» Listings for May 2019

1. Huge new conservation area in Bolivia’s Gran Chaco

   Posted on 9:00pm Thursday 23rd May 2019

   There’s a new protected area in Bolivia! It spans over 12,000 square kilometres – that’s 4,650 square miles.  And it includes well-conserved forests – it’s home to 300 species of birds and 100 species of jaguars, pumas and night monkeys.  It’s home too to the Ayoreo indigenous community which is voluntarily isolated.  “Ñembi Guasu” means “the great hideout” or “the great refuge.”  The creation of the protected area is expected to help to offset deforestation in Bolivia’s Gran Chaco region. The Ñembi Guasu Area of Conservation and Ecological Importance is the second-largest protected area in the Gran Chaco.   The jaguar, puma, the southern night monkey, the southern tamandua live here. The area is one of the few places in Bolivia where long-term plans can be made for jaguars and other large animals there. The territory is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, and at least 80 species of reptiles and amphibians.   The area is described as “a large area where animals can hide”. Some threats put the territory at risk – the extraction of oil is one.  The Bolivian government approved an order that allows the extraction of oil in natural areas.  Land invasions are another problem.  The forest is virgin forest – with lots of wildlife – and it needs protecting

    

2. Introducing the Pangolin Crisis Fund

   Posted on 9:00pm Friday 17th May 2019

   There’s a Pangolin Crisis Fund that’s managed by the Wildlife Conservation Network. Save Pangolins have technical oversight of it.   It’s governed by expert advisors in the field in conservation and philanthropy. The Pangolin Crisis Fund has one goal:  To eliminate the demand, trafficking and poaching criss that puts all 8 species of pangolins at risk of extinction. The fund will invest in projects that are in keeping with the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group’s strategies, such as: Reducing demand for pangolin scales and meat by targeted campaigns to consumers and building relationships with government policy makers Envorcement – strenthing those agencies protecting pangolins and their habitats – anti-oaching units, helping customs and protected area management Combating trafficking – reducing the illegal trade of pangolins at every level, with judicial reform and anti-trafficking tools.  Close alliances with law enforcement and policymakers with be needed Raising the profile of pangolins to start changing behavioiur and encourage conservation support Working with local communities living next to pangolin habitat so that they can see these animals as worth more alive than poached Find out more about Save Pangolins here Find out more about the Pangolin Crisis Fund here

    

3. Birdfair 2019 in UK to help the Big Five in Cambodia

   Posted on 8:00pm Friday 17th May 2019

   This August 2019, Birdfair takes place in Rutland in the UK. Every year, this huge event raises money for conservation – big money.  In 2018, it raised £322,000 to create a haven for Flamingos at Mar Chiquita in Argentina.  23,000 people went to the fair – you can see its size – and all helped contribute towards creating this haven for 3 species of flamingo and other bird species.  BirdLife International will work with Aves Argentinas, its partner in Argentina, to create the country’s newest national park there. In 2019, Birdfair takes place between 16 to 18 August. Proceeds from the tickets, exhibitor fees, sponsorship and events will all go towards this year’s project. The 2019 Birdfair project is for the Big Five in Cambodia. Western Siem Pang has 40% of the logbal population of White-shouldered Ibis, over 20% of the global population of Giant Ibis and 0% of the Cambodian population of vultures – actually up to 84 of the 121 left. The Indian Spotted Eagle, Green Peafowl, Sarus Crane, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant and Great Slaty Woodpecker, Eld’s Deer, Clouded Leopard and Sun Bears also live there. The location of the site is all the more important because of its location, connecting the Virachey National Park in Colombia to the Xe Pian National Protected Area in Laos. It creates a unique block of protected forests which means that some of the rarest large mammal and bird species in Asia can move freely. BirdLife International’s involvement in the area isn’t new.  It’s been there for 15 years helping to make sure it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2016. How will Birdfair 2019 help wildlife in Cambodia? The money raised from BirdFair 2019 will go to improving relationships with local people to protect the species living there.   Authorities there will be better able to tackle illegal activities and provide site management support to manage and protect the forest effectiveliy.  And the Ministry of Environment needs help, too:  to develop a zoning plan for the huge new site and ensure the rangers have the training and organization they need.   Rules need to be enforced. Introducing the Ibis Rise Initiative One of the things I find particularly exciting about the work being done and to be done is to expand the scope of an initiative called Ibis Rise.  It’s an enterprise working with Cambodian farmers to protect the ecosystem, whilst offering better of life and livelihoods. The aim is to expand wildlife-friendly rice farming to 200-300 families who agree to the “no hunting, no logging, no encroaching” rules in exchange for a premium price for their produce. Finally, BirdLife has been working to improve the reproductive success of the areas’ five Critically Endangered bird species by restoring wetlands and monitoring their populations.  If their breeding efforts can be supported, it is hoped they will be able to expand back into more of a natural range. There are 700,000 hectares, so this is a BIG project for wildlife! More information Find out more about BirdFair (dogs aren’t allowed, apart from Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs)

