The Nature Diary: Why do Butterflies matter more than we think?

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and and Steve Woodhall, Butterfly Enthusiast and Photographer, about the decline in insect populations, including butterflies, the impact this has on the ecosystem, the causes behind their disappearance, and efforts to protect and c…

The Nature Diary: Exploring the reproductive traits of sharks and rays

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Dr Francois Lampen, resident Veterinarian and Curator of the Animal Health Department at uShaka Sea World, about the fascinating reproductive biology of sharks. They explore the structure of shark sperm, how sperm is collected a…

The Nature Diary: Fireflies, beetles, creepy crawlies and everything in between

Gugs Mhlungu speaks with resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Renier Basson, entomologist and senior field officer with the EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust), about the fascinating world of insects, including Colophon beetles and other threatened species found across Southern Africa,…

The Nature Diary: Celebrating 100 years of WESSA

Jane Dutton, standing in for Gugs Mhlungu, speaks to resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary, as well as the CEO of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), Cindy-Lee Cloete, about the origin of WESSA. They unpack how wildlife hunters became protectors and the import…

The Nature Diary: Arbor Week – which tree should you plant and where?

Ray White, standing in for Gugs Mhlungu, speaks with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary about Arbour Week and the importance of encouraging more people to plant and care for trees. They discuss why trees are so important to our environment and communities, how to choose and plant the right…

The Nature Diary: Observing International Vulture Awareness Day

Gugs Mhlungu speaks with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Danielle du Toit, field officer at Endangered Wildlife Trust, about the launch of the Vulture Safe Zone Alliance (VSZA), the threats facing endangered vulture species, and how we can help protect these vital birds across Africa…

The Nature Diary: Not so solitary – research reveals new insights into Black Rhino’s social bonds

Gugs Mhlungu is in conversation with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Ursina Rusch, population manager for WWF's Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, about the fascinating social dynamics of black rhinos. They explore two decades of tracking data revealing that black rhinos form last…

The Nature Diary: Inside the secret lives of African snakes

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Marcel van Driel, a master herpetologist specialising in ophiology, and a snakebite expert, about his fascination with snakes, his snakebite training courses and books, and his latest book on African snakes. They unpack some of…

The Nature Diary: Marine Protected Areas Day

Gugs Mhlungu chats with resident CSI and conservationist Tim Neary and Dr Judy Mann-Lang, executive for strategic projects at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation and co-founder of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), about MPA Day and the importance of protecting our oceans. They explore the movement’s fo…

The Nature Diary: Women and their role in conservation work

Jane Dutton, standing in for Gugs Mhlungu, is in conversation with resident nature conservationist Tim Neary and  Yolan Friedmann, CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, discuss the importance of conservation work.  They also touch on the role that women have increasingly played in conservation eff…