By Dr Sarah Venter

Sylvatica BioProtect tested on baobab trees in Mapungubwe National Park

Elephant activity is causing substantial baobab mortality in Mapungubwe National Park. Between 2022 and 2026, elephants killed more than 50 baobabs, representing an estimated 10% of the park’s baobab population. In 2022 the Baobab Foundation did a study found that wrapping baobab trunks in wire mesh was an effective method of protecting the trees from elephant damage. However, because of [...] Continue Reading
By Nina Geraghty

Mapping baobabs from space

The Baobab Foundation is committed to supporting the next generation of baobab researchers. One of those students is Chafika Phiri from the University of Exeter, who is exploring an exciting question: can satellite images and machine learning—often called AI—help us map baobab trees across vast landscapes? The challenge is greater than it may seem. Tree size matters, because small baobabs [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Mmadinotshi, the biggest baobab in the world

Mmadinotshi is the biggest measured baobab in the world. The Mmadinotshi baobab is situated in the northeastern part of Botswana in the protected area of the Okavango Delta. On the 23rd of July 2026 it size measurments were taken by Dr Sarah Venter and Jacobus Brummer with the help of four setswana trackers, Orateng Matamo (Dennis), Kenneth Mate, Fraye Karunga, [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

The involvement of community members significantly increases the success of tree planting projects

Last year an honours student, Glender Kwilimba, form the University of Venda did an evaluation on how well the Baobab Guardians project did.  The project was started in 2024 and ran for 10 years to 2024. This study assessed the health, growth and survival of planted baobabs which were cared for by community members called “Baobab Guardians” and compared their [...] Continue Reading
By Sarah Venter

Annual baobab fruit count shows an increase in fruit production

This season’s exceptional rainfall appears to have been good for baobab fruit production.  Our April 2026 fruit count showed a 30% increase in fruit production since last year. There are also many more medium and large sized fruit compared to 2025. Image caption here
By Sarah Venter

Baobabs in Oman and the Mango-stem borer (Batocera rufomaculata)

In 2021, an adult tree in Wadi Hinna, a semi-arid valley in the country’s Dhofar Mountains, collapsed and died.  In May 2024 Mr Ali Akaak in Oman sent an urgent message to Dr Venter asking her to visit and see the destruction.  One year later, in May 2025, she flew to Oman to see what it was all about.   [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

The secret life of baobabs: how bats and moths keep Africa’s giant trees alive

After 5 years of research and travelling to many African countries I and my collegues have stared to untangle the mystery of how baobab flowers are pollinated. A research article published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society was recently summarised and posted in The Conversation. Please read all about it here. My research is supported by Milbon Pty [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Bats and moths have shaped baobab flowers across Africa

The baobab tree is found widely distributed across the African continent.  It has provided food to people for thousands of years, have become an integral part of many local economies where baobab fruit and derivatives are sold in local and global markets.  As a result tens of thousands of people in Africa depend on the income they get from baobab [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Glender Kwilimba does honors project on baobab planting program

Glender Kwilimba is an honors student at the University of Venda.  Her honors project is to assess the success of the Baobab Guardians project.  The Baobab Foundation has sponsored her field work which she conducted in May 2025.  Dr Sarah Venter will be co-supervising her project with Prof. Swanepoel from the University of Venda.  Glender interviewed 57 Baobab Guardians and [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Climate change and baobabs: what’s the real story?

As global temperatures continue to rise millions of life-forms around the globe are under threat. Plants and animals differ in their ability to cope with variable climate conditions with many being sensitive to the slightest change and thus may be the first to die.  In contrast, baobabs are well adapted to changes in temperature and rainfall as can be seen [...] Continue Reading