Posts Tagged ‘Africa’
National Geographic: U.S. Indictment Accuses South African Brothers of Trafficking Rhino Horns
Safari outfitters allegedly duped hunters into paying extra to illegally shoot rhinos. Laurel Neme for National Geographic Published October 23, 2014 U.S. authorities today announced the indictment of the alleged kingpin of a South African rhino poaching and trafficking syndicate, Dawie Groenewald, and his brother, Janneman, and their company Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris on multiple charges,…
Read MoreKenya Wildlife Service forensics lab a step closer to opening
Kenya Wildlife Service forensics lab is a step closer to opening. Much is promised but challenges remain. Article in Kenya’s The Star reviews progress. See: http://allafrica.com/stories/201410131052.html 13 October 2014 Kenya: KWS Plans Sh100 Million DNA Lab to Catch Poachers By Gilbert Koech CONVICTION rates for crimes arising from handling of wildlife trophies will soon rise…
Read MoreChelsea Clinton shares Laurel’s NatGeo article on Rangers
I’m honored that Chelsea Clinton shared my NatGeo piece on the daily challenges facing rangers. It was painful to write, and it’s painful to read. But even more painful to live it. I’m grateful to her for helping to share their stories – and by doing so supporting these unsung heroes.
Read MoreNational Geographic: For Rangers on the Front Lines of Anti-Poaching Wars, Daily Trauma (2)
First posted on 2014-06-27 Both wildlife rangers and rare species are victims of the relentless onslaught from the illegal wildlife trade. In Focus For Rangers on the Front Lines of Anti-Poaching Wars, Daily Trauma Unsung heroes face daunting challenges. An anti-poaching team patrols in Zakouma National Park, Chad, in February 2014. PHOTOGRAPH…
Read MoreNational Geographic: For Rangers on the Front Lines of Anti-Poaching Wars, Daily Trauma
Both wildlife rangers and rare species are victims of the relentless onslaught from the illegal wildlife trade. Unsung heroes face daunting challenges. By Laurel Neme for National Geographic Published June 27, 2014 In May 2008 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 80 Mai Mai militia ambushed a unit of 12 wildlife rangers on…
Read MoreNational Geographic: In Hong Kong, Kids Take Action to Stop the Illegal Ivory Trade
Schoolchildren are working together to raise awareness of the toll of the illegal ivory trade. Photograph by Katrina Shute Laurel Neme for National Geographic Published April 24, 2014 Part of our weekly “In Focus” series—stepping back, looking closer. Hong Kong schoolchildren are transforming attitudes about elephant ivory through small actions that are having…
Read MoreThe WildLife: Kevin Bewick, Anti-Poaching Intelligence Group of Southern Africa (APIGSA)
Kevin Bewick, head of the Anti-Poaching Intelligence Group of Southern Africa (APIGSA), provides his perspective on the fight against wildlife crime. His group undertakes investigations and focuses on intelligence gathering and research into wildlife poaching and trafficking.
Read MoreNational Geographic: Elephant Foster Mom: A Conversation with Daphne Sheldrick
Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on December 6, 2013 Orphaned elephants “can be fine one day and dead the next,” says Daphne Sheldrick, a Kenyan conservationist and expert in animal husbandry. She knows. To date, she has fostered over 250 calves, first in partnership with her husband, David Sheldrick, founding warden…
Read MoreNational Geographic: Ivory Mandala: A Fitting Memorial from the U.S. Ivory Crush
Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on November 13, 2013 Tomorrow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will use an industrial rock crusher to destroy its six-ton stockpile of confiscated elephant ivory. The event is both a demonstration of the U.S.’s commitment to stop ivory trafficking and its belief that the legal ivory…
Read MoreLos Angeles Times: Terrorism and the Ivory Trade (OpEd)
The Shabab, which took responsibility for the deadly Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, uses proceeds from ivory to fund its terrorist operations. By Laurel Neme, Andrea Crosta and Nir Kalron October 14, 2013 If the world needs another reason to get serious about combating elephant poaching, here’s one: The attack by terrorists on Westgate Mall…
Read MoreNational Geographic: Al Shabaab and the Human Toll of the Illegal Ivory Trade
Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on October 3, 2013 By Laurel Neme, Andrea Crosta, and Nir Kalron As the bloody stain from Al Shabaab’s attack in Nairobi spreads, we grieve not only for those who died or were injured, and their families and friends, but also for the many innocents…
Read More