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Conservation quandary – What conservation works? Part II

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Conservation quandary – What conservation works?

Saving the giant sable from extinction

John Frederick Walker, who wrote about the rediscovery of the giant sable in 2005, takes us inside an audacious expedition to breed the subspecies back from the brink.

Searching for addax in the desert in Niger in the dry season

8 AM and it's already 95°F. By midday it will be well over 110° and apart from the odd gazelle heading purposefully for shade, absolutely nothing else is moving.

Do Ivory Sales Encourage Elephant Poaching? Or just the opposite?

The plight of the Cross River gorilla

They are quietly majestic, and they are on the verge of extinction.

New hope for world’s rarest gorilla

The world's rarest gorillas have more suitable habitat than previously thought. Encouragingly, the area includes vital corridors that, if protected, can help Cross River gorillas move between sites in search of mates.

New primate species discovered on Madagascar

A Malagasy-German research team has discovered a new primate species in the Sahafina Forest in eastern Madagascar, a forest that has not been studied before. The new species has been named 'Gerp's mouse lemur' (Microcebus gerpi).

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Possibly the largest haul of ivory ever found, 15 tonnes, seized in Malaysia

After the recent spate of ivory seizures in Asia - We might have hoped that the situation would improve - However the latest seizure is the largest we can remember, and is possibly the largest ever. It dwarfs all the other seizures, and in fact probably contains as much ivory as has been seized all year in the Far East.

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33 rhino horns and a quantity of ivory seized in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Customs have seized 33 rhino horns, 758 ivory chopsticks and 127 ivory bracelets that were concealed inside a container shipped to Hong Kong South Africa.

Big game hunting in Africa is economically useless - IUCN

A new IUCN report reveals that Big game hunting is almost unbelievably inefficient as a wealth generator, when taking into account the land used and the financial contribution made to GDP.

In the 11 main big game hunting countries, the surface area occupied by big game hunting parks is 14.9% of national territory, and the contribution of big game hunting to the GDP is 0.06%.

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Lemurs of Madagascar

Amazingly, when the first edition of this book was written, in 1994, only 50 species were known, but since then another 43 species and subspecies have been identified, and this book recognises a further 8 as a result of greater understanding of their systematics!

Anyone visiting Madagascar should take a copy of this book with them.

Read full review »

Worst ever year for rhino poaching in South Africa

More rhinos have been killed in South Africa in the past 10 months than were killed in all of 2010, new poaching numbers reveal. Statistics from South Africa National Parks show that 341 animals have been lost to poaching so far in 2011, compared to a record total of 333 last year.

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Primates of West Africa

With just 60 species covered in more than 500 pages, this is just about the most comprehensive field guide I have ever seen!

Read about The Primates of West Africa

New species of antelope discovered in West Africa

It is a very small antelope, measuring no more than around 40 cm at the shoulder and weighing four to six kilograms. It belongs to the duiker subfamily of antelopes. The Afrikaans name, 'duiker', meaning 'diver', comes from the habit these timid animals have of diving into the vegetation at the slightest sign of danger.

The world's most threatened and healthiest sea turtle populations revealed

The report revealed the 12 healthiest sea turtle populations in the world, which are large and currently facing relatively low threats. Five species, such as the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle have populations among these dozen thriving habitats which include nesting sites and feeding areas in Australia, Mexico and Brazil. Other areas that harbour healthy turtle populations include the Southwest Indian Ocean, Micronesia and French Polynesia.

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Unidentified lark spotted in Ethiopia -

If it turns out that this species is Sidamo Lark then this will be fantastic for the conservation of a critically endangered species, and if it's Archer's Lark - well then, even better, and another bird has been "rediscovered" for science. An alternative hypothesis is that Sidamo and Archer's Larks are actually the same species and that several isolated populations exist.

