Legal and Ecological Opportunities

Cameroon’s Forestry Law of 2024 empowers local communities to sustainably manage forest resources, linking improved livelihoods with biodiversity conservation. In this context, we have been supporting the establishment of community forests in the Deng Deng National Park – Dja Faunal Reserve corridor, a critical landscape for wildlife connectivity.

This corridor is a vital pathway for great apes, forest elephants, and other endangered species, yet it faces growing threats from habitat fragmentation and expanding subsistence agriculture. Our community forest projects are designed to protect these species while providing local communities with sustainable economic opportunities.

Communities United Around Conservation

The launch events for these community forests have brought together residents, neighboring village leaders, local authorities, and media representatives, reflecting strong local ownership. Communities have committed to:

• Collaborating with ACF, ERuDeF, and forestry authorities to establish and manage community forests
• Protecting endangered wildlife while exploring eco-tourism opportunities
• Developing value chains and sustainable livelihoods to generate long-term income
• Ensuring inclusive participation of men, women, and youth in forest management
• Supporting the creation of community trust funds to secure sustainable financing for conservation in the corridor

Building Trust on the Ground

Prior to formal launches, our teams conducted field visits to engage with communities, finalize logistics, and ensure local commitment. Leaders expressed gratitude for the long-term support and reaffirmed their eagerness to see the projects succeed.

Looking Ahead

These community forest initiatives are more than forest protection—they are pathways to local development, environmental stewardship, and wildlife conservation. With the continued support of donors and partners, ACF will continue helping communities develop sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding forest elephants, great apes, and other threatened species in this critical rainforest corridor.

The post Advancing Community-Led Conservation in the Deng Deng–Dja Rainforest Corridor appeared first on African Conservation Foundation.

A Groundbreaking Life and Legacy

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, who died peacefully in her sleep on October 1, 2025, in California, at the age of 91. She passed quietly while continuing her lifelong mission: inspiring people to care for our shared planet.

Jane Goodall was far more than the world’s most famous chimpanzee researcher. Her observations at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania transformed science, showing that chimpanzees use tools, form complex social bonds, and experience emotions — challenging the boundaries previously thought to separate humans from other animals.

Despite beginning her work without a university degree, Jane earned a PhD in Ethology from Cambridge University in 1965, based on her research at Gombe, becoming one of the youngest and most renowned scientists of her generation.

From Research to Global Movement

In 1977, Jane founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to protect chimpanzees and their habitats and to advance global conservation. Today, JGI has offices in 25 countries and programs that operate worldwide. Jane’s vision extended beyond science to urgent issues of habitat loss, poaching, and human–wildlife coexistence.

She also created Roots & Shoots, a youth program that began with just 12 students in Dar es Salaam and is now active in over 75 countries. The initiative empowers young people — from preschoolers to university students — to take hands-on action for animals, the environment, and their communities.

While Jane did not manage the Institute’s daily operations, her vision, leadership, and personal presence guided its global growth. Through decades of speaking, writing, travel, and advocacy, she inspired millions and built a worldwide conservation movement.

Personal Life and Connections

Jane Goodall had a unique bond with the Netherlands, where she was married to Dutch wildlife photographer Hugo van Lawick. She visited officially in 2023, receiving the Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau for her lifelong service to nature and humanity.

She was also married to Derek Bryceson, a former director of Tanzania’s National Parks and member of Parliament. Jane authored more than 27 books, contributed to documentaries and IMAX films, and remained committed to empowering the next generation of conservationists.

Her consistent message to the world was: “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” Even late in life, she traveled extensively, mentoring young scientists and advocates worldwide.

Compassionate conservation

Jane Goodall’s conservation philosophy was deeply compassionate, combining scientific rigor with ethical responsibility toward every individual animal, while promoting long-term ecosystem and community sustainability:

1. Individual animals matter – From her earliest Gombe research, Goodall emphasized the individuality, personalities, and emotional lives of chimpanzees. She humanized them not to anthropomorphize but to show that each animal has intrinsic value. This aligns with compassionate conservation’s focus on the welfare of individual animals as well as populations and ecosystems.
2. Non-violence and coexistence – She was a lifelong advocate for non-lethal solutions to human-wildlife conflict, supporting habitat protection and coexistence rather than culling or eradication. For example, through projects like Tacare in Africa, she promoted community-based conservation that protected wildlife without harming individual animals.
3. Holistic ethics – Goodall’s work always considered both animals and people. She recognized that sustainable conservation required understanding social, cultural, and economic contexts — a key principle in compassionate conservation: ethical treatment of all sentient beings alongside ecosystem protection.
4. Sanctuaries and rehabilitation – She helped establish sanctuaries for orphaned and rescued chimpanzees (e.g., Tchimpounga, Chimp Eden), emphasizing rescue, rehabilitation, and enrichment, showing care for individuals while contributing to species conservation.
5. Education and advocacy – Through Roots & Shoots, she inspired children and communities to care for animals, humans, and the environment together, fostering compassion as a guiding principle.

