auckland zoo conservation fund report 2014/15
DESCRIPTION
Auckland Zoo field conservation report - 2014 - 2015TRANSCRIPT
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2014 – 2015
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Auckland Zoo and the support of wildlife conservation in the wild
Zoos play an increasingly important role in the conservation of species and habitats in the wild. Members of the World Zoo and Aquarium Association (WAZA) currently collectively spend an estimated $425 million per year on conservation actions in the wild. Zoos are therefore the third largest supporter of wildlife conservation globally.
Auckland Zoo’s mission is to, ‘Bring People Together to Build a Future for Wildlife’. One of the five strategies identified to help deliver on this mission is, ‘Conserving wildlife in wild places’.
Auckland Zoo believes that the best place to conserve wildlife is in the wild. Our objectives and activities – both in the zoo and beyond the perimeter fence – reflect this priority of supporting and delivering effective field - or wild – or in situ conservation
One of the key ways in which Auckland Zoo supports wildlife conservation in the wild – both in New Zealand and around the world - is through the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.
The Conservation Fund supports conservation efforts in the wild in two main ways:
• Supporting our field conservation priorities by providing financial resources to initiativesand projects carried out by external organisations and individuals
• By supporting our own staff to develop or utilise specialist skills and participate in fieldconservation initiatives – this can include both projects led by Auckland Zoo and thoseled by other conservation organisations.
The 2014/15 was a challenging one impacted by lower than anticipated zoo visitor numbers reducing conservation fund income and involved preparation for a new structure to begin at the end of the financial year. The new structure will begin a partnership with Auckland Communities Foundation who will host the fund and take on the onus of administration of grant payments and allow us to maximise investment return on any funds held before distribution while providing a solid platform for future fundraising initiatives.
In spite of these challenges we distributed significant funds totalling $284,167 in direct financial support to twenty two different projects. Eight of these were within New Zealand and a further 14 in the following countries: Namibia, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Africa, Ecuador, Pakistan, Samoa, Rarotonga, Madagascar and India. I believe proving that with continued community and visitor support a little zoo can and is making a big difference in conserving New Zealand’s and the wider world’s biodiversity.
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Index
Summary category 1 & 2 domestic grants 4
Summary category 1 & 2 international grants 4
Summary category 3 grants 5
Domestic Portfolio 2014/2015 Category One and Two projects
1. Kakapo monitoring - Sky Ranger- DOC 8 2. Pest control western Otago skink- DOC 9 3. Wetland Restoration (Te Henga) - Forest & Bird 10 4. Biodiversity Management Plan - Noises Trust 11 5. Biodiversity Enhancement Plan - Motuihe Restoration Trust 12 6. Weed Control - Hauturu Supporters Trust 13 7. Kakariki research Tiritiri Matangi Island 14 8. NZ sea lion research 15
International Portfolio 2014/2015 Category One and Two projects
9. Giraffe Conservation Foundation 16 10. Red Panda Network 17 11. The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme 18 12. Centre for Conservation and Research Sri Lanka 19 13. Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust (Sri Lanka) 20 14. 21st Century Tiger 21 15. Cheetah Outreach Trust 22 16. Samoan Conservation Society 23 17. Takituma Conservation Area 24
Small Grants Programme 2014/2015
18. Aro Velona Institute 26 19. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation 27 20. Turtle Survival Alliance 28 21. Amphibian Ark 29 22. Dhartee Development society 30
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Summary category 1 & 2 domestic grants
Partner organisation Amount to
date
Amount
2014/15
1 Department of Conservation. Kakapo $37,500 $12,500
2 Department of Conservation. Otago Skink $20,831 $1,438
3 Forest and Bird habitat te Henga $23,200 $10,600
4 Noises Trust $8,500 $8,500
5 Motuihe Restoration Trust $5,000 $5,000
6 Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) Supporters Trust $50,000 $50,000
7 Auckland Zoo kakariki research on Tiritiri Matangi $38,669 $4,000
8 NZ Sea lion research $25,000 $5,000
Total $208,700 $97,038
Summary category 1 & 2 international grants
Partner organisation Amount to
date
Amount
2014/15
9 Giraffe Conservation Foundation (Namibia) $44,692 $15,000
10 Red Panda Network (Nepal) $50,471 $10,000
11 Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (Indonesia)
$395,514 $57,105
12 Centre for Conservation and Research (Sri Lanka) $67,648 $32,556
13 Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust (Sri Lanka)
$64,098 $20,159
14 21st Century Tiger (Indonesia) $117,424 $2,449
15 Cheetah Outreach (South Africa) $47,400 $7,500
16 Samoan Conservation Society $9,000 $9,000
17 Takituma Conservation area project $9,760 $9,760
Total $806,007 $163,529
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Summary category 3 grants
Project location Amount
2014/15
18 Club P.A.N. - environmental education for children in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea / West Africa to protect wild chimpanzees and their habitat the tropical rainforest
West Africa $5,000
19 National Amphibian Conservation Coordinator for Ecuador
Ecuador $5,000
20 Gyps Vulture Safe Zone Project
Pakistan $5,000
21 Tackling the overexploitation of the remaining forest of Dabolava a home of the Endangered Propithecus coronatus (sifaka) through the development of the Economic Wood Burning Stove Project (Madagascar).
