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USA Today
17 minutes ago
- General
- USA Today
World Giraffe Day: Animal under threat despite population growth
World Giraffe Day is June 21, and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation released its 2025 State of Giraffe report ahead of the celebration. The report points to better data collection and conservation efforts for an increase in the population in some giraffe species. "Not only are our conservation efforts paying off, but with the support of our partners, we are getting better at monitoring and protecting these iconic creatures," Stephanie Fennessy, the Foundation's Executive Director, said in a press release accompanying the report. Giraffes were moved up on the IUCN Red List from Least Concern to Vulnerable in 2016. Despite the improvements, the Foundation pointed to the report as evidence that the species should be moved higher, saying, "there is now a strong case for listing three of the four species as Endangered or Vulnerable." The Foundation added, "These new trends provide hope – but the threat of silent extinction remains." Here's what to know about the state of giraffes on World Giraffe Day. Giraffe populations improve, though still at risk The report states that following species of giraffe have seen either improvement or stability in their population: "These new data call for an urgent reassessment of giraffe on the IUCN Red List and renewed attention from international agreements like CITES. Each species deserves tailored protection — one-size-fits-all won't save them," Dr. Julian Fennessy, the foundation's Director of Conservation, said in the press release.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Pretoria zoo welcomes new baby giraffe
To commemorate World Giraffe Day, the National Zoological Garden recently welcomed a newborn baby giraffe. World Giraffe Day, initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), is a day to honour the world's tallest land animal on the longest day of the year, June 21. The zoo is home to five giraffes, each with a unique personality and story. Among the giraffes is Momo, an 11-year-old matriarch known for her calm and independent nature and on June 8, she gave birth to a healthy calf. 'Our team has decided to name the new calf Enzo, meaning 'ruler of the estate',' says Carol Thobela, the curator of carnivores, pachyderms and farmyard. 'It's a strong, bold name that suits the energy we have seen already. Even though we don't yet know if Enzo is male or female, the name reflects the confidence and spirit of this little one.' Other members of the herd include Tiago, born in 2020, Azuri, born in 2022, and Bonito, who is nine years old. 'According to new genetic classifications, the giraffes are assumed to belong to the South African giraffe subspecies (G.g. giraffa), though genetic testing has not yet been conducted to confirm this,' says Tracy Rehse, Director of Animal Conservation. 'Understanding subspecies helps us align our animal management practices with conservation science and ensures we're contributing meaningful data to global conservation efforts.' To keep the giraffes healthy and happy, the zoo follows a detailed enclosure management plan and a diet created by a specialist team. Their food is offered using elevated feeders to mimic tree-top grazing, while night shelters and a surrounding wet moat provide security and comfort, taking into account the giraffe's natural reluctance to cross water. The zoo also benefits from generous browse donations by the Tshwane metro and local communities, ensuring the animals receive a varied and natural diet. Beyond care and education, the zoo also contributes to long-term conservation by collecting and storing genetic material from giraffes and other wildlife as part of South Africa's national genetic repository. Meanwhile, Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre manages a free-roaming group of 15 giraffes on the game reserve, offering a view into how these animals behave in their natural habitat. World Giraffe Day is not just about admiring Africa's gentle giants. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness and support for the conservation of giraffes, which are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and deteriorating ecological infrastructure. While promoting animal welfare and public education, the zoo also plays an important role in national conservation efforts. Although giraffes are locally classified as 'Least Concern', the species is globally listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List, with some subspecies facing a higher risk of extinction. 'As we mark World Giraffe Day, SANBI celebrates not only these incredible animals but also the role they play in healthy ecosystems. We invite all South Africans to visit the zoo and join us in learning more about giraffes and the importance of protecting them for future generations,' says Nontsikelelo Mpulo, marketing director at SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute). Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Endangered shark spotted in shallow waters off British beach
Alex McGlynn, who has been fishing for 20 years, said he had never seen a tope shark off the Welsh coast - with the species listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List An endangered shark has been caught in shallow waters off a British beach by a stunned fisherman. Alex McGlynn, who has been fishing for 20 years, said he had never seen a tope shark in the area. They can grow up to six feet in length and primarily eat bony fish as well as crustaceans and cephalopods. Thankfully, the species of shark are not deemed aggressive and there are no records of attacks on humans. The species is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Alex thinks the catch, which happened off the coast in Swansea, could be a good sign. "What a fish, I was absolutely buzzing," he told What's The Jam. It is rare to catch them off shallow beaches or off the shore entirely. "It shows that numbers are increasing or they are looking for alternative food sources due to a lack of their primary food source, mackerel, likely caused by overfishing. "Tope are generally a deep water shark, so you usually catch them off boats." Alex released the shark soon after catching it. He said it weighed about 40lbs. The tope shark can reach lengths of up to 6ft 3in - but despite their size, they are not threatening and have been spotted around the UK in the last few years. There has never been any record of an unprovoked tope attack on humans. In the past, tope were targeted for their high vitamin A content in their liver. They are protected in UK and EU waters and if caught on rod and line must be returned to the sea alive. It comes after beachgoers basking in the