a problem or over-rely on the criminal justice system,” said ZSL’s Gopalasamy Reuben Clements, a co-author of the report. “We need to explore other approaches, such as highly targeted behavioral change interventions, that can run in parallel to arrests and prosecutions.”
21 wild cats including tigers, lynxes and leopards dead from avian flu.
A freak avian flu outbreak at a Washington wild animal sanctuary has left 21 big cats dead and 16 more in need of critical support. Credit: WFAC Because it is suspected that food was the source of the outbreak, the sanctuary has been forced to destroy three tons of supplies to avoid further risk of infection. Now, the survivors need animal-lovers like you, to keep them fed as they recover. 16 vulnerable and hungry wild cats need food and critical support after an avian flu outbreak. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington (WFAC) in North Shelton, Washington, is a lifetime haven for tigers, lynxes, cougars, bobcats, servals, African leopards and other large felines rescued from abuse, exploitation and neglect. It provides permanent safe sanctuary, giving the animals the peace, comfort and well-being they deserve. Credit: WFAC But tragedy has struck. Following an avian flu outbreak across several U.S. states, the sanctuary tragically lost 21 of its big cats, including vulnerable lynxes and an endangered Bengal tiger. Right now, 16 survivors are in quarantine, receiving critical care. After destroying three tons of food – which would have fed all 16 survivors for five months – to avoid further risk of contamination, they need to replace the food fast. Credit: WFAC Please help us provide crucial food for the survivors. These big cats need our help, and they need it today. Avian flu is a highly contagious virus carried by wild birds, spreading through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact. It can also be transmitted to predators who eat infected birds. The virus can quickly progress to pneumonia, causing death within just 24 hours. Now, as the WFAC team works around the clock to keep the surviving cats safe and prevent further infections, their resources are stretched dangerously thin. Credit: WFAC If we can raise $6,000 (£4,825), we can feed the 16 surviving big cats for a month, providing them with the safe, high-quality food they need to survive. Every $12 (around £10) you give will feed a big cat for a day – and just $360 (£290) will give a tiger, leopard or another cat a month’s worth of nutritious food. This is the most devastating tragedy that has struck at the sanctuary since it opened its doors 20 years ago. Your donation will help the surviving animals recover, so they can continue living peaceful, healthy lives. Credit: WFAC Please help give these brave survivors the best chance to survive this deadly outbreak by keeping them fed and strong – donate right away.
116 tortoises repatriated to Tanzania in landmark wildlife trafficking fight
Article written by Guardian Reporter Originally published by IPP Media (Jan 27, 2025) In a major breakthrough in the battle against international wildlife trafficking, 116 tortoises have been successfully repatriated to Tanzania after being intercepted in Thailand more than two years ago. The tortoises, including critically endangered species, will now serve as crucial evidence in the prosecution of a Ukrainian smuggler. The animals were seized in July 2022 when a Ukrainian woman was stopped by customs officials at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport during an INTERPOL operation. Concealed in her luggage, the tortoises were destined for the illegal exotic pet trade. Following her arrest, a global investigation led to the dismantling of an international wildlife trafficking ring and the arrest of 14 individuals from countries including Egypt, Indonesia, Madagascar and Tanzania. A formal handover ceremony took place in Bangkok on Thursday, with senior officials from Thailand and Tanzania present, marking the successful repatriation of the animals. Police Major General Surapan Thaiprasert, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division at the Royal Thai Police, expressed pride in the collaboration. He said, “Thailand worked closely with INTERPOL and our partners in Tanzania on this significant case. Through our robust detection capabilities, we intercepted the smuggler and saved the tortoises. Their return is a testament to our shared commitment to combat wildlife crime.” The 116 tortoises returned to Tanzania include pancake tortoises, radiated tortoises, and Aldabra giant tortoises, all of which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Tragically, some of the animals did not survive the traumatic conditions of being smuggled despite immediate care provided by Thai authorities. However, all 116 tortoises were repatriated as evidence in the ongoing case. The illegal trade in endangered tortoises remains a significant global issue. These species are often taken from their natural habitats and trafficked internationally, where they are sold as exotic pets. This type of wildlife trafficking not only threatens biodiversity but also fuels organized crime networks that profit from exploiting vulnerable species. Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL, emphasized the importance of international cooperation: “Wildlife trafficking is a global threat that disrupts ecosystems, harms local communities, and enriches criminal networks. This case highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies worldwide to protect endangered species and bring wildlife criminals to justice. INTERPOL plays a critical role in facilitating coordinated global efforts to combat wildlife crime.” Following her arrest in Thailand, the smuggler fled the country before facing full prosecution. However, through an INTERPOL Red Notice, she was tracked down in Bulgaria in March 2023 and extradited to Tanzania in June 2023. This led to the revelation that she was part of a larger trafficking network. INTERPOL provided vital investigative and operational support, helping authorities identify additional suspects and resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals involved in the operation. Ramadhan Hamisi Kingai, Director of Criminal Investigations at the Tanzania Police Force, expressed gratitude for the international collaboration that made the operation a success: “From the capture of the suspect to the repatriation of the tortoises, this success is a direct result of strong international collaboration and a multi-agency approach facilitated through INTERPOL. Tanzania remains committed to combating wildlife crime and will continue to work with other countries to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.” Upon arrival in Tanzania, the surviving tortoises will be placed in quarantine and cared for by local wildlife officials. Authorities will assess their health and, if suitable for release, work to return them to their natural habitats.
