Ubuntu Magazine, winter 2025 by ubuntumagazine

RRREEFS

Marie Griesmar’s Story About the Art of Coral Reef Restoration

HEPCA

From Spawn to ClamHatching a New Generation

MOVEMENT OF LIFE

Gardeners of The Forest - Conservation of Mountain Tapirs in Ecuador

Transform Your Perspective on Nature. Follow Ubuntu Magazine’s Social Channels!

Cover photo credits: Warren Samuels

JOOSJE’S WILDERNESS

COURSE

From Aspiration to Reality

GOVIIN KHULAN

The Uncharted Wilds of Mongolia, and its Onagers

MARIE GRIESMAR - RRREEFS

The Art of Coral Reef Restoration 36 ENDANGERED SPECIES

Wood bison 50 STARGAZER

HEPCA

From Spawn to ClamHatching a New Generation

Samuel Cooper

LOKAL LAB

Case Study for Shaping a Sustainable Island

WARREN SAMUELS

The Making of a Storyteller

INFOGRAPHIC

Wildlife at Risk: The Hidden Dangers of Social Media and AI Trends

MOVEMENT OF LIFE

Gardeners of the Forest

98 NEW TO NATURE

Myloplus sauron

INTRODUCTION

Sharing stories about nature conservation and restoration efforts is something that I believe to be a true privilege. There are so many passionate, intelligent, and driven people out there making a difference, who I have been inspired by. The core work of Ubuntu Magazine is to provide stories of hope and generate shifts in worldviews, and if you look closely enough, these things are happening.

As someone who is also at the start of their own career in the conservation world, moments of hope are like a breath of fresh air. Embedding yourself into a world where you are confronted by the reality that the conservation movement is still only a movement and not yet a way of life, can be difficult. Even as a young kid I loved animals, and was fascinated by the multitude of ways in which life could take shape. However, as I grew up, my fascination turned to sadness, as I saw how different life forms could be solely perceived as resources to be extracted and used. For me, this can still be difficult—especially when realizing the scale of such issues—but my work with Ubuntu allows me to see how acting locally can generate regional and global shifts.

Being able to cover a range of stories in a multitude of places such as rewilding in England, controlled burns in Mexico, or anti-poaching units in Zambia has allowed me to see how nature conservation is really a story about cultures and people. It’s a story about human history and how the foundational beliefs of our cultures inspire us to act in certain ways. These can sometimes be difficult to understand—and even more difficult to change. But for whatever reason, some people are able to generate these shifts, even in the face of adversity. And having a chance to talk to those people through Ubuntu has been exciting.

What often strikes me is how a genuine desire for change, paired with meaningful action, seems to inspire the world to align with a mission, as though people are ready to embrace such transformations. Meeting individuals deeply

committed to their causes never ceases to amaze me, especially when I witness how their efforts have shaped their paths. Like me, they share a profound appreciation for life—a connection that feels both universal and deeply personal.

This sense of purpose resonates strongly with my current journey. In Alaska, my fascination with North American bison has led me to study the complex relationship between these animals, their environment, and local communities. Bison (like all wildlife) can be viewed in a wide variety of different ways depending on one’s cultural lens and lived experiences. By some they are seen as important keystone species, essential to maintaining a healthy resilient ecosystem. To others, they can be seen as strong cultural symbols, passed down through generations. Others might value them based on their nourishing meat, a symbolic trophy for a successful hunt, a photograph of an amazing wildlife experience, or neighbors with which to share the landscape. Of course, they can also be a mixture of any or all of the above.

This is to say that wildlife is much more than their physical presence, they can reflect a big part of our cultural perspective and lived experiences. When we lose species and ecosystems, we don’t just lose biodiversity—we lose pieces of human heritage and identity. Deep personal connections to food sources, species, places, and traditions are something we don’t always factor in when talking about nature conservation. Only by acknowledging these deep cultural dimensions can we build lasting and meaningful conservation efforts that resonate across different communities and worldviews. Being part of the spreading of these messages and stories through Ubuntu is what continues to fill me with gratitude.

Thijs Montalvo Journalist Ubuntu Magazine

FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY

PERSONAL INSIGHTS FROM A WILDERNESS GUIDE COURSE

Written by Joosje Heringa

COUNTDOWN TO THE WILDERNESS

SENT. There it goes—the email for my application to the Wilderness Guide course of EWES. Ten weeks of learning to guide people in the wild, starting in the Pyrenees and Andorra, followed by specializations in animal tracking, cold climates, arid environments, or jungles, and concluding with practical fieldwork. I’m excited!

I start calling my family and friends to share the news. The news doesn’t break or make their day on this ordinary Monday afternoon. For me, however, it does because years after my introduction to the African bush, I’ll be returning to nature for an extended learning period.

This brings me to an important reminder: everyone has their own life and priorities. If people don’t immediately mirror your excitement, try not to take it personally. Stay true to yourself and your feelings. Following your dreams attracts those who share your passions. Approval from others is secondary; trust yourself and take the leap.

