"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
This week sees World Ranger Day (31 July) to acknowledge the incredible bravery of the rangers and wildlife guardians around the world and the ultimate sacrifice many of them make to protect wildlife.
And there's news from Iran.
Some 300 rangers will soon join the forces defending the environment across the country.
The Tehran Times reports about 300 rangers will soon join the forces defending the environment in Iran.
Although 800 people have passed the preliminary tests to defend Iran’s protected areas, only 300 people will be chosen for the tasks in hand.
The tests sound rigorous. Potential rangers face fitness, medical and psychological tests and assessments relating to emergency and defending operations.
They will need to be able to cope with different weather conditions, to live in different places and in difficult conditions. They will also need to be able to act appropriately in difficult situations.
Rangers protect and preserve protected lands. However, they face death and injuries in doing so. They may get into fights with poachers and get injured or worse, killed; or charged with involuntary manslaughter. Since 1979, over 120 rangers have been killed while protecting the environment.
World Ranger Day gives us all the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the incredible work Rangers do around the world, both men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting the planet’s wildlife and wild places.
African Parks celebrate their Rangers too. They have a team of 1,000 Rangers and it’s growing. As they say, their Rangers are “boots on the ground”
African Parks has 15 parks under its management. That means that 10.5 million hectares are being secured, thanks to the 100,000 plus patrols the Rangers carry out every year. They defend the most remote, wildest and often conflict ridden areas on the continent. Thanks to the Rangers, African Parks can ensure that protected areas have the ecosystem services and opportunities locals deserve. For Rangers help bring jobs, provide education, healthcare and stability.
Examples of Achievements of the African Parks Rangers:
Rangers have decreased elephant poaching by 98% in Garamba in the DRC. Thanks to the better security, there’s a sustainable development plan which will help bring clean water, electricity and education to over 100,000 people around the park.
In Zakouma, Chad, they have practically eliminated poaching and elephant numbers are going up for the first time in decades. And they are working with local communities and reducing illegal activity in the area.
In Chinko in the Central African Republic, they have provided safe harbour people fleeing conflict. 32 of them have been employed to help cattle herders observe the park’s boundary.
Rangers are undertaking very dangerous work, nonetheless, and they need your support. They need continual training, equipment and gear to meet the threat of poaching.
On ITV tonight (that’s Tuesday 30 July 2019) at 9pm UK time, ITV are showing Counting Tigers: A Survival Special and it should make very interesting viewing.
Tiger Numbers fell drastically
There are now just about 4,000 tigers left in the wild around the world and about 60% of those live in India. Estimates suggest that the tiger population has gone down 95% in the last century alone.
India Tiger Survey now takes place every 4 years
India has just undertaken its next tiger survey to count these magnificent animals in the country’s borders. If the tiger numbers go up, there’s hope for the species. If they don’t… The programme has exclusive access to India’s tiger count, an event which takes place every 4 years. The results come in area by area. Please be warned that the programme has terrible evidence of poaching.
What’s behind the fall in tiger numbers?
Their numbers dropped because of people, of course; people encroaching on tiger habitat, and poachers who wanted every bit of the tiger to sell.
India has been changing very rapidly – with roads, railways and industry spreading all over the place which makes it very difficult for the tiger to survive. Trophy hunters also want to shoot tigers, no doubt many of them claiming that’s in the cause of “conservation”.
Greed and ignorance drive the demand for the tiger. Poachers claim 2 tigers a week, often leaving cubs to fend for themselves and try to make it to adulthood.
Poachers need tigers for their fur as luxury home décor, tiger bone to treat rheumatism and arthritis, and to make a tonic wine, as a general bone-strengthening tonic. Tiger bone wine is often use for bribery, and in some places, it’s sold a virility product. Its teeth and claws become jewellery. This is all luxury goods – there is no reason why a tiger body part should be traded at all.
Technology helps the tiger survey in India
Martin Hughes-Games is a campaigner and conservationist and he tracks the new count from its start to finish, using the latest technology to determine numbers. He follows wardens and scientists across the India landscapes.
Camera traps take over 30,000 tiger images, their stripes, (like fingerprints) identify each individual tiger. Mobile phone mapping apps and DNA analysis are used too.
The new technology gives far greater accuracy to the survey. Counting tigers can be dangerous – they have become lighter on their paws and trackers can easily get trapped in the Sunderbans’ marshlands and become prey.
What will happen to the tiger?
Hughes-Games finds that in at least one of India’s 50 conservation parks, the tiger is now extinct. Will other parks find an increase in numbers or have the same sad numbers to report?
Joanna Lumley narrates this programme, and it’s clear that the future of tigers may depend on the efforts of conservationists in India.
Once the count is complete, the documentary reveals whether the number has risen or fallen - a key moment for the survival of the species because if the count shows a decline then this could spell the end for the tiger in the wild, whereas an increase might indicate that this is one of the world’s most successful conservation stories.
If you watched the first series of Orangutan Jungle School, then there's good news - the programme is back for a second series!
The programme follows the adventures, trials and tribulations, successes and failures of the orphan orangutans who are attending Orangutan Jungle School to learn the skills they will need to survive and thrive in the wild.
One of them is a character called Beni - you can see Beni's Fan Page here - and here is Beni trying to undertake a banana heist...
The school is run by the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation. Orangutan habitat is being destroyed by us cutting down their forest home, so they need all the help you can get.
You can adopt an orangutan to help.
#StandOrange!
The programme starts in the UK on 24 July 2019 at 8PM on Channel 4 but it shows in other countries as well and you can find out more here
Thanks to a conservation scheme, rare wildlife and plants are coming back to meadows in Wales!
Since the 1930s, meadows have been vanishing from the landscape there. In fact, 97% of wildflower meadows were lost due to heavy fertiliser use and early hay crops – which also meant that 63% of butterflies disappeared as well.
However, the National Trust Wales have been working hard to reverse this disappearance.
Last year, the charity created 40 acres of new meadows across the country. They care for 582.2 acres of meadow. And good news! Amongst them was Chirk Castle, where 6 hectares of herb rich meadows were re-established.
Wildlife flowers such as the yellow rattle – not seen since World War Two – have been sighted in Chirk, in North Wales. There’s been a 50% increase in yellow rattle and eyebright plants!
The idea is to form a basic habitat. The Trust have already noticed an increase in the numbers of insects and small mammals in the grass on the ground; and kestrels in the skies above them, hunting them.
Green-winged orchids are also blossoming at Bodnant Garden near Colwyn Bay.
Farmers are also benefitting. Allowing their hay crops to grow wild for longer before they cut them means that they get more minerals and fibre.
African Parks celebrates World Ranger Day 