The Babbler 30

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

June 2009 Number 30 Welcome Jonathan C. Eames Features Protecting priority landscapes in Cambodia and Vietnam Strengthening Local Conservation Groups in Cambodia Regional news Red List update Population of Gurney’s Pitta Bald bulbul discovered in Laos Important Bird Area news Largest count of Whiteshouldered Ibis at Western Siem Pang Rarest of the rare Grey-crowned Crocias Project updates CEPF expand funding White-eared Night-heron Chu Yang Sin National Park Three new sites discovered for Grey-crowned Crocias Publications Reviews Staff news From the archives 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: Vietnam Programme Office, N6/2+3, Lane 25, Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh P.O Box 89, 6 Dinh Le Street Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tel: +84(0)43 514890 Cambodia Programme Office, #61B, Street 386, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang III, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh. Cambodia.

Tel/Fax: +85523993631 www.birdlifeindochina.org

We recently published online the results of our research on Gurney’s Pitta in BirdLife’s house journal Bird Conservation International. This was the result of a long collaboration tirelessly lead by Dr. Paul Donald at RSPB and involved BANCA, BCST and us. Importantly the paper reveals that the remaining habitat for Gurney’s Pitta in Myanmar could support 9,300 – 35,000 territories, with a mid-point estimate of 20,000. This is a significant upward increase on the previous estimate.

Of course, with no protected area yet established in its range in Myanmar and with the continued threat of lowland forest clearance, the species remains at risk. However, the latest information from the government indicates that the rate of forest clearance in Tanintharyi Division has been significantly lower than predicted levels in recent years. The establishment of a viable protected area to conserve the species remains our strategic goal and we have recently renewed efforts to accomplish this long-term vision. Here are solid indicators then of improved conservation status that are based on sound science, published in a peer-reviewed journal. Isn’t it time BirdLife acted on this knowledge by ceasing to promote Gurney’s Pitta as an icon of extinction?

Mixed news concerning another Endangered species was revealed this quarter. BirdLife survey teams found Grey-crowned Crocias at three new sites in Lam Dong Province. We stood and watched as heavy machinery cleared one of the sites for a new hydroelectric reservoir. Is this hydroelectric project needed? Will the power generated provide an adequate return on the investment? Was an environmental impact assessment undertaken? Small-scale hydroelectric projects are not the answer to Vietnam’s energy shortage, yet this is all we see bring built across this, and neighboring countries. Vietnam needs to move away from such schemes and invest in other forms of renewable and nuclear energy. Vietnam also desperately needs an independent national project investment board to stem the huge wastage of public funds on inefficient public investment schemes. The process should be transparent and the results made public.

The Babbler is the quarterly newsletter of BirdLife International in Indochina.

This quarter is complied by Ananda Van Boeyen 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.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

To end on a lighter note, we report on the description of two new bird species for science in this issue of the Babbler, both of which must surely occur in Vietnam: The Nonggang Babbler was discovered so close to the Vietnam border it must surely be in Cao Bang or Lang Son provinces, whilst there seems no logical reason why the Bare-faced Bulbul is not in the Phong Nha Ke Bang karst massif? Karst limestone was already known to have two endemic bird species but is not noted for its high bird diversity, although its importance for other groups like primates and invertebrates is well documented. Perhaps it is time for a re-assessment of its importance for bird conservation since it now meets the Endemic Bird Area qualifying criterion of supporting two restricted range species? I also predict that within a year a third new species, a warbler will be described from this landscape!

Jonathan C. Eames, Programme Manager BirdLife International in Indochina

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Feature Completing protecting areas systems in priority landscapes in Cambodia and Vietnam BirdLife has recently completed implementation of a three year MacArthur Foundation funded project at Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Vietnam, and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and Western Siem Pang Proposed Protected Forest, Cambodia. In this article we explore and evaluate the success and impact of the project.

BirdLife believes this has been a valuable and worthwhile project that has made notable conservation gains at all three sites. Without the project these achievements would not have been made and the conservation status of each site would have significantly worsened. The following are notable achievements: •

The biodiversity values of Bac Huong Hoa are documented in a published report;

•

Bac Huong Hoa was gazetted as a Nature Reserve and an interim management board established;

•

The capacity of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary staff has improved significantly;

•

Patrols in Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary are better targeted and executed;

•

Guard stations were built and headquarters improved at Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary which has increased capacity and improved efficiency;

•

Operational management plans were developed for Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary;

•

Medium-term funding has been secured for Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve (via a follow-on grant from the MacArthur Foundation to Quang Tri Forest Protection Department);

•

Significant levels of co-financing for project activities at Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary were secured from the Asian Development Bank, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and WWF, and a partnership with PRCF developed;

•

A proposal to establish a Protected Forest at Western Siem Pang, Cambodia was developed with the Forestry Administration and submitted for government approval;

•

A medium-sized Global Environment Facility (GEF) project concept was developed for Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and is currently under evaluation;

•

Western Siem Pang proposed Protected Forest is under consideration for a private conservation concession.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Dry deciduous forest is the characteristic vegetation type covering much of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary. Although believed by many to be anthropogenic in nature it supports a diverse and characteristic bird and mammal fauna.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

Achieving the project goal The goal of this project was to significantly enhance the ecological integrity and long-term conservation prospects of two priority landscapes in the Lower Mekong Region through the establishment and effective management of pivotal protected areas. Overall, the project goal has partially been achieved. We believe that the project has maintained the ecological integrity of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and without the added resources and efforts of the project staff these sites would have suffered significant degradation.

The long-term conservation prospects of all sites have been improved as a result of the project. However, against this, the Quang Tri People’s Committee has not formerly established a management board, an act that would require allocation of government budget. This failure not only denies the site financial resources from the provincial budget, but without a management board the site cannot qualify for funding under the Vietnam Conservation Fund. The production of an operational management plan by the project is a precondition for funding under this scheme. It should be noted that the failure to establish a management board was a right of the government beyond the control of Birdlife.

The discovery during the project that proposals exist to build a dam on the Srepok River that would flood one third of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, reduces its long term conservation prospects. This unfortunate development is to some degree offset by the development and approval of a proposal from the Forestry Administration to nominate Western Siem Pang in Cambodia as a Protected Forest and recommend its establishment to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

The project had two objectives and seven outcomes. The first objective was to establish Bac Huong Hoa as a nature reserve and had two outcomes. The first outcome was that the biodiversity values and conservation needs of Bac Huong Hoa Proposed Nature Reserve are understood and documented. The two activities relating to this outcome were both fully completed. The second outcome was that Bac Huong Hoa is gazetted as a nature reserve and a management board established. The four activities relating to this outcome were fully completed. Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve was gazetted but a management board was not formally established by Quang Tri Province during the lifetime of the project. This outcome was beyond the capacity of Birdlife to deliver because it was dependent entirely on an internal decision made by Quang Tri People’s Committee.

The second project objective was to strengthen conservation management at Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and had five outcomes. The first outcome was that the capacity of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve staff to undertake conservation activities was increased. The six activities relating to this outcome were all fully completed. The second outcome was reduced incursions and poaching levels within Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary. Of the two activities relating to this outcome, one was completed and the other modified and completed.

The third outcome was improved conservation management through development of operational management plans at Lomphat and Bac Huong Hoa. Of the three activities relating to this outcome, two were completed and one started but not completed. The activity that was not completed was the phased implementation of the operational management plans.

Undisturbed forested riverine habitat is now rare throughout Vietnam. This photograph was taken in the west of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve only a few km short of the Laos border.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

The fourth outcome was that knowledge and "lessons learned" were documented and shared with others. This outcome had a single activity, which was partially completed. The activity is incomplete because a journal paper produced under the project has not yet been published.

The fifth outcome was that long-term funding for Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary was secured. The two activities associated with this outcome were both fully completed in terms of the effort expended on developing new project proposals, but not in terms of funding secured. Medium-term funding for Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve was however, secured in the form of a follow-on grant from the MacArthur Foundation. A medium-sized GEF concept to support sustainable financing of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary was developed and is under review by the Cambodian Government focal point.

Additionally, the inclusion of a second site in the dry forest landscape of Cambodia was made during the second year of the project. The objective was to support the establishment of a Protected Forest at Western Siem Pang. During the course of the second year of project implementation it became clear that the level of funding provided by the Cambodian Government to meet routine operational costs of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary is wholly inadequate. The biggest challenge that emerged during the second year of project implementation in Cambodia was the discovery that proposals exist to build at dam on the Srepok River that would flood one third of the wildlife sanctuary. For these reasons within the framework of this project we supported Protected Forest designation for part of the Western Siem Pang Important Bird Area. This areas lies within the same landscape as Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and is managed by the Forestry Administration (under a different ministry). The three activities undertaken at this site during the project comprised supporting the formal protected area designation process, securing long-term donor support and routine monitoring. All three activities were partially competed and are ongoing. Furthermore, the project initiated a dialogue with a private company to explore the feasibility of a private conservation concession based on trading the carbon stock at the site. This initiative is ongoing.

The successful implementation of this project depended on the support and collaboration of a number of organisations. In Cambodia we would like to acknowledge the support of our counterpart organisations the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation (GDANCP) of the Ministry of Environment, and the Forestry Administration (FA), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In Vietnam we would like to acknowledge the Forest Protection Department of Quang Tri Province.

We would like also to thank our collaborators the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Cambodia Programme (WWF) and the People, Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF).

Components of this project were also co-financed by the Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative of the Asian Development Bank, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Russell E Train Fund for Nature Conservation, and Permian.

Jonathan C. Eames Programme Manager BirdLife International in Indochina

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Feature Strengthening Local Conservation Groups in Cambodia to save Critically Endangered species Birdlife International In Indochina, Cambodia Programme, recently concluded a one year project aimed at strengthening Local Conservation Groups and protecting seasonally-inundated grassland and dry forest trapaeng habitats for Critically Endangered species.

The Jensen Small Grants Programme project entitled Strengthened Local Conservation Groups at three priority IBAs in Cambodia, focused on three priority Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Cambodia: Western Siem Pang (WSP), Kampong Trach (KT) and Boeung Prek Lapouv (BPL).

The purpose of the project was to strengthen the conservation and management of the three threatened IBAs, through effective involvement of Local Conservation Groups (LCGs), working together with local communities and government. BirdLife has been working at the three sites since 2003, establishing LCGs at each site. Made of up of villagers, commune leaders, forestry and fishery officers, and government officials, members of LCG's work to protect and monitor the biodiversity status and resource use of the three IBAs. The primary problems at all three sites are non-sustainable use of natural resources, poor community conservation practices, inappropriate infrastructure development, seasonal human migration (putting pressure on natural resources), and forestry concessions, depriving local communities of their traditionally owned and managed lands on which they depend.

Through working with LCGs for the past five years, BirdLife recognised that the LCGs would benefit from increased capacity building in monitoring, as well as gaining stronger support for each site from higher levels of government and a broader range of stakeholders.

