21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SPOTTED JOKER (Byblia ilithyia)

The Spotted Joker (Byblia ilithyia) is a Nymphalid butterfly found in African and Asian grasslands, featuring deep orange wings with black spots and bands, distinctive from the similar African Joker. They are small (4–6 cm wingspan), have an erratic, low-flying flight pattern, and feed on Tragia plants, rotten fruit, and mud.

Key Facts About the Spotted JokerIdentification: The male has deep rich orange upperwings with a broad black terminal band and a specific row of black spots (discal area) on the hindwing that distinguishes it from the African Joker.

Flight & Behavior: They have an erratic flight pattern, usually 1 to 2 meters above the ground. They often settle on plants, particularly grass flowerheads (even though they don't produce nectar), and are often seen basking, feeding, or mud-puddling.

Habitats: These butterflies thrive in open, dry savanna and grassland habitats.

Diet: The larvae feed primarily on Tragia plants (family Euphorbiaceae), while adults prefer feeding on rotten fruit and faeces.

Distribution: They are found in parts of Africa (from the Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, to Limpopo) and Asia (central/southern India and Sri Lanka).

Life Cycle: Eggs are laid singly on plant leaves. Larvae grow to about 3.2–3.5 mm in their first instar and develop branched, thorny protuberances.

Distinction from Similar Species: The Spotted Joker (B. ilithyia) is distinguished from the African Joker (Byblia anvatara) by its smaller spots, different markings on the costa (leading edge of the forewing), and a distinct, thinner band on the underside.

Conservation Status: The species is not considered threatened and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - DAMARA SKINK (Trachylepis damarana)

Trachylepis damarana, also known as the Damara skink or Damara variable skink, is a species of skink.  It is found in southern Africa, specifically in south-eastern Angola, northern Namibia, western Zambia, northern and eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, north-eastern South Africa, and western Mozambique.

Trachylepis damarana is a very common terrestrial skink inhabiting open, rocky habitats in savanna. It has fully developed limbs and can reach 68 mm (2.7 in) in snout–vent length.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - GUINEA FOWL BUTTERFLY (Hamanumida daedalus)

Hamanumida daedalus, the guineafowl butterfly, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae and only member of the genus Hamanumida.

It is found in the Afrotropical realm (Natal, Eswatini, Transvaal, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, tropical Africa (dry lowland areas) and southwest Arabia).

The wingspan is 55–65 mm for males and 60–78 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with peaks in midwinter and summer.

The larvae feed on Combretum and Terminalia species.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - ELEGANT GRASSHOPPER (Zonocerus elegans)

Zonocerus elegans is a common species of gaudy grasshopper in the family Pyrgomorphidae. It is native to Madagascar and sub-Saharan African savannah, though mainly south of the equator. It has sluggish habits and in many, underdeveloped wings. Adults measure some 3 to 5 cm long, with males being smaller. Its life cycle is synchronized with rainfall.

The head is mainly black and the eyes orange, with the antennae placed between the latter. The antennae are banded orange and black, to which the generic name alludes. The shield (pronotum) is olive in colour, and the abdomen is banded in stark colours. Some do have long front (tegmina) and hind wings and can fly. Even these macropterous forms are poor flyers though. The pied nymphs are gregarious.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SOUTHERN GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros)

The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching. The greater kudu is one of two species commonly known as kudu, the other being the lesser kudu, T. imberbis.

Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish grey to reddish brown. They possess between 4 and 12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head tends to be darker in colour than the rest of the body, and exhibits a small white chevron which runs between the eyes. 

Greater kudu bulls tend to be much larger than the cows, and vocalize much more, utilizing low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping. The bulls also have beards running along their throats, and large horns with two and a half twists, which, were they to be straightened, would reach an average length of 120 cm (47 in), with the record being 187.64 cm (73.87 in). They diverge slightly as they slant back from the head. The horns do not begin to grow until the bull is between the ages of 6–12 months. The horns form the first spiral rotation at around 2 years of age, and not reaching the full two and a half rotations until they are 6 years old; occasionally they may even have 3 full turns.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - LESSER GREY SHRIKE (Lanius minor)

The lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor) is a member of the shrike family Laniidae. It breeds in South and Central Europe and western Asia in the summer and migrates to winter quarters in southern Africa in the early autumn, returning in spring. It is a scarce vagrant to western Europe, including Great Britain, usually as a spring or autumn erratic.

