It’s an unfortunate fact: people living near Important Biodiversity Areas are often very poor and depend solely on the exploitation of natural resources for their livelihoods. Now, a project is working to buck this trend, empowering communities to improve their lot by using resources sustainably.

Sounds too good to be true? A project is stopping deforestation and community exploitation in Sierra Leone through the power of cocoa.

In honour of World Migratory Bird Day, school children from across the African-Eurasian flyway perform songs that pay homage to the birds that pass through their country. Every song is different, but their message is the same: we must all join together to protect our migratory birds.

The appearance of a hippopotamus at an African bird hotspot was funny and perilous in equal measure – but highlights the underlying problem of human encroachment driving these massive mammals out of their usual home