The Babbler Number 43 (July-September) 2012
Vietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis by Robert Gillmor, logo of the 1996 British Birdwatching Fair
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
The Babbler Number 43 (July-September) 2012
CONTENTS
Working together for birds and people
BirdLife International in Indochina is a subregional programme of the BirdLife Secretariat operating in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. It currently has two offices in the region:
• Comment • Features • Regional News
Vietnam Programme Office Room 211-212, D1 building, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound; 298 Kim Ma street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi, Vietnam P.O. Box 89 6 Dinh Le, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +84-4-3 514 8904 Cambodia Programme Office #9, Street 29 Tonle Basac, Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia P.O.Box: 2686 Tel/Fax: +855 23 993 631
Western Siem Pang towards a vision for biodiversity conservation in the dry forests of Cambodia The Mekong River Reaches Critical Point as the Xayaburi Dam Advances Vietnam fails to protect endangered species from illegal trade Why kingpins of Far Eastern wildlife crime can’t be caged The South Africa – Vietnam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus IUCN situation analysis on East and Southeast Asian intertidal habitats, with particular reference to the Yellow Sea
• Rarest of the rare
Vietnamese Pheasant is an invalid taxon
• Project Updates
CEPF- Regional Implementation Team updates Hutan Harapan A Forest of Hope under pressure Evaluating, consolidating and sustaining conservation of key sites in the Lower Mekong
• Reviews
Destination Wetlands Supporting Sustainable Tourism Flora and vegetation of areas adjacent to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
• From the archives
www.birdlifeindochina.org
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Comment
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wo important reports on international wildlife trade have been recently published and are reported on in this issue of The Babbler. These are Wildlife Crime Scorecard, a report produced for WWF by Kristin Nowell, and The South Africa – Vietnam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus: A deadly combination of institutional lapses, corrupt wildlife industry professionals and Asian crime syndicates by Tom Milliken and Jo Shaw and published by TRAFFIC. Both reports tell us what we all already know: Vietnam is the world’s largest consumer of rhino horn and by any measure the Vietnamese State is taking insufficient action. The TRAFFIC report concludes, …in Vietnam, there is little suggestion that any meaningful remedial action is being taken to address potent market forces that are driving the illicit trade in rhino horn. The fact that the rate of seizures and arrests has markedly dissipated in recent years is not in any way indicative of less trade and consumption, but rather a worrying sign that law enforcement effort is increasingly ineffective and possibly compromised. Strict implementation of the country’s legislation that prohibits rhino horn trade and compliance with CITES requirements for regulating rhino horn trophies does not appear to be a government priority at this time. Law enforcement in Vietnam is possibly compromised? It goes beyond mere law enforcement. The documented involvement of three Vietnamese diplomats who have been arrested or otherwise implicated in illicit rhino horn trade in South Africa exposes criminal corruption in this matter at the heart of the Vietnamese State.
The Babbler is the quarterly newsletter of BirdLife International in Indochina. This quarter The Babbler was compiled by Tran Thi Thanh Huong Huong@ birdlife.org.vn and edited by Jonathan C. Eames, Eames@birdlife.org.vn. The views expressed are those of contributors and are not necessarily those of BirdLife International. Photo credit: Anderi Satya
A spokesman for the CITES management authority in Vietnam (an office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said in response “Vietnam could not be the main market for South African rhino horn, not even close” and “Vietnam has made the highest number of arrests relating to rhino horn transport and trade in the world.” What hope do we have for reducing this trade when key representatives of the Vietnamese State lives in denial? It is not everyday that bird conservation priorities in Vietnam get easier. But they just became more simplified with the recent news that the Vietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis is not a valid taxon, rather that they represent inbred L. edwardsi. Thus L. hatinhensis should be removed from the IUCN Red List and other checklists of valid extant bird species. The recent appearance of this phenotype alongside wild populations of L. edwardsi suggests remaining wild populations of this species are highly inbred and close to extinction
Jonathan C. Eames OBE BirdLife International 3
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Feature
Eld’s deer Rucervus eldi in Western Siem Pang. Photo: Jonathan C. Eames
Western Siem Pang
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towards a vision for biodiversity conservation in the dry forests of Cambodia
Overall project progress during Year 1 was rather slow but generally on-track for overall completion by project end. During Year 1 a strategic vision has been broadly agreed internally within BirdLife. This is Ensuring Western Siem Pang remains fully bio diverse whilst contributing to provincial economic development through supporting local livelihoods and helping Forestry Administration achieve its mission of sustainably managing the Cambodian national forest estate. This vision was developed involving informal dialogue with The goal of the project is to permanently manage a representative example of the dry forest ecosystem of Central the Forestry Administration through regular meetings but not at a formal workshop of stakeholders. Meetings that could Indochina in Cambodia, which supports livelihoods and economic development, with enhanced levels of biodiversity influence the strategic vision have also been undertaken with Ok Sokun, Secretary of State for MAFF, Mong Rethhy, CEO as a model for replication and to inform wider forest of Green Sea Industries part of the Mong Rethhy Group, Ly management policy. Sochin CEO of Sovreign Retail Group Ltd., and Ing Bun Hoaw founder and CEO of Daun Penh Cambodia Group. The project has four objectives; to develop and seek endorsement from key stakeholders for the strategic vision Although the completion of a feasibility study was hampered and feasibility study for a Forest of Hope at Western Siem by the failure to secure the services of suitable consultants Pang; to improve the conservation status of biodiversity within the reporting period, the main reasons was the in Western Siem Pang; to secure sustainable financing for decision by BirdLife, following advice from with Ouk Sokun, implementation of the feasibility study and to increase Secretary of State for MAFF, to change its strategy and opt awareness of the value of Western Siem Pang. irdLife is currently implementing a three-year project funded by the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation entitled, Western Siem Pang, towards a vision for biodiversity conservation in the dry forests of Cambodia. The project began in 1 June 2011 and will run until May 2014. We have recently completed the first year of project activities, which we report on here.
not for a single feasibility study for the whole area but rather adopt a focus on developing plans for a Protected Forest and feasibility study for the area not within the economic land concession granted to Green Sea Industries, first, and then address the areas of overlap with Green Sea Industries by a different means. This plan suffered a further setback in July when the Government of Cambodia announced plans to undertake a land-titling programme focusing on contested land within Economic Land Concessions. This lead the Forestry Administration to place a moratorium on drafting a revised Protected Forest sub-decree for the proposed Protected Forest. In September we met and presented our ideas to the World Land Trust and IUCN Netherlands at a symposium on securing land for conservation in Asia during September 2012. The project has re-equipped, provided training for and expanded the law enforcement effort. Key items purchased have included a new Toyota Hi Lux 4x4 and ten 4
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motorbikes. We have recruited a volunteer expatriate technical advisor with experience in protected areas management and enforcement and through the appointment of a Community Outreach officer. Both of these positions are based at our office in Siem Pang. The former staff position provides direct support to the enforcement team, which is drawn from Birdlife national staff, locally posted FA staff and Military Police. At WSP we actively and regularly monitor populations of five Critically Endangered species, comprising three vulture species, White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture, plus the Giant Ibis and Whiteshouldered ibis. Using our biodiversity baseline data the number of White-shouldered Ibis recorded at Western Siem Pang has increased from 147 birds in 2009 to 346 birds in 2012. This is partly a reflection of better detection methods but we believe it is also a reflection of improved enforcement efforts including nest guarding, and regulation of hunting and poisoning of trapeangs.. Seven local conservation groups (LCGs) have also been established and are supported by the Community Outreach Officer. The LCGs have been informed about ongoing conservation actions and their active support has been solicited. By the end of year 1, the pilot income generation activities provided assistance to 217 households from seven target villages to minimize their livestock mortality risk through vaccination. Ear –tagging of vaccinated animals will also help monitoring of livestock use of key trapeangs.. Livestock is an important asset of local communities in WSPPPF; therefore we expected that in year two and three of this project there would be more participation from local communities in site management and protection. This activity also helps to preserve the unique livestock raising practice of local communities in dry forest that contributes to maintaining ecosystem function. The project will also assist these groups gain recognition at commune level in order for them to be more involved in land management issues. This outcome dovetails closely with activities to
Feature
manage and monitor trapeangs., which falls under our other currently active MacArthur Foundation supported project the Cambodian Forest Vulnerability and Adaptation Project (CAMFVAP). Two other donors, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund also co-fund these activities. The biodiversity baseline data for the proposed Western Siem Pang Protected Forest is obtained though regular monitoring of key trapeangs. by the project team. Much of this data was incorporated into the recently published biodiversity report which itself was an output of an earlier MacArthur Foundation funded project Evaluating, consolidating and sustaining conservation of key sites in the Lower Mekong. Other related technical reports generated by other ongoing or recently completed projects include a report on the outcomes of a workshop on the Whiteshouldered Ibis - a de facto species action plan, a Giant Ibis and White shouldered Ibis monitoring protocol) which was developed during the reporting period with funding from Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation fund.
Other notable project achievements and developments during the past year have included the fact that no new Economic Land Concessions were granted in the project area and the Government of Cambodia announced a moratorium on all new Economic Land Concessions. The Government of Cambodia is proceeding with a plan to allocate land title to families in Economic Land Concessions and we expect this to proceed at Western Siem Pang in the last quarter of 2012. We view this as an opportunity to assist demarcation of the Protected Forest although there is a risk that land will be lost from area with high conservation value. Earlier in the year Dominic Scriven OBE, CEO of Dragon Capital and Dinh Thi Hoa Chairwoman of Galaxy Co. Ltd. visited the site. Both are providing guidance on how to proceed with the project, and each is contributing to the Western Siem Pang book.
The project continues to face constraints and challenges. These have included the need for cancellation or at least reducing the areas of the Green Sea Industries economic During the past year, we have met regularly with Forestry Administration colleagues to discuss the need to revise down land concession remains a challenge because of this the area of the Green Sea Concession. At more than 150,000 company’s close relationship with the Prime Minister of Cambodia. ha it is 15 times the legally permitted maximum size. We feel that whilst this remains a major obstacle to progress, BirdLife needs to be able to demonstrate convincingly to the we are considering all options including working with the FA in the project lifetime that it has a viable alternative to concession holder, since they have political influence and commercial tree plantations and logging if the WSP PF is to infrastructure near the site. be a reality. We have also worked towards cultivating high level links with key members of the business community. At the start of project Year 2 we will strongly urge the Forestry Administrstion to proceed with the drafting of a sub-decree for the non-overlap area in the north of WSP and try to support its fast tracking through the government bureaucracy. Once the feasibility study is developed, or indeed as part of this process, we will advocate the approach with local stakeholders. This activity is ongoing into Year 2 as is the publication of a coffee table book on the site.
Finally, improved enforcement including chain-saw confiscation risks alienating corrupt local government officials. Year 2 will be a pivotal year in meeting the challanges to secure this irreplaceable site ----------By Jonathan C. Eames, BirdLife International 5
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
The Mekong River Reaches Critical Point as the Xayaburi Dam Advances By Ame Trandem*
Fishing is important for people’s livelihoods living near the dam source. Photo: International Rivers
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n a move that undermines the spirit of regional cooperation and threatens the Mekong River and its people, the government of Laos has announced that they are proceeding with the construction of the Xayaburi Dam. This move blatantly bypasses regional agreement, which is a necessity for all proposed Mekong River mainstream projects, as outlined in the 1995 Mekong Agreement. While this announcement is of no surprise for the people who have already been resettled to make way for the dam, the heavy costs associated with the project’s impacts to the world’s greatest freshwater fisheries is likely to bring greater
surprise to millions of people living downstream. As the first dam on the Mekong River, the Xayaburi Dam serves as an important test for whether the regional governments will pursue decisions consistent with science. To date, Laos has put faith in unproven technologies being offered by its hired-gun consultants, the Finnish-Swiss company Pöyry and the French company Compagnie Nationale du Rhône, as a means to mitigate the Xayaburi Dam’s impacts to fisheries and sediment flows. This includes fish passage devices and the notion of a
“transparent dam” that somehow allows sediments to pass through it. However, these technologies have been offered without first collecting required baseline data or carrying out a transboundary environmental impact assessment. Furthermore, Laos and its consultants have continued to ignore the scientific consensus amongst the world’s top fishery experts that no technology currently exists to effectively mitigate the threat the Xayaburi Dam and other Mekong mainstream dams pose to the basin’s fisheries. While the knowledge gaps associated with the Mekong River and the impacts of the mainstream dams remain high, scientific evidence of the dangers of damming the Mekong River has continued to mount. A glimpse into the findings of a few recent studies helps demonstrate the threat dams pose to the biodiversity and people of the Mekong River: • New research by WWF in conjunction with the Australian National University, entitled ‘Dams on the Mekong River: Lost fish protein and the implications for land and water resources,’ found that as the Mekong mainstream dams will greatly reduce fish catches, this will lead to a significant increase in demands on water and land resources necessary to replenish lost protein and calories associated with the river’s fisheries. In order to compensate for the food security losses, the study stated the most likely mitigation option would be to scale up existing livestock and non-fish milk products already grown and consumed within the region. The study found that overall basin-wide water usage and pastoral land will need to increase by 4-7% and by 13-27% respectively, in order to help offset the impacts. Cambodia and Laos were also found to be the most vulnerable to these changes, requiring the most significant increases in water and land resources. As these countries aspire to increase the exportation of commodities like rice, there would likely be big opportunity costs as large portions of the land and water would be required as a trade-off to replace protein in the 6
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region. • A new assessment of the conservation status of freshwater fish and other riparian species native to the Mekong River and the Indo-Burma region has recently been carried out, offering baseline information on the river’s biodiversity. The report warns of the serious threat that dams on the Mekong River and its major tributaries will have on the region’s abundant fisheries and biodiversity. Over the next decade, the proportion of fish species threatened by dams is estimated to increase from 19% to 28% and the mollusc species impacted by dams will increase from 24% to 39%. The report entitled ‘The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in Indo-Burma,’ was published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). • A new report looking at the impacts of climate change and adaptation on a 56 km stretch of the Mekong River in Northeastern Cambodia found that the Sambor Dam, one of the proposed Mekong mainstream dams located in Cambodia “is considered a key threat, with all ecosystems considered highly or extremely vulnerable, by local communities and experts alike; the dam threatens all ecosystem services, livelihoods and biodiversity values of the site.” The report published by WWF and entitled ‘Resilience on the Mekong: A Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment in North-east Cambodia’ recommends that the dam not be built. Furthermore, the report warns that the proposed Stung Treng Dam on the Mekong River mainstream and the Lower Sesan 2 Dam on the Sesan River will have similar impacts on fisheries, riparian forests, agriculture and wetland areas, although less pronounced than the Sambor Dam. • Based on an investigation to the Xayaburi Dam site in June 2012, International Rivers has produced a report entitled ‘The Xayaburi Dam: Threatening Food Security in the Mekong,’ demonstrating that even in the early stages
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of the project’s construction, threats to food security are emerging in the first village resettled by the project, which is undermining Laos’ development goals. The report documents how resettled communities are grappling with lost access to river’s natural resources and their livelihoods, while trying to survive on inadequate compensation packages. The report warns that the situation is likely to only get worse as more villages are resettled and the impacts of the dam begin to be felt. While this research helps illustrate the environmental and social implications of the Mekong mainstream dams, more research is still required before an informed decision on the Xayaburi Dam can be made. In December 2011, when the Mekong River Commission member countries of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos last met, they agreed to carry out a study of the transboundary impacts of the Mekong mainstream dams rather than make a decision on whether to build the Xayaburi Dam. While this move was welcomed, the study has reportedly been sidelined by Laos, who has refused to comment on the study’s draft concept note. At the same time, unless construction on the Xayaburi Dam stops while the study is carried out, it will be impossible to gather all of the necessary data required to fully understand the impacts of the project and other mainstream dams. However, time is running short. In an interview with the Vientiane Times on September 6th, Laos’ Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Mr. Viraphonh Viravong stated “Laos … would like to confirm that it will develop the Xayaburi project….according to the schedule presented in our last presentation at site on July 16-17th, 2012, and will develop the project responsibly.” The schedule referred to includes finishing construction on the coffer dam by May 2013 and beginning construction on the dam’s spillway shortly afterwards. The coffer dam and other structures will divert
the river, which could prevent fish from migrating past the dam site. The battle to protect the Mekong River is likely to get more heated. Laos’ statement that they are moving forward with the Xayaburi Dam’s construction is in direct conflict with the positions of the Cambodian and Vietnamese governments, who have demanded that further study be carried out on the project’s transboundary impacts before a decision is made whether to proceed with the project. If Laos continues, a regional water conflict appears all the more likely. Since Laos’ announcement, Vietnam’s President stated that “Tensions over water resources are threatening economic growth in many countries and presenting a source of conflict especially given the efforts of all countries to step up economic development.” While it’s unclear what will happen next with the Xayaburi Dam, more outreach on the ecological crisis that the Mekong mainstream dams is likely to trigger is urgently needed before it’s too late. The new research on the Mekong mainstream dams outlined above serves as a good starting point for much- needed discussion in the region -------------Source: * Ame Trandem is the Southeast Asia Program Director for International Rivers, an organisation working to protect rivers, the rights of people who rely upon them, while offering water and energy solutions that better fit the region’s needs.
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
“Laos will develop the Xayaburi project” - Deputy minister
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Mr Viraphonh Viravong. Photo: VACNE
development of hydropower can be a catalyst for economic development and can help bring about poverty reduction in Laos. (ii) The direct benefits to the local population are better infrastructure such as roads, clean water, irrigation, electricity, and improvement of living conditions such as employment, education, health, trade, etc. (iii) National direct benefits include royalties, taxes and dividends; reliable supply of clean and renewable energy; training of skilled labour; raise creditworthy and cheaper project financing; opportunity to develop large hydro potentials. (iv) Hydropower contributes 33 percent to the natural capital of Laos’ wealth (Wealth and Sustainability Background Paper on the Lao PDR Development Report 2009 by World Bank Group). Without hydropower development, it will be difficult for Laos to leave Lower Income Country status by 2015-2018.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Mr Viraphonh Viravong gave an exclusive interview in Vientiane to the Aljazeera Network, one of the world’s most influential news agencies, on the Xayaburi hydropower project. The following are the questions 2/ What are the environmental risks involved in building this dam, and what is the government and answers that arose during the interview, given doing to try to minimise them? on August 20.