It is similar in appearance to the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) and the Iberian grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis); both sexes are predominantly black, white and grey, and males have pink-flushed underparts. It is slightly smaller than the great grey shrike, and has a black forehead and relatively longer wings. This species prefers dry open lowlands and is often seen on telephone wires.

This medium-sized passerine eats large insects, especially beetles, butterflies, moths and grasshoppers. Lesser grey shrikes frequently hover when hunting on their breeding grounds, but do not do so while moulting on non-breeding grounds. Like other shrikes, it hunts from prominent perches and sometimes impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a "larder".

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - COMMON IMPALA (MALE) (Aepyceros melampus ssp. melampus)

The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a medium-sized antelope that is found in Africa. It was first described to European audiences by German zoologist Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1812. Active mainly during the day, the impala may be gregarious or territorial depending upon the climate and geography. The impala is known for two characteristic leaps that constitute an anti-predator strategy.

Impala is an elegant and magnificent species of antelope. The animal has slender body with the identifying "M"-like marking on the rear. This medium-sized antelope possesses thin, pointed horns with tips, lying far apart from each other. Males of this species are identified by the characteristic "S"-like horns. The elegant limbs of these animals have scent glands behind the ankles. The overall coloration of their fur is red-brown with paler sides. In addition, they have black and white colored areas on their body. Thus, the tail, belly, chin, lips, inside ears as well as the lines above the eyes are colored with white. Meanwhile, black bands cover their thighs, tail, forehead and ear tips.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)

The Namaqua dove (Oena capensis) is a very small species of pigeon. It is the only species in the genus Oena. It is found over much of Sub-Saharan Africa as well as Arabia and Madagascar.

The Namaqua dove is a tiny sparrow-sized pigeon, typically 22 cm in length with a 28–33 cm wingspan, and weighing 40g. It has a very long black tapered tail, and the size and shape have led to comparison with the budgerigar. The plumage is mostly grey apart from a white belly, and chestnut primary feathers which are visible in flight.

The adult male has a yellow and red beak and a black face, throat and breast. The adult female lacks the black and has a red-based grey bill. Young birds are dark blotched on the wings and shoulders, and otherwise resemble the females.

The song is a quiet, short, double hoo, higher on the longer second note kuh-whooo, mournful and frequently repeated.

13-3-2026 ATLANTIC OCEAN, OFF GUINEA - NORTHERN GANNET (JUVENILE) (Morus bassanus)

The Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) is a seabird, the largest species of the gannet family, Sulidae. It is native to the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean, breeding in Western Europe and Northeastern North America. It is the largest seabird in the northern Atlantic. The sexes are similar in appearance. The adult northern gannet has a mainly white streamlined body with a long neck, and long and slender wings. It is 87–100 cm (34+1⁄2–39+1⁄2 in) long with a 170–180 cm (67–71 in) wingspan. The head and nape have a buff tinge that is more prominent in breeding season, and the wings are edged with dark brown-black feathers. The long, pointed bill is blue-grey, contrasting with black, bare skin around the mouth and eyes. Juveniles are mostly grey-brown, becoming increasingly white in the five years it takes them to reach maturity.

Nesting takes place in colonies on both sides of the North Atlantic, the largest of which are at the Bass Rock (75,000 pairs as of 2014), St. Kilda (60,000 pairs as of 2013) and Ailsa Craig (33,000 pairs as of 2014) in Scotland, in Ireland (Sceilg Bheag; little Skellig, 35,000 pairs in 2011), Grassholm in Wales, and Bonaventure Island (60,000 pairs in 2009) off the coast of Quebec. Its breeding range has extended northward and eastward, with colonies being established on Russia's Kola Peninsula in 1995 and Bear Island (the southernmost island of Svalbard), in 2011. Colonies are mostly located on offshore islands with cliffs, from which the birds can more easily launch into the air. The northern gannet undertakes seasonal migrations and catches fish (which are the mainstay of its diet) by making high-speed dives into the sea up to 60 mph.

