Browsing: endangered species in Africa

Africa: The internet dampens efforts to decelerate wildlife trafficking. www.theexchange.africa
  • The internet has evolved into a worldwide marketplace for the exotic animal trade
  • Southeast Asia, the final destination for many African wildlife goods, had a 50 per cent decrease in smuggling in 2020
  • Illegal wildlife trafficking is worth about US$7 billion to US$23 billion worldwide each year
  • As per the AWF, up to 2.7 million pangolins are smuggled into Chinese markets each year

The Coronavirus pandemic has redefined the African illegal wildlife trade by shifting transactions online, constraining trafficking networks, and increasing bush meat poaching among the poor.

Earlier this year, the illicit wildlife trade in Africa took an extraordinary turning point. Deep in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s tropical forest, a giant pangolin – an endangered animal species with plate-like scales that could weigh up to 30kg – was abducted by rebels who sought a US$500 ransom.

The Virunga jungle, home to lions, nearly extinct silverback gorillas, and

Investing in Wildlife Conservation in Kenya
  • The human-wildlife conflict has cost the Kenyan government KSh1.2 billion ($120 million) in the last five years alone and the figure is set to shoot upwards
  • While the headlines have raised the status of Kenya as a conservation hub, there has been a crisis brewing in the sector
  • In the period under review, KSh569 million ($5.69 million) was used to pay off 163 families whose kin were killed by wildlife in various parts of the country

Kenya has always been at the centre of wildlife conservation due to its world-renowned national parks and an active conservation movement. Drawn by the large economic benefits brought about by tourism, wildlife conservation is however increasingly becoming a strained trade.

Three events have happened to cement Kenya as the centre for conservation. First, a project to maintain the legacy of the last white rhino in the world received a boost after the country announced

Tanzania: Water shortage threatens endangered species in Africa. www.theexchange.africa
  • The effects of climate change and anthropogenic factors have adversely affected the availability of water for wildlife in Tanzania National Parks
  • Africa is the second driest continent globally, and millions of Africans face water shortages
  • Mkomazi National Park is one of the world’s largest and most ecologically essential networks of protected areas known as the Greater Tsavo Ecosystem.

Africa is the second driest continent globally, and millions of Africans face water shortages. But there is one point that we always miss! We talk about how important water is for humankind and the challenges we face with water security and forget that creatures in the wild are also feeling the same pressure, if not more. Clean water is critical for the survival of our species and every living creature on planet earth.

African Aqua Solutions (AAS) have for a long time been examining different ways to support our environment, our wildlife …