Latest news with #wildlifeProtection
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Addo Elephant National Park meeting jumbo accommodation challenge
Since the establishment of Addo Elephant National Park in 1931 for the protection of the remaining 11 elephants in the area, the population has done extremely well. So much so that it led to a steady enlargement of what is known as the Addo main camp section from 1955 to 2015 to ensure other biological components are not affected by the elephants. The park is now home to more than 800 elephants in various sections and biomes. The largest single expansion included the addition of the Colchester section towards the south of the park in 2010, with the dropping of fences between the sections. The combined main camp/Colchester section is now about 268km² in size (Lombard et al. 2001) and contains several boreholes and earthen dams due to the lack of natural rivers in this section of the park. Addo expanded substantially over time and by 2022 it had seven areas separated by fences, interspersed with private land in some cases. This provided opportunities for elephant range expansion, with the main camp serving as the source for other sections of Addo and externally. For instance, authorities translocated four juveniles from Addo to the Pilanesberg National Park in 1979 (Hancock, 1984) and a further 11 bulls to various private game reserves across SA in 2005. In 2003, 61 elephants were moved from the main camp to the Nyathi section, while four bulls were introduced from Kruger National Park. The Darlington section received 28 elephants from the main camp/Colchester section in 2018. Fencing of the park in 1954 confined the elephants to an area which led to most of the main camp being used by elephants and subsequently resulted in impacts on vegetation structure and sensitive species (Lombard et al. 2001; Kerley & Landman, 2006). To alleviate these impacts, the main camp was expanded into the Colchester section where water provision was limited. However, the main camp/Colchester section was not big enough to significantly change elephant space use and therefore other management interventions to limit population growth, such as elephant contraception and water availability gradient, had to be implemented. Recent studies have shown that historical management approaches have generally not been able to impose spatial and temporal limitations on elephant space use in the main camp/Colchester section (Guldemond et al. 2022). This in turn could lead to impacts on other biodiversity components if management interventions are not continued and by expanding land availability through the consolidation of current sections and the addition of new land to Addo. It is for this reason that the relocation of 42 elephants from the main camp to the Kabouga section (towards the north of Addo), last month was undertaken. From observations of the various family groups since through nine tracking collars, it appears they are exploring and settling well into their new home. As recently as June 3, Addo Elephant National Park biotechnician Joshua Roberts was in the area servicing cameras when he came across the youngest of the lot, aptly named Kabouga, and his herd — all looking healthy and happy. The consolidation of the neighbouring Kabouga and Darlington sections is planned, which will provide the two populations with an even greater area to roam. Charlene Bisset — SANParks regional ecologist The Herald
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Acacia rebirth: Saudi royal reserve boosts green cover
RIYADH: Nestled in the northeast of Riyadh, the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve is an environmental gem, boasting a mix of nature's finest features and an array of awe-inspiring terrains. As well as being a haven for distinctive geological formations, it also contains rare plants and animals featured on the Red List of Threatened Species. The reserve is undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly Acacia, across its vast 91,500 sq. km area. This initiative aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to revitalize the reserve's vegetation and restore ecological balance, a Saudi Press Agency report said. Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. They provide grazing, shade and habitat for wildlife while also helping to stabilize the soil and offering a vital nectar source for high-quality honey. These comprehensive afforestation projects are crucial in combating desertification and enhancing biodiversity, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability. • Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. • This eco haven is the Kingdom's second-largest royal reserve. The reserve's development authority focuses on increasing community awareness, supporting biodiversity protection and fostering a sustainable environment for wildlife reproduction and conservation. The authority also provides guided tours and excursions led by environmental tour guides, making it a hotspot for eco-enthusiasts interested in hiking, climbing and other ecotourism activities. This eco haven is the Kingdom's second-largest royal reserve. It hosts diverse wildlife and plant species, making it ideal for hiking, wilderness adventures, camping and sustainable hunting. Its vegetation cover provides a refuge for various bird species, crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling insects, small rodents and carrion. The reserve stands out with its streams and valleys, where rainwater and floods flow from the Al-Urumah Plateau into the reserve's valleys, such as Al-Thumama Valley and Ghilana Valley, leading to streams and parks such as Rawdat Khuraim.