Four tonnes of ivory seized in two hauls

Kruger rhino massacre continues

South Africa has lost at least 193 rhinos during the first six months of 2011 with Kruger National Park continuing to be hardest hit. The world famous safari destination has already lost 126 rhinos to poaching this year in addition to 146 killed there in 2010.

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Tanzania Government ditches Serengeti Highway

The proposed asphalt road which would have bisected the Serengeti National Park, jeopardising the world's last great mammal migration, will not now be built, the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has announced at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting.

8 lions poisoned in Kenya - Leakey speaks out

Conservationists have warned that Kenya's lion population is in danger of becoming extinct within a few years if nothing is done to stem a wave of poisonings that have already left at least eight of the charismatic predators dead in recent weeks.

Rhino poaching epidemic reaches new levels

The number of rhinos poached so far this year has passed the 300 mark, and more and more reports of rhinos being killed pour in from across Africa. Unless someone somewhere does something soon, there will be few rhinos left. These are this weeks articles about rhino poaching. - But is there are possible solution?

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South Africa sends in the army to stop rhino poaching in the Kruger

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) had been asked by South African National Parks (SANParks) to play a strategic role in the protection of South African National Parks, especially the Kruger National Park, after the recent spate of rhino poaching.

African lions probably 2 distinct species

Surprisingly, lions from West and Central Africa seemed to be more related to lions from the Asiatic subspecies than to their counterparts in East and Southern Africa.

Brutal attack on rhino shocks even the hardiest rangers

Rangers in Zimbabwe are trying to save the life of a rhino that was shot and had its horn hacked off. Despite this brutal attack, the animal was found staggering around trying to feed.

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Tanzania pressing ahead with Serengeti Highway and Lake Natron soda plant

Despite the German government offering to fund a study into an alternative route for the Serengeti Highway, the Tanzanian Government seems to be pressing ahead with its plans, as well as fast tracking the development of the soda ash plant at Lake Natron, the only breeding site for Greater flamingo in East Africa.

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$40,000 to hunt an elephant and you can import the ivory legally into UK!

We are absolutely disgusted to find out that it is still legal to import ivory and rhino horn into the UK, as hunting trophies!

New bird discovered in Madagascar

Cryptic new wolf species identified in north Africa

New molecular evidence reveals a new species of grey wolf living in Africa. Formerly confused with golden jackals, and thought to be an Egyptian subspecies of jackal, the new African wolf shows that members of the grey wolf lineage reached Africa about 3 million years ago, before they spread throughout the northern hemisphere.

Rhino poaching in South Africa reaches all-time high

A total of 333 rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa in 2010, including ten critically endangered black rhinos, according to national park officials. The yearly total is the highest ever experienced in South Africa and nearly three times the 2009 figure when 122 rhinos were killed in the country. An additional five rhinos have been lost to poaching since the New Year.

Kenya Highlights - A guide to escorted tours in Kenya

There are dozens of guide books to Kenya, but this one has a different slant. Not so much a guide book to take with you (Take it anyway), but a guide for before you go.
Read full review »

New species of lemur discovered in Madagascar

A species of fork-marked lemur believed to be new to science has been discovered in the dry forests of Madagascar.

Wild dogs photographed on the Masai Mara

Kicheche Mara's head guide, Daniel Ntoyian, was returning from a local airstrip transfer. Right outside Kicheche camp he spotted two dogs. Hunting.

Humpback travels from Brazil to Madagascar – Breaks whale distance record

New Critically Endangered carnivorous mammal discovered in Madagascar - First in 24 years

A new species of small carnivore, Durrell's Vontsira has been identified in the marshes of the Lake Alaotra wetlands in central eastern Madagascar weighs just over half a kilogram and belongs to a family. It is likely to be one of the most threatened carnivores in the world.

Possible new species of Giant elephant-shrew discovered in Kenya

A giant elephant-shrew species recently discovered in a remote African forest may be new to science. Conservationists researching the biodiversity of the Boni-Dodori forest on the coast of north-eastern Kenya were thrilled to capture pictures of the bizarre mammal.