Madagascar $3,600
22 A Pilot Reintroduction of the Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska) in the Sunderban Tiger Reserve
India $5,000
Total $23,600
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Domestic Portfolio Category one and two domestic grants
The Conservation Fund Working group and the Conservation Fund Committee approved 18 separate domestic grants to 10 organisations including eight in partnership with the NZ Department of Conservation for projects in 14 different locations around NZ. What is a Category 1 project? On-going annual support of projects (three or more years) for which the Conservation Fund allocation represents a significant part of the project’s overall budget. Category 1 projects will often have direct Auckland Zoo staff involvement, will link directly to species or exhibits/zones at Auckland Zoo and will feature heavily in the interpretation/conservation messaging of that exhibit/zone. Category 1 projects potentially have no upper limit for financial and in kind support.
What is a Category 2 project? Shorter-term support of projects (less than three years) where Conservation Fund support will be specifically directed towards getting new initiatives started or supporting specific components of an on-going project (e.g. a training programme, short research project, construction of facilities, purchase of field equipment etc.). These projects may or may not have direct Auckland Zoo involvement, but should link clearly to species or exhibits/zones at Auckland Zoo. Category 2 projects can be elevated to Category 1 projects after a period of three years of continuous support. The eight domestic grants included two in partnership with Department of Conservation helping to protect the Otago skink and monitor kakapo on Little Barrier Island (LBI). A further grant to the Supporters of LBI to help with pest plant control of $50,000 was our largest domestic grant to date and illustrates the serious threat of pest plant species to NZ’s biodiversity. Grant to projects on the Noises, Motuihe and Tiritiri Matangi islands along with support of the Te Henga wetland project cement our role as conservation providers in the wider Hauraki Gulf Auckland region. Our continued support of the world’s most endangered sea lion (the NZ sea lion) extended our reach to the very bottom of the NZ’s main islands with support of survey work on a new colony on Stewart Island.
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1.
Programme: The Night
Partner organisation: Department of Conservation Website: http://www.doc.govt.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildsidenz
Project title:
Kakapo Sky Ranger
Project overview:
The Sky Ranger project enables the Kakapo Recovery team to monitor the health and activity of the kakapo population on Hauturu Island through the use of a fixed wing plane and new transmitter technology. The “smart” transmitters report the Kakapo position; whether they are alive or dead, whether the females are nesting and, if so, for how long. The males’ transmitters provide information about which females they have mated with and when. Without ‘Sky Ranger’ rangers have had to physically track the birds to get the transmitter signal and data which is difficult on Hauturu due to its size (3100 ha) and steepness. The “Sky Ranger” project will allow effective monitoring of this very important Kakapo population on Hauturu. A 2014 kakapo breeding season on Whenua hou has given the team ample opportunity to ground truth the new smart transmitter technology. Check mate transmitters have performed very well, logging numerous matings and enabling the team to effectively plan for subsequent nest management. It will be later in 2014, following the DNA analysis of chicks, before the team will know if any matings went un-detected by this technology.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Kakapo Strigops habroptila
Critically Endangered
$12,500 $37,500 June 2013 Yes
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2.
