Wildlife Matters Spring 2017

WILDLIFE SPRING 2017: ISSUE 50

MATTERS

The Art of Conservation

How our art heritage is helping to save endangered wildlife

Painted Dogs

Working together for the survival of this rare species in Zimbabwe

The Bigger Picture

Bringing art, photography and film together on the front line of conservation

FIGHT . PROTECT . ENGAGE

The magazine of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - saving endangered wildlife - www.davidshepherd.org

Welcome to

WHO’S WHO Founder/President:

David Shepherd CBE FRSA Honorary Vice Presidents:

Mark Carwardine, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, David Gower OBE, Gary Lineker OBE, Simon King OBE, Mandy Shepherd

Wildlife

matters

Trustees:

Lady Melanie Lamb, Nigel Colne CBE, Christopher Cowdray, Nigel Keen, Fiona Luck, Bruce Norris, Andre Pienaar, James Rountree Trading Company Directors:

Christopher Oliver, Lady Melanie Lamb

Chief Executive: Oliver Smith Head of Finance:

Alison Barrow Executive Assistant: Mandy Gale Head of Brand & Communications: Vicky Flynn Programmes & Policy Manager: Georgina Lamb Trusts & Foundations Manager: Sally Case Trading Co-ordinator: Lisa Langridge Individual Giving Manager: Georgia Boatman Communications Assistant: Luke Judd Office Manager: Natalie Archer Education Manager: Jo Elphick Accounts Assistant: Marianne Watts Fundraising & Events Administrator: Shauna Rees TigerTime Manager: Vicky Flynn Conservation Advisor: Mark Carwardine Education Advisor: Andrew White DSWF Office, Gallery & Trading Company:

Saba House

7 Kings Road Shalford

Guildford, Surrey GU4 8JU

Tel: 01483 272323

Enjoying the day with the shortlisted finalists at this year’s Global Canvas event in London

Email: dswf@davidshepherd.org Websites: davidshepherd.org & tigertime.info

Charity No.1106893 Company No. 4918392 CAF ‘Give as you earn’ No. 001604 VAT Reg No. 414001815 Print: Kingsley Print & Design Editorial & Design:

Vicky Flynn, DSWF

Cover Image:

A Vanishing Strength

by Sarah Duthie (WAY2017)

Your views matter What do you think of Wildlife Matters?

We’re always keen to review and improve our communications with our supporters so we’d love your feedback and comments on this magazine.

In return we’ll enter you into a prize-draw for ‘Sketch for the Tiger’ a limited edition print by David Shepherd.

Please send your comments along with your contact details , by June 12, to: Email: dswf@davidshepherd.org Post: DSWF, 7 Kings Road, Shalford, Surrey GU4 8JU.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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It’s hard to believe that this is the 50th edition - the golden anniversary - of Wildlife Matters.

Our supporter magazine has evolved through the years to become a much-loved part of what we do. Through amazing images and great stories it brings our work to life showing the impact that your vital support is helping us achieve for wildlife survival.

We are so lucky to have the support of great photographers and artists - of every age and nationality - who help bring the pages of this magazine to life and, indeed, help to make our fundraising so engaging.

In March, I was delighted to be at the Natural History Museum with the shortlisted entrants in our annual children’s Global Canvas Art and Poetry competition. The talent and passion of the children never fails to impress me and it gives me a sense of deep pride to think that these young people, inspired by DSWF, could be the next generation of wildlife guardians.

You can read more about the event and who won the top prizes on page 19.

Another landmark anniversary this year is our Wildlife Artist of the Year competition which celebrates ten years as the UK’s leading wildlife art competition. With wonderful, original wildlife art supporting both the artists and endangered wildlife the event has turned funding conservation into an art form of its own!

be displayed for sale at the Mall Galleries in London this summer. Each piece celebrates the beauty and diversity of our wild world and choosing the winner is going to be harder than ever for the judges. Deciding what not to buy will be even harder for art lovers!

Bringing the story of wildlife art and conservation full circle at the event this year is The Bigger Picture. This unique project combines art, photography and film to document life on the front line of conservation in Zambia. You can read more about the team behind The Bigger Picture, and what inspired them on page 12.

Full details about this wonderful week of wildlife art are on the back page of this edition - I look forward to seeing you there.

Later in the year we are launching an exciting addition to our Art for Survival portfolio bringing together some amazing artists for our first Art Ambassadors event hosted by Christies in London. There are more details about this exciting event on page 21.

Bringing art and wildlife together has always been a source of great joy to me and seeing that passion translate into vital funding for the protection of endangered wildlife is, to me, a type of alchemy. Thank you, from my heart, for helping create these golden opportunities for the wildlife we love.

The 2017 shortlist is as fabulous as ever; 163 original works have been selected from a record number of entries and will

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

Inside this issue

Working together for

WILDLIFE

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CEO Oliver Smith

New funding for pangolins in Uganda

It’s a real pleasure to welcome you all to my first edition of Wildlife Matters as Chief Executive. I’ve worked in conservation – for organisations large and small – for the last 20 years, and I have admired DSWF from afar, but my few months here have really impressed me. DSWF is a small organisation, with a small team of highly skilled and hardworking staff who make sure we really do punch above our weight, both in the UK and Internationally.

The mixture of Art and Conservation was what really attracted me – and I plan to make sure that we continue to excel at both.

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Rain brings good news for Namibia’s rhinos

I attended Global Canvas, our Children’s Art and Poetry Competition with David (see opposite) and the enthusiasm and skill of the children was inspirational; wildlife artists and conservationists of the future!

Coming up this summer we have Wildlife Artist of the Year, celebrating our tenth anniversary and it’s going to be amazing, including the special contribution of The Bigger Picture. Later in the year, we will hold another exhibition of Art Ambassadors at Christies before our Annual Ball at The Dorchester in November.

Saving Zimbabwe’s rare painted dogs

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We are already planning for 2018 and we will make sure that each of these events – and new ones – are better than ever.

Inspiring people through wildlife art is in our DNA.

19 Volunteer with the elephant orphanage project in Zambia

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The Art of Conservation great events for 2017

Inspirational entries in our children’s art competition

But the art is for a purpose; to raise awareness and money so we can continue to support our amazing partners globally to carry out their vital work. The crisis facing so many endangered species is stark and pressures including wildlife crime and poaching threaten the future of some of nature’s most precious jewels. As you can read (on page 9) I was lucky enough earlier in the year to see for myself the impact of work we have funded over almost 20 years in Uganda – proof that with the right conditions, people and funding, dire situations can be turned around.

At a time when globally politics are in turmoil, economies fragile, and old certainties are crumbling, we – and the animals – need your support more than ever. It’s only with your generous support that we are able to work towards a future where people can share the planet in harmony with other creatures living in their natural habitat.

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News

IVORY UPDATE

There was positive news in March when China closed down a third of its ivory retailers and factories. The move, which could be a game changer for elephant survival, comes ahead of a total ban on China’s ivory trade by the end of 2017.

Sixty seven carving factories and shops were shut with the remaining 105 to close by the end of the year according to China’s State Forestry Administration. Officials from the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) witnessed the shutdown.

Join us at our annual WILDLIFE BALL Come and join us at our magical, annual Wildlife Ball on Friday November 10. Hosted by London’s top five star hotel, the Dorchester on Park Lane, what better way to celebrate and help the wildlife that we all love. Tickets include a champagne reception, four course dinner, music, entertainment and dancing! Why not take a table and say thank you to your team or customers or treat your family and friends and help endangered wildlife too.

Tickets: £200 members - £220 non members - Table of 12, £2,400 VIP Table (Limited number) £5,000

Call us on 01483 272323 to buy your ticket today, limited availability

Money matters With another financial year drawn to a close last month we are expecting income raised by the Foundation for the 2016-2017 financial year to top £1.4 million with donations and legacies of over £950,000 and event and activity income topping £475,000. This has supported ongoing grants to projects in Africa and Asia and some large capital grants such as the purchase of much needed new vehicles for game rangers in Zambia.

“30,000 elephants are poached for their ivory every year, and China has been one of the largest markets for their tusks. Closing down the domestic market by the end of this year is a milestone in global efforts to save the elephant,” says Programmes and Policy Manager, Georgina Lamb. “However, the current proposal being debated in Hong Kong to delay their phase out until 2021 leaves a gaping loophole for criminals who launder poached ivory as antique to exploit.

“We’re calling on the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, and governments everywhere including the UK, to institute a total ban on the sale of ivory. Culturally valuable ivory pieces belong in museums; elephants and their tusks belong in the wild.”

