Latest news with #Mopane
IOL News
2 days ago
- General
- IOL News
A life behind bars: The silent suffering of South Africa's zoo animals
From Charlie to Opal - South Africa's shameful legacy of caged zoo animals continues as Johannesburg Zoo refuses to release 3 elephants to a sanctuary. Image: Instagram Imagine spending your entire life confined behind bars, with strangers staring at you day after day. No freedom to roam, no family bonds, no natural surroundings - just concrete enclosures and a life of monotony. This is the silent suffering endured by many wild animals in South African zoos, being caged for our entertainment. It's time to ask: at what cost do we keep animals behind glass and bars for our fleeting amusement? For many years, the ethical debate has raged over the captivity of wild animals in zoos, much like the criticism of using animals in circuses. Any compassionate person must question why, despite decades of public outcry and mounting evidence of animal suffering, zoo officials continue to ignore the pleas of animal welfare organisations and concerned citizens. Once again, the plight of three elephants held in captivity at the Johannesburg Zoo has resurfaced, now with the added weight of legal support from Harvard Law School scholars advocating for their release. A legal application is currently before the High Court in Pretoria against the Johannesburg Zoo, which is owned by the City of Johannesburg and managed by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. The elephants - Lammie, Mopane, and Ramadiba are confined in conditions that experts argue cause severe mental, emotional, and physical distress. Renowned elephant specialists insist that any urban zoo, no matter how well-resourced, fails to meet the complex needs of these intelligent and deeply social creatures. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Concerns have also been raised about the qualifications of those charged with their care. According to the Conservation Action Trust, those responsible include an animal reiki healer, a handler with self-proclaimed "minimum training", and an enrichment officer trained by a pet association. Offers of assistance from international elephant experts have reportedly been ignored by the zoo, which has previously come under fire for its lack of experience in proper elephant management. The Johannesburg Zoo has defended itself, claiming that the elephants receive appropriate care and attention. But scrutiny has intensified as Conservation Action Trust reported that the zoo spent R1.5 million to acquire Mopane and Ramadiba from Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve - far more than the usual R150,000 per elephant and that these elephants were initially captured from the wild and subjected to a captive management programme, making their current moated enclosure wholly unsuitable. Charlie's story The issue has also gained traction in the wake of Charlie's story - the last elephant at Pretoria's National Zoological Gardens, who was recently relocated to a sanctuary. Charlie endured a lifetime of hardship. Captured in Hwange, Zimbabwe, 44 years ago, he was trained for the Boswell Wilkie Circus before being moved to various parks and eventually to the Pretoria Zoo in 2001. There, he languished alone, having witnessed three companions die prematurely and losing his infant daughter. His release to a sanctuary in 2024 came after years of campaigning. The EMS Foundation has proposed a similar solution for Lammie, Mopane, and Ramadiba: relocation to the Shambala Game Reserve in the Waterberg. This sanctuary offers secure, spacious surroundings where the elephants can undergo a gradual reintegration into a natural habitat, overseen by experienced veterinarians and animal welfare professionals. Opal the orangutan Then there is the heartbreaking case of Opal the orangutan, held at the Natal Zoological Gardens outside Pietermaritzburg. The late Brian Boswell insisted Opal "did not suffer" and refused to rehome her to a sanctuary. Image: Kloof And Highway SPCA At 45 years old, Opal, one of the most intelligent primates, spends her life alone on a barren patch of grass with only a crude "jungle gym" made of poles. Her only company: curious humans staring at her in silence. Once, she had a mate and a baby boy, but her son died of tuberculosis. Now, her only response to this constant public display and emotional deprivation is to fling her faeces at the gawkers. Despite public concern, the late Brian Boswell - of the notorious Boswell Wilkie Circus - insisted Opal "did not suffer" and refused to rehome her to a sanctuary that would have offered a significantly improved quality of life.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas Ltd. Announces Exploration Right & 75% Interest in Block 1
Eco Atlantic Secures Exploration Right and Transfer of 75% Interest in Block 1 - South Africa's Orange Basin TORONTO, ON / / June 4, 2025 / Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (AIM:ECO)(TSXV:EOG), a leading independent oil and gas exploration company focused on the Atlantic Margin, is pleased to announce that, further to the Farm-In Agreement announced on 5 June 2024, formal approval has been received from the South Africa Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources for both the Exploration Right and Section 11 transfer. Accordingly, Eco has now secured a 75% Working Interest and full Operatorship of Block 1 offshore South Africa - one of the most strategically positioned assets in the highly prospective Orange Basin. The Section 11 approval was the final condition precedent to establishing full legal transfer of Eco's working interest in Block 1 from Tosaco Energy (Proprietary) Limited ("Tosaco"), and the associated milestone payment has been made by Eco. This acquisition, completed through