A new species of owl has been discovered on the central African island of Príncipe. The endangered bird is said to be most easily identified by its particular sound, described by scientists as ‘a short “tuu” note’ similar to insect calls. The bird is now officially known as the Principe Scops-Owl, or Otus bikegila – a name chosen in honour of Ceciliano ‘Bikegila’ do Bom Jesus, a parrot harvester turned park ranger. Researchers said the discovery was only possible thanks to the local expertise he had shared.
A Mozambican journalist jailed while reporting on an armed insurgency has been released. Arlindo Chissale, editor of Pinnacle News, was detained in Balama in the resource-rich Cabo Delgado province in October. The regional prosecutor accused Chissale, who intends to run as an opposition candidate in the 2022 elections, of terrorism – which could have landed him in prison for 20 years. But a judge ordered his release on 4 November, saying he should answer to a lesser charge of working without accreditation.