Programme: The High Country
Partner organisation: Department of Conservation Website: http://www.doc.govt.nz
Project title:
Last chance for the western Otago skink
Project overview:
Otago skinks are listed as Nationally Critical. Endemic to Otago, they were once widespread across the tussock and schist rock landscape but are now restricted to remnant populations at the eastern and western edges of their former range. The widely-separated eastern and western populations of the skink are genetically distinct and are considered separate evolutionary significant units for management purposes. Effective protection is currently in place in the Macrae’s Flat, where a large-scale DOC predator control operation is resulting in an increasing in skink numbers. Auckland Zoos initial investment was to establish a trap network to provide protection to (previously unprotected) Western populations, which were thought to be dangerously close to catastrophic collapse and extinction. Our annual grant commitment from 2013 -2018 is to support maintenance of the trap network.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Otago skink: Oligosoma otagense
Nationally critical
$1,438 $20,831 April 2013 Yes
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3.
Programme: The Wetlands
Partner organisation: Forest and Bird Website: http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestandBird
Project title:
Te Henga wetland restoration
Project overview:
To control mammalian predators in an area of some 500 to 600ha including Te Henga wetland, Bethell’s Beach and Lake Wainamu. Pateke were introduced in January 2015 with further releases anticipated in 2016 and 2017. Future stages of the project may also involve rodent control in selected parts of the wetland or surrounds. Pest mammal management will allow existing wetland species to recover and additional species may self-introduce. The project forms a continuous corridor from the Ark in the Park to the sea coast. Community involvement is present and increasing and ways to showcase wetland species and values are being investigated. Auckland Zoo’s financial support covers ongoing pest control contractor services.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Pateke: Anas chlorotis
Near Threatened
$10,600 $23,200 June 2012 No
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4.
Programme: The Islands
Partner organisation: Noises Trust
Project title:
A biodiversity management plan for the Noises Island group
Project overview:
The Noises islands have been periodically invaded by rats since 1956 and rodents have been eradicated several times in response to invasions. The Noises became a site for research on rat invasions as they were small and easily accessible enough to eradicate rodents without using aerial techniques. They are now rodent-free. When nearby Rakino Island came rodent-free in 2002, and Motutapu became rodent free in 2009, the chances of an unintended rodent incursion dropped significantly. The Noises islands are some of the most undeveloped of any in the Hauraki Gulf. They are breeding sites for many seabird species such as fluttering shearwater, common diving petrel, grey-faced petrels and white-faced storm petrels. As well as having some diverse and relatively undisturbed (i.e. weed free) coastal vegetation, they also provide habitat for the rare flax snail Placostylus hongii that was transferred there by A W B Powell in 1934. The islands have been and will continue to be an important seed source of coastal plants for native re-vegetation of other nearby islands. Otata Island has also been used as a source of common geckos for several translocations to other islands.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Habitat N/A $8,500 $8,500 July 2014 Yes
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5.
Programme: The Islands
Partner organisation: Motuihe Restoration Trust Website: http://www.motuihe.org.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MotuiheProject
Project title:
Biodiversity enhancement plan for Motuihe
Project overview:
In a similar vein to the vision for Rotoroa Island, the implementation of this Biodiversity Enhancement Plan will aim to set Motuihe apart from other Islands by providing a unique conservation experience and enhancing those values that already make Motuihe distinct. Such efforts are important to helping ensure that wildlife sanctuaries in the Hauraki Gulf complement (rather than compete with) each other for their biodiversity values and visitor experience. At the same time, there is potential for this Biodiversity Enhancement Plan to be adopted and modified for use on other Islands, and it is certainly hoped that the value of this Project extends beyond Motuihe Island.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since AZFP
project?
Habitat N/A $5,000 $5,000 August 2014 No
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6.
Programme: The Islands
Partner organisation: Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) Supporters trust Website: http://www.littlebarrierisland.org.nz/
Project title:
Weed Control - Pampas
Project overview:
Pampas grass was first recorded on LBI in 1974 on the south west coast near the Awaroa stream and upstream. By 1978 pampas appeared to be widespread on the island and little hope was held for its control. In 2004 a programme was initiated to control it to a zero density. This was revised to the more manageable conservation outcome “nationally threatened species conserved to ensure persistence via protection of the flora and fauna of LBI from the impact of pampas invasion”. Various methods of control have been used over the management period including boom spraying, wrecking ball spraying and most successfully personnel strop spraying. Most of the island now receives follow up control spraying rather than intensive knockdown treatment. Funding from Auckland Zoo will facilitate a much more extensive and extended weed control season with special emphasis on pampas.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Pest plant control/habitat
N/A $50,000 $50,000 August 2014
No
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7.