Baby gorilla rescued from hold of Turkish Airlines plane
Article written by Associated Press Originally published by The Guardian (Jan 13, 2025) A five-month-old, now named Zeytin, was found in a box on a flight that was travelling from Nigeria to Thailand A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo, officials said Sunday, while wildlife officers consider returning him to his natural habitat. The 5-month-old gorilla was discovered in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand last month as it transited through Istanbul. After a public competition, he has been named Zeytin, or Olive, and is recuperating at Polonezkoy Zoo. “Of course, what we want and desire is for the baby gorilla… to continue its life in its homeland,” Fahrettin Ulu, regional director of Istanbul nature conservation and national parks, said Sunday. “What is important is that an absolutely safe environment is established in the place it goes to, which is extremely important for us.” In the weeks since he was found, Zeytin has gained weight and is showing signs of recovering from his traumatic journey. “When he first came, he was very shy; he would stay where we left him,” said veterinarian Gulfem Esmen. “He doesn’t have that shyness now. He doesn’t even care about us much. He plays games by himself.” Both gorilla species—the western and eastern gorillas, which populate central Africa’s remote forests and mountains—are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As Istanbul emerges as a major air hub between continents, customs officials have increasingly intercepted illegally traded animals. In October, 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards were found in an Egyptian passenger’s luggage at the city’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
A drone could help save this hippo and countless other wild animals.
Somewhere in the Zimbabwean wilderness, a mother hippo is struggling to survive as a brutal wire snare cuts into her face and jaw. If she dies, her calf will be orphaned and left to fend for itself in the unforgiving wilderness, likely being killed by predators or caught in a cruel snare like the one threatening her mother’s life. Our team is ready to save her – but she can’t be found. Credit: Zambezi Conservation With 400,000 hectares (around 1,500 square miles) to search, our team is struggling to find the hippo before she dies from her wounds. Our partner, the Zambezi Conservation Unit (ZamCon), spotted the hippo and calf from their boat as they patrolled the Zambezi River. Unfortunately, the noise of the boat’s motor spooked the animals, and they disappeared into the undergrowth before the team could get to them. Hippos may be large animals, but they can quickly disappear in Zimbabwe’s thick vegetation. Once they vanish from sight, it can be incredibly hard to find them again without high-tech tools like drones. Snares such as these pose a risk to all wildlife. Credit: Zambezi Conservation From what our team could see, the snare is tightly wrapped around her upper jaw, causing severe and potentially life-threatening injuries. We are still searching for her, and unless we can find her soon, we have to assume the worst. Without a drone, we do not know how many more animals are slowly dying right now from snares laid by poachers. Snares are simple yet deadly wire contraptions that poachers use to trap animals in the wild. After snagging an unsuspecting victim, snares cause severe injuries that often only kill the animal after days or weeks of suffering. Credit: Zambezi Conservation Unfortunately, locating snared animals can be incredibly difficult. Injured wild animals, in their fear and desperation, are known to retreat into dense vegetation. In the fight to save Zimbabwe’s wild animals, we must do everything in our power to protect them from relentless poachers. Zimbabwe is a country rife with corruption and poverty, a deadly combination for the animals. For poor locals, the high price of ivory, lion pelts and other animal parts prized by foreign markets can be too great a temptation to ignore. Very few organizations are fighting to safeguard Zimbabwe’s majestic wild animals. Our partner is one of them – but its resources are limited. With your help, we can purchase a drone and save many more snared animals. What is needed for the animals is a state-of-the-art drone to cover a much wider area, providing a bird’s-eye view to quickly spot injured or at-risk animals and rush to the rescue. Even better, thermal and night-vision capabilities will enable the team to see animals in the dark, while easily spotting poachers who are lurking in the bushes so they can send an anti-poaching squad to apprehend them. Drones provide a bird’s-eye view to quickly spot injured or at-risk animals. Credit: BesJournals Every day that our team goes without a drone means more defenseless animals will be left to suffer – and more poachers will get away. Please help us raise $12,000 (around £9,700) for a vital anti-poaching drone by donating as generously as you can today. Vulnerable animals are counting on you.
