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.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - CAPE GULL (larus dominicanus ssp vetula)

The Cape gull (Larus dominicanus vetula) is a Southern African subspecies of the kelp gull, characterized by its dark eye, smaller bill, and angular head compared to other subspecies. These 54–65 cm long, sedentary birds are common along the South African coastline, known for dropping shellfish on rocks to break them and, in some cases, attacking seal pups and living whales. 

Appearance: Adults feature a white head and body, black-mantled back/wings with white trailing edges, yellow legs (greener in Africa), and a yellow bill with a red spot.

Diet & Behavior: They are opportunistic omnivores and scavengers that feed on fish, shellfish, eggs, and garbage. They are known for dropping shells onto hard surfaces to open them.

Unique Behaviors: In South Africa, they are known to attack live, young seal pups in Namibia. They have also been observed attacking Southern Right Whales in Argentine waters.

Breeding: They are monogamous and colonial, typically nesting on the ground in shallow scrapes lined with vegetation, laying 2-4 eggs.

Distinction from Kelp Gull: While closely related to the kelp gull (L. d. dominicanus), the Cape gull is often identified by its dark iris rather than the pale yellow-white eye of its counterparts.

The Cape Gull (or Kelp Gull), Larus dominicanus vetula, is a large Southern African gull with black wings, a white body, and yellow-green legs. Known for its adaptability, this intelligent scavenger often feeds at landfill sites and uses specialized techniques like dropping shellfish from heights to crack them open.Key Facts About the Cape GullAppearance: Adults are 54–65 cm long, featuring very dark black back and wings, a pure white head and underparts, a yellow bill with a red spot, and dark eyes. Juveniles are mottled brown.Subspecies: The "Cape Gull" is specifically the Southern African subspecies (L. d. vetula) of the larger Kelp Gull species, typically distinguished by its slightly smaller, more angled head and smaller, shorter beak.Diet & Behavior: They are omnivorous and opportunistic, consuming fish, mussels, snails, crustaceans, and waste from rubbish dumps.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - GREATER FLAMINGO (JUVENILE) (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. Common in the Old World, they are found in Northern (coastal) and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent (south of the Himalayas), the Middle East, the Levant, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe.

It is found in parts of Northern Africa (including coastal areas of northern Algeria, Egypt further inland along the Nile River, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia), portions of Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda), Southern Asia (coastal Bangladesh,India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), the Western Asia (Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Israel, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates) and Southern Europe (including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, France in the Camargue and Corsica, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain and the Balearic Islands, and Turkey).

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - SANDERLING (Calidris alba)

The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small wading bird. The name derives from Old English sand-yrðling, "sand-ploughman". The genus name is from Ancient Greek: καλίδρις : kalídris or σκαλίδρις : skalídris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The species name, alba, is Latin for "white".

It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, being among the most extreme northern breeding birds in the world, nesting only on the coldest tundra, north of the 5°C July isotherm; in Europe, its southernmost breeding locality is Svalbard, where only a handful (5–15) pairs breed. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, western and southern Europe, Africa, and Australia. It is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)

The Cape teal (Anas capensis) also Cape wigeon or Cape widgeon is a 44–46 cm long dabbling duck of open wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa.

Like many southern ducks, the sexes are similar. It is very pale and mainly grey, with a browner back and pink on the bill (young birds lack the pink). This is a generally quiet species, except during mating displays. The breeding male has a clear whistle, whereas the female has a feeble "quack". The Cape teal cannot be confused with any other duck in its range.

This species is essentially non-migratory, although it moves opportunistically with the rains. It is a thinly distributed but widespread duck, rarely seen in large groups except the moulting flocks, which may number up to 2000.

The Cape teal feeds on aquatic plants and small creatures (invertebrates, crustaceans and amphibians) obtained by dabbling. The nest is on the ground under vegetation and near water.

The Cape teal is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - BROWN FUR SEAL (JUVENILE) (Arctocephalus pusillus)

Arctocephalus pusillus, also known as the Cape fur seal and the Afro-Australian fur seal, is a species of fur seal.

