Over four years and twelve stories for National Geographic Magazine’s legendary Animals unit, Jeffrey Barbee and Laurel Neme doggedly pursued the truth about oil and gas drilling in the Okavango Delta watershed. The two exposed how Canadian oil and gas company ReconAfrica broke numerous Namibian laws, endangered local water supplies, carved out illegal drill pads and bulldozed roads in conservation areas.
The two journalists worked tirelessly to amplify community members’ voices who are reliant on their natural heritage and healthy ecosystems for their existence, and explained to the world how these communities stood up bravely in the face of severe intimidation by a multi-billion dollar company. ReconAfrica’s threat to drill thousands of oil and gas wells across this unique and criticaly important landscape never materialiseed after the publication of this story series exposed it, and the company has lost 90% of it’s share value while only drilling six failed wells.
Canadian oil company illegally bulldozes protected land in Africa
Farms, water, and endangered wildlife are threatened as ReconAfrica expands its operations despite violations …
National Geographic: Oil company accused of drilling in African wildlife reserve, offering jobs for silence
Canada-based ReconAfrica appears to have flouted Namibian law, legal experts say …
National Geographic: Members of Congress urge investigation into Okavango oil exploration
National Geographic reporting spurs a bipartisan call for “a thorough and coordinated investigation” by federal agencies …
National Geographic: Oil exploration company in Okavango wilderness misled investors, complaint to SEC says
A whistleblower complaint to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission cites “egregious” violations by ReconAfrica and executives …
Oil company exploring in sensitive elephant habitat accused of ignoring community concerns
Namibians allege ReconAfrica disposed of wastewater unsafely, without permits, and ignored concerns about potential impact of oil drilling on water …
Test drilling for oil in Namibia’s Okavango region poses toxic risk
The petroleum exploration company ReconAfrica doesn’t appear to have taken what experts say is a key step to prevent contamination …
Test drilling for oil and gas begins in Namibia’s Okavango region
This month, ReconAfrica’s multimillion-dollar drilling rig pierced a riverbed in elephant habitat some 160 miles from the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta …
Oil Drilling, Possible Fracking Planned for Okavango Region—Elephants’ Last Stronghold
Hundreds of oil wells could come to cover a huge expanse in Namibia and Botswana, in what has been called …