Our Stories
Wildlife Conservation Stories
THE USE OF BURROWS AS TEMPORARY DENS
Part four in our series about the use of burrows in an environment, like the Kalahari, where denning, or finding shelter underground for fragile cubs and pups, is critical to surviving temperature extremes.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SNAKE HABITAT
Wits PhD candidate Azraa Ebrahim is studying the thermal physiology of a snake called a puff adder, a project that falls under the climate change focused Kalahari Endangered Ecosystem Project (KEEP).
UP CLOSE WITH A CHEETAH AND HER CUBS
Keeping track of a collared cheetah has been full of surprises for conservator Micole Monteiro. Close monitoring as this mother raises her cubs has given Micole renewed respect for the challenges that face female cheetahs.
WHY BIODIVERSITY MATTERS
Biodiversity accounts for the variety and variability of life on earth, from genes to entire ecosystems. Marcus Westberg outlines the many reasons why restoring biodiversity is essential to both planet and people.
A DESTINATION TO DISCOVER IN THE SOUTHERN KALAHARI
A destination in its own right, Tswalu is South Africa’s largest private reserve. To explore its dramatically scaled landscapes and fascinating fauna and flora demands a deep dive and longer stay.
WHAT IT TAKES TO HABITUATE A CHEETAH
Cheetah sightings are excellent on the reserve. To find out what it takes to habituate these cats to the presence of humans, Marcus Westberg shadowed conservator Clement Motau for a day.
FINDING PETROGLYPHS ON BUSHMAN HILL
Climbing Bushman Hill has many unexpected rewards, as travel writer Jane Broughton discovered on a winter’s day packed with petroglyphs, up-close kudu and Hartmann's mountain zebra sightings and a surprise element or two.
OBSERVING NATURE AT TSWALU
In an unusual year for tourism, characterised by travel bans and fewer guests, wildlife photography became field guide Barry Peiser’s focus while living and working on the reserve during SA's lockdown.
MAKING PHOTOS FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Photographer and explorer Thomas Peschak explains what goes into producing images for National Geographic that also highlight conservation issues, like climate change.