In developing hydropower projects, generally there are 1/ What are the reasons for the dam’s construction 5 domains of concern that may have transboundary and what are the potential effects on the local and impacts. The Mekong River Commission Secretariat issued “Preliminary Design Guidance for Proposed Mainstream national economy? Dams in the Lower Mekong Basin” in 2009 which addressed the 5 issues as follows: (i). Laos is blessed with large hydro potential. Hydropower (i) Navigation. is clean, has zero carbon emissions, and is renewable. (ii) Fish migration. No other method of generating electricity can create (iii) Sediment transport and river morphology. opportunities for providing water for human consumption (iv) Water quality and aquatic ecology. and flood control. Hydropower is also a non-consumptive (v) Safety of dams. use of water, i.e. after electricity generation, water can Xayaburi is a run-of-river type dam without large storage still be used for irrigation. The sustainable and responsible
capacity, and also has a low dam height (average dam height of only 40 metres, compared to the 198 metre height of the Nam Ngum II dam built by the same developer), thus: (I) Navigation locks are fairly common and there are hundreds of references in the world of successful operation. (II) There are a fish ladder, fish lift and fish passage through the navigation locks; in addition, fish-friendly turbines are specified to be used, and a fish hatching station will complement any endangered fish species. (III) Sediment transport through the dams will be designed in accordance with recommendations from Compagnie Nationale du Rhone (CNR), which has been operating their 19 run-of-river hydropower stations on the Rhone River successfully for the last 50 years. (IV) Quality of water will be the same as before since there is no reservoir and the ratio of retention capacity is negligible compared with the inflow at Xayaburi. (V) Fluctuation of the downstream water level will be kept to less than 0.5 metre in one day. Safety of dams is designed with all applicable international standards.
3/ Confusion over the status of the project: is it currently suspended or not - and the apparently different messages coming from different members of the government on that issue? Brief history of the development of the Xayaburi hydropower project: • 1960-1990: A multi-purpose project with a large reservoir was considered as it has much higher benefit potential, such as the example of the Phamong project. However, the environmental impacts were serious and the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of people made 8
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Laos Begins Work on a Second Mekong River Dam
the project unacceptable. • 1992-1994: CNR proposed a run-of river type dam in the mainstream Mekong. A preliminary feasibility study recommended 4 first grade projects comprising Don Sa Hong, Ban Koum, Xayaburi and Pakbeng. • The Lao government signed an MOU with Thailand’s Ch. Karnchang for a feasibility study of the Xayaburi project on May 4, 2007. The Mekong River Commission Secretariat held a workshop on Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement under the 1995 Mekong Agreement on Dec. 8, 2008. The four member countries adopted the “Preliminary Design Guidance for proposed mainstream dams in the lower Mekong Basin”. • Xayaburi Prior Consultation carried out from Sept. 20, 2010 to April 22, 2011. • Compliance Review report by Poyry was issued to the public in August 2011. • Peer review report by CNR was issued to the public in April 2012; the report detailed designing a transparent dam with respect to sediment transport. • Lao Joint Committee issued a letter in April 2011 to all MRC member countries confirming that Prior Consultation of the Xayaburi had been carried out in full compliance with the 1995 Mekong Agreement and completed on 22.04.11. • MRC Council Meeting in December 2011, in Siem Reap, Cambodia: Lao representatives reported on the progress of the Xayaburi project but not within the framework of the
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Prior Consultation process. • Laos’ statements always confirmed that no Permanent Works had been allowed to be undertaken in the Mekong, pending additional review by experts such as Poyry and CNR, in order to be able to address all legitimate concerns from MRC member countries, even though the Prior Consultation had been completed. The Lao government acquired the services of Poyry, CNR and many independent experts to review the final design of the Xayaburi project to confirm that it met all international practices, complied with Mekong River Commission Secretariat preliminary design guidance, and that it can be considered a transparent dam with respect to sediment transport, and a good example of sustainable hydropower development. It can be said today that all valuable and legitimate concerns have been incorporated into the final design of the Xayaburi hydropower project by the Lao government’s engineers, Poyry and CNR, who have reputable experts and joint experience in the construction of hundreds of dams. Laos therefore would like to confirm that it will develop the Xayaburi project in full compliance with the experts’ recommendations, according to the schedule presented in our last presentation at site on July 16-17, 2012, and will develop the project responsibly --------Source: Vientiane Times
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eptember 3, 2012 - Bangkok, Thailand – The Lao government has begun work on its second hydropower project on the Mekong River, the 260-380 MW Don Sahong Dam, despite unresolved concerns with the Xayaburi Dam. In August, International Rivers visited the Don Sahong Dam site, located in Laos less than 2 km from the Cambodian border. Activities are already underway at the dam site, even though the project has not yet undergone the Mekong River Commission’s (MRC) prior consultation process, as required under the 1995 Mekong Agreement. Ms. Pianporn Deetes, Thailand Campaign Coordinator for International Rivers, visited the Don Sahong Dam site and observed, “Villagers reported that the dam builders have already blasted a waterfall near the Don Sahong Dam site. Lao officials have told the villagers that they will not be allowed to fish with Ly fishing gear in the area beginning in 2014. The dam’s construction and the end of Ly fishing is a major concern because local people depend so heavily on fishing for their livelihoods.” The Don Sahong Dam is being built by Malaysian company Mega First Corporation Berhad near the iconic Khone Falls of the Mekong River. According to the MRC’s 2010 Strategic Environmental Assessment
(SEA), the dam would block the only section of the Mekong River where fish can pass during the dry season, called the Hou Sahong channel. The SEA noted that “the Don Sahong project would represent an impassable barrier to Mekong dry season fish migration.” According to local villagers, last year the project company blasted the waterfall at the Hou Xang Pheuak channel, in order to create a new 5 meter wide channel in the river that is intended to become a fish passage. Currently, fish are able to migrate through the 50-100 meter wide Hou Sahong channel year-round. The SEA report confirms that fishery experts have concluded that no fish mitigation technology exists to effectively mitigate the threat that mainstream dams, including the Don Sahong Dam, pose to the Mekong’s fisheries. “The proposed Don Sahong Dam would spell disaster for the Mekong’s fisheries,” said Ms. Ame Trandem, Southeast Asia Program Director for International Rivers. “The dam would block vital fish migrations and decimate the livelihoods of local people who depend on fish for their food security. Like the Xayaburi Dam, the impacts would be transboundary.” In May, Mega First announced that the Don Sahong Dam’s environmental impact assessment had been approved by the Lao government and that it was close to signing 9
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
a power purchase agreement with the government for a 30 year concession. The environmental impact assessment has not been publicly disclosed. According to an evaluation of potential impacts of mainstream hydropower dams on Mekong fisheries published by the MRC in 1994, the Khone Falls area was described as “an ecologically unique area that is essentially a microcosm of the entire lower Mekong River,” and pointed out that “Such a site is so rare in nature that every effort should be made to preserve all of Khone Falls [Siphandone] from any development.” --------“We can already see Laos repeating the same
out, it’s crucial that the MRC governments, secretariat, and donors call for an immediate stop to activities at both dam sites.”“As we have seen with the Xayaburi Dam, the Lao government will undoubtedly claim that the blasting of the Hou Xang Pheuak channel for the Don Sahong Dam is only ‘preparatory work’ that does not require consultations with neighboring countries, despite its environmental impacts,” said Ms. Trandem. “In reality, all activities that can harm the river must first be approved by the MRC, including channel excavation work” --------Source: International Rivers
tricks that it has used with the Xayaburi Dam,” said Ms. Deetes. Traditional “ly” fishing trap. Photo: International Rivers
---------“This is going to happen again and again until the MRC governments decide to take action. Before time runs
Mekong and Hydropower development
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enter for Water Resources Conservation and Development -WARECOD (www.warecod.org. vn) “Strengthening Communities’ Resilience to the Potential Risks from Proposed Dams on the Mekong Mainstream“ (May 1, 2011-October 31, 2012) On August 14, 2012, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) in coordination with the Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN) organised a seminar on
“Mekong and Hydropower Development” in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. There were around 80 participants from a variety range of target groups including scientists from universities and academic institutions; local authorities and state organisations from 13 Mekong Delta provinces; a number of central agencies (Central Committee for Propaganda and Education, Ministry of Public Security); General Consulates; national and local press, national, regional and international
NGOs. The participants were updated on-going activities on the Mekong mainstream dams and their potential impacts. Participants also shared experiences and lessons of some particular case-studies elsewhere in the world. Other issues that were discussed in the workshop included an overview on the Mekong basin cooperation and sustainable development; Law as a tool for cooperation and sustainable 10
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development of the Mekong River; Cascades on the Mekong mainstream: its impacts on water resources, food and security in the Mekong basin; The role of sediment from the Mekong River for the ecological stability of the Delta and the impacts of dams; Potential ecology and livelihood losses resulting from the Xayaburi Dam: Key findings from the study in seven provinces along the Mekong in Northeastern Thailand; and opinions of stakeholders in the region. In addition, the alternative solutions were also proposed to enhance cooperation and sustainable development in the Mekong basin and to restrict adverse impacts of the dams. Notably, raising awareness for the public on potential impacts of dams and the need for more investments on further studies to work out more specificcally qualitative and persuasive figures were stressed. achievements. Firstly, 11 recommendations were given out as follows: 1. Building a basin mechanism on Integrated Water The The seminar made 11 recommendations: 1. Build a basin-wide meachnism on integrated water resources management. 2. Finding alternative renewable energy resources 3. A mechanism is needed to share interest and compensation and to provide support in a case of damages due to a halt in dam construction 4. Developing an efficient saving-energy project 5. Establishing a community-based network in response to double impacts of Mekong mainstream dams 6. Creating a forum to share information and to have dialogues among basin-wide and international stakeholders 7. Setting up a regional network of joint-interest and action groups in a transparency manner 8. Setting up a focal point to address the issues 9. Seeking funding for more scientific and qualitative figured studies on natural resources on the Mekong basin, keep tracking impacts and supervising changes of the resources in the basin 10. Setting up a legal framework for international negotiations and deals 11. A nationally and internationally harmonized collaboration is required on a basis of each nation’s role and strength.
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Secondly, Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN) formally released its opinion to the public on the matter: Vietnam Rivers Network once again expresses its deep concern on the construction of the Xayaburi hydropower dam on the Mekong mainstream, and on the information that the Thai firm Ch. Karnchang is proceeding with its construction activities in Xayaburi, despite the fact that an agreement amongst the four Mekong River Commission nations has never been reached http://www.bbc.co.uk/ vietnamese/world/2012/07/120704_laos_mekong_dams. shtml The Xayaburi hydropower dam is one of the 12 proposed projects on the lower Mekong mainstream. According to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on hydropower development on the Mekong mainstream, by the International Centre for Environment Management (ICEM) under the request of the MRC Secretariat, the Mekong cascade will have significant impacts on the environment, ecology and people’s livelihoods. The SEA recommended a 10 year moratorium, during which more comprehensive studies would be conducted, before finalizing the decision. The Mekong River is an international river, of importance at the international level; it should not be used as a testing site for hydropower technology. On December 8th 2011, the concerns on irreversible impacts of the Xayaburi Dam and the whole cascade were raised among the four countries in the meeting of the MRC’s Council in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Council agreed to postpone the decision of whether to construct the Xayaburi Dam and carry out further study; this agreement was praised by the public. In July 2012, Laos’ spokesman said the construction activities were being delayed until an agreement amongst the MRC members is reached. However, VRN has learned that Ch. Karnchang is continuing its construction work at the dam site. This action by the firm deepens the concerns of the international public as well as the concerns of the countries further downstream on the river.
The Department of Energy Promotion and Development under Lao’s People Democratic Republic Ministry of Energy and Mines officially released the plan and progress on construction of Xayaburi Dam, which Pöyry presented to Government of Lao PDR and other interested stakeholders in July 2012 in Luang Prabang. (Follow the link for more details: http://www.poweringprogress.org/download/Reports/2012/ July/Presentation_Poyry_J uly_2012_V_03.pdf) VRN calls upon the Lao Government to request that Ch. Karnchang immediately stop all construction activities until a final agreement amongst the four MRC countries is made. VRN recommends cooperation among all the countries in an attempt to conduct supplementary studies to aid the decision-making process on the Mekong mainstream. Cooperation and trust among all concerned parties, including strictly following the 1995 Mekong Agreement, is a prerequisite for a sustainable Mekong river basin and for the benefit of all countries and their communities in the Mekong basin --------Source: Warecod 11
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
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Resilience on the Mekong: A Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment in North-East Cambodia resilience. Through both community- and expert-based elicitation, this report uses ecosystem-based-adaptation approaches to identify strategies to improve the resilience of the human communities in the Mekong Flooded Forest.
REPORT KH
2012
The strategies identified fell into four broad strategies:
Resilience on the Mekong:
• Improve governance and natural resource management at the site • Improve land-use planning in and around the site • Raise the profile of the site and improve understanding of its value, and • Address the threat from hydropower. This report highlights the need to pair natural resource governance with meaningful community engagement.
A Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment in North-East Cambodia
Melissa Rodgers, Erin Nash, Geoffrey Blate, Gordon Congdon, & Gerard E. Ryan
© Adam Oswell / WWF
C
limate change has wide-ranging and complex impacts on environmental systems and the human communities that depend on them. The combined impacts of climate change in addition to non-climatic pressures threaten the livelihood and stability of such communities in the Mekong Flooded Forest, who heavily depend on local natural resources for subsistence. The resilience of nature is the basis for humanity’s own resilience to the pressures of climate change. Responses to climate change should not only improve human communities’ ability to adapt to or cope with changes in climate, but also maintain or enhance ecosystem
Grassroots stewardship of the environment is key to maintain resilience to the increasing pressures of climate change. Download the full report here --------Source: WWF
Military policeman held in Cambodia journalist murder
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eptember 14, 2012 - A Cambodian military police officer has been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of a journalist who exposed illegal logging activities, police said. Hang Serei Oudom, a reporter at local-language Vorakchun Khmer Daily, was found in the boot of his car in northern Ratanakiri province on Tuesday. He appeared to have suffered axe blows to his head, according to police, the latest death in a country where environmental activists regularly face threats. “We arrested a military police officer named Ean Bunheng on Thursday,” interior ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak told AFP on Friday, adding that the suspect was understood to have met the victim on Sunday, the night he disappeared. Police found “a blanket stained with blood” at the suspect’s house -- which is also a karaoke parlour -- and discovered the victim’s shoes nearby, the spokesman said. Several other people who were seen drinking with the 44-year-old journalist at the karaoke venue that night have also been questioned, but the spokesman declined to provide further details. Pen Bonnar, of rights group the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, told AFP those questioned included the suspect’s wife and the son of a provincial military police commander who Oudom
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
had accused of wrongdoing in his reporting. In his final article on September 6 Oudom alleged the son, who is also a military policeman, of smuggling logs in militaryplated vehicles and extorting money from people who were legally transporting wood. Local activists said fellow reporters had recently expressed fears for Oudom’s safety because of his exposes. Reporters Without Borders on Thursday called for a thorough investigation and urged police to explore links between his murder and his coverage of environmental issues.
he refused to hand over pictures showing logging in southwestern Koh Kong province. Rampant illegal logging contributed to a sharp drop in Cambodia’s forest cover from 73 percent in 1990 to 57 percent in 2010, according to the United Nations. In its haste to develop the impoverished nation, the Cambodian government has been criticised for allowing well-connected firms to clear hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest land -- including in protected areas -for everything from rubber and sugar cane plantations to hydropower dams ----------Source: Bangkok Post
The murder comes less than six months after prominent environmentalist Chhut Vuthy was shot dead by a military policeman after
This picture, taken on September 11, shows Cambodian police officials pulling the body of dead local journalist Hang Serei Oudom (C) from a car trunk in Ratanakiri province, some 600 km northeast of Phnom Penh. A military police officer has been arrested in connection with the killing of Oudom who exposed illegal logging activities, according to police.
regional news Characterizing the trade of wild birds for merit release in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and associated risks to health and ecology
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emand for captive wild animals for the purposes of religious or ‘merit’ release has led to establishment of a large commercial trade in many parts of East and South Asia. The practice is associated with a number of risks to the integrity of wild populations including establishment of non-native species, introduction of pathogens and unsustainable rates of harvest. This study describes the sale of birds for merit release in Phnom Penh, Cambodia over a 13 month period. Birds were available throughout the year with an estimated annual turnover of 688,675 individuals. A total of 57 species were observed, all of which were considered native to Cambodia. Health surveys detected 43/415 (10.36%) birds carrying influenza A virus, 1/97 (1.03%) carrying Chlamydophila psittaci, and 4/97 (4.12%) carrying Mycobacterium genavense.
population and is a cause for concern. Also of conservation concern are the low numbers of red avadavat Amandava amandava and yellow-breasted bunting Emberiza aureola, both species that have undergone heavy declines due to historical over-exploitation, the latter now being classified as globally Vulnerable. Download the article here ---------Source: Martin Gilbert, Chea Sokha, Priscilla H. Joyner, Robert L. Thomson, and Colin Poole. Characterizing the trade of wild birds for merit release in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and associated risks to health and ecology. Biological Conservation 153 (2012) 10–16
Tests for Mycobacterium avium were unable to detect the bacterium. The zoonotic potential of each of these agents presents a risk both to public health as well as to wild populations. Without estimates of pre- and post-release mortality the impact of wild harvests for merit release cannot be assessed with certainty. However, 12,751 individual observations of the globally Near Threatened Asian golden weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus, represents a significant portion of the estimated global 13
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Prime Minister Hun Sen signs dolphin sub-decree Conservation efforts for the Mekong dolphins have increased after the species was listed in International Union for Conservation of Nature’s endangered species list in 2004. The sub-decree bans the use of all kinds of fishing grills and motorised transport exceeding 30 kilometres per hour.
Irrawaddy dolphins swim in the Tbong Klah pool, in Stung Treng province, last year. Photo World Wildlife Fund/Hang Sereyvuth
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ugust 27, 2012 - Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday approved a new subdecree geared toward increased protection of the endangered Mekong river dolphin through a series of fishing and motorised transport restrictions in the Mekong river in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. The Council of Minister’s sub-decree, obtained on Friday by the Post, sets out to meet management and conservation obligations on Cambodia for the species. “There are approximately between 155-175 Mekong dolphins remaining in Cambodian Mekong River under the conservation efforts of the government throughout the last six years,” the sub-decree reads.