As a result of the project, the capacity of LCG's in all three sites has increased. The LCG's are now effectively managing on-ground conservation, including environmental awareness and education, law enforcement, administration, research, and biodiversity monitoring. The following are notable achievements of the project: Western Siem Pang: • Conservation knowledge of site has increased through an awareness campaign; •

Collaboration between non government and government organisations has led to improved biodiversity monitoring;

•

With support from the University of East Anglia (UK), and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, research and monitoring has been initiated, and are on-going to protect the Critically Endangered White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009 Kampong Trach: • A new office was built, allowing the LCG to carry out law enforcement and environmental awareness activities more effectively; •

The decision to retain the site as a family fishing area as well as a Sarus Crane Grus antigone Conservation Area, was made;

•

Increased law enforcement has reduced land encroachment significantly;

•

A rapid flora survey was conducted with Kampong Trach office. training provided by an Australian bota- Photo credit: Seng Kim Hout nist. The survey results will assist in managing the sites vegetation, especially to protect the Vulnerable Sarus Crane;

•

A proposal to establish the site as a Conservation Area by Provincial Decree has been initiated and is supported by the Kampot Governor.

Boeung Prek Lapouv: • Continued patrols by the LCG have resulted in a reduction of encroachment activities; •

An annual Sarus Crane and the Asian Waterbirds Census was implemented by the LCG;

•

A Demarcation Committee has been established and on-ground demarcation has been completed;

•

For the first time the LCG was involved in the development of an Operational Management Plan (OMP). If funding permits, the OMP developed for BPL will be used as a model for OMPs at KT and WSP. This will allow for long-term management of each site and will assist in open communication between government agencies and local people.

The BPL boundary committee working on boundary demarcation.

Photo credit: Seng Kim Hout

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Collaboration and support from partner organisations has increased the capacity of each LCG team, allowing them to better manage the sites and safeguard the biodiversity. Additionally BirdLife and Forestry Administration staff have built long-term partnerships and networking opportunities, which will benefit future BirdLife projects.

The future of LCG's and the long-term sustainability of the project depend on an increase in budget allocation by government agencies. Designating WSP and KT as protected areas and establishing environmentally sustainable income-generating opportunities for the sites are further priorities. Sustainable income-generating activities, such as purchasing a fishing lot in BPL and ecotourism opportunities in KT have been investigated, however, without further funding assistance, both opportunities can not be explored. Additionally, a significant factor preventing the adoption of sustainable livelihoods is that little is understood of community participatory planning, and currently a topdown approach is used to manage all sites. Further training needs to be carried out to all staff, to understand the importance of adopting a bottom-up approach to sustainable livelihoods and natural resource management, allowing a transparent systems of communication. Future projects should allow for this training and capacity building to exist.

Bou Vorsak, Acting Cambodia Manager Melanie Mott, Conservation Advisor BirdLife Cambodia Programme

Sarus Crane Grus antigone census is one of the activities performed by BPL Local Conservation Group. Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Regional news Red List update: Changes in the threat status of species occurring in Indochina During 2008 and early 2009 there has been a reassessment of the threat status of a large number of species across a number of taxonomic groups. Here we report comprehensively on changes in Red List category which effect species which occur in Indochina (defined here as species listed by IUCN as naturally occurring in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). Species lists are provided for all taxonomic groups where the Red List category has been assessed during this period. Species are listed in alphabetical order by scientific name; it is unfortunate that species lists cannot be output from the IUCN website in taxonomic order. Further data on any of the species mentioned in this article can be found at: www.iucnredlist.org In order to assign a Red List category to a species it is assessed against four quantitative criteria at a global scale. These criteria refer to a. reduction in population size, b. extent, reduction or fragmentation of geographic range, c. reduction in population size, and d. very small but stable population size. A full understanding of the criteria is useful because it allows interpretation of a species threat category and the reasons for its designation, a comprehensive explanation of the criteria and the Red List process can be found here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/static/categories_criteria_3_1 Although the implementing bodies responsible for assessing species status differ between taxonomic groups, the criteria do not differ. A species is classified in the highest Red List category it reaches under any one criteria. There are three threatened status categories, namely (in order of increasing severity of threat): Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered (hereafter VU, EN and CR). Species which almost meet the criteria for threatened status are classified as Near Threatened (hereafter NT), and those which do not come close to meeting the criteria for threatened status are classified as Least Concern (hereafter LC). If there is insufficient evidence to confidently assess the status of a species, it is classified as Data Deficient (hereafter DD).

During a reassessment of status, a species can change Red List category for a number of reasons. The two commonest reasons are increased knowledge, and genuine change in status. As our understanding of species and their range, habitats and threats increases it is inevitable and desirable that we refine our knowledge of species true status. These data affect a species Red List category, and it is therefore not unusual for a species to change category because of them. It is important to note that when a species changes Red List category owing to better knowledge this does not indicate a deterioration or improvement in that species’ actual status, instead, the change reflects a more accurate knowledge of a species true status. Monitoring programs and the observations of amateur naturalists often yield data that indicate that a threat category which was correct at the time of a previous assessment, is no longer accurate. These data are used to change a species Red List category owing to a genuine change in status. In contrast to changes in Red List category owing to increased knowledge, genuine changes in species status reflect an actual change in the status of a species.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009 Birds The 2009 Red List for Birds replaced the 2008 Red List in May this year. The threat status of birds can be searched using:http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/ index.html.

In 2008 there was a systematic reassessment of the threat status of all bird species (this happens every four years) and this was reported on in Babbler 26. In “other” years, such as 2009, only species for which there is new evidence are assessed. The process for assessing the threat status of birds is slightly different to that for other taxonomic groups, since it is performed entirely by BirdLife International. Changes to the Red List category of birds Green Peafowl Pavo muticus can be proposed by anybody, using the BirdLife GlobPhoto credit: Jonathan C. Eames ally Threatened Birds Forum. The evidence is assessed and discussion topics are then posted on the forum for expert comment. Based on the comments of regional experts and the original data a decision is made regarding whether or not to change a species Red List category. To take part in this process for the 2010 please visit: http://www.birdlifeforums.org/WebX/Globally%20Threatened%20Bird%20Forums/ ThreatenedAsianBirds/ Discussion on a number of species’ threat status for which decisions were not made in 2009 is ongoing. The following species experienced changes in Red List category in 2009: Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus Vulnerable to Endangered Chestnut-headed Partridge Arborophila cambodiana Vulnerable to Least Concern Orange-necked Partridge Arborophila davidi Endangered to Near Threatened Green Peafowl Pavo muticus Vulnerable to Endangered

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus in an ox-bow lake in the Chindwin Lowlands, Myanmar.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames 11

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Mammals The threat status of all mammals occurring in Indochina was assessed in 2008. The following table lists all the species which are considered to be threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered), Near Threatened or Data Deficient. All other mammal species occurring in Indochina and not listed the table are now considered to be Least Concern (these species are not listed in the table due to space constraints). The Red List category given is therefore the most recent threat status for all of these mammal species. This reassessment resulted in many changes in Red List category, where such a change reflects a genuine change in status, rather than a change in knowledge of a species’ status, this is indicated. In this table English names given are the first listed by IUCN for each species, which the exception of Kouprey Bos sauveli which was the second listed (the alternative Grey Ox which was listed first was deemed too bland), and those which were very inappropriate and rarely if ever used e.g. Red-cheeked Gibbon Normascus gabriellae for Buff-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus gabriellae.

Table 1. Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient mammals occurring in Indochina Scientific name Ailurus fulgens Aonyx cinerea Arctictis binturong Arctonyx collaris Axis porcinus Balaenoptera edeni Belomys pearsonii Berylmys mackenziei Bos gaurus Bos javanicus Bos sauveli Bubalus arnee Capricornis milneedwardsii Chodsigoa caovansunga Chrotogale owstoni Crocidura hilliana Crocidura wuchihensis Cuon alpinus Dacnomys millardi Delphinus capensis Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Dugong dugon Elephas maximus Eudiscopus denticulus Euroscaptor parvidens Feresa attenuata Globicephala macrorhynchus Hapalomys delacouri Harpiocephalus mordax

English name Red Panda Asian Small-clawed Otter Binturong Hog Badger Hog Deer Bryde's Whale Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel Kenneth's White-toothed Rat Gaur Banteng Kouprey Asian Buffalo Chinese Serow Van Sung's Shrew Owston's Civet Hill's Shrew Hainan Island Shrew Dhole Millard's Rat Long-beaked Common Dolphin Sumatran Rhinoceros Dugong Asian Elephant Disk-footed Bat Small-toothed Mole Pygmy Killer Whale Short-finned Pilot Whale Lesser Marmoset Rat Greater Hairy-winged Bat 12

Red List status VU VU VU NT EN DD DD DD VU EN CR EN NT DD VU DD DD EN DD DD CR VU EN DD DD DD DD VU DD

Genuine change?

Yes

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Table 1. Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient mammals occurring in Indochina (cont)

Scientific name

English name

Red List status

Helarctos malayanus Hipposideros grandis Hipposideros khaokhouayensis Hipposideros scutinares Hipposideros turpis Hylobates lar Hylobates pileatus Hylomys megalotis Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Laonastes aenigmamus Lutra lutra Lutra sumatrana Lutrogale perspicillata Macaca arctoides Macaca assamensis Macaca leonina Manis javanica Manis pentadactyla Melogale personata Mesoplodon densirostris Moschus berezovskii Muntiacus puhoatensis Muntiacus rooseveltorum Muntiacus truongsonensis Muntiacus vuquangensis Murina harrisoni Mus fragilicauda Myotis annamiticus Myotis pilosus Naemorhedus griseus Neofelis nebulosa Neophocaena phocaenoides Nesolagus timminsi Nomascus concolor Nomascus gabriellae Nomascus leucogenys Nomascus nasutus Nomascus siki Nycticebus bengalensis Nycticebus pygmaeus Orcaella brevirostris

Malayan Sun Bear Grand Leaf-nosed Bat Phou Khao Khouay Leaf-nosed Bat Shield-nosed Leaf-nosed Bat Lesser Leaf-nosed Bat Lar Gibbon Pileated Gibbon Long-eared Gymnure Pygmy Sperm Whale Dwarf Sperm Whale Laotian Rock Rat Eurasian Otter Hairy-nosed Otter Smooth-coated Otter Stump-tailed Macaque Assam Macaque Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Sunda Pangolin Chinese Pangolin Large-toothed Ferret Badger Blainville's Beaked Whale Forest Musk Deer Puhoat Muntjac Roosevelts' Muntjac Annamite Muntjac Large-antlered Muntjac Harrison's Murine Bat Sheath-tailed Mouse Annamit Myotis Rickett's Big-footed Myotis Chinese Goral Clouded Leopard Finless Porpoise Annamite Striped Rabbit Black Crested Gibbon Buff-cheeked Gibbon Northern White-cheeked Gibbon Cao-vit Crested Gibbon Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Bengal Slow Loris Pygmy Slow Loris Irrawaddy Dolphin

VU DD VU VU NT EN EN DD DD DD EN NT EN VU VU NT VU EN EN DD DD EN DD DD DD EN DD DD DD NT VU VU VU DD CR EN CR CR EN VU VU VU

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Genuine change?