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Serengeti highway could spell economic disaster for Tanzania

A team of well-respected scientists has released a joint statement detailing their opposition to the building of a new road that would bisect the Serengeti National Park.

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Serengeti highway protests growing worldwide

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have both stepped into the growing controversy over the proposed Serengeti Highway (Published in Wildlife Extra in June).

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Extraordinary mutation of Thompson's gazelle - or fake?

If it was April 1st, we wouldn't have been surprised by this story, but in August? These images appear to show a Thompson's gazelle that has been bred by crossing a gazelle with a goat or even a Scottie dog. We were immediately suspicious of the authenticity of the pictures as they seem just to extraordinary.

Wildlife photography - Uwe Skrzypczak

Uwe spends a lot of time in East Africa, especially following the great migration, and a lot of this book is based around that extraordinary event. This is a very detailed book covering all aspects of DSLR photography.
Read full review »

3 sites in India recommended for the reintroduction of cheetah

The Wildlife Institute of India and The Wildlife Trust of India have recommended three sites as the best places to re-introduce cheetah into India. 18 cheetah will initially be released on the 3 proposed sites; these cheetah will be obtained from the Middle East and Africa

New highway to cut the Serengeti in half?

Reports now circulating on the web suggest that the Government of Tanzania has given the go ahead for a road to be built right across the Serengeti, potentially blocking the migration route of the wildebeest, threatening the wildlife with a large amount of high speed traffic and providing easy access to many poachers.

Alaotra grebe declared extinct and 12.5% of bird species declared endangered

Extreme weather behind the deaths of four Mountain gorillas in Rwanda?

Four highly endangered mountain gorillas have died - three of them infants. It is thought they could be victims of the extreme weather conditions from which the area has been suffering.

Elephant ivory imports allowed into the USA - Rednecks versus villagers

Wildlife Extra was under the misapprehension that it was illegal to import ivory into the USA. Given the very recent decision by CITES to prevent Tanzania and Zambia from down listing the elephants to appendix 2, Wildlife Extra is speechless to discover that it is perfectly legal to kill wild elephants in some parts of Africa, including Tanzania, and then import the tusks, skin and other disgusting mementos into the USA.

2 tons of ivory seized at Bangkok airport

Thai officials have seized two tons of ivory at Bangkok Airport. The packing cases containing the ivory are said to have arrived on an Emirates flight from Nairobi via Dubai.

Baby mountain gorilla face 'mangled' by a snare - Dies of his injuries

And then later the Rangers reported that Nsekanabo is dead. Tumaini is still carrying him around, so the Rangers will now follow the family closely (maybe for several days), until she leaves Nsekanabo behind.

Virunga volcano erupting, Gorillas not threatened

Mount Nyamulagira, situated in Congo's Virunga National Park and one of Africa's most active volcanoes, erupted in the early hours of 2nd January 2010.

New drug threat to Asian vultures – Edging them towards extinction

For every 1000 Oriental white-backed vultures occurring in southern Asia in the 1980s only one remains today because of the lethal effects of diclofenac - a drug used to treat livestock - on vultures. Alarmingly, researchers looking into safe alternatives have now identified that a second, livestock treatment in Asia - ketoprofen - is also lethal to the birds.

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Wildlife trade raping Africa – Hundreds of species for sale on the internet

We were recently approached by a Tanzanian wildlife dealer, offering us an eye-wateringly wide range of species. Although it is not currently legal to import wild birds into the UK (This was not implemented with any thought for wildlife, but because of bird flu.), it is still legal in many countries.

Africa's rarest monkey interbred with baboons

The most extensive DNA study to-date of Africa's rarest monkey reveals that the species had an intriguing sexual past.

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Madagascar Pochard - The world’s rarest ducklings hatched in captive breeding programme

A complicated and challenging mission to a remote lake in Madagascar has resulted in a huge step being taken in efforts to save the world's rarest duck from extinction.