The clearance of forest and large-scale construction of infrastructure along the island near Kratie in the protected zone is also prohibited under the 12-point sub-decree. Michelle Owen, acting country director of World Wildlife Fund in Cambodia, applauded the decree’s role in Mekong River conservation. “To be effective the sub-decree must be supported by local communities along the Mekong river,” said Owen during Friday’s meeting. “The Dolphin Commission and the Fisheries Administration will also need strong backing from the Cambodian government and international donors to support enforcement of the sub-decree.” The Mekong river dolphin protection zone covers 7,630 square metres and stretches 180 kilometres from Laos into Cambodia --------Source: Phnom Penh Post
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Scarlet snake discovered in Cambodia
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nakes are reviled in Cambodian culture and the news that there is yet another species around will make few happy. But, pretty and harmless to humans as it is, Cambodia’s newest snake might well find a soft spot in the Khmer heart. Discovered and described by Cambodian national Neang Thy, American scientist Dr Lee Grismer and Fauna and Flora International’s Senior Conservation Biologist Dr Jenny Daltry, the latest new species of reptile from the country has been named after Cambodia (or Kampuchea). The Cambodian Kukri snake, or Oligodon kampucheaensis, is perhaps set to become a Cambodian reptilian mascot. Neang Thy, a Ministry of Environment officer working with Fauna and Flora International (FFI) as a herpetologist, explained why he felt compelled to name the species in this way. “Cambodian science was smashed under the Pol Pot
regime, and only now are we picking up the pieces. It gave me a great sense of pride to both discover and describe this species, and to name it in honour of my country.” “Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured,” said Thy, “but this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake.” Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear teeth are similar in shape to the Nepalese knife known as a kukri. These long teeth are designed to puncture eggs – one of the kukri snake’s principle foods – which are swallowed whole. They are forest species, and in keeping with their known ecology, this one was found in the rainforests of the Cardamom Mountains in the south-west of the country. Although part of Cambodia’s protected areas system, this area is under threat from habitat loss and land conversion. “The Cambodian kukri snake is the second new reptile we have described this year in Cambodia,” said Berry Mulligan, FFI’s Cambodia Programme Country Manager. “This shows how important it is that we fight to conserve this area.” --------Source: Jeremy Holden, Fauna and Flora International (FFI) Photo: Neang Thy/FFI 14
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Vietnam
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FAILS to protect endangered species from illegal trade
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eneva - 23 July 2012 - Poor performances by key countries are threatening the survival of wild rhinos, tigers and elephants, a new WWF report has found. The analysis, released as governments gather in Geneva this week to discuss a range of issues related to wildlife trade, rates 23 of the top African and Asian nations facing high levels of poaching and trafficking in ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts.
crack down on the illegal rhino horn trade. Vietnam should review its penalties and immediately curtail retail markets, including Internet advertising for horn,” said Elisabeth McLellan, Global Species Programme manager at WWF.
Asian demand drives poaching
Tens of thousands of African elephants are being killed by poachers each year for their tusks and China and Thailand are top destinations for illegal African ivory. Thailand receives a red score for its failure to close a legal loophole that makes it easy for retailers to sell ivory from poached African elephants.
Inadequate enforcement of domestic ivory markets in China is also highlighted in the report. China receives a yellow score for elephants indicating a failure by the country to effectively police its legal ivory markets. “The ongoing flow of large volumes of illegal ivory to China suggests that such ivory may The report, entitled Wildlife Crime Scorecard: Assessing Compliance with and Enforcement of CITES Commitments for be moving into legal ivory trade channels,” the report says. Tigers, Rhinos and Elephants, examines of the many countries considered as range, transit or consumer countries for these China is urged to dramatically and consistently improve its enforcement controls for ivory and to communicate to species. It gives countries scores of green, yellow or red for each animal, as applicable, as an indicator of recent progress. Chinese nationals in Africa that anyone caught importing illegal wildlife products into China would be prosecuted, and WWF has found that illegal trade persists in virtually all 23 if convicted, severely penalized. countries reviewed, but the scorecard seeks to differentiate between countries where it is actively being countered from those where current efforts are entirely inadequate. Poaching crisis across Africa
Among the worst performers is Vietnam that received two red scores, for rhinos and tigers. Vietnam is identified in the report as the top destination country for rhino horn, which has fuelled a poaching crisis in South Africa. A record 448 South African rhinos were killed for their horns in 2011 and the country, which itself receives a yellow for rhinos, has lost an additional 262 already this year. According to the report, many Vietnamese have been arrested or implicated in South Africa for acquiring rhino horns illegally, including Vietnamese diplomats. “It is time for Vietnam to face the fact that its illegal consumption of rhino horn is driving the widespread poaching of endangered rhinos in Africa, and that it must
“In Thailand, illegal African ivory is being openly sold in up-scale boutiques that cater to unsuspecting tourists. Governments will be taking up this troubling issue this week. So far Thailand has not responded adequately to concerns and, with the amount of ivory of uncertain origin in circulation, the only credible option at this stage is a ban on ivory trade,” McLellan said. Elephant poaching is at crisis levels in Central Africa, where
rhinos were likely poached to extinction. Last year witnessed the elephant highest poaching rates across the continent since records began. Early this year hundreds of elephants were killed in a single incident in a Cameroon national park. “Given the escalation of elephant poaching in Africa and 15
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012 the increased levels of organized crime involved in the trade, it is clear that the situation is now critical,” the report found.
regional news Best performers
Other bright spots from the report are green scores for India and Nepal for each of the three species Wildlife crime not only poses a threat to animals, but is groups. In 2011, Nepal celebrated a year without any a risk to people, territorial integrity, stability and rule of rhino poaching incidents, which was largely attributed law. Regional cooperation is needed in Central Africa to to improvements to anti-poaching and other law counter the flows of illegal ivory and arms spilling across enforcement efforts. borders. WWF commends Central African governments for signing a regional wildlife law enforcement plan WWF’s Wildlife Crime Scorecard is being released as and urges them to make its implementation a top member countries of the Convention on International priority, allocating resources to the plan and improving Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora the efficacy of prosecutions for those implicated in (CITES) hold their annual Standing Committee meeting. poaching or illegal trade. The conservation organisation is set to launch a global campaign to fight illegal wildlife trade, which is putting “Although most Central African countries receive yellow the future of elephants, rhinos and tigers at risk. Learn or red scores for elephants, there are some encouraging more at panda.org/wildlifecrime. signals. Last month Gabon burned its entire ivory stockpile, to ensure that no tusks would leak into Download “Wildlife crime scorecard” report. (PDF, 3.03 illegal trade, and President Ali Bongo committed to MB) both increasing protections in the country’s parks “Key findings and recommendations” (PDF, 35 KB) and to ensuring that those committing wildlife crimes “Wildlife crime scorecard infographic” (PDF, 1 MB) are prosecuted and sent to prison,” said WWF Global ------Species Programme manager Wendy Elliott. Source: WWF
Vietnam: Smugglers nabbed with tigers, pangolins
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eptember 4, 2012 - Ha Tinh province- Local police caught two men red-handed yesterday as they were trafficking four wild tigers and 119 pangolin in a Toyota Camry on National Highway No 8A in central Ha Tinh Province’s Duc Tho District. The four tigers, which were still alive, included one male. The traffickers include Bui Van Muoi, 33, and Ho Sy Hanh, 36, both from the bordering province of Nghe An. The police also found many faked licence plates in the car. According to local NGO Education for Nature-Vietnam
(ENV), the four tiger cubs seized from wildlife traffickers on September 4th have been transferred to Soc Son Rescue Center, north of Hanoi. The cubs were likely born on a “tiger farm” in Laos and the chances that they will be rehabilitated and “returned to the wild” are unfortunately low. The pangolins fared worse than the tiger cubs. Not only were the 118 surviving pangolins in poor health, but the authorities have reportedly placed these animals back into the illegal trade by auctioning them off immediately following the seizure ------Source: Vietnam News; Annamiticus.com
Vietnamese Government spokesman objects to WWF report
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uly 29, 2012 - A government wildlife organisation has protested a recent report of the World Wildlife Fund that ranks Vietnam among the world’s worst in fighting illegal trade of animal parts. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press and information department on Friday, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority of Vietnam said the WWF report contained evaluations and information that was incomplete and lacked objectivity. It said the Wildlife Crime Scorecard, which rated 23 African and Asian nations known for high levels of poaching and trafficking in ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts, was based on just some nongovernmental organisations’ reports, several news reports, and information given by a few individuals. The report made “untrustworthy” estimates and it was “a pity” that its authors did not consult with local law enforcement agencies, CITES Vietnam said. In fact, in Vietnam, the government has always cared about nature preservation and protection of rare wildlife, it said. Fighting illegal trade in wildlife is considered a priority task of many agencies like forest rangers, customs, police, border guards and market management bureaus, it added. The WWF report ranked Vietnam the lowest performer together with Laos and Mozambique for its failure to stop trade of rhino and tiger parts. The country was identified as the top destination worldwide for rhino horn, which has fueled a poaching crisis in South Africa.
The country has also failed to report on how it would comply with a ban on captive breeding of tigers for medicine, the report said ---------Source: Thanhnien News 16
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Why kingpins of Far Eastern wildlife crime can’t be caged
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ugust 16, 2012 - Despite a series of arrests and seizures, senior police in Thailand claim endemic corruption is making it impossible to prosecute those behind a multi-million pound trade in illegally trafficked wildlife. A ten-fold increase in wildlife law enforcement actions, including seizures, has been reported in the past six years in South-east Asia. Yet the trade’s kingpins appear immune from arrest. “It is very difficult for me. I have to sit among people who are both good and some who are corrupt, said Chanvut Vajrabukka, a retired police general. “If I say, ‘You have to go out and arrest that target,’ some in the room may well warn them,” said Mr Vajrabukka, who now advises the Association of South-East Asian Nations’ Wildlife Enforcement Network (Asean-WEN). Several traders, said wildlife activist Steven Galster, have recently been confronted by authorities, “but in the end, good uniforms are running into, and often stopped by bad uniforms. It’s like a bad Hollywood cop movie. Most highlevel traffickers remain untouched and replace arrested underlings with new ones”. Recently, Lieutenant Colonel Adtaphon Sudsai, a highly regarded, outspoken Thai officer, was instructed to back off what had seemed an open-and-shut case he cracked four years ago when he penetrated a gang along the Mekong River smuggling pangolin, a mammal akin to the armadillo. This led him to Mrs Daoreung Chaimas, alleged by conservation groups to be one of South-east Asia’s biggest tiger dealers. Despite being arrested twice, having her own
assistants testify against her and DNA testing that showed two seized cubs were not offsprings from zoo-bred parents as she claimed, Daoreung remains free and the case may never go to court. “Her husband has been exercising his influence,” said Col Sudsai, referring to her police officer spouse. “It seems that no policeman wants to get involved with this case.” The day the officer went to arrest her the second time, his transfer to another post was announced. “Maybe it was a coincidence,” the colonel said. “I admit that in many cases I cannot move against the big guys,” Mr Vajrabukka notes. “The syndicates are built like a pyramid. We can capture the small guys but at the top they have money, the best lawyers, protection. What are we supposed to do?” His problems are shared by others in South-east Asia, the prime conduit for wildlife destined for the world’s No 1 consumer – China – where many animal parts are used in the belief they have medicinal properties. Most recently, a torrent of rhino horn and elephant tusks has poured through it from Africa, which is suffering the greatest slaughter of these two endangered animals in decades. Vietnam was singled out last month by the World Wide Fund for Nature as the top destination for the rhino horn. Tens of thousands of birds, mostly parrots and cockatoos plucked from the wild, are being imported from the Solomon Islands into Singapore, in violation of CITES, the international convention on wildlife trade.
wildlife trade, the imported birds are listed as captivebred, even though it’s widely known that the Pacific Ocean islands have virtually no breeding facilities. Communist Laos continues to harbour Vixay Keosavang, one of the region’s half dozen Mr Bigs, who has been linked to a rhino-horn smuggling ring. The 54-year-old former soldier and provincial official is reported to have close ties to senior officials in Laos and Vietnam. Thai and foreign enforcement agents claim the gangs are increasingly linked to drug and human trafficking syndicates. They said a key Thai smuggler, who runs a shipping company, has a gamut of law enforcement officers in his pocket, allowing him to traffic rhino horns, ivory and tiger parts to China. According to agents, Chinese buyers, informed of shipments, fly to Bangkok, staying at hotels around the Chatuchak Market, where endangered species are openly sold. There they seal deals with known middlemen and freight operators. “The bottom line is that if wildlife traffickers are not treated as serious criminals in south-east Asia we are just going to lose more wildlife,” said Chris Shepherd, the South-east Asia deputy director of wildlife campaign group Traffic ------Source: Denis Gray. News.scotman.com
According to Traffic, the international body monitoring 17
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South Africa and Vietnam almost sign rhino deal
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ugust 20, 2012 - Vietnam and South Africa are poised to sign an important deal that will see South Africa is home to 90% of the world’s rhinos, the Asian country help to clamp down on rhino and it is estimated 22,800 are under threat from poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn. poachers who sell the horn in Asia for up to $60 000/ kg. South Africa lost 281 rhinos to poaching between Deputy International Relations and Co-operation January 1 and July 17, and rhino could become extinct Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim and Vietnam’s Deputy by 2050 if they are killed at the current rate. Foreign Affairs Minister Le Luong Minh said after a meeting on Friday that both countries were ready to Mr Minh said the Vietnamese government was sign a memorandum of understanding. concerned about the killing of endangered species, and believed responsibility for wildlife deaths should The deal would encompass bilateral co-operation in be shared. criminal investigations, Department of Environmental Affairs spokesman Albi Modise said on 19 August “If there were no species killed, (their products) 2012. would not be in the market,” he said. It would also cover the sharing of details of legal rhino hunts involving Vietnamese nationals, and public awareness and education in Vietnam on the endangered status of rhinos and that the horn is not a proven medicine. Vietnam, a known destination for much of illegal rhino horn poached in South Africa, has posted the highest wildlife crime score in the World Wide Fund for Nature’s 2012 Wildlife Crime Scorecard report released earlier this year. The ministers gave no date for signing the deal. Mr Ebrahim said final agreement had been delayed since the countries had not been meeting regularly despite setting up the 2004 Intergovernmental Partnership Forum for Economic Trade, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Co-operation.
A South African official at the talks in Pretoria said the Vietnamese government was “still auditing” documents after the Department of Environmental Affairs had asked its agriculture and rural development ministry to verify that white rhino horns exported to Vietnam were still in the possession of hunters. When it failed to confirm this in writing, the department recommended that rhino hunting permits be refused to Vietnamese -----------Source: Sue Blaine. www.iafrica.com
The South Africa – Vietnam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus: A deadly combination of institutional lapses, corrupt wildlife Industry professionals and Asian crime syndicates
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his document summarizes TRAFFIC’s comprehensive overview of events and dynamics currently driving an escalating illicit trade in rhino horns from South Africa to Vietnam. Whilst it is recognized that there are other dimensions to the rhino horn trade within Africa and in Asia, this examination of the two principal countries serves to bring into focus many prominent characteristics of a still unfolding wildlife trade crisis of global importance. The story for South Africa is a data-rich narrative that underscores the intense preoccupation and commitment of that nation regarding rhino conservation. In contrast, almost no empirical data exist for understanding the Vietnamese side of the equation, which comes into focus primarily through a growing body of observational and anecdotal accounts. Regardless of any shortcomings, it is hoped that this effort will make a valuable contribution towards understanding the salient factors both in source country and end-use market that underlie the current rhino crisis. In turn, this knowledge should lead to remedial strategies, actions and interventions that serve to mitigate and prevent further losses of Africa’s iconic but threatened rhino species. Download the full report here ----------Souce: By Tom Milliken and Jo Shaw/Traffic The South Africa – Viet Nam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus: A deadly combination of institutional lapses, corrupt wildlife industry professionals and Asian crime syndicates
By Tom Milliken and Jo Shaw
with contributions from Richard H. Emslie, Russell D. Taylor and Chris Turton
A TRAFFIC REPORT
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Vietnam: “Neither consuming or trading in rhino horn” say government spokesmen
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ugust 27, 2012 - The latest report by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC has claimed the recordhigh rhino poaching in South Africa is being fed by a surging demand from Vietnam, identifying the country as the main market for rhino horn. However, Vietnamese authorities and conservation experts have denied the allegation, saying the study, which has attracted much coverage by foreign press, is not objective and evidence-based. They say that rhino horn is not used in Vietnam but rather it arrives in transit to a third country.
Speaking to the Vietnam News on Friday, Do Quang Tung, deputy director of Vietnam CITES Management Authority, said that as a country with a tradition of using wild animals and plants for medicines, the illegal transport, trade and consumption of rhino horn is still happening on the ground yet “Vietnam could not be the main market for South African rhino horn, not even close”.
horn can cure cancer. But that does not necessarily mean they have rhino horn at their disposal,” he said.
