Wild

When it comes to primate species with fascinating idiosyncrasies, geladas do not disappoint. These highland monkeys, also known as gelada baboons and bleeding-heart baboons, are highly social, occupying herds that are several hundred or even 1,000 strong. Found only in Ethiopia, this iconic species is a big tourism draw for Simien Mountains National Park, along with other endemic but threatened wildlife like the Ethiopian wolf and the Walia ibex.

Within its modest acreage, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park packs five of the eight volcanoes that make up the majestic Virunga Mountains, a haven for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. Families of this great ape are scattered across the transboundary mountain range between Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda — but more than half are found in Volcanoes.

Wildlife enthusiasts generally know a lot about our closest cousins in the natural world, chimpanzees. But often they know less about a primate that is equally close and just as fascinating — the bonobo, “the forgotten ape."

Famous for its sizeable populations of elephants and large carnivores, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is also home to one of the most elusive predators on the continent: the endangered African wild dog. About 150 wild dogs—also known as “painted dogs” for their colorful, patchy coats—live in Hwange and its environs. As more people settle around Hwange, the African wild dog population faces increasing pressure in the form of habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict.

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Because we love our supporters, and we know our supporters love Africa's unique wildlife, we wanted to give you a special treat this Valentine's Day.

The animal world has been my passion since childhood. Conservation of nature, specifically the protection of species, has since become my career. For five years, I worked in the Lomako–Yokokala Faunal Reserve in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

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You may have seen that this past Sunday, Dec. 4, was International Cheetah Day—a day the conservation community has dedicated to celebrating the world’s fastest land mammal and to raising awareness about the threats it currently faces.

It’s hard not to be transported when you encounter a photo like the one above, of an elephant in the early morning haze.

If you’ve seen one gangly giraffe, you might think you’ve seen them all, with their lanky legs, patched coats and famously long necks. New evidence released this month, however, points to the contrary. Africa seems to have four different species of the world’s tallest land mammal.