Yes

Yes Yes

Yes

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Table 1. Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient mammals occurring in Indochina (cont)

Scientific name

English name

Red List status

Orcinus orca Otomops wroughtoni Panthera pardus Panthera tigris Paracoelops megalotis Pardofelis marmorata Pardofelis temminckii Physeter macrocephalus Prionailurus viverrinus Pseudorca crassidens Pseudoryx nghetinhensis Pteropus lylei Pteropus vampyrus Pygathrix cinerea Pygathrix nemaeus Pygathrix nigripes Ratufa bicolor Rhinoceros sondaicus Rhinolophus convexus Rhinopithecus avunculus Rucervus eldii Rusa unicolor Saxatilomys paulinae Sousa chinensis Stenella longirostris Sus bucculentus Tadarida latouchei Tonkinomys daovantieni Trachypithecus delacouri Trachypithecus francoisi Trachypithecus germaini Trachypithecus hatinhensis Trachypithecus laotum Trachypithecus phayrei Trachypithecus poliocephalus Tragulus versicolor Tursiops aduncus Ursus thibetanus Viverra megaspila Viverra zibetha

Killer Whale Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat Leopard Tiger Vietnamese Leaf-nosed Bat Marbled Cat Asiatic Golden Cat Sperm Whale Fishing Cat False Killer Whale Saola Lyle's Flying Fox Large Flying-fox Grey-shanked Douc Langur Red-shanked Douc Langur Black-shanked Douc Langur Black Giant Squirrel Javan Rhinoceros Convex Horseshoe Bat Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Eld's Deer Sambar Paulina's Limestone Rat Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin, Spinner Dolphin Indo-chinese Warty Pig La Touche's Free-tailed Bat Daovantien's Limestone Rat Delacour's Langur Franรงois's Langur Indochinese Silvered Langur Hatinh Langur Laotian Langur Phayre's Leaf-monkey Cat Ba Langur Silver-backed Chevrotain Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin Asiatic Black Bear Large-spotted Civet Large Indian Civet

DD DD NT EN DD VU NT VU EN DD CR VU NT CR EN EN NT CR DD CR EN VU DD NT DD DD DD DD CR EN EN EN VU EN CR DD DD VU VU NT

14

Genuine change?

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Reptiles Only two of the reptile species which occur in Indochina were assessed in 2008. Both of these species are sea-turtles. They are Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricate, which is retained as Critically Endangered and Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea, which is classified as Vulnerable.

Amphibians Twenty one of the amphibians which occur in the region were assessed in 2008. Of these species, the following occur in Indochina and are now considered Threatened, Near Threatened or Data Deficient (owing to space constraints, species which were assessed and assigned the category Least Concern are omitted): Amolops compotrix DD Amolops cucae DD Amolops vitreus DD Chiromantis samkosensis DD Kaloula macrocephala DD Leptobrachium mouhoti DD Leptobrachium ngoclinhense DD

Odorrana gigatympana DD Odorrana jingdongensis VU Ophryophryne synoria DD Philautus truongsonensis DD Rhacophorus kio VU Theloderma ryabovi DD Tylototriton vietnamensis NT

Fish During 2008, the threat status of Serranidae (groupers) was assessed. Of the 37 species which were assessed, the following species occur in Indochina and are now considered Threatened, Near Threatened or Data Deficient (owing to space constraints, species which were assessed and assigned the category Least Concern are omitted): Aethaloperca rogaa DD Cromileptes altivelis VU Epinephelus amblycephalus DD Epinephelus bleekeri NT Epinephelus bruneus VU Epinephelus corallicola DD Epinephelus epistictus DD Epinephelus erythrurus DD Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus DD Epinephelus heniochus DD Epinephelus latifasciatus DD Epinephelus sexfasciatus DD

Simon Mahood Conservation Advisor BirdLife International in Indochina

Red-shanked Douc Langur Pygathrix nemaeus is listed as Endangered on IUCN Red List.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Gurney’s Pitta population in Myanmar up to 35,000 territories A recent paper on Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi has stated that the population estimates for southern Myanmar range from 9,300 to 35,000 territories, with a mid-point estimate of 20,000. Up to 20 pairs are estimated for Thailand.

The paper presents the results of research undertaken in Thailand from 2004 to 2008 and in Myanmar in 2007 and 2008. In Myanmar, birds were found in a high proportion of visited sites, including sites up to 40 km further north than any previous records in the country. Occupied forest sites in Myanmar had a higher density of seedlings, saplings, bamboo and rattan than unoccupied forest sites, suggesting a preference for regenerating forest. There was no evidence of a decline in the species' likelihood of occurrence up to at least the highest visited altitude of 230m. Maximum entropy models suggested a potential range size of between 3,200 and 5,800 km² and the predicted range extended just over the border into Thailand, suggesting that birds might persist there. Population estimates for southern Myanmar ranged from 9,300 to 35,000 territories, with a mid-point estimate of 20,000 territories, based upon range sizes modeled from different parameters and a range of territory densities estimated from Thailand.

The population in Thailand was estimated at between 15 and 20 territories in 2003, 2005 and 2007, and there was a reduction in the historic rate of forest loss in the core range over the same period, suggesting that long-term declines have been at least temporarily contained by recent conservation intervention. However it was discovered that nesting success in Thailand was very low, due to heavy nest predation by cat snakes Boiga. Nests were usually built close to waterlogged areas and damp gullies, and nestlings were fed almost exclusively on earthworms. Occupied sites in Thailand had a higher density of seedlings, saplings, spiny palms and rattans, but sparser ground cover and a lower Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi. density of large trees and bamboo, than forests Photo credit: Paul Hopkins in Myanmar, indicating their secondary nature.

Occupied and unoccupied sites in Myanmar were structurally more similar to each other than either was to occupied sites in Thailand. The species might inhabit a wider range of altitudes, slopes and forest types than previously thought, and so might persist in previously un-surveyed areas and might survive or even benefit from a degree of forest disturbance. However, the species' conservation-dependent status in Thailand and accelerating forest clearance in Myanmar suggest that forest protection measures are urgently needed to secure its long-term future.

Source: Paul F. Donald, Sirirak Aratrakorn, Thurawin Htun, Jonathan C. Eames, Htin Hla, Somying Thunhikorn, Kriangsak Sribua-Rod, Pinyo Tinun, Sein Myo Aung, Sa Myo Zaw and Graeme M. Buchnan. (2009) Population, distribution, habitat use and breeding of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi in Myanmar and Thailand.

Bird Conservation International 20: 1-14.

For footage of Gurney’s Pitta please visit: http://surfbirds.com/video2/view_video.php?viewkey=0bdee440e4cdf599fec2 For birdwatching videos by Paul Hopkins please visit: http://surfbirds.com/Features/hopkins0409/hopkinsdvd.html

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Bald bulbul discovered in Laos A bald-headed bulbul living in a rugged region in Laos has been discovered by scientists from the Wildlife C o n s e r v at i on S oc i et y (WCS) and the University of Melbourne.

The species has been named Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon because of the lack of feathers on its face and part of its head, it is the only example of a bald songbird in mainland Asia.

Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon discovered in Laos. Photo credit: Iain Woxvold, University of Melbourne

It is the first new species of bulbul, a family of about 130 species, described in Asia in over 100 years. A description of the new species has been published in the July issue of Forktail, the journal of the Oriental Bird Club.

The thrush-sized bird is greenish-olive with a light-colored breast, a distinctive featherless, pink face with bluish skin around the eye extending to the bill and a narrow line of hair-like feathers down the centre of the crown.

The bird seems to be primarily tree-dwelling and was found in an area of sparse forest on rugged limestone karsts, a little-visited habitat known for unusual wildlife discoveries. "Its apparent restriction to rather inhospitable habitat helps to explain why such an extraordinary bird with conspicuous habits and a distinctive call has remained unnoticed for so long", said Iain Woxvold of the University of Melbourne and lead author of the paper.

Fortunately much of the bird's presumed habitat falls within legally protected areas in Laos. However, quarrying of limestone looms as a potential threat to wildlife in this area, along with habitat conversion for agriculture.

In 2002 in this same area, Rob Timmins of WCS described the Kha-nyou or Laotian Rock Rat Laonastes aenigmamus, a newly discovered species of rodent so unusual it represented the lone surviving member of an otherwise extinct genus. This taxa will be assessed in due course by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group, BirdLife will then evaluate its extinction risk category for the IUCN Red List (for which BirdLife is the official Red List Authority).

I.A. Woxvold, J. W. Duckworth and R. J. Timmins. 2009. An unusual new bulbul (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae) from the Limestone karst of Lao PDR. Forktail 25: 1-12.

Source: WCS, Oriental Bird Club, BirdLife International 17

Quick Bites May Vietnam and Laos collaborate to combat wildlife trade Vietnam and Laos have agreed to set up cooperation in the fight against trading of rare wildlife along their mutual border.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed in Vientiane between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development and the Laos Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. Under the agreement, forest rangers from both countries will increase the number of inspections of goods for export, share information on local wild life and work together to protect forests and prevent wood being smuggled. Vietnam will also help Laos to train its technicians.

Both parties passed a joint working plan for the 2009-2012 period. english.vovnews.vn.

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

New Stachyris babbler described from China A new species of babbler has been described from Guangxi province in south-west China close to the border with Vietnam. Named Nonggang Babbler Stachyris nonggangensis, after the reserve at which it was discovered, this new species is closely related to Sooty Babbler S. herberti but is larger and has white crescent patches behind the ear coverts and dark spots on the upper breast and throat.

Ornithologists, Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu from Guangxi University first sighted the birds in surveys during 2005 and confirmed its identity as an undescribed taxon the following year. A formal description was published in a recent edition of leading ornithological journal The Aukยน. In general behaviour it resembles is similar to a wren-babbler, of the genus Napothera, in that it prefers running Nonggang Babbler is found only in southwestern to flying, and seems to spend most of its time Guangxi province, part of the south-east Chinese on the ground foraging for insects between Mountains Endemic Bird Area. rocks and under fallen leaves. This is in con- Photo credit: James Eaton, Birdtour Asia trast to other closely-related babbler species that spend most of their time foraging in undergrowth and trees, seldom coming to the ground. No nest has yet been found. About 100 pairs of the birds have been observed in Nonggang. "I have been studying birds in the region since the 1970s but I had never seen it before. Their habitat in the reserve is protected", Zhou says. "But as they could also exist in the karst rainforest outside the reserve, logging and burning wood to make charcoal pose a threat to their wider habitat."

