A study of tweets posted in 2019 found that tweets about elephant conservation didn’t align with the actual greatest threats to the animals, creating the risk that funding could be misdirected.
Techniques from the security sector guide a lot of modern conservation work.
Marina Ortega/Alamy Stock Photo
Money pouring into conservation has funded drones and military-style training for rangers.
Moving surplus rhinos to set up new populations, and hunting small numbers of males encourages population growth and range expansion.
Michael 't Sas-Rolfes
Most South African provinces are favourable for the establishment of a new invasive alien pest, which may lead to the extinction of native cycad species.
An African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo.
Nicolas Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A new review of the status of African elephants finds scientific grounds for dividing them into two species, and reports that both have suffered drastic population declines since 1990.
Tim – one of the last big tusker elephants – died last year at the age of 50, in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
From the author
Elephants use their giant incisors to dig holes, impress rivals and rest weary trunks. But as so many continue to be killed for their ivory, he question is whether they are destined to be tuskless.
Global conservation efforts have suffered during the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s sadly ironic, because avoiding habitat loss is a cost-effective way to prevent pandemics.
Militarised conservation has had unfortunate consequences.
Shutterstock
Forest rangers were subjected to occupational violence by their employers. This in turn can provoke a violent reaction to illegal activities, resulting in violent policing tendencies.