The Green Guardian
Kruger goes green without giving up ground
Seafood’s smelly supply chain
A global investigation reveals the hidden human and environmental toll of the fishmeal boom, where coastal communities in West Africa bear…
Somkhele families count the R80m cost of coal
A landmark study by researchers from King's College London and UKZN reveals that 115 households near KZN's Somkhele coal mine suffered over R80 million in asset losses, with mine…
EU pesticide rule changes raise concerns for South Africa
Scientists warn that proposed rollbacks in EU pesticide regulations could have far-reaching effects, weakening international safety standards and impacting South Africa as it…
Kruger rainfall: 2026 was exceptionally wet but not a record
Despite severe flooding across parts of the Kruger National Park earlier this year, SANParks scientists report that overall rainfall remained slightly below the historic…
Trophy hunting study finds positive outcomes — but governance matters
A landmark review of over 1,000 studies led by Stellenbosch University reveals that 65% of documented trophy hunting outcomes in Africa are positive for conservation and local…
Wildlife at the door, survival on the line
On the border of Hwange National Park, local communities are using mobile technology and community ranger networks to prevent deadly human-wildlife conflicts, while awaiting…
Ermelo braces for another Day Zero
Ermelo is bracing for an acute drinking water shortage within months as severe mining and sewage pollution, aging infrastructure, and looming El Niño conditions push the…
The microplastics hiding in SA’s sacred waters
A landmark baseline study has discovered microplastic contamination across several sacred freshwater systems in South Africa, including the revered Isinuka Springs near Port St…
SA’s rhinos population rises by nearly 5% in 2025 but 230 rhinos killed by poachers this year
South Africa's rhino population grew by nearly 5% in 2025 amid expanding conservation and translocation efforts, though 230 rhinos were killed by poachers in the first eight…
Housing group challenges Cape Town approval of Equinix data centre
A planned 174 MVA hyperscale data centre development in Cape Town has been suspended following an appeal by civil society groups over concerns regarding its impact on water,…
SA’s leopard population remains uncertain as new strategy weighs conservation and hunting
South Africa’s new draft leopard conservation strategy aims to balance preservation with cultural use and hunting, despite lacking reliable data on how many leopards actually…
At least 124 environmental defenders killed globally in 2025
At least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed across the globe in 2025, bringing the total documented deaths and disappearances to 2,375 since 2012.
Kruger National Park hero Mpho Mudau relives the day the floods came
When catastrophic floods hit Letaba Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park, hospital services manager Mpho Mudau bravely led life-saving evacuations. Here is how disaster…
Sardine fishery faces possible restrictions as PHV mortality spreads
South Africa’s sardine fishery may face precautionary catch limits as the government investigates widespread sardine deaths linked to pilchard herpesvirus across 2,600km of…
‘It’s here’: South Africa faces potentially record-breaking El Niño
A rapidly intensifying El Niño has arrived and could become one of the strongest on record, bringing extreme heat and dry conditions across South Africa this summer despite…
The long journey is getting harder for the world’s migratory birds
A major new report reveals that nearly half of the world's migratory bird species are declining due to habitat loss, climate change, and human threats along critical flyways.
Deadly cost of Sasol's Secunda pollution
A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reveals that emissions from Sasol's Secunda coal-to-liquids complex contribute to an estimated 1,000 deaths and R19…
African communities need climate services that combine science and local knowledge
A study led by the University of Cape Town reveals a significant gap between available climate services and the practical needs of African communities, urging the integration of…
The UN Environment Programme warns world will overshoot 1.5°C – but return remains possible
A new UN Environment Programme report warns that the world will likely breach the 1.5°C warming threshold, but rapid emissions cuts and adaptation can limit the damage and…