Destination: Wildlife

18/07/2025

Minnesota is a Winter Wonderland! Watch, learn about, and photograph wintering raptors & songbirds! https://zurl.co/WLaxb

Last year, Snowy Owls joined Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls, Sharp-tailed and Ruffed Grouse, Snow Buntings, colorful Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, Black-backed and American Three-toed Woodpeckers.

And boreal forest residents like Spruce Grouse, American goshawk, Canada (Gray) Jay, and boreal chickadee; nomadic winter visitors such as Glaucous, Iceland, and Great Black-backed Gulls; Northern Shrike, Bohemian Waxwing, Red Crossbill and White-winged Crossbill, Townsend’s Solitaire, and more.

11/07/2025

𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 are adapted to survive the extreme cold with smaller, more rounded ears than their gray wolf cousins. Their legs are a little shorter, too, and their bodies are stockier. Arctic wolves have a thick, double-layered coat with the outside hair being coarse and water resistant, the inside fur is dense and soft for super insulation against temperatures that average -38F / - 39C in the winter but can dip below -70F/ -57C

Read Destination: Wildlife's 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 for more about Marianne Barnett's thrilling adventure

10/07/2025

The 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙁𝙤𝙭 has a unique adaptation to help it survive average the winter temperatures on Ellesmere Island that plunge down to -38F / -38. It has thick fat surrounding its organs that builds up in the autumn and decreases in the spring. That fat, plus their thick winter coat, protects them. During blizzard conditions, the fox will curl up tightly with its head and extremities, and of course, the color helps them hide from Arctic wolves!

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙩 In the southernmost regions of the Arctic Fox range, climate change’s warming effects are bringing the larger, more aggressive Red Fox into Arctic Fox territory. Arctic Fox is losing the competition for space and food. This little guy is scavenging an old Musk Ox skull. Perhaps there is a morsel left for him.

Our good friend, Marianne Barnett, visited Island recently and captured this image.
Read her story in Destination: Wildlife: 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙

09/07/2025

𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙚 is the largest in North America and lives in the harsh, cold conditions of the Canadian Arctic and some of the islands off Greenland. Arctic Hare is grayish-brown in the “warm” months, but turns stark white with perky black ear tips in the winter, helping it blend into the snow, which is necessary since it is a favorite prey of Arctic wolves.

𝙁𝙪𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙩: The Arctic hare can hop on its hind legs like a kangaroo, gaining speeds of up to 30 mph!

Our good friend, Marianne Barnett, visited Island recently and captured this image.
Read her story in Destination: Wildlife: 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙

08/07/2025

𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 are adapted to life high above the Arctic Circle. where the average February temperature hovers around -38C / -38F. Thanks to the remote and harsh conditions of their range, they have had little contact with humans, and so these apex predators have little fear.
Our good friend, Marianne Barnett, visited Ellesmere Island recently and captured this image.

Read her story on Destination: Wildlife: 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙

05/07/2025

𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠 You’ve got to be tough to survive winter in Yellowstone! Not every bison makes it through, but the ones that don’t, the old or sick, provide food for the wolves, coyotes, foxes, eagles, and ravens in a circle of life playing out for millions of years. Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is a wonderful time to witness the wild at its best.

Image by Penny Tallman, one of our intrepid guests on the 2023 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!Join us in 2026. DM for more information

05/07/2025

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 Weekend! Let’s celebrate America by highlighting one of our National Parks and our wild neighbors living in them. 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 had lived successfully in the Yellowstone area ever since time began. Then, in the late 1800s, these fascinating animals were labeled “vermin,” and the killing began. By 1926, the last wolf in the Yellowstone area was dead. For 70 years, the wolf and its iconic howl were missing from wild Yellowstone. And other wildlife suffered. Sick animals languished, elk and bison overgrazed grasslands, degraded habitat caused songbirds to disappear, and coyote populations exploded, ravaging small mammal populations, which made raptors move on. In 1995, 31 wolves were reintroduced, and the resulting boost to the Yellowstone ecosystem’s health has been remarkable! Hurray for wolves!

See the wolves ( and other wildlife for yourself) on our 2026 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚 in February. Contact me for more information! The trip directly benefits
https://zurl.co/Lmx71

26/06/2025

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

24/06/2025

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.

23/06/2025

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

21/06/2025

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.

18/06/2025

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!