Destination: Wildlife

06/26/2025

The 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙒𝙖𝙜𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡 lives up to its name, pumping its tail when perched. It’s a real little beauty, easy to spot because of its sunny yellow underside. These birds are usually insect eaters, dining n flies, beetles, ants, grasshoppers and others, but sometimes also a berry. They tend to gather around domestic stock ( cattle, sheep etc) where the animal’s dung ensures a plentiful supply of bugs!

We were in Spain to celebrate their amazing conservation and rewilding programs and to raise funds for New York State’s

Many thanks to Larry Blau Larry's Eyes for his fantastic images and to Birding The Strait for an excellent tour.

Read: 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙊𝙙𝙙 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛 𝘿𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 and More in the Destination: Wildlife Blog

06/24/2025

We heard this 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝 before we saw it. It was on the rocky cliff face, high above a gorge, calling out. This is a male (the female has a brown breast), and we hoped that a nice female would hear him – it was spring, after all. If a mate is found, they will probably nest on the cliff. We watched him for a long time, balancing on impossibly tiny rock outcrops, then he landed on a nearby ledge – and we captured his portrait.

We were in Spain to celebrate their amazing conservation and rewilding programs and to raise funds for New York State’s Grassland Bird Trust

Many thanks to Larry Blau Larry's Eyes for his fantastic images and to Birding The Strait for an excellent tour.

06/23/2025

Although the 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙠 is IUNC listed, Least Concern, its total population is estimated to be only 32,000 to 44,000 birds. They are rare and difficult to spot across their entire range. We were incredibly fortunate to spot two nesting pairs in the Monfragüe National and even more fortunate that Larry's Eyes was able to capture the moment. This image is one of a pair flying back to the nest to join its waiting mate.

We were in Spain to witness its incredible conservation and rewilding results and to raise funds for New York State's Grassland Bird Trust

Many thanks to Larry Blau Larry's Eyes for his fantastic images and to Birding The Strait for an excellent tour.

Read: 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙊𝙙𝙙 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛 𝘿𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 and More in the Destination: Wildlife Blog

06/21/2025

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙮 The best way to celebrate is to understand the situation. This from the
Giraffe Conservation Foundation

State of Giraffe 2025
Latest trends give hope in the face of the giraffe’s silent extinction
As we mark World Giraffe Day on June 21 – the longest day (or night) for the tallest animal – the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is proud to share encouraging news: giraffe are making a comeback.
Despite decades of decline and ongoing threats, the latest data compiled and released in GCF’s State of Giraffe 2025 report reveals that three of the four distinct giraffe species in Africa are showing positive population trends — a direct result of effective conservation actions, dedicated research, and growing global awareness.
Highlights
• Up-to-date population and distribution numbers compiled by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) for all four giraffe species and their 7 subspecies.
• Northern, Reticulated and Southern giraffe populations are on the rise.
• Masai giraffe numbers have stabilised, with further updates expected from Tanzania.
• Decisive conservation actions and improved survey methods are making a tangible difference.
• GCF’s World Giraffe Day – celebrated on 21 June – raises awareness for giraffe conservation globally.
“We are thrilled so share these updated numbers. Not only are our conservation efforts paying off, but with the support of our partners, we are getting better at monitoring and protecting these iconic creatures,” says Stephanie Fennessy, GCF’s Executive Director.
Species by Species:
Northern giraffe
With 7,037 individuals remaining, this species remains one of the world’s most threatened large mammals. However, a nearly 20% increase offers hope amidst ongoing insecurity in its range.
Reticulated giraffe
Estimated at 20,901 individuals, this species shows encouraging trends and appears to be increasing, though reliable data is difficult due to security issues in northeastern Kenya and limited access in parts of Ethiopia and Somalia.
Southern giraffe
Found across southern Africa, this species shows the most remarkable growth. An estimated 68,837 individuals now roam the wild — a 50% increase in just five years, largely due to improved survey coverage and increased awareness.

Masai giraffe
Stable numbers across Kenya (estimated at 43,926) are a strong sign of resilience. In Rwanda, the population continues to grow steadily, and Zambia’s Luangwa giraffe are also expanding in range and number.
A Game-Changing Conservation Tool:
GCF is also launching the Giraffe Africa Database (GAD) — a centralised platform for monitoring giraffe populations across Africa.
“Only a few species benefit from this level of detail. GAD will transform how we plan and implement giraffe conservation,” says Dr Courtney Marneweck, GCF’s Conservation Technology Coordinator.
GCF: Leading Giraffe Conservation in Africa
Operating in 21 African countries, GCF is the only organisation dedicated solely to giraffe conservation. It plays a vital role in developing and implementing National and Regional Giraffe Conservation Strategies in collaboration with governments and stakeholders. So far, 14 countries have adopted such strategies — proving that coordinated, science-based conservation works.
“These new data call for an urgent reassessment of giraffe on the IUCN Red List and renewed attention from international agreements like CITES. Each species deserves tailored protection — one-size-fits-all won’t save them,” says Dr Julian Fennessy, GCF Director of Conservation.
Why It Matters
In 2016, giraffe were uplisted from Least Concern to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. With the release of State of Giraffe 2025, there is now a strong case for listing three of the four species as Endangered or Vulnerable. These new trends provide hope — but the threat of silent extinction remains.
World Giraffe Day is celebrated each year on 21 June — the longest day (or night) for the tallest animal — to raise awareness and support for giraffe conservation in the wild.
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Giraffe Conservation Foundation
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation is the only organisation in the world dedicated exclusively to saving giraffe in the wild across Africa. Active in 21 countries and impacting more than 100 million acres of habitat, GCF leads with science, innovation, and collaboration. We work to secure a sustainable future for all four giraffe species through targeted conservation action, research, education, and advocacy. GCF is the global voice for giraffe.
🔗 Giraffe https://zurl.co/1qsVF
Citation
Marneweck, C.J., Brown, M.B., Ekandjo, P., Fennessy, S., Hoffman, R., Kipchumba, A., Muneza, A., Otten, F. & Fennessy, J. (Eds). 2025. State of Giraffe 2025: An update from the Giraffe Africa-wide Database (GAD). Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Windhoek, Namibia.
🔗 https://zurl.co/dAQSr
Media Contact
Stephanie Fennessy | +264 814 893 127 | steph@https://zurl.co/1qsVF | giraffeconservation.org
Images
Images to illustrate articles related to the State of Giraffe 2025 publication can be downloaded at this link. All images are credited to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and the photographer as per image name.

