Latest news with #NikonComedyWildlifeAwards
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Daily fight to keep animals out of snares and safe from poachers and thieves
A dedicated Kruger team patrols daily with K9 units to stop poachers targeting animals for meat and medicine. It is not rhino horn or ivory poaching that takes up ranger Edmund Thorne and his team's time. While they are part of the antipoaching operations at Kruger National Park, his team has snares, bushmeat poaching and the illegal trade of animal parts for medicines to combat. Thorne heads a private antipoaching unit established and funded by the Mdluli Safari Lodge and corporate sponsors. 'This is a daily fight,' Thorne said. 'Every day we patrol on foot, in vehicles and through planned operations. Daily fight 'We cover a different section of the reserve each day. Everything we see gets reported. If there are animal tracks, snare marks, or signs of fence tampering, we act.' It is a carefully coordinated effort between role players. On the other side of the park fence, environmental monitors patrol the boundaries, checking for breaches and damage. 'Everyone plays their part,' Thorne said. ALSO READ: Vultures lead rangers to one of SANParks' largest poisoning events He helped establish the antipoaching unit two years ago. 'I run the field side of things and make sure the patrols happen.' Visibility is central to their strategy. 'We are right next to the community, so it is important people see us out here. We also work with K9 units. Our dogs are trained to track suspects if needed.' Different types of poaching From left, Ruan Lombard, Zander van der Westhuizen and Dylan van Tonder. Picture: Hein Kaiser While rhino poaching makes headlines, the real problem on their stretch of land are different types of poaching, Thorne said. 'Some people are snaring animals for food. Others are part of the bushmeat trade, supplying meat to buyers in places like Joburg. Then you get poachers who target animals like hyenas and leopards for traditional medicine. Different animals, varied reasons. Same threat.' ALSO READ: Mozambican man killed, another injured in Kruger National Park shootout Incidents of animals caught in snares, for example, have dramatically dropped since the unit came into being a couple of years ago. 'In the past two years, we lost one buffalo to a snare,' he said. 'Another was found in time, treated, and released.' Animals caught in snares 'Outside our area of responsibility, others face bigger problems, but I believe our approach with patrols and dogs is working.' Thorne said the biggest risk changes depending on the season. ALSO READ: PICTURES: Funniest photos so far in 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 'In December, we see more bushmeat poaching because people are at home and need to feed their families,' he said. The team covers a different section of the reserve each day. Picture: Hein Kaiser Thorne has had a few run-ins with poachers. 'Twice we caught people who came in with dogs. Both times we arrested them before they could catch or kill anything.' Rhino poachers are organised crime groups Rhino poaching is a completely different kettle of fish. 'Those are organised crime groups. They work on information. When they know about a rhino in an area, they go for it. ALSO READ: Armed robbers steal meat from delivery truck near Kruger Park 'It has nothing to do with the season. That is about demand. 'When there is a rhino nearby, we monitor it for as long as it is inside our patrol area. As soon as it leaves, we hand it over to the wider security network wherefrom the trail is picked up and monitored.' Thorne is no stranger to dangerous work. He worked in mining security, focusing on illegal operations. Before that, he served in the police and as a bodyguard to politicians and ministers. No stranger to dangerous work 'I came to the Kruger Park thinking I would stay for six months,' he said. 'That was 11 years ago. I thought I would move on. But this place got under my skin. I stayed. And I am not planning to leave anytime soon.' NOW READ: WATCH: Elephant chases away police at Kruger Park
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
PICTURES: Hollywoodbets Durban July fashion show highlights
PICTURES: Hollywoodbets Durban July fashion show highlights The glamorous Hollywoodbets Durban July Preview Fashion Show took place last week at uMhlanga's Gateway Theatre Of Shopping, showcasing bold fashion and flair ahead of the big race day. Hollywoodbets Durban July fashion show held at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in uMhlanga. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Shoppers, designers, and VIPs were treated to a dazzling evening of music, movement, and couture. The Hollywoodbets Durban July race is to take place at the Greyville race course in Durban on Saturday attracting thousands of locals and international racegoers. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal PICTURES: Funniest photos so far in 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
PICTURES: South Coast sardine run frenzy
Local fishermen flock to South Coast beaches during annual sardine run. KwaZulu-Natal South Coast residents use nets to collect sardines, 7 June 2025, in uMnini, during the annual sardine run. Each year, millions of sardines migrate from the cold waters of the Cape to the warmer Indian Ocean currents off KZN. Local fisherman flock to the beaches to cash in on the bounty. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Every year billions of sardines make their way northwards from the Augulhas Bank to Mozambique and beyond due to cold water current. It is believed the sardine run is the biggest biomass migration in terms of numbers. Shoals are often more than seven kilometres long, 30 metres deep and 1,5km wide. KwaZulu-Natal South Coast residents use nets to collect sardines, 7 June 2025, in uMnini, during the annual sardine run. Each year, millions of sardines migrate from the cold waters of the Cape to the warmer Indian Ocean currents off KZN. Local fisherman flock to the beaches to cash in on the bounty. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen A young fisherman reels in a fish, as others use nets to collect sardines, in uMnini. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen PICTURES: Funniest photos so far in 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
