How do you insert data into an app when you’re illiterate? That was one of the questions for the team behind Sensing Clues. Rebekka Stutz and Menno Valkenburg take us into their world of technology, and it is far more complex than just handing out phones or drones to use in the field. What started with one, literal gunshot has turned into a thriving organization.
Some hate the cold, and others live for it. Mike Brampton has found his happy place in the polar regions and (leaving the temperatures aside) lives the dream of many: in the presence of polar bears, walruses, and Arctic foxes. With his stunning, often minimalist photographs, he showcases the unique lives of animals living in these frigid conditions, and he raises awareness about the impact of climate change on their livelihoods and ours.
There are so many species that exist without us even knowing. There are also some that we have heard of, but haven’t seen in a very long time, and we presume them to be extinct. When the team of The Pangolin Project heard about a giant ground pangolin sighting, they first thought it was impossible. Yet one field visit was enough to verify the sighting. Now, they work to protect the very last individuals of this species, and it is taking a village to achieve that.
How can something so beautiful also be so deceptive? Hedda Thomson Ek talks about Coroca Valley in Colombia, where tourists visit in large masses, yet are misled when it comes to the conservation of the area. In this story, Hedda talks to a botanist, a tourist guide, a local farm owner, and a conservationist to understand more about the situation. It’s a true eye-opener.
Discovering a new species is not at all that difficult. Yet discovering a cervid (hoofed ruminant mammal) is quite a special feat! So when the Peruvian Yungas pudu was officially discovered, it was a reason to celebrate. This little deer in the Andes was hidden in plain sight. Megan Abigail White uncovers all the details about how and why this little deer could go unnoticed, and where its special name comes from.
When work is also your passion, that is what many people strive for. Daniel Kaul, founder of Natucate and Conscious Explorer, found his passion in nature and education, and he tells us all about how his two organizations came to be. From experiences he had as a young boy, to inspire others to take life-changing decisions just by being in nature and observing the rhythm of the wild.
Living in harmony with our surroundings. In today’s world, that might sound like a fairytale. Yet with the 4 Ethics and 12 Principles of Permaculture, it quickly becomes much clearer and even feasible for any ordinary person. Skye Ayla Mallac knows a great deal about the topic, which can all be read in this issue’s infographic.
Protecting a habitat on land is daunting, but not impossible. We can draw clear boundaries, create fences, or at least keep an eye on the barriers and borders we have in mind. Yet when it comes to the open seas, those methods are impossible to implement. That, however, did not stop Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara from initiating the Pelagos Sanctuary. He tells us all about the process and the bit of luck that came with it.
Theory and practice are two different sides of the coin. One might thrive in a purely theoretical setting, while another might flourish when putting it into practice. For Joosje, it was time to put her theoretical knowledge (read more about this in issue 12 and issue 13) to practice during the ‘Expedition Week’. With an 11-kilogram limit to carry everything she needed, there were enough challenges to tackle.
Have you ever seen or even heard of a one-horned rhino? This beautiful species roams through Nepal yet faces many dangers every day. Laba KC from Himalayan Nature tells us all about his work, and how local communities—such as the one he originates from—are needed to make his work viable. From conflict to coexistence.
It’s big, brown, and impressive. That would be the mountain bongo. This species, only found in Kenya, used to roam the forests of the Aberdares and Mt. Kenya. Now, Donna Sheppard and her team from Rhino Ark are trying to bring back this species to the habitat they once called home. You can find the mountain bongo in our Endangered Species article.
Walking for nine days to reach someone you want to meet. That sounds quite unbelievable. Nevertheless, Tshiring Lhamu Lama does just that. She walks to meet Tenzin Bhuti Gurung, a teenage girl who mourns the loss of her family’s livestock due to a snow leopard attack. In the documentary Snow Leopard Sister, Tshiring and Tenzin work together to change the tide for both the snow leopard and the local communities.
It’s packed with great stories and images, so read your copy now!