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New population of world’s rarest lemur discovered in Madagascar

Major discovery as less than 100 Greater Bamboo Lemur were thought to exist

Huge seizures of 1169 kgs of elephant ivory in Kenya and Ethiopia

The Kenya Wildlife Service has seized the largest haul of ivory in recent history at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, following on 2 days after a similar seizure in Ethiopia.

Legendary Mountain gorilla silverback dies of old age

Trackers at the Karisoke Research Centre found the legendary silverback gorilla Titus dead on his night nest in Volcanoes National Park.

Congo’s wildlife rangers launch offensive against armed groups trafficking charcoal in gorilla zone of Virunga

The Congolese National Park Authorities have sent the biggest ever deployment of armed rangers to strike at charcoal-making operations run by armed groups deep in the forests of Virunga National Park in Eastern DR Congo.

Brutal Namibian seal hunt caught on film – Journalists attacked

Secret footage smuggled out of Namibia has revealed the brutal reality of the Namibian seal hunt - and the subsequent attack on British journalist Jim Wickens and South African cameraman Bart Smithers.

Kenya wildlife down by 40% - Community tourism protects species better than National Parks

Wildlife populations throughout Kenya-inside as well as outside the national parks-declined by 40 percent from 1977 to 1997.

Poaching boom is once again threatening the world’s rhinos

Rhino poaching worldwide is poised to hit a 15-year-high driven by increased demand in Asia, according to new research.

33,000 sharks, 2000 dolphins & 2000 turtles killed to boost beach tourism in South Africa

It is difficult to believe in this day in age, with all that we know about sharks' plummeting populations, their critical role in ocean ecosystems and the minimal risk they pose to humans, that the archaic and destructive practice of installing shark nets for "bather protection" still exists.

Mali’s elephants under threat from drought

The future of a rare herd of desert elephants in Mali is under threat from one of the worst droughts in living memory, which has left a key water source at its lowest level in a quarter of a century and is breaking down the usual peaceful co-existence between the elephants and local herdsmen.

Leucistic baboons of the Luangwa Valley.

Another reader, Steve Tolan, of the Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre has also seen some leucistic baboons inthe Luangwa Valley. There does seem to be a "leucistic hotspot" in the Luangwa, as we have had several reports of different animals from the beautiful part of the world.

Vast reserve to protect remote Prince Edward Islands in the Southern Ocean

South Africa's is to establish one of the world's largest Marine Protected Area's (MPA) around its Prince Edward Islands. This is an achievement of global importance which will help protecting a suite of spectacular wildlife, including albatrosses, penguins and killer whales.

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Extraordinary 200 new species of frogs identified in Madagascar

A new study has identified between 129 and 221 new species of frogs from Madagascar, which practically doubles the currently known amphibian fauna.

Illegal quarry devastates vital wildlife corridor and local communities in Kenya

Baby gorilla found in hand luggage in Congo trafficking ring bust - Video

A baby gorilla has been seized from animal traffickers in eastern DR Congo by the Congolese Wildlife Authority following a 3-month undercover investigation to bust an international wildlife smuggling ring.

One of the Kruger’s largest tuskers has died

Detailed study predicts Africa’s first bird extinction looming

The Sidamo lark, confined to the Liben Plain grassland in southern Ethiopia, is critically endangered by bush encroachment, permanent settlement and agricultural conversion.

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Illegal miners destroying swathes of wildlife in Democratic Republic of Congo – Chimps hit hard

Poachers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) threaten the existence of the largest remaining continuous population of chimpanzees in the world.

Critically endangered Saharan cheetah photographed in Algeria

Virunga gorilla population increases despite war

Virunga gorilla population increases by 10% and rebel leader arrested.

7 mountain gorillas die of natural causes.

Unbelievably, after all the trauma of the war raging around them, 7 mountain gorillas have died in the last few weeks, all of natural causes.