Since China’s announcement to close down its domestic market the wholesale price of raw legal ivory has dropped by almost two thirds giving another hopeful sign that the tide is turning against the consumption of ivory.

DOG IN TRAINING

DSWF continues to focus on long-term support of vital conservation projects protecting key populations of endangered animals across Africa and Asia. Due to the increase in the amount, sophistication and scope of the illegal wildlife trade, the Foundation also supports projects that address wildlife crime and demand reduction both at the local and international level.

Additionally, the Foundation continues to react to specific conservation crises and requests for emergency funding from current projects. We are aiming to increase our income to match our ambition to extend our reach and give crucial support to wildlife conservation where we can.

STOP PRESS: Jumbo thanks!

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As we were going to press the team received an amazing donation of £11,728 from MEACO in support of Africa’s elephants. Generated from the sale of their best selling, high-spec DD8L dehumidifier - named after orphan elephant Zambezi - DSWF receive a donation of £2 per unit sold. We’ll bring you more about this great partnership in the next edition!

The third dog to join the DSWF funded anti-poaching team in Assam is now in training. Finding the right dog with the right temperament has been a long process but it is hoped that in six months time ‘Jeena’ will be a great new addition to the team. Read more from India on page 14.

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

News DSWF launches new funding for pangolins

©DNP/Freeland

Second Indo-Chinese tiger population found

The camera trap survey, carried out in the forest complex in Eastern Thailand, indicated a density of 0.63 tigers per 100km2.

Today, with just 221 Indo-Chinese tigers estimated to remain in two Asian countries -Thailand and Myanmar - the new findings could be crucial to the survival of this subspecies.

“While the numbers from the study are small this is very welcome news,” says DSWF’s TigerTime campaign manager, Vicky Flynn. “It gives a glimmer of hope that this increasingly rare cat can and does survive in some of the most hostile landscapes and that our funding is making a difference to tiger survival.”

You can read more about our work to protect Thailand’s tiger in partnership with FREELAND on page 15.

©Andrew White

In a welcome sign of hope for the endangered tiger, a new scientific survey has confirmed the presence of the world’s second breeding population of IndoChinese tigers and provided the first photographic evidence of tiger cubs in eastern Thailand.

The pangolin is now the most heavily trafficked wild mammal in the world. In Uganda, enforcement groups have reported a sharp spike in the numbers of arrests of ‘small-time’ poachers, coupled with significant larger seizures of pangolin scales.

“As well as understanding the threats to these vulnerable animals there is also an urgent need to increase our knowledge of the pangolin population in Uganda,” says DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith. “We also need to establish how improved and targeted enforcement action can best address the current challenges.”

In March, DSWF launched funding for a new project aimed at developing a national policy statement to support the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s (UWA) enforcement work in response to the new CITES legislation. It

will also help identify Safe Release Zones for pangolins in Uganda and provide training of enforcement officers in pangolin Standard Operating Procedures as well as rescue kits to relevant organisations.

This will lead to the increased protection and conservation of pangolin in Uganda and improved implementation of the recent uplisting at CITES. Longer term project goals include DNA mapping, development of a national seizure database and a community run rescue and rehabilitation centre.

You can help us continue this important work to protect pangolins by donating today either by calling 01483 272323 or online at www.davidshepherd.org

Lion collaring begins in Uganda

The lions of Uganda, like lions across Africa, are under threat and, with little known about the range and population of Uganda’s iconic cats, the collaring programme is designed to help determine the size and range of the lions and evaluate the threats they face.

A team made up of the Uganda Conservation Foundation and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, led by Dr. Eric Engel with support of the Kidepo Valley Conservation

Area field team, completed the collaring of the three lions and are hopeful of collaring a fourth lion soon.

“Once complete, the lion monitoring project in Kidepo and Southern Murchison, will help fill the gaps in the countrywide monitoring of lions and provide a greater understanding of their range. This data will help us provide the right protection in the right places for these vulnerable big cats,” says DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith.

We look forward to bringing you updates on Cami, Ekile and Lara over the coming months - keep an eye on the website for news.

©UWA/KVCA

Three lions, now named Cami, Ekile and Lara, have been fitted with GPS collars as part of the DSWF funded programme to investigate and protect lion populations in two key wildlife areas in Uganda.

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Zimbabwe Helping to protect one of Africa’s A DSWF appeal is currently focused on the painted dog and funding critical ongoing conservation work to protect the species in Zimbabwe. For the team in the field, whose first three months of 2017 have been intensely busy, the appeal funds cannot come soon enough...

Life-Saving Collars: For some months the team has been concerned about the shift in the Nyamandlovu pack’s territory, which saw them spending more than 50 per cent of their time outside the relative safety of Hwange National Park (HNP). They have tried everything to encourage the dogs back into the park, including deploying a bio boundary of scent from other painted dogs which aims to create the impression that the territory is already occupied. While they had some success with this, it has not been totally effective and the Nyamandlovu pack continues to leave the park again and again.

“To protect them we have been deploying our DSWF supported anti-poaching units into those areas to keep them as snare-free as possible,” adds Executive Director of DSWF funded Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) Peter Blinston. “Knowing we had to do more, I fitted protective collars to the alpha male, Browny and alpha female, Socks. Fortunately, we were just in time.”

The pack had not been seen for over a week when news arrived that one of the collared dogs had a wound on its neck.

“Anxious to locate the pack and complete a head count, which is easier said than done with 12+ dogs, we were relieved to discover that the pack was still 16 strong. All four collared dogs were present, plus the other three adults and nine remaining pups. But, the alpha female Socks has a wound on her neck,” says Peter.

Thankfully it was not serious and it did not require treatment. Her collar had been twisted at a strange angle and was damaged; a clear that she had been caught in a snare and the collar that had only just been fitted had saved her life.

Alpha female Socks, who turns seven this year and, all being well, will have her fifth litter making her the most successful female we have ever tracked

The Value of our Rehabilitation Facility: Just a few days later tragedy hit the Nyamandlovu pack when Thembile, Socks three-year-old daughter, broke her front right leg.

“It was an awful break just below her “elbow” and it was agonizing to watch her limp along - we could only imagine the pain she was in,” explains Peter.

The team successfully darted her and the vet performed the necessary amputation.

Thembile is now recovering at the Rehabilitation Facility now and will be returned to her pack at an opportune moment. With the support of her family she will hopefully be able to lead a full life back in the wild.

Recently, the team also released Thembile’s older sister Fran. They had hoped that some dispersing males would pass by or at least appear in the area, but this didn’t happen so they made the difficult decision to release her on her own. After fitting her with a protective collar the team let her go but she has remained close by, clearly indicating that she considers it a safe haven.

“We continue to feed her and hope that she will eventually venture further away to look for a new pack,” says Peter.

Anti-Poaching Never Stops: The DSWF supported anti-poaching units (APUs) have already made more than 160 patrols in the first three months of the year recovering more than 500 snares. But, more help is always needed. So the team recently orchestrated a joint operation including local Mabale Volunteers, the newly formed APU from our neighbours at Ivory Lodge, the Forestry Commission Protection Unit, and Zimbabwe Republic Police. As a result of this collaboration, 76 scouts were deployed over a series of six days into the forests bordering Hwange National Park. Twenty four snares were located.

have experienced a very wet rainy season.

The heavy rainfall meant that the bush had grown very thick, there is plenty of water enabling the animals to disperse and, as a result, even the most hard-core poachers are coming up short,” says Peter.

Even so, a large-scale operation such as this sends a powerful message to poachers via the “bush telegraph” that the team is geared up and ready to combat the poaching tide that seems so relentless.

Our DSWF supported anti-poaching units have already made more than 160 patrols in the first three months of the year recovering more than 500 snares The other encouraging news is that other stakeholders are show signs of taking up some of the anti-poaching strain that PDC has been enduring almost single-handedly for more than 15 years. The newly-established Conservation and Wildlife Fund is gaining momentum and neighbours at Ivory Lodge, Elephant Eye, and the Gwayi Conservancy are establishing APUs as well. This is exactly the kind of action that is needed to protect the remaining wildlife populations that have been so depleted in recent years: an estimated £16 million worth of animals having been poached in the surrounding areas. “With the right level of protection in place we know the wildlife populations will recover,” says Peter.

Your superb support, as ever, is what really makes the difference and we can never thank you enough.

