One of the world’s largest collaborative science projects is about to enter its most exciting year yet. This will see researchers in a remote stretch of South Africa’s Karoo testing Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity; imaging neutral hydrogen – the building blocks for stars – in the distant universe; and examining galaxies that were formed […]

For the fourth consecutive year, South Africa is taking part in the (truly) Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions… to raise awareness for our endangered iconic wildlife, writes Megan Carr, VP Social Media, GMFER. The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos (GMFER) is an entirely volunteer based, grassroots activist US-registered non-profit organisation. The theme […]

From the poles to the equator, marine mammals such as seals, dolphins and whales, play an important role in global ecosystems as apex predators, ecosystem engineers and even organic ocean fertilisers. The ocean off the coast of South Africa is home to a high diversity of these mammals and is recognised as a global marine biodiversity hotspot. Marine […]

A freak hail storm in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, on Tuesday night, has allegedly caused millions of rands worth of damage to the farming community… as big winds and large hail struck the region in South Africa suddenly, destroying between 80% and 100% of crops in some cases. Witnesses told Letaba Herald that the storm came out […]

Presenter Bonné de Bod, along with fellow filmmaker Susan Scott, was granted exclusive access to the 2017 Rhino Census, which took place in the Kruger Park recently. De Bod and Scott, who have been working on the highly anticipated anti-poaching rhino feature documentary STROOP, due for release in early 2018, were delighted with this opportunity as it was […]

Government has allocated R74 million in relief funding to respond to the persistent drought in the Western Cape. “South Africa is a water-stressed country and the persistent drought conditions in parts of the country are a reminder to all people to save every drop by using water wisely and sparingly,” a statement released by Cabinet […]

Spring sprang early in South Africa this year, as evidenced by these fabulous fields of blooming wild flowers, captured in the West Coast National Park two weekends ago… photographed by NIGEL RILEY, ALAN RUDNICKI and ROBYN GWILT. It’s not exactly a wild flower… but it is a ‘wild animal’ in the Park… Posberg is looking […]

Private rhino horn owner John Hume recently held South Africa’s first online rhino horn auction, a major event in the ongoing fight by private rhino owners to be able to sell legal horn stocks But in a statement released on Hume’s behalf it was admitted that there were very few bidders for the 264 horns. The […]

For years many international organizations have worked tirelessly in Vietnam and China to discourage the use of Rhino horn. They have invested time, energy and millions of dollars in their educational programs… writes MEGAN CARR. “In one foul greedy swoop rhino farmer John Hume and the PROA group with the assistance of the South African […]

Last winter the question on everyone’s lips was “Where are the whales?”… The number of southern right whales visiting our shores has been lower than average for a few years now and in 2016 appeared to be way down even from the previous year. This was confirmed by the official count from the Mammal Research Institute […]

It’s out with the polar bear pictures and in with more varied images that represent climate change around the globe as it impacts on humans… as new research shows that the polar bear photos are no longer representative enough of the crisis facing all corners of the planet. According to research by Climate Outreach, while […]

A new wildlife organisation has launched with the ambitious aim of saving every single surviving rhino or elephant victim of poaching. It’s called The Now or Never African Wildlife Trust (NNAWT)… and it has search giant Google on its side! NNAWT brings together key players – with extensive experience and contacts – in the war on poaching, […]

Humans like to think that they rule the planet and are hard wired to do so. But our stewardship has been anything but successful. The last major extinction event, 66 million years ago, was caused by a meteorite. But the next mass extinction event, which is under way right now, is our fault. Geologists have […]

A group of postgraduate students at Stellenbosch University are embarking on an ambitious project to solve South Africa’s water problems and do their part for a sustainable water future. The “Know Your Water” project is the brainchild of Jared van Rooyen and forms the basis of his MSc. The project involves a countrywide field excursion to […]

As the Kruger National Park (KNP) announces that its gravel roads have been re-opened today (21 February 2017) for tourists, a video has emerged of a determined elephant chasing a car for miles in South Africa’s famous national park (watch below). The gravel roads had been closed as a precautionary measure due to heavy rain on 16 February 2017, brought […]

A tropical storm – named Dineo – has swept in from the Indian Ocean, causing extensive flooding as it hit landfall in Mozambique. More damage is threatened as it swings south and west. Tropical storms are classified once clouds have reached an organised cyclonic formation and wind speeds have exceeded 60km/h. The storm can be […]

Touched by seeing children going to bed hungry and the people around her lacking sources of good nutrition, Marian Dube started growing and selling vegetables from her backyard. The 42-year-old widow and mother of three, who grew up in a family of subsistence farmers in Mberengwa, south east of Zimbabwe, says, “I came to South […]

Towards the end of each year hundreds of thousands of people escape dark, cold, rainy winters in Europe and North America for a break in sunny South Africa. Many are drawn by the country’s wide array of outdoor attractions: nature reserves, beaches and adventure activities like skydiving and water sports. All of these are reliant […]

The Department of Water and Sanitation says all dams and systems have benefitted from the good rains over the past week, and “a number of dams are above 100%”… although that happy news doesn’t apply to all, judging by the Department’s own stats. The Vaal Dam is thankfully rising, but some dams – particularly in the Western […]

East London photographer MIKE GEYER captured these photos of the rough ocean seas as waves pounded the rocks and shore in the eastern cape, South Africa… providing an ideal playground for kite surfers (watch video at bottom of page). “Yesterday the power of the sea after the super moon – which we did not get to […]

South African endurance swimmer LEWIS PUGH, who lives between London and Cape Town, has been credited by the United Nations (UN) for his “Speedo diplomacy” which has helped lead to the creation of the biggest protected marine area in history! Here’s the backstory, as told by Lewis himself… Sometimes “Crazy” Gets the Job Done – by Lewis […]

The surf was UP in Durban this week, with an unexpected East swell that caused havoc, closing beaches yesterday. Local photographers NIC ABERDEIN and CRAIG DOVE captured the action… (UPDATE 12 MARCH 2017: If you’re looking for video and photos of the freak tsunami-like waves that hit Durban beachfront on Sunday 12 March 2017, please click […]

South Africans – particularly those who live in the Eastern and Northern Cape – breathe about the cleanest air in Africa, according to a new WHO report on Air Pollution Exposure. WHO has released the findings from a ‘Country Estimates on Air Pollution Exposure and Health Impact’ study, with a new air quality model, that confirms […]

South Africa’s glorious indigenous flowers are currently on display at the ‘Witness’ Garden Show in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. LORRAINE SCHOLFIELD captured these stunning photos at the show – the country’s largest – yesterday… The Mascor stand at the show, with strelitzias. Three different kinds of Proteas Different coloured clivias Yellow osteospermums Orange Lampranthus (vygie) Specially for those who celebrate ‘Braai […]

Jamie Joseph, founder of Saving the Wild, has issued a statement regarding the postponement of yesterday’s much anticipated trial of alleged rhino poaching kingpin Dumisani Gwala. The trial was due to begin Monday but was yesterday postponed until 19 September 2016. Jamie’s statement said: “Gwala, who is believed to be responsible for as much as 80% […]