anti poaching

A South African anti-poaching unit has been recognised for its efforts to curb poaching, particularly of rhino and elephant for horn and ivory. The Black Mambas has been named as one of the winners of the United Nation's top environmental accolade, the Champions of the Earth award.

The work by a team of scientists could mark the beginning of the end of elephant poaching. Using DNA from dung and seized ivory, they were able to locate and isolate poaching hotspots in Africa to two main regions.

In a move away from his army career, Britain's Prince Harry is spending three months in southern Africa, where he will learn about poaching and the measures put in place to increase the conservation of threatened animals such as rhino and elephant.

Last week was one of the busiest on record for anti-poaching units in South Africa's Kruger National Park, with three heavily armed groups of suspected rhino poachers being detected and eight arrests being made.