PICTURES: Funniest photos so far in 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has already received over a thousand entries from around the world – capturing some of wildlife's most hilarious moments. A White Tailed Sea Eagle, captured by Annette Kirby in Hokkaido, Japan. 'This was taken in Japan where I was observing a White-Tailed Sea Eagle putting their fish in a hole and protecting it. This one had a fish and saw another Eagle coming in to try and steal it,' explains Kirby. This year, the competition organisers are releasing a sneak preview of some of the brilliant shots that the awards are famed for to inspire both professional and amateur photographers to enter their own images before the closing date of June 30th. The competition is open to the public and still free to enter with some jaw – dropping prizes to be won – with the top shot winning a safari in the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Pictures courtesy of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. Bhargava Srivari captured this image of lions climbing a tree at the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. 'The image shows Lion siblings at play, where one of the siblings seems to be pushing the other one to do stuff that annoys their mom. It looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!' states the photographer. Brian Hempstead captured these Common Mynas building a nest in the Kruger National Park. The photographer explains it was captured outside Skukuza Camp on Lower Sabie Road at Sunset Dam around October and November during a self driving birding trip around National Parks of South Africa. Emma Parker caught this moment shared between two Blue Spotted Mudskippers in Pretty Beach, Australia. Parker explains: 'Two joyful mudskippers look they are having the best time in the mud – I just wish I knew what the joke was!' Jeremy Duvekot captured this Roedeer in The Netherlands. 'This roedeer was joyfully running around and suddenly coming my way. Had only one chance and nailed it,' states the photographer. Mark Meth-Cohn captured this moment between two gorillas in Rwanda. The photographer explains: 'Caring Gorilla mum giving her infant a big sloppy kiss!' Martin Schmid captured this image of Gentoo Penguins at Neumayer Channel, Antarctica and titled it 'Queueing for the polar plunge'. Schmid gives more detail: 'A really spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica. Those gentoo penguins seemed to orderly wait in queue to finally jump into the sea. Taken in January 2025.' Rachelle Mackintosh caught this moment with a Galapagos marine iguana and lava lizard at Fernandina Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The photographer adds: 'These two silly billies were hanging out with a big bunch of marine iguanas on a rocky beach.' Trevor Rix captured this 'Waving Dragon', specifically a Gippsland Waterdragon, at Murrumbidgee River near Canberra, ACT, Australia. Rix explains: 'Wandering along the Murrumbidgee River we spotted a few lizards scurrying under the rocks looking for lunch, next thing this junior Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave us a friendly wave.' Yann Chauvette caught this humourous moment of a Greater One-Horned Rhino in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The image is titled 'The Wig'. The photographer states: 'A Greater One-Horned Rhino feasting on aquatic fine dining, diving underwater and getting back up with a new wig made out of his delicious meal.' PICTURES: Colourful Hillbrow parade entertains Joburg residents
Euronews
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Check out the funniest photos in the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
The 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are delivering the goods when it comes to giggles and marveling at the animal kingdom. While there are chuckles to be had, the mission is serious. Under the banner 'Conservation through competition', the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards work to raise awareness. Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam to celebrate the lighter side of wildlife photography, the awards showcase how funny wildlife photography can help promote wildlife conservation efforts. 'Our world is extraordinarily beautiful and interconnected, yet the human race is doing its best to over-exploit and damage it,' says Joynson-Hicks. 'Issues of wildlife conservation and sustainability are gaining momentum globally, yet the messages and images tend to be negative, depressing and enervating.' Professional and amateur photographers can submit their wildlife snaps for free until 30 June and this year's winners will be featured in an exhibition at Gallery@Oxo, London, in December. In the meantime, here are some of our favourites of this year's submissions. "Wandering along the Murrumbidgee River we spotted a few lizards scurrying under the rocks looking for lunch, next thing this junior Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave us a friendly wave." - Trevor Rix. "The image shows lion siblings at play, where one of the siblings seems to pushing the other one to do stuff that annoys their mom. Lions aren't natural climbers, so it looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!" - Bhargava Srivari. "Two joyful mudskippers look they are having the best time in the mud – I just wish I knew what the joke was!" - Emma Parker. "This roedeer was running around and suddenly coming my way. [I] had only one chance and nailed it." - Jeremy Duvekot. "A really spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica. Those gentoo penguins seemed to orderly wait in queue to finally jump into the sea." - Martin Schmid. "Photo taken on October 30, 2024 at Kruger National Park in South Africa outside Skukuza Camp. The Common Myna builds a large nest." - Brian Hempstead. "This was taken in Japan where I was observing a White-Tailed Sea Eagle putting their fish in a hole and protecting it. This one had a fish and saw another Eagle coming in to try and steal it." - Annette Kirby. "A lava lizard takes charge of a Galapagos marine iguana and sets off on a ride. Judging by the iguana's possessed eyes, lava lizard may have taken over its soul, too. These two silly billies were hanging out with a big bunch of marine iguanas on a rocky beach." - Rachelle Mackintosh. Photographers have until 30 June to enter their photos in this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. Greenpeace activists stole the wax statue of French president Emmanuel Macron from the Musée Grévin on Monday before planting it outside the Russian embassy in Paris. According to reports, activists posing as tourists entered the famous Parisian museum, located in the 9th arrondissement. After posing as museum employees, they managed to steal the statue, worth €40,000, and hid it under a blanket. A man who identified himself as a member of Greenpeace then contacted the museum to claim responsibility. The museum management immediately informed the police. The activists then took the statue to the Russian embassy in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, brandishing placards and a banner saying 'Ukraine burns, business continues' to denounce France's economic ties with Russia – specifically French imports of gas and fertiliser from Russia. Greenpeace said in a statement that it had "borrowed" the statue and explained their action on social media. 'For us, France is playing a double game,' said Jean-Francois Julliard, Director General of Greenpeace France. 'Emmanuel Macron embodies this double discourse: he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia.' He added: 'We are targeting Emmanuel Macron, because he has a particular responsibility in this situation. He is the one who should be at the forefront of European discussions to put an end to trade contracts between Russia and European countries.' Une publication partagée par Libération (@liberationfr) The protest lasted a few minutes before police intervened. Two people have been arrested, and no news yet on when the wax statue will head back to the Musée Grévin.