The northern gannet was previously hunted for food in certain parts of its range, and although that practice still continues in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the Faroe Islands, the bird faces few other natural or man-made threats. Since its population is growing, the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers it a least-concern species. Because it is both a conspicuous and a common bird, it is referred to in several ancient myths and legends.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - CAPE STARLING (Lamprotornis nitens)

The Cape starling (Lamprotornis nitens), also known as red-shouldered glossy-starling or Cape glossy starling, is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Southern Africa, where it lives in woodlands, bushveld and in suburbs.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognised, but not by all authors. L. n. culminator is said to be larger, with greener wing and tail plumage. Its secondary remiges are also glossy on both vanes, i.e. not matt black on the inner vanes as in L. n. phoenicopterus.

L. n. phoenicopterus — widespread in Southern Africa

L. n. culminator — Eastern Cape, South Africa

The Cape starling has an adult length of about 25 cm (10 in) and weight of about 100 grams (3.5 oz). The plumage of an adult bird is a fairly uniform bright, glossy colour. The head is blue with darker ear coverts and the upper parts of the body are greenish-blue. It has a lengthy warbling song which may include an imitation of sounds it hears in its environment.

The Cape starling is found in the southern part of Africa. Its range encompasses the extreme south of Gabon, the west and south of Angola, the extreme south of Zambia, throughout Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus quagga ssp. burchellii)

(Equus quagga burchellii) is a southern subspecies of the plains zebra. It is named after the British explorer and naturalist William John Burchell. Common names include bontequagga, Damaraland zebra, and Zululand zebra (Gray, 1824).[1] Burchell's zebra is the only subspecies of zebra which may be legally farmed for human consumption.

Like most plains zebras, females and males are about the same size, standing 1.1 to 1.4 metres (3 ft 7 in to 4 ft 7 in) at the shoulder. They weigh between 230 and 320 kilograms (500 and 700 lb). Year-round reproduction observed in this subspecies in Etosha National Park, Namibia, concludes synchronization of a time budget between males and females, possibly explaining the lack of sexual dimorphism.  

Burchell's zebras are described as being striped on the head, the neck, and the flanks, and sparsely down the upper segments of the limbs then fading to white. One or two shadow stripes rest between the bold, broad stripes on the haunch. This main distinguishing characteristic sets the Burchell's zebra apart from the other subspecies. Gray (1824) observed a distinct dorsal line, the tail only bristly at the end, and the body distinctly white. The dorsal line is narrow and becomes gradually broader toward the rear, distinctly margined with white on each side.

Like most plains zebras, Burchell's live in small family groups. These can be either harem or bachelor groups, with harem groups consisting of one stallion and one to six mares and their most recent foals, and bachelor groups containing two to eight unattached stallions. The males in bachelor herds are often the younger or older stallions of the population, as they are most likely not experienced enough or strong enough to defend breeding rights to a group of females from challengers. These small groups often congregate in larger herds around water and food sources, but still maintain their identity as family units while in the population gatherings.

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - BROWN SPOTTED LOCUST (Cyrtacanthacris tatarica)

The brown locust (Locustana pardalina) is a highly destructive, migratory species endemic to arid regions of South Africa, particularly the Karoo. Known for frequent, often annual, swarming outbreaks, it poses a major threat to agriculture, feeding on crops and pasture. Their eggs are drought-resistant, able to survive in soil for up to three years. 

Key Facts about Brown Locusts:

Outbreak Frequency: They are the most common plague locust in South Africa, with outbreaks occurring in 9 out of 10 years during the 20th century, typically starting after rains follow a drought.

Habitat: They thrive in the semi-arid Karoo region, extending into Namibia and Botswana.

Life Cycle: Eggs are laid in the soil and can enter diapause (a state of suspended development) to survive, hatching within 10 days after 15–25 mm of rain.

Diet: Primarily grass-feeders, but can devastate crops like maize and grazing land during swarms.

Control: Due to their economic impact, they are classified as a national pest, with government-supported control efforts (often using insecticides at night). 

