Collateral Damage: The Effects of Poaching on Local Communities Poaching has become a pandemic in Africa. Across the continent, many animals are killed or removed from their home environment mainly due to human greed. Endangered animals’ numbers are dwindling, and conservation groups around the world are focusing on how best to save these beautiful creaturesContinue reading “Collateral Damage: The Effects of Poaching on Local Communities”
Author Archives: Y4AW
Collaring Elephants: Inside their social circles and movement patterns, we learn how to better protect them
Collaring Elephants: Inside their social circles and movement patterns, we learn how to better protect them written by Victoria Baldwin, Y4AW intern of July, 2015 It takes twenty-six of my hands to palm the girth of an average elephant collar. Harnessing an animal that size isn’t tangible until you hold the leather and buckles, passContinue reading “Collaring Elephants: Inside their social circles and movement patterns, we learn how to better protect them”
A day as an intern with Youth 4 African Wildlife
A day as an intern with Youth 4 African Wildlife This short video shows a typical day in the bush with Youth4AfricanWildlife. video WcMgcq
Wildebeests – what’s with all the hate?
Wildebeests – what’s with all the hate? After spending several weeks in the bush, I have become more and more aware of how unappreciated gnus, or “wildebeests” are. Everyone calls them dumb and ugly, and safari vehicles do not bother to stop for pictures. So what is with all the hate? Is it just becauseContinue reading “Wildebeests – what’s with all the hate?”
Rhinos today – then what?
Rhinos today – then what? After spending nearly a month in the South African bush, I have become more and more intrigued with the rhino horn poaching issue. After extensive research on the matter, I have found that it is a real crisis and if things keep progressing at this rate, the rhino will goContinue reading “Rhinos today – then what?”
A Lion’s Portrayal in the Media
A Lion’s Portrayal in the Media A few weeks ago, an American tourist in one of South Africa’s Lion Parks lost her life when a lioness approached the vehicle and fatally wounded the victim. In an unfortunate situation, the victim, Katharine Chappell, was responsible for her own death as she leaned outside her vehicle toContinue reading “A Lion’s Portrayal in the Media”
Inside the Mind of a Poacher
Inside the Mind of a Poacher Say you are on a safari with your family. You are in the wild, surrounded by the beautiful South African savannah, and you notice on the horizon a female white rhino and her calf sauntering towards your vehicle, grazing as they go. Maybe you see their beauty, maybe youContinue reading “Inside the Mind of a Poacher”
One of the Few Remaining Giants
One of the Few Remaining Giants As a mega-herbivore, a plant-eater of more than 2,000 pounds in size, the rhinoceros is a largely visible and incredibly important portion of the African ecosystem. Due to its size alone, the rhinoceros does a brilliant job of clearing small shrubs and trees as it moves through an area.Continue reading “One of the Few Remaining Giants”
Extinction: Why Should We Care?
Extinction: Why Should We Care? Our world is made up of carefully balanced ecosystems, where different components rely on each other. With increasing human interference over the past decades, these natural cycles have been disrupted and destroyed. As wildlife starts disappearing from ecosystems, the whole system is thrown out of balance. This cycle can essentiallyContinue reading “Extinction: Why Should We Care?”
The Cost of Cub Petting
The Cost of Cub Petting Every year, thousands of tourists get caught in the trap that is cub petting. Captivated by the baby lions, tourists readily throw money at lion farms for the chance to get a photo and play with the cute and cooperative cubs. Even celebrities have been drawn in to the practice.Continue reading “The Cost of Cub Petting”