African Conservation News
Field stories, research, reports, development, conservation
Wild meat consumption significantly increases risk of zoonotic disease and poses major threat to terrestrial species – new UN Report
Bonn, 15 September 2021- The taking of animals for wild meat consumption within national borders is having significant impacts on most terrestrial species protected under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), according to a new...
African tropical mountain forests store far more carbon than previously thought – new research
Tropical forests are well known for being the “lungs” of our planet. Through photosynthesis, the trees in these forests produce oxygen and remove enormous amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate global warming. The world’s most famous...
Mitigating Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gorilla Conservation: Lessons From Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
The COVID-19 pandemic, affecting all countries, with millions of cases and deaths, and economic disruptions due to lockdowns, also threatens the health and conservation of endangered mountain gorillas. For example, increased poaching due to absence of tourism income,...
Giraffes are as socially complex as elephants, study finds
Scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered evidence that giraffes are a highly socially complex species. Traditionally, giraffes were thought to have little or no social structure, and only fleeting, weak relationships. However in the last ten years,...
Climate activists oppose oil exploration, call for a Fossil Free Virunga in new film
Climate activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed strong opposition to plans for oil exploration in the Virunga National Park. In a short film dubbed ‘Fossil Free Virunga’, that was released by 350Africa.org worldwide today, the activists...
Keep your distance: Selfies, gorilla tourism and the risks of COVID-19 transmission
Tourists could be spreading the virus causing COVID-19 to wild mountain gorillas by taking selfies with the animals without following precautions. Researchers from Oxford Brookes University examined 858 photos posted on Instagram from 2013-2019 under two hashtags --...
The long shadow of colonial forestry is a threat to savannas and grasslands
Tree planting to restore forests, capture carbon and improve the land has gained strong momentum in recent years. The Bonn Challenge and its offshoots such as AFR100, initiatives focused on forest restoration, have persuaded developing countries to commit millions of...
Tusks found in 500-year-old shipwreck reveal origins of ancient elephants and impact of the ivory trade
Oxford University study leads cutting-edge scientific and historic analysis of elephant tusks found in shipwrecked cargo. OXFORD, 17 December 2020 – An international team has discovered the origin of the largest cargo of African ivory found from the oldest shipwreck...
The African Conservation Foundation has been named an official Nominator for the Earthshot Prize
The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) is delighted and honoured to partner with the Royal Foundation of HRH The Duke of Cambridge and other global leaders to support the Earthshot Prize and tackle the environmental challenges we all face. ACF has been selected as...
UK and Gabonese experts lead research into impact of climate change on rainforest elephants
Experts from the University of Stirling, working closely with the Government of Gabon, have led an international study into the impact of climate change on Central Africa's rainforests and the threat posed to elephant populations in the region. Dr Emma Bush and Dr...