Linyanti Other Images

Whales, Wildlife & Wilderness Pam & Wayne Osborn

Botswana - Linyanti

Elephants Without Borders

Initiatives to improve elephant conservation recognise the need to allow them to roam freely across regions and national borders - a concept of transfrontier conservation areas which is now being progressed.

Linyanti elephants have previously moved regularly across borders from Botswana to Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This has not been without considerable hazard.

Apart from ongoing poaching, they have endured landmines in Angola, the Rhodesian bush war and hostilities in the Caprivi Strip during Namibia's battle for independence.

Water Crossings

This herd of around 300 elephants was on the move and made several water crossings.

Sunrise on the Linyanti River

African Wattled Lapwing

White-backed Vulture

This youngster was wet in the early morning and using the sun to dry its wings.

Slaty Egret

Listed as vulnerable, the slaty egret is dependent on adequate wetland areas for survival.

Dickinson's Kestel

Blue Waxbill

The Tightrope Walker

Bateluer (short tailed) eagles waggle their wings in flight. It was this characteristic of a tightrope walker balancing with a pole in hand that led to the name bateleur - French for acrobat or street performer. Bateluer eagles are listed as near threatened.

Juvenile Tawny Eagle

Emerald-spotted Wood Dove

Yellow-billed Stork

African Barred Owlet

Southern Ground Hornbill

Listed as vulnerable (and critically endangered) in South Africa. Breeding rates are slow and hornbills need large tree hollows to nest in. This bird was building its nest.