Professor Dang Huy Huynh, chairman of the Vietnam Zoological Society, said that despite the wide use of wild animals in Vietnamese traditional medicine, rhino horn had never been a popular ingredient and was rarely used. Even if there was such an emerging group of affluent users who Tung argued that had the TRAFFIC’s assessment about could splurge on rhino horn in Vietnam, it would be too small Vietnam as the main market for horn been correct, and given to make the country become a major consumer for the pricey that one rhino possesses two horns totally weighed 10k g commodity. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of International Union for and South Africa lost about 450 rhinos last year, it would Conservation of Nature and World Wide Fund for Nature. mean that Vietnamese had used about 4.5 tonnes of rhino Both Tung and Huynh said that rhino horn was only in transit According to the 176-page study, entitled The South Africahorn, which was worth about US$250 million on the market. in Vietnam before moving on to another country. Vietnam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus: A deadly combination of “This is impossible because Vietnamese could not spend this institutional lapses, corrupt wildlife industry professionals huge amount of money given the annual average income While the report has called for Vietnam to do more, Tung, and Asian syndicates, the demand for horn in Vietnam, which per capita last year was just $1,300. In addition, there could whose agency monitors Vietnam’s compliance with the had just emerged recently, would continue to rise and that be no criminal network which was capable of moving such a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of serrated rhino horn was widely available for sale in Vietnam. large amount of an illegal commodity via multiple countries Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), said Vietnam had continuously like this,” he said. Currently, there is no direct flight between improved its legal framework and implemented many The study identifies the main user groups in Vietnam as Vietnam and South Africa. measures to address the illegal trade of rhino horns and had affluent party-goers who rely on rhino horn as a “hangover a good record in catching the couriers responsible. cure” and terminally ill patients who falsely believe that rhino According to the Vietnamese embassy in South Africa, there horn can cure cancer. The report claims that the surging were only 40 Vietnamese living there, which Tung said was “Vietnam has made the highest number of arrests relating to demand from these new buyers has helped trigger a dramatic not sufficient to establish an illegal hunting and/or trade rhino horn transport and trade in the world,” he said. escalation in poaching of live animals in South Africa, home network. Professor Huynh said that as a transit country, Vietnam’s to the biggest rhino population in the world. The number of current geographical position, sharing a long border with rhino being poached increased from 13 in 2009, 83 in 2008, Tung questioned the credibility of the report, whose different countries, presented a big challenge for law 122 in 2009 to all-time high of 448 last year. assessment he said was based only on information from enforcers to monitor the wildlife trade. non-governmental organisations and mass media without “That is why the law enforcement operation has not been as The TRAFFIC team takes note that poachers made use of consulting any law enforcement agency. effective as it is expected to be” the loopholes in “pseudo hunting” where the Vietnamese ----------Source: Le Quynh Anh, Vietnam News participants were observed to be interested not in the hunt “There is no comprehensive study on the consumption of itself but only in the horn. Of 43 arrests of Asian nationals rhino horns in Vietnam. Of course, if you go to the National for rhino crimes in South Africa, 24 have been Vietnamese, Cancer Hospital and ask any patient there if they want to use I’m not sure which is weaker, the state of Vietnamese accounting for 56 per cent. rhino horn, they will answer ‘yes’ without hesitation because journalism, science or law enforcement. Ed. recently there has been a widely circulated rumour that rhino 19
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
Rhino horn stolen from home of Sacombank’s vice Chairman Tram Be
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ctober 4, 2012 - Tra Vinh, Vietnam - Police in Tra Vinh province are investigating the theft of a rhino horn at the house of a businessman who has kept silent about the incident, although his house’s guard reported it to police. Conservation groups suspect that the horn could have been traded illegally.
Management of Sacombank, police said.
Yesterday the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) issued a document to the Tra Vinh Police Department providing its opinions about the theft of a rhino horn owned by Tram Be, who is vice chairman of the Board of
The horn weighed about 4 kg and is valued at VND4 billion (US$191,000).
Based on the information provided by the Ho Chi Minh City Police Newspaper, the Society said it believes that the horn could have been traded illegally before (sic) [after surely? ed.] But Tung added CITES would be willing to verify the it was stolen from the man’s house on September 27. documents if they receive the request from investigators.
The theft was reported to police on September 27 by the security guards at Be’s villa in Ham Giang commune, Tra Cu district. Although Be has not personally reported the case to police yet, officers will still investigate the case based on the security guard’s report. WCS said it and the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam, which manages the international trade of endangered wildlife, have discovered that Be is not listed as a legal importer of rhino horns into Vietnam. Be is not exporter of this product, either. Therefore, the horn could have been traded illegally, the Society said, adding that it wanted concerned agencies clarify the origin of the horn. The trade of rhino horns is strictly banned under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) as well as the laws of Vietnam.
Update on October 7, 2012 Tram Be said his horn was from a white rhino that he was gifted with by his friend Ngo Thanh Nhan on an occasion to celebrate his new house five years ago. Not feeling very horny today? Tram Be’s rhino in the room. Photo: Thanh Nien
of the rhino from the banker. He claimed that Be or Nhan has no obligation to submit the papers to CITES and the latter is also unauthorized to demand the papers.
Do Quang Tung, CITES Vietnam’s deputy managing director, confirmed with Tuoi Tre on Saturday (October 6) that they have yet to receive any papers in connection with the import
According to Tung, under CITES regulations, legal owners of hunting trophies like rhino horns are banned from selling or giving them to other people, but under Vietnamese laws, they are allowed. According to the import documents provided by Be, Nhan was granted permits valid from April 27 to May 6, 2006 by authorities in Mpumalanga, South Africa to hunt the white rhino. Nhan was also granted licenses and other necessary papers by authorities in both South Africa and Vietnam to import the rhino into Vietnam the same year. Be told Tuoi Tre after he received the rhino from Nhan in March, 2007, he lent the animal to the High Command of Military Region 9 in the southern province of Can Tho for display purposes. Huynh Tien Phong, a retired official of the command, confirmed with Tuoi Tre that they displayed the stuffed rhino for 4 to 5 years and returned it to Be in late 2011 when the animal’s skin was damaged and needed to be restored. However, Be later denied the accusation, asserting that the horn had been stuck with the whole body of the animal and not an item of illegal trading or hunting. The stuffed rhino without horn is being displayed in Be’s house -------Source: www.tuoitrenews.vn
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
A nesting pair of Gecinulus woodpeckers in a likely zone of intergradation between Pale-headed Woodpecker G. grantia and Bamboo Woodpecker G. viridis
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nesting of a pair of Gecinulus woodpeckers in a possible zone of intergradation between the parapatric taxa Pale-headed Woodpecker G. grantia and Bamboo Woodpecker G. viridis is described. While the male looked like a more or less typical G. viridis the female bore plumage characters that appeared intermediate between G. grantia and G. viridis. Additionally a specimen labelled as G. grantia indochinensis, collected in Thailand in 1964 (the only record for that country), also appeared atypical, showing characters somewhat intermediate between G. grantia and G. viridis. It is likely that a narrow hybrid zone between G. grantia and G. viridis exists where the two come into contact in northern Thailand and, presumably, northern Laos. Recommendations for further surveys are made in order to determine the extent of postulated hybridisation, and additionally to investigate the ecological and taxonomic relations of these two taxa. Read the full paper here --------Source: Philip D. Round, John M. Hobday, Rungsrit Kanjanavanit and James S. Steward. A nesting pair of Gecinulus woodpeckers in a likely zone of intergradation between Pale-headed Woodpecker G. grantia and Bamboo Woodpecker G. viridis. Forktail 28 (2012): 113–120
regional news A review of the status of Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini and Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis
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survey of the globally Endangered Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini and Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis was conducted in May 2009 on the Da Lat Plateau, southern Vietnam. Collared Laughingthrush proved to be common throughout broadleaved evergreen forest habitat within its limited altitudinal distribution while the distribution of Grey-crowned Crocias was extended to the south. These results are discussed in the context of the conservation status of these species and it is recommended that both species are
retained as Endangered. Read the full paper here -------------Source: Simon P. Mahood and Jonathan C. Eames. A review of the status of Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini and Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis. Forktail 28 (2012): 44–48 Photo: Grey-crowned Crocias (Jonathan C. Eames)
Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Land Birds in Northern Vietnam
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iven a paucity of data on the occurrence of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in wild passerines and other small terrestrial species in Southeast Asia and the importance of highly pathogenic Asian-strain H5N1 outbreaks in humans and domestic poultry in these areas, the authors focused on surveillance for influenza A viral nucleic acids and antibodies for AIVs in wild-caught birds in northern Vietnam. Four of 197 serum samples collected in 2007 from Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus), Crowbilled Drongo (Dicrurus annectans), Buff-breasted Babbler (Pellorneumtickelli), and Black-browed Fulvetta (Alcippe grotei) were antibody positive for the H5 subtype. Fourteen of 193 samples collected in 2008 were positive for the influenza A viral M gene by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. These included samples from 10 Japanese White-eyes (Zosterops japonicus), two Puff-throated Bulbuls (Alophoixus pallidus), one White-tailed Robin (Cinclidium
leucurum), and one Striped Tit-babbler (Macronous gularis). Almost all positive samples were from bird species that forage in flocks, including Japanese White-eyes with an unusually high prevalence of 14.9%. The authors collected samples from birds from three habitat types but detected no strong pattern in prevalence. Their results suggest that attention should be given to terrestrial species, particularly flocking passerines, in AIV surveillance and monitoring programs. Download the full paper here -----------Source: Tien Vu Thinh, Martin Gilbert, Napawan Bunpapong, Alongkorn Amonsin, Dung T. Nguyen, Paul F. Doherty, Jr., and Kathryn P. Huyvaert. Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Land Birds in Northern Vietnam.Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 48(1), 2012, pp. 195–200. Copyright: Wildlife Disease Association 2012
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
Vietnam: Soldiers arrested for torturing and killing langurs AsiaOne reports that the trio is expected to appear at a later date in a military court. The killing is believed to have occurred in the Sa Thay District in the central highlands province of Kon Tum and the suspects say they purchased the langurs from locals. Nga Pham from BBC Vietnam said “it was worrying that the young soldier who posted the photos on Facebook did not think he did anything wrong” and that people needed to be educated about “animal welfare and protection”.
Update from Vietnam News on 1 August 2012
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uly 26 2012 - A Vietnamese soldier identified as Nguyen Van Quang has been arrested, along with two accomplices, for his involvement in the torture and killing of two grey-shanked douc langurs. Global outrage spread across social media and beyond after Nguyen Van Quang posted a disturbing series of photos on his Facebook page. The gruesome photos depict a langur with a cigarette in her mouth (the langur was believed to be pregnant) and show the suspect grinning as he holds the body of the dead langur. At least one of the photos shows a liquidfilled syringe being held near the langur’s mouth while the small primate is being
restrained. Grey-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix cinerea) are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with a total population of just 550 to 700 individuals. -----------
Private First Class Nguyen Van Quang, 20, has been discharged from the army for causing the death of two endangered langurs in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, reported Military Corps Command No 3 on 31 July. His two accomplices have received disciplinary warnings.
recently arrested while two others are wanted by authorities. Quang admitted to illegally buying the langurs from three poachers at a cost of VND1.2 million (US$57), then torturing and eating them, added the Command. According to Resolution 32/2006/ND-CP, killing an endangered species such as the grey-shanked douc can lead to a jail term of up to three years. Investigations are ongoing -------Source: annamiticus.com; Vietnam News Photos: from Nguyen Van Quang’s facebook
The Command said investigations started after a dozen photos of the two greyshanked doucs, an extremely rare species found only in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and listed as one of the world’s 25 most endangered primates, appeared on Quang’s Facebook.
“We’re still continuing our investigation into the case. When we have enough evidence, they [the soldiers] will be dealt with in accordance with Vietnamese military laws,” quoted the head of Tay Nguyen The photos incriminated Quang and his Command’s Military Prosecutor’s, Col Nguyen Van Hai. -----------
colleagues of brutally torturing the langurs, said the Command. The Command said poacher Ha Van Tu, 37, from Dak Lak, was 22
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
End of the road for Vietnam’s elephants By Mark Donald
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eptember 6, 2012 - Hong Kong - The plight of elephants in Africa is being explained, in graphic and saddening detail, in a new series of stories by my colleague Jeffrey Gettleman of The New York Times. “An epic elephant slaughter,” he calls it, with poachers wiping out tens of thousands of elephants a year for their ivory. The killing has now reached a kind of frenzy, and even military units in central Africa are involved, gunning down elephants from their helicopters. Ivory tusks, most of them bound for China, have become the new blood diamonds. The poachers have already done their worst in Vietnam. Along with developers, loggers, villagers and negligent bureaucrats, they have conspired to reduce the wild elephant population to just a few dozen. Elephants are under critical threat all across Asia, especially in India and Thailand, but the situation is so exceedingly bleak in Vietnam that wildlife conservation groups have essentially thrown in the towel there. A minuscule and poorly funded Elephant Conservation Center is located in a national park in Dak Lak Province, in south-central Vietnam, and it has been sheltering a herd of 29 elephants. But two weeks ago, a pair of elephants from that group were found
slaughtered in a forest, including the herd’s only remaining male, whose head, trunk and tusks were severed. Without an adult male, Vietnamese forestry officials said, the herd is no longer “sustainable.” The park’s interim director said elephant poaching has now become “rampant,” with six males from the herd having been killed this year. Experts also expect that a herd of 15 elephants in southern Vietnam will soon be wiped out. In February, venturing out of a “protected” forest in Dong Nai Province, the hungry elephants tore through cornfields, sweet potato patches and sugar cane fields. Farmers ran in terror. Marauding elephants not only tear up farms, they also trample people and attack rural homes, mostly in their search for salt and the bamboo ash from cooking fires. In turn, Two dead elephants in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. Photo: VietnamNet villagers dig deep trenches to trap and kill the elephants, and they use homemade shotguns “The elephants are facing extinction in and flame-throwers to scare the animals off. packed off to the Saigon Zoo. Vietnam,” he said, although at the time Frank Momberg, the Vietnam program he was still hoping for some government Protection efforts in Vietnam have been manager with the British conservation group intervention. “It’s a matter of national pride. nothing short of disastrous. In 1993, a Fauna and Flora International, told me in The Vietnamese don’t want to be exposed herd of 13 elephants in southern Vietnam 1999 that “local authorities are making internationally for letting the elephants go was being relocated away from its natural extinct.’’ habitat, an area that was slated to be turned decisions about development without any environmental concern.” into industrial farms. Twelve of the 13 A so-called “urgent action plan” for elephant elephants died, and the lone survivor was 23
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
Gaur closes Hue airport protection was adopted by the government in 2006, but it has yet to be funded and no protected land has been set aside.
reportedly worth $24,000. The owner used Beckham to give rides to tourists at an “ecopark” in Binh Duong Province.
Just a generation ago there were thousands of elephants roaming the upland forests and jungles. I spoke to a former Viet Cong guerrilla who once, on a pitch-black night, while evading an American patrol, unknowingly belly-crawled between the legs of a massive elephant that was straddling a jungle path (Really? I think you were had mate! ed. ).
“The elephant was found dead in a forest in Da Lat on April 24 with its tusks and tail intact,” said the Tuoi Tre newspaper. “It was tied to a tree and the ligaments in its hind legs had been cut off.”
As postwar Vietnam slowly began to open its economy, land was increasingly cleared for rice farms and coffee and rubber plantations. Factories sprang up. New dams and roads were built, and cities sprawled. Illegal loggers, too, were busy at their work, clear-cutting ancient stands of mahogany, teak and ironwood for overseas markets. The population skyrocketed, and with a population of 92 million, Vietnam today is larger than Germany. It’s nearly twice the size of Spain.
Jeffrey’s harrowing reporting says most of the ivory poached in Africa — as much as 70 percent — ends up in China, where the country’s economic boom has created a whole new class of consumers now able to afford ivory knicknacks, chospticks and combs. A pound of ivory on the streets of Beijing, he says, now goes for $1,000.
In the process, the elephants have died. Even domesticated elephants aren’t safe. In April 2011, local authorities charged the owner of an elephant named Beckham with conspiring to kill the animal for its tusks,
The authorities said the owner, her brother and another man had sawn off the 57-pound tusks before cremating Beckham.
“China is the epicenter of demand,” said Robert Hormats, a senior U.S. State Department official. “Without the demand from China, this would all but dry up” ----------Source: rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com
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uly 24, 2012 - An airport in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam was temporarily closed Tuesday following reports that a gaur had penetrated into the airport after allegedly goring an old woman to death.
Thi was found dead in a pool of blood on a wasteland near her house at around 1:30 p.m. Monday. Her clothes were torn and she had many injuries on her face. Several gaur footprints were found on the ground around her, police said.
Do Chi Thanh, director of Phu Bai International Airport, told Thanh Nien newspaper the airport was closed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. while security guards searched for the stray animal.
According to Thi’s family, she had slept in the house of her niece on Sunday night and was walking home early Monday morning when the gaur allegedly attacked her.
The security guards searched for the bovine all night Monday to no avail.
Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported that at least two locals told authorities they saw the gaur on Monday morning.
On Monday morning, an airport employee spotted it wandering near the runway of the airport, capturing the scene on video with his mobile phone. He then lost sight of the gaur as it went into the bush beside the airport’s runway.
Dang Thi Hoa, 19, said she saw a gaur running amok on the road headed toward Phu Bai Airport at around 7 a.m. The gaur was much bigger than a domesticated adult bull, she said, adding it is black and has some yellow and white spots on its legs.
More than 40 security guards, forest rangers and militiamen were mobilised to track down the animal in order for the airport to resume flights.
Some residents told Thanh Nien the wild gaur may have wandered from a forest in an attempt to mate with domesticated bulls ------Source: By Gia Tan, Thanh Nien News
In the afternoon, the airport management board received information from local residents in Huong Thuy Town that the gaur Subsequently the animal was killed by may have been the one that gored Nguyen officals attempting to catch-it. It seems it received a lethal dose of tranquilizer Ed. Thi Thi, 85, to death.
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
“One of our langurs is missing”
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Guards said in early 2011, they saw the three langurs in 2-3m and the disappeared langur lost many teeth and it moved very slowly.
In a letter to relevant agencies in mid-July, Mr. Rick Passaro, director of the white-headed langur preservation project, said that guards had not seen a langur since April.
Mr. Hoang Van Thap, director of the Cat Ba National Park said it is difficult to investigate the missing of the langur because langurs live in the 30,000ha forest.
The last time guards saw the three female langurs together on April 14, 2012. Since April 30, cameras laid by the project only filmed two of the three female langurs. The guards had only seen two langurs since then.
“After several months of investigation, we believe that the langur died of old age,” he said.
uly 23, 2012 - The manager of a project to preserve Cat Ba langur on Cat Ba Island, in Hai Phong city, has reported the missing of a langur.
Previously, there were four white-headed langurs, including a male and three females on Dong Cong Islet, to the northwest of Cat Ba Island. In 2001, a hunter shot to death the male langur. Meanwhile, locals have destroyed forest to build shrimp breeding lagoons, which have prevented the three remaining female langurs from joining other langur troops. Eight years ago, experts suggested moving the three langurs from Dong Cong Island to Cat Ba Island, to enable them to join other troops of langurs. This project was approved and experts planed to move the langurs in October 2012.
The Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus) is a critically endangered langur from Cat Ba Island. The dominate subspecies, often known as the goldenheaded or Cat Ba langur, is the rarest primate in the world. The golden-headed langur is considered to be one of “The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates,” and is assumed to have declined by 80 percent over the last three generations.
According to the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project, the The Cat Ba langur’s skin is black and the pelage color is dark brown; head and shoulder are bright golden to yellowishwhite. The tail is very long (about 85 cm) compared to the body size (about 50 cm). Babies are colored golden-orange; However, several months before this project is implemented, the pelage starts to change its color from about the fourth one langur has disappeared. month on. Males and females look alike. According to guards, this langur was seen the first time in 1990. The animal was around 5 years old at that time. “That langur is around 27 years old at present. The average lifespan of langurs is 25 years. It is highly possible that the langur is dead,” Passaro said.
years. Food mainly consists of leaves, but also fresh shoots, flowers, bark, and some fruits. There are around 50-60 langurs on Cat Ba Island and two langurs at the primate rescue center in Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh province. The fate of langurs is now the public concern after several photos featuring several langurs, including a pregnant one which was killed, and were posted on Facebook.
After this incident, experts had been worried that this rare animal would go extinct like the one-horn rhino in Vietnam The Cat Ba langurs live in groups, usually one male with several females and their offspring. They are diurnal animals, -------Source: Thu Ha, VietnamNet adapted to living in limestone habitat. Each group has its own territory, defended by the adult male who also initiates the location of the group. The females usually give birth to a single baby every 2-3 years, which becomes mature at 4-6 years old. Langurs have an average life expectancy of 25 25
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
regional news
IUCN situation analysis on East and Southeast Asian intertidal habitats, with particular reference to the Yellow Sea
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n 2011, the IUCN Species Survival Commission and IUCN Asia Regional Office commissioned an independent report to assess the state and condition of intertidal habitats along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), in response to growing concerns expressed by IUCN members over observed declines in biodiversity, the loss of ecological services, and an increase in ecological disasters. The report is a situation analysis, and it seeks to gather in one place the relevant data and analyses, and to present as clear a picture of the status of the intertidal zone in the EAAF as the data allow. By intention, the resulting report makes no recommendations, but it should serve as a resource for those stakeholders empowered to make or influence decisions and policies in the region.
magnitude are likely the key drivers of declines in biodiversity the crucial staging area of the Yellow Sea (including the and ecosystem services in the intertidal zone of the region. Bohai Sea), are driving the waterbird declines and related environmental problems. Breeding success in the Arctic and As well as these critical areas, many other sites are used by survival in the Australasian sites where the birds spend the particular species as they move north or south on migration, northern winter appear to be adequate; the main problems or throughout the non-breeding season, and also need seem to be in the East Asian staging areas. protection as part of a critical site network. In this most densely populated part of the world, the effects Waterbirds of the East Asian Flyway coastal wetlands of reclamation act cumulatively with other threats to the ecology of the Asian intertidal zone system. These threats are facing extinction include pollution, non-native species, silt flow reduction Waterbirds that depend on the Asian intertidal habitats of resulting from damming of major rivers, over-fishing, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) during their nonunsustainable hunting of waterbirds, and conversion of breeding season are the world’s most threatened migratory mudflats for aquaculture or other uses, plus the added birds, apart from albatrosses and petrels. challenges of climate change, such as increased risk of floods.
Revised version
At least 24 such species are heading towards extinction, The report shows that fisheries and vital ecological with many others facing exceptionally rapid losses of 5–9 services are collapsing and ecological disasters increasing, % per year. With declines of 26 % per year the Spoon-billed with resulting impacts on human livelihoods. Migratory Sandpiper could be extinct within a decade. These rates of waterbird species along the flyway are showing exceptionally species population decline are among the highest of any rapid declines. These declines are linked mainly to the ecological system on the planet. disappearance and degradation of migratory staging posts, rather than problems on the breeding or wintering grounds. Rapid land reclamation of Asian tidal flats is driving The report identified 16 key areas along the flyway (from an analysis of 388 East Asian flyway sites with tidal flats used by waterbirds of the EAAF), with six of these in the Yellow Sea (including the Bohai Sea). Here, the most pressing threat is the fast pace of coastal land reclamation (defined as conversion of natural wetland into dry land and artificial wetland by mechanical means). Remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) analyses show mean losses of 35% of intertidal habitat area across the six key areas of the Yellow Sea since the early 1980s. Losses of such
many waterbirds towards extinction Overall, East Asian intertidal habitats (including beaches, marshes, mudflats, mangroves and seagrass beds) are being lost at a rate unprecedented for the coastal zone elsewhere in the world. Some countries have lost more than half of their coastal wetland area to land reclamation since 1980. These rates of habitat loss are comparable to those of tropical rainforests and mangroves. Evidence suggests that these reclamations, especially in
Waterbirds indicate deterioration in Asian coastal ecosystems and their services The declines in waterbird populations are signals of wider deterioration in the quality of intertidal ecosystems. Healthy tidal flats provide many services of direct economic benefit to the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in local communities and beyond. Such services include fisheries worth billions of US$ per year and coast defences, which if lost expose coastal cities, towns and lands to economically devastating damage. Marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and plants associated with tidal ecosystems are also in sharp decline and areas of the Yellow and Bohai Seas are becoming ‘dead’ seas. Meanwhile there has been a significant increase in ecological disasters including floods, salination of coastal areas, 26
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
outbreaks of harmful algal blooms, and death of fish and mariculture stocks.
International co-operation, and effective environmental safeguards, are needed The birds and habitats of the EAAF are the shared natural heritage of 22 countries. At present, each country’s economic and environmental sustainability is being damaged by the actions of its neighbours. International cooperation is required to secure the region’s tidal ecosystem resources in the long term. A healthy environment is essential for sustainable development. This means that rapid economic growth must build in effective environmental safeguards. Otherwise, economic gains may be short-lived – being undermined by the loss of valuable ecosystem services and costly ecological disasters. Download the report here ----------Source: IUCN
regional news Integrated and novel survey methods for rhinoceros populations confirm the extinction of the species from Vietnam
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avan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) is among the most threatened large mammal species in the world. Development of rigorous, non-invasive survey techniques is a high priority, to monitor populations and develop informed conservation management strategies. The critically endangered javan rhinoceros until recently survived in two separate populations, one in Vietnam and one in Indonesia, representing distinct subspecies. The range of the annamiticus subspecies around Cat Tien National Park (CTNP) has declined significantly since its rediscovery in 1989, and no accurate estimate of population size had ever been obtained. We employed integrated survey techniques and analyses to determine the population status of the Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam. The authors conducted a comprehensive field survey of the Cat Loc sector of CTNP using scat detection dogs to detect javan rhinoceros dung between October 2009 and April 2010. Twenty-two dung samples were collected for microsatellite DNA analysis, seventeen of which were of sufficient quality to be analysed.
The genotyping work confirmed that only a single rhinoceros was present at the start of the survey in 2009 and that this was the same individual that was found dead in April 2010. Although far less definitive than host genotyping, stool bacterial diversity assays also supported the hypothesis that all samples collected by the survey were from one individual. This empirical data combined with field survey data indicate the extinction of the Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam. The authors conclude by discussing the developmental progress of these non-invasive survey techniques to monitor other endangered rhinoceros populations. Download the full article here --------Source: S.M. Brook, P. van Coeverden de Groot, C. Scott, P. Boag, B. Long, R.E. Ley, G.H. Reischer, A.C. Williams, S.P. Mahood, Tran Minh Hien, G. Polet, N. Cox, Bach Thanh Hai. Integrated and novel survey methods for rhinoceros populations confirm the extinction of the species from Vietnam. Biological Conservation 155 (2012) 59–67
Key Biodiversity Areas in the Indo-Burma Hotspot: Process, Progress and Future Directions
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ey Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) provide geographic targets for the expansion of protected area coverage, and identify sites for urgent conservation action. Identification of KBAs in the Indo-Burma Hotspot was undertaken during 2003, for a region of analysis comprising Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam, plus parts of southern China. The starting point was information on 282 Important Bird Areas identified by BirdLife International and collaborators. These data were then overlaid with point locality data on globally threatened mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish and plants, with additional KBAs identified as required. Through this process, a total of 438 KBAs were identified, covering
258,085km2 or 11.5 percent of the region of analysis. Only 58 percent of the KBAs are wholly or partly included within protected areas, suggesting that there may be a need for further expansion of protected area networks, particularly in Myanmar and Vietnam. The criteria for KBA identification are triggered by 812 species, of which 23 are believed only to occur at a single KBA globally. The KBAs have proven to be a useful conservation priority setting tool in IndoBurma, helping to guide investments by various donors and application of environmental safeguard policies by international financial institutions. There are fewer examples of KBAs being used to guide expansion of protected area systems in Indo-Burma. In large part, this is because the
period of rapid expansion of protected areas in most hotspot countries predated the KBA identification process, and political support for further significant expansion is currently limited. Read full paper here -------------Source: Tordoff, A.W., M.C. Baltzer, J.R. Fellowes, J.D. Pilgrim and P.F. Langhammer (2012). Key Biodiversity Areas in the IndoBurma Hotspot: Process, Progress and Future Directions. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(8): 2779–2787.
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Rarest of the rare
Vietnamese Pheasant is an invalid taxon
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he Vietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis was described in 1975 from one male specimen which was superficially similar to Edwards’s Pheasant L. edwardsi but for four white (instead of dark metallic blue) tail feathers. Like L. edwardsi it is poorly known and highly threatened in the wild. Its status as a species has rarely been questioned despite its curious distribution and dubious morphological distinctiveness. To elucidate the taxonomic status of L. hatinhensis the authors examined the morphology of captive birds of both taxa and analysed mitochondrial DNA. These lines of evidence demonstrated that birds exhibiting the L. hatinhensis phenotype probably represent inbred L. edwardsi. Thus L. hatinhensis should be removed from the IUCN Red List and other checklists of valid extant
bird species. Its apparent recent appearance alongside wild populations of L. edwardsi might be taken as evidence that wild populations of this species are also highly inbred and possibly close to extinction. Download the full paper here -------Source: Alain Hennache, Simon P. Mahood, Jonathan C. Eames and Ettore Randi. Lophura hatinhensis is an invalid taxon. Forktail 28 (2012): 129–135. Photos: Jonathan C. Eames
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The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
Project updates PROJECT UPDATeS
The fourth call for small grant Letters of Inquiry for Indo-Burma
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n 2 July 2012, BirdLife International, acting as the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for CEPF in the Indo-Burma Hotspot made the call for Letters of Inquiry (LoIs) for small grants from non-government organisations, community groups, and other civil society organisations. This call for proposals covers the four countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, aims to address gaps in the current CEPF investment portfolio. Priority will be given to applications from local civil society organisations. By the deadline we received 55 proposals of which 45 LoIs came from 39 local civil society organisations and other 10 LoIs were submitted by 10 international entities. Under this call, Vietnam sees the most proposals with 25 LoIs (45%), followed by Cambodia with 16 LoIs (29%), Laos 9 (16%), Thailand 3 and Region/Multi country 2 (10% for the last two). Preliminary review shows that up to 27 LoIs (49%) address Strategic Direction 1 “Safeguard priority globally threatened species in Indhochina by mitigating major threats:” 21 LoIs (38%) target Strategic Direction 3 “Engage key actors in reconciling biodiversity coservation and development objectives, with a particular emphasis on the Northern Limestone Highlands and Mekong River and its major tributaries;” and the last seven proposals fall within Strategic
Letters of Inquiry sorted by country 30
25
25 20
16
15
9
10
3
5
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Direction 2 “Develop innovative, locally led approaches to site-based conservation at 28 key biodiversity areas.” This call was for small grant applications and potential grantees are eligible to submit their LoIs in national local languages. A majority of LoIs (45 LoIs or 82%) were written in English, seven LoIs (7%) in Vietnamese, two in Khmer and one in Lao. All eligible LoIs are currently under review both internally and externally by experienced experts. Succesful aplicants will be notified in September. To date, CEPF has funded 55 small grants and 44 large grants in the region. For the full list of funded projects and final reports of completed projects, please log in here.
Fourth National Advisory Group meetings in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam In July 2012, BirdLife organised three National Advisory Group meetings in Laos (5 July), Cambodia (12 July) and Vietnam (16 July). In each country, representatives from donors (the World Bank, GEF), government agencies (Ministries of Environment), international and national civil society organisations participated in the meetings. Jonathan C. Eames, Project Manager, presented progress to date and key plans for the coming year. The result of series of stakeholder consultations to update the Ecosystem Profile for Indo-Burma between June and October 2011 and grant making progress in the region were presented. Useful discussion was had on the mechanisms for project monitoring and evaluation. BirdLife informed the National Advisory Groups of the forthcoming Call for Letters of Inquiry for small grants in August 2012 and final assessment workshop to be held in Cambodia in early 2013.
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he Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (www.cepf.net) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. CEPF began a $9.5 million five year investment plan in Indochina in July 2008, in partnership with BirdLife International, who provide the Regional Implementation Team (www.birdlifeindochina.org/ cepf). As the RIT in Indochina, BirdLife International will: raise awareness of CEPF; solicit grant applications and assist organisations to make applications; review applications; give small grants and jointly make decisions with CEPF on large grants; and monitor and evaluate progress with the investment strategy.
0 Cambodia
Laos
Thailand
Vietnam
Region/Multi country
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Kids in Conservation
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the children of Sayaboury get up close and personal with the endangered Asian elephant
lefantAsia (www.elefantasia.org; www.elephantconservationcenter. com) “Securing and Increasing Asian Elephant Populations in Laos through the Microchipping of Core Populations” (1 March 2010 - 31 August 2012) It was the great American comedian W.C. Fields that said “Never work with children or animals”. However never the faint hearted, the ElefantAsia team rise to the challenge and plough ahead with their new “Kids in Conservation” programme located at the Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury which indeed works with both animals and children.
Visit to the elephant hospital. Photo: ElefantAsia
the care of the hospital. Travelling by boat across the tranquil Nam A short walk into the 100 Tien lake, participants of the ElefantAsia’s hectares of natural forest programme excitedly arrive ready to get up surrounding the ECC was close and personal with the inhabitants at rewarded with a visit to the elephant nursery to view the the Elephant Conservation Center. mothers and baby elephants Four groups of twenty children were each residing there. However the chosen from the primary school of Natonoy highlight of the children’s in Sayaboury town to attend the Center under the ‘Kids in Conservation’ programme, visit was most definitely the an initiative designed to promote literacy elephant trek when each in rural schools and increase awareness of of the school pupils had the endangered species, the Asian elephant the opportunity to ride in a ‘howdah’ or elephant chair Elephas maximus. placed on the elephant’s Over four consecutive days, each group spent back. This experience was Participants with elephants and Eco-Sys sponsors flag and closely followed by the an entire afternoon at the Center enjoying Boopy mascot. Photo: ElefantAsia elephant bathing observed a whole host of environmental based, fun by the children after enjoying activities. Activities included visit to the adventures for the children of Sayaboury. elephant museum which contains 27 trilight refreshments served at This surely puts paid to Mr Fields’ advice! lingual information boards; books; DVDs and the Center’s restaurant. ElefantAsia’s ‘Kids in Conservation’ puzzles on the subject of the Asian elephant. All too soon it was time for the children to programme was organised in collaboration The visit to the museum set in a traditional return home taking with them memories the District Education Department. Activities Tai Lue stilted house completed with the of the Elephant Conservation Center. As a were sponsored by Eco-Sys and several children competing in a game of “Spot the memento of their day with the elephants, difference” between the African and Asian each child received a Lao language storybook Australian donors, whilst resources for the children were donated by Xang Noi elephant. and posters for their school to promote Tours of the elephant hospital conducted by reading as an enjoyable activity in and out of Publishing and ElefantAsia -------ElefantAsia veterinarian, Oui Sakornwimon, the classroom. Source: Tracy Brookshaw, ElefantAsia, Project were well received with the youngsters Owing to the success of this pilot Manager; enthusiastically asking many questions programme, ElefantAsia, already plan relating to the treatment of elephants under to implement further half day elephant 30
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remaining breeding site in mainland South‐east Asia for two Globally Threatened species, Spot‐billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis and Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea and the largest colony in the region for six more globally threatened or near‐ 30, 2013) threatened species, namely the Oriental Darter Anhinga MONITORING OF LARGE WATERBIRDS AT PREK TOAL, melanogaster, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilus javanicus, Greater Adjutant Leptoptilus dubius, Black‐headed Ibis Threskiornis TONLE SAP GREAT LAKE 2011 melanocephalus, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and Prek Toal is the most ecologically important of the three core Grey‐headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus. areas of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. It is the the only In 2001 WCS initiated platform based counts of key species to monitor the effectiveness of conservation interventions aimed at protecting waterbird colonies. Platform based monitoring methodologies were modified in 2003 and data collected from 2004 onwards has used this revised methodology. Waterbird nest trees are located by boat in the wet season, prior to the beginning of the breeding season for all key species except Oriental Darter and marked with numbered tags. Throughout the breeding season the number of visible nests, adults and chicks of each key species are counted from observation platforms. Data are collated and checked to avoid double counting of marked trees. Overflights of the colony, last conducted in 2007, indicate that only half of the Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans, Painted Stork and Spot‐billed Pelican nests are counted each year from platforms. Ranger patrols, advocacy and platform based monitoring has proved an effective deterrent to egg collectors, formerly the greatest threat to the waterbird colonies of Prek Toal. ildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org) “Conserving A Suite of Cambodia’s Highly Threatened Bird Species” (October 1, 2009 - June
Since monitoring began there has been a significant increase in the number of waterbirds breeding at Prek Toal. Oriental Darter has shown the greatest increase and in 2011 there were 6,751 nests compared with 241 nests in 2002. Numbers of Asian Openbill nests have also increased rapidly since
monitoring began: in 2011 13,042 nests were counted from monitoring platforms, up from 688 in 2004. The number of Painted Stork nests has increased from 1,089 to 2,345 over the same time period. The number of Milky Stork nests recorded, which are typically located in amongst the Painted Stork colonies, increased from 2 to 16. Overflights of the colony in 2007 indicate that only 50% of Asian Openbill, Painted and Milky Stork nests can be seen from the monitoring platforms, and therefore the total number of nests of these species maybe double that counted from the platforms. Greater and Lesser Adjutant populations are increasing at a slower rate: the number of Greater Adjutant nests counted from monitoring platforms has increased from 56 in 2004 to 146 in 2011 and the number of Lesser Adjutant nests from 158 to 363 over the same time period. The number of Spot‐billed Pelican nests counted from monitoring platforms has fluctuated and now numbers 1,574. The mean peak nesting date of large waterbirds in Prek Toal is nearly two months earlier than when records began. For the first time, in 2011, data were collected on the occurrence of otters Lutra spp. and Long‐tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis. Read the full report here. (Citation: Sun Visal and Mahood, S. (2011) Monitoring of large waterbirds at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap Great Lake, 2011. Wildlife Conservation Society,Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh)
THE STATUS OF BENGAL FLORICAN IN BENGAL FLORICAN CONSERVATION AREAS, 2010-/11 MONITORING REPORT The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis is a Critically Endangered species of bustard threatened by habitat loss and hunting. The majority of the world’s population is dependent on grasslands located in and near to the floodplain of the 31
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Tonle Sap lake. Protected areas have been set up in order to safeguard a part of the population, conserve other rare species and maintain the access of local villages to key livelihood resources such as fisheries, agricultural land and pasture.