UK's sizzling temperatures in May were left stunned after spotting a shark dangerously close to two different shorelines. Shocking video footage captured the moment the 12-foot "mini-Jaws" swam just feet away from the shore at Aberystwyth's North Beach in Wales on Friday evening, with crowds gathering to watch as its fin emerged from the water. The mammal, thought to be a Porbeagle shark, was reported to wildlife rescue teams and the coastguard over fears it was ill or injured. As it swam dangerously close to the beach jetty, the animal was also feared to be at risk of beaching itself. As a result, the public were warned to stay away for their own safety and to prevent additional stress for the animal. Craig Roberts, who was in the area visiting his son at Aberystwyth University, saw the shark and said kids were jumping into the water moments before it emerged. He said: "We were on the pier and saw a bit of a commotion so went to have a look. Kids were jumping in the water just before it was spotted - they soon got out though."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Residents urge suspension of Char Dham air services to protect Himalayan ecology and pilgrims' safety
Dehradun: With five helicopter accidents, including two fatal ones, since the Char Dham yatra began on April 30, calls for suspending air services have intensified. The latest crash on the Kedarnath route, which killed seven people, has reignited concerns over both passenger safety and ecological damage. Residents of the Char Dham districts and wildlife experts said ongoing operations pose a threat to human lives and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. They demanded a halt to chopper services during the pilgrimage until adequate environmental and aviation safeguards are implemented. Social activist Shashi Bhushan Naithani, who has campaigned on the issue for years, said, "Helicopters frequently fly dangerously close to glaciers and meadows, traversing valleys in ways that disturb sensitive wildlife and disrupt the region's delicate ecology." He added that TOI had reported in 2022 on low-flying choppers disturbing Himalayan valleys. "Nothing has changed since then. Pilgrim safety is being compromised, forget about flora and fauna. " Villagers have long raised alarms about aviation firms violating norms. Experts warned that unregulated chopper traffic threatens vulnerable and endangered species like snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr, all listed on the IUCN Red List. The region's unique high-altitude flora, including oak, chir, and birch trees, is also at risk. Himalayan ecologist S P Singh said, "The biodiversity of alpine meadows is already facing multiple stressors. Continuous helicopter traffic introduces air and noise pollution, encouraging encroachment by woody trees into herbaceous alpine zones. This leaves no space for delicate alpine herbs to survive, and they are at risk of gradual extinction." He added, "We need to pause now. Where are we heading? Is it in sync with science or not, and are we actually developing?" S Sathyakumar, former senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), said that although wildlife in the valley had become somewhat accustomed to helicopters by the time a 2016 study of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary was conducted, a fresh and comprehensive study is now needed to compare current data with earlier findings and assess the true impact of helicopter activity. In the past, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued directives regulating altitude and noise levels for helicopters flying in Kedarnath's airspace, following a petition by a resident seeking an aviation policy for the eco-sensitive zone. As per WII guidelines, helicopters must maintain a minimum altitude of 600m (2,000ft), and noise levels should not exceed 50 decibels. S Tarun, the divisional forest officer of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary forest division, said, "No violation cases have been registered against any helicopter company this year or last year, based on monitoring done by our field staff. We have a decibel meter and range finder installed at Bhimbali for this purpose."
Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Three Generations Strong: Bali Zoo's Silvery Gibbon Legacy Grows
From Boris's journey back to the wild to the birth of baby Seruni, Bali Zoo leads efforts to conserve one of Indonesia's rarest primates. BALI, Indonesia, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In line with its mission Love. Conserve. Share., Bali Zoo shares a powerful story of hope in wildlife conservation. The silvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch), endemic to Indonesia and classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, is not only surviving but thriving through dedicated conservation efforts. This year marks the first birthday of Seruni, a healthy female silvery gibbon born at Bali Zoo in 2024. She is the offspring of Boris's sister. Boris, a male silvery gibbon born at the zoo in 2010, was successfully released into the wild at Situ Patengan, West Java, in 2019. After spending one year at a rehabilitation center, Boris was deemed fit for release. The reintroduction was carried out in partnership with The Aspinall Foundation and Indonesian conservation authorities. 'To have bred an endangered animal, released it into the wild, and now welcome the next generation of its extended family is an extraordinary achievement,' said Emma Chandra, Public Relations at Bali Zoo. 'It shows that our long-term commitment to conservation is working.' Bali Zoo's silvery gibbon family now spans three generations, beginning with parents Koko and Minul (both born in 2000), who raised Boris along with four other offspring including Paris, Syahrini, Cincin, and Dahlia. The arrival of Seruni, born to Boris's sister signals not only successful breeding but also a sustained effort to protect one of Indonesia's most endangered primates. Over the past five years, Bali Zoo has recorded key breeding milestones, including: One silvery gibbon, Seruni (born in 2024) One male Sumatran orangutan (born in 2022) Two male Sumatran elephants (born in 2022 and 2023) Multiple births of Indonesia's endemic and exotic species from 2020 to 2025, including: Javan langur, Yellow-crested cockatoos, Papua wallabies, Timor deer and Spotted deer. Since 2019, Bali Zoo supports the Chainsaw Buyback Program in collaboration with Yayasan ASRI. This initiative helps former illegal loggers transition to sustainable livelihoods while protecting vital forest habitats, particularly for orangutans. About Bali Zoo Bali Zoo is home to over 600 animals and is dedicated to the conservation of Indonesia's endemic wildlife. Located in Gianyar. Bali. Click HERE for more images.