Her Enduring Legacy

Jane Goodall’s legacy is immeasurable. It lives on in the countless young people who joined Roots & Shoots, in communities across Africa and beyond implementing conservation programs like Tacare, and in sanctuaries such as Chimp Eden in South Africa and Tchimpounga in the Republic of the Congo.

At the African Conservation Foundation, we honor her as a guiding light whose influence continues in grassroots projects, scientific research, and education. Though she is no longer with us, her message remains a call to action: protecting and restoring the natural world is not optional — it is our responsibility.

Her holistic approach, belief in community involvement, and dedication to education continue to inspire a new generation of conservation leaders who will carry forward her mission of a more harmonious and sustainable world.

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Featured image: Jane Goodall (Photo by Image Press Agency / Deposit Photos)

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For decades, impala have starred as the wild dog’s leading prey. But a team the University of Pretoria has used an innovative tool—DNA metabarcoding—to reveal a far more diverse menu than previously imagined.

DNA Metabarcoding

Imagine reading a cloud of genetic breadcrumbs left behind in wild dog scat. That’s the genius of DNA metabarcoding. By extracting fragmented DNA from faeces, scientists can illuminate which prey species were consumed—even the small and subtle ones that traditional methods often miss.

Unlike older practices—such as analyzing undigested remains or observing hunts—metabarcoding provides a sharper, species-level window into diet, all without disturbing the predators themselves.

To create a fuller picture, researchers paired this approach with stable isotope analysis, which uses chemical signatures in tissues to reveal broader dietary trends. Together, these methods allow both fine detail and long-term patterns to emerge.

Tracking Hair Samples, Tracing Faeces

Earlier studies had analyzed hair, whisker, and faecal samples from wild dog packs, finding that in dense habitats such as thicket and bushveld, small browsers featured surprisingly often. Now, the same faecal samples were put through the metabarcoding lens, offering a short-term snapshot of what was eaten in the days before collection.

Scat Stories from Seven Landscapes

Researchers gathered faecal samples across seven distinct landscape types, from mountain bushveld to mopane woodland and sandy savannas. Most samples proved analyzable, although some older ones yielded degraded DNA.

Stable isotope data pointed strongly toward impala as the dominant prey, particularly in open landscapes. Yet the metabarcoding results told a richer story.

African Wild Dog Menu

The DNA revealed seven unique prey species. As expected, impala appeared everywhere, confirming its central role in the wild dog diet. But unexpected items surfaced as well: Cape hare, francolin birds, and vlei rats. These finds hint at opportunistic feeding and possibly scavenging outside of communal hunts.

Such discoveries suggest that wild dogs are not strictly pack hunters of large prey. Individuals may supplement their diet with smaller, easily caught animals—behaviors that would be nearly invisible without DNA analysis.

Challenges Hidden in Genetic Trails

Metabarcoding has its limits. Some prey DNA amplifies better than others, meaning that relative abundance estimates must be treated cautiously. Misidentifications can also occur if DNA reference libraries are incomplete. For instance, a sequence may appear to match a species not known to occur in the area, when in fact it represents a close relative.

Even with these challenges, the method provides valuable insights, especially when used in combination with isotope analysis. Together, they confirm impala’s importance but also reveal a versatility in diet that broadens our understanding of wild dog ecology.

Nature’s Full Menu Emerges

This work highlights wild dogs as both specialists and opportunists. They rely heavily on impala but are capable of turning to smaller prey when circumstances demand. Such adaptability may be key to survival in landscapes that vary in vegetation, prey availability, and human pressures.

A Roadmap for Better Conservation

The implications for conservation are significant. Improving DNA reference databases will refine identifications, while better sampling practices—such as collecting fresher scat—can boost accuracy. Larger studies will help uncover seasonal patterns and regional differences.

From a management perspective, these insights are invaluable. They can guide feeding strategies for captive packs, inform translocations, and support planning for the wild populations that remain under pressure.