    

4. Join 500 people who want to help fight poaching.

   Posted on 7:00am Thursday 16th May 2019

   The African Wildlife Foundation has an opportunity to match all donations made by new donors by 31 May 2019. New donors can DOUBLE THEIR IMPACT Help the charity raise $100,000 by that date and your gift will be doubled. Give $10, and will become $20.  Give $25 and it will become $50.   Double your impact with your gift – you give what you can and want to give, and it will be doubled!  The funds raised will help save elephants, rhinos, lions and other species from wildlife traffickers. So how will your donation help?  What difference will it make? The African Wildlife Foundation says that: Sniffer dogs will track poachers to their hiding places Co-ordination among wildlife authorities will deter poachers Canine detection teams will bust smugglers with 90% accuracy Law enforcement and prosecutors willuse AWF training to build cases against wildlife criminals and impose just sentences New technologies, including drones, will incrase surveillance and a new cybersecurity initiative will help identify international trafficers and disrupt online sales The charity are looking for 500 new donors by 31 May 2019  UPDATE:  THEY GOT THEM :-) But you can still donate! The email I had this morning says that Candice Bergen will kindly double your gift of any amount.  But the charity is needing these donors if that’s to happen. They are on the way to achieving that goal – so if you can donate to charity, please take a look at the African Wildlife Foundation and join 500 others (or maybe more!) in making a difference to wildlife. I'm in - will you join in as well?   DONATE TODAY

    

5. Support the PTES's Garden Wildlife Appeal

   Posted on 9:00pm Monday 13th May 2019

   The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) says that the biggest challenge for wild animals today is finding safe places to live. Cities are expanding Farming is intensifying Green spaces are rapidly disappearing And so animals have fewer places to live.  However, gardens have an important top play in providing havens for wildlife – in giving them food and shelter.  The more wildlife friendly we can make our gardens, the better a chance wildlife will have. There’s plenty we can all do to help, such as making a feeding station for hedgehogs – we’ve put a hedgehog hotel in our garden.  You can build a small pond for amphibians, or create a log pile for insects.  Pretty much all the flowers in our garden are wildlife friendly and it gives us huge pleasure to watch the wildlife enjoying them.  It’s easy to do.   And the good news is that PTES have put a kit together to help you make your garden more wildlife friendly! All you need to do is to donate £5 and you can receive your special Wildlife Friendly Garden Kit, with everything you need to turn your garden into a wildlife haven. Kits include: garden wildlife guide on the importance of your garden to wildlife and the species you’re likely to see. garden wildlife planner of monthly wildlife friendly activities all year round. garden wildlife poster with 12 top tips to make your garden more wildlife-friendly. PTES supporter booklet introducing PTES and their vital conservation work. Donate now to the PTES Garden Wildlife Appeal