Not just species but technologies can be invasive too

December 07, 2025

Dear subscriber,

Humans already know about the downsides of having technology in their lives at every step (are you reading this on a mobile?). The natural world is no stranger to a similar dynamic. This week we look at ‘gentle technology’ that minimises environmental impact on wildlife.

Treezer Michelle Atieno - Editor

A new study by Oxford University and Kenyan NGO Save the Elephants shows drones can watch elephants without causing stress to the large mammals. The species is very sensitive to the airborne noise including bees. But apparently they can get used to careful drone flights and let scientists study their social life if done right.

  • Non-invasive drone monitoring has broad potential in conservation where it is adapted and deployed for observation of  vulnerable species like rhinos and lions.

  • Non-invasive technology is the alternative to noisy tools, bright lights, and engine-powered technology that causes disturbance.

  • Our take: The question of how to balance human research needs with animal welfare is age-old…Read more (2 min)

The conservation sector secured over $7.9 billion in November, primarily at the COP30 summit. A total of $5.5 billion was pledged to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), $1.8 billion to the Forest and Land Tenure pledge (FLTP) and $55 million for a project in Somalia. The first two are among the biggest global long-term forest protection funds.

  • TFFF, proposed at the UNGA 2025 and legally launched at the COP30, rewards forest stewardship directly by making annual payments to countries based on how well they preserve their forests.

  • The $1.8 billion from FLTP will strengthen Indigenous and community forest tenure, with a commitment to legally recognise 160 million hectares of community land by 2030 and the $55 million is for marine conservation in Somalia.

  • Our take: For Africa, the stakes are high. The global forest funds could channel long-term finance to African countries for keeping forests intact…Read more (2 min)

Policy harmonisation has become key to advancing transboundary conservation in Africa. West Africa has launched the first ever regional strategy for the conservation of pangolins. The strategy, published by IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Pangolin Specialist Group, sets out a 30-year roadmap to guide conservation action across the region.

  • The strategy, titled the West Africa Regional Pangolin Conservation Action Plan (2026–2056) follows an earlier launch of the SADC Vulture Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035) in September 2025.

  • A recent report by IUCN on large scale transboundary conservation warns that fragmented policies will not counter biodiversity loss and Africa seems to be closing that loophole.

  • Our take: The continent saves more and earns more when ecosystems and economies are managed beyond lines on a map…Read more (2 min)

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(Source: IFAW)

More than 100 rhinos are fitted with ear tags and digital transmitters in Tsavo National Park to track their movements

Events

🗓️ Be at the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly in Kenya (Dec 8)

🗓️ Join the Conference on Marine Conservation in Kenya (Dec 12)

🗓️ Attend the Conference on Biodiversity Conservation in Kenya (Dec 16)

Jobs

👷 Be the Design Officer at Africa Wildlife Foundation (Kenya)

👷 Join the WCS as a Community Conservation Coordinator (Rwanda)

👷 Become an Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator at GLF (Kenya)

Various 

🌳 Conservationists unite to save the secretarybird

🌳 Somalia launches marine conservation project

🌳 Institution installs camera traps to protect penguins

Seen on LinkedIn 

Humphrey Kariuki, a Conservation Expert, says, “Africa faces a conservation financing gap of more than $1 billion each year, even as it holds some of the world’s most valuable natural capital. This shortfall limits our ability to protect ecosystems that sustain food security, water resources, and climate resilience.”_________________