Arctocephalus pusillus is the largest and most robust member of the fur seals. It has a large and broad head with a pointed snout that may be flat or turned up slightly. It has external ear flaps (pinnae) and its whiskers (vibrissae) are long, possibly growing back past the pinnae, especially in adult males. The fore-flippers are covered with sparse hairs over about three-quarters of their length. The hind-flippers are short relative to the large body, with short, fleshy tips on the digits.Te sihhze and weight of the brown fur seal depends on the subspecies; the Southern African subspecies is, on average, slightly larger than the Australian subspecies. Males of the African subspecies (A. p. pusillus) are 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length on average and weigh 200–300 kg (440–660 lb).[4] Females are smaller, averaging 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in length and typically weighing 120 kg (260 lb). Males of the Australian subspecies (A. p. doriferus) are 2.0–2.2 m (6.6–7.2 ft) in length and weigh 190–280 kg (420–620 lb).[6] Females are 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) length and weigh 36–110 kilograms (79–243 lb).

Adult male cape fur seals are dark gray to brown, with a darker mane of short, coarse hairs and a lighter belly, while adult females are light brown to gray, with a light throat and darker back and belly. The fore-flippers of the fur seal are dark brown to black. Pups are born black, molting to gray with a pale throat within 3–5 months. The skull of the African subspecies has a larger crest between the mastoid process and the jugular process of the exoccipital. 

1-3-2026 STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - SWEE WAXBILL (coccopygia melanotis)

The swee waxbill (Coccopygia melanotis), is a common species of estrildid finch native to Southern Africa.

The swee waxbill is 9–10 cm long with a grey head and breast, pale yellow belly, olive back and wings, red lower back and rump, and a black tail. The upper mandible is black and the lower red. The male has a black face, but the female's face is grey. Juveniles are much duller than the female and have an all-black bill.

The swee waxbill is typically found in uplands in dry shrubland and open forest habitats. Some subspecies also occur in lowlands, and may be seen in large gardens.

This species is a common and tame bird typically seen in small parties, and does not form large flocks. The swee waxbill's call is typically considered a soft swee, swee.

10-3-2026 SEKONDI-TAKORADI, GHANA - MEXICAN PLUMERIA (Plumeria rubra)

Plumeria rubra is a deciduous plant species belonging to the genus Plumeria. Originally native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela, it has been widely cultivated in subtropical and tropical climates worldwide and is a popular garden and park plant, as well as being used in temples and cemeteries. It grows as a spreading tree to 7–8 m (23–26 ft) high and wide, and is flushed with fragrant flowers of shades of pink, white and yellow over the summer and autumn.

Its common names include frangipani, red paucipan, red-jasmine, red frangipani, common frangipani, temple tree, calachuchi, or simply plumeria. Despite its common name, the species is not a "true jasmine" and not of the genus Jasminum.

10-3-2026 FISHING PORT TAKORADI, GHANA - PIED CROW (Corvus albus)

The pied crow (Corvus albus) is a widely distributed African bird species in the crow genus of the family Corvidae.

Structurally, the pied crow is better thought of as a small crow-sized raven, especially as it can hybridise with the Somali crow (dwarf raven) where their ranges meet in the Horn of Africa. Its behaviour, though, is more typical of the Eurasian carrion crows, and it may be a modern link (along with the Somali crow) between the Eurasian crows and the common raven.

It is about the size of the European carrion crow or a little larger (46–50 cm in length), but has a proportionately larger bill, slightly longer tail and wings, and longer legs. As its name suggests, its glossy black head and neck are interrupted by a large area of white feathering from the shoulders down to the lower breast. The tail, bill, and wings are black, too. Its eyes are dark brown. The white plumage of immature birds is often mixed with black. It resembles the white-necked and thick-billed ravens, but has a much smaller bill.

10-3-2026 FISHING PORT TAKORADI, GHANA - YELLOW BILLED KITE (Milvus migrans ssp. parasitus)

The black kite or fire kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. It is thought to be the world's most abundant species of Accipitridae, although some populations have experienced dramatic declines or fluctuations. Current global population estimates run up to 6.7 million individuals.

Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend much time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. They are also vociferous with a shrill whinnying call.