The status of Bengal Florican In Bengal Florican Conservation Areas, 2010-/11 Monitoring Report. Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. CAMBODIAN VULTURE CONSERVATION PROJECT
In February 2010, the existing provincial Integrated Farming and biodiversity Areas (IFBAs) were recognised as conservation sites of national importance by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and 312 km2 of breeding and non-breeding habitat are now protected and managed by MAFF as Bengal Florican Conservation Areas (BFCAs). The former Veal Srongai and Kouk Beung Tre IFBAs were not included in the BFCA network and are now unprotected.
The Cambodian Vulture Conservation Project led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a collaboration between four NGOs including Birdlife International, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Angkor Center for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), WCS and two government institutions namely the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) of the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Read the vulture conservation activities implemented by the Cambodian Vulture Conservation Project during April and May 2012 here or the results of the annual Vulture Census conducted during June 2012 here
Florican population monitoring in Cambodia is conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society as an activity under a CEPF funded project with support from other organisations and donors and in partnership with the Forestry Administration. This report which can be downloaded here summarises results of monitoring work and related activities conducted between September 2010 and December 2011. (Citation: Mahood, s., Son Virak and Hong Chamnan, Evans T., (2012)
-----Source: Simon Mahood, Technical Advisor, Tonle Sap and Vulture projects; Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia Program
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Bengal florican census in the Tonle Sap floodplain and nearby areas, March-May 2012 David A. Showler1, Son Virak2 and Charlotte E. Packman1
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he critically endangered Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis occurs in two disjunct regions of Asia. On the Indian sub-continent it persists in remnant tall grasslands of northern India and the Nepal terai, where the population as a whole is very tentatively estimated at fewer than 280 birds. The South-East Asian population is effectively confined to Cambodia, with breeding occurring almost entirely within seasonally inundated grasslands around the Tonle Sap lake. In 2007 the Cambodian florican population was estimated at around 600 individuals based on extensive surveys during 2005-07 of 19 grassland areas considered large enough (based on known territory size) to support breeding floricans (Gray et al. 2009). Due to continued and rapid loss of grassland breeding habitats, primarily through conversion to dry season rice cultivation, there was considered an urgent need to undertake a repeat Cambodia-wide Bengal florican census, coupled with collection of ground truth data to confirm land-use change via satellite imagery. A project proposal was developed by the Angkor
Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity in close consultation with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia Program and the University of East Anglia, UK, with funding awarded by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund. Reported here is a summary of the resultant Bengal florican census conducted within the Tonle Sap floodplain and nearby areas during March to May 2012. The survey team comprised Son Virak, Nuth Menghor, Hoeun Seanlay, Sot Van Doeun, Phok Pannha , Sin Seanglay and Chhab Oddom (WCS Cambodia staff), and Dave Showler. As in 2005-07, randomly selected 1-km squares were visited within the original 19 areas, with the addition of one extra site. However, survey intensity was greater in 2012, with 297 1-km squares (out of 1,729 possible 1-km squares) being selected for survey at the 19 original sites (plus an additional 12 squares at the extra site), compared to 169 squares surveyed in 2005-07. Survey sites were accessed using small motorbikes and the centre of each 1-km square was located with a GPS. A 32
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single observer stood at the square centre (or as near as possible to it given access constraints) for 1 hour in the early morning or late afternoon (periods when floricans are most active). Each square was surveyed
Virak Son with a local farmer (holding florican picture) in the Mongkol Borei survey area. He reported seeing floricans up to 3 years ago when the now cultivated fields in the background, comprised grassland. In 2012 we observed no floricans in this survey area, whilst the 2007 male population size estimate was 17. Photo: ACCB
twice. The primary aim was to record presence of easily detectable, territorial male floricans; they have a remarkable leaping flight display, as well as an impressive neck ruffle (expanding of the black neck feathers). The well-camouflaged and unobtrusive female floricans are often difficult to spot, hence the reason for concentrating census effort on displaying males as a measure of abundance and potential breeding activity at a given site.
held no displaying males). Encouragingly at one site situated towards the southern end of Tonle Sap where displaying floricans were not recorded during the previous survey, three displaying males were observed. However, the over-riding impression was one of high levels of human disturbance and considerable loss of grassland to rice cultivation. At one site in the northwest where displaying floricans were recorded at low density in 2006, none were recorded in 2012 and no large expanses of grassland Persistence over long field periods resulted were present due to recent conversion to in high survey square coverage and the most rice production. Also of great concern was comprehensive florican census undertaken in the low density of displaying males recorded Cambodia to date. We were fortunate in this at one large ‘core area’ site situated in the year that rain rarely hampered our survey southeast along the northern margins of efforts. Of the 309 1-km survey squares the Tonle Sap, probably also attributable to selected over these 20 sites, 287 (93%) were recent significant habitat loss. surveyed. Inaccessibility, due primarily to dense floodplain scrub and/or wetlands, The true extent of grassland loss will be meant that some squares were not surveyed. quantified from ongoing analysis of land-use Presence of land-mines in two areas also data and a 2012 Bengal florican population had to be taken into consideration. Within estimate, based on our survey, will be the 287 1-km squares surveyed, 35 (12%) published in a forthcoming paper. held a total of 41 displaying male floricans. Usually only a single displaying male was recorded per square, but occasionally two Acknowledgements and exceptionally three, were observed. We thank the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Additional non-displaying males and females Fund (CEPF) for financing the 2012 survey, were also recorded. with additional funding support from Birdlife International. The CEPF is a joint initiative Densities of displaying males varied greatly of l’Agence Française de Développement, between sites. At six sites no floricans at all Conservation International, the Global were observed (in 2005-07 five of these also
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Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank. Funding was obtained by Markus Handschuh (then Project Manager, Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB)); Alistair Mould (ACCB) provided substantial organisational and logistical support. The project was developed in consultation with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia Program (primarily Dr. Tom Evans and Hong Chamnan) and the University of East Anglia (Dr. Paul Dolman and Dr. Charlotte Packman). We also thank staff at WCS Cambodia (especially Tim Solita, Sayon and Simon Mahood) for office support and advice. -------Source: Gray, TNE, Ro Borey, Hong Chamnan, Collar, N.J., Davidson, P.J.A., Dolman, P.M., Evans, T.E., Fox, H.F., Seng Kim Hout and van Zalinge, R. (2009) Distribution, status and conservation of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Cambodia. Bird Conservation International 19, 1-14
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Waterbird nest protection on the Mekong River: a preliminary evaluation, with notes on the recovery and release of white- shouldered ibis Pseudibis davisoni chicks
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n areas where poverty is widespread and natural resource governance limited, many species are threatened by the robbery of eggs and young from nests, such as birds and turtles. A potential solution is to pay members of a local community to guard nests. This study evaluates one such programme on the Mekong River in Cambodia, which paid local people to protect the nests of three high priority species: the white-shouldered ibis Pseudibis davisoni, river tern Sterna aurantia, and
lesser adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. Sixty chicks of the three species fledged over two seasons, but nest survival rates remained low for the terns and ibises. Despite guarding, the main causes of nest failure were robbery from nests and vandalism. Predation was also a problem for river terns. The programme was a mixed success, and the long term sustainability of guarding nests is questionable. The authors discuss methods for improving nest survival and community involvement, including payment structures to improve guard diligence, community buy-in to reduce jealousy over payments, and predator exclusion devices. Comprehensive community engagement and regular evaluation may be required to improve effectiveness and prevent unintentional harm to wildlife and local people. Download the full article here -------Source: Sok K., Claassen, A.H., Wright, H.L. and Ryan, G.E. (2012) Waterbird nest protection on the Mekong River: a preliminary evaluation, with notes on the recovery and release of white-shouldered ibis Pseudibis davisoni chicks. Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2012, 29–41. Photo: White-shouldered Ibis (Jonathan C. Eames)
project updates
Foraging ecology of sympatric Whiteshouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni and Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea in northern Cambodia
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hite-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni and Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea are two of the most threatened yet poorly known birds of South-East Asia’s dry forests. Anecdotal evidence suggests these species have an intriguing combination of ecological similarities and differences, and as they occur sympatrically there may be an opportunity to safeguard them through joint conservation measures. The authors compared their foraging ecology and proximity to people in an attempt to unravel their ecological differences and better inform conservation. Landscape-scale habitat use was assessed by recording ibis sightings on journeys through a 75,000 ha dry forest landscape; White-shouldered Ibises were surveyed over 526 journeys (totalling 17,032 km) and Giant Ibises over 349 journeys (11,402 km). The ibises showed broadly similar habitat selection, using a range of wetland and terrestrial habitats. Giant Ibises were more often sighted further from settlements than White-shouldered Ibises, with maximum sighting frequency predicted at 9.9 km from villages for the former and 8.3 km for the latter.
Giant Ibis may be less tolerant of human disturbance and/or White-shouldered Ibis may be more dependent on traditional land management practices, but the species’ differing use of abandoned paddyfield (a habitat typically near settlements) could also be a contributing factor. At waterholes in the dry season foraging Giant Ibis used wetter microhabitats than White-shouldered, suggesting the species occupy different foraging niches. The authors make preliminary observations regarding Giant Ibis breeding strategy and discuss potential habitat management actions, concluding that, although conservation could address these species simultaneously in dry dipterocarp forest landscapes, their ecological differences must also be taken into account. Download the report here ---------Source: H. L. Wright, N. J. Collar, I. R. Lake, Bou Vorsak & P. M. Dolman. Foraging ecology of sympatric White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni and Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea in northern Cambodia. Forktail 28 (2012): 93–100
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The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in Indo-Burma Salween, Chao Praya and the Mekong rivers, as well as coastal basins in Thailand and Viet nam.
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nternational Union for Conservation of Nature (www.iucn.org): Freshwater Biodiversity Assessments in the IndoBurma Biodiversity Hotspot: Fishes, Molluscs, Odonates and Plants (September 1, 2009-September 30, 2012) The Indo-Burma project, funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), focused on assessing the conservation status of all described species of freshwater fishes, molluscs, odonates and selected families of aquatic plants native to the Indo-Burma hotspot. Assessment areas included the
The project contributes to filling the information gap that currently impairs conservation planning in the area by implementing comprehensive assessments of the freshwater biodiversity through detailed evaluations of species distributions, ecology and extinction risk. The exceptional concentration of species found in the freshwaters of the Indo-Burma region, coupled with the essential ecosystem services that are supplied to humanity by these freshwaters and their biodiversity, and the increasing threats to the ecosystems, indicate the importance and urgency of this project. The project was initiated in 2009 with a training workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The workshop helped to equip regional scientists and experts working on the project with the knowledge of how to assess freshwater species using a standardised methodology, employing the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, making all assessments comparable. A second workshop was held in 2011 to review the initial assessments and the project was completed in 2012 with the publication of a report summarizing the findings. All
species assessments are also published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (www.iucnredlist.org). The final report provides an essential resource for guiding future decisions on the conservation and sustainable management of freshwater biodiversity in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. - The outputs of this project include the final technical report and provision of a database of information on freshwater fishes, molluscs, dragonflies and damselflies, and selected families of aquatic plants for the Indo-Burma region. Assimilated data will be made widely and freely available to ensure that they are used by NGOs, governmental organisations, and members of the private sector in their policy and programmatic work. - The long-term objective is to ensure informed and sustainable management practices for the region where conservation of biodiversity is incorporated as a key objective.
• the status and distribution of freshwater fishes, molluscs and other aquatic life of Indo-Burma, • major threats to freshwater fishes and mollusks from current and planned large scale development projects particularly within the energy and water sectors. • calls for conservation actions and recommendations. Download the ‘Executive Summary and Key Messages’ for an overview of the report. Download the full report here (PDF 24,37 MB) -------Source: IUCN
On 22 August 2012, IUCN launched the latest Red List report on The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in Indo-Burma. The report reveals: • the threats to freshwater biodiversity globally and in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot 35
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TRAFFIC Pilots Sustainable Medicinal and Aromatic Harvesting Project in Vietnam
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raffic International (www.traffic. org) “Developing a Model for the Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal Plants through the Implementation of FairWild in Viet Nam” (June 1, 2011-May 31, 2013)
Despite their importance to health and livelihoods, relatively little investment has been made in assessing the conservation status of most medicinal plant species or in developing more sustainable harvest and trade practices.
TRAFFIC, in coordination with the Bac Kan Province Forest Protection Department and in partnership with the People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF), and through the support of CEPF, has been implementing its first project in Vietnam to protect Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) that rural communities rely upon for traditional medicine since 2011. The plants targeted by the project are threatened by habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting driven by commercial demand.
The project in the South Xuan Lac Species and Habitat Conservation Area (SXL SHCA) of northern Vietnam is implementing the FairWild Standard, which includes social, ecological and fair trade sustainability principles of wild-harvesting. By following the Standard’s guidelines, TRAFFIC is helping ensure the project will incorporate the principles of ecological and social responsibility and provide a fair and valueadded management and trading system for wild-collected natural ingredients for harvesters. It further aims to strengthen market linkages of target communities with the objective of increasing the income of collecting communities.
Most plant and animal species utilised for traditional medicine in Vietnam are sourced from the wild, but increasing demand appears to have resulted in overharvesting and there is growing evidence to suggest that many have become more difficult to find in the wild. A number are listed as species of conservation significance. Additionally, increasing use of traditional medicines in China has seen vast quantities of protected plants sourced from Vietnam and transported illegally to the Chinese market, putting further strain on these plant populations.
Local collectors demonstrate how to cut Alpinia malaccensis in order to harvest this species in a sustainable manner during a TRAFFIC led training on sustainable wild harvesting methods. @ Dr. Nguyen Tap/TRAFFIC copyright
approach is one of the key requirements for implementing the FairWild Standard’s The SXL SHCA in the Bac Kan Province was chosen for its unique floral composition, local principles. This has allowed for greater engagement from various ethnic minority communities’ use of medicinal plants and evidence of uncontrolled harvesting. From its groups and partners in the project to solve issues of economic and health security in initial stages, the project took a grassrootstheir own communities. based approach for plant selection and project implementation, engaging various ethnic minority groups and partners to solve Based on FairWild criteria and indicators, and through direct consultation and issues of economic and health security in involvement with plant collectors from their own communities. Such a consultative
local villages as well as local authorities and responsible agencies, four medicinal plant species were selected for resource assessment. These plant species include: Amomum villosum Lour and Amomum xanthioides var. xanthioides, both native to Indo-China and South China and used in over 60 different traditional medicine remedies in Vietnam as an antipyretic and diuretic. 36
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Alpinia malaccensis and Alpinia latilabris, both native throughout Eastern India to South China and used to treat stomach problems throughout Vietnam. A resource assessment produced a distribution map which will allow collectors to take a lead in managing these plant resources within the project site. In addition, TRAFFIC is currently negotiating with local harvesters to establish a supervision group to conduct regular assessments of the selected plant species in the project site during the harvesting season to ensure that the plants are being sustainably managed. To help local collectors gain legal status for harvesting and trading plants in the project site, TRAFFIC collaborated with the provincial Traditional Medicinal Association to help 51 local plant collectors from 7 villages obtain the necessary legal licences for their activities. Furthermore, TRAFFIC has helped to train local collectors in wild plant resource management, harvest monitoring, sustainable collection and value adding processing techniques. Commercial herb dryers have been purchased to assist with the latter. The project initially aims at supporting local communities to engage in national trade, and will explore the feasibility of FairWild certification. Later, links to international buyers may be sought. A market study has produced initial information on opportunities to increase community incomes through trade in target MAP species. Further evaluation will be undertaken of potential demand for thirdparty certification of wild-harvested MAPs (e.g. through FairWild), which could further increase the income of producers through the establishment of fair trade relations with buyers. Collectors in the communities are in discussion now about the usefulness of creating a cooperative, to gain
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communities better bargaining power, and which TRAFFIC will facilitate if such a decision is taken. Without greater attention given to collection practices, there will be significant declines in wild medicinal plant species. This will result in a loss of biodiversity and will negatively affect the rural population’s access to healthcare and income generation. It is thus critically important to promote sustainable wild-harvesting practices, such as those outlined in the FairWild Standard.
