/ 2 October 2024

MG Environment Newsletter Intro

Ron Derby

This week we have an array of articles featuring some fascinating species. Sheree Bega writes about a global project to save rare humpback dolphins. 

It is estimated that there are fewer than 500 of these dolphins in South African waters. This rare species is declining because they live close to populated coastlines. This means they are affected by fishing, construction and development. They are also susceptible to pollution such as chemicals and loud underwater noise. 

Another story looks at new research that tries to understand whether captive breeding is hurting or helping parrots. The global trade in captive-bred parrots is reaching record levels, with South Africa also involved in the business.

The study found “significant knowledge gaps and potential pitfalls in the commercial farming of parrots” and “current practices are not a straightforward conservation solution and inadvertently threaten wild parrot populations”. 

Ferrets are a new, sought-after pet for some South Africans. But this member of the weasel family is causing concern among conservation groups. 

There are fears that they carry diseases, and they don’t have natural predators and can feed on species such as penguins, as was the case in New Zealand. 

Read more about ferrets as pets in today’s edition. 

Don’t forget our fun weekly quiz at the bottom.

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Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor |  @Ozayr8