Learn about our conservation efforts, programmes, and educational initiatives.

06/18/2025

What's a Painted Dog? One of the most interesting predators in Africa! They look like our pets, they are as playful, but that is where the similarity ends. These are top predators who live and work as a team - a family.

We have two places open on a very special safari in August. We will be in the best place to see lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, hippos, and more. And we will search out the endangered, elusive, and extraordinary - Painted Dog. Interested? Contact me!

06/17/2025

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒄 𝑫𝒂𝒚 There are over 15 species of Crocodiles and these ancient creatures can be found in almost all corners of the world. Don’t confuse them with alligators. Crocs have long pointed snouts like the letter "V – Alligator snouts are more rounded. And Crocodiles are larger – they can weigh up to a ton! And these bad boys are far more aggressive! Keep your distance! Fun fact: The only place where crocs and alligators might be found together is the Florida Everglades.

Read: The Amazing Wildlife of Florida’s Western Everglades Destination: Wildlife Destination Guide, Western Everglades https://zurl.co/49CBI

06/17/2025

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚 is part of World Sea Turtle Week, to celebrate these amazing ancient creatures and shine a spotlight on the toll industrial fishing (bycatch), pollution, and climate change is taking. There are seven sea turtle species: Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Green Sea turtles – all are either IUCN Threatened or Endangered. Special thanks to the folks trying to help sea turtles including, the New York Marine Rescue Center. Since its inception in 1996, it has rescued 2344 sea turtles!

Thank you, NY Marine Rescue Center

06/12/2025

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒓 𝑫𝒂𝒚! Did you know that the 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙧 (𝙈𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙇𝙞𝙤𝙣) like this beauty seen in Yosemite National Park, is not considered a “Big Cat”? Mountain lions once lived across the United States. Unfortunately, they were hunted to extinction in most of their range. Along with continued hunting, poaching, and the loosening of protection regulations, avian flu–yes, bird flu–is a new threat. In 2024, at least 20 Cougars died of bird flu; this year, the toll continues. Fun Fact: Cougars or Mountain Lions don’t roar – they purr!

Special thanks to Henderson Photography for his wonderful image and

Felidae Conservation Fund and Mountain Lion Foundation for your vital work for Mountainlion conservation

Image by ©Moose Henderson

05/26/2025

The 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙎𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 is not a rare bird in New York, where I live – but it is always delightful. From dawn to dusk, the social little birds with their iridescent head and back, and snow-white underside, flit, soar, glide, and swoop like acrobats in pursuit of as many flying insects to eat as they can find. But during breeding season, they seek out calcium-rich meals like fish bones and loon or gull eggshells.

Thanks to for his wonderful bird photography.

Read more about birds and wildlife at https://zurl.co/CgML4

05/25/2025

𝙒𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘿𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙨 are one of the most interestingly “dressed” of all duck species and always a treat to find. This pair was spotted standing on the ice along the edge of the Hudson River near Fort Edward, New York State. Wood ducks pair up in January, so they arrive at their breeding grounds together, and many will raise two broods in one year. Unlike other ducks, Wood ducks are cavity nesters, seeking out holes high up in a tree trunk; they also like nest boxes.

Thanks to for his wonderful bird photography.

Read more about birds and wildlife at https://zurl.co/Y4H9n

05/24/2025

𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙙 duck pairs are generally described as monogamous, but ask the female of the pair, like this lady. She might explain that the male of the pair has a “roving eye,” sometimes even chasing and forcing other females to mate. Good thing they are good flyers – migrating mallards can fly an estimated 55mph/ 83 km/h. The female, like this one taking off over a frozen pond, is less dramatically colored than the male, but she does have a purple/blue iridescent patch on their wings called a speculum.

Thanks to for his wonderful bird photography.

Read more about birds and wildlife at https://zurl.co/XlC4S

05/23/2025

There is no mistaking the 𝙃𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧! Of the six different merganser species, the Hooded is the second smallest (and the smallest in North America), but the male makes a big impression wearing his fabulous black and white “hood” high and proud. These diving ducks find their underwater prey by sight. A transparent eyelid called a “nictitating membrane” protects their eyes like a pair of goggles. Some Hooded Mergansers stay in New York State, where this guy was spotted all year, but he may have been on his way to the breeding grounds in Canada.

Thanks to for his wonderful bird photography.

Read more about birds and wildlife at https://zurl.co/PUHBi