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - BLACK CHESTED SNAKE EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis)

As its name indicates, this bird feeds mostly on snakes (particularly venomous snakes up to 80 cm. in length), but will also prey on lizards, insects, small mammals and frogs. It mainly hunts from a perch or by hovering or searching the ground, stalking prey on the wing and then parachuting slowly to the ground to capture its prey. The species has also been found to be highly dependent on seasonal fluctuations in small mammal prey availability, with its numbers increasing in accordance with booms in small mammal abundance in the Serengeti National Park. A specimen collected from Morogoro in 1922 was found to have a pellet of rodent fur and a hissing sand snake in its stomach contents.

The black-chested snake eagle nests in trees (typically in the crown of flat-topped acacia, although there is one record of the species nesting in the pine Pinus patula), and typically builds its nests concealed in mistletoe or epiphytic vegetation. The nest itself is a small stick structure. The female will lay only one egg per clutch, which is white and unmarked in appearance. The egg is incubated for 52 days, with the female performing the incubating alone while the male provides her with food. After hatching, the chick remains in the nest for approximately 3 months (90 days).

 

Breeding occurs year-round, although it peaks during the dry winter months in South Africa; in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the peak time of egg laying has been reported to be between June–July, whereas eggs are laid slightly later in the former Transvaal, around July–August. In Zimbabwe and Zambia, nests containing eggs have been found from February to December, with a peak around April–July (in Zambia) and July–September (in Zimbabwe).

21-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water. 

The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a mixed herbivore feeding mostly on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The average adult consumes about 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and 230 L (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) of water each day. A social animal, the African bush elephant often travels in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. During the mating season, males go through a process called musth, a period of high testosterone levels and heightened aggression. For females, the menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and gestation around 22 months, the longest of any mammal.

Since 2021, the African bush elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened foremost by habitat destruction, and in parts of its range also by poaching for meat and ivory. Between 2003 and 2015, the illegal killing of 14,606 African bush elephants was reported by rangers across 29 range countries. Chad is a major transit country for smuggling of ivory in West Africa. This trend was curtailed by raising penalties for poaching and improving law enforcement. Poaching of the elephant has dated back to the 1970s and 80s, which were considered the largest killings in history. In human culture, elephants have been extensively featured in literature, folklore and media, and are most valued for their large tusks in many places.

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE MADIKWE, SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE-RIM CHLORISSA (Chlorissa albistrigulata)

The White-rim Chlorissa (Chlorissa albistrigulata) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It belongs to the order Lepidoptera and class Insecta, with documented occurrences on iNaturalist. 

Key Facts about Chlorissa albistrigulata:

Classification: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Insecta, Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Geometridae, Genus: Chlorissa.

Species Identification: It is recognized as Chlorissa albistrigulata (Warren, 1897).

Observations: As of the latest data, there are 263 documented observations of this species on iNaturalist.

Appearance: As a member of the Geometridae family, it likely shares characteristics with other emerald moths, often featuring green wings, though specific visual details for C. albistrigulata are not detailed in the provided search results. 

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE MADIKWE, SOUTH AFRICA - CREAMSTRIPED OWL BUTTERFLY (Cyligramma latona)

Cyligramma latona, the cream-striped owl, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1775.

Cyligramma latona has a wingspan reaching 75–100 millimetres (3.0–3.9 in). The uppersides of the wings are brown, with a yellowish band crossing all the wings and a large eyespot on the forewings. The larvae feed on Acacia species.

This widespread and common species can be found in western Sub-Saharan Africa, including Egypt and Guinea. It can also be found in southern Africa.

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE MADIKWE, S AFRICA - TRIMEN'S KNOB MOTH (Acantholipes trimeni)

Acantholipes trimeni is a species of moth belonging to the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, and tribe Acantholipini. Commonly known as Trimen's knob, it is native to subtropical regions across Africa.

Described by C. & R. Felder and A. F. Rogenhofer in 1874, A. trimeni is distributed in several African countries, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The larvae feed on Aspalathus linearis, a shrub native to South Africa also used in the production of rooibos tea.

As part of the genus Acantholipes, which comprises 11 known species, A. trimeni contributes to the biodiversity of Afrotropical moth fauna, with specimens documented in various entomological collections and over 200 occurrence records globally (as of 2023).

Acantholipes trimeni (Trimen's knob) is a species of moth in the Erebidae family found across subtropical, southern, and eastern Africa. Described by Felder and Rogenhofer in 1875, these moths are part of the Catocalinae subfamily. They are known to inhabit savanna regions, such as in Namibia. 