Feed an orphaned rhino this festive season.
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for six-week-old rhino calf Hercules, this time of year has brought nothing but unimaginable horror. Credit: Care For Wild Orphaned, attacked by hyenas and left for dead, this poor infant is fighting for his life at the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary (CFW) in South Africa. Hercules is not alone. Recently, CFW has taken in four orphaned rhino calves – a sharp increase after more than a year without any new rescues in its care. These helpless little rhinos desperately need your help this holiday season. Please give four orphaned rhino calves the gift of special milk formula, food and life-saving care this festive season. Credit: Care For Wild Separated from his mother at just three weeks old, Hercules was attacked by a clan of hyenas and was left severely wounded and nearly dead. As you read this, Hercules is receiving round-the-clock intensive care at the CFW ICU. This tiny, fragile calf also needs a regular supply of nourishing special milk formula – vital for his recovery. While little Hercules is in critical condition, three other orphaned rhino calves are also desperately hoping for the gift of your compassion this holiday season… Skye and Talesi, both 18-month-old orphans, are struggling with the loss of their mothers. Calves orphaned at over a year of age often struggle to adjust to life without their moms, as they usually stay by their side for up to four years. Those that are unable to join other rhino herds can become so depressed, they refuse to eat, severely threatening their health and even their lives. Credit: Care For Wild Finally, there’s sweet Riri – a three-month-old critically endangered black rhino orphan whose recovery is especially delicate. Black rhinos are more sensitive and intelligent, and need much more intensive care than white rhinos. Like Hercules, Riri needs special milk formula to recover and survive. With the surge of orphaned rhinos in their care, together with Hercules’ intensive and expensive recovery, our partner is struggling to cope. Together, we can ensure that these vulnerable rhino infants are fed throughout the holidays, freeing up funds to support Hercules on his healing journey. This holiday season, give a life-changing gift to precious orphaned rhino calves: $15 will feed an orphaned rhino for a day. $105 will feed an orphaned rhino for a week. $450 will feed an orphaned rhino for a month. Credit: Care For Wild It is vitally important to help these rhinos because they are so endangered that every single life makes a difference in the fight to save them from extinction. It is estimated that only one in 10 orphaned rhinos in South Africa is discovered in time to be saved. Tragically, 90% will die alone in the wild. ‘Tis the season of giving, and today, we ask you from the bottom of our hearts to spare a thought for four orphaned rhino calves who have lost everything – their precious, loving mothers, and the comfort of their natural homes in the wild. In the spirit of generosity, we hope you will give these vulnerable rhino orphans the chance to heal, grow and eventually be released back into protected wild spaces where they belong. Please donate to Animal Survival International today and help us bring milk, food and life-saving care to orphaned baby rhinos this festive season.
1,000 days of war means 1,000 days of animal suffering.