Programme: The Islands
Partner organisation: Auckland Zoo Website: http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKLZOONZ
Project title:
Red crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) health, disease and nesting study on Tiritiri Matangi
Project overview:
Currently Auckland Zoo is undertaking two long-term (5
year) studies with red crowned parakeets on Tiritiri
Matangi. The first is a nesting study to evaluate
reproductive success and chick health, and the second is
an annual mist-netting trip for health and disease
screening of the adult population. Both projects aim to
build on previous work carried out by Dr Luis Ortiz-
Catedral and Dr Bethany Jackson and will provide a
long-term dataset needed to understand to factors
influencing annual variations in the health and
reproductive success of this island population.
This will provide us with important data to assist in
future management and conservation efforts in Red-
crowned parakeets (RCP).
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Red crowned parakeet: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
Near Threatened
$4,000
$38,669.96
June 2011 Yes
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8.
Programme: The Coast
Partner organisations: Wildbase, Massey University/Department of Conservation
Project title:
Pup production and re-colonisation of NZ sea lions – Stewart Island, New Zealand
Project overview:
NZ sea lions are a nationally critical species in decline at their main breeding area at the Auckland Islands. This decline is mainly due to the impacts of humans, particularly fishing and in the past hunting. Part of DOC’s threat species management plan is encourage the expansion and recolonisation of sea lion breeding areas to areas outside of the NZ subantarctic. Stewart Island is an area only recently (2010) determined to have breeding NZ sea lions, however since this date there have also been a three year old female sea lion and more than three adult male sea lions, known to have been shot on Stewart Island. This research is to undertake a survey of Port Pegasus, Stewart Island to understand the number of pups being born in that area and their distribution, therefore giving an estimate of the NZSL population at Stewart Island. This research will enable DOC to understand more about New Zealand sea lion numbers and distribution on Stewart Island and therefore help to try and reduce direct (shooting) and indirect conflicts that may occur with human activities.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
New Zealand sea lion: Phocarctos hookeri
Endangered $5,000 $25,000 2011 Yes
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International Portfolio Category one and two international grants
Conservation Fund allocation represents a significant part of the project’s overall budget. Category 1 projects will often have direct Auckland Zoo staff involvement, will link directly to species or exhibits/zones at Auckland Zoo and will feature heavily in the interpretation/conservation messaging of that exhibit/zone. Category 1 projects potentially have no upper limit for financial and in kind support. Category 2 – Shorter-term support of projects (less than three years) where Conservation Fund support will be specifically directed towards getting new initiatives started or supporting specific components of an ongoing project (e.g. a training programme, short research project, construction of facilities, purchase of field equipment etc.). These projects may or may not have direct Auckland Zoo involvement, but should link clearly to species or exhibits/zones at Auckland Zoo. Category 2 projects can be elevated to Category 1 projects after a period of three years of continuous support. Realising our goal to further develop our pacific Island programme saw us add two new partners to our international portfolio, the Samoan Conservation Society and the Rarotonga Takituma Conservation Area Project, both projects are working with species on the brink of extinction. Our relationship with the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme goes from strength to strength with our keepers now making regular visits to assist with husbandry. It was a very tough year form our Red Panda Network partners in Nepal having to cope with devastating fires and earthquakes. In the face of these challenges it was gratifying for us to be able to provide additional emergency support. Our African partners, Cheetah Outreach Trust and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation continue to do important and ground breaking work with their respective target species.
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9.
