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The bontebok has recovered from just 17 surviving animals in the 1930s to between 9 800 and 11 000 today. (Flickr)

Bontebok delisted at Cites: South Africa wins bid to lift international trade restrictions

But critics say hybridisation risks and habitat loss mean wild bontebok remain vulnerable

Africa’s forest-dwelling hornbills — vital seed-dispersers in the forests of West and Central Africa — have won long-overdue international protection after countries approved a proposal to regulate their global trade.
Photo: Frans van Heerden

Africa’s forest hornbills gain global protection as Cites lists species for first time

A coalition of African nations has secured new Cites controls on the international trade of hornbills amid concerns over habitat loss and surging demand for body parts

The South African Predators Association (Sapa) is fighting tooth and nail to reopen the controversial lion bone industry in the country. (Image via The Hawks)

South African Predators Association fights to reopen controversial lion bone industry

No quota has been set for the international trade in lion skeletons since 2019

Overexploitation to supply the exotic pet trade has driven the extinction in the wild of some species, such as Spix’s macaw.

The parrot trade boom: Risks and consequences for endangered species

New research probes whether captive breeding is hurting or helping parrots

While the rejection of once-off sales might please the animal rights groups who claim to be protecting the elephants from poachers. Photo: Supplied

Which SADC president is ready to unlock wildlife’s trade value?

Instituting new, legal means of trading ivory would create opportunities to put poachers and illegal trade syndicates out of business

Threats: Kenya burnt ivory in 2016 , and the country wants the non-commercial disposal of ivory stockpiles. (Kenya Wildlife Service)

What to expect from this year’s wildlife conference in Panama

Southern African countries push to resume ivory trade in government stockpiles, while other African proposals seek to protect hippos

Threats: Kenya burnt ivory in 2016 , and the country wants the non-commercial disposal of ivory stockpiles. (Kenya Wildlife Service)

What to expect from this year’s wildlife conference in Panama

Southern African countries push to resume ivory trade in government stockpiles, while other African proposals seek to protect hippos

Save forests to protect us from future pandemics — Harvard scientists

Risk of next pandemic greater than ever, scientists say, but world can act

A pangolin skin is displayed amongst other exotic and illegal animal parts at a stall on February 17, 2016 in Mong La, Myanmar. Mong La, the capital of Myanmar’s Special Region No. 4, is a mostly lawless area where Chinese tourists are able to cross the border for exotic poached animals, gambling, and prostitution. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)

Pangolins pushed to the brink of extinction

The trafficking of scales is no longer a ‘niche’ criminal activity, but a serious and organised crime that threatens to make all eight species extinct within 20 years

Rush for Africa’s marine species to feed demand in Asia

The booming, lucrative and often illicit trade in sea cucumbers, seahorses and fish maws threatens species and coastal communities

An investigator uses a metal detector to search for a bullet used to poach a rhino in Kruger National Park. (Photo by Gallo Images/The Times/Daniel Born)

Poachers in prisons tell their stories

Interviews with offenders provide insight into the structure of illegal wildlife trade networks

Infectious disease specialist Florian Steiner (L) and quarantine office leader Thomas Klotzkowski disinfect themselves during a demonstration of the proceedings at the ward of Berlin’s Charite hospital in August 2014.           (Photo by Tim Brakemeier/DPA/AFP)

How to escape the ‘era of pandemics’

Any of 850 000 viruses could cause the next global crisis. Experts say we should focus on prevention