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Community Camera Trapping programme demonstrates potential for wildlife conservation in areas of armed conflict

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In one of the first studies of its kind, our innovative Community Camera Trapping Programme demonstrates how local communities monitor their own wildlife populations through camera traps. Our team is using camera trap distance sampling to develop conservation strategies for critically endangered species. Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: logging, poaching, overexploitation and…

Elephants Carbon Ecosystem Restoration

The African Conservation Foundation becomes Actor for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

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The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) has officially become an Actor for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The partnership recognises ACF’s critical role to build capacity for conservation and ecosystem restoration in Africa – engaging local NGOs and communities – for people, nature, and our climate. Led by the UN’s Environment Programme (UNEP)and Food and…

earthshot prize

Prince William announces 15 Finalists for inaugural year of the £50 million Earthshot Prize

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Created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, The Earthshot Prize has led an unprecedented global search for the most inspiring and innovative solutions to the greatest environmental challenges facing the 750 nominations received across every continent from diverse coalition of over 200 nominators; rigorous selection process lasting 10 months, 15 inaugural Finalists – from…

wild meat use significantly increases risk of zoonotic disease

Wild meat consumption significantly increases risk of zoonotic disease and poses major threat to terrestrial species – new UN Report

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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 report released today. The report is the first of its kind and covered 105…

African tropical mountain forests

African tropical mountain forests store far more carbon than previously thought – new research

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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 tropical forests found on lowlands, like those of the Amazon or Borneo, are celebrated for…

COVID-19 Pandemic and Gorilla Conservation

Mitigating Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gorilla Conservation: Lessons From Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

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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, led to the killing on 1st June 2020 of a gorilla by a hungry community member hunting…

Giraffes are as socially complex as elephants, study finds

Giraffes are as socially complex as elephants, study finds

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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, research has shown that giraffe social organisation is much more advanced than once thought. In a paper…

Climate activists oppose oil exploration, call for a Fossil Free Virunga in new film

Climate activists oppose oil exploration, call for a Fossil Free Virunga in new film

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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 raised concerns with the environmental impacts, as well as the impact to local communities’ livelihoods. The…

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Keep your distance: Selfies, gorilla tourism and the risks of COVID-19 transmission

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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 — #gorillatrekking and #gorillatracking — and found most gorilla trekking tourists were close enough to the animals, without…

The long shadow of colonial forestry is a threat to savannas and grasslands

The long shadow of colonial forestry is a threat to savannas and grasslands

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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 hectares of land to these projects. Funding for AFR100 has been secured from international donors…