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Resurrection: For its bluebuck work, Colossal is using the roan antelope, its closest living relative, as the genetic reference species and eventual surrogate. Researchers sequenced DNA from a bluebuck museum specimen at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Photos: Colossal Biosciences

The bluebuck, rebuilt

More than two centuries after the bluebuck vanished from the Western Cape, biotech firm Colossal Biosciences is attempting to genetically reconstruct the extinct antelope.…

Vulnerable: Environmentalists argue that the proposed oil and gas exploration and production will disrupt people’s livelihoods and the marine life following the huge shoals of sardines.  (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)

Canned sardines safe to eat despite pilchard herpesvirus, authorities say

South African authorities confirm commercially canned sardines remain safe to eat despite the detection of pilchard herpesvirus in wild populations, but warn against collecting…

Sardine deaths along Cape coast: PHV detected as Koeberg Unit 1 cuts power

Pilchard herpesvirus is emerging as the prime suspect in the mass mortality of sardines along the Cape coast, an incident that prompted beach clean-ups and forced Eskom's Koeberg…

Sardine deaths: high levels of pilchard herpesvirus found in South African fish

High levels of pilchard herpesvirus have been found in sardines involved in South Africa’s extensive mortality event, with the virus detected in all 15 fish in an initial…

National Prosecuting Authority investigators executed fresh search warrants at Sasol’s Secunda operations this week while company executives appeared before Parliament, as investigators revealed the long-running criminal investigation into alleged pollution of the Vaal River has expanded. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Sasol halts answers to MPs after NPA raids Secunda operations with search warrants

A long-running criminal investigation into allegations that Sasol unlawfully polluted the Vaal River system took a dramatic new turn this week when National Prosecuting Authority…

The European Union exports half of its collected and sorted plastics

A failed plastic levy: The need for a total an on single-use plastic bags

South Africa's 22-year-old plastic levy has failed to curb the 8 billion single-use plastic bags consumed annually, leading to severe environmental and health impacts. This…

SANRAL aims to be a catalyst for the emergence of businesses owned by women

DFFE weighing N2 Wild Coast compliance notice eight months after inspection

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is weighing a compliance notice against Sanral after inspectors found serious environmental non-compliance,…

Illegal gillnetting in South Africa: New reporting app targets growing threat to rivers and estuaries

Conservationists and law enforcement agencies in South Africa are launching a new Gillnet Reporting App to combat the rising problem of illegal gillnetting in rivers and…