Chris Infotainment

A Lifeline for Cheetahs: The Frozen Zoo of Namibia For over three decades, American zoologist Laurie Marker has been working tirelessly to preserve the genetic legacy of one of the world’s most iconic big cats—cheetahs. Her efforts have led to the creation of a unique sperm bank in Namibia, which she refers to as a “frozen zoo.” This collection of cheetah sperm is not meant for immediate use but rather as a last resort in the event that the species faces extinction. Marker, who founded the Cheetah Conservation Fund in the southern African nation, has been building this frozen repository since 1990. She emphasizes that the purpose of the sperm bank is to serve as a safeguard for cheetahs in a worst-case scenario. With wild cheetah populations having declined dramatically over the past 50 years, the need for such a resource has become increasingly urgent. The Crisis Facing Cheetahs Today, fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remain in the wild—numbers similar to those of the critically endange...

A New Era of Agriculture on the Chars As floodwaters gradually receded across northern Bangladesh, the newly deposited silt has transformed the sandy river islands of the Teesta, Dharla, Saniyazan, and Brahmaputra—locally known as chars—into highly fertile land. This change has sparked a significant increase in agricultural activities, with farmers working tirelessly to cultivate the land. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, there are nearly 786 char areas within the northern rivers, and communities residing there have started to rebuild their livelihoods after the recent floods. Agriculturist Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the Rangpur agricultural region, stated that this year's cultivation target for the chars has been set at 36,911 hectares, with an expected output of 362,000 tonnes of various crops. "Char residents are likely to recover through this year's harvest. A single crop can sustain many families for an entire year," he explain...

The Crisis of Underreporting in Nigeria's Fertility Sector Nigeria is facing a significant challenge in the growth of its fertility sector, primarily due to the underreporting of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. This issue is not only hindering the development of the industry but also deterring foreign investment. According to the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH), the country recorded less than 5,000 IVF cycles last year, with only 13 out of over 200 registered clinics submitting reports. In contrast, Egypt reported more than 50,000 IVF cycles annually. Professor Preye O. Fiebai, the president of AFRH, highlighted the alarming disparity during the opening of the 15th Annual International Conference in Lagos. He pointed out that Nigeria’s population is more than five times that of Egypt, yet the gap in reporting remains concerning. "Investors follow the numbers," he said. "Without accurate data, companies will hesitate to bring in equipme...