Leakey speaks about ivory auctions and their disservice to conservation

I believe that auctioning the ivory stockpiles would cause poaching to increase particularly in the central, eastern and western African elephant range states.

'Golden' lion of the South Luangwa National Park

One of our readers, Egil Dröge, has sent us photos photos of a very unusual young lion that is clearly much lighter than his siblings.

Knysna elephants – No evidence for more than 1 survivor

Rhino poaching- the poacher tells all.

The Van Deventer brothers were arrested in South Africa on charges of poaching rhinoceroses. Having entered into a plea bargain with the state, the brothers received reduced prison sentences. Shortly afterwards, they contacted investigative journalist and Africa Geographic columnist Ian Michler. They wanted to tell their story.

Read the full piece

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New Forest Robin bird species discovered in Gabon

The newly discovered olive-backed forest robin (Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus) was named by the scientists for its distinctive olive back and rump.

Elephant poaching reaching record levels.

50% of world's primates endangered

The world's monkeys, apes and other primates are disappearing from the world's forests faster than ever

Recently discovered Kipunji monkey is critically endangered

China approved for controlled ivory imports from Africa – Arguments for and against

Major Kenyan wetlands to be sacrificed for biofuels

The Kenyan government has approved a controversial plan to grow biofuel crops on an internationally important coastal wetland.

Zululand Birding Route celebrates ten years

One of Africa’s most established and celebrated ecotourism initiatives, the Zululand Birding Route (ZBR), celebrated its 10th anniversary this weekend.

The 2008 Majete Elephant Translocation Project

Local tribes people have been in conflict with elephants for many years and this has culminated in the death of two adult and two baby elephants.

Lake Oloidien flamingos

The lake has only recently become saline enough for the bacteria that the flamingos rely on for food to exist.

World's rarest giraffe species clinging on in West Africa.

There are just 150 rare West African giraffes left, all living in Niger.They are very rare, but in fact their number have doubled!

Huge relocation of African wildlife undertaken by SANparks.

A huge translocation of game animals , including rhinos, giraffes, buffalo and many antelope, has taken place with as many as 1200 being moved from a degazetted National Park into a new park and some existing reserves.

Gorillas to be re-homed on ‘island bachelor pad’.

5 orphaned male gorillas have been set up on a 'bachelor pad' island in the Congo. The 5 have been forced away from the two family groups in the area and were roaming into local villages.

'Extinct' Madagascar Pochard re-discovered

The Madagascar pochard, thought extinct since 1990, has been found alive and well. 9 adults and 4 young were seen by researchers.

New species of sucker-footed bat found in Madagascar

A new bat with suckers attached to its thumbs and feet has been discovered in Madagascar.

Africa's rarest carnivore discovered in Tanzania.

Jackson's mongoose, only previously known from a few small clusters in Kenya, has been photographed by a camera trap in Tanzania's Udzungwa mountains.

Four Mountain Gorillas killed in the DRC

Dreadful news from the DRC as at least four gorillas are killed, including a silverback and three females, one of which was pregnant.

Gorilla cave

Zoologists from Frankfurt have found a 'Gorilla Cave' in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Desert crocodiles in the Sahara

It’s hard to believe that 8-ton, dinosaur-eating ‘Super Crocs’ roamed the Sahara 110 million years ago. More incredibly, perhaps, latter day versions are still living there.

In praise of the much maligned hyena – Needs a PR makeover

The hyena gets a bad press. Dan Beaton sings its praises.

Read the full article.

Leucistic impala photographed in South Africa

The White Baboon of Tuli

Snowball, who, as far as we can tell, is probably the first leucistic Chacma Baboon recorded. The young baboon has settled in well with the rest of his baboon troop and is treated like any other.

White Giraffe seen In Botswana

The extremely rare white giraffe was seen and photographed by Mrs K Little in Botswana in 2006. Another white giraffe was recorded in Tanzania in 1993, but records are very few and far between.