It has been over 1,000 days since war broke out in Ukraine – and every day has meant unbelievable suffering and abject terror for the wild animals abandoned as missiles strike and bullets fly. Credit: WARC Countless animals have died and countless more still wander the frontlines, miraculously escaping death as their homes are blown up and their families killed. Many of these wild animals were kept as “pets” before war broke out. Once the fighting began, they were either abandoned to die in their cages or released to fend for themselves. Despite being left to starve to death or be slaughtered by Russian soldiers, many animals have managed to survive, scavenging what food they can from amidst the rubble and destruction. For these terrified wild animals, every day on the frontline could mean death. We MUST keep up our search-and-rescue missions to save these forgotten animals – but we can’t do it without your help. Every week, our team risks their lives to save desperate wild animals from the war zone. As freezing winter sets in and enemy troops pour into Ukraine, we are fighting to save them all before it’s too late. Credit: WARC A bitter winter has Ukraine in an icy grip, leaving animals to freeze on top of ravenous hunger, debilitating injuries and constant terror. Our partner in Ukraine, Wild Animal Rescue Center (WARC), needs to conduct critical rescue missions for animals on the frontline, but snowy conditions are making it extremely difficult to continue their life-saving work. One of the most crucial needs is a set of specialized winter tires, to let its animal ambulance safely navigate the pot-holed, treacherously wet and icy roads. Getting to the animals is only half the battle. When our team finds them, many are so badly injured, they need major medical intervention. And with below-freezing temperatures coupled with the constant threat of attack, treating animals on the side of the road can be deadly. If we can get the snow tires and install an examination table in our partner’s animal ambulance, we will drastically improve the chances of survival for both the animals and our hard-working team. Credit: WARC Last but not least, we need to supply secure animal crates for transporting large animals like bears from the frontlines to the safety of the WARC sanctuary. If we can raise $4,300 (approximately £3,400), we can equip our partner’s animal ambulance with everything it needs to continue saving defenseless animals in Ukraine. We promised to help until the war is over, but we can only do it with your continued support. Credit: WARC Please, help us give these animals a chance at survival by donating as much as you possibly can right away.
‘It shouldn’t be that easy’: inside the illegal wildlife trade booming on social media
Article written by Sam Meadows Originally published by The Guardian (Dec 9, 2024) Social media sites have become crucial tools for the sale of endangered species and platforms should do more to combat it, say experts When the baby parrots were delivered to Alice Soares de Oliveira’s desk, they had no feathers and could barely open their eyes. Housed in a dirty cardboard box, the pair were barely a month old and showed signs of underfeeding. The parrots, along with a pair of young toucans that arrived just under a month later, were victims of wildlife traffickers. Snatched by poachers, perhaps from their mother’s nest, they were all advertised for sale on social media. They were brought to Soares de Oliveira, a vet at CeMaCAS, a wildlife conservation center, in the forest outside Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, after being rescued by police monitoring networks on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. Social media has become a crucial tool for wildlife traffickers, experts say. A growing number use Facebook, for example, to advertise endangered animals or their byproducts for sale, often switching to messaging apps such as WhatsApp to complete the sale. A report published in October by the Global Initiative Against Transnational and Organized Crime flagged 477 advertisements for 18 protected species in Brazil and South Africa alone in a three-month period this year. Social media accounted for 78% of these. Simone Haysom, the Global Initiative’s director of environmental crime, says that after authorities cracked down on street markets, traders moved online. “Online spaces now provide the means for many of the world’s most endangered, most highly protected species to find consumers,” she says. “There is a cornucopia of endangered species available to buy online, and it simply shouldn’t be that easy.” Crawford Allan, vice president of nature crimes at the World Wildlife Fund, says the pandemic led to wildlife crime becoming “systematized” online. “A lot of the open markets were closing,” he says. “People couldn’t move around and so a lot of stuff ended up online, and it’s become the norm.” Social media companies face challenging circumstances in determining whether such advertisements are illegal, as laws on the sale of wild animals differ by jurisdiction and species. Nevertheless, experts say tech firms need to do more to determine when posts have a high risk. The Global Initiative uses a mixture of AI techniques and human analysis to detect suspicious ads online. Their flagging system, part of a project called Eco-Solve, covers Brazil, South Africa and Thailand and will soon expand to India, Indonesia and the UAE. Richard Scobey, executive director of Traffic, an organisation focused on wildlife trafficking, says that advertising on social media often allows sellers to “circumvent” legislation and sell items without telling buyers their origins. “Companies need to allocate