Good news stories from the past seven days
Native giraffes are once again roaming a national park in Angola, decades after they were driven to extinction in the country, most likely by its long-running civil war. Fourteen young giraffes were transported to Iona National Park from a game reserve in Namibia last week. Some Angolan giraffes, which are a subspecies of southern giraffes, have been reintroduced to farms and private reserves, but these are the first on public land. “It’s great seeing a species back where it should be,” said park manager Pedro Monterroso. “It’s a message of hope for conservation in this country.”
The invention saving the lives of Ukrainian babies
Back in 2014, a 22-year-old student at Loughborough University saw a film about the impact of the war in Syria, which inspired him to invent a foldable, battery powered incubator. At the time, James Roberts said his dream was that one day, the device would save a life. A decade on, 75 of the machines have been distributed to shelters and hospitals across Ukraine – where they have been credited with saving the lives of 1,500 babies. He is now raising funds to send over 100 more of the compact incubators, which are manufactured in Felixstowe.
Curbing carbon emissions with rental clothing
Japan Airlines has come up with a novel means of curbing its carbon emissions: rental clothing kits, to encourage travellers to fly with less luggage. Before flying, participants in the “Any Wear, Anywhere” scheme reserve a kit – which cost from £22 for two pairs of shorts and three T-shirts. The clothes are delivered to their hotel ahead of their arrival, and can be kept for a fortnight. They are then collected, and washed and ironed ready for the next visitor.
