3 -min. read We’ve covered the killing of elephants for their ivory and rhinos for their horn, but it seems there is a new animal under threat: the hippo, the unexpected victim of a most barbaric practice.
8 -min. read Much to the irritation of his opponents, outspoken palaeonthropologist-cum-conservationist-cum-politician Richard Leakey is not done yet. Ahead of his talk at the Conservation Lab, he spoke to Katie Palmer about climate change, ivory burning and the perspective-shifting power of TV.
4 -min. read Find out why – and how – camps and lodges in Botswana are barely leaving footprints behind them in the building and maintenance of their properties.
3 -min. read From the Zabbaleens collecting rubbish, to the creations of Egyptian art guru dina Amin, it’s time for the hospitality industry to meet – and learn from – the new upcycling experts who’re combatting throwaway culture by turning garbage into ‘gold’.
3 -min. read From the hand-breaking of individual stones to the recycling of waste water, find out how Bawah Island is going the extra eco-mile to breathe life into its surroundings.
8 -min. read From using basil grown in a Brooklyn parking lot to farm-to-table produce, there are plenty of ways to achieve the ‘fresh’ results that the progressive world demands of its food. James Davidson investigates how hotels can up their sustainable food game
– without scrimping on quality or flavour.
< 1 -min. read Watch what happened when two of the industry’s staunchest anti-hunters (and photographic safari owners) shared a stage with two proud trophy hunters for the very first time at Conservation Lab 2018 – a truly seminal moment for conservation.
< 1 -min. read Gabon boasts incredible wildlife, beautiful beaches and plentiful natural resources – so why isn’t it a tourist hotspot? In the wake of his keynote speech at Conservation Lab 2018, we spoke to Professor Lee White to hear his vision for West Africa’s ultimate hidden gem.
< 1 -min. read This year saw the incredible Black Mambas – Africa’s only all-female anti-poaching unit – make their very first appearance at the Conservation Lab. Watch our exclusive interview conducted by conservationist (and Black Mambas superfan!) Holly Budge.
4 -min. read Discover how ‘swiping right’ took on a whole new meaning when a conservation plea from the last male northern white rhino in existence hit Tinder newsfeeds.
8 -min. read We spoke to Dr Delphine King, director of The Long Run, an international community of nature-based tourism businesses. She tells us how sustainability is integral to the future of tourism, and what steps travel businesses need to take to start making a noticeable difference.
6 -min. read Plastic: it’s by far the most concerning threat to the environment – one that’s not gone unnoticed by influencers and the industry’s most forward-thinking hoteliers. Get inspired by the visionaries who are taking action to right the world’s previous wrongs and build a more sustainable future.
3 -min. read This year’s Conservation Lab was the biggest yet. Whether you couldn’t be there, or just want to reflect on an inspiring few days, here are our top takeaways from across the weekend…
2 -min. read In a bid to break the impasse around the role of trophy hunting in Africa, Colin Bell, Ian Michler, Paul Stones and Stuart Dorrington will lead a two-sided debate at the 2018 Conservation Lab. Their aim? To collaborate on a document that will aid conservation efforts continent wide.
7 -min. read Katie Palmer caught up with the Chief of Sales at Wilderness, Dave Bennett, to talk business strategy, and to find out how their workforce, properties and financial make-up are living embodiments of their brand’s ethos.
3 -min. read To prepare you for the third edition of Conservation Lab, here is our go-to guide to getting the most out of the roof-raising discussions about to take the conservation world by storm.
7 -min. read We caught up with andBeyond and Great Plains Conservation, along with their CEOs, Joss Kent and Dereck Joubert, to find out more about how they’re working together to save the rhinos with their joint initiative, Rhinos Without Borders.
6 -min. read Dereck and Beverly Joubert are undoubtedly ‘children of Africa’. The husband and wife duo use films to change attitudes on a scale they cannot do through tourism alone.
3 -min. read With just weeks to go until the third edition of Conservation Lab, get in the sustainable spirit with our sneak peek of five things not to miss, from groundbreaking debates to screenings and keynotes.
2 -min. read Serge Dive, founder of Beyond Luxury Media and Conservation Lab, shares his vision for this year’s edition, including what to expect; what will be explored; and the special relationship between travel and conservation.
4 -min. read Anton Crone explains why volunteers wanting to change the world should start by changing they way they travel.
4 -min. read Who knew used toilet paper could be transformed into decorative bowls? Dutch designer Nienke Hoovliet sets an inspirational example for us all by finding beauty in the contents of your dustbin.
4 -min. read The more we understand, respect and support people living closer to the wild, the better we’ll be able to conserve our environment together, argues Anton Crone.
4 -min. read Meat production is responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than the world’s cars, trains and planes put together. Make it your New Year resolution to contribute to the solution.
4 -min. read Ditch Beyoncé and make like David Attenborough: that’s Anton Crone’s advice for helping to avoid the sixth mass extinction in the history of our planet.
7 -min. read Social enterprises are emerging as a potent force for change. #CookForSyria founder Serena Guen reflects on her realisation that no business or individual is too small to make an impact – and what this means for the travel industry.
4 -min. read The call to ban photographic entries using bait begs the question: what is baiting wildlife photographers? Is it the reward of capturing an incredible image, or of immersing oneself in the wild?
5 -min. read The best luxury hotels have a sustainable ethos at the heart of their design, proving that putting the environment first doesn’t mean scrimping on style.
7 -min. read Exclusive island resorts have evolved from sun-drenched dens of the rich and famous to philanthropic vehicles that support local communities and protect and preserve the surrounding environment.
2 -min. read As part of the our ongoing commitment to furthering conservation efforts across the continent and beyond, we’ll be hosting community leaders Dickson Kaelo and Daniel Sopia at the 2018 Conservation Lab.