A Glimpse into Carnivore Culture’s Complexity

This pioneering use of metabarcoding has opened a new window into the lives of African wild dogs. The findings enrich our view of them—not only as efficient hunters of medium-sized antelopes, but also as adaptable predators capable of taking advantage of small opportunities.

Every scat sample becomes a storybook of survival. Each fragment of DNA whispers of the complex balance between predator and prey. For one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores, such knowledge is more than academic—it’s a roadmap to ensure their persistence in the wild.

Final Thoughts

In the swirl of dust and DNA, the African wild dog’s menu emerges as richer and more varied than expected. By combining stable isotope analysis with metabarcoding, scientists have uncovered new layers of carnivore ecology at a molecular scale.

In the wild rhythms of Kruger, every droplet of dung holds a secret. Science, armed with patience and ingenuity, is learning to listen—and in doing so, offers hope that these extraordinary animals will continue to run, hunt, and thrive in Africa’s vast landscapes.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11560290/
Featured image: JonasW / Unsplash

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Together with our local project partner Trees4Moz in Mozambique, we’re working to change that — one tree at a time.

Why Reforestation Matters Now

The late conservationist David Shepherd once wrote that wildlife had only 2% of the Earth left to itself. That was 50 years ago. Today, the urgency has only grown.

Forests like Nhamacoa are home to countless species — not only animals, but trees that offer food, shelter, medicine, and identity to rural communities. The loss of this biodiversity affects everyone.

45,000 Indigenous Trees and Counting

Since launching, the local Trees4Moz team and partners have grown more than 45,000 trees, with over 20,000 trees funded by generous donors and organisations. A further 1,000 trees have been donated to the local environmental department, and 200 to the Nhamacoa school, supporting education and environmental awareness.

We also provide seedlings to local families and farmers who want to restore their land — making this a truly community-led movement.

From Forest Floor to Classroom: Seeds and Stories

Seed collection begins with the forest — and with children. Local kids bring us small bags of seeds they’ve gathered, which we buy to support their school expenses. Often it’s the smallest child (usually a girl!) who negotiates the best price — a charming and hopeful reminder of what this work is really about.

Among the species we grow are:

• Chanfuta (Afzelia quanzensis)
• Panga Panga (Millettia stuhlmannii)
• Pau Ferro (Swartzia madagascariensis)
• Muvuve (Kigelia africana)

These are not just trees — they are part of local healing traditions, sources of sustainable materials, and shelters for bees, birds, and primates.

Wildlife Returns: Even the Monkeys

Some trees, like kapok, attract bees and birds — but recently also Samango monkeys, who nibble the flower buds before they bloom. Thankfully, with a new donation of kapok seeds from Allan Schwarz of Mezimbite, we’ll be planting more — and learning to share the harvest.

Help Us Grow

With your continued support, we’re not only replanting a forest — we’re reviving an ecosystem, empowering children, and building a future where wildlife and people can thrive together.

The post Restoring Forests, Securing Futures: Rewilding Nhamacoa in Mozambique appeared first on African Conservation Foundation.

In the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo, amidst the remote wetlands of the Kamalondo Depression, a fleeting moment has reignited hope for one of Africa’s most elusive antelopes. The Upemba lechwe (Kobus anselli), unseen by science for decades, has finally been captured in a photograph—an image that may serve as both a testament to its resilience and a clarion call for its conservation.

In March 2025, during an aerial survey over the Zone Annex of  Upemba National Park, researchers observed a few of these rare antelopes moving through the swamps. While most of them vanished into the thick reeds, one individual paused just long enough for biologist Manuel Weber to take a photo—the first ever published photograph of this animal alive. Until now, the Upemba lechwe had been known only from museum specimens and field reports, its existence bordering on legend.

Vanishing Into the Marshes

Once numbering in the thousands in the 1970s, the Upemba lechwe’s population has plummeted due to decades of poaching. The recent aerial count found only ten individuals, suggesting that fewer than 100 survive. These antelopes, with their golden-brown coats and unique physical features, are now restricted to a single, shrinking range in the western portion of Upemba National Park.

With its long, lyre-shaped horns and swamp-adapted limbs, the Upemba lechwe is a wetland specialist—an ecological jewel in a vast floodplain. But without swift action, it may disappear before the world truly gets to know it.