Key Facts about Acantholipes trimeni:

Classification: Kingdom Animalia, Order Lepidoptera, Family Erebidae.

Distribution: Primarily located in southern and eastern Africa, including Namibia.

Habitat: Mopane savanna, www.researchgate.net.

Taxonomy: First described by C. Felder, R. Felder, and A.F. Rogenhofer in 1875.

Common Name: Known as Trimen's knob.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SPOTTED HYENA (Crocuta crocuta)

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN due to its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is, however, experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching.

Populations of Crocuta, usually considered a subspecies of Crocuta crocuta, known as cave hyenas, roamed across Eurasia for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The spotted hyena is the largest extant member of the Hyaenidae, and is further physically distinguished from other species by its vaguely bear-like build, rounded ears, less prominent mane, spotted pelt, more dual-purposed dentition, fewer nipples, and pseudo-penis. It is the only placental mammalian species where females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening.

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE MADIKWE, S AFRICA - FAMILIAR CHAT (Oenanthe familiaris)

The familiar chat (Oenanthe familiaris) is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara in rocky and mountainous habitat and around human habitation.

The familiar chat is a dumpy short-tailed bird 14–15 cm (5.5–5.9 in) long. The adult's upperparts are a dull brown with warmer brown ear coverts behind the eye. The underparts vary from off-white to pale grey-brown, and the rump and outer tail feathers are rufous with a dark brown tip. The central tail feathers are dark brown. The short straight bill and the legs and feet are black. The sexes are alike, but the juvenile is similar to the adult but has buff spots above and a scaly pattern on the breast.

The familiar chat has a soft "shek-shek" alarm call. The song is a warbling trill.

The familiar chat is monogamous. It breeds between December and March in most of west Africa, but between March and May in Nigeria and mainly between October and November in South Africa. It builds a thick cup-shaped nest of plant material lined with hair, wool and feathers. The nest is usually placed in a hole in the ground, but rock faces and buildings are also used. This species will use nest boxes or a disused sociable weaver nest. The clutch is 2-4 greenish-blue eggs decorated with reddish-brown speckling. The eggs hatch after 13–15 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and fledge after 13–15 days. Usually only a single brood is raised each year.

The familiar chat is typically seen sitting on a rock, or hopping on bare patches of soil. It has a habit of flicking its wings once or twice every time it moves. It is seen in small family groups of up to five birds, and is invariably tame and approachable. It eats insects, fruit, animal fat and household or farmyard scraps.

The Afrikaans name for this species "spekvreter" means "fat-eater", and comes from the fact that it developed the habit of feeding on the lard used to grease wagon axles by the voortrekkers.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). 

The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water.

The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a mixed herbivore feeding mostly on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The average adult consumes about 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and 230 L (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) of water each day. A social animal, the African bush elephant often travels in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. During the mating season, males go through a process called musth, a period of high testosterone levels and heightened aggression. For females, the menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and gestation around 22 months, the longest of any mammal.

Conservation Status: Listed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN, their populations are declining, partly due to poaching for the ivory trade.Predators: Adult African savanna elephants have no natural predators other than humans.

Dietary Needs: They require vast amounts of food, needing around 350 pounds of vegetation daily, which they forage for throughout the day.

Why are their ears so big? Their large ears are used to radiate excess heat, helping them stay cool in the intense African sun.

Social Structure and Life Span: They live in matriarchal herds led by the eldest female. They can live 60–70 years in the wild.

7-3-2026 SAO TOME ISLAND, WEST AFRICA - MEXICAN SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia)

Tithonia diversifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is commonly known as the tree marigold, Mexican tournesol, Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower or Nitobe chrysanthemum. It is native to Mexico and Central America but has a nearly pantropical distribution as an introduced species. Depending on the area they may be either annual or perennial. It has shown great potential in raising the soil fertility in soils depleted in nutrients.