“This is a thankfully low number consistent with the time of year and the fact that we

ADOPT SOCKS: You can help support this great work to protect Zimbabwe’s painted dogs by adopting alpha female Socks. With an adoption pack full of great updates on Socks and her pack as well as an exclusive print and photos and a soft toy it’s a lovely gift for you, your loved ones and painted dogs. See more at: www.davidshepherd.org

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100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

Images courtesy of Nicholas Dyer and Will Burrard-Lucas / PDC

most endangered carnivores

The collars help protect the dogs from snare related wounds - luckily this dog survived

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Painted Dog Appeal this spring. It is only with your amazing support that Peter and the team can work to protect these highly vulnerable dogs in Zimbabwe.

By giving monthly to support this work you can help the team plan ahead, buy new life-saving collars, extend the work of the anti-poaching units and continue vital community engagement and outreach.

You can donate online at: https://davidshepherd.org/help-us/appeal/help-paint-my-future or by calling us on 01483 272323

An APU ranger removes a potentially lethal snare

Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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Namibia Relief rains on Namibia’s black rhino

Patrolling the Nile waterways for poachers

The rains have brought relief to Namibia’s black rhino

After six years of little rain the North West Kunene region of Namibia has experienced better than expected rainfall bringing welcome relief to the region’s wildlife, including the rare desert adapted Black Rhino that DSWF helps to protect. Along with the rain comes more good news that poaching trends have shown an 80 percent decline since 2014.

“This really positive news coincides with the increase in monitoring coverage that DSWF is helping to support,” says SRT’s CEO Simson Uri-Khob. “2016 marked the most productive year in rhino monitoring history in northwest Namibia and the fewest poaching events since the first cases were discovered in 2012.”

Milestones were achieved across the board with 3,333 verified rhino sightings, 3,101 team field days and 8,387 ranger field days completed. While there were loses in 2016 poaching was down, with poachers avoiding

Image©Martin Harvey

the areas where the tracking teams maintain a strong presence.

“This huge increase in rhino monitoring is only made possible through teamwork and we know that by continuing to work in partnership with the government, NGOs, tourism and local communities that we can do even more,” adds Simson. “Our goal is a return to zero poaching.”

Thousands of snares - the silent killers of wildlife

With DSWF supporting a quarter of SRT’s patrol teams, maintaining funding is critical for the long-term survival of these rare rhinos - the only free-ranging rhino left in Africa.

While the species is unique to Namibia, it only with the support of both local and global communities that we will be able to protect this amazing species.

To help protect Namibia’s black rhino please donate online at www.davidshepherd.org or call us on 01483 272323.

We fund improvements to key ranger stations

Waterways and Savannah, the landscapes of Uganda

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100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

Uganda Creating a rich wildlife inheritance In January, DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith visited Uganda to find out more about the conservation work that DSWF has been supporting for over twenty years.

The story of Murchison Falls Conservation Area in Uganda is perhaps not as well-known as that of some other parts of Africa, but it does provide us with not only a sobering example of how quickly wildlife can suffer in the absence of good conservation, but also of the very real possibility of recovery when the right conditions are in place.

I was lucky enough to travel there earlier this year, to see the results of work that DSWF has supported for the last twenty years. Murchison Falls Conservation Area - bisected by the Nile, where it travels through its narrowest point with a roaring waterfall - has had mixed fortunes over the last few decades.

During and after the brutal regime of Idi Amin the park, which had been home to rhino, lions and thousands of elephants, was virtually emptied by poaching and civil war. In the late 1980’s as few as 150 elephants survived. Years of turmoil, lack of investment and uncontrolled poaching took their toll. In the late 1990’s DSWF started to fund work in Uganda working with the Ugandan Conservation Foundation (UCF) to support the efforts of the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA).

We’ve helped to build ranger stations, equip the rangers and open up more of the park.

Recently, we’ve helped to fund new marine patrols so that rangers can quickly traverse the Nile and get access to remote areas.

Images DSWF and courtesy UCF

The rangers are the unsung heroes of this story, they literally put their lives on the line, up against armed poachers and dangerous animals. And, I saw for myself the spartan conditions they endure, posted for months far from family and friends in remote locations.

DSWF has supported UCF in upgrading their accommodation, replacing traditional mud huts with shipping containers covered with tin roofs, to the latest upgrade to brick built stations that accommodate up to eight rangers. Improving living conditions provides not only a better quality of life and increased safety, but a real boost to morale.

The poaching continues at an alarming rate, and I was shown not only many confiscated items – including elephant tusks and pangolin scales – but also uncountable numbers of weapons and snares. At one ranger post I was shown a 23 metric tonne pile of snares.

DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith, in Uganda

But, all the hard work has paid off. Your support, and the hard work of the rangers of UWA, has turned the park around, and it now boasts a healthy and growing population of elephants – around 1,500 – and lions, hippo, most of the Rothschild’s Giraffes in the world, and countless other wildlife.

There’s plenty of room for optimism too; at the moment only a tiny part of the park is developed, and bringing in more tourism is vital for the long-term survival of the elephants and other animals.

Your continued support will help to safeguard this little known treasure and, in coming decades, will not only see the elephant and lion population soar, but could provide a home for rhinos once again too. I believe that with continued hard work and investment Uganda can be a model of good practice for the rest of the world and provide a rich wildlife inheritance for locals and global communities alike.

You can donate to support this success story at www.davidshepherd.org

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Zambia DSWF has been working to protect Zambia’s wildlife for over 30 years and helped establish the country’s first elephant orphanage. Now run by local NGO, Game Rangers International, DSWF remains a key funder of the project and the associated park protection and anti-poaching work that supports the long-term survival of Zambia’s wildlife.

It takes a dedicated team to protect wildlife and now, you could be part of it.

An experience you’ll never forget...

Volunteering with the Elephant Orphanage Project

Images courtesy of Game Rangers International and Dave Mackay

Nestled in the Zambian bush, 15 orphaned elephants are slowly regaining their confidence after their traumatic separations from their herds. At delicately young ages the elephants at the Elephant Orphanage Project (EOP) experienced trauma that will shape their future; trauma that is now ingrained in their memories. With love, patience and dedication from their keepers, the elephants have the opportunity to reclaim their wild lives as they embark upon an extensive rehabilitation programme that aims to release them back into their natural environment.

Adjusting to life without an experienced herd to learn from is not easy, but EOP is the helping hand these orphans need to start their journey to recovery and be wild once again.

The EOP teams work tirelessly to guarantee the highest standard of care for the orphans at their two facilities: Lilayi Elephant Nursery based just outside Lusaka, where the youngest, milk-dependent orphans are cared for and the Kafue Release Facility based in Kafue National Park, where the elephants are transferred when they are old enough to be weaned from milk. Here they can explore the wild surroundings of the national park and integrate into the larger release herd, which currently consists of 12 elephants.

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From veterinary procedures and behaviour observations, to milk preparation and boma (enclosure) cleaning, the teams have a long list of tasks to work through, day and night, to ensure the elephants’ welfare. With so much to do, extra help is warmly welcomed.

How you can get involved EOP operates an exclusive volunteer programme that runs annually from April through to November. Volunteers can apply for a one month placement at either Lilayi Elephant Nursery or the Kafue Release Facility. The project’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned elephants back into the wild is achieved only when strict protocols are followed and attention to detail is applied to every aspect of the project, so volunteers are carefully selected to ensure that the right person is chosen. With such a unique programme in place it has become one of the most sought after organisations to ethically volunteer with elephants.

Adjusting to life without an experienced herd to learn from isn’t easy, but EOP is the helping hand these orphans need to start their journey to recovery and to being wild again

Lilayi Elephant Nursery accepts two volunteers each month based on a successful application process. Volunteers primary focus will be to conduct the project’s bespoke Behaviour Observation Study which involves walking out into the bush with the elephants – truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Additional tasks include milk preparation, cleaning the elephant boma, collecting browse from the bush for the elephants to feed on during lunchtimes and evenings, photography and staff capacity building.

Kafue Release Facility accepts three volunteers each month and assesses applications based on specialist skills. With a larger herd at this facility, a greater focus is placed on the Behaviour Observation Study with two volunteers per month accepted onto the Research placement, which offers a spectacular opportunity to observe the elephants out in the bush. One volunteer per month is also accepted onto the Media and Marketing placement at this facility utilising their existing skills and knowledge to promote the wonderful work of EOP through social media, blogging, PR, fundraising, video and photography. This placement also offers volunteers the special experience of walking with the elephants in the bush to capture their natural magnificence and create beautiful stories that will touch the hearts of people around the world.

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

Special unit cracks down on poachers The DSWF funded Special Anti-poaching Unit (SAPU) has had a busy few weeks as it cracks down on poaching in Zambia.