Upemba – One of Africa’s Best-Kept Biodiversity Secrets

The Upemba landscape stretches over two ecological structures that are known for their endemism: The Kibara and Manika/Biano grassland plateaus, on the one hand, are known for their endemism particularly in dragonflies, plants, and birds. On the other hand, the Kamalondo depression wetlands  are a hotspot in fish diversity, with at least 2 endemic birds, and the Upemba lechwe.

Yet, although great work over the last 80 years has illustrated this, many of the elements are poorly documented, still unknown, or “lost to science” due to no recent records. Adding to that the mounting anthropogenic pressures, they are facing a situation with high stakes in terms of conservation.

“It is for this reason that we are trying to work on baselines of the status of Upemba’s biodiversity, to direct our management efforts where it is most needed,” said Manuel Weber.

The Upemba Lechwe is an important piece in the puzzle, since large mammals are the first taxon that vanishes, and because the population is endemic to the Kamalondo depression. This comes with great responsibilities for the park, since the success of the park’s efforts may be decisive on the survival or extinction of this population.

Conservation frontlines

Upemba National Park is no stranger to hardship. Once plagued by militia activity and dubbed the “triangle of death,” the park is now in the midst of a hopeful transformation.

The lechwe in Upemba National Park faces mounting threats, primarily from meat poaching and the increasing encroachment of agriculture into its habitat. Local poverty makes bushmeat a tempting source of income, placing significant pressure on this vulnerable species.

In response, targeted anti-poaching strategies are being developed, including the planned establishment of a new ranger outpost to boost surveillance and deterrence. Despite current resource limitations, efforts are underway to train and deploy 80 new rangers by September, strengthening the park’s protection capacity.

Community engagement is also a key pillar, with awareness campaigns focusing on the lechwe and other species. Alternative protein sources such as fish farming and improved fisheries are being introduced to reduce reliance on bushmeat and promote more sustainable livelihoods.

Immediate conservation actions

The following immediate conservation actions are being prioritized to safeguard the Upemba lechwe and reduce threats to its survival:

1. Establishing a permanent presence of rangers in the species’ core habitat to mitigate poaching and monitor the population.
2. Conducting additional ground and aerial surveys across the entire Kamalondo Depression to refine population estimates and assess human encroachment (and collect samples for genetic analysis).
3. Collecting data on the pressures affecting the species and evaluating the feasibility of in situ protection measures.
4. Deploying community conservation teams modeled on the successful “Hugo teams” from Virunga National Park. These teams will be composed of trained local residents who act as frontline conservation agents—raising awareness, monitoring wildlife, reporting threats, and serving as liaisons between the park and surrounding communities. Their presence will also help reduce pressure on the lechwe’s habitat and discourage poaching.

Community engagement

Currently, local communities are not involved in protecting the Upemba lechwe or included in awareness efforts—an urgent gap the park is now addressing. By engaging communities directly, the park aims to build local stewardship for the lechwe and its wetland habitat. This approach will be reinforced through broader sensitization campaigns and alternative livelihood options like sustainable fisheries and agriculture to reduce pressure on critical ecosystems.

Long term strategies

Saving the Upemba lechwe from extinction is about more than protecting a single species—it’s about securing an entire landscape with extraordinary but overlooked conservation value. By building Upemba’s profile around this rare antelope, the parks aims to raise awareness and catalyze action.

The lechwe share their habitat with Katanga’s elephants and other key species like the endemic black-lored waxbill. As a flagship species, the lechwe can serve as an umbrella for broader biodiversity conservation in the Kamalondo Depression, helping to protect this vital and vulnerable ecosystem as a whole.

How does the rediscovery of the Upemba lechwe influence broader conservation strategies in the region?

The rediscovery of the Upemba lechwe is a powerful reminder of the ecological richness of the Upemba landscape, one of the most unique ecosystems in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although this species and the landscape itself have been largely overlooked for many years, the lechwe’s continued existence underscores the urgent need to refocus conservation attention and resources on this critical region.

This rediscovery reinforces the message that Upemba is not a forgotten landscape, but a national treasure that holds immense value for biodiversity, culture, and future generations. The lechwe, endemic to this ecosystem, is now a symbol of what is at stake. Its critically endangered status places a collective responsibility on all stakeholders, from local communities, government institutions, conservation partners, and to the international community to act decisively to prevent its extinction.

“We hope that the rediscovery of the Upemba lechwe generates attention for the landscape, and that this attention can be translated into conservation efforts that reflect the complexity of the landscape—in other words, that they yield ecologically sustainable outcomes while being socially acceptable,” said Tina Lain, park manager of Upemba.