Programme: Africa
Partner organisation: Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) Website: http://www.giraffeconservation.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Giraffe-Conservation-Foundation/213643668667273
Project title:
Giraffe conservation – education, awareness & conservation
Project overview:
Unlike most other large mega fauna, giraffe remain largely under-studied researched in the wild. Giraffe populations are in decline across Africa, with an estimated population of less than 80,000 down from 140,000 in the late 1990s. GCF and several associated researchers are at the forefront of giraffe conservation in Africa. While giraffe as a species are not considered threatened according to the IUCN, mostly due to data deficiency, two (sub) species are already listed as endangered and others have alarmingly low numbers and are in urgent need of conservation status review. GCF works on collating data from across the continent to help develop new profiles, materials and status reviews leading to new IUCN Red Listing for giraffe. GCF will also continue to take DNA samples from giraffe populations across Africa to clarify (sub) speciation of giraffe for the continent. Preliminary analysis of the Auckland Zoo supported research in Namibia indicates new and exciting results, which might change our view on giraffe taxonomy and distribution in Africa, and highlights more sampling is required to fill the few remaining gaps.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Giraffe: Giraffa Camelopardalis
Least concern $15,000 $44,692 June 2012 No
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10.
Programme: Nepal
Partner organisation: Red Panda Network Website: http://redpandanetwork.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redpandanetwork
Project title:
Community-Based Monitoring and Awareness Creation for Red Panda Conservation and Development of the Red Panda Network Community Conservation Resource Centre in Taplejung District of Eastern Nepal
Project overview:
Red Panda Network targets communities surrounding forest habitat in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung Corridor that supports approximately 25% of Nepal’s red panda population. The habitat is under threat from various anthropogenic activities. The proposed project addresses such threats by making local community feel responsible for conservation initiatives. The project will train 16 community forest guardians (FGs) for regular red panda monitoring and data collection, sensitize local people via workshops and media campaigns and form red panda conservation committees in each of the eight village communities, covering 14 community forests. Two additional grants were awarded in the 14/15 period to provide emergency funding firstly following devastating fires destroying the RPN offices and many employee homes and proceeds from a give-a-little campaign following the 2015 earthquakes.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/1
5
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Red panda: Ailurus fulgens
Endangered $21,326 $61,798 2010 No
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11.
Programme: Sumatra
Partner organisation: The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) Website: http://www.sumatranorangutan.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sumatranorangutan
Project title:
Jantho Orangutan re-introduction Project
Project overview:
A total of 17 orangutans have been transferred into Jantho
Nature Reserve since 1 July 2014 – 31 July 2015 bringing the
total population to 70 orangutans. All orangutans which
have been sent to Jantho have been released into the
forest, except two – Ganteng and Locky. Both are taken to
the forest daily and locked in cage overnight, as they are
conditioned to the forest and learning critical survival skills.
A total of 811 follows of orangutans were carried out and
the animals monitored from nest to nest throughout this
annual period. Monthly phenology data is continuing to be
recorded from 16 permanent phenology plots and has been
regularly recorded throughout the annual period. Over the
past six months, staff have been using animal training skills
to get small orangutans and two problem animal facilitate
reintroduction back to the forest. Today, all animals go out
in a school based process and are learning all forest skills,
interacting with wild animals and starting to build nests.
This has been excellent progress and the staff can now take
data on each animal. This year Auckland Zoo were also
fortunate to host a visit and fundraising talk by SOCP
director Dr Ian Singleton this allowed us to increase our
grant by an additional $5105.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date Partner since AZFP project?
Sumatran orangutan: Pongo abelii
Critically Endangered
$57,105 $395,514 2002 Yes
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12.
Programme: Sri Lanka
Partner organisation: Centre for Conservation and Research Sri Lanka. (CCR) Website: http://www.ccrsl.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CCR.Elephants
Project title:
GPS-satellite tracking of Sri Lankan Elephants
Project overview:
Human- elephant conflict is a significant problem in Sri Lanka. On average in a year 148 elephants and 59 humans are killed. Due to the reduction of elephant habitats, these conflicts are inevitable and increasing. The present elephant population is estimated at around 5,500. With such annual losses, this population is severely threatened. Long and short-term strategies, are urgently needed if these elephants are to be saved. One of the main constraints for effective environmental conservation in Sri Lanka is the lack of scientific information to develop management plans, and guide environmental conservation and management. CCR was set up to fill this need by conducting, supporting and encouraging research into all aspects of the environment. CCR have conducted many research projects over the years including 17 years of research CCR’s team have put into studying Sri Lankan elephants using radio telemetry and more recently GPS- Satellite tracking. The success of their findings is now influencing government decisions.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Asian elephant: Elephas maximus
Endangered $32,556 $67,648 June 2012 No
21
13.
