Sep 30th, 2011 at 2:30PM: This year in Africa, the fight between law enforcement and poachers of endangered species has flared into a war.
In the first two months of 2011, nine poachers were shot dead in South Africa. Despite this, poaching is up. In that nation alone, 333 rhinos were killed in 2010, and there have been 309 rhinos poached so far this year. It looks like the illegal hunters are set to break a grisly ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
elephant posts
African governments doing more to stop poaching of endangered species
Sep 30th, 2011 at 2:30PM: This year in Africa, the fight between law enforcement and poachers of endangered species has flared into a war.
In the first two months of 2011, nine poachers were shot dead in South Africa. Despite this, poaching is up. In that nation alone, 333 rhinos were killed in 2010, and there have been 309 rhinos poached so far this year. It looks like the illegal hunters are set to break a grisly ...Tanzania Game Reserve at Risk
Aug 26th, 2011 at 11:00AM: First, a highway through the Serengeti, now, a uranium mine in Selous Game Reserve. Tanzania's plans are drawing the ire of environmentalists, conservationists, and zebra-and-wildebeest huggers around the world. The government is eying Tanzanian game and park lands for developments that are in direct conflict with migrating wildlife, potentially risking their only sustainable economic sector: ...Elephants break out of Tsavo West National Park, locals go into hiding
May 6th, 2011 at 10:00AM:
More than 500 elephants strayed out of Tsavo West National Park in Kenya, destroying crops and scaring villagers before being herded back onto park property, the Nairobi Star reports.
The elephants were simply grazing and looking for water, park officials say, but that doesn't reassure villagers who saw their fields trampled. The elephants wandered through five villages and there are reports ...Ethiopia's Somali region: a potential adventure travel destination?
Mar 31st, 2011 at 9:00AM:
As I mentioned yesterday, I've been exploring Ethiopia's Somali region. While my quest for Ahmed Guray's castle was a failure, I did see potential for adventure travel in the region.
Adventure travelers generally are looking for three things: historical sights, interesting cultures, and natural wonders. The Somali region is a bit short of historical sights, although there are a few of interest, ...Luang Prabang - 3 days in Laos
Mar 23rd, 2011 at 10:00AM:
Luang Prabang is lush, quaint, and improbable. This magical town of butterflies and baguettes seems to exist on dreamlike terms - an island of civility in the savage jungle of Laos. Sometimes a pinch is justifiable to confirm the reality of it all. The green hills, gorgeous colonial buildings, and kind villagers all combine to form a thriving UNESCO heritage city that is Southeast Asia with ...Explorers look to save elephants, end ivory trade
Mar 13th, 2011 at 8:00AM: Two American explorers are heading to Africa today to begin an important expedition that could prove vital to the fight against the illegal ivory trade. Their five week long journey, dubbed the Elephant Ivory Project, may help to save herds of those creatures, which have come increasingly under attack from poachers in recent years.
Former National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Trip Jennings ...GadlingTV's Travel Talk - Thailand Part 6: Swordfights and Elephants
Feb 10th, 2011 at 10:00AM:
Gadling TV's Travel Talk, episode 36 – Click above to watch video after the jump
Travel Talk is back! After our fall hiatus we are excited to bring you our greatest adventure yet: Thailand.
From the vibrant heart of Bangkok to the remote countryside, we traveled by foot, car, boat, motorbike, ox cart and elephant to savor the the splendor of ancient temples, the energy ...Man sues tour operator for failing to let him shoot an elephant
Feb 2nd, 2011 at 6:30PM:
A Polish hunter has taken a trip to court to file charges against his German tour operator. According to the hunter, the tour agency failed to help him fulfill his dream of shooting an elephant.
Feel free to read that last part again - he is suing the company, because he was not able to kill an elephant.
The company in question, German based Jaworski Jagdreisen specializes in hunting ...Africa has mixed results in fighting poachers
Nov 27th, 2010 at 2:00PM: One of the main reasons adventure travelers head to Africa is for the wildlife. Sadly, that wildlife is in danger of disappearing thanks to illegal poaching. Big game such as rhinos and elephants can bring in large sums of money for their tusks, hide, and meat.