Eco's wholly owned subsidiary Azinam South Africa Limited ("Azinam"), significantly expands the Company's Southern African Orange Basin footprint and positions it as a key Operator at the forefront of one of the world's most active and hydrocarbon-rich basins. The remaining 25% interest is held by Tosaco. Block 1, which spans a vast 19,929km², straddles the border between South Africa and Namibia - directly adjacent to recent world-class discoveries by Galp Energia (Mopane), Shell (Graff, La Rona), TotalEnergies (Venus), Rhino Resources (Capricornus-1X), and the legacy Kudu Gas Field. The block offers full margin transect coverage from the shoreline to deepwater (shore to 263km offshore, in water depths up to 1,000m), encompassing both shallow and deepwater exploration potential. As previously announced, Eco has already acquired and is analyzing an extensive and high-quality dataset, including both 2D and 3D seismic surveys and regional well logs. The block includes the historic Soekor AF-1 gas discovery, which tested at 32.4 MMscfd, and Soekor AE-1, which encountered oil and gas shows which provides clear evidence of an active petroleum system. The Company anticipates launching a formal farm-out process in respect of its interest in Block 1 in August 2025, with respect to which further updates will be provided in due course. Block Summary: Area: 19,929km² offshore South Africa Location: Strategically positioned on the South Africa-Namibia maritime border Extent: From shoreline to ~263km offshore, covering the full margin transect Geological Scope: Broad spectrum of shallow and deepwater oil and gas prospects Water Depths: Shallow shelf to deepwater environments up to 1,000 meters Proven Petroleum System: Adjacent and geologically analogous to multiple recent discoveries: Galp Energia - Mopane, Shell - Graff and La Rona, TotalEnergies - Venus, Rhino Resources - Capricornus-1X (light oil), Historic Soekor Discoveries - AF-1 (32.4 MMscfd gas test) and AE-1 (oil and gas shows), Kudu Gas Field Eco Atlantic remains committed to disciplined, value-driven exploration. With a strong technical foundation, entrepreneurial execution, and an unwavering focus on high-impact opportunities, it continues to position itself as a trusted partner in unlocking frontier basins and delivering long-term shareholder value. The Company has established itself well in Namibia with four Blocks currently being reviewed by international players to farm-in and has a near term drilling opportunity in Guyana that it is currently negotiating with partners to participate in the block. Gil Holzman, Co-Founder and CEO of Eco Atlantic, commented: "As the Orange Basin continues to demonstrate its world-class hydrocarbon proof and potential, Eco's executive team has worked relentlessly over the past 18 months to secure a premier asset on the South African side of the basin. With the successful approval and execution of the Exploration Right and 75% Working Interest award, we are proud to have secured one of the largest and prospective blocks in the entire basin with a known hydrocarbon footprint - Block 1 - located directly on the South Africa-Namibia maritime border. Block 1 adds to our portfolio in the Orange basin which also includes Block 3B/4B operated by TotalEnergies. "We are grateful for the productive collaboration with the Government of South Africa and its key agencies, particularly our valued partners at the Petroleum Agency South Africa ("PASA"). I was honoured to attend the signing ceremony yesterday at PASA's offices in Cape Town. This milestone reflects the dedication and strategic focus of our leadership team in securing an asset with existing hydrocarbon evidence and significant upside potential and aligning with our strategy to partner directly with governments to secure agreements in high potential secure jurisdictions and to lay groundwork for future partnerships. "Our technical team has already begun analysing the extensive, high-quality 2D and 3D seismic, and well logs data, which materially accelerates our path to drilling while reducing early-stage exploration costs and timelines. The block's prior discoveries, including tested gas flows and oil shows, confirm the presence of an active petroleum system. "Initial interpretation is underway, and we are in the process of delineating early leads to develop the exploration strategy. We are already seeing significant inbound interests from international oil companies and mid-tier partners. As a result, we anticipate launching a formal farm-out process in August with further updates to follow in due course." ENDS For more information, please visit or contact the following. Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas c/o Celicourt +44 (0) 20 8434 2754 Gil Holzman, Chief Executive OfficerColin Kinley, Chief Operating OfficerAlice Carroll, Head of Corporate Sustainability Strand Hanson (Financial & Nominated Adviser) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 James HarrisJames Bellman Berenberg (Broker) +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Matthew ArmittCiaran WalshDetlir Elezi Celicourt (PR) +44 (0) 20 7770 6424 Mark AntelmeJimmy LeaCharles Denley-Myerson About Eco Atlantic: Eco Atlantic is a TSX-V and AIM-quoted Atlantic Margin-focused oil and gas exploration company with offshore license interests in Guyana, Namibia, and South Africa. Eco aims to deliver material value for its stakeholders through its role in the energy transition to explore for low carbon intensity oil and gas in stable emerging markets close to infrastructure. Offshore Guyana, in the proven Guyana-Suriname Basin, the Company operates a 100% Working Interest in the 1,354 km2 Orinduik Block. In Namibia, the Company holds Operatorship and an 85% Working Interest in four offshore Petroleum Licences: PELs: 97, 98, 99, and 100, representing a combined area of 28,593 km2 in the Walvis Basin. Offshore South Africa, Eco holds a 5.25% Working Interest in Block 3B/4B and a 75% Operated Interest in Block 1, in the Orange Basin, totalling approximately 37,510km2. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this document contains forward-looking information and statements including, without limitation, management's business strategy, and management's assessment of future plans and operations. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future, including successful negotiation of farm-in agreement, results of exploration as proposed or at all. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", "potential" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding future performance and outlook. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties identified under the headings "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated July 29, 2024 and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law. The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ or visit SOURCE: Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Zawya
01-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) Partners with Welligence to Empower United States (U.S.) Investors in Africa's Energy Landscape
The U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Welligence, a leading provider of energy research and advisory services, to connect U.S. investors with Africa's most promising energy opportunities. As a trusted advisor with deep expertise in African energy markets, Welligence brings its extensive knowledge of the continent's oil, gas and LNG sectors to support U.S. companies in navigating Africa's evolving energy landscape. The partnership reinforces USAEF's mission to facilitate high-value engagements between American stakeholders and African energy leaders, while also cementing its position as a data-driven event. Welligence has a strong presence in Africa, providing critical insights and data on oil and gas reserves and infrastructure developments across key African markets. Their research and advisory work have supported numerous energy projects, helping investors assess risk, identify opportunities and optimize investment strategies. With a focus on providing accurate and actionable intelligence, Welligence's partnership with USAEF will ensure U.S. investors have the information and connections they need to make informed decisions about Africa's dynamic energy sector. Data-driven exploration has become a central element in Africa's energy transformation. By using advanced seismic data, exploration techniques and predictive modeling, Africa's leading exploration markets are enhancing their ability to identify untapped reserves and yield new discoveries. In 2025, Angola is launching a limited public tender featuring 10 offshore blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela basins, with the National Agency for Oil, Gas&Biofuels committed to strengthening sub-surface data across both mature and frontier fields through additional 2D and 3D seismic data. Serving as Africa's largest crude oil producer, Libya recently launched its 2025 bid round covering 22 on- and offshore concessions across the Murzuq and Ghadames basins. The Republic of Congo is similarly expanding its licensing opportunities with promising exploration areas in its coastal basin. These licensing rounds and more will be a core feature of USAEF, which will showcase the latest data-driven exploration developments and foster strategic partnerships in Africa's growing energy sector. In its 2024 exploration roundup, Welligence highlighted several key upstream developments in sub-Saharan Africa, including Namibia's Mopane discovery, the largest of the year, which requires further appraisal drilling to refine its liquid-to-gas split. Other notable discoveries include the Calao discovery in Ivory Coast – estimated at around 500 million barrels of oil equivalent – and Enigma and Mangetti in Namibia, both of which are under 500 million barrels and require further appraisal drilling. According to Welligence, additional developments to watch include TotalEnergies' Niamou Marine-1 exploration well offshore Congo, ExxonMobil's Arcturus wildcat in the deepwater Namibe Basin in Angola, and Apus Energy's Atum prospect in deepwater Guinea-Bissau. USAEF serves as the leading platform for driving U.S.-Africa energy investment, connecting American investors with high-growth opportunities across the continent. Through this collaboration, USAEF and Welligence will provide unparalleled access to critical energy projects, from oil and gas exploration to large-scale renewable initiatives. As global energy strategies evolve, Welligence's expertise will be key in guiding U.S. companies toward impactful, profitable projects within Africa's dynamic energy landscape. 'Welligence's extensive knowledge of Africa's energy markets and its role in providing strategic insights aligns perfectly with USAEF's goal to bridge the gap between U.S. investors and Africa's growing energy opportunities,' said James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital&Power. 'This partnership ensures that American stakeholders are well-positioned to tap into Africa's energy potential and contribute to the continent's ongoing energy transformation.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power. The U.S. Africa forum, taking place in Houston on 6-7 August, will gather investors, government representatives and project developers to facilitate dialogue, exchange of information and closer contacts. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact sales@ Join us in Houston this August to connect with the leaders shaping Africa's energy landscape and experience the momentum that drives ECP's events worldwide.