How can the international community support the conservation of the Upemba lechwe?

The international community can play a critical role by elevating the Upemba lechwe to a global conservation priority—just as it did with the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Massif. With fewer than 100 individuals remaining, urgent and coordinated action is needed to prevent extinction, beginning with the protection of the species’ last remaining habitat.

Despite its ecological significance, the Upemba landscape remains under threat. An oil block overlapping this fragile area has been open for exploration since 2022, posing a major risk to the lechwe and the broader wetland ecosystem. Industrial developments such as oil extraction have no place in this irreplaceable biodiversity refuge.

Strong political will from the DRC, supported by sustained international technical and financial backing, is essential. Equally important is investing in alternatives that promote local development while safeguarding conservation goals—such as sustainable livelihoods, habitat restoration, and inclusive, community-led conservation.

Saving the Upemba lechwe is not only about protecting a species on the brink; it’s about securing the future of one of the DRC’s most biodiverse yet overlooked ecosystems. The time to act is now.

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International Dark Sky Week is a global celebration of the night – one that is most often associated with star-gazing. But this year, Dark Sky International and Bats without Borders have come together to highlight the importance of darkness for all creatures of the night

Darkness plays a rarely-acknowledged but crucial role in the health of our planet’s ecosystems, in human health, in our cultural heritage, the advancement of science and space exploration – and yet 80% of the world’s population now lives under light-polluted skies.

Not so in Africa! Africa boasts some of the darkest skies on Earth, with many rural areas enjoying truly dark nights. These unique and pristine skies afford visitors a rare and awe-inspiring celestial viewing experience. But without intervention, African dark nights will also disappear, pushed back by advancing infrastructure development and urbanisation. Regulations to safeguard the quality of dark skies are largely absent and understandably, energy efficiency often takes precedence over preserving darkness. The threat of light pollution is growing for one of the world’s fastest urbanising regions, and with it a number of unique consequences.

Africa is home to a number of exceptional nocturnal species, including bats, foxes, bushbabies, aardvarks and pangolins, to name but a few. It is also home to remarkable plant life, such as the African baobab tree, which can live for centuries and blooms at night, attracting nocturnal pollinators. Flat-topped acacia trees are prevalent in the drier savannas, playing a crucial role in nocturnal food webs by supporting arthropods and bats. Bats in particular are among the most threatened mammals globally and rely heavily on the darkness for cover and to find prey.

Africa is an important biodiversity hotspot for bats, with over 200 known species – a number that is rising all the time, as new species are discovered. Nevertheless, the continent is a bat conservation void where species are threatened by habitat loss, agricultural intensification, disturbance and climate change. In some areas bats also face persecution by people or are hunted for bushmeat. Artificial light at night (ALAN) can negatively impact the foraging and roosting behaviour of bats – yet another risk factor for these already threatened populations.

“These remarkable nocturnal mammals play a vital role in ecosystems by pollinating plants, dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations. But increasing artificial light at night disrupts their natural behaviours, making it harder for them to navigate, feed and survive. By protecting the night, we also protect the biodiversity that depends on it” says Natasha Chortos of Dark Sky International

Safeguarding Africa’s dark skies is also essential for the future of the regions’ wildlife and travel industries. Global interest in Dark Skies tourism is on the rise and Africa is ideally positioned as a destination for travellers eager to explore the cosmos. There are presently two designated International Dark Sky Places (NamibRand Dark Sky Reserve and the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park) with more needed for preserving and protecting dark skies across Africa.

So-called nocturism includes a whole host of nighttime experiences; everything from stargazing and star-bathing to aurora-hunting and night-safaris. If you enjoy getting up close and personal with nocturnal wildlife, few such experiences rival the breathtaking spectacle of the world’s largest mammal migration in Zambia’s Kasanka National Park. Every year, between October and December, as many as 10 million straw-coloured fruit-bats (Eidolon helvum) fly for thousands of miles from all over Africa to converge on this evergreen swamp forest –attracting nature-lovers from around the globe.

Bats without Borders is a charity dedicated to conserving bats, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems within southern Africa’s changing landscape. The organisation supports applied research that informs targeted conservation, strengthens local capacity and promotes positive public engagement. This Dark Skies Week, Bats without Borders is raising funds for a first African fruit-bat monitoring programme. The campaign is part of the Green Match Fund, an initiative that will double the value of donations made between April 22^nd and 29^th – the perfect opportunity to double the difference that you can make to community-led bat conservation!

