https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/africa-1/RSS feed for AfricaenThu, 24 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-say-scorching-temperatures-brought-on-by-the-super-el-nino-could-kill-nearly-half-a-million-people-by-february-180989555/The predicted number, which includes deaths since June, likely represents an underestimate of total deaths. The heat could linger beyond February, and the climate swing could bring about other life-threatening conditions, including flooding, wildfire and infectious diseasesThu, 24 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-say-scorching-temperatures-brought-on-by-the-super-el-nino-could-kill-nearly-half-a-million-people-by-february-180989555/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cameras-capture-adult-chimpanzees-passing-tools-and-know-how-to-their-young-teaching-important-skills-to-the-next-generation-180989538/Researchers recorded footage of wild chimps in Senegal showing youngsters how to use sticks to fish out ants and how to smash baobab fruit against rocks to open it, among other instances of instructionTue, 22 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cameras-capture-adult-chimpanzees-passing-tools-and-know-how-to-their-young-teaching-important-skills-to-the-next-generation-180989538/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/three-wild-dogs-made-a-record-breaking-trek-across-zambia-traveling-more-than-2500-miles-in-search-of-mates-180989505/The canines achieved the longest recorded movement by any African mammal. Their journey highlights the importance of having protected corridors for wildlifeWed, 16 Sep 2026 15:47:25 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/three-wild-dogs-made-a-record-breaking-trek-across-zambia-traveling-more-than-2500-miles-in-search-of-mates-180989505/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/world-maps-might-soon-get-an-upgrade-the-united-nationas-votes-to-endorse-global-charts-that-better-represent-africas-true-size-180989495/The most widely used global map is almost 500 years old and was designed for navigation. But landmasses near the poles look larger than their actual relative sizes, and those near the equator look much smallerMon, 14 Sep 2026 19:15:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/world-maps-might-soon-get-an-upgrade-the-united-nationas-votes-to-endorse-global-charts-that-better-represent-africas-true-size-180989495/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-16-stunning-animal-images-from-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180989397/Now in its 62nd year, the famed competition has released a sneak peek of the entries from this contest ahead of announcing the winners in OctoberWed, 26 Aug 2026 18:28:04 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-16-stunning-animal-images-from-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180989397/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/africa-wild-dogs-most-hated-carnivores-continent-heres-why-conservationists-saving-them-anyway-180989287/Meet the team that closely monitors the playful canines, which need help to form diverse packs and stop their numbers from dwindlingTue, 25 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/africa-wild-dogs-most-hated-carnivores-continent-heres-why-conservationists-saving-them-anyway-180989287/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-dont-insects-live-in-the-ocean-scientists-just-ruled-out-one-possible-explanation-thanks-to-deep-diving-fly-larvae-180989348/Researchers thought that insects might not live there because their respiratory systems would implode from water pressure. But certain fly larvae in East Africa make daily trips toward the bottom of Lake Malawi with the help of strong air sacs that contain a stretchy proteinWed, 19 Aug 2026 20:52:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-dont-insects-live-in-the-ocean-scientists-just-ruled-out-one-possible-explanation-thanks-to-deep-diving-fly-larvae-180989348/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-coral-reefs-off-west-africa-were-long-presumed-dead-scientists-just-found-them-alive-and-teeming-with-life-180989350/Fish surveys in the 1960s detected what experts thought was a dead coral reef barrier off the country of Benin. Decades later, researchers set off in small fishing boats to investigate it using sonar mapping, underwater drone surveys and stationary video recordersTue, 18 Aug 2026 14:34:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-coral-reefs-off-west-africa-were-long-presumed-dead-scientists-just-found-them-alive-and-teeming-with-life-180989350/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/lions-lions-and-lions-oh-my-15-photos-of-the-most-majestic-big-cats-found-throughout-africa-180989333/Ranging from cubs to adults, this selection of shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcases the apex predator of the savannaFri, 14 Aug 2026 11:05:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/lions-lions-and-lions-oh-my-15-photos-of-the-most-majestic-big-cats-found-throughout-africa-180989333/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/big-waves-meet-biodiversity-why-surfing-paradises-could-offer-a-key-opportunity-for-marine-conservation-180989119/A recent mapping study examines places in northwestern Africa where coastal ecosystems overlap with surf breaks, highlighting areas that could support recreation, the environment and local economies, if protectedThu, 06 Aug 2026 19:32:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/big-waves-meet-biodiversity-why-surfing-paradises-could-offer-a-key-opportunity-for-marine-conservation-180989119/