far more resources towards regulating how users trade illegally in wildlife parts and derivatives on their platforms,” he says. “Social media companies are working to combat the illegal trade on their platforms… But much more can be done.” Some tech firms have taken steps to combat the issue. In 2020, Facebook introduced a tag to some search terms, warning users of the dangers of wildlife trafficking, and Meta removed 7.6 million posts in 2023, according to the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking Online. The coalition is a voluntary body, which includes most of the leading US and Chinese social media companies. In 2021, it said that 11.6 million posts had been blocked or removed by members. The WWF’s Allan was a founding member of the coalition and continues to oversee its work. He says that tech firms have been receptive to activists’ attempts to get them to crack down on activity, but that layoffs in the industry have affected progress. “As a conservation group, we always feel that people need to do more, but we also understand that they’re dealing with terrorism, child safety, and all the ills of the world that are flowing through their social media channels. They’ve got much bigger, scarier issues to deal with,” he adds. “We feel some companies have found the balance. There’s also companies that haven’t. They’re not doing enough, or they’re on hiatus for some reason, and they need to step up and do more.” A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook and WhatsApp, says: “We do not allow activity related to the purchase, sale, raffle, gift, transfer, or trade of endangered and protected species on our services. “We use a combination of technology, reviews by our teams, and user reports to identify activity that breaks our terms of service, and we will respond to valid requests from law enforcement.” Wildlife trafficking threatens biodiversity and can drive the extinction of certain species. According to a 2023 article in Forensic Science International, approximately 5,209 animal species are threatened or near-threatened due to “use and trade.” Haysom says: “These species [being advertised for sale online] are protected because they’re endangered. They’re protected because trade poses a real threat to their continued existence.” In São Paulo, Soares de Oliveira sees a bright future for the birds in her care. Vets at CeMaCAS care for hundreds of birds and animals at a time. She is confident that the parrots and toucans will make a full recovery and be released back into the wild. “They are in the rehab process. They are still young and we are observing them. But in three months, I think they can have a free life,” she says.
Monkeys flown to UK for lab tests found ‘injured and terrified’ in blood-soaked plane crates
Article written by Claire Colley and Jane Dalton Originally published by Independent (Nov 24, 2024) Exclusive: New photos reveal how primates are shipped as cargo confined in small crates Monkeys flown into the UK for laboratory testing were so badly injured that their crates were smeared with blood, photographs suggest. The long-tailed macaques endured journeys of up to 25 hours from Mauritius and Vietnam, transported in cramped wooden crates too small for them to stand upright. After quarantine in the Netherlands, the macaques were driven to Brussels airport before being flown to Manchester airport. Activists, who said the animals would have been terrified on the journeys, slated the “cruel” conditions and the fact the UK still conducts experiments on primates. Long-tailed macaques are the main primate species used in toxicology tests for drugs and chemicals by research organisations for pharmaceutical and chemical companies, as well as by universities. Dogs, pigs and rodents are also used. Toxicity testing involves placing monkeys in restraining devices and dosing them with drugs or chemicals through a tube inserted into their stomachs (gavaging). The substances may also be injected, often without anesthetic, or inhaled. This may be daily, and studies show side effects include vomiting, convulsing, internal bleeding and death. Importing monkeys is quicker and easier than breeding them in the UK, insiders say. The photos, which were brought to light in freedom of information requests by the Dutch-Belgian group Animal Rights, sparked renewed criticism over the ethics of animals in research. Group members who tracked the journeys of the planes and vans believe the monkeys were destined for a drug developer. The company did not respond to a request for comment. The FOI replies revealed that one animal, imported on 28 May, suffered an anal prolapse—a potentially fatal condition. A Belgian animal welfare inspector’s checklist stated no animals were wounded, yet photos appear to show an injured monkey with the condition. On another occasion, blood was seen in a monkey crate transported on 30 April, but the injury was deemed minor. UK Home Office guidelines state that sick or injured animals should not normally be considered fit for transport. In July last year, 80 long-tailed macaques were transported in a plane’s hold at just 10C, despite warnings from Flemish officials that such conditions were unsuitable. Officials also flagged that prolonged loading times in Brussels risked causing significant stress to the primates. In a separate case, a monkey died on a flight to New York after reportedly suffering an adverse reaction to sedation. The animal was among hundreds flown from the Netherlands, France, and Spain. In 2021, more than one monkey died en route to the US. Animal rights organisation Action for Primates described these cases as “the tip of the iceberg”, highlighting that between July 