Programme: Sri Lanka
Partner organisation: Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust
Project title:
Schools Awareness Programme/national parks
Project overview:
Education up and coming generations is a long term approach building awareness and appreciation for elephants. The present elephant population is estimated at around 5,500. With such annual losses, this population is severely threatened. Long-term and short-term strategies, are urgently needed if these elephants are to be saved. The creation of awareness is one of the conservation strategies that have been adopted, especially for those living in the areas of human-elephant conflict. Awareness creation is an integral part of the conservation plan for the wild elephant. The Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust has launched an awareness program in schools in the areas that have been affected by these conflicts. Through our interactive program, we address the value of elephants, the causes of conflict, how to minimize the conflicts and stress the need for conservation. The sessions have been successful in changing children’s attitudes. The Schools Awareness Program has covered, in the last 10 years, at 150 schools per year, over 1,500 schools. The year 2014 is the twelfth year of this project. The success of our efforts has spurred us to continue and expand this program which is having a very positive impact.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Asian elephant: Elephas maximus
Endangered $20,159 $64,098 November
2011 No
22
14.
Programme: Sumatra
Partner organisation: 21st Century Tiger Website: http://www.21stcenturytiger.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/21stCenturyTiger
Project title:
Kerinci Seblat Tiger Protection & Conservation
Project overview:
Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) is the largest protected area in Sumatra covering more than 1.38 million hectares (5,350 square miles) of tropical forest in 13 districts and two municipalities of the provinces of West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and South Sumatra. The park protects Sumatra’s single largest tiger population with a population of at least 166 individuals - excluding tigers moving at park-edge or in forests bordering the park - and the highest tiger occupancy (83%) of any protected area in Sumatra. The 2014/15 grant amount was raised through the generosity of artist Hilary Weeks who held an exhibition of works with proceeds going to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund for tigers in the wild.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Sumatran tiger: Panthera tigris
Endangered $2449 $117,424 2006 No
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15.
Programme: Africa
Partner organisation: Cheetah Outreach Trust Website: http://www.cheetah.co.za
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CheetahOutreach
Project title:
Conservation of South Africa’s free-ranging cheetah, through farmer-wildlife mitigation, Territory East.
Project overview:
In alignment with South Africa’s National Action Plan for the Conservation of Cheetahs (2009), the aims of this project are: 1. Conservation of free ranging cheetahs, and farmland biodiversity protection, through farmer-wildlife conflict mitigation, and the establishment of a livestock guarding dog culture throughout South Africa. 2. Education of relevant stakeholders regarding effective livestock husbandry practices. 3. Promotion of co-existence between predators, game farmers and livestock farmers, and supporting farming communities as custodians of indigenous biodiversity. 4. Assessing the impact of the guarding dogs on predator ecology and cheetah presence. 5. Raising the status of the cheetah, and increasing national awareness and educating learners to develop an understanding of the value of their natural wildlife heritage. With 166 dogs placed, there are now more than 250,000 hectares of “predator safe” farmland in South Africa, where the farmers have committed to no longer using lethal predator persecution methods. As part of the programme’s ongoing development, Cheetah Outreach has re-established its presence in Limpopo Province, now managing the livestock guarding dog placements there.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since AZFP
project?
Cheetah: Acinonyx jubatus
Vulnerable $7,500 $47,400 2007 No
24
16.
Programme: Pacific Islands
Partner organisation: Samoan Conservation Society
Project title:
Saving the critically endangered Manumea/ tooth-billed pigeon
Project overview:
The Tooth-billed pigeon or Manumea is believed to have declined from 4,800-7,200 in the mid-1980s to a few hundred by 2006. It has recently been upgraded to critically endangered by the IUCN but population numbers are not yet clear. Since then only individual birds have been sighted, raising great concern over the long-term trajectory for the species. One juvenile and an adult were both spotted in December 2013 on the same site, confirming the species is still reproducing in the wild even if at low numbers. Habitat loss and degradation remain among the primary threats illegal hunting and impacts from invasive species compounding the situation. In 2006 a Recovery Plan for Tooth-billed Pigeon was developed, highlighting key actions to prevent possible extinction. Amongst these actions is the need to develop conservation and management of key forest areas to secure remaining populations and to provide them safe habitats. Three sites stand out as priority areas for protection based on new findings 2013-2014 as a result of a conservation program funded by Conservation Leadership Program In February 2014 community consultation workshops were held involving three communities with customary ownership over these sites. Recommendations included need for developing community conservation areas spanning the habitat.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since AZFP
project?
