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Leopards have been put on the most vulnerable species list. Their numbers will only bounce back if a range of conservation initiatives are implemented, argues Sam Williams. This should include keeping South Africa’s current temporary ban on trophy hunting in place.
Spotted hyenas have strong immune systems that allow them to overcome infectious diseases lethal to other carnivores. But not much is known about why. Andrew Files explains how researchers are trying to find out more as any insights could add to our understanding of disease and immunity in other animals as well as humans.
Next week the world marks malaria day. Academics from across the continent provide insights and analysis on the challenges Africa faces in fighting a disease that continues to claim nearly half a million lives a year. You can find their analysis here.
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A leopard shows its spots in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa.
Sam Williams
Sam Williams, Durham University
Sound wildlife management is incredibly important, and could enhance the conservation status of large carnivores like the leopard, which has recently been listed as a vulnerable species.
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Environment + Energy
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Andrew S. Flies, University of Tasmania
New research helps us understand how and why spotted hyenas are able to survive exposure to pathogens that kill other species.
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Politics + Society
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Reuben Loffman, Queen Mary University of London
The Democratic Republic of Congo desperately needs a peaceful election but with the UN threatening to scale back its DRC mission, the likelihood of a successful poll is being threatened
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Carin Runciman, University of Johannesburg; Linah Nkuna, University of South Africa; Pier Paolo Frassinelli, University of Johannesburg
Protests in South Africa have largely been confined to black working class townships and informal settlements. Is this beginning to change?
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Asayehgn Desta, Dominican University
Corruption has become entrenched in Ethiopia because of the political dominance of a single party -- the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front.
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Health + Medicine
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Salome Maswime, University of the Witwatersrand; Gwinyai Masukume, University of the Witwatersrand
Many women in African countries who are medically required to have caesarean sections aren't able to access them due to weak health systems and a lack of resources.
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Andrew Githeko, Kenya Medical Research Institute
The gains made towards eliminating malaria in endemic countries is being threatened by insecticide and antimalarial drug resistance.
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Business + Economy
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Steven Friedman, University of Johannesburg
A captured South African Treasury is bad news for the country's poor but the view that the capture is a natural enemy of the market economy is a myth.
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Sosina Bezu, Chr. Michelsen Institute
Over 70% of Ethiopia's population is under 30 years of age. This can be converted to economic muscle if policies are introduced to tackle the high unemployment levels in the country.
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Science + Technology
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Arend de Haas, University of Buea
A time-series analysis of tree cover loss before, during and after road construction reveals a strong relationship between infrastructure development and accelerating deforestation.
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From our international editions
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Beatrice Mabilon-Bonfils, Université de Cergy-Pontoise
In the French graphic-novel series La Présidente, François Durpaire, Laurent Muller and Farid Boudjellal imagine what might happen if Marine Le Pen wins the presidential election.
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Virginie Martin, Kedge Business School
Older white voters have long made up the core of the FN’s support, but Marine Le Pen claims that its now the party of choice for twentysomethings. It’s a claim worth investigating.
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