About FairWild The FairWild Standard was developed through a multistakeholder consultation process, with the involvement of a number of different organisations (TRAFFIC, WWF, IUCN Medicinal Plant Specialist Group, German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz- BfN) amongst others). It is now maintained by the FairWild Foundation, established in 2008 to promote the further development and uptake of the Standard’s principles. For more details, see www.fairwild.org
TRAFFIC believes that the sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants should be a priority for countries throughout Asia and has signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding with the Bac Kan province designed to conserve biodiversity, strengthen capacity of managing natural resources and develop sustainable livelihoods. TRAFFIC hopes this project can be used as a model for additional MAP conservation throughout the country and beyond. For more information, please contact: Brett Tolman, Communications Officer, TRAFFIC–Greater Mekong Programme Tel. +84 4 3726 5026, E-mail: brett.tolman@ traffic.org -----------About TRAFFIC TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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ducation for Nature -Vietnam (www. envietnam.org) “Strengthening Public Participation in Tackling the Wildlife Trade in Vietnam” (January 1, 2010-December 31, 2012)
Stop the killing of rhinos! Chew your fingernails instead On 6 August 2012, ENV has launched a new webpage aimed at raising awareness amongst the Vietnamese public about consumption of rhino horn in Vietnam. ENV’s rhino campaign page provides an overview about rhinos, the threats they face, and the situation in Vietnam. Also included are a public poll, a short film, and interesting links where visitors can read more about rhinos. The webpage highlights the plight of the world’s rhinos threatened by poaching, mainly to satisfy demand from Vietnamese and Chinese consumers who believe that rhino horn is a magical cure for a range of ailments or wish to flaunt their success in front of friends and associates by using exotic and expensive goods that are only available to the rich and affluent. Demand from Vietnamese consumers for rhino horn is directly linked to the extinction of the Javan rhino in Vietnam and the cause of the killing of 448 rhinos in South Africa in 2011. Indeed Vietnamese consumer
behavior is contributing to the exploitation Outstanding Achievement Awards for and decline of species in as far away as South Wildlife Protection Africa. In early 2013, Education for Nature-Vietnam Sadly, the killing is completely unnecessary. (ENV) will host Vietnam’s first National Rhino horn is made from the same substance Wildlife Protection Awards ceremony, to as our finger nails or buffalo horn. Moreover, recognise the outstanding contribution most of the rhino horn available on the by members of society towards efforts market today is fake according to traditional to protect wildlife. The Awards will be medicine doctors and experts. conducted in partnership with the United States Embassy, the Freeland Foundation, “Rhino horn is not a magic medicine”, says People and Nature Reconciliation Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Vice Director of (PanNature), Wildlife Conservation Society ENV. “Our advice to would-be rhino horn (WCS) Vietnam, Traffic Indochina, IUCN users: Stay at home, save your money. And Vietnam, Cuc Phuong Endangered Primate if you need something to make yourself feel Rescue Center. good, chew your fingernails.” “This event is about recognizing people who Dung added, “We share a global stand out as having a strong positive impact responsibility to do our part in protecting in protecting wildlife threatened by hunting species like the rhino. This means making and trade,” says Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung sure that our actions does not contribute to of ENV. “ENV and our partners feel that it is the extinction of species, whether native to important that the excellent contribution by Vietnam or not.” law enforcement, the media, and the public to protect wildlife is recognized.” The new webpage is part of a new campaign launched in early 2012 aimed at addressing The awards are diversified into three consumption and trade of rhino horn which major catergories, namely: Outstanding includes release of new public service Enforcement Officer, Excellence in Journalism announcements on television to be released and Outstanding Public Contribution. The toward the end of the year, and continuation nomination process will begin on 10th of a series of d criminal networks smuggling August 2012 and end at 5pm, 31st October rhino horn into Vietnam. 2012. The Award winners will be invited to a special Award Ceremony which will take place in March 2013.
Project updates
AUGUST 2012
New circular to strengthen regulations and reaffirm commitment to phase out bear farming A new circular produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is expected to greatly enhance the protection of bears in Vietnam by closing many of the loopholes and clarifying “gray areas” created in the regulations when the previous version, Decision 95/2008/QD-BNN (hereafter called “Decision 95”), was produced in 2008. In 2005, MARD committed to phase out bear farming in Vietnam and initiated an aggressive program to register all bears on farms, implanting microchips for identification purposes, and requiring owners to take care of the bears until their natural death. The strategy was aimed at preventing new bears from entering farms after the registration cutoff date, and thus phasing out bear farming through attrition. Evidence suggests that these efforts are succeeding, with approximately 2,385 bears currently being kept on farms, according to recent figures from CITES, down approximately 50% from 4,500 in 2005 at the peak of bear farming. In 2006, MARD produced Regulation 47/2006/ QD-BNN (hereafter called “Regulation 47”), the first set of management guidelines coinciding with a commitment to end bear farming. The regulations were suitably strong and included provisions that clearly reinforced the government’s commitment to end bear farming. However, in 2008, MARD revised Regulation 47 on the captive management of bears and replaced it with Decision 95. Unfortunately, this Decision was considerably weaker than previous Regulations, because it removed certain
Bear cubs confiscated by the Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department. The animals were reportedly smuggled from Laos and probably destined for a bear farm Photo: Pu Hu Nature Reserve
important articles that were essential to achieve the goal of ending bear farming in Vietnam. This year Decision 95 will be replaced with a new circular that is expected to address many of the current weaknesses, and reaffirm the government’s commitment to put an end to the illegal exploitation and trade of bears. ENV has listed some major requirements that need to be re-inserted into the new circular (these were included in Regulation 47 of 2006 but absent from the newer Decision 95 of 2008). Inclusion of these requirements would be viewed by both national and international stakeholders as a reflection of MARD’s commitment to phase out bear farming in Vietnam.
ENV Wildlife Crime Bulletin, August 2012 On August 14, 2012, ENV releases the August issue of Wildlife Crime Bulletin. The main feature of the August issue is about new circular to strengthen regulations and reaffirm commiment to phase out bear farming. Click here to download this version, or here to see other versions of ENV Wildlife Crime Bulletin --------Source: Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV)
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Project UPDATES
Identification of Important Plant Areas for Conservation in Indochina
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issouri Botanical Garden (www. missouribotanicalgarden.org): “Assessment of the Status and Distribution of Globally Threatened Plant Species in Indoburma” (July 1, 2009-September 30, 2012) The Global Plant Conservation Strategy of the Convention on Biological Diversity calls for “protection of at least 75% of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region”. The CEPF recognizes the Indochina region as a hotspot with extraordinarily high plant species richness and as a major center of plant endemism. The analysis of Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in the Indochina region is being conducted as part of a regional CEPF project carried out since 2009 by the Missouri Botanical Garden and collaborating institutions. The project is identifying the most valuable sites of plant diversity in Indochina as the basis for
Participants in the workshop on identification of important plant areas for conservation in Thailand held at the Bangkok Forest Herbarium, 27-28 August 2012.
prioritizing conservation actions. Until now, conservation planning in the region has relied largely on the opinions of experts and on the use of data on few indicator groups such as birds and large mammals. Information on plant diversity is fragmentary, hence poorly represented in conservation planning, management, monitoring, and decision-making. The challenge of using plants as indicator groups in biodiversity assessment is the lack of knowledge on the biology, ecology, and distribution of plant species. The botanical data that do exist remain inaccessible to decision-makers because these data reside only in the herbarium specimens and the scientific and grey literature written in different languages. The project is providing means for botanists to directly contribute to conservation decision making by both government and non-government organisations. Using the IPA criteria and methodology developed by PlantLife International, the project is currently conducting consultative workshops in each country in the region. The most recent workshop was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 27-28 August 2012 (Figure 1). Experts identified 90 IPAs, with 50 sites corresponding with the BirdLife International designated Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Thailand (Figure 2). This means that the current protected area system in Thailand is serving an important role in plant diversity protection, even though many of the parks were not specifically designated for plant diversity considerations. Similar IPA selection workshops will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR (20-21 September 2012), Phnom Penh, Cambodia (1011 October 2012) and Hanoi, Vietnam (24-25 October 2012). The final results and summary of IPA selection in the region will be presented in a project closing workshop that will be
Figure 2: Map showing Important Plant Areas for conservation in Thailand.
held in Hanoi on 1-2 November 2012 ---------Source: Jack Regalado, Project Manager, Missouri Botanical Garden
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Project UPDATES
Wildlife smuggling may be an indicator of other serious organised transnational crimes “Our research has revealed that the organised crime gangs involved in wildlife trafficking are also responsible for trafficking of drugs, humans, weapons and e-waste across the Vietnam-China border, and therefore our response as international organisations and government must also be coordinated and collaborative,” said Scott Roberton, WCS’ Country Director in Vietnam. “We hope that bringing these diverse organisations and government departments together will help us move towards that goal.”
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n 31st August 2012, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), U.S. Embassy, U.K. Embassy and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security to co-host a discussion on combating organised criminal networks engaging in a range of transnational crimes, including illegal wildlife trade, human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal wildlife trade, and other cross-border crimes. At the meeting, international and local experts and law enforcement officials shared information, experiences, and best practices and discussed priorities and challenges in forging international cooperation across sectors to strengthen transnational crime control.
WCS’ research funded by CEPF about illegal cross-border wildlife trade found out the Mong Cai border area lacks regulation, with only 2% vehicles from Vietnam to China in Mong Cai City go through the legal international border gate, while 98% is via the semi-legal and smuggling routes. “Transnational organized crime is a global problem, and no nation is immune,” said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David Shear. “We are working with partners in Vietnam to better train regulators, customs officials, police officers, prosecutors, and judges in order to shut down illicit traders, strengthen legitimate markets, protect communities, and bolster the economy.” “One of the key challenges is to ensure that existing legislation is effectively enforced at the provincial and local level. This must mean strong commitment from the law enforcement agencies, and strengthened accountability. This discussion offers a valuable opportunity to look together at how these steps can be taken in the communities around Mong Cai in particular,” said Kate Harrisson, Chargé d’Affaires
at the U.K. Embassy. Vietnam recently ratified the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), which entered into force in Vietnam in June 2012. At the discussion, UNODC highlighted current drug trafficking trends, as found in the 2012 World Drug Report, and implications to Vietnam, including newly emerging criminal activities such as environment crimes. Ms Zhuldyz Akisheva, UNODC Country Manager in Vietnam called for a continuous donor engagement and assistance to the national efforts in these areas. (Edited from the US Embassy’s press release).
OVER 300 KG OF WILDLIFE SEIZED BY FOREST RANGERS IN A DAY On 21 August 2012, Lam Dong Forest Protection Department (FPD) launched a surprise raid in Da Lat and Bao Loc cities, Lac Duong and Duc Trong districts, confiscating over 300 kg of wildlife including 133 kilograms of wildlife meat and 123 living illegally poached animals confiscated from 11 restaurants. The campaign is conducted by over 120 rangers under the direction of Mr. Tran Thanh Binh, Head and Mr. Vo Danh Truyen, Deputy Manager of Lam Dong FPD in coordination with Lam Dong’s Environmental Police to prevent illegal wildlife trade in Lam Dong, one of the provinces with high biodiversity in Vietnam. 40
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The continuous crack-downs in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by Lam Dong FPD in Da Lat city and nearby districts, confiscated over 1,1 ton of smuggled wildlife in total. The first two crack-downs alone led to the prosecution in 7 cases and administration fines in other 14 cases, resulting in about $10,000 worth of fines. Annual raids by hundreds of rangers at the same time in Lam Dong instead of small scale checks is not done by any other FPD in Vietnam. The campaign was technically supported by WCS and Hanoi University of Agriculture ---------Source: Duong Viet Hong, Communications Officer, Wildlife Conservation Society - Vietnam Programme
Project UPDATES
White-shouldered Ibis Census 2012
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he White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni working group comrpsing, BirdLife International, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), People Resources and Conservation Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Forestry Administration (FA), Ministry of Environment (MoE) have just completed the 2012 roost census. Roost counts took place across the north and east Cambodia, at Western Siem Pang, Stung Treng Province; Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri Provinces; Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province; the Mekong River between Kratie to Stung Treng town and Phnom Prech Wildlife Sanctuary, Mondulkiri Province.
2012, at which the total count of each census was 685, 702 and 754 individuals. The 2012 counts exceed all previous results. Western Siem Pang remains the single most important site globally for the species, followed by Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary. Both sites are under high pressure from planned or actual forest clearances by economic land concessions. The increasing numbers of White-shouldered Ibis counted may be as a result of better detection by observers or possibly a result of the nest protection programme ----------Source: Sum Phearun, BirdLife International Cambodia Programme
Three censuses were conducted in July, August and September
Local Communities and Conservation of Critically Endangered Ibis Species: Case Study from Western Siem Pang, Cambodia
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wo of the most charismatic large wetland birds, the mysterious Giant Ibis, Thaumatibis gigantea, and the beautiful White-shouldered Ibis, Pseudibis davisoni, suffered tremendous losses in all over their distribution range in Asia during the last 80 years. The main reason for the decline of these large water bird species is habitat destruction. During the last two years with funding support from the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (www.mbzspeciesconservation.org), BirdLife very successfully was able to encourage more and more local farmers to participate in the effort to count and
protect White-shouldered Ibis at their night roosts during the rainy seasons. In 2012 out of a total of 18 counting stations (night roosts) in Western Siem Pang (WSP), the White-shouldered Ibis at 15 of those roosts were counted and protected by people from local communities after being trained by BirdLife staff. The local people’s counting/conservation capacity has been improved step by step during the last four years resulting in an increase of the numbers of the Ibis seen. Read more details of the case study here ---------Source: Thomas Kuenzel and Bou Vorsak. Local Communities and Conservation of Critically
Endangered Ibis Species: Case Study from Western Siem Pang (WSP), Cambodia. August 2012
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Project UPDATES
Cambodia Remains Last Vulture Bastion in South-east Asia
Cambodian Vulture Conservation Project (July-August 2012)
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he Cambodian Vulture Conservation Project led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a collaboration between four NGOs including Birdlife International, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Angkor Center for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) and two government institutions namely the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) of the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). This report details vulture conservation activities implemented by the Cambodian Vulture Conservation Project during July and August 2012. Read the full report here ---------Source: Simon Mahood, Technical Advisor: Tonle Sap and Vulture Conservation projects. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia Program
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une 25, 2012—In face of what has become a precipitous slide toward extinction across the Asian continent, the vultures of Cambodia have persisted, giving conservationists hope that these important scavengers can come back from the brink, according to authors from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Royal Government of Cambodia, and other groups in a new study.
robust, the use of poison by hunters and fishers for capturing other species are leading to unintended vulture mortalities. According to the data, 74 percent of the 42 recorded mortalities during the study period were attributable to poison. Direct persecution (the shooting of vultures with guns and slingshots) was also significant, accounting for 10 percent of recorded vulture mortality.
The creation of new feeding stations, or vulture “restaurants,” and the restoration of populations of depleted wildlife species represent the next important steps in vulture conservation, the study says.
The extreme importance of Cambodia’s vulture population was created by an ecological disaster across Asia due largely to the veterinary drug diclofenac. Widely used as an antiinflammatory drug for cattle in South Asia, diclofenac is toxic to vultures, causing death through renal failure and visceral gout to birds that feed on the cattle carcasses. It has led to a global population declines higher than 99 percent in some vulture species.
The paper appears in the online edition of Bird Conservation International. Authors include: Tom Clements, Martin Gilbert, and Hugo J. Rainey of the Wildlife Conservation Society; Richard Cuthbert of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Jonathan C. Eames of BirdLife International in Indochina; Pech Bunnat and Song Chansocheat of the Ministry of the Environment, Royal Government of Cambodia; Seng Teak of the World Wide Fund for Nature—Cambodia Program; and Tan Setha of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Royal Government of Cambodia. “Results from vulture censuses from the past several years have been encouraging, with new nests recorded and even population increases,” said WCS researcher Tom Clements, lead author on the new paper. “With continued investment, these critical populations can survive and grow.” In the study, which began in 2004, the authors collected data from several sites in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam through a variety of methods, including monitoring of vulture nesting sites and feeding stations; health assessments of vultures; interviews with government officials, hunters, and wildlife traders to collect data on threats; and satellite transmitter vests on four birds to assess ranging patterns. The findings: while Cambodia’s vulture populations remain
So far, the drug has not impacted the vulture populations of Cambodia because diclofenac is not used. WCS and other partners have actually recorded increases in some species of vulture in these areas. However, vultures in Cambodia are largely dependent on domestic animals for food, as populations of wild species such as gaur and Eld’s deer remain low. “Fortunately, the Royal Government of Cambodia has instituted measures to ban diclofenac to ensure the survival of these important birds,” said Joe Walston, Director of WCS’s Asia Program. “The challenge now is to reduce the indirect and direct persecution of vultures, specifically from poisoning and shooting, and longer-term pressures from habitat loss.” The slender-billed vulture, white-rumped vulture, and redheaded vulture are all listed as “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ----------Source: Wildlife Conservation Society 42
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Hutan Harapan
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s part of our MacArthur Foundation funded project entitled Western Siem Pang, towards a vision for biodiversity conservation in the dry forests of Cambodia Bou Vorsak, Kry Masphal and I visited the Hutan Harapan project in Sumatra, Indonesia during September. Our hosts, Burung Indonesia and PT. Restorasi Ekosistem Indonesia extended us a warm welcome in Bogor and Jambi and went out their way to help us understand the project and the challenges it is facing.
PROJECT UPDATeS
A Forest of Hope under pressure
This project, the first of BirdLife International’s Forests of Hope, was conceived to slow the deforestation of Sumatra’s lowland rainforests which have disappeared almost completely outside of protected areas during the last 50 years, to lay the foundation for a new approach to the management of logged-out production forests, to combat forests fires and the haze hazard and to develop a new model of “forest governance” to return deforested, degraded or damaged production forests to
Caption: Enrichment planting has resulted in good levels of forest regeneration. Photo: J C Eames
production in the long-term. Hutan Harapan is supported by NABU (BirdLife in Germany) and co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany within the framework of the International Climate Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through KfW Development Bank. The UK Government Darwin Initiative, Conservation International’s Global Conservation Fund and
Caption: The project has established three large nurseries, two in Jambi and one in South Sumatra proinces. Photo: J C Eames
the European Commission also support the project. The 100 year Harapan Rainforest project or Hutan Harapan as it is known in Indonesia conserves about 20% of the last Sundaic forest on Sumatra’s dry lowlands, one of the most biodiverse and threatened habitats on Earth. Not only is it unique in its importance for species such as the Critically-Endangered Sumatran Tiger, but it is home to one of the most marginalized peoples in Indonesia, the Bathin Sembilan. We saw the efforts the project is going to, working with the Bathin Sembilan and involving them directly in the project as partners. This has included the provision of primary health care and education. We also met with members of the Bathin Sembilan community who are increasing household income as a result of the project. Traditionally the Bathin Sembilan are nomadic forest dwellers who have become spatially and socially marginalized in modern-day Indonesian culture, principally because of widespread lowland forest loss and conversion to oil palm throughout Sumatra. The project offers them the opportunity to maintain their traditional lifestyle in Hutan Harapan and adopt 43
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PROJECT UPDATeS
modernity at their chosen pace. Recently the project has caught the headlines because of illegal encroachment into the concession by landless squatters and commercial logging and oil palm interests. We witnessed first hand forest fires set by people undertaking these illegal activities and the valiant efforts of project staff to control them. We also learnt how the project will work with the poorest households and provide land for them around the perimeter of the concession and how the project is engaged in mediation measures to remove those involved in illegal logging and development of commercial oil palm plantations inside Hutan Harapan, who constitute most of the squatters.