With 22 arrests since March 1 the team has also confiscated over 135kg of bush meat, some fake rhino horn, a large pair of elephant tusks cut into four pieces and 3.5kg of precious and semi-precious stones. In addition a number of guns, including four shot guns and an AK47, have also been confiscated.

There are also a number of ongoing investigations into ivory seizures. This huge work load is the subject of The Bigger Picture that will feature at the Mall Galleries in London this summer - see pages 12-13 for more.

On course for improved animal protection

DSWF funding has provided Annekim Geerdes - Project Manager for GRI’s Wildlife Veterinary Project in Zambia - with a oncein-a-lifetime experience. Earlier this year she attended a Chemical and Physical Wildlife Immobilization Course in Zimbabwe run by some of her childhood heroes in wildlife veterinary circles. Joining a group of international students from 16 different countries, who shared the same vision, made the training unforgettable.

Make memories to remember forever “Stepping out of your familiar routine and making a difference to the lives of orphaned elephants may be one of the most rewarding and valuable things you’ll ever do during your lifetime. In the short time spent reading this article, another vulnerable elephant has become orphaned. Right now, they need our help – and yours – more than ever. I am thankful that orphaned elephants are being rescued by this great organisation and that they will get another chance to live a life as a wild elephant. I will always support this cause, even more so now that I have witnessed some of the work of this special team. The passion for the elephants I have felt here is incredible.”

Ellen Greve Volunteer, April 2017

Find out more about how to apply for a volunteer placement at

http://bit.ly/EOPVolunteer N.B. All walking with elephant experiences conform to strict safety protocols and constitute distance viewing with supervision.

“The course trained me to make better decisions about choosing the right drugs to use when immobilizing wild animals,” explains Annekim. “These drugs can be extremely dangerous - some are lethal to humans so it’s really important to know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it and what to do in the case of an emergency. I’m now better prepared and I’ll know what to look out for, what to take into consideration and I’ll have an emergency plan before I even get out of my vehicle and start an operation.

“My practical darting skills have also improved.

We darted in a variety of situations; from the ground, out of a helicopter and from the back of a vehicle. For wildlife vets (or any vet for that matter) skills come with training; you never stop learning and always need to make sure you spend time developing your skills. I’m hugely grateful to DSWF for making my attendance on this course possible, it will add great value to GRI's network, our veterinary aid in Zambia and to conservation as a whole.”

Annekim, who qualified as a vet in Holland, joined the team in Zambia in February 2016.

“I didn’t hesitate to take the job,” she says. “It’s such a privilege being outside and having the chance to work with the most beautiful - but unfortunately highly threatened - animals on this planet. Contributing to something vitally important makes you feel purposeful.”

Thanks to your support Zambia’s elephants are facing a brighter future but they will need our continued support for decades if they are to survive and thrive. You can donate to help us continue this great work via our website: www.davidshepherd.org or call us on 01483 272323 Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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The Bigger Picture

All images: Dave Mackay

Using art, photography and film to raise funding and awareness for anti-poaching

In 2016, Freddy Paske had recently left the British Army to pursue his passion as a wildlife artist. It was during this busy year that he met Dave Mackay; another army veteran who had recently completed a first class degree in photography. Yearning for adventure again they decided to join their new found professions with 29 years of combined military experience and set their sights on the world of conservation and a very different type of war zone.

“The Bigger Picture project was designed with one specific aim: to raise funding and awareness for the men and women on the front line of conservation,” explains Dave.

To do this, Freddy and Dave teamed up with professional charity fundraiser Liz Parker, who secured full sponsorship for the project and helped complete the team

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with award winning documentary film maker Dieter Deswarte. With support from DSWF, they headed to Zambia to work alongside anti-poaching teams and to document their experience through art, photography and film.

The journey began this February at the Elephant Orphanage Project in Lusaka.

“It was a potent introduction to the effects of poaching,” says Freddy. “The orphans are the surviving victims of a vicious trade which has claimed their mothers. With meticulous care, the keepers watch over the juveniles 24/7 with one thing in mind; to release them back into the wild.”

“They take this ethos very seriously and as a result physical human contact is reduced to a minimum,” adds Dave. “As

we photographed and filmed the keepers going about their tireless daily routine, it was clear to see how difficult it is to maintain this stand-off attitude. We all soon realised that the distance is there to help keeper as well as elephant part company at the age of three years – the time the orphans are moved from the nursery up to the release facility in Kafue National Park.”

After a few days with the nursery orphans the team travelled out to the centre of Kafue National Park, home to the Special Anti-Poaching Unit (SAPU). This elite team was to be their guide for the rest of the month.

Charged with being at the tip of the antipoaching spear, they work with carefully sourced intelligence to conduct specific strikes and arrests.

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

“The Bigger Picture project was designed with one specific aim: to raise funding and awareness for the men and women on the front line of conservation”

“Needless to say their workload is exponential,” says Dave. “At 22,500km2, Kafue is one of the largest national parks in Africa and therefore one of the hardest to patrol. It takes them four days in unreliable vehicles to reach the edge of the park, rain permitting.

More importantly, it takes them just as long to return which can mean life or death for an injured ranger. With these factors at play it is not surprising that poachers conduct most of their operations in the hard to access areas.”

Throughout the following weeks the team joined the SAPU patrols; photographing, sketching and filming their way around Kafue National Park. Keeping equipment dry was a constant problem and for a team accustomed to the relative comforts of good military equipment it was admirable to see the rangers operating in these conditions in just a pair of gum boots.

A poignant reminder of the difficulties of operating in the area hit home when the team’s convoy was bogged down during a resupply. After 24 hours of digging they finally released their vehicles and could deliver the rations.

“Rainy season lasts for four months and this journey needs to be done at least every month,” explains Freddy. “Having seen firsthand what is required of a Kafue ranger, The Bigger Picture team now understands how vital it is to raise awareness of their work and funding to support supplies and equipment.”

The body of work that the team collected will create a powerful exhibition - the first of its kind - by providing a unique visual exploration into life on a very different front line.

The Bigger Picture will be exhibited in the Threadneedle Space at the Mall Galleries alongside the 10th anniversary of DSWF’s Wildlife Artist of the Year and aims to help raise over £40,000 for the Kafue rangers.

If you would like to make a donation towards vital kit and equipment for those on the front line of conservation please go to www.TBP2017.com The Bigger Picture is proudly sponsored by Janus Global Operations

Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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India

Protecting India’s precious one-horned rhino Training Vets to Tackle Human-wildlife Conflict

Increasing wealth in many Asian countries has led to a sky-rocketing in demand for items once reserved for the elite.

Sadly, rhino horn is one such commodity.

Capitalising on rumours that it cures cancer, illegal traders have played a key role in the a global surge in the demand for rhino horn, depleting wild populations in countries such as India, Kenya and South Africa.

Assam, in Northeast India, is home to about 70 per cent of the world’s Greater OneHorned Rhino and, with its borders close to China and Myanmar, has become a prime target for poachers.

During 2016 enforcement agencies working in Kaziranga National Park (which has almost 2,500 rhino) arrested 88 poachers while five were killed in armed encounters with forest guards. Hoards of weapons and ammunition were seized including: eight .303 rifles, one AK 47 rifle, one .22 rifle, two handmade guns and 120 rounds of ammunition, two magazines for AK 47s and three magazines for .303 rifles and two silencers - terrifying signs that the war on wildlife is well equipped and deadly serious.

“In 2016 rhino poaching was largely controlled by proactive interventions made by forest and police officials,” says Dr Bibhab Talukdar of the DSWF funded Aaranyak Society which works to protect the precious wildlife of Assam. “Kaziranga lost 11 rhinos, while the smaller national parks of Orang and Manas lost one each. None were killed in Pabitora. Our goal is for zero poaching,” At the time of going to press three rhino had already lost their lives in Kaziranga this year and two in Orang illustrating the need for continued proactive and collaborative support for anti-poaching activities.

“The poacher involved in the Orang cases has been arrested and in 2016 the High Court issued instructions for judges in ten local districts to fast track cases filed under the Wildlife Protection Act. Illustrating the

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seriousness with which these cases are now being treated,” adds Bibhab.

With a third dog now being trained for the anti-poaching dog unit, DSWF funding continues to provide important support for anti-poaching activities in the area.

In addition, DSWF continues to support important community outreach through its Rhino and Tiger Goes to School and goat scheme activities.

In the last eight months 30 schools around Kaziranga have enjoyed Rhino and Tiger Goes to School. These highly interactive sessions combine solid science and conservation messages to engage local children in a deeper understanding of the need to protect their wildlife and help engender a real sense of collective ownership of the issues facing the survival and protection of rhinos and tigers.