Originating in Mexico; research has shown its potential in benefiting poor African farmers. This plant is a weed that grows quickly and has become an option as an affordable alternative to expensive synthetic fertilizers. It has shown to increase plant yields and the availability of soil nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

7-3-2026 SAO TOME ISLAND, WEST AFRICA - JODUTTA ACRAEA BUTTERFLY (Telchinia jodutta)

The Jodutta Acraea (Telchinia jodutta) is a widespread African brush-footed butterfly found in forests from Guinea to Kenya and Angola. Known as a potential agricultural pest of sweet potatoes, it features orange and black markings, is distasteful to predators due to cyanoglycosides, and exhibits a slow, flapping flight. 

Key Facts about Telchinia jodutta

Habitat and Distribution: Occurs throughout tropical Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, and Kenya, commonly in forest habitats.

Appearance: A member of the Nymphalidae family, they are generally orange-brown with black markings, often with a paler, semi-transparent area on the hindwings. 

Diet and Behavior: Larvae feed on plants such as Urticaceae or Passifloraceae. They are considered pests of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) and sometimes cucurbits.

Defense Mechanism: Like other Acraea species, they are unpalatable to predators, likely due to cyanide-based toxins.

Life Cycle: Eggs are laid in clusters, and larvae are gregarious (live in groups).

Flight: They have a slow, flapping flight pattern.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - BLACK BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)

The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas), also called the silver-backed jackal, is a medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa. These regions are separated by roughly 900 kilometers.

One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The other area is along the eastern coastline, including Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. It is listed by the IUCN as least concern, due to its widespread range and adaptability, although it is still persecuted as a livestock predator and rabies vector.

The species generally shows a preference for open areas with little dense vegetation, though it occupies a wide range of habitats, from arid coastal deserts to areas with more than 2000 mm of rainfall. It also occurs in farmlands, savannas, open savanna mosaics, and alpine areas.

Compared to members of the genus Canis, the black-backed jackal is a very ancient species, and has changed little since the Pleistocene, being the most basal wolf-like canine, alongside the closely related side-striped jackal. It is a fox-like animal with a reddish brown to tan coat and a black saddle that extends from the shoulders to the base of the tail. It is a monogamous animal, whose young may remain with the family to help raise new generations of pups. The black-backed jackal has a wide array of food sources, feeding on small to medium-sized animals, as well as plant matter and human refuse.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus ssp. meridionalis)

The african common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

Moorhens are known for their secretive nature but can become quite tame in certain areas. They exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season and are known to aggressively defend their territory against intruders.

The common moorhen emits a variety of gargling calls and will hiss loudly when threatened.

Breeding season sees moorhens becoming territorial. They construct a basket-like nest on the ground within dense vegetation. Egg-laying typically begins in spring, with clutches ranging from 5 to 8 eggs. Both parents are involved in incubation and rearing the young, which fledge after 40-50 days.

Moorhens have a varied diet that includes vegetable matter and small aquatic organisms. They forage in and around water bodies, sometimes upending in the water or walking on lilypads to feed.

Globally, the common moorhen is abundant and classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, localized populations may be vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and hunting.

There are about five recognized subspecies of the common moorhen, which vary slightly in appearance and are distributed across different geographic regions. These subspecies include the Eurasian common moorhen (G. c. chloropus), the Indo-Pacific common moorhen (G. c. orientalis), the African common moorhen (G. c. meridionalis), the Madagascan common moorhen (G. c. pyrrhorrhoa), and the Mariana common moorhen (G. c. guami).

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - HAUTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)

The Hartlaub's gull (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii), also colloquially known as the king gull, is a small, nimble seabird with a length of 36–38 cm. Its plumage is predominantly white, complemented by a grey back and upperwings. The wingtips are black, adorned with striking white "mirrors." A notable feature is its dark red bill and legs. During the breeding season, it sports a very faint lavender grey hood, while outside of this period, its head remains plain white. Both sexes exhibit similar markings. The Hartlaub's gull is distinguishable from the slightly larger grey-headed gull by its thinner, darker bill, deeper red legs, paler head, and dark eyes. It reaches full maturity in two years, and juveniles can be identified by a brown band across the wings, lacking a black terminal tail band and presenting less dark areas in the wings compared to their grey-headed counterparts.

When observing Hartlaub's gulls, look for the combination of their dark red bill and legs, the white "mirrors" on the black wingtips, and the faint grey hood during breeding season. Juveniles will have a brown band on the wings and darker legs, with a white head that distinguishes them from similar-aged grey-headed gulls.