‘Twin climate change and nature emergencies, mean that our wildlife is under unprecedented pressure. But for many bat species in southern Africa, we simply don’t know the status of the species. There is huge value in community science as a way to collect invaluable data that can be used over time, to better understand bat population trends. This evidence-base will help inform the conservation action that is needed to protect bats in southern Africa’ says Dr Rachael Cooper-Bohannon conservation scientist and founder of Bats without Borders.

Double your support for bats of southern Africa this Dark Sky Week

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Premiering on Netflix on April 21, 2025, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey follows wildlife photographer and conservationist Gareth Thomas as he takes on the challenge of rehabilitating Kulu. Rescued during a sting operation against traffickers, Kulu’s journey from captivity to the wild highlights the plight of pangolins—the most trafficked mammals on Earth. With stunning cinematography and emotional depth, Ehrlich’s documentary brings global attention to the urgent fight to save these ancient, enigmatic creatures.

The Plight of the Pangolin

Pangolins are often called the ‘scaly anteaters’ of the animal kingdom, their bodies covered in keratin scales that protect them from predators. But their greatest threat isn’t natural—it’s human. Due to unfounded beliefs in the medicinal value of their scales, pangolins are hunted relentlessly, with their populations plummeting across Africa and Asia. Some species, like the Temminck’s Pangolin—Kulu’s species—are now teetering on the brink of extinction.

Despite their evolutionary adaptations, pangolins have one fatal flaw: their instinct to curl into a tight, motionless ball when threatened. While this defense mechanism works against natural predators, it makes them easy targets for poachers. It is this vulnerability that makes Kulu’s story so vital. Through Thomas’s dedication and the tireless work of conservationists, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey offers a rare, intimate glimpse into efforts to save these creatures from disappearing forever.

The Human Connection

Much like My Octopus Teacher, Ehrlich’s new documentary explores the transformative power of a relationship between a human and an animal. As Thomas cares for Kulu—teaching her to forage, monitoring her health, and helping her adapt to the wild—he undergoes his own transformation. The film becomes as much about human redemption as it is about pangolin conservation.

“It’s an incredible thing to see just how innocent pangolins are,” Thomas says in the film. “I’ve never had to nurture something so vulnerable in my life before.”

His journey, however, is not without challenges. With pangolin trafficking still rampant, every step toward Kulu’s release is fraught with danger. The film doesn’t shy away from these realities, highlighting the tireless work of groups like the African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), who risk their lives to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

Why Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey Matters

Conservation documentaries have the power to shift perspectives and inspire action. By bringing the pangolin’s struggle to the forefront, Ehrlich’s film hopes to ignite a global conversation about the need for stronger protections, better enforcement of anti-poaching laws, and increased support for rehabilitation efforts.

As Kulu takes her first steps into the wild, her journey symbolizes more than just one animal’s survival—it’s a beacon of hope for an entire species. And for audiences around the world, her story is a reminder that we hold the future of Earth’s most vulnerable creatures in our hands.

Mark your calendars—Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey premieres on Netflix on April 21, 2025.

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Zoopharmacognosy: Nature’s Healers

Zoopharmacognosy, the study of how animals use plants and other substances to self-medicate, has revealed fascinating insights into the lives of species like the gorillas. These great apes seem to instinctively select plants with healing properties, a behavior mirrored in traditional human practices. The overlap between the plants eaten by gorillas and those used by local healers has sparked curiosity among scientists, who have begun investigating the plants for their therapeutic properties.

The study at hand focused on four key plants: Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), the giant yellow mulberry or monkey fruit (Myrianthus arboreus), Ficus subspecies, and Iroko or African teak (Milicia excelsa). Gorillas in the region are known to consume the bark of these trees, which are also used in Gabonese traditional medicine to treat ailments such as stomach issues and even infertility.

Unlocking the Chemical Secrets of the Forest

The research team, intrigued by the potential overlap in healing practices between gorillas and local healers, set out to test the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of these plants. What they found was astonishing: the plant extracts showed high levels of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and proanthocyanidins—compounds known for their health benefits.

The tests revealed that Myrianthus arboreus had the highest levels of total phenolics, powerful antioxidants that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Meanwhile, Milicia excelsa bark was rich in flavonoids, compounds often associated with anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive properties. Tannins, which can help fight infections, were abundant in Myrianthus arboreus, and proanthocyanidins, known for their cardiovascular benefits, were most concentrated in Ceiba pentandra.