Tooth-billed pigeon: Didunculus strigirostris
Critically Endangered
$9,000 $9,000 December
2014 Yes
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17.
Programme: Pacific Islands
Partner organisation: Takitumu Conservation Area Project
Project title:
Continuing Management of the Recovered Population of the endemic Kakerori on Rarotonga and Atiu
Project overview:
The Kakerori Recovery Programme was started in 1987, when its first census found 38 birds. Numbers fell to 29 by 1989, making Kakerori one of the world’s ten rarest, but by then we knew that Ship Rats were preying on nests, and Feral Cats were catching foraging birds. Regular, consistent rat poisoning was started forthwith to protect breeders. Numbers of birds increased immediately and have increased nearly every year up to the present. At 134 birds in 1996, the Takitumu Conservation Area started, with 5 years of GEF funding, and took over the KRP. The TCA Project is community based; its only revenue is from Eco tours. 50% of Eco tour profits (usually <$5k pa) is returned to the three landowning clans for community use. The balance maintains the area itself, with only leftovers to support the bird work, which has relied on external funding since (and before) GEF. In 2000, IUCN upgraded the 200+ Kakerori on Rarotonga to ‘Endangered’, and again to ‘Vulnerable’ in 2012, at a time when combined numbers on Rarotonga and Atiu had topped 500. Achieving ‘Vulnerable’ was a milestone, but it still means just that. On Rarotonga, with its world-wide transport links, 400 birds would be threatened should a new danger arrive. Although the bird will be saved more surely only when the Atiu population reaches 500 breeders; our present aim is to get it beyond 250.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Total $ to date
Partner since
AZFP project?
Kakerori: Pomarea dimidiata
Critically Endangered
$9,760 $9,760 October
2014 Yes
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Category 3 (Small Grant Programme) A contestable grants scheme, designed to help provide relatively small levels of funding for on-going conservation projects or pilot programmes. This category of funding is open to individuals or small groups in New Zealand or in countries outside the first world. Applications are made using a standard form submitted to Auckland Zoo before the specified deadline of each funding round. There are two rounds of Category 3 grant funding each year. Category 3 funding will be provided up to a maximum of $5000, though normally awards will be in the region of $1000-2000. The award should represent a minimum of 25% of the project’s overall budget. This means that the maximum budget of a project applying for a Category 3 grant can be $20,000 The popularity of the Small Grant Programme continues to grow evidenced by an ever increasing number of applications submitted. Only one round was considered in 2014/15 but this round attracted approximately 80 applications resulting in a very high quality shortlist. We anticipate considering two rounds in 2015/16.
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18.
Programme: Small Grants
Organisation: Amphibian Ark
Project title:
National Amphibian Conservation Coordinator for Ecuador
Project overview:
One of the key roles of the Amphibian Ark (AARK) is to assist countries and regions in identifying relevant conservation actions for their native amphibian species. To do this, the AARK Officers developed a Conservation Needs Assessment tool which is delivered through facilitated workshops. The Conservation Needs Assessments rely on national Amphibian Specialist Group members and stakeholders from a wide variety of backgrounds with the goal of determining the necessary actions for each species to contribute to their conservation and ultimately, survival in the wild. In many cases, there is a lack of a coordinated, national approach, and a lack of support for developing individuals to take these workshop outputs and lead the way in implementing them. A solution to this problem is the appointment of a National Amphibian Conservation Coordinator. Experience has shown that having a person dedicated to this type of role for a period after the assessment workshop leads to a more coordinated response, and conservation programs which have a better chance of attracting funding and achieving their aims. This project aims to identify and recruit a National Amphibian Conservation Coordinator for Ecuador, the third most amphibian-rich country in the world.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Amphibians Various $5,000
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19.