Its natural habitat is karst seasonal rainforest that, following selective cutting, is dominated by Burretiodendron hsienmu. "The limestone area in south-western Guangxi is part of the Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot and the south-east Chinese Mountains Endemic Bird Area, and is one of the most typical tropical karst regions in the world", Zhou continues. "The fragility of the karst ecosystem and its destruction by people pose great threats to the bird's existence. Therefore, research and conservation of the birds in this habitat is very urgent."

"This is exciting evidence that there could be many more interesting discoveries awaiting ornithologists in China", said Dr Nigel Collar, the Leventis Fellow in Conservation biology at BirdLife International.

This taxon will be assessed in due course by the BirdLife taxonomic working group. If treated as a full species, its conservation status will then be evaluated by BirdLife, the Red List Authority for birds on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.

Source: BirdLife International ยน Fang, Z. and Aiwu, J. (2008) A New Species of Babbler (Timaliidae: Stachyris) from the SinoVietnamese Border Region of China. The Auk 125(2): 420-424.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Babblers: losses and gains In issue 28 of The Babbler, a number of proposed changes in taxonomy of the babblers (family Timaliidae) were reported, including removal of Pteruthius (shrike-babblers) to be reclassified as vireos (family Vireoonidae). A recent genetic analysis1 of the babblers, the most broad-ranging to date, has proposed the removal of another genus, but addition of many more.

This study proposed dividing the babblers into two families, the Sylviidae and the Timaliidae, but removing Pnoepyga (a genus of wren-babblers) as a separate family, the Pnoepygidae, outside of the babblers. Not only are species within Pnoepyga easily separated in genetic terms, but they differ from the babblers in having non-social behaviours, extremely short tails, and two colour morphs.

The recent analysis affirmed that genera previously proposed to be moved from other families to the Timaliidae, namely Zosterops (a genus of whiteeyes), Sylvia (formerly warblers), Graminicola (formerly grassbirds) and Rhopophilus (the monotypic White-browed Chinese Warbler), were all members of the babbler radiation. Further, the genetic analysis showed that Heleia and Lophozosterops (genera of white-eyes), Aegithalos (formerly tits), and the monotypic genera Chamaea (Wrentit), Myzornis (Fire-tailed Myzornis), and Parophasma (Abyssinian Catbird) are all also babblers. With the explosion in genetic analyses of birds, how many more groups will we discover in the coming years to actually be babblers? Watch this space...

John D. Pilgrim CEPF-RIT Project Manager BirdLife International in Indochina Gelang, M., Cibois, A., Pasquet, E., Olsson, U., Alstrom, P. and Ericson, P. G. P. (2009) Phylogeny of babblers (Aves, Passeriformes): major lineages, family limits and classification. Zoologica Scripta 38 (3): 225-236.

1

Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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Quick Bites June Five mystery elephant deaths Mystery deaths have claimed five elephants in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. In the space of only one month, two elephants were found in Vinh Cuu Nature Reserve (June 15), followed by three more elephants, only 6 km apart, in a forest in Dinh Quan district (July 8).

Forensic tests on the three elephants found in Dinh Quan reve al ed m a ngo seeds in their stomachs, raising suspicions that the animals were poisoned while eating mangos that had just bee n sprayed with pesticides. It is suspected that this is also the cause of the two earlier deaths in Vinh Chu Nature Reserve.

No final conclusion has been drawn yet, as the possibility that the deaths of the two young in Dinh Quan are deliberate has gained strength. Police found all eight feet of the two young detached. english.vietnamnet.vn

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Mekong dolphins on the brink of extinction A recent WWF technical report has estimated that the Mekong River population of the Irrawaddy dolphin Orcaella brevirostris could be as low as 64.

The report states that since 2003 there have been 88 dolphin deaths recorded, with 60 percent calves under two weeks old, making this population of freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins likely the most threatened, and on the verge of extinction. The latest population is estimated between 64 and 76 individuals. The report documents the results obtained from dead dolphin samples from two different studies.

“Necropsy analysis identified a bacterial Irrawaddy dolphin Orcaella brevirostris. disease as the cause of the calf deaths. This Photo credit: David Dove, WWF Greater Mekong disease would not be fatal unless the dolphin’s immune systems were suppressed, as they were in these cases, by environmental contaminants,” said Dr Verné Dove, report author and veterinarian with WWF Cambodia.

Researchers found toxic levels of pesticides such as DDT and environmental contaminants such as PCBs during analysis of the dead dolphin calves. These pollutants may also pose a health risk to human populations living along the Mekong that consume the same fish and water as the dolphins.

High levels of mercury were also found in some of the dead dolphins. Mercury, suspected to be from gold mining activities, directly affects the immune system making the animals more susceptible to infectious disease. “These pollutants are widely distributed in the environment and so the source of this pollution may involve several countries through which the Mekong River flows. WWF Cambodia is currently investigating the source of the environmental containments,” said Dr Dove.

According to Seng Teak, Country Director of WWF Cambodia, “A trans-boundary preventative health programme is urgently needed to manage the disease affected animals in order to reduce the number of deaths. “The Mekong River dolphins are isolated from other members of their species and they need our help. Science has shown that if the habitat of cetaceans is protected then populations can show remarkable resilience,” said Teak. Limited genetic diversity due to inbreeding was another factor in the dolphin deaths.

The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin population inhabits a 190km stretch of the Mekong River between Cambodia and Lao PDR. The dolphin has been listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2004.

Source: http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/greatermekong/?166981/Mekongdolphins-on-the-brink-of-extinction

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Sex-specific habitat use by the Bengal Florican A recent paper entitled Sex-Specific Habitat Use by a Lekking Bustard: Conservation Implications for the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in an Intensifying Agroecosystem has reported that understanding sexual differences in habitat use is important for effective conservation management, particularly with regard to polygynous species, the sexes of which may differ in their responses to land-use change.

The paper examined sex-specific habitat use in the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican, a polygynous bustard whose most important population occurs in traditionally farmed grasslands in the Tonle Sap floodplain, Cambodia, a habitat undergoing rapid conversion to intensive dry-season rice production. Using radio telemetry, male and female breedingseason habitat selection and home-range sizes and configurations were compared.

The sexes differed in their spatial use of the lek and their ability to utilise anthropogenic habitat features. Both sexes avoided intensive dryseason rice fields. Males selected habitats related to low-intensity human activity, chiefly burned grassland, whereas females selected Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis unburned grassland but also used unburned, Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames uncultivated grassland in dry-season rice headponds. These differences reflect the species breeding system, with males using open areas for display and females selecting cover.

Findings demonstrate the importance of the landscape heterogeneity associated with traditional human activity in maintaining the habitat mosaics necessary for the contrasting breeding-season requirements of male and female Bengal Floricans. Two-thirds of tagged females may have left the lek to nest elsewhere, which suggests that protecting habitat in which males display will not be a sufficient conservation response for such lekking species. Both sexes are detrimentally affected by agricultural intensification within the Tonle Sap, and encouragement of industrial rice production to spare more “natural� habitats elsewhere is likely to be counterproductive for this globally threatened flagship species.

Source: Thomas N. E. Gray, Hong Chamnan, Nigel J. Collar and Paul M. Dolman (2009) Sex-Specific Habitat Use by a Lekking Bustard: Conservation Implications for the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) in an Intensifying Agroecosystem. The Auk 126 (1): 112-122. 2009.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

IBA News Largest count of White-shouldered Ibis at Western Siem Pang Cambodian conservationists recently counted the largest number of White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni ever recorded. At least 161 were counted; confirming that Western Siem Pang is the single most important site for the species and that the previous global population estimate was an underestimate.

With partial funding by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Birdlife International Cambodia Programme and University of East Anglia (UEA), UK, team conducted a count at well known ibis roost sites in Western Siem Pang Important Bird Area, Stung Treng Province, Cambodia. On June 9, at Srea Sang Kea, an area comprising of dry deciduous forest and rice fields, the team recorded four flocks leaving their roost, totaling 161 birds. This is the largest ever single count of White-shouldered Ibis on White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni, at roost Westrecord. The total number of Whiteern Siem Pang. shouldered Ibis is likely to be even Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames higher than this figure, as many more roost sites are being found in Western Siem Pang. Another 46 birds were counted the same day as the record count, 12 km away at a site named Trapaeng Krous. The counts took place at different times so double counting cannot be ruled out.

Birdlife International’s recently updated 2009 IUCN Red List estimates that the world population of the White-shouldered Ibis is no more than 250 individuals, and possibly as low as 50. UEA PhD student Hugh Wright, who is researching the species at Western Siem Pang and elsewhere in Cambodia said “the population of White-shouldered Ibis in Cambodia probably exceeds the Red List’s highest population estimate, meaning the global population is larger than originally thought.” Previously the highest counts of the White-shouldered Ibis were 70 in 2005 and 108 in 2006, both in Western Siem Pang. The recent sightings emphasise the international importance of Western Siem Pang, making a strong case for it being the single most important site for the survival of the species.

“Western Siem Pang consistently yields the highest counts of this species anywhere in the world. I am thrilled we have broken our best ever count yet again and delighted too that we are pushing the global population estimate forever upward." said Jonathan C Eames, Programme Manager of Birdlife International in Indochina. "The fact that we can do this and need to revise the global population estimate shows how little we know about this species. We just don’t know why we have so many White-shouldered Ibis at Western Siem Pang. My hunch is that the species is resident so we are not recording movements of birds from elsewhere. I also believe that cattle and buffalo stocking density is key to understanding the density and abundance of the species,” said Mr. Eames.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Western Siem Pang is home to Cambodia’s 'Big Five'. The site currently supports five Critically Endangered bird species making it unique outside of Cambodia. The other four are: Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea, White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris, and the Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus. "The numbers of White-shouldered Ibis and the presence of populations of four other Critically Endangered species, make Western Siem Pang an irreplaceable site we have got to conserve.” Mr. Eames commented further.

Western Siem Pang is currently unprotected. BirdLife has been active at the site for several years already, undertaking species monitoring and awareness activities. Together with the Forestry Administration, BirdLife are now actively advocating the designation of a Protected Forest covering a large part of the site. “In order to save this species a great deal of research is required to understand its ecology and relationships with local people. As research continues, UEA and its partners hope to provide concrete conservation recommendations for this species." said UEA PhD student Hugh Wright.

At the end of July UEA facilitated a nationwide coordinated roost count in Cambodia, in partnership with BirdLife, Wildlife Conservation Society, and World Wildlife Fund. The results published in the next issue of The Babbler.

