Conservation Watch Environment Lift off for African vulture safe zones The first of at least five new “vulture safe zones” in Southern Africa are about to take off as private landowners and other partners join the battle to save Africa’s imperilled carrion clean-up birds. Tony Carnie and Fred Kockott report First published by Mongabay Africa’s vulture populations face the prospect of collapsing in much the […] Written by rovingreporters November 30, 2019May 29, 2020
Uncategorized Geologist’s ‘deep view’ perspective heats up the debate on climate crisis Global warming is real and it’s happening, but a geology professor reckons the current focus on it is short-sighted, distracting from more pressing environmental problems. Mike Watkeys’ “deep time” perspective has irked leading climate scientists. Matthew Hattingh and Fred Kockott report. TORNADOS struck the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands in South Africa last week, not far from where […] Written by RR November 21, 2019February 3, 2020
Environment Why are conservative men so scared of Greta Thunberg? What is it about Greta Thunberg that scares so many ageing, conservative men? Is it because she challenges the old-world industrial capitalist order that gave men the authority over everything, including their women, their children, and their environment? Man Friday columnist Tony Weaver, asks the question. Written by rovingreporters November 20, 2019November 21, 2019
Conservation Watch Environment Buzz off! Stinky solutions for a jumbo problem Elephants can fundamentally alter the landscapes as they forage, damaging or killing large trees. Now researchers are trying out pungent potions to keep destructive pachyderms at bay. Tony Carnie reports Written by rovingreporters November 20, 2019April 3, 2020
Environment Win in war on logging pirates Mozambique has recorded a measure of success recently against wildlife poachers and illegal loggers, thanks to stronger enforcement. Fred Kockott reports. This report was commissioned and first published by Mongabay Seven men have been charged in connection with a large-scale illegal logging operation just north of Mozambique’s Zinave National Park after a zebra poacher who […] Written by fredkockott November 19, 2019November 21, 2019
Environment Silver lining to Dusi pollution calamity? Durban-Pietermaritzburg river pollution a microcosm of nationwide water pollution control failures First published by GroundUp by Tony Carnie Sometimes, a really bad dose of pollution news can turn out to be good news. Huh? How could another massive oil and chemical spill into one of the country’s most frequently polluted river systems possibly be seen […] Written by rovingreporters November 14, 2019May 29, 2020
Uncategorized Shea class: Midlands school scores in water compo A RURAL KwaZulu-Natal Midlands school has taken top honours in a national programme that encourages water conservation and implementing the UN’s sustainable development goals. Shea O’Connor Combined School will now represent South Africa at the International Water Explorer online event on 12 November. The Nottingham Road school and six other Water Explorer finalist schools have […] Written by rovingreporters November 4, 2019November 4, 2019
Uncategorized Wild waters, but where are all the sharks? A record breaking endurance swimmer saw worryingly little marine life, especially sharks, on a North Coast adventure. Jess Nicholson reports. Written by rovingreporters November 2, 2019November 3, 2019
Training South African version of Truman Capote’s, In Cold Blood? “You’re cadet journalists, barely a published word to your names, jointly or individually, and what you’re working on has potential to be a global hit!” So said author, Denis Beckett, to three students enrolled on Roving Reporters first writing workshop in 2011. Beckett reckoned the students’ investigation into two juvenile-offenders-turned-serial hijackers, had the makings of […] Written by rovingreporters November 2, 2019October 25, 2021