THISWILDEARTH INTRODUCTION
Do you wonder about the United for Wildlife connection? ThisWildEarth is a cog in a bigger wheel. Environmental crime is a threat to us all: it undermines security; fuels corruption and serious organised crime; increases the risk of disease transmission; and degrades the planet on which we all depend. Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2013, United for Wildlife is an unprecedented global alliance of private sector, law enforcement, governments and not-for-profit organisations, working together at pace to raise awareness, target, disrupt and prevent cases of illegal wildlife trade. By highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation for people and our planet, and the efforts of United for Wildlife members and other coalitions, we hope to raise awareness to inspire teamwork. Conservation is a collaborative duty and we hope to grow this publication with you, our new partners. Enjoy our first issue...
VISION STATEMENT: Drawing from our heritage established by SANParks Times and SAFARI News, This Wild EARTH envisions a future. As a free publication, we are dedicated to providing insightful coverage of conservation news, immersive travel experiences, and the ongoing fight against illegal wildlife trade. Our vision is to serve as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration in wildlife conservation. We aspire to reach a diverse audience, igniting a passion for protecting our planet’s precious ecosystems and wildlife through our quality publication.
MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to combat the scourge of illegal wildlife trafficking, raise awareness of global nature conservation efforts, and spark wanderlust in the hearts of our readers. At the core of our ethos lies a commitment to education and action. Through captivating storytelling and compelling visuals, we aim to inform and inspire our readers to become stewards of the natural world which is why we are so proud to partner with United for Wildlife and its members who support us each month to tell the stories from UFW network around the world.
Editor, René Laing
EDITOR’S LETTER As the adage goes, we achieve more together. This is especially true in protecting nature against threats to our wildlife and environment. No single entity can tackle this alone, making partnerships vital and the foundation of this publication. We magnify nature conservation efforts through alliances across different sectors, borders, and disciplines. We overcome obstacles only when industry leaders, scientists, NGOs, and others unite behind shared goals. Solutions become possible as partners leverage strengths.
COVER PIECE THE RETURN OF THE SPIX’S MACAW page 6 CONTENTS
WILDLIFE SHORT NEWS FROM THE CONSERVATION WORLD page 5-30 8
CAPTURING LIFE’S ESSENCE THE HYPER-REALISM OF GRAHAM KEARNEY
UNITED FOR WILDLIFE
17
Future of captive lion breeding in South Africa
3
United For Wildlife
4
Illegal wildlife trafficking hot spots
22
Walk with ancients at Thulamela
23
24
The secret zebra migration
Loved the sketch on the front cover? Graham is the artist behind it.
27
A Day In The Life: Joan Banda
WILDLIFE
5
New bullfrog discovery
Born and raised in South Africa, Graham discovered his passion for art at an early age. With no formal training, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery and mastery, honing his skills through dedication and relentless practice. Currently living in the United Arab Emirates, Graham brings a unique touch of African inspiration to his hyper-realistic artwork. Specialising in portraying the intricate details of animals, particularly K9 companions, wildlife, and majestic equines, his pieces breathe life into the canvas, capturing the very essence of his subjects. Despite being self-taught, Graham has garnered international recognition, with a clientele spanning across the globe. From private collectors to large corporations, his work resonates with audiences worldwide, evoking emotions and sparking conversations about the beauty and fragility of the natural world. Through his art, Graham invites viewers to pause and appreciate the intricate beauty that surrounds us, offering a glimpse into the soul of each creature and scene he portrays. With every stroke of the brush, he invites us on a journey of discovery, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of preserving our planet’s biodiversity.
9
Africa’s raptors on the brink
TRAVEL
30
Exploring Norway’s Fjords
10
Penguins in trouble
32
Journey on an old steam train
11
Online ivory trade is still ongoing
34
28
Exploring historical Cradock
15
Northern right whale entanglements
36
The magical Matusadona National Park
THIS WILD EARTH
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED FOR WILDLIFE PLEASE CONTACT Ellie Chatterton info@unitedforwildlife.org
EDITING CHIEF Ilse Steenkamp +27 84 488 4634 ilse@thiswildearth.com EDITOR René Laing +27 78 275 5978 rene@thiswildearth.com ADVERTISING Carl Bennett +27 79 395 9004 carl@thiswildearth.com
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