White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni, leaving a trapeang in Western Siem Pang.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Chu Yang Sin hydro-electric reservoir now flooded

In The Babbler 22/23 2007 we published the above photograph showing the dam site inundation zone in Chu Yang Sin National Park. Below is a photograph of the same view taken in June 2009, with the reservoir now flooded. Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Road network to be built in Chu Yang Sin National Park It has recently come to our attention that plans to build 112 km of road within Chu Yang Sin National Park have been approved and construction is now underway. This is in addition to government plans to build a section of the East Trung Son Highway through the national park. Dak Lak People’s Committee gave their approval for the road network to go ahead as far back as 13 October, 2004, with an approved budget of 18,400 million Dong (US $ 1,000,000). The justification for the road network is to facilitate improved patrolling. The Director of Chu Yang Sin National Park believes that the road system will facilitate improved enforcement enabling staff to be deployed more rapidly to guard stations and to hotspots were violations of park law, such a hunting, or illegal logging are occurring.

However, BirdLife remains concerned that both the construction of the network will have a negative environmental impact of biodiversity and once completed the road network will provide increased ease of access to hunters and loggers. Not so, says the Director who is confident that the measures he will put in place, such as guard stations at points of entry into the park, will control such access and prevent any such infringements. On 8 June, 2008, BirdLife staff visited the road construction site and drove to the road-head along the first seven km in a project four-wheel drive, pick-up. This clearly demonstrates that, although the finished road will have a concrete surface 1 m in width, and may be intended for foot patrols and motorbikes, the construction process will in fact produce a road wide enough to permit access for four-wheel drive vehicles. Trees destroyed in the process and soil and rock displaced are being bulldozed to the side of the road and into the river and are not being removed, which only adds to the environmental impact. It has now been agreed that in order to mitigate environmental impacts of the road, the construction project will be included in the terms of reference for the study of the impacts of the East Trung Son Highway through the national park.

Left: It is feared construction of the patrol roads will provide easy access for hunters and loggers.

Right: Map of CYS NP showing the new planned patrol routes (in red).

Photo credit : (left) Jonathan C. Eames / (right) BirdLife International in Indochina 25

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Rarest of the rare Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis

The Endangered Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis is endemic to the Da Lat plateau, southern Vietnam, where it is known from Lam Dong and Dac Lac Provinces.

Photo credits: Jonathan C. Eames

Threats to the species include forest degradation and fragmentation through logging, shifting agriculture, fuelwood-collection and charcoal production.

For more information visit the Data Zone page of BirdLife’s Website

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Project updates BirdLife and CEPF expand funding opportunities for biodiversity conservation in Indochina On June 11, 2009, BirdLife and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) expanded funding opportunities in Indochina with an invitation for applications from Lao P.D.R. and Thailand for the first time, and a repeat call for applications from Cambodia and Vietnam. This call for Letters of Inquiry (LoIs) has a deadline of 11th September 2009. Full details can be found at www.birdlifeindochina.org/cepf or www.cepf.net This is the second call for LoIs issued by BirdLife and CEPF in Indochina, after a first call in August 2008. This call is open for Laos and Thailand but limited for Cambodia and Vietnam to CEPF investment priorities not sufficiently addressed to date. So far, two large projects and 11 small projects have been funded in the region, and another 12 large grant applicants asked to develop full proposals. The call for LoIs was publicised widely and a soft launch meeting held in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R with participation from the national government, l’Agence Française de Développement, GEF, the UNDP Small Grants Programme, the World Bank, and leading non-governmental organisations operating in the country. Further publicity specific to Thailand will soon be launched.

First large and five more small grants made in the region So far, 82 applications have been made to CEPF in Indochina. In June 2009, IUCN and Missouri Botanical Garden became the first two applicants to receive large grants from CEPF. Both projects seek to update information across the region on poorly-known groups of species, and then feed this information into management planning. At present, conservation or development planners do not even have such information with which to make decisions.

IUCN was granted almost US$ 300,000 to conduct Freshwater biodiversity assessments in the IndoBurma Biodiversity Hotspot: fishes, molluscs, odonates, and plants, complementing a grant from the MacArthur Foundation to conduct similar assessments in the Eastern Himalayas. In the next year and a half, the Freshwater Biodiversity Unit of the IUCN Species Programme will coordinate collation of information on the distribution, conservation status and livelihood values of key freshwater indicator species, using them to define priority areas for conservation and best practices for management, and linking the results to conservation and sustainable development planning.

Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) will receive just over US$ 450,000 to carry out an Assessment of the Status and Distribution of Globally Threatened Plant Species in Indochina. MBG will coordinate partners across the region to assess, and make publicly available, up-to-date, scientifically based data on globally threatened plant species in Indochina, train local botanists and conservation biologists in the application of Red List Categories and Criteria, and establish an Plant Red List Authority for Indochina with members from all of the key botanical institutions in the region.

In the second quarter of 2009, BirdLife International in Indochina, acting as the CEPF-Regional Implementation Team in Indochina, approved five more small grant applications, bringing the total number of funded projects under this small grant programme to 11 so far. Three of these recently funded conservation projects were in Cambodia and two in Vietnam.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

The 3S Rivers Protection Network (3SPN), a local civil society organisation in Cambodia was given a small grant for Raising awareness of possible impacts from dams on the Srepok, Sesan and Sekong (RAPIDS). Along these three rivers, in Ratanakiri and Stung Treng Provinces, 3SPN will raise awareness of local communities of impending hydropower projects and help to ensure – through meetings and development of a film – that voices from communities, livelihood impacts, international conservation values, and environmental opportunity costs are properly taken into account in impact assessments and the hydropower decision making process.

Two other local civil society organisations in Cambodia, Mlup Baitong and Chamroien Chiet Khmer were given small grants to implement conservation activities for non-breeding populations of eastern Sarus Crane Grus antigone in two sites: Kampong Trach Wetland Important Bird Area in Kampot Province, and Boeung Prek Lapouv Management and Conservation Area in Takeo Province. Activities will include strengthening of law enforcement, encouraging involvement of communities in conservation activities, raising environmental awareness, providing livelihood alternatives and promoting designation of Kampong Trach as a Sarus Crane Conservation Area.

In Vietnam, the Center for Water Resources Conservation and Development (WARECOD) was given a small grant to facilitate Thai Baan Research on Aquatic Species on the Năng River, tributary of the Gâm River, Na Hang district, Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam. Under this project, WARECOD will train and support local communities to document and identify aquatic species on the Năng river, above the Na Hang dam, thus building the capacity of local people to understand the value of aquatic biodiversity in their area, to understand and document ecological changes since dam establishment, and to participate in decision-making relating to fisheries, fishing gear and future developments that may affect this river.

Rafetus swinhoei in the suburbs of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Photo credit: Tim McCormack-Cleveland, Metroparks Zoo – Asian Turtle Program

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The second successful grantee in Vietnam was the Cleveland Zoological Society’s – Asian Turtle Program, which receiving a small grant for An awareness and research conservation program for Swinhoe’s Soft-shell Turtle in Vietnam. Only four Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtle are known in existence globally, with both known wild animals near Hanoi. Over the next two years, surveys will be conducted to try to find more wild individuals, and site-based conservation strengthened for this Critically Endangered species, including awareness activities that focus on the special cultural importance of this species and its need for conservation.

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

First meetings of CEPF-RIT National Advisory Groups In early April 2009, the first meeting of the National Advisory Group for Vietnam was held in Hanoi. Participants attended from l'Agence Française de Développement, Hanoi Agency, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity Resources, Ministry of Nature Resources and Environment, World Bank, World Wildlife Fund-Vietnam Programme, and the Vietnam programme of BirdLife International in Indochina. In the meeting John Pilgrim, Manager of the CEPF-RIT, presented progress to date and key plans for the coming year, resulting in a useful discussion among the group. The group contributed some ideas to more widely publicise the availability of RIT assistance to all potential applicants, and to increase the transparency and efficiency of the review process during the next calls for LoIs. A similar meeting of the National Advisory Group for Cambodia took place in late February 2009 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

First CEPF supervision mission to Indochina In late April 2009, Jack Tordoff, the new CEPF Grant Director for Indochina, carried out a supervision mission to Indochina region of the Indo-Burma Hotspot. He worked with the BirdLife CEPF Regional Implementation Team to review the RIT progress achieved so far. Overall, he concluded that “in the almost 10 months since the start of the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) grant on July 1, 2008, progress to establish the requisite capacity, structures and processes for coordination of CEPF grant making in the Indochina Region has been impressive.” As part of the review process, the Grant Director and BirdLife RIT also visited a site proposed by Fauna and Flora International (FFI) for activities under an application to CEPF. This site, in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam is just one of the sites covered in the proposed project Promoting community-based collaborative management to strengthen long-term conservation of globally threatened primates and trees in priority sites of northern Vietnam, and FFI have undertaken conservation activities there for some time.

With support from FFI and its project staff in Trung Khanh, the group had an opportunity to understand more about activities proposed in the project to CEPF, to hear first-hand about activities so far from local stakeholders, to better understand the capacity of FFI and its partners to implement the large proposed project, and to witness challenges and solutions to site-based conservation in northern Vietnam. This is the first site visit conducted by CEPF in the region. CEPF and the RIT will undertake additional such evaluation and monitoring visits in the future.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Climate change impacts on the conservation of birds in Asia: A new MacArthur Foundation funded project At the beginning of January 2009 BirdLife in Indochina began participation in a new project, which aims to predict the effects of climate change on the conservation of birds in the region. This project is being coordinated by Mike Crosby of the BirdLife Asia Division. It is funded by the MacArthur Foundation. The project builds on the partnership with Durham University which BirdLife developed during a previous climate change project focused on Africa. It has two geographic focus areas, the Eastern Himalaya (north-east India, Bhutan and eastern Nepal) and the Lower Mekong (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). Data collection for the Eastern Himalaya is being coordinated by the Bombay Natural History Society and Bird Conservation Nepal, and in the Lower Himalaya by BirdLife in Indochina Vietnam Programme.

Climate change is expected to impact species by affecting their populations, distributions and habitats. Whilst habitat loss and fragmentation have been primary drivers of past and predicted species extinctions, climate change is now putting additional pressure on many animals and plants. The risk of extinction is increasing for species that are already vulnerable, particularly those with strict habitat requirements and restricted ranges. This presents new challenges for conservation planners and puts the effectiveness and sustainability of all existing strategies for conserving biodiversity into question.

This project will compile databases of geo-referenced point locality records of bird species of conservation priority (Threatened, Range-Restricted and Biome Restricted species) in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and use these datasets to carry out the first ever large-scale assessment of climate change impacts on birds in Asia, projecting their likely distributional changes under a range of scenarios, and examining how these changes may impact the ability of a network of priority sites (Important Bird Areas) to conserve them adequately in future. The climate change models used will incorporate both sea-level rise and changes in the factors which determine whether or not a given location is suitable for a species – the factors which define its climatic envelope. This will provide essential information for developing future adaptive management frameworks and actions to conserve biodiversity in the face of climate change. The analysis will also be implemented for a number of threatened, charismatic non-bird taxa.

This project builds on methodologies developed during a similar project implemented by BirdLife in Africa, and will have similar outputs.