In addition, 20 more families received goats as part of the DSWF funded scheme to provide alternative incomes to local people.

“Combining solid enforcement and antipoaching programmes with education and the provision of alternatives to poaching are key to DSWF’s holistic approach to wildlife conservation. And, the work that you help us fund in Assam is a great example of this,” says DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith.

Image©WTI

Image©Michael Vickers

How funding for anti-poaching and community outreach is making a difference to rhino survival

Managing human-wildlife conflict is one of the greatest challenges for conservation agencies in India today. It is a serious threat to the survival of many endangered species and can cause injuries and fatalities to both people and animals. With a scarcity of vets trained to deal with this issue, DSWF funding is helping to build capacity in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The training programme, organised through the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in February at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, targeted vets working near Protected Areas in the Western and Eastern Ghats.

Eighty three participants including Veterinary Assistant Surgeons and Assistant Directors from the Department of Animal Husbandry - from the districts of Coimbatore, Erode as well as the Nilgiris (regions in which conflict situations arise regularly) attended the first batch of training.

Sessions were based on wildlife conservation; the role of vets in wildlife management; capture and translocation; management of captive elephants and their health; and the status of humanwildlife conflict in Tamil Nadu. Field visits were also made into the tiger reserve and the nearby Theppakadu Elephant Camp, where the trainees learned about captive elephant management and had the opportunity to attend an elephant post-mortem. A list of trained vets has now been circulated to forest officials.

By enhancing their ability to effectively respond to conflict-related emergencies, this training programme has increased the number of vets who can be called upon during wildlife operations in the state of Tamil Nadu greatly improving the chances of wildlife survival.

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Thailand

SCARS AND STRIPES: TRACKING THE TIGERS OF THAILAND

Not many of us get to share our work space with wild tigers but for Eric Ash of DSWF funded Freeland, the forests of Thailand and their tigers are part of his day job…

Tigers are elusive, solitary, and wild. Outside of protected areas in places like India, where they may be observed from the comfort of a vehicle, tigers are understandably wary of humans. This is certainly true of tigers in Southeast Asia, where their populations have plummeted, some struggling to hang on and others wiped out completely.

Images courtesy of FREELAND, Panthera, Ann and Steve Toon

Our DSWF funded tiger monitoring work in Eastern Thailand relies, to a great extent, on camera traps and the photos of tigers they capture. They can provide important insight into tiger behaviour, range, population, and ecology; information that can be used to develop protection strategies. Notably, this information is collected non-invasively, so we can rest assured that we can observe tigers, in most cases, without interrupting their natural behaviours.

I have worked for over five years to catalogue every camera trap image of these tigers, identifying each individual by their stripe patterns. Having spent an extraordinary amount of time cataloguing these images I have a strong sense of these tigers as individuals, even with the smallest glimpses into their stories and struggles. As an objective observer, I avoid anthropomorphizing wild animals, but it is easy to feel a sense of acquaintance when you check camera traps and see some familiar faces.

considered to be an accomplishment for tigers in the wild.

The magic of M2 Our most frequently photographed tiger, known as ‘M2’ has been the dominant male of one key area of tiger habitat for many years. An impressively large male, he has reigned over his large territory defending it from rival males year after year. He is also estimated to be at least 12 years old. He wears the years and relics of hard-fought battles on an increasingly scarred face.

Life is tough for tigers in the wild Securing a territory with enough food and water to survive is a challenging task, as is defending it from other tigers who may be younger, fitter and equally desperate for access to food and mates. Battles between tigers are often violent and can result in serious injury, or even death. In addition, to survive a tiger must hunt prey that is extremely difficult to catch. For a tiger a successful kill can happen as infrequently as 1 out of 20 attempts. Lastly, they must also avoid poachers’ traps.

Scars and stripes

Happily, some of the individuals we have recorded since we started monitoring in 2008 continue to be observed.

The risks and challenges faced by wild tigers are evident from recent camera trap images that show M2 with fresh, open wounds, potentially caused by another tiger or a failed hunting attempt. In addition, for the past year he has been living with a large growth on his front right leg. Whether he will survive these ailments is uncertain.

The first tiger we recorded in 2008, a female with the rather uninspiring name of ‘F1’ was again photographed in 2016. We estimated her to be at least 12 years old, an age

Yet, tigers can survive great adversity and are remarkably resilient. Another tiger we have photographed, a scrappy male by the name of ‘M5’, sustained a severe eye injury,

presumably in a fight, in 2012. Following his injury he surfaced after a long period without detection in another survey area and spent the following years seemingly as a transient, moving from one part of the landscape to another. Nonetheless, despite his injury, he persevered.

Under threat Despite this resilience, tigers are still under tremendous threat. In Thailand potentially fewer than 200 individuals remain, representing some of the last populations for Indo-Chinese tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti) remaining in the wild. It is this precarious position that compels us to maintain a high level of secrecy about specific locations lest this information fall into the wrong hands.

I am humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to gain insight into the stories of these tigers and spend time in their forest. Their stories and the data gleaned from our surveys are made all the more dramatic when the stakes for tigers are this high. This underscores the importance of continuing our monitoring and protection work alongside the Thai Government and our partners, including Panthera, and with generous support from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and its TigerTime campaign.

It is my hope that with additional support these tigers can continue to write their own stories, deep within Thailand’s incredible forests, well into the future.

Help support Thailand’s amazing tigers by donating online or calling us on 01483 272323 Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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Mongolia Study shows Protected Areas alone will not save snow leopards

Snow leopard survival will depend on protecting larger landscapes and working alongside more local communities - camera trap images ©SLT

Since 2008, DSWF has helped the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) collar and track 20 wild snow leopards in Mongolia - an amazing feat for snow leopard science.

Using data from these GPS collars, the research team has been able to calculate average home range sizes, finding that females use approx. 130 km2 , while male cats in this area use around 220 km2.

What’s more, SLT researchers have found that up to 40% of all protected areas across the snow leopard’s range are too small to support these endangered cats.

“Our results show that snow leopards have a substantially larger spatial need than previously thought,” says Örjan Johansson, the study’s lead scientist. “These home ranges are between six and 44 times larger than earlier studies had indicated.”

The study also found very little overlap in home ranges of adult cats of the same sex, suggesting that snow leopards are largely territorial. These findings are in contrast to previous data, which had shown much smaller home ranges and greater overlap between individuals. These earlier studies were conducted using older, less accurate scientific research methods, including ground-based, hand-held VHF tracking.

Home Range vs. Protected Area To frame their findings in the context of conservation, the research team compared average snow leopard home ranges to all 170 official, state-sanctioned protected areas within the cats habitat.

“Forty per cent of these protected areas are smaller than an average male home range – so they’re too small to host even one breeding pair of snow leopards,” Örjan says. “This means that any cats living in these areas will also regularly use surrounding areas that are unprotected. Sadly, we can’t simply assume they’re safe just because their habitat falls within a protected area.” Örjan and his colleagues also found that less than 15% - and likely as few as 3-4% - of all protected areas in snow leopard habitat are large enough to host a population of 15 breeding females. These findings make one thing very clear: protected areas alone will not be enough to save the snow leopard.

“We really need large, secure populations of 50 or more breeding females for this cat to survive,” Örjan adds. “The protected area system, while important, cannot provide enough connected habitats to allow for this.

Even under the most generous model of how many cats can fit into an area, there are only eight existing protected areas that could fit 50 or more breeding females right now.”

More than ever, this recent data underscores the importance of community-based

conservation programmes that can extend beyond protected areas.

“Protected Areas serve an important role as core habitats for snow leopards and their prey, but this study shows that we need to focus our attention on protecting larger landscapes, and that means working with the local communities who live alongside these cats,” says Dr. Charu Mishra, the SLT’s Science & Conservation Director.

“This ground breaking research is the result of the Trust’s focused long-term effort in understanding snow leopard ecology. But even more importantly, it’s the result of years of support and expertise provided by our passionate supporters and partners,” adds Charu.

“We thank DSWF for not only supporting this research, but for also championing community-based programmes that expand protection for snow leopards. DSWF was one of the first foundations to help us pioneer grassroots community programmes in Mongolia two decades ago. Today, these programmes are more important than ever.”

With your help DSWF can help to expand these areas even further, ensuring the long-term survival of one of the world’s most beautiful and elusive big cats.

You can support this work by donating either online at www.davidshepherd.org or by calling 01483 272323

Acknowledgements: This study is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend, Sumbee Tomorsukh, who had a key role in the field work and data analysis. He passed away in 2015. This study was conducted in collaboration with Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, with support from the Ministry for Environment and Green Development, Government of Mongolia, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. SLT would like to thank the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation for being one of the main contributors to its long-term ecological study in Mongolia.