Vast herds of wildlife found in Southern Sudan

An aerial survey of southern Sudan has found herds of antelope that may be larger than those of the Serengeti.

100 elephants massacred in Chad.

A survey team working in Zakouma National Park have discovered the remains of 100 elephants killed by poachers.

West African black rhino thought to be extinct

Recent surveys in West Africa failed to find any trace of the Western Black rhino across its former range. Further more only 4 Northern White rhino could be found and it will almost certainly disappear in the near future.

Ebola-outbreak kills as many as 5000 gorillas

A new study has revealed that there has been a massive die-off of gorillas and chimpanzees in Ebola outbreaks over the last few years.

Okapi rediscovered in Eastern Congo.

The endangered Okapi has been seen the in Virunga National Park for the first time in nearly 50 years during a survey of the area. The deep innaccessible jungle has been off limits for years as it has been used as a base by various rebel groups.

Oil prospecting in Gabon

Recent oil prospecting operations by Chinese oil company SinoPec are destroying one of Gabon's richest national Parks.

Huge massacre of elephants in the Central African Republic: As many as 1000 elephants butchered.

Conservationists in the Central African Republic have found evidence of as many as 1000 elephants that appear to have been killed by Sudanese poaching gangs.

New survey finds a 98% decline in the Hippo population of the Virunga National Park

The Mai Mai militia have slaughtered hundreds of hippos and elephants in the last few months.

Birds of Ghana

Birds of Ghana

The one thing that always puzzled me about Ghana is that so few people visit. For the average traveller I would rate Ghana as one of the best places to visit in the world; for a birder it is an absolute must.

Read full review »

Where to watch birds in Ethiopia

I once took a trekking group to the Bale Mountains and the keen birders in the group had recorded some 350 species f bird after 1 week. We then had a week visiting other areas of Ethiopia, and I remember very clearly sitting outside our hotel in Lalibela (Home of the world famous rock hewn churches) as around 2 dozen Lammergeiers circled around our heads.
Read full review »

Darwin, morals, altruism, violence and chimpanzees – An essay by Daniel Beaton

Between 5 and 8 million years ago, somewhere within the African continent lived an animal that was an ancestor to both modern humans and the chimpanzee, or rather chimpanzees - as we must not forget the bonobo.

Click here to read Daniel's essay

Safari with children

My kids were so excited about the thought of going on safari in Kenya, and we had a great time. A walking safari, 4 days on the Masai Mara seeing pretty much everything, the flamingos and rhinos at Nakuru, everything you want to see. And the abiding memories? Hiding under the seats of the open top landrover while watching lions hunting, (as all they have learned from years as armchair viewers is that lions will eat you.) and the hotel with a swim up bar and free coke!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Popular wildlife & conservation news stories from the past

Why are Bonobos so laid back?
Canopy Raft Program discoveries and photos from Madagascar.
Another Mountain gorilla found dead.
‘Lost forest’ yields several new species.
Huge translocation of ungulates underway in Kenya as thousands of animals are moved to Meru National Park.
Only Lesser flamingo breeding site in East Africa under threat from industry.
Key rhino sanctuary expanded in Kenya.
Photo story. Martial eagle Vs White stork - Masai Mara.
Jewellery made from snares - Poachers turn fashionistas.
Kruger Park full - visitors turned away.
13 arrested in clampdown on poaching in Kenya.
Endangered black rhinos return to Tanzania.
40 rhinos killed in Zimbabwe.
3 rangers and 4 poachers killed in gun battle in Kenya.

Popular Africa stories

Top African Safari Destinations (in no particular order)

ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS: CONSERVATION OR CRUELTY.

Shearwater Adventures, a tour operator from Zimbabwe, is under fire for capturing wild elephants for use on elephant back safaris. However Shearwater strongly defend their position by pointing out that the drought in Zimbabwe is devastating the elephant herds.
Read both sides of the argument.

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Birds of Ghana