It is expected that a number of species, particularly species restricted to a narrow altitudinal band, such as Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini, will be forced to move up the altitudinal gradient. Similarly, other species are expected to Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini be forced to shift their ranges northwards. This Photo credit: Le Manh Hung project will allow us to predict which species are likely to be most strongly effected by climate change, and what the effects on those species distributions will be. Using the results of this project, BirdLife in Indochina will be able to develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies which will inform policy in the focal countries.

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Earlier in the year, BirdLife staff involved in the project, Simon Mahood and Nguyen Van Quang, attended the project inception workshop in Guwahati, India. There they met with other members of the project team from the UK, India and Nepal. It was an opportunity to share challenges already encountered, and discuss how the project would be best implemented over the next two years.

Nguyen Van Quang has since begun to make good progress with collating point locality records from the published literature, and this activity is going to continue throughout 2009.

You can help BirdLife to implement this project by contributing your records of priority species.

There are a number of ways to take part, but perhaps the easiest is by using WorldBirds: http://www.worldbirds.org/mapportal/worldmap.php?m=8 Please contact Simon at simon@birdlife.org.vn if you have spent any time in the field in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos to discuss this and other ways to contribute your bird records to this project.

Simon Mahood Conservation Advisor BirdLife International in Indochina

Indian interlude Between 5-11 April as part of our United States Fish and Wildlife Service funded project for Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, we visited two protected areas in southern India. The goal of the mission was to give senior Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, staff greater insight into Indian approaches to conservation, and to help them appreciate that protected areas in South-East Asia, like Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, should support a healthy mega-fauna which can form a strong foundation for a tourist industry if properly managed.

The tour began at Kabini River Lodge in Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka State. About thirty years ago the Kabini River was dammed and part of the protected area inundated by the reservoir that was created. Turning the loss into an opportunity, the receding waters of the lake annually create at their margin a growth of succulent grass that provides food for elephants and a large range of other wildlife. One of the best ways to observe wildlife is from the boat excursions run by the lodges on the perimeter of the protected area, which patrol the margins of the lake daily. This setting provided the backdrop for the Cambodian participants first Indian wildlife experience. After overcoming the shock of seeing 60 or so Elephants in as many minutes, a herd of Gaur and hundreds of Spotted Deer, and realizing that they were wild animals and this wasn’t a safari park, an enjoyable afternoon was had.

The reason Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur Tiger Reserve were chosen for the tour was the similarities they have with dry forest protected areas in Cambodia, including Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary. These similarities extend to both the open dry nature of the forests, including dry deciduous in Cambodia and Teak in southern India, and semi-evergreen forests which are found in both countries. The faunal composition is also similar, both countries being situated in the Indomalayan or Oriental realm.

After the first excursion, it became clear to the Cambodian delegates that the ungulate prey base is in a far healthier situation than in protected areas in Cambodia and that this in turn supports a large and fully diverse range of large predators. The first excursion by jeep into the Kabini sector of Nagahole revealed perhaps 1,000 Spotted Deer. On every excursion tourists saw predators, often at close quarters and our group was rewarded with a hunting Dhole pack and a large tree-bound Leopard.

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A meeting with Assistant Conservator of Forests, Sunil Panwar, provided much background and in insight into why India has had so much success in establishing protected areas and conserving its biodiversity. There are many reasons for India’s success but clearly foremost amongst them are the roles played by the predominantly Hindu culture that prevails over much of India which respects and reveres wildlife and shuns killing, and strong, enforced laws and committed government. Later we met Colonel John Wakefield and toasted his recent 94th birthday at Kabini, which he worked so hard to protect.

After three days at the end of which a Tiger visited our accommodation, we relocated to Jungle Hut, a small lodge just outside Bandipur Tiger Reserve across the state line in Tamil Nadu. An ambitious programme of night time drives failed to deliver a Tiger but a meeting with researchers from the nearby field research station belonging to the Indian Institute of Science provided another opportunity to learn more about conservation issues in this reserve. Equally famous, but with a lower prey and predator density, Bandipur more reluctantly revealed its secrets. We did note the problem that the alien exotic Lantana poses to the reserve. It has now spread throughout the reserve and it the predominant shrub in the under story.

Take home lessons from the trip were that given the resources and the will to implement the law, protected areas like Lomphat can be restored and in the future support healthy prey and predator populations. It is tragic that Buddhist Cambodia has not been able to draw more deeply on its religous roots to engender reverence for wildlife in the manner of Hindu India.

Jonathan C. Eames Indochina Programme Manager BirdLife International in Indochina

This large male Leopard Panthera pardus remained motionless in the safety of his tree despite the early morning chill. Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames 32

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First breeding record of White-eared Night-heron for Vietnam Photographs of four White-eared Nightherons, Gorsachius magnificus in Ba Be National Park, Bac Kan Province, has confirmed that a breeding population of this Endangered bird species exists in Vietnam.

Two adults, and two fledged Juveniles were found roosting near the nest on Saturday, April 25, 2009. This is the first confirmed breeding record for Vietnam, with only three sightings of the species previously documented. A team from BirdLife International in Indochina, Vietnam Birdwatching Club, and Vietnam Birding discovered the birds at their daytime roost roosting following information provided by colleagues who had recently seen birds leaving their roost at dusk.

Two immature White-eared Night-heron Gorsachius magnificus in Ba Be National Park.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

This Endangered species has a very small, fragmented population, limited to southern China and north-eastern Vietnam. BirdLife believes that global population of the White-eared Night-heron to be between 250 and 999 birds. The species was believed to be possibly extinct in Vietnam until members of an earlier BirdLife survey team observed a bird in 2001 in Bac Kan Province. It has been suggested that the species is undergoing a population decline owing to forest clearance and degradation, particularly demands for timber and agricultural land. Although surveys for the species in China have suggested that it is fairly tolerant of forest degradation, and that primarily disturbance and hunting may be greater threats.

In 2008 BirdLife, in collaboration with Vietnam Birdwatching Club and the National Natural Museum, undertook a search for the species the in four provinces in northern Vietnam, including Bac Kan Province. Results from that field survey highlighted the potential importance of Ba Be National Park for the species. “The occurrence of White-eared Night-heron in Ba Be National Park significantly strengthens the case for nominating this site under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.” said Nguyen Duc Tu BirdLife’s wetland officer.

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an inter-governmental treaty, which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 159 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1847 wetland sites, totaling 181 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. Although Vietnam was the first country in South-East Asia to ratify the Ramsar Convention, when it designated Xuan Thuy National Park in 1989, since then it has designated only two further sites. This is in contrast to neighboring Thailand which joined the Convention in 1998 and now has designated 11 Sites. BirdLife is supporting the designation of Ba Be as Vietnam’s third Ramsar site.

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Integrating watershed and biodiversity management at Chu Yang Sin National Park: Mid-term review The World Bank recently carried out a mid term review on Birdlife Vietnam's Integrating Watershed and Biodiversity Management at Chu Yang Sin National Park project. Results of the mid term review revealed that the project has contributed to notable conservation achievements and improvements in park management at Chu Yang Sin National Park (CYS NP).

The focus of mid-term review discussions aimed to help the project and park authorities respond more effectively to the emerging challenges of inappropriate infrastructure. The threat posed by two remaining hydropower plants has receded in recent months as plans for their construction have been delayed indefinitely, a consequence of prevailing economic conditions and credit shortages.

These proposals may yet re-emerge as economic conditions recover, thus the project has a window of opportunity for persuading national and provincial officials to re-visit plans for infrastructure development inside the Park and to mitigate the long-term damage to the Park from road construction.

It was agreed that management plan preparation and public awareness activities would now become a central focus of remaining activities. It was agreed to strengthen emphasis on addressing threats posed by road construction and hydropower development in and around the park, mostly through efforts to strengthen awareness of conservation values amongst key decision-makers and by efforts to build capacity to manage and monitor environmental impacts of the construction of the East Truong Son Highway. According to World Bank's aide-memoire notable achievements of the project thus far include: •

Capacity of the CYSNP management board has improved substantially as a result of training and improved equipment;

•

Patrols are now better planned, implemented and mapped;

•

Violations are now routinely recorded, mapped and reported to enable better targeting of enforcement efforts;

•

Forest cover maps have been prepared and distributed to forest protection units within the buffer zone and to guard stations;

•

High quality biodiversity surveys have contributed greatly to a much better understanding of the Park’s unique biodiversity;

•

Several new species to science have been discovered and described;

•

Encroachment within Park boundaries has stopped;

•

Incidents of hunting and illegal logging appear to have declined modestly, due to more effective enforcement efforts.

•

A monitoring and evaluation system for CYS NP is now in place and being used by the Management Board.

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Three new sites discovered for Grey-crowned Crocias in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam Recent fieldwork was conducted by BirdLife and colleagues from Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Bi Doup - Nui Ba National Park in April and May to identify forest of high conservation value in six Forest Management Units as part of the project, Piloting an Approach to Multiple-use Forest in Lam Dong Province. The fieldwork has resulted in the discovery of three sites for the Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis, a globally Endangered bird species previously known only in modern times from three locations in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Prior to the survey, the only modern records for Grey-crowned Crocias came from forest fragments located in Lam Vien Landscape Protection Area, namely Ta Nung Valley and forest surrounding Tuyen Lam Lake, and Chu Yang Sin National Park in Dak Lak Province. During the field survey, Grey-crowned Crocias was found at a further three sites. Two pairs were recorded at two locations at just over 1,500 m elevation along a dirt road (provincial route 722) c.45 km from Da Lat in Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest. Unfortunately at this site a hydro-electricity project is currently under construction. Construction of the Yan Tann Sien hydro-electric scheme by a consortium of state companies began in 2008 and is scheduled to finish in 2010. When operational, the plant will have a generating capacity of 19.5 MW and an annual output of 78.67 million KWH. The reservoir site is located within the altitudinal range and favoured habitat of the crocias. The site is currently being logged and cleared (see photo) prior to inundation. The survey team observed a pair or crocias at forest edge within 50 m of the construction site. Elsewhere in the Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest, and again within the habitat and altitudinal range of the crocias, the team observed recent forest clearance for coffee plantations and under-planting of Japanese horseradish (wasabe) in primary evergreen forest. This results in the complete destruction and removal of the forest herb and under-story. The potential impact of this activity on biodiversity in general and endemic bird species like the crocias remains unknown but is likely to be serious.

Although there is suitable habitat in adjacent Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, it was not found in that forest management unit. Three pairs were located in D'Ran Watershed Protection Forest in a mosaic of broadleaved evergreen and coniferous forest. A further seven pairs were found along a 25 km transect in forest compartments Don Duong Forest Company. These birds were in logged broadleaved evergreen forest. Forest at this site is being logged on a 35-year rotation. For photographs of the species taken at this site please see page 26 Rarest of the Rare.

The Yan Tann Sien hydro-electric project is destroying Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis habitat.

Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary integrated conservation support project As we move into the summer rains, a small project operating in Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary since late 2007 is now reviewing results. The project technical advisor, Mark E Grindley, updates us on progress.

Conservation organisations have long identified the dry forests as a global priority, and eastern Cambodia boasts one of the largest remaining contiguous areas of this habitat. Indeed the 250,000 plus hectare Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary has been designated an IBA. However, Lomphat received relatively little support until 2003, when international donors and organisations first became engaged in supporting conservation activities in the sanctuary.

Most recently, the People Resources and Conservation Foundation, BirdLife and the Ministry of Environment, have been implementing a community-based conservation project in Lomphat since late 2007. The Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary Integrated Conservation Support Project addresses conflicts arising from resource use by ten communities lying inside the sanctuary boundary and another 15 on its periphery. This was a need identified by the sanctuary and local residents alike, and with the kind support of the US Fish and Wildlife Department the first steps have now been made.

Villagers’ resource-use rights had not been clearly defined. This meant that rangers, mostly local villagers themselves, were finding it difficult to fulfil their role when confronted by subsistence hunting, resin collection and logging by people who had lived there much longer than the 15 years the sanctuary had existed. With few livelihood options, complete prohibition would mean penury for many resident farm communities.

The focus of phase one of the project has been to better understand the current resource use patterns within the sanctuary, using a process that would begin to create a dialogue and understanding between rangers and communities. This prepares the groundwork for a phase two project, which will define resource use rights and responsibilities for selected communities under the government’s Community Protected Area law. The medium-term goal will be complete zonation of the sanctuary, something that is now possible under the 2008 Protected Area Law. To date, Initial Resource Use Assessments (IRUAs) have been conducted in eight villages, representing 80% of those inside the sanctuary (see table page 37). The results have proved eye-opening for all concerned. While the prioritised villages all lie on the boundary of the reserve, the extent of incursion for livelihood activities is much greater than was expected. The scale of dependency on forest products is best indicated by the area of land claimed as part of each village, which can be considered the ‘resource use footprint’.

Our initial findings suggest the area claimed by individual villages varies widely. However, the eight surveyed villages collectively make use of around 50% of the 250,000 hectares of the sanctuary for some purpose. It is also illuminating that there is currently little overlap between villages, and it will be interesting if this holds once those outside of the sanctuary boundary are assessed.

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Location

First IRUA

Village

Commune

District

Province

Date

Resource use footprint (ha) ²

Sre Chuuk

Chey Odom

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

Mar 2008

27,000

Ban Mai

Chey Odom

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

Mar 2008

12,000

Srey Chrey

Nang Khi Laek

Koh Nhaek

Mondulkiri

Apr 2008

10,000

Kaeng San

Seda

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

May 2008

25,000

Thmei

Seda

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

Oct 2008

13,000

Samot Leu

Seda

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

Oct 2008

32,000

Samot Krom

Seda

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

Oct 2008

4,000

Patat

Seda

Lomphat

Ratanakiri

Nov 2008

13,000

The IRUA reports also provide a detailed understanding of the extent and seasonality of resource use by the selected villages, and provide local names for forests, trapaengs (water holes), veals (grasslands), farming land and other landscape features. Collectively this information will be used to improve patrolling and law enforcement, and reduce conflict between the sanctuary and villagers.

Conduct of the assessments has also helped build understanding and relationships between the sanctuary, local government agencies and villagers. The IRUAs were conducted by a five person team comprising sanctuary staff, a Department of Environment representative and representatives of the relevant district authority. Initial support came from PRCF but the last four IRUAs were conducted unassisted.

Clearly there is much left to do, as assessments of this kind alone will not resolve the underlying resource conflicts, nor clarify roles and responsibilities. But they are an invaluable first step, and are already allowing the various stakeholders to understand the problems more clearly. We look forward to reporting on how we built on this foundation during phase two, some time in early 2010.

The Lomphat Integrated Conservation Support Project is a joint initiative of the People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF), the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (part of the Cambodian Ministry of Environment) and BirdLife Cambodia Program. It is funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund.

Mark E Grindley Environmental Associate for Cambodia and Myanmar People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF) mark.grindley@prcfunion.org

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Piloting an approach to multiple-use forest management in Lam Dong Province The Trust Fund for Forestry (TFF) funded project Piloting an Approach to Multiple-use Forest management in Lam Dong Province aims to address current gap in the protected area network coverage in Vietnam, by implementing effective biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas through piloting multiple-use forest management techniques, across a range of forest management units (FMU).

From June 2008 to March 2009, many activities of this project such as the training needs assessment (TNA), development of a set of criteria for identification of FHCV, preparation of training materials for identification, planning and management and monitoring of FHCV, and two training courses for six FMUs in Lam Dong province were implemented. From 25 April to 22 May 2009, BirdLife conducted field survey to identify forests of high conservation value within FMUs. Based on the results of a document review, BirdLife fielded teams focused on searching for indicator species of bird, mammal and gymnosperm in the predefined prioritised survey areas within TFF project sites.

BirdLife is now preparing reports with recommendations for management of forest of high conservation value and producing maps showing survey results and management zones using multi-use approach for each FMU. First draft reports in English and Vietnamese will be submitted to the Management Board of TFF project for comments in August and it is proposed to hold a workshop to present results of the field survey and management zonation in late of August 2009.

Tran Van Hung Community-based Conservation Programme Officer BirdLife International Vietnam Programme

TFF project team try to find their way home. Photo credit: Jonathan C. Eames

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Migrant bird hunting in Rakhine State, Myanmar Recent wildlife surveys in the north of the Rakhine (Arakan) Mountain Range, Myanmar have found extensive annual hunting of at least 13 species of birds. The surveys were part of the Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Status Review of Myanmar, a cooperative project of the People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF), Fauna and Flora International (FFI), and the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA). Here Ngwe Lwin of BANCA and Mark E. Grindley of PRCF provide further details.

During the survey, our team heard about bird hunting taking place about 4 km west of the survey area. We decided to investigate, and made a quick visit to Painyesan village on 22 to 24 April to investigate. The team was shocked to see numerous live and dead birds recently captured from Painyesan and the nearby Sapauktaung village, including over 100 dead Hooded Pittas Pitta sordida.

Painyesan (N 19°49’ 22.4”: E 94° 16’34.4”) lies at about 1,000 m asl, on the main road from Ann town, Hooded Pittas Pitta sordida and Ruddy Kingfishers Halin central Rakhine state, to Magwe, cyon coromanda captured from Painyesan and the Sapaukthe capital of Magwe division. Sa- taung village. pauktaung (N 19°48’24.8”: E 94° Photo credit: PRCF/Myanmar Hoolock Gibbon Status Review 16’24.2”) is about 2 km south of Painyesan on a small ridge at about 700 m asl. The area is mostly secondary vegetation and regrowth due to shifting cultivation, with patches of broadleaved evergreen forest on peaks and in valleys. Sapauktaung village is a small hamlet of about 50 people in 10 households. Painyesan is slightly larger due to proximity to the main east-west link through this section of the Rakhine Mountains, and has three restaurants largely for use by travellers.

People in Painyesan reported that at night, flocks of birds flew into Sapauktaung and rested there.

The villagers caught and killed them, and many made their way to the larger village for sale. This pattern has occurred for at least the last 13 to 14 years, with birds arriving just before the rainy season, usually around the last week of April. Apparently, if the villagers make a fire more birds are attracted to stop there. Birds are also collected in Painyesan, although in lower numbers. The migration lasts for about one week each year, during which time villagers harvest possibly hundreds of birds of various species. The birds are predominantly caught using bamboo to knock them from the air as they circle around the village, suggesting they are particularly fatigued or disoriented, or both.

Once collected, most are used for food or for sale to other villages.

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Thirteen species, and more than 100 individuals, were recorded by the survey team during one day at Painyesan village (see table). It appears that all were caught at about the same time as part of the same bird movement. The movement appears to be part of the annual migration north for breeding, though villagers themselves could not identify the route being taken since collection takes place at night. Of the 13 species, all are known from one or both of these locations. All are categorised as of Least Concern in the 2009 Red List.

Similar bird hunting has been documented in southern Assam, India. There, 44 species are caught in Autumn each year, some of them the same as those we saw in Rakhine state, including Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides , Watercock Gallicrex cinerea and Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica . The area is on the Jatinga Ridge that is only 1.5 km long and 200 m wide. In this case Sharma (2008) records that “under circumstances not yet fully explained, [the] birds get caught in the fog and wind, get disoriented and seek solace of the light sources put out by the villagers. They hit against trees or other objects and get injured in their flight towards the light source. The villagers hit the hovering birds with bamboo poles or catapults to bring them down.� It is believed that something similar may be occurring in Rakhine state, though we cannot say for certain at the present time. Collection of even common species may have significant impacts on populations. Further research and documentation would help suggest what impact collection in central Rakhine state is having, and whether conservation interventions are needed.

Species

Number

Threat Status

Black-backed Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus

3

LC

Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda

10

LC

Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata

2

LC

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica

3

LC

Watercock Gallicrex cinerea

1

LC

Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides

10

LC

Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla

1

LC

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

1

LC

Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus

1

LC

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

1

LC

Malayan (Malaysian) Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus

1

LC

100 +

LC

1

LC

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Purple-backed Starling Sturnus sturninus LC = Least Concern Threat Status from the IUCN Red List.

Mr Ngwe Lwin Field Team Leader (BANCA) Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Status Review

Mark E Grindley Environmental Associate, Cambodia and Myanmar People Resources and Conservation Foundation

Rohit Sharma, 1 August 2008; Jatinga Birds Suicide Mystery Revealed by Gyandotcom, available at: http://gyandotcom.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/jatinga-birds-suicide-mystery-revealed-by-gyandotcom/.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

Publications Le Trong Trai, Mahood, S. P., Luong Huu Thanh and Mai Duc Vinh (2008). The illegal wildlife and timber trade network around Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

BirdLife International Vietnam Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Unsustainable levels of hunting to supply the trade in wildlife, is playing a major role in the extinction crisis and is perhaps the greatest threat to wildlife across the tropics. The rate and scale of illegal exploitation of wildlife and timber has increased rapidly in Indochina in recent years, due to increasing demand from an expanding rich middle class, facilitated by a rapidly modernising communication and transportation infrastructure throughout the region. Due to its location, CYSNP has until recently, been exposed to relatively little hunting for commercial purposes and no illegal logging. However, throughout the last decade, increasing immigration of Kinh and H’Mong ethnic minority groups into the CYS NP area, has led to land shortages and increased competition for resources with Ede and M’Nong indigenous ethnic minority groups.

Hunter with dried Endangered Blackshanked Duoc Langurs Pygathrix nigripes.