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Russia

A winter of rescues Winter is a dangerous time for Amur tigers. Although perfectly adapted to their surroundings, orphaned or injured animals can struggle to survive and are sometimes found seeking food and shelter close to human settlements. With your help, DSWF funding supports the rescue and rehabilitation of these precious cats; each one vital to the survival of this rare subspecies.

On the road to greater protection of the Amur tiger

At the end of 2016 four tigers were rescued; one was captured and released immediately away from human contact while the three others are currently being cared for in preparation for release.

Five month old ‘Lazovka’ has adapted well to her outside enclosure at the PRNCO Tiger Center and in January proved her hunting skills were developing well when she caught her first rabbit. Her neighbours, Filya and Vladvik, who have shown that they are perfect hunters and remain fearful of humans, were due for release as Wildlife Matters went to print.

Less fortunate but incredibly lucky, a young cub with a gunshot wound to its head made a remarkable recovery when surgeons operated earlier this year.

Despite the serious trauma it did not lose its eyesight and with its broken upper jaw on the mend and showing signs of a good appetite and natural behaviours it may even have a chance of returning to the wild.

DSWF funding is helping to make safe the forests and roads for the protection of the rare Amur tiger ©Phoenix Fund and Mark Carwardine

Over the last few months, DSWF has helped resolve two major access issues affecting the protection of the rare Amur tiger in the Primorsky krai region of the Russian Far East.

Working closely with NGO partners, DSWF funding has supported the dismantling and rewilding of logging roads in Terney District and, further north, helped clear vital anti-poaching routes made impassable by the worst typhoon to have hit the area in over 40 years.

Dismantling abandoned logging roads Prime habitat for the Amur tiger, the richly forested region of Terney has been subject to wide-spread logging operations.

Images courtesy of PRNCO and Phoenix Fund

Lucky to be alive the cub was shot through the head

Sadly, a three year old tigress that sought help died before the rescue team could reach her. Terribly emaciated, she died of severe exhaustion and frost-bite – it is thought that she had escaped from a trap or snare – and teams are now searching for the place where she was injured.

Despite this sad loss, the rescue of the other cubs gives hope to the survival of Amur tigers in the wild. As human activities increase it is more important than ever that we are able to help fund this programme with our NGO partner the Phoenix Fund and the PRNCO Tiger Center, working together to save these rare cats in the Russian Far East.

“Logging roads have increased exponentially in Terney from c.228km in 1984 to over 6,278km in 2014,” explains DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith. “These unofficial roads – that are no longer used by the logging companies – are open to the public and, with little capacity to monitor and control this access, the risk of forest fires, illegal logging and poaching create a very real threat to the survival of tigers and other wildlife in the area.”

Efforts to dismantle these roads had already begun and additional DSWF funding helped to establish a working group to prioritize work on the road closures throughout 2017.

“This development is a tremendously important step towards reducing the vulnerability of tigers and the unique flora and fauna outside of protected areas,” says Oliver.

Clearing typhoon damaged roads Last summer, the worst typhoon to hit the Primorsky krai region in 40 years

caused extensive flooding. Homes, bridges and highways were damaged with fallen trees blocking many forest roads. During September and October teams struggled to clear the debris as they hurried to restore access to important guard posts and antipoaching patrol routes within the SikhoteAlin Nature Reserve which is home to at least 30 Amur tigers.

“Sadly, funding was not available to adequately maintain the forest roads that law-enforcement teams and tiger monitoring specialists use for their work. To ensure proper anti-poaching protection these roads must be in a drivable condition for patrol staff,” adds Oliver.

While the winter snows temporarily stopped work, by the end of March the team had cleared 75km of roads and 195km of trails enabling a full programme of anti-poaching patrols to resume.

DSWF has been working to protect Russia’s Amur tigers since the 1990s when rampant poaching reduced their numbers to as few as 100. Now, with a healthier but still hugely vulnerable population of about 540 tigers, we are determined to do all we can to create protected, wild habitats for the survival of these extraordinary cats.

Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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Education matters Welcome to the spring 2017 education update from DSWF. Our young supporters have been so busy over the last few months that there’s hardly room to squeeze all the news and adventures into these two pages!

It’s wonderful to see the inspirational results of this year’s Global Canvas Art & Poetry Competition - why not get involved in 2018 when we go ‘Into the Wild’ Gary Lineker, Captain of Young Friends

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDRAISERS St Thomas of Canterbury, London (below) held their annual Green Week and raised a brilliant £478 for DSWF.

Hall Grove School raised an incredible £3,175 by combining their art and poetry skills with business and entrepreneurial thinking to make and sell a variety of different items from stuffed toy whales to animal themed windmills and T-shirts.

After a visit from DSWF to provide a conservation education day, the children and staff at Ardingly Prep School have been working hard to raise money to help protect endangered animals. So far they have raised a fantastic £1,213 by holding a mufti day, and are continuing to fundraise for us.

Guildford County School (above) have been putting the fun into FUNdraising!

Raising over £1,500 for DSWF during their annual charity week. Students and staff took part in an incredibly busy and successful week of imaginative events from Quidditch matches to a fun quiz, cake sales and an historical themed dress up day to raise money.

St Hilary’s School, Godalming (above).

Following a DSWF workshop, St Hilary’s decided to hold an art competition for children aged 5-11 from local schools.

The £2 entry fee was donated to DSWF and raised £161! Artist Mandy Shepherd was guest judge. Well done to all of the children who entered the competition!

Thank you to all our schools and individuals for your amazing support. Why not download our FREE FUNdraising pack for some inspirational ideas (see below left).

Great events for little wildlife lovers Spreading awareness about wildlife is a key part of what we do at DSWF.

Get your

FREE

FUNdraising pack!

Endangered wildlife needs your help!

Get inspired with our fabulous, FREE, FUNdraising pack that is chock-oblock with 100s of great ideas and ways to help raise vital funds for wildlife. It’s completely free - simply download it from our website at: www.davidshepherd.org/education Don’t forget! If you are thinking of fundraising for DSWF let us know - there might be some extra ways that we can help. We’d love to receive photos and reports of your fundraising too so we can tell the world how brilliant you are!

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“If we can help nurture an understanding and respect for wildlife and wild spaces among the younger generation then these young people may grow into the wildlife guardians of the future,” says David Shepherd.

Every project we support around the world has a conservation education element to it and we run a series of workshops and events in the UK too.

Look out for a great pangolin workshop at Reigate Library on May 30 and rhinos at Crawley Library on June 1. We hope to see you there!

For a full list of events see our website at www.davidshepherd.org

Would you like an education workshop or assembly?

If your school is interested in a visit from us please get in touch with jo.elphick@davidshepherd.org Our visits are free of charge. However, we also run full Conservation Education Days for which there is a charge, why not get in touch for more details. Please note geographical restrictions to visits may apply.

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

GLOBAL CANVAS

Celebrating Our Precious Planet The final of the DSWF annual Global Canvas Art and Poetry competition showcased a fabulous celebration of ‘Our Precious Planet’, the theme for this year’s event, at the Natural History Museum in London on March 23.

Over 1,800 children from art groups and schools in the UK and overseas entered the 2017 competition with a shortlist of 15 schools invited to display their work at London’s famous museum.

“Being one of the shortlisted finalists was a prize in itself as choosing the winners from so many inspiring and creative entries was a hugely difficult task,” says DSWF Education Manager, Jo Elphick.

“It was an outstanding shortlist, and in my eyes everyone was a winner,” said David Shepherd who attended the event. “That the winners also managed to raise so much money to protect the wildlife that we all love was the icing on the cake.”

The winners were:

Third place: Spratton Hall, Northampton The judges said: This was a fantastic entry - it was a wonderfully original idea making jewellery boxes in the shape of animals and filling them with poems and individual ceramic animals, there was a huge amount of collaboration involved and an amazing level of detail with something new to see every time you looked at it!

Event sponsor’s Michael O’Mara Books Personal Choice Award: Shottermill Junior School – for its fabulous mixture of words and strong images that are so important in book publishing to express powerful messages. It was a very imaginative piece of work.

First place: Hall Grove, Bagshot The judges said: They showed us that not only did they have great artistic and poetic skills, they had really thought about the animals that make up ‘Our Precious Planet’ but they also showed amazing and unexpected entrepreneurial skills.They thought outside the box and used the fantastic art that they made for the competition to raise money for endangered animals. We were also really impressed with the quality of the entry and the level of collaboration involved.