Namibia has been one country that has been successful in the fight against poaching in the face of a continent-wide rise in illegal ...Uganda hotels to charge less for locals
Oct 9th, 2010 at 11:00AM: Uganda's hotels are facing tough times. Despite their country having top attractions such as Nile rafting trips, the Great Rift Valley, and safaris in the many national parks filled with wildlife, the average hotel is running at only 50 percent capacity. Adding to this problem is that wealthy Ugandans don't go for internal tourism, preferring to jet off to more exotic destinations like Europe. ...Photo of the Day (7.25.10)
Jul 25th, 2010 at 9:45PM:
Even animals like to keep clean. It's something that this elephant, captured by Flickr user Gus NYC, has clearly taken to heart. Gus caught this wonderful candid moment in Chiang Mai, Thailand just as this pachyderm was enjoying a good soak along with its keeper. The splash of water caught mid-stream and the elephant's relaxed pose are both humorous and eye-catching.
Have any great photos ...Namibia clamps down on poaching in national parks
Apr 13th, 2010 at 9:00AM: There's been a rise in poaching in Southern Africa in recent years. Hunters are killing rare animals and selling their pelts, ivory, and other body parts to a multibillion dollar international network of dealers. The southwestern African nation of Namibia, however, has managed to avoid this trend.
This is due to strong criminal penalties and new measures implemented by the Ministry of ...Photo of the Day (3.16.10)
Mar 16th, 2010 at 6:00PM:
Today's photo of the day comes all the way from Petulu, Bali! Captured by user mikeyu1402, the photo was taken at an Elephant Safari Park on the popular Indonesian island. The post-processing of the image really makes the texture of the elephant's skin stand out and highlights the solitary eye staring back into the lens.
Beautiful shot mike! If you've had a special moment with a large land ...Nepali festival features elephant football
Dec 30th, 2009 at 1:00PM: The annual Chitwan Elephant Festival in Nepal always brings large crowds to honor South Asia's favorite animal. This year, as this funny video shows, visitors were treated to a football match between two teams of elephants. That's football in the Nepali sense, meaning soccer, not American football. Thankfully the elephants weren't tackling each other. The festival has been going on for six years ...Undiscovered New York: Under the bridge
Sep 16th, 2009 at 9:00AM: The bridges of New York City serve as lifelines, connecting this vast city of islands to the people, places and goods that lie beyond. From the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to the majestic Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, just about anywhere you look in New York, you're bound to see one of these graceful structures dominating the city's skyline and waterways. But for all the time we spend looking at and ...Adventure destination: Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Jun 22nd, 2009 at 8:30AM: When travelers think about Nepal, the first thing that comes to mind is the towering peaks of the Himalaya and some of the best trekking on the planet. The tiny mountain kingdom is the home of Mt. Everest and the Annapurna Circuit, but many visitors are surprised to find that the country has a subtropical lowland area, and that there is an amazing national park there. Chitwan National Park is ...Seven Endangered Species You Can Still See in the Wild
Mar 30th, 2009 at 8:00AM: There is no doubt that we are fascinated with wildlife. We love to watch diverse and interesting animals, preferably in their natural habitats, and we're often willing to travel to remote places, sometimes at great expense, to see them. If you enjoy the kind of travel that allows for these kinds of animal encounters, they you'll want to check out BootsnAll's list of the Seven Endangered Species ...Top 20 list of most bizarre holiday grievances - Number 1? An aroused elephant
Mar 17th, 2009 at 2:30PM: *SIGH* You know, when I travel, there are certain things that can get me down: long, unexplained delays at the airport. Trying to check in at a hotel, and the room isn't ready. And once checked in, a room that is dirty, or not what it was advertised to be. But in general, these are minor annoyances, and I know this. I get over it. But apparently, there are travelers who truly need to consider ...Photo of the Day (03/17/08)
Mar 17th, 2008 at 1:40PM:
Thanks for reminding me that I need to book my dentist appointment today, LadyExpat! Oh, and by the way, cool picture.
LadyExpat took this photo at the Elephant Conservation Park in Northern Thailand. If you do click through and visit the site of the Conservation Park, I suggest you turn down the volume on your speakers. You might go deaf. Apparently, they want you to know that elephants make ...