Photo credit: Loc Xuan Nghia

Through undercover interviews with illegal hunters, traders and loggers, this report uncovers that an efficient wildlife and timber trade network is currently in place employing at least 500 people in the buffer zone of CYSNP, driven by the demand for wildlife and timber products in often distant urban centres. The report reveals that there is at least one small-scale wildlife and timber trader in each commune and village to whom local hunters rapidly sell animals and their parts. In turn, there is one large-scale trader in each district, whom together with the owners of the largest wildlife meat restaurants, buy from the small-scale traders and arrange the export of live animals and their parts to elsewhere in the province and as far away as Ho Chi Minh City. As well as these individuals, a significant number of other stakeholders currently make all or part of their income from the transport or processing of illegal wildlife and timber. This is placing considerable pressure on animal populations in the national park. This report reveals that each cao maker (a glue like substance made from animal bones, used for medicinal purposes) in the buffer zone of CYSNP uses approximately 350 kg of primates annually.

Despite a high level of awareness of the scale of the problem among the national park staff, the rates of hunting and deforestation appear to be increasing. Several recommendations are put forward in this report to reduce the illegal trade activities now threatening the biological integrity of CYSNP. These include: improving law enforcement inside the park to combat illegal hunting and logging, capacity building of key park staff, increased co-ordination with other law enforcement agencies, and public awareness campaigns. For these measures to be effective, district and provincial level law enforcement efforts must target the large-scale traders and restaurant owners in an attempt to disrupt the trade network that is driving the rapid loss of mammals and high-value timber from the national park.

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BirdLife International (2009) The BirdLife Preventing Extensions Programme Annual Report, UK: BirdLife International.

In response to the rapidly increasing threat of bird species extinctions, BirdLife International launched the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme in 2007. This important new global conservation programme embraces all four pillars of the BirdLife International Strategy. In addition to protecting and conserving globally threatened species it also delivers site and habitat conservation, as well as engaging with and empowering people, encouraging the development of sustainable livelihoods and helping to improve human quality of life. The Preventing Extinctions Programme builds on the success several BirdLife Partners have already enjoyed bringing Critically Endangered species back from the brink of extinction. It aims to continue to learn lessons from these successes, offering new conservation opportunities to the entire Partnership. The heart of the programme is the establishment of two important new communities. BirdLife Species Guardians, individuals or organisations that are appointed to take on a commitment to implement, coordinate and promote conservation action for a particular Critically Endangered species, and BirdLife Species Champions, companies, organisations or individuals who wish to support BirdLife in its work preventing extensions. This annual report covers an eventful first 18 months of the programme, focusing on the amazing work of a few of their Species Guardians. Highlights include possibly the most recognisable and wellknown Species Champion, Sir David Attenborough. In August 2008 Sir David chose the occasion of the British Birdwatching Fair Celebrity lecture to announce that he would be backing work to prevent the extinction of the Critically Endangered Araripe Manakin Antilophia bokermanni.

Paul F. Donald, Sirirak Aratrakorn, Thurawin Htun, Jonathan C. Eames, Htin Hla, Somying Thunhikorn, Kriangsak Sribua-Rod, Pinyo Tinun, Sein Myo Aung, Sa Myo Zaw and Graeme M. Buchnan. (2009) Population, distribution, habitat use and breeding of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi in Myanmar and Thailand. Bird Conservation International 20: 1-14.

Results of paper are featured on page 16.

Hanson, T., Brooks, T. M., da Fonseca, G. A. B., Hoffmann, M., Lamoreux, J. F., Machlis, G., Mittermeier, C. G., Mittermeier, R. A., and Pilgrim, J. D. (2009) Warfare in Biodiversity Hotspots.

Conservation Biology 23: 578-587.

This paper suggests that conservation efforts are only as sustainable as the social and political context within which they take place. The weakening or collapse of sociopolitical frameworks during wartime can lead to habitat destruction and the erosion of conservation policies, but in some cases, may also confer ecological benefits through altered settlement patterns and reduced resource exploitation. This paper reveals that over 90% of the major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred within countries containing biodiversity hotspots, and more than 80% took place directly within hotspot areas. Less than one-third of the 34 recognized hotspots escaped significant conflict during this period, and most suffered repeated episodes of violence. This pattern was remarkably consistent over these 5 decades. Evidence from the war-torn Eastern Afromontane hotspot suggests that biodiversity conservation is improved when international nongovernmental organisations support local protected area staff and remain engaged throughout the conflict. This paper recommends that with biodiversity hotspots concentrated in politically volatile regions, the conservation community must maintain continuous involvement during periods of war, and biodiversity conservation should be incorporated into military, reconstruction, and humanitarian programs in the world’s conflict zones.

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Pilgrim, J. D., Bijlmakers, P., De Bruyn, T., Doppagne, S., Mahood, S. P. and Tordoof, A. W. (2009) Updates to the distribution and status of birds in Vietnam. Forktail 25: 131 - 137.

Currently there is no formal list of the distribution and status of birds in Vietnam, so the value of records must largely be gauged by comparisons with the works of C. Robson. Birdwatching activity and coverage in the country remains modest, with a bias towards Tonkin and in particular the environs of Hanoi. This paper gives records of 65 bird species (including five Vulnerable and two Near Threatened) where it appears that the information significantly adds to existing knowledge. A few of these may involve birds released for merit or from fear of avian flu, but warrant publication.

Pilgrim, J. D., Bijlmakers, P., Crutchley, A., Crutchley, G., De Bruyn, T. and Tordoff, A. W. (2009) Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula and Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala: new records for Vietnam. Forktail 25: 156 - 159.

In the last few years, a small number of resident expatriate birdwatchers have focused considerable attention on migratory birds, particularly in northern Vietnam. This has resulted in a better understanding of the status of a number of species, including records of three species not previously reported. This paper details records of two of these birds, Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula and Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala.

Pilgrim, J. D., Walsh, D. F., Tran Thanh Tu, Nguyen Duc Tu, Eames, J. C., and Le Manh Hung (2009) The Endangered White-eared Night Heron Gorsachius magnificus In Vietnam. Forktail 25: 143–147 White-eared Night Heron is a very poorly known, globally Endangered species, occurring mainly in China, with only two prior records in Vietnam. Recent targeted surveys of the bird resulted in observations from two sites in Bac Kan Province, including the first breeding records in Vietnam. Local awareness of the species was raised considerably in survey areas, including among hunters who had previously had a high impact on the species. Data from other sites are presented, threats outlined, and recommendations for further actions made.

Thomas N. E. Gray, Nigel J. Collar, Peter J. A. Davidson, Paul M. Dolman, Tom D. Evans, Harry N. Fox, Hong Chamnan, Ro Borey, Seng Kim Hout and Robert N. van Zalinge (2009) Distribution, status and conservation of the Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Cambodia. Bird Conservation International 19: 1-14 This paper reports on the first comprehensive breeding season survey of Bengal Florican within the Tonle Sap region (19,500 km2). Based on mean 2005 population densities the remaining Tonle Sap grassland may support as few as 294 adult male floricans, a decline of 30% since 2005. In response to these habitat declines almost 350 km2 of grassland have been designated as protected areas, set aside for biodiversity and local livelihoods. Conservation activities in these areas include participatory land-use zoning, patrols reporting new developments to government officials, awareness-raising and incentive-led nest protection schemes.

Featured in Babbler 28, Mahood S., and Trang Van Hung's report, 'The biodiversity of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam' is now available in hard copy. To obtain a copy please contact BirdLife by email birdlife@birdlife.org.vn or phone (84 4) 3514 89 04.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Reviews Field Guide to the Birds of East Asia Brazil, M. (2009) Helm Field Guides Series, A & C Black, 528 pages, 234 colour plates.

This is the first single volume guide ever devoted to the eastern Asian avifauna. The eastern Asian region, centring especially on the major islands off the continental coast (including Japan and Taiwan) and the immediately adjacent areas of the Asian continent from Kamchatka in the north and including the Korean Peninsula are an important centre of endemism. Birds endemic to this region include representatives of many of the major families, from the world's largest eagle - Steller's Sea Eagle to the tiny Formosan Firecrest. The east Asian continental coast and the offshore islands also form one of the world's major international bird migration routes, especially for waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors, while the east Asian continental mainland itself is home to a wide range of species little-known to western ornithologists such as Scaly-sided Merganser, Oriental Stork and Mugimaki Flycatcher. The guide features the most up to date text available, which, in conjunction with extensive colour plates throughout, facilitate the field identification of all of the species known from the region. Distribution maps enhance the text by providing a visual analysis of the summer, winter and migratory ranges of all species.

The Birds of Borneo Mann, C. F. (2008) British Ornithologists' Union, 440 pages, 68 colour plates.

A new annotated checklist to the third largest island in the world. Borneo boasts a wealth of biodiversity including over 630 species of bird, 11% of which are endemic. The plates illustrate some of the extraordinary landscapes from around the island. Each species account looks at distribution in the different countries and regions of Borneo (including Brunei, Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan) and describes the habitat and status.

A Photographic Guide to Birds of Borneo, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan Davison, G. & Fook, C. Y. (2009) New Holand Publishers, 144 pages, 280 colour photos, 1 map.

The island of Borneo is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots and a birdwatcher's paradise. Around 600 species of bird have been recorded here, and some 430 are known to breed. Many of these are rainforest specialists, but such a large island also has widely different habitats attracting a surprisingly wide range of avian visitors. Of particular interest are the 30 or so species that are endemic to Borneo, found nowhere else in the world. Two hundred and fifty-two of Borneo's most interesting and spectacular birds are featured in this concise and easy-to-use guide, each species illustrated in full colour and with key information on identification, habitat and distribution.

All reviews from http://www.nhbs.com.

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BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler June 2009

Staff News This quarter BirdLife bid farewell to Swen Renner (pictured) who joined BirdLife in June 2008. Swen managed the Asia Development Bank's (ADB) Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative (BCI) project and a team of national monitoring experts in each country of the Mekong Watershed. The project goal was to establish biodiversity trends in six BCI Pilot Sites over an extended time. The project was planned to record trends up until 2015 but was unexpectedly terminated this quarter. We thank Swen for the contributions he made to BirdLife and wish him continued success in his new post at the University of Ulm, Germany.

From the archives

The above picture is a painting (Acrylic on canvas) entitled Saving Gurney’s Pittas and their forest home, featured at The 2005 British Birdwatching Fair. The British Birdwatching Fair is jointly organised by the RSPB and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. The Fair is the largest event of its kind in the world, raising funds to support international bird conservation. Yearly, since 2000, many of the most famous wildlife artists have worked together to paint a large mural during the event. These murals depict the endemic and threatened birds, wildlife and landscape of the area that was the focus of the BirdLife International conservation project for that year’s Fair. Afterwards, the murals have mostly gone on permanent display in the country concerned and help increase awareness of BirdLife’s conservation efforts there. The 2009 Birdfair will take place on 21, 22 and 23 August at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water, Oakham, Rutland.

Source and photo credit: http://www.birdfair.org.uk/

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