Guest speaker Jonathan Truss Personal Choice Award: South Farnham School – Jonathan loved the personality that the children had managed to give to their work, particularly the large penguin and the orangutans, and thought the creativity and skill of the sculptures brought the whole display together perfectly.

As part of their prize, the overall winners receive £1,000 (sponsored by Michael O’Mara Books) to donate to the DSWF conservation project of their choice.

Entrants from Artspiration, St Thomas of Canterbury and Cranmere gather in London

Into the Wild!

Join us for the competition next year when we go ‘Into the Wild’ With no entry fee and a focus on collaborative art why not join in and GO WILD with Global Canvas in 2018. www.davidshepherd.org

David Shepherd Personal Choice Award: David chose the Spratton Hall elephant (below) because of its ingenuity, creativity and the amount of patience it must have taken to make. David said that it had such personality and so much to explore that he kept being drawn back to it.

Second place: Cranmere Primary, Esher The judges said: This school had children from age 4-11 involved in their entry, we loved the huge variety of different media used to create their display, the amazing amount of work produced and the quality of it, there was just so much to look at!

Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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The ART of Conservation Founded by wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd CBE, DSWF has been using its rich art heritage to raise money for conservation for over 30 years. 2017 marks the tenth anniversary of our Wildlife Artist of the Year competition and the start of an exciting new Art Ambassadors Programme...

The tenth annual Week of Wildlife Art returns to the Mall Galleries, London this summer with a stunning exhibition of original art. From June 28 to July 2 the galleries will be flooded with the colour and form of the natural world celebrated in a wide range of media including oils, watercolour, bronze and ceramic.

Forming the heart of the exhibition is the shortlist for the 2017 Wildlife Artist of the Year prize. Launched in 2008 to raise awareness and funds for endangered wildlife, the competition brings together the world’s best wildlife artists exploring seven exciting categories. From Earth’s Beautiful Creatures to Urban Wildlife, more than 160 original works will challenge preconceptions of wildlife art.

“The sheer diversity of media and form this year has created an extraordinary celebration of the natural world and a huge challenge for the judges,” says DSWF CEO, Oliver Smith.

“This year’s shortlist brings the wild to life,” says judge, awardwinning artist Gary Hodges. “From the silence of a shark casting its shadowy form on the ocean bed to the scuttling of armadillos, the peacefulness of hippos wallowing in the early morning sun and the symphony of bird song at dusk, selecting the overall winner from this amazing collection will be extremely hard.”

One hundred and sixty three pieces have been shortlisted for the £10,000 sponsored top prize with the judges making their final selection on the morning of Tuesday, June 27 ahead of the private view and prize-giving that evening.

Hercules by Steve Nayar Shortlisted for the 2017 Wildlife Artist of the Year

Wildlife Artist of the Year Mall Galleries SW1 June 28 - July 2 Entry by donation

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As part of the event’s tenth anniversary celebrations, and helping to bring the story of wildlife protection to life, the Threadneedle Space at the Mall Galleries will host The Bigger Picture (see page 12), an exhibition of art, photography and film which weaves a visual tale of life as an anti-poacher in Zambia captured over a month on the ground this February.

Commenting on the event David Shepherd said: “I set up my Foundation with the sole purpose of giving something back to the animals which helped me achieve success as an artist.

At a time when the world’s wildlife is under such devastating pressure from expanding human populations and the illegal trade it seems fitting that we take a step back and reflect on the sheer beauty and diversity of our natural world and what could be lost if we do not truly appreciate the value of the world around us.”

Each original piece in the exhibition is for sale, with profits supporting DSWF’s wildlife conservation projects across Africa and Asia. Since 2008, the event has raised more than £350,000 to help protect some the world’s most endangered wildlife.

We look forward to seeing you there - event details are on the back of this issue of Wildlife Matters.

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

Art Matters

ART Ambassadors Christie’s November 2017 This year sees the launch of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s exciting new Art Ambassadors Programme forming part of the foundations ‘Art for Survival’ portfolio. The programme will launch with a stunning exhibition of original works at Christie’s King Street Gallery in central London.

Drawing on the Foundation’s rich art heritage we have invited seven hugely talented artists to be part of the charity’s mission to raise awareness and funds to save wildlife through highly visual and emotive media.

Outlining the concept DSWF Founder, David Shepherd said: “In choosing our Art Ambassadors we looked for people whose lives and work are absorbed by nature and epitomise what it means to be a wildlife artist and conservationist; someone who lives and breathes nature and who inspires others to become advocates for conservation. The Ambassadors chosen for this year’s inaugural exhibition are exciting painters, sculptors and photographers.”

Our Art Ambassadors for this first year are: Paul Augustinus, painter (Kenya) Simon Max Bannister, sculptor (South Africa) Domenica de Ferranti, sculptor (London) David Filer, graphite pencil artist (Zimbabwe/South Africa) Emily Lamb, painter (Africa and Cornwall) James Kydd, photographer (South Africa) Mandy Shepherd, painter (England) 50% of the proceeds from the sale of each original piece will go directly to support the work of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

Each Artist is also generously donating one work to the live auction at DSWF’s spectacular annual Wildlife Ball, at the Dorchester, Park Lane on Friday November 10, 2017.

James Kydd

DSWF’s Art for Survival portfolio includes: • The sale of original and limited edition art through its online gallery - see page 22-23 • The exhibition and sale of short listed original art at the annual Wildlife Artist of the Year competition event at the Mall Galleries, SW1. In 2017 the event takes place from Wednesday June 26 to Sunday July 2 (PV Tuesday June 27) • Art Ambassador Programme at Christie’s London.

• Working with artists on bespoke and unique fundraising opportunities.

• Inspiring young people to get involved with wildlife art through our Global Canvas competition - see page 19

The Art Ambassadors Exhibition Christie’s King Street Gallery November 3 (private preview) - November 7

For event information please call DSWF on 01483 272323 or email dswf@davidshepherd.org Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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Fabulous new limited edition prints hand signed and numbered by the artist

Jos Haigh Available as paper prints or as box canvases

Wanton Wendy Paper print 40 x 50 cm £80 Box canvas 30 x 40 cm £80 Plus £10 p&p

Audacious Audrey Paper print 38 x 28 cm £50 Box canvas 40 x 30 cm £80 Plus £10 p&p

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Dancing Debra Paper print 50 x 40 cm £80 Box canvas 40 x 30 cm £80 Plus £10 p&p

Anxious Ambrose Paper print 38 x 28 cm £50 Box canvas 40 x 30 cm £80 Plus £10 p&p

Hurricane Doris Paper print 40 x 50 cm £80 Box canvas 30 x 40 cm £80 Plus £10 p&p

Modest Mazie Paper print 50 x 40 cm £80 Box canvas 40 x 30 cm £80 Plus £10 p&p

All sales support DSWF conservation projects - order online at shop.davidshepherd.org or call us on 01483 272323

Visit our online shop to explore the wonderful world of wildlife art. From originals to prints you’ll find a fabulous choice of styles to suit all budgets and, with every purchase supporting our conservation projects there’s no better way to buy beautiful wildlife art.

Delta (above) A beautiful 100% cashmere scarf featuring one of Emily Lamb's paintings.

The fabric is gorgeously soft and weightless with hand frayed ends. Dry clean only.

200 cm x 70 cm - £235 plus £4.95 p&p

Wrap yourself in wildlife art Beautiful art woven into the finest fabrics. Be the envy of your friends in these stunning art inspired scarves.

African Giants (below) A beautiful 100% cashmere scarf featuring one of Emily Lamb's paintings. The fabric is gorgeously soft and weightless with hand frayed ends.

Dry clean only. 200 x 70 cm - £235 plus £4.95 p&p

The Challenge A lovely scarf (above) inspired by a painting by Karen Laurence Rowe.

Printed on quality fabric 90% modal, 10% cashmere.

Dry clean only.

100 x 180 cm - £50 plus £4.95 p&p

Cooling Camels (below) This very special and beautiful scarf is inspired by a painting by Karen Laurence Rowe. Printed on quality fabric 90% modal, 10% cashmere. Dry clean only.

The scarf is 70 x 200 cm - £50 plus £4.95 p&p

ORDER INFORMATION

To buy or for more information please call us on 01483 272323 Or go to

shop.davidshepherd.org Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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A way to be remembered...

Leaving us a legacy is a touching way to enable your commitment and passion for wildlife conservation to live on. Of course, you will always want to look after your family and friends first, but you can also help your lifetime passion for wildlife continue.

A significant amount of our work is paid for by the gifts people leave to us in their wills. We rely on donations from people who care, just like you, to continue our vital work to protect endangered animals.