3-3-2026 WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA - GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

The great white pelican, known scientifically as Pelecanus onocrotalus, is a gargantuan bird, surpassed in size only by its cousin, the Dalmatian pelican. With a body length ranging from 140 to 180 cm and a wingspan stretching from 226 to 360 cm, it is one of the largest flying birds. The pelican's bill is an impressive 28.9 to 47.1 cm long, colored in hues of pink and yellow, and is accompanied by a pale-yellow gular pouch. Males are generally larger than females and exhibit a pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males averaging more than 30% heavier than females.

Adult great white pelicans are predominantly white with black flight feathers and a faint pink tinge on the neck. The bill is bluish-grey with a red tip and a yellowish gular pouch. During the breeding season, males display pinkish facial skin, while females exhibit a more orangey hue. Juveniles are distinguishable by their darker, brownish underparts and patterned underwings. 

These pelicans favor shallow, warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, swamps, and lagoons, often with dense reed beds nearby for nesting. They are also found in coastal estuarine areas and occasionally at elevations up to 1,372 m in East Africa and Nepal.

1-3-2026 STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - RED WINGED STARLING (MALE) (Onychognathus morio)

 Like other starlings, the red-winged starling is an omnivore, taking a wide range of seeds, berries, nectar from plants such as Aloe and Schotia brachypetala, and invertebrates, such as the beetle species Pachnoda sinuata. They may take nestlings and adults of certain bird species, such as the African palm swift. It will also scavenge on carrion and human food scrap.

The red-winged starling will obviously only perch on plant structures that will be able to support its weight; therefore when taking nectar it will choose certain species with strong, robust racemes with easily accessible flowers, such as that of Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii, and not Aloe arborescens. Large flowers that can support the bird's weight, such as that of Strelitzia nicolai and certain Protea species, are also chosen.

Fruit species that this species may feed on include figs, such as the sycamore fig and others, marulas, date palm fruit, berries from species such as wild olive Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata and Euphorbia, and commercial fruit such as apples, grapes, citruses and others.

In rural areas, red-winged starlings are often spotted perching on livestock and game, such as cattle, klipspringers and giraffes, a trait shared by the pale-winged starling, and may take insects and ectoparasites such as ticks, much in the manner of oxpeckers.

1-3-2026 STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)

The Hadada ibis is a large, grey-brown bird native to sub-Saharan Africa, named for its distinctive "haa-daa-daa" call. They primarily eat insects, worms, and snails, which they find by probing the ground with their sensitive, curved bills. Hadadas live in pairs or small groups during the day, but gather in large roosts at night, and build solitary, basket-shaped nests in trees or on man-made structures. 

Habitat: They live in a variety of habitats, including wooded streams, grasslands, savanna woodlands, and man-made environments like large gardens and sports fields.

Distribution: They are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are common in many countries in that region. 

Diet: Primarily carnivorous, they eat insects, worms, millipedes, snails, crustaceans, and small reptiles. They are also the only known ibis species to eat fruits.

The hadada ibis occurs throughout Sub-Saharan Africa in open grasslands, savanna and wetlands, as well as urban parks, school fields, green corridors and large gardens. This bird occurs in Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Gambia, Kenya, Somalia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa.

The distribution range of the hadada has increased in southern Africa by nearly two and a half times in the 20th century following the introduction of trees in parts that were treeless. Irrigation projects may have also helped in their expansion as they appear to need moist and soft soils in which to probe for food. and vegetables.

1-3-2026 STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - COMMON CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis ssp capensis)

The Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) is a common, 18–20 cm long African bird found near water, in parks, and in gardens. Identified by its brownish-grey back, white underparts, and dark chest band, it is known for constantly bobbing its tail. These monogamous, territorial birds feed on insects, small crabs, and even human scraps. 

Habitat & Behavior: They prefer open areas near water but are highly adaptable to urban gardens. They are frequently seen walking on the ground, often in pairs.

Diet: Primarily insectivorous, they consume insects, snails, ticks, and small fish. They are known to feed on insects caught in car radiators or attracted to lights.

Breeding: They are monogamous and often stay with the same partner for multiple seasons. They build cup-shaped nests in trees, bushes, or human-made structures.

Appearance: Adults feature grey-brown upperparts, a white belly, and a distinctive black chest band.