Malay Mail
10-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Vipers, turtles found in luggage highlights growing Thailand-India wildlife trafficking trend, says NGO
BANGKOK, June 10 — Venomous vipers found in checked bags on a flight from Thailand to India illustrate a 'very troubling' trend in wildlife trafficking driven by the exotic pet trade, an NGO warned today. Indian customs officials last week arrested an Indian national after finding dozens of snakes and several turtles in their luggage. Among them were several spider-tailed horned vipers, a venomous species only described by scientists in 2006 and classed as 'near-threatened' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The reptiles are among over 7,000 animals, dead and alive, that have been seized along the Thailand–India air route in the last 3.5 years, said Traffic, which battles the smuggling of wild animals and plants. 'The almost-weekly discoveries and diversity of wildlife en route to India is very troubling,' said Traffic's Southeast Asia director Kanitha Krishnasamy. Many of those captured were alive, which 'shows that the clamour for exotic pets is driving the trade', she added. The group said its analysis showed that while most cases involve animals smuggled out of Thailand, over 80 per cent of interceptions happened in India. More than a third of the wildlife seized is covered by rules banning or strictly regulating their trade across international borders, Traffic added. The group said the 'scale and frequency' of the cases suggested more work was needed to investigate 'the criminal networks supplying this seemingly endless conveyor belt of wildlife-stuffed bags'. They also urged Thailand to work with regional neighbours that have seen similar trafficking routes to India. Thailand is considered a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers, who often sell highly-prised endangered creatures on the lucrative black market in China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Last month, Thai police arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom for sale. — AFP
BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Colchester bridge repairs resume after being halted by birds
Repairs to a bridge that closed to the public more than 500 days ago have resumed after the discovery of bird nests halted to repair the bridge - which closed in December 2023 when part of the Middle Mill weir at Castle Park in Colchester fell into the River Colne - started last month but was suspended on the same City Council, which is responsible for the weir itself, said work had restarted "with close attention being paid to the wildlife throughout".One moorhen nest was still active and remained undisturbed, and measures were being taken to prevent new nests from forming, the authority said. A spokesperson said: "We'll continue to monitor the site closely to ensure that wildlife is protected while essential repairs are carried out."They added "likely nesting activity from a wren" had also been discovered under the bridge - an area currently unaffected by the to the RSPB, moorhens and wrens are protected under UK wildlife law and it is illegal to move the nest of any wild bird while it is in was able to resume after a on-site meeting last week.A diversion of about 1km (0.6 mile) has been in place while the footbridge, owned by Essex County Council, has been closed. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Indian smuggler stopped with possums, lizards, tarantulas
More than 7,000 animals have been seized along the Thailand-India air route in the last 3½ years. (Thai customs/AFP pic) MUMBAI : Indian customs officers made the latest 'significant' seizure of endangered wildlife from a passenger arriving from Thailand, a government statement said, carrying nearly 100 creatures including lizards, sunbirds and tree-climbing possums. Customs officers said the passenger, who was also carrying two tarantula spiders and tortoises, had 'exhibited signs of nervousness' on arrival at India's financial capital Mumbai. The seizure comes after a passenger was stopped smuggling dozens of venomous vipers, also arriving from Thailand, earlier in June. Wildlife seized included iguanas, as well as a kinkajou or honey bear – a small raccoon-like animal from Mexico's rainforests – as well as six 'sugar gliders', a gliding possum found in Australia. Photographs released by the customs unit showed the six sugar gliders huddled together in a basket, as well as a box crammed with lizards. 'In a significant operation, customs officers… intercepted an Indian national… leading to the seizure of multiple live and deceased wildlife species, some of which are protected under wildlife protection laws', the ministry of finance said in a statement late yesterday. Wildlife trade monitor TRAFFIC, which battles the smuggling of wild animals and plants, today warned of a 'very troubling' trend in trafficking driven by the exotic pet trade. More than 7,000 animals, dead and alive, have been seized along the Thailand-India air route in the last 3½ years, it said. Customs officers at Mumbai airport are more used to seizing smuggled gold, cash or cannabis – but instances of wildlife seizure have seen a gradual rise recently. Customs officers seized dozens of snakes and several turtles from an Indian national flying from Thailand earlier in June. Among them were several spider-tailed horned vipers, a venomous species only described by scientists in 2006 and classed as 'near-threatened' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). TRAFFIC said its analysis showed that while most cases involve animals smuggled out of Thailand, more than 80% of interceptions happened in India. 'The almost-weekly discoveries and diversity of wildlife en route to India is very troubling,' said TRAFFIC's Southeast Asia director Kanitha Krishnasamy. Many of those captured were alive, which 'shows that the clamour for exotic pets is driving the trade', she added. In February, customs officials at Mumbai airport also stopped a smuggler with five siamang gibbons, a small ape native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Those small creatures, listed as endangered by the IUCN, were 'ingeniously concealed' in a plastic crate placed inside the passenger's trolley bag, customs officers said. In November, authorities found a passenger carrying a wriggling live cargo of 12 turtles.