Superbug Fighters in the Jungle

In addition to their antioxidant properties, the plants demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity. The extracts were tested against multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli, a superbug that presents a significant challenge in global health. The bark extracts of the studied plants exhibited varying degrees of success in inhibiting these bacterial strains, with Ceiba pentandra showing particularly potent results.

This discovery is especially exciting for scientists, as antibiotic resistance continues to pose a global threat. The plants consumed by the gorillas could offer new, naturally occurring solutions to this growing problem. The potential to develop novel antibiotics from these plant compounds could revolutionize how we treat infections in the future.

A Blueprint for Drug Discovery?

The implications of this research stretch beyond mere curiosity. The fact that gorillas have evolved to select plants that offer such robust medicinal properties hints at a possible evolutionary advantage. By mimicking the dietary habits of gorillas, researchers hope to uncover new avenues for drug discovery.

But this is more than just an opportunity to create new pharmaceuticals—it’s a testament to the intricate connections between ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. As we learn more about the self-medicating habits of animals, we also gain insight into the potential healing powers of the natural world, many of which remain untapped.

The Conservation Imperative

The Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, where this study took place, is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. It’s home to not only western lowland gorillas but also forest elephants, chimpanzees, and a staggering array of plant species, many of which remain unknown to science.

Yet, the future of these forests is under threat. Poaching, deforestation, and disease have already decimated the population of western lowland gorillas, which are critically endangered. Fewer than 150,000 remain in the wild, and the loss of these gorillas could also mean the loss of valuable knowledge about medicinal plants they instinctively use.

Protecting these great apes and their habitats is critical—not only for their survival but also for the potential health benefits their behavior might unlock. The forests of Gabon are a living pharmacy, with countless plant species that could offer solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing health challenges. Without proper conservation efforts, we risk losing this treasure trove of knowledge.

Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Modern Science

One of the most fascinating aspects of this research is the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern science. The plants studied are not only part of the gorillas’ diet but also form the backbone of traditional medicine in Gabon. Local healers have long understood the power of these plants, using them to treat a variety of ailments.

The collaboration between indigenous knowledge keepers and scientists has proven invaluable. By blending time-honored practices with cutting-edge research techniques, the team has opened the door to potential breakthroughs in both medicine and conservation. This synergy highlights the importance of respecting and preserving traditional ecological knowledge as a source of inspiration and guidance for modern science.

Looking Forward

As the study continues, researchers hope to further explore the therapeutic potential of the plants consumed by western lowland gorillas. By delving deeper into their chemical compositions, scientists could unlock even more potent compounds that could be used to fight diseases ranging from infections to chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease.

Moreover, this research serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of life on Earth. Gorillas, humans, and the ecosystems they inhabit are all linked in complex ways. Protecting these forests not only safeguards wildlife but also preserves the delicate balance that allows nature’s remedies to flourish.

The journey from the rainforests of Gabon to the laboratories of modern medicine is just beginning, and the self-medicating gorillas of Moukalaba-Doudou National Park may well hold the key to the next generation of life-saving drugs. In the meantime, efforts to conserve their habitats are more important than ever—not just for the sake of the gorillas but for the future of human health as well.

Source: PLOS ONE
Photo: 2H Media

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As reported today in the journal Science, the investigators discovered that the incursion of big-headed ants at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy reduces lions’ efficiency in hunting zebras, their primary prey. This is due to the invasive ants eliminating native acacia ants that safeguard the whistling-thorn tree from elephants and other herbivores, resulting in diminished tree cover for lions to ambush zebras.

“We demonstrate that a minuscule invader has reshaped predator-prey interactions among emblematic species,” stated the researchers, led by UW Ph.D. student Douglas Kamaru, affiliated with Professor Jacob Goheen’s research group in the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology.

Encouragingly, the lion population hasn’t dwindled post-insect invasion, likely because lions have adapted their diets from zebras to African buffalo, equally vulnerable to lion predation in affected areas.

The research team comprises members from The Nature Conservancy, the University of British Columbia, the University of Florida, the University of Nairobi, Duke University, the University of Glasgow, Karatina University, the University of Nevada-Reno, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Symbiosis

Whistling-thorn trees, the predominant species in much of East Africa, offer nectar and shelter for native ants. In return, the ants shield the trees against browsers by biting them and emitting formic acid. The native ants are particularly adept at defending the trees against elephants, thereby stabilizing savanna tree cover across vast landscapes, noted the researchers.