As part of the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation funded project entitled, Western Siem Pang, towards a vision for biodiversity conservation in the dry forests of Cambodia, BirdLife staff recently attended a symposium entitled Securing land for conservation in Asia: Opportunities, pitfalls and alternatives, hosted in Malaysia and Singapore by IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands, World Land Trust and Swire. With delegates from throughout Asia it provided the first forum ever to discuss ideas and exchange experiences from Armenia to Sabah and Kazakhstan to Sulawesi.
Caption: The Hutan Harapan project has begun to provide We saw first hand the considerable investment the project has basic primary education for Bathin Sembilan children from made in restoring the forest by enrichment planting in heavily isolated homesteads. Enthusiastic but unruly and unused to logged areas and we visited three extensive tree nurseries. the learning environment. Photo: J C Eames We also learnt how the project is striving to identify nontimber forest products that could help to generate sources of income for the Bathin Sembilan and the project, including Since its start only two years ago the project has had gums, resins and honey. an impact and there is ample evidence of the results of enrichment planting. If this can be continued and expanded as Overall the project faces immense challenges: The immediate planned there is every reason to believe ecological restoration challenge is clearly to establish its credibility as a concession can be accomplished. The greater worry for the longer term holder who will not tolerate illegal encroachment into the site is how recurrent management costs can be met from sources (which would be in violation to the terms of its agreement other than grant aid. Those who wish to learn more can visit with the Indonesian Government). As an NGO project http://harapanrainforest.org. currently dependent on international donor support, Hutan Harapan is particularly vulnerable to any form of negative At Burung Indonesia we would like to thank Dian Agista and criticism in the media, whether well founded or otherwise. Mangara Silalahi for providing us with background to the An almost 20% loss of the total project area to recent project during our visit to Bogor, Fahrul Paja Amama for his deforestation and oil palm expansion is a grave cause for good company at Hutan Harapan, from PT Restorasi Ekosistem concern. The project enjoys strong government support and Indonesia Yusup Cahyadin, Anderi Satya and Kim Worm has recently begun to make a stronger case for its actions in Sorensen --------the online and print media, where there has been so much By Jonathan C. Eames, BirdLife International criticism of it of late. Both of which are vital for a successful outcome.
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Project UPDATES
Evaluating, consolidating and sustaining conservation of key sites in the Lower Mekong Western Siem Pang Proposed Protected Forest in Cambodia. Photo: Jonathan C. Eames
the CSD Programme conducted a global evaluation for the last round of MacArthur Foundation funding, which includes a summary of results specific to the Lower Mekong. This project’s aim is to consolidate conservation investment by the MacArthur Foundation to-date in the priority landscapes of the Lower Mekong through evaluation of the impact of different site conservation approaches, establishment of a framework that monitor’s biodiversity state and pressure to guide future investment at sites, and for distilling good practice in site-based conservation and promoting it among conservation practitioners. A framework for evaluating and monitoring the impacts of site-based management and investment at sites was developed at a series of five workshops in Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Vientiane involving both MacArthur Foundation and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) grantees. An assessment of the relative success of different approaches to site-based conservation in the Lower Mekong region was undertaken via a desk study and through a process of engagement with MacArthur Foundation and CEPF grantees. Recommendations for good practice were made at a workshop in 2011. The finished report is now available on the BirdLife Indochina website.
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irdLife International in Indochina “Evaluating, The MacArthur Foundation Conservation and Sustainable consolidating and sustaining conservation of key sites Development (CSD) Programme recently formulated and in the Lower Mekong” (1 March 2009 – 28 February launched a new strategy for the next period of grant making 2012). in the Lower Mekong. In preparation for the new strategy,
The five major workshops conducted under this project in three countries have served to increase communication and a joint understanding of approaches being taken, and allowed specific organisations to identify opportunities for collaboration. Thus far, MacArthur Foundation grantees in the Lower Mekong collaborate informally, for example through MIST 45
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training and monitoring advice provided by experienced organisations. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) Regional Implementation Team (RIT) acts as a de facto coordinating body for MacArthur grantees, as part of its mission is to improve communication between CEPF grantees, most of who are also MacArthur grantees. The revision of the Profile for the Indo-Burma hotspot which BirdLife lead in the Indochina region during 2011, further served this outcome, This collaboration has increased over the time of successive rounds of MacArthur Foundation funding. Under the fourth project outcome, innovative approaches to site-based management were piloted at two sites in Cambodia and are proposed for a site in Vietnam. In Cambodia, the project selected Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS) and Western Siem Pang Proposed Protected Forest (WSP PPF) for its pilot sites in Cambodia. At LWS two Community Protected Areas (CPAs) were developed but not finalized during the project because of the designation of Economic Land Concessions (ELCs) within LWS by the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia (MoE). A proposal for a Protected Forest at WSP was jointly developed with Forestry Administration (FA) but not approved by the Council of Ministers
before the end of the project. This important strategic objective remains outstanding but has been included as an activity in a new MacArthur Foundation funded project. In order to build the case for Protected Forest designation and to help BirdLife choose an area for a future conservation concession, the project completed a biodiversity baseline report which has been published. Pressures such as logging and poaching increased during project implementation and we responded by increasing levels of locally lead enforcement. The capacity of the WSP management team was strengthened as a result of the establishment and equipping of a new law enforcement team. The intention to develop a feasibility study for a project based on the conservation concession model, was not undertaken during the project and has been carried forward into a new MacArthur Foundation funded project.
Project UPDATES
a final decision on site selection during the project. However, an evaluation of the legal and political context was undertaken. Further surveys to select a site will continue in 2012. Novel sustainable financing options are being developed for WSP PPF and for a site in the Annamese Lowlands of Vietnam following BirdLife’s Forests of Hope (FoH) model. Thus, as a result of the project two FoH projects had their genesis in this project. This outcome was therefore only partially achieved.
The lessons learnt as a result of this project serve to complement the results of the wider evaluation, and can serve to sharpen the focus of implementation of the new CSD strategy in the Lower Mekong. In this respect the project achieved its purpose has made a small contribution towards its lofty overall project goal, to which we all continue to aspire. To read the final project completion report, click here In Vietnam, BirdLife and two CEPF grantee ---------partners, Quang Tri Center of Education Source: Jonathan C Eames, BirdLife and Consultancy on Agriculture and International Rural Development (sic.), and the World Pheasant Association, undertook a series of field surveys to select a candidate site. The extreme difficulty of detecting the flagship species Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi, whose presence BirdLife considers a prerequisite for site selection, rendered it impossible to make
Eld’s Deer in Western Siem Pang Proposed Protected Forest in Cambodia. Photo: Jonathan C. Eames
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REVIEWS
Destination Wetlands
Cambodian Journal of Natural History (July 2012)
Supporting Sustainable Tourism
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ambodia’s first peer-reviewed scientific journal was launched in 2008 by Fauna and Flora International and the Royal University of Phnom Penh as part of the University Capacity Building Project. Aimed at helping Cambodian scientists to share their findings and improve their writing skills, it addresses the critical need for information on the conservation status and management requirements of Cambodian biodiversity. Download the latest volume here --------Source: Fauna and Flora International
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etlands are amongst the most productive of the world’s ecosystems, providing services such as water, food, construction materials, transport and coastline protection, as well as important opportunities for tourism and recreation, which are also defined as ‘ecosystem services’. The Ramsar Convention has only recently formally addressed wetland tourism, recognizing the increased demands for tourism expansion and the potential negative impacts on the health of wetlands, but also understanding that, if managed sustainably, tourism can bring many benefits, environmental, social and economic. Fourteen wetland case studies form the core of this publication and were selected to exemplify both the diversity of wetland types around the world and the diversity in the scale of wetland tourism in Wetlands of International Importance (or ‘Ramsar Sites’), and to illustrate effective approaches in managing tourism for the wetland sector. This information is particularly addressed to wetland management authorities but should also be relevant to many others. The case studies illustrate well the challenges encountered in wetland tourism – the impacts on wetlands from the development and operation of tourism facilities, such as degradation of wetland areas for extraction of building materials, infrastructures, overabstraction of water, inappropriate waste disposal, and so on, as well as the direct impact of tourists on wetland ecosystems through noise pollution, excessive trampling, disturbance of wild species, amongst others. Download the publication here --------Source: www.ramsar.org
Flora and vegetation of areas adjacent to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
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hong Nha - Ke Bang, the largest national park of central Vietnam plays an important role in the conservation of unique nature of central part of eastern Indochina and global genetic diversity. Field scientific exploration and investigation of primary forests allied to the western border of the national park funded by Kreditnstalk für Wiederaufbau- German Development Bank, in the framework of Vietnam- Germany Development Cooperation was undrtaken during summer 2011. The is repor presents the main results of these studies including detailed description of all kinds of primary vegetation and inventory of local floras observed on areas proposed for extension of the protected area. All field observations and habitat descriptions were based on extensive herbarium collections including more than 4,500 voucher specimens housed presently in main Herbaria in Vietnam and abroad. Data obtained during the surveys leads to the recommended
incorporation of these areas within an exapanded national park. Download the report here ---------Source: Averyanov L. V., N. T. Hiep, P. K .Loc, N. S. Khang, P. V. The, N. V. Tap, N. Q. Vinh, L. T. Kien, N. Q. Hieu. - Flora and vegetation of areas allied to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (Northern Vietnam) - Saabrucken: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012, 224pp.
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publications
Western Siem Pang Forest An Update: Distribution and Conservation Status of the Red-Shanked Douc in Laos
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he endangered red-shanked douc Pygathrix nemaeus, endemic to Laos, Vietnam, and perhaps Cambodia, remains little known. The Laos population is highly threatened. To improve conservation prospects of the species there, the authors update a status review from 1999. Subsequent literature (mostly not readily available to the outside scientific community) was reviewed critically. Doucs and their habitat in Laos faced continuous, increasing threats in the past 10 years through large development projects and heavy hunting. Many locations with records from the 1990s were not surveyed in the last decade, so douc persistence remains uncertain in them. Given the poor status of the species in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Laos population is surely the world’s largest and the best hope for the species’ global conservation. Resources for conserving species are very limited in the country, urging prioritisation of populations, so available resources have maximum effect. Nakai–Nam Theun and Hin Namno National Protected Areas hold the largest populations of P. nemaeus, but face great threats from hunting. Management of these areas (and secondary priority areas) should focus on control of this illegal activity. Read full paper here --------Source: Camille N. Z. Coudrat, John W. Duckworth, Robert J. Timmins. Distribution and Conservation Status of the Red-Shanked Douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Lao PDR: An Update. American Journal of Primatology 00:1– 16 (2012)
natural wonder of the Kingdom of Cambodia
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eptember 4, 2012 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia BirdLife International Cambodia Programme has just published a lavishly illustrated report revealing fully the global conservation importance of the proposed Western Siem Pang Protected Forest located in a remote area of northern Cambodia near the border with Laos. “The Biodiversity of the Proposed Western Siem Pang Protected Forest, Stung Treng Province, Cambodia” collates for the first time all the biodiversity information gathered by BirdLife and partners over the last decade.
would destroy the forest and its wildlife. BirdLife and the Forestry Administration with support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco are working towards a solution to ensure the long term sustainable management of the site. “The Forestry Administration considers this report as a supporting document for the proposal to establish the site as a Protected Forest for sustainable forest and wildlife resource management and conservation in accordance with the National Forest Programme and meeting Cambodia’s Millennium Developments Goals,” Said H. E. Chheng Kimsun, Delegate of the Royal Government, Chief of Forestry Administration.
Covering expanses of deciduous and semi-evergreen forests along the Sekong River, Western Siem Pang is one of only a handful of sites worldwide that supports populations of an astonishing total of five Critically Hard copies of the report are available at BirdLife Endangered bird species: White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis Cambodia Office. For soft copies, please download here davisoni and Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea, White(6.5 MB) rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris, and the Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus. The local populations of both ibis species amount to 25% of the global population. In the case of the Whiteshouldered ibis Western Siem Pang holds the single largest sub-population on World. “The MacArthur Foundation believes Western Siem Pang is too important for the conservation of too many species to risk losing this site: but without action loss is a serious risk and that is why we are working with BirdLife to support efforts to conserve this globally irreplaceable site,” said JÖrgen Thomsen, Director of Conservation and Sustainable Development Department of MacArthur Foundation. Western Siem Pang is currently unprotected and much of it is threatened by an economic land concession, which
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Obtituary PERSONALITY
Rick Passaro: Monkey man of Cat Ba
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he luggage of Rick Passaro, a 55-year-old American man, who traveled to Cat Ba Island over one year ago consisted of several old cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, books and clothes. He came to the island to protect rare langurs that were on the brink of extinction. Among seven species of langurs in Vietnam, Cat Ba langur is the rarest. Since 2000, Cat Ba langur has become one of the 25 most endangered species in the world, with only 60-70 individuals in nature. “Langurs need me,” Passaro, a wildlife preservation specialist, said when he was asked why he came to Vietnam. He did not know about the Cat Ba langur until he read an online recruitment advertisement. “The more I read and learned about matters of the Cat Ba langur in Vietnam, the more I knew that this is an interesting project and a big challenge. That challenge was attractive to me,” he said.
Alexey L. Devyatkin
Over ten years since the project was launched, Passaro was the first person who suggested to set up “photo traps” (automatic cameras) in caves to observe the life of Cat Ba langurs. Thanks to Passaro’s initiative, scientists have had pictures and even film about the Cat Ba langur in caves. Passaro’s passion for his work and his creativeness have spread to his colleagues. “The biggest thing I have learned from Rick--is the passion for job, eagerness for learning and restless spirit for the cause of preservation,” Tuyen said. Like other scientists, Passaro said that wildlife preservation is not a lucrative job. “I’m single. I have no wife, no children. Working here I earn enough to pay for myself because I don’t have to breed and take care of anyone,” he said and laughed loudly.
Hearing his ebullient voice, one cannot imagine that this “Rick adapted very quickly,” his Vietnamese colleagues said. man, from New York, is 55. “I’m not a superman. I do not always wake up in the morning and scream: Yeah, I’m on Cat “My previous foreign bosses needed Vietnamese people Ba and I will rescue langur! Actually, I’m angry: “why is the help to go around the island but Rick usually drives his motorbike from the national park to the Cat Ba town,” Pham power cut? Oh my god, water supply is cut again?” he said jokingly. There are a lot of difficulties but when he talked Van Tuyen, a member of the Cat Ba langur preservation about langur, Passaro exposed his passion for this species. project said. The Cat Ba langur preservation project is combined with the US Embassy to organize a painting competition to encourage the community to protect this endangered species. Seeing pictures of two young men who ill-treated and killed langurs in Quang Ngai, Passaro was very angry. “I and my colleagues have talked about this case for several days. These men were so cruel,” he said ---------Source: Thu Ha, VietnamNet
O
n 9 July 2012, Mr. Alexey L. Devyatkin unfortunately passed away at the age of 55 years. His death was completely unexpected to all.
He was a very good friend and co-worker who made an important contribution to the study of the Vietnamese butterfly fauna, in particular the Vietnamese Hesperiidae. He was the co-author of papers describing a number of new butterfly taxa discovered in Vietnam. The collection of Vietnamese Hesperiidae arranged by Devyatkin and deposited in the Department of Entomology of the Moscow State University is undoubtedly the best in the world. Being a serious scientist, Alexey always had an independent and original point of view and opinions that assisted us in our work and we will warmly remember him Alexander L. Monastyrskii, Dr.Sc., leading researcher of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre 49
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
staff news
Grantee PROFILE
Save Cambodia’s Wildlife
S
ave Cambodia’s Wildlife (SCW) was established and registered with the Ministry of Interior in July 29, 2002. SCW was initially based in Takeo Province and activities in the first few years included the provision of technical support to Phnom Tamao Rescue Centre, and increasing environmental awareness both within the wildlife rescue centre and with the general public. Back then and up to the present, SCW uses teaching programs, study tours, book publications, videos, presentations and environmental awareness campaigns to educate all levels of society, particularly focusing on youth, children and rural villagers.
SCW’s vision A world where natural resources and wildlife habitats as well as human beings are enjoying their rights to co-exist free of discrimination; where livelihoods are sustainable and people are able to adapt to the climate
SCW’s mission
of available means for community-based climate change adaptation and individual active participation in climate change mitigation SCW has received a large grant from CEPF entitled “Community Empowerment for Biodiversity Conservation along Sesan and Srepok Rivers of Mekong Basin” (July 1, 2010-April 30, 2013). The project targets to i) strengthen grassroots networks and support for conservation and sustainable use of riverine ecosystems along the Sesan and Srepok Rivers; ii) raise awareness of locally originated threats (such as overfishing) and helping communities respond to remotely originated threats (such as hydropower development); iii) achieve sustainability by integrating conservation measures into Commune Development Plans and establishing civil society networks spanning multiple levels.
N
guyen Hoang Long - CEPF Project Officer for Laos, Thailand and Vietnam recently married on 26th of September, 2012. Long has known his wife Vu Phuong Thao for two years. The wedding party was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. We wish Long and his new bride Thao every happiness for the future
Read what SCW’s achieved so far through their latest newsletter (May - August 2012) here
To protect and conserve natural resources and wildlife habitats by: (i) Active research, publications and educational programs on relevant issues (ii) Promoting efficient alternative livelihood support programs (iii) Playing an increasing constructive role in raising public awareness about climate change concerns and promoting the use 50
The Babbler 43 (July-September) 2012
From the archives
O
n 27 July 2012 I was on a family holiday in Kruger National Park, South Africa and found the body of this poached White Rhinoceros. It was about 6 km along the S122 Muntshe Loop road, 200 m from the road on the east side, about 6 km from the junction with the S29. This was the second poached White Rhino I had seen in South Africa in a little over six months. The fact a tourist can locate a poached rhino in South Africas’ premier protected area is a clear indication of the scale of the current poaching effort. ---------Jonathan C Eames, BirdLife International 51