2022 and May 2023, 10 flights from Mauritius and Vietnam delivered macaques to the UK via European airports. Research confirms air travel as a major stressor for primates. According to Ned Buyukmihci, emeritus professor of veterinary medicine and adviser to Action for Primates, flight-related stress could exacerbate injuries, leading to severe pain, shock or even death. Sarah Kite, co-founder of Action for Primates, said: “Shipped as cargo, primates are forced to spend many hours confined in small single transit crates and may have to endure poor ventilation, unfamiliar and loud noise, temperature fluctuations and delays en route as they are shipped around the globe.” However, the Understanding Animal Research organisation says experiments involving non-humans have provided many treatments for conditions such as cancer and diabetes, as well as human vaccines. It argues that hundreds of millions of human and animal lives have been saved or improved as a direct result of research on animals. A spokesperson for Cheshire Animal Rights Campaigns and Animal Welfare Party called on Manchester Airport and shareholders to end monkey imports. An airport spokesperson said that, like other airports, it could not take a stance on the import of any cargo, adding: “There are clear laws, set by government, that define what can and cannot be brought into the UK as cargo, and it would not be appropriate for the airport to act independently of those laws.” The Belgian government said: “In our opinion, there was no failure. An assessment of the situation was made, and what seemed to be the best option for the animals was acted upon.” They said the injured monkeys were otherwise in good condition, adding: “It was decided that, given the short duration of the transport, it was better to allow the animals to travel.” They added that on arrival no further problems were found, and the inspector reminded workers to avoid low temperatures in the future. A separate freedom of information request has shown 2,118 primates were imported last year, and UK government statistics show there were 2,169 procedures on primates. While they are not believed to have received the monkeys in the latest incident, some of the leading institutions conducting animal research include the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the Francis Crick Institute, the University of Edinburgh, UCL, the Medical Research Council and Imperial College London. A spokesperson for the government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency said: “It’s upsetting to receive reports of animals in distress; we always take reports of breaches in animal welfare regulations very seriously and we are looking into the exact details of this case. “When animals are transported, it is the responsibility of the vet in the country of origin to decide if the inspected animal is fit to travel.” Credit Banner: Animal Rights
Baby pangolin stuffed in a sack and left to die.
Today, an eight-month-old pangolin pup desperately needs your help. Saved from a bushmeat market in Lekki, Nigeria, after a tip-off, she was found in a truly horrendous state. Credit: GWCI The fragile young animal was stuffed into a filthy sack and infested with hundreds of disease-carrying ticks, which clung to every inch of her body. With the parasites clinging to every inch of her poor body, it was the worst infestation our partner Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative (GWCI) had ever seen. Tikki the pangolin is just a baby. Her survival hinges on specialized nutrition and expert care. Our partner took Tikki into its care. Once every tick had been painstakingly removed from her little body, she was moved to isolation because she probably still harbors tick eggs, which could cause a disease outbreak at our partner sanctuary. Each of the hundreds of ticks had to be carefully removed by hand. Credit: GWCI Tikki needs close monitoring and specialized milk formula over the next several months. This milk formula is critical, and without it, Tikki will not survive. Once she is fully recovered, she will be released into a protected area where she can live in her natural environment while remaining safe from poachers. As poachers ruthlessly hunt down every pangolin in Nigeria, our partner is one of the few organizations fighting to save these endangered creatures. Image for illustration purposes only. Credit: WCRU/ZXZhang Pangolins are sold on the black market and their body parts harvested for use in ‘traditional Chinese medicine’ (TCM), even though no benefits have ever been proven. Their meat is considered a delicacy in some Asian and African countries, and their skins are turned into bags and belts. Driven by greed, pangolins are being poached to extinction. There are few safe spaces for pangolins in Nigeria and our partner has to work tirelessly every day to save every life it can. Rescuing these fragile animals from the clutches of poachers is essential – and we can do it, but only with your support. One life could make all the difference to the entire pangolin species. In the past 10 years, more than a million pangolins have been poached from the wild. Of the eight species of pangolin, two are considered ‘vulnerable,’ three are endangered, and three are critically endangered – indicating that they are terrifyingly close to going extinct. Credit: GWCI Without dedicated conservation work – and the support of caring people like you – their species stands little chance of surviving the next decade. Tikki may be “just one pangolin,” but with the creatures so close to extinction, every life counts. Can Tikki count on your compassion today?
Infant flying fox, Suzie, was blinded, orphaned and maimed by a poacher.