Over the past two decades, the invasion of big-headed ants—thought to originate from an island in the Indian Ocean—has disrupted the mutualistic bond between whistling-thorn trees and native ants. While big-headed ants exterminate the native ants, they fail to shield the trees from elephants, enabling the colossal herbivores to browse and break trees at a rate five to seven times higher than uninvaded areas.

The researchers postulated that the dwindling tree cover would impact interactions between lions and their primary prey, zebras. Through observation of zebra and lion activity across several study plots—some invaded by big-headed ants, some not—the scientists confirmed that the big-headed ant invasion diminishes zebra kills by lions by augmenting openness across the landscape.

Ecological cascade

“We elucidate that the expansion of the big-headed ant, one of the planet’s most pervasive and ecologically impactful invaders, has triggered an ecological cascade that diminishes lions’ proficiency in hunting their primary prey,” the researchers wrote.

The scientists speculate that lions at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy have sustained their numbers by preying more on African buffalo, which are larger and more challenging to kill than zebras. In other parts of East Africa, larger lion groups are needed to hunt buffalo, potentially leading to alterations in the size and composition of lion prides at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

“Despite the big-headed ants’ influence on the spatial distribution of zebra kills, and the declining frequency of such kills over time, lions’ shift to more formidable prey has thus far averted any consequential effects on lion numbers,” concluded the researchers. “The significance of behavioral adaptations in upholding lion population stability, along with the extent to which such stability can endure as big-headed ants encroach upon the landscape, remain unresolved questions warranting future exploration.”

Source: University of Wyoming
Photo: Joey Zhou / Unsplash

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Moçâmedes, Angola, 7th July, 2023 – African Parks, in collaboration with the Government of Angola and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, has partnered to reintroduce Angolan giraffes to Iona National Park after an extended absence. This week, 14 giraffes made the journey from a private game farm in central Namibia to their historical range in Angola. The translocation reflects a commitment to restore the diverse array of species that once thrived in Iona National Park. Generous sponsorship from the Wyss Foundation and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation supported this endeavor.

Abias Huongo, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Environment, expressed the significance of the giraffe reintroduction, stating, “The reintroduction of giraffes to Iona National Park is a notable milestone in Angola’s conservation efforts. It showcases our dedication to preserving our country’s natural heritage, and our goal of creating a future where both people and wildlife can thrive.”

The giraffes endured a challenging journey, traveling over 1,300 kilometers in a specially designed truck for 36 hours from the 3rd to the 5th of July. The reintroduction of Angolan giraffes plays a vital role in restoring the park’s ecosystem functions and reestablishing essential ecological processes in the region. Giraffes, known for their selective feeding habits, shape vegetation through browsing and seed dispersal.

Stephanie Fennessy, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, emphasized the collaborative efforts, stating, “The reintroduction of giraffes to Iona National Park is an extraordinary achievement for giraffe conservation in Angola. By returning giraffes to their historical range, we are reviving their habitat, ensuring their long-term survival, and contributing to restoring ecological balance in the region. We look forward to continued collaboration with all partners involved for the project’s long-term success.”

Prior to the operation, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation conducted a comprehensive feasibility study, assessing factors such as source population, habitat suitability, human dimensions, risks during and after the operation, and financial feasibility. Based on positive results and the commitment of all stakeholders, the translocation was recommended and put into action. Additionally, African Parks conducted a survey among communities in and around Iona National Park to evaluate local perceptions of the giraffe translocation. The assessment revealed that the majority of residents welcomed the presence of giraffes and recognized the potential benefits for tourism in the park.

Pedro Monterroso, Park Manager at Iona National Park, described the reintroduction as a pivotal moment in the park’s history, stating, “The return of giraffes to Iona marks an important milestone. These majestic animals will contribute to the restoration of biodiversity and symbolize Angola’s commitment to conservation. We extend our gratitude to the Government of Angola, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, and the generous support from the Wyss Foundation for making this translocation possible.”

While giraffe populations have experienced declines due to habitat loss, poaching, and other human-induced factors, targeted conservation efforts have shown positive results, leading to population recoveries in certain areas. Protecting and conserving giraffes is crucial not only for their survival but also for maintaining the delicate balance and functionality of Africa’s ecosystems. The successful translocation of Angolan giraffes to Iona National Park highlights the importance of cross-border conservation efforts in safeguarding Africa’s unique biodiversity.

Source: African Parks

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