ANIMALS 24-7 reports from the scene NAIROBI, Kenya––Most of the delegates to the 2018 Africa Animal Welfare Conference, opening on September 3 at the United Nations Complex in Nairobi, will have already seen the second most controversial wildlife-related topic in Kenya, a four-mile Chinese-built railway overpass crossing Nairobi National Park, on their 20-mile ride […]
“Kenya’s wildlife should remain in the wild” –– Sidney Quntai, 57
Little known outside Kenya, hugely influential within NAIROBI, Kenya––Pioneering Kenyan journalist and wildlife advocate Sidney Quntai Tauwo, 57, died “on the morning of April 20, 2018 after a short illness which he courageously fought, but lost,” Africa Network for Animal Welfare senior officer for communications and advocacy Sebastian Mwanza emailed to ANIMALS 24-7 on […]
A matriarch remembers, by Daphne Sheldrick, D.B.E. (1934-2018)
The first 65 years of the life of the world’s first mom to orphaned elephants in her own words Editors’ note: Daphne Sheldrick, 83, founder of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and of the elephant orphanage the trust operates at the edge of Nairobi National Park, Kenya, died on April 12, 2018, after a long battle […]
Trump words had no teeth: elephant & lion trophy imports resume
Under current rules, Walter Palmer might have imported Cecil’s head with little fuss WASHINGTON D.C.–– In 20-20 hindsight, the November 19, 2017 Twitter message by U.S. President Donald Trump hinting that he might protect African elephants and lions from trophy hunting by executive order looks more like camouflage than a decision. Twittering that trophy […]
South African lion breeders hear whispers of doom
Death at game reserve overshadows Parliamentary resolution that could kill the wildlife breeding, viewing, & hunting industries JOHANNESBURG, South Africa––The fatal mauling of a 22-year-old female visitor to “lion whisperer” Kevin Richardson’s tented camp in the Dinoken Big 5 Game Reserve stole headlines on February 27, 2018 from Parliamentary action promising to turn the South […]
More deaths in South Africa despite Pit Bull Federation warning
National SPCA and U.S. counterparts continue pushing pits, heedless of consequence PRETORIA––Has South Africa learned anything, the National SPCA of South Africa in particular, from the stern warning issued by the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa in November 2017 about rehoming pit bulls of dangerous history? Apparently not. Retired police officer Henry Kleynhans, […]
Who killed ivory trade investigator Esmond Martin, why?
Survived more than 30 years of work in some of the world’s most dangerous places, only to be stabbed in his bed NAIROBI, Kenya––Nairobi police homicide detectives appear to believe that renowned elephant ivory and rhino horn trafficking investigator Esmond Bradley Martin Jr., 75, was murdered on February 5, 2018 in connection with a […]
Animals to humans: “Save us from things that go BANG!!! in the night!”
Concern each year soars & fades with the rockets Ushered in with the traditional fusillade while animals cringe and whimper, rolling around the world from the first cruise ships firing rockets across the International Dateline, through Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, North America, and finally Hawaii, 2017 will go out with a bang too, just […]
Pit Bull Federation of South Africa rips rescuer denial of what a pit bull is
Contradicts rhetoric of trend toward removing breed-specific labels from shelter cage cards LOS ANGELES, PRETORIA––Few voices anywhere might be considered more rabidly pro-pit bull than the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa, a self-described “breed-specific show organization” whose declared “main goal is always to portray the American Pit Bull Terrier in a positive light.” […]
The National Park Service wants to get our goats
Putsch against “invasive” species ignores leading edge conservation science PORT ANGELES, Washington––Are the estimated 620 mountain goats roaming the upper reaches of 1,442-square-mile Olympic National Park a threat to biodiversity, as the National Park Service argues, or contributing to “rewilding” the park, as suggested by Arizona State University biodiversity researcher Erick Lundgren? Should they […]