Suzie is a tiny, fragile infant flying fox who has endured horrendous suffering in her short life. A poacher in the Seychelles stole her from a tree while her mother was out foraging for food, and then horrifically abused her. Credit: Online Just a helpless infant torn from her mother, Suzie was blinded after being beaten and then used as a tourist attraction. The poacher beat Suzie so badly he blinded and maimed her. He then locked her in a tiny cage, took her to a popular tourist spot on the island of Mahé, and cajoled tourists into paying to touch her and pose for photos. Our partner, Protect Paradise Seychelles (PPS), rushed to the rescue as soon as it heard about little Suzie’s plight. Credit: iStock Suzie’s wings were badly damaged from her repeated, futile attempts to escape her filthy metal cage. She is certainly blind in one of her eyes; the fight is on to try and save the other. Our partner rushed Suzie to its sanctuary, where she joined PPS’s many other rescues. Suzie needs specialized care and calcium-enriched formula to survive. Credit:Protect Paradise Will you help one of our most fragile rescues ever? Female flying foxes give birth to a single pup at a time. Infants only start learning to fly at around three months old, and are completely dependent on their mothers for the first six months of their lives. When infants become too heavy to carry, their mothers fly out at night to forage, leaving their babies safely in a tree – or so they think. Little Suzie would have been waiting for her mother to come back, stuck in a tree and unable to escape, when the man beat her with a stick and stole her. Flying foxes in the Seychelles live on fruit-and-nectar diets and play a vital role in pollinating hundreds of the fruit we eat – bananas, mangoes and avocados among them. Not everyone knows the importance and fragility of flying foxes, but we know how important it is to fight cruelty by saving one creature at a time. Please, show your compassion to our planet’s every living creature – including little Suzie – by helping them with a donation today.
Poachers are killing weakened wild animals as they search for water during drought.
Along the banks of the drying-up Zambezi River, wild animals are being slaughtered as they drink what little life-saving water they can. While they battle devastating drought, cunning poachers are taking advantage of their weakness, and majestic elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, sable antelope and many others are easy targets. The diminishing Zambezi River forms a natural boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe. But with the river running low, heartless criminals simply hop across the Zambezi and “help themselves” to the wildlife as they drink from the river – one of the only water sources available to them. It is devastating and infuriating – but we have a solution to protect the animals, and today, we need your help to implement it. Zimbabwe’s worst drought in 40 years is making wild animals easy targets for poachers. Help us create safer drinking areas for them, FAST. Countless precious wild animals have fallen victim to poaching along the drying-up Zambezi River. Recently, Animal Survival International conducted an extensive site survey. In the area bordering the Zambezi River, much of the water has dried up due to intense drought. It is one of the worst in recent history, fueled by climate change and the effects of the El Niño weather pattern. Currently, the Zambezi River is one of the only viable drinking spots for thousands of wild animals – but, because water levels are so low, it is easy for poachers to target animals as they huddle under the scorching African sun for a drop to drink. Worse still, in other areas, opportunistic hunters await, killing these desperate, unsuspecting animals. They are truly being hunted from all sides, and unless we protect them, countless more will die. We MUST get animals away from these dangerous areas and we MUST do it FAST. Poachers easily cross the now-shallow river to poach animals desperate for a drink of water. Working with a wildlife partner in Victoria Falls, we have identified a safe area to provide water for desperate animals. We need to drill boreholes and equip them with solar-powered water pumps. This will provide reliable water sources a safe distance from the Zambezi River, protecting animals from poachers and hunters. To ensure sufficient water for the thousands of wild animals in the area, we need to set up three solar-powered boreholes. These waterholes will provide water for at least 2,000 animals per day. With the border impossible to secure, solar-powered boreholes are vital to protect the animals. For the animals being picked off on the banks of the Zambezi, boreholes will ensure they do not have to risk their lives just for a drop to drink. With your help, we will drill life-saving boreholes for the animals, just as you have helped us to do in Botswana (pictured). Credit : Camelthorn Farmstead Please help us raise $30,000 (around £23,400) to install three boreholes and solar-powered pumps, and create safe, abundant drinking areas for wild animals – BEFORE poachers wipe them out. ASI has implemented many successful water initiatives in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, thanks to our supporters’ generous help. These projects have helped save thousands of animals’ lives, and today, we need your help to save even more. Donors who fund an entire borehole system will be entitled to borehole naming rights and a plaque in their honor, or in the name of someone of their choosing. It costs $10,000 (£7,800) to dig each borehole and furnish it with a solar-powered pump – if you would like to sponsor a complete borehole system, please reply to this email today. Please, donate as much as you possibly can now, and help us protect the precious, vulnerable and endangered wildlife of Zimbabwe.