Images courtesy James Warwick

If you would like to leave a lasting gift to wildlife through the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation it couldn’t be easier. Your legal adviser simply needs our full name, address and registered charity number (which you can find on page 2).

We are so grateful for any gift you may wish to leave to DSWF.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of leaving a legacy please contact Georgia on 01483 272323

How will you help WILDLIFE? We don’t want to lose you!

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Law is changing.

The new General Data Protection Regulation, coming into effect in May 2018, requires organisations to ensure that they have explicit consent from individuals to communicate with them.

We don’t want to lose you, because without your continued support we wouldn’t be able to maintain the vital funding that is helping to save endangered wildlife!

Please keep an eye out for a message from us in the next few months, asking you to opt in to hear about the exciting work we are doing here at DSWF.

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100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

ADOPTIONS THAT GO TO THE HEART OF OUR WORK

The new elephants have arrived from Zambia!

Like all DSWF adoptions our elephants, Nkala and Chamilandu are really special and help us fund key conservation and elephant rescue and rehabilitation work in Zambia. Packed full of information about the rescued elephants and exclusive sketches, these fabulous gifts have just got better!

Working with the Zambian-based women’s community group, Little Ndaba, who design and produce hand-crafted toys predominantly from gorgeous 100% organic cotton, we’ve sourced wonderful new Nkala and Chamilandu toys.

Each toy is individually and lovingly made by the group that helps provide alternative incomes to those living close to wildlife.

Chamilandu has a crochet heart on her rear reflecting her motherly character and love for her herd and Nkala, who suffered from a hernia which left a small scar on his belly, carries this distinguishing mark.

So, our elephant adoptions are now not only supporting the elephants but the people who live close to them too!

About Little Ndaba

Images courtesy of Little Ndaba and GRI

Passed down through the generations, many Zambian women have learnt the skills of knitting and crochet and the sale of their toys gives them an opportunity to contribute to their family income in a meaningful way.

Ladies gather once a week to wash and sew their knitted and crochet pieces to form cute animals such as elephants, lions and pangolins (see our Marimba adoption!). They use this time to chat and share ideas and expertise as well as gossip and giggle! They then collect new cotton for the next round of production and head home for the week. They are able to work entirely around their home routines and commitments and even farm out some of the knitting to other members of their family to help speed up production.

They are under no obligation and can create as many or as few toys as they want.

Ndaba is a common word in Africa that means a gathering, usually joyous and social.

Adoption prices start at just £32 or for £47 you can add one of these beautiful hand made elephant toys

Order by calling us on 01483 272323 or going on line at www.davidshepherd.org Wildlife Matters Issue 50

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Get involved for WILDLIFE

Be inspired!

TeamDSWF: Our 2017 London Marathon marvels TeamDSWF’s awesome runners raced against extinction in this year’s London Marathon raising over £13,500 for wildlife. HUGE thanks to Jon Musker, Joe Moriarty, Matt Levett, Louie Langley, Ben Simpson and Lucy Kolodynska (all pictured above) who finished the challenge in impressive time.

”This year’s team blew me away with their drive, determination and team spirit,” says DSWF Fundraising and Events Administrator, Shauna Rees who welcomed them across the finish line with the DSWF support team. Thanks too to Tiger Therapy’s Marina Kyriacou for the much needed massages at the end of the run.

Would you like to run the 2018 London Marathon for DSWF? Call us today on 01483 272323 - we’re waiting for your call!

Thank you!

We’d like to thank everyone who supports our work to help save endangered wildlife.

Whether you’ve climbed a mountain or baked a cake, raised £1 or £1,000 every pound is important!

AMBASSADORS

Thank you to our DSWF Volunteer Fundraising Ambassador Amanda Butler and husband Barry who represented DSWF at the launch of a life-size elephant sculpture at the home of Lord Joffe in Wiltshire. The unusual event gave DSWF the chance to tell our story and raise funds for wildlife. Amanda and Barry did a great job raising a jumbo £2,598!

A big shout out to Val Green for her continuing and effective campaigning for elephants and rhinos and for organising her regional Global March.

Welcome goes to our latest recruits Sue and Brian White who will be looking after Surrey in their new roles as volunteer fundraising ambassadors.

The art of conservation

We’d like to extend a very special thank you to wildlife artist Emma Bowring who’s generous donations from the sale of her art has supported DSWF conservation programmes to the tune of £2,700. See more of her work online at http://shop.davidshepherd.org/

Inspiring events, cycles, runs, cupcakes and zombies helping to save wild tigers...

Here’s a round-up of some recent fundraising activities for our TigerTime Campaign.

Laura Dickinson raised a delicious £182.50 from cake sales in support of our TigerTime campaign. With ever cake a tigery delight!

Angela Fumpson loves tigers and she’s working hard to support our TigerTime campaign too. Recently she put on an amazing day at Kings Weston House, Bristol treating attendees to an afternoon of inspiring and life changing advice from growing your confidence and speaking, to self belief and changing habits. The audience were completely engaged

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and there was even a little magic thrown in! The magic extended to tigers too with a wonderful donation of £780 from the event.

Twins Truman and Mortimer Woodall took to the road with a sponsored cycle ride and raised £300 for tigers. Thank you boys for such a grrrrreat effort!

Thanks too to George Sharpe who raised £195 for tigers on his sponsored run.

Find out more about TigerTime online at www.tigertime.info

And last but certainly not least, HUGE thank you to the New Zealand based games company PIKPOK who donated £3,800 from sales of their companion tiger in their best selling ‘Into the Dead’ zombie game!

100% of donations marked for specific projects in the field go in full, with no administration costs deducted

Get Involved!

Fundraising events come in all shapes and sizes at DSWF. From our annual Wildlife Ball at the Dorchester (see page 4) and our fabulous art events (see pages 20-21) to a wide choice of challenge events (see below) to the delight of a baking demonstration there really is something for everyone.

Our Whisk it up for Wildlife event this spring in the beautiful surrounds of Gate Street Barn in Surrey was a really tasty treat.

Great British Bake Off finalist Miranda Gore Browne shared her stories from the hit TV show and gave a wonderful cake and cookies decorating demonstration. Thank you to those who came, volunteers who helped to make the day so wonderful, Advocate Events, Coco Chocolate, Dobbe’s The Cranleigh Flower shop and to the Huntley’s for the use of Gate Street Barn.

For something a little more energetic we have a host of great events for you to take part in - whether you fancy a countryside walk or a mountain hike there’s a fundraising challenge for you...

LONDON MARATHON 2018

Places in the London Marathon are like gold dust but if you pledge to raise money for wildlife one of our Golden Bond places could be yours! Get in early by contacting us today (info below).

RIDE LONDON 2017/18

Good luck to our 2017 Ride London team of: Colin March, William Oliver, James Rendell, Daniel Steel and Christopher Barrow, who are aiming to raise at least £3,750 when they take on this great challenge on July 30. If you’d like to ride in 2018 get in touch (info below).

This advertisement helps to cover the cost of producing Wildlife Matters - to advertise please call us on 01483 272323

PEAK CHALLENGES

Whether you take on the Surrey Three Peaks, the National Three Peaks or the iconic Nine Peak Challenge - why not do it for wildlife. Not only will you feel great about ticking it off your bucket list but you’ll walk through some of the most stunning scenery in the UK and support wildlife conservation.

KILIMANJARO & MACHU PICCHU

If the UK peaks are too tame why not take on the big boys in Africa or South America! Details for all mountain challenges are online at www.davidshepherd.org/events

You can do it!

If you’d like to raise funds for DSWF or our TigerTime Campaign just give us a call on 01483 272323 or email dswf@davidshepherd.org with your idea and we’ll do everything we can to help.

Wildlife Matters Issue 50

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Wildlife Artist Year of the

ORIGINAL ART SUPPORTING WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Tenth Anniversary

Mall Galleries: June 28 - July 2 (PV June 27) Mall Galleries The Mall, London SW1 Entry by donation

FEATURING: The Bigger Picture

A unique fundraising project combining art, photography and film documenting life on the front line of wildlife conservation in Zambia.

Family Saturday

Art workshops for all ages - see www.davidshepherd.org for details and to register for your free space.

Telephone: +44 (0)1483 272323 Email: dswf@davidshepherd.org - Website: www.davidshepherd.org

Images: Tranquillity by Nick Oneill. Below: Communal Stripes by Sarah Soward; The Mirror of the Soul by Angela Ongaro; Shadows Kiss

by Catherine Ingleby; The Cost of Palm Oil by Carrie Cook