Programme: Small Grants
Organisation: Wild Chimpanzee Foundation
Project title:
Club P.A.N. - environmental education for children in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea / West Africa to protect wild chimpanzees and their habitat the tropical rainforest
Project overview:
Wild chimpanzee populations are in decline: threatened by deforestation, bush-meat hunting, disease and pet trade. The West African chimpanzee has disappeared from 3 countries and is on the verge of extirpation in others. Because conservation education is seen as a priority long-term action for the conservation of chimpanzees the WCF started an environmental education program in 2007. The WCF nature clubs (Club P.A.N.) are a long-term approach oriented towards the next generation, each school year around 1000 children are participating from two West African countries and evaluations have shown a significant increase in knowledge and a significant change in attitudes. Each school year we have trainings for all local teachers and principals that participate, we have 11 nature clubs, pre- and post-evaluations for all children and we end with a large presentation of the children to their village and parents. Micro-projects in Club P.A.N. schools have their first success stories.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Chimpanzee: Pan troglodytes
Endangered $5,000
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20.
Programme: Small Grants
Organisation: Aro Velona Association
Project title:
Tackling the overexploitation of the remaining forest of Dabolava a home of the Endangered Propithecus coronatus (sifaka) through the development of the Economic Wood Burning Stove Project (Madagascar).
Project overview:
More than 5600 people (around 860 families) living in the Commune of Dabolava (District of Miandrivazo) depend entirely on firewood and charcoal for cooking. Forest woods gradually become scarce depleting habitat which threatens the endangered Propithecus coronatu. This lemur species lives in a small and fragmented forest area and the GERP organization with the commitment of the local villager known as “Communauté de Base” collaborates to conserve this species and its habitat through making forest patrol and developing tree nursery of indigenous and fast growing trees. The Aro Velona organization team has experiment on making Economic Wood Burning Stove and until now four types of firewood economic stoves have been created and developed in four villages of Madagascar. These stoves were created from cheap materials found in the project site and require 50% less wood compared to the traditional open fire stoves. The development of such economic stove project in Dabolava is a significant measure to mitigate the overexploitation of forest woods and help preserve valuable animal habitat.
Focal species Threat status
Grant amount 2014/15
Sifaka: Propithecus coronatus
Endangered $3,600
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21.
Programme: Small Grants
Organisation: Dhartee Development Society
Project title:
Gyps Vulture Safe Zone Project
Project overview:
Three species of vultures i.e. Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps Bengalensis), Long-billed Vulture (G. Indicus) and Slender-billed Vulture (G. Tenuirostris) have suffered more than 97% decline, and one of them (Oriental White-backed Vulture) has already declined by over 99.9% over a period of just 15 years across the Indian Subcontinent. One of the issues facing vulture in Pakistan is feeding on disposed stock that have been treated with diclofenac (toxic to vultures). This projects objective is to contribute in the conservation work for a viable population of Vultures in a safe Zone and secure environment and to raise awareness in District officials, all vets, Drug officials / sellers, local Community Leaders, Journalists, Environmental NGOs and Livestock Owners for removal of Diclofenac drug and usage of alternative drug as pain killer, Promote use of Meloxicam by offering it to the livestock owners on subsidized rates through selected veterinary clinics/ doctors.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Oriental White-backed Vulture: Gyps Bengalensis
Critically Endangered
$5,000
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22.
Programme: Small Grants
Organisation: Turtle Survival Alliance
Project title:
A Pilot Reintroduction of the Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska) in the Sunderban Tiger Reserve
Project overview:
With less than 100 known adults the Northern River Terrapin is the world’s second most endangered turtle. Intense exploitation of adults and eggs is the key driver of this massive decline. In India and Bangladesh, remaining individuals are so few and scattered that the only recourse is acquiring surviving terrapins, captive propagation and re-establishment at a suitable time and place. TSA and the West Bengal Forest Department have been partnering to recover this species. In 2008, TSA surveyed a pond in Sajnekhali range of the Indian Sunderbans and 10 adults were captured. This led to the breeding program being reinstated after a hiatus of 20 years. Periodic husbandry improvements supported by TSA have led to breeding successes from 2012 till date. The 153 individuals currently at Sajnekhali represent the world’s largest colony. Reintroduction is the logical next step following sustained increases in captive stock. These need to be carried out after understanding species requirements and according to established guidelines. This project is to conduct a pilot reintroduction of the species. Specific components include raising awareness on the initiative, purchasing ultrasonic transmitters, screening and sexing animals, constructing a ‘soft’ release enclosure and monitoring the soft-released cohort.
Focal species Threat status Grant
amount 2014/15
Northern River Terrapin: Batagur baska
Critically Endangered
$5,000