Aggression: They are highly territorial and will fiercely attack their own reflection in windows or car mirrors.

1-3-2026 STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN LILY (Agapanthus africanus)

Agapanthus africanus, commonly named the African lily, is a flowering plant from the genus Agapanthus found only on rocky sandstone slopes of the winter rainfall fynbos from the Cape Peninsula to Swellendam. It is also called the lily of the Nile in spite of only growing in South Africa.

The plant is a rhizomatous evergreen geophyte from 25 to 70 cm (10 in to 2 ft 4 in) in height. The leathery leaves are suberect and long and strap shaped. Flowers are broadly funnel-shaped, pale to deep blue, and thick-textured with a dark blue stripe running down the center of each petal. Paler flowers are more common in Agapanthus africanus walshii while Agapanthus africanus africanus flowers tend to be darker. The flowers grow in large clusters, with each flower being 25–40 mm (31⁄32–1+9⁄16 in) long. This species flowers from November to April, particularly after fire. Peak flowering occurs from December to February.

9-3-2026 LOME, TOGO - MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE (Catharanthus roseus)

Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard plant, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, pink periwinkle, rose periwinkle, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native and endemic to Madagascar, but is grown elsewhere as an ornamental and medicinal plant, and now has a pantropical distribution. It is a source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer. It was formerly included in the genus Vinca as Vinca rosea.

It has many vernacular names among which are arivotaombelona or rivotambelona, tonga, tongatse or trongatse, tsimatiririnina, and vonenina. 

9-3-2026 LOME, TOGO - LAUGHING DOVE (Spilopelia senegalensis)

The laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia where it has established itself in the wild after being released from Perth Zoo in 1898. This small long-tailed dove is found in dry scrub and semi-desert habitats where pairs can often be seen feeding on the ground. It is closely related to the spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) which is distinguished by a white and black chequered necklace. Other names include laughing turtle dove, palm dove and Senegal dove while in Asia the name little brown dove is often used.

It is a common and widespread species in scrub, dry farmland, and in areas of human habitation, often becoming very tame. Its range includes much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. It is also found in Cyprus, Greece, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the UAE, and Turkey (these populations may be derived from human introductions). They are mostly sedentary but some populations may make movements. Birds ringed in Gujarat have been recovered 200 km north in Pakistan and exhausted birds have been recorded landing on ships in the Arabian Sea. The species (thought to belong to the nominate population) was introduced to Perth in 1889 and has become established around Western Australia. Birds that land on ships may be introduced to new regions.

9-3-2026 LOME, TOGO - NONI FRUIT (Morinda citrifolia)

Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia), known as a "superfood" with high antioxidant content, is available in Togo through online retailers like Ubuy Togo, offering products such as juice, capsules, and powder. Local efforts are also developing the agro-industry for this nutrient-rich plant, which thrives in coastal areas. 

Available Noni Products in Togo 

Juice: Tahitian Noni Juice and other brands.

Powder: Biotic Noni Powder and Senta Noni Fruit Powder.

Dried & Supplements: Dried bulk noni and capsules. 

Key Information About Noni

Uses: Traditionally used for health benefits like immune support, improved digestion, and reduced inflammation.

Characteristics: Known for a pungent, cheese-like odor and bitter taste.

Cultivation: The plant grows in tropical climates, including sandy coastal areas.

7-3-2026 SAO TOME ISLAND, WEST AFRICA - BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans)

The black kite or fire kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. It is thought to be the world's most abundant species of Accipitridae, although some populations have experienced dramatic declines or fluctuations. Current global population estimates run up to 6.7 million individuals.

Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend much time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. They are also vociferous with a shrill whinnying call.

The black kite is widely distributed through the temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia and parts of Australasia and Oceania, with the temperate region populations tending to be migratory. Several subspecies are recognized and formerly had their own English names. The European populations are small, but the South Asian population is comparatively very large.

Black kites can be distinguished from red kites by the slightly smaller size, less forked tail (visible in flight), and generally dark plumage without any rufous. The sexes are alike though the male is a little smaller and less aggressive (this is the case in most birds of prey). They weigh on average 735 grams (25.9 oz). The upper plumage is brown but the head and neck tend to be paler. The patch behind the eye appears darker. The outer flight feathers are black and the feathers have dark cross bars and are mottled at the base. The lower parts of the body are pale brown, becoming lighter towards the chin. The body feathers have dark shafts giving it a streaked appearance. The cere and gape are yellow, but the bill is black (unlike that of the yellow-billed kite). The legs are yellow and the claws are black. They have a distinctive shrill whistle followed by a rapid whinnying call. Males and females have the same plumage but females are longer than males and have a little larger wingspan. Their wingspan is around 150 cm (5 ft).

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN LION (MALE) (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

The Southern lion is a lion subspecies from Southern and East Africa. In this region, lion populations were referred to by several regional names, including Katanga lion, Transvaal lion, Kalahari lion, Southeast African lion, Southwest African lion, Masai lion, Serengeti lion, Tsavo lion, and Uganda lion. It has also been referred to as 'Eastern-Southern African lion', 'Southern lion', and as 'southern subspecies'.

The fur of Southern lions varies in color from light buff to dark brown. They have rounded ears and a black tail tuft. Mane color varies from sandy, tawny, isabelline, and light reddish yellow to dark brown and black. Mane length varies from short to extending to knee joints and under the belly. Lions without a mane were observed in the Tsavo area. Mane development is related to age: older males have more extensive manes than younger ones; manes continue to grow up to the age of four to five years, long after lions become reproductively mature. Males living in the Kenyan highlands develop heavier manes than lions in the more humid and warmer lowlands of eastern and northern Kenya. White lions have occasionally been encountered in and around South Africa's Kruger National Park and the adjacent Timbavati Private Game Reserve. Their whitish fur is a rare morph caused by a double recessive allele. It has normal pigmentation in the eyes and skin. They were removed from the wild in the 1970s, thus decreasing the white lion gene pool. 

Little is known about the behavior of Southern lions. In general, lions can be active at any time of the day but their activity generally peaks after dusk with a period of socializing and grooming. Most hunting often takes place at dusk. Apart from that African lions spend much of their time resting. They rest in order to save energy, in the absence of prey, or to escape the midday heat. African lions are highly social animals, gathering in groups or prides, which include up to 3 male lions and multiple lionesses with their young. Prides are defended by males, who patrol and mark the territory. However, there's harsh competition between males for the territory and position in the pride. In a case, if another male overcomes the leading male of the pride, he usually kills all cubs, sired by the previous male. 

Meanwhile, males do not tend to hunt due to their slow speed and eye-catching appearance. Instead, hunting is left to females of the pride, who hunt in groups, cooperating with each other during their hunting trips. The females are excellent hunters: they are faster and more agile than males, able to hunt down animals that are much bigger and faster than them. Lions have a large repertoire of vocalizations. Most of them are variations of growling, snarling, meowing, and roaring. Other sounds produced include purring, puffing, bleating, and humming. Roaring is used for advertising their presence. Lions most often roar at night, a sound that can be heard from a distance of 8 km (5 miles).

7-3-2026 SAO TOME ISLAND, WEST AFRICA - SAO TOME GREEN PIGEON (Treron sanctithomae)

The São Tomé green pigeon (Treron sanctithomae) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The species was described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. They have disappeared from Ilhéu das Rolas due to habitat loss. There are between 37,007 and 109,255 pigeons of this species today, but this is decreasing due to unsustainable levels of hunting. 

The São Tomé green pigeon was described by German naturalist Georg Marcgrave in 1648 and the English ornithologist Francis Willughby in 1678. When the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin revised and expanded Carl Linnaeus's Systema Naturae in 1789 he chose to include the São Tomé green pigeon. He placed it with all the other doves and pigeons in the genus Columba and coined the binomial name Columba sanctithomae. The São Tomé green pigeon is now placed with around 30 other green pigeons in the genus Treron that was introduced in 1816 by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot.] The genus name is from the Ancient Greek trērōn meaning "pigeon" or "dove". The specific epithet sanctithomae is from Late Latin sanctus meaning "saint" and Thomae for "Thomas". The species is monotypic as no subspecies are recognised.