What a desire this has been for me! Sure, you can learn a lot from apps, but being in the field with an experienced guide is incomparable. For

context: I’m not a biologist, a researcher, or a conservationist. Nor would I call myself a city girl— I’m somewhere in between. This journey stems from a deep passion for nature and a desire to learn more to share it with others. Because isn’t nature spectacular? With all its colors, shapes, and smells. Its complexity and resilience—especially in overcoming the challenges posed by humankind. So, for anyone who thinks a biology degree is essential to connect with nature, believe me: all you need is curiosity and appreciation.

This year, in four stories, I’ll take you along on my Wilderness Guide journey, sharing what I learn, experience, and feel—and how these lessons can enrich daily life. Like many, I live in a city with just a few parks. It’s easy to feel disconnected, but nature is always nearby. Nature isn’t just the African savanna or the Himalayas. Wildlife experiences can also be found on your doorstep; you just have to learn to recognize them.

Even though our time in the field has yet to start, I’ve already had some interesting moments and learned some valuable things.

UNEXPECTED ARISING EMOTIONS

This course is so much more than learning about nature; it’s about people. Cooperation among 13 individuals—each with unique personalities, communication styles, and preferences—requires patience and empathy.

Photo credits: Yannick Bindert Photography

Take food planning as an example. We need to organize meals for three weeks, including one week of trekking, with minimal guidance. The main instructions are: “We might not always have a fire” and “No single-use plastics allowed.” Beyond that, it’s up to us. Sounds simple? Not with 13 opinions in the mix.

Some prefer simplicity: oats, rice, and vegetables. Others create Excel sheets calculating macronutrient needs. As the deadline gets closer, compromises have to be made. Salad? Sure.

Tomatoes? Why not? My initial resistance—”But we already planned it like this”—melted away. We are doing this together, and flexibility is key. I feel myself becoming more flexible by the minute.

THE ILLUSION OF PERFECT PREPARATION

The lead-up to this course reveals another truth: perfect preparation is a myth. One day, I spent hours in an outdoor shop debating whether to buy a 0°C or 4°C sleeping bag. Reading about others’ gear choices only adds to my doubt. Do I need merino wool, or will my existing gear suffice? The more I think, the more consumed I become by fear of getting something wrong. I end up buying stuff— including the merino shirt—and returning it after all. That’s the point—you won’t know until you go. There’s no such thing as perfect preparation, so learning to let go a bit might be better.

After the initial panic fades, I feel ready. A bag of oats, some rice, and almonds? We’ll survive. I’m stepping into the unknown, and I think… I’m prepared.

EMBRACING THE JOURNEY

The wild journey has begun! In Ubuntu’s next issue, I’ll share my experiences from the first three weeks of the course—emergency rescues, sleeping at unknown coordinates and navigating group dynamics. Adventure awaits!

PRACTICAL TIP

Pause and Sit. We’re so focused on “getting our 10,000 daily steps” that walking has become a task.

Next time you go for a walk, set a timer for 5-10 minutes and take a seat when it goes off. Make yourself comfortable, take a few breaths, close your eyes, and notice things you might usually overlook: the texture of a leaf, the feeling of wind caressing your skin, or how sunlight reflects on water or buildings. Try to engage all your senses.

Experience how this pause gives you more mental space than rushing to hit your walking target. Did you know that already after 15 minutes in nature, your stress hormone cortisol starts to decrease? You’ll feel more refreshed, calm, and present, all without hitting those 10,000 steps.

Instagram

@joosjeheringa

@joosje-heringa

Photo credits: Joosje Heringa

GOVIIN KHULAN

THE UNCHARTED WILDS OF MONGOLIA, AND ITS ONAGERS

MONGOLIA

Mongolia is a country that stretches 1.5 million square miles, and is inhabited by just 3.4 million people. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is home to more than 50% of this population. In one of the most remote areas of the country, the Gobi desert, The Mongolian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus hemionus), or ‘khulan’, roams free. This donkey, which numbers around 35,000-40,000 individuals and is considered Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List, is a protected subspecies that is invaluable to the country’s most isolated ecosystems.

Written by Nathan Turnbull

Heard of khulans

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan

MONGOLIA

A subspecies of the Onager, or the Asiatic Wild Ass, this creature could once be found around parts of Kazakhstan and Siberia, as well as Mongolia and parts of China. These days, it is limited to only the most remote places in Mongolia. Estimates on both population and distribution are sketchy at best, with so much space in Mongolia that the donkeys can travel to. A khulan can travel as much as 70,000 kilometers a year, which makes it one of the furthest traveling migratory animals in the world. Yet, as an underrepresented subspecies that so many have never heard of, the khulan is at constant risk of becoming even more endangered as time goes on.

But Goviin Khulan is trying to make sure that this never becomes the case. A non-governmental organization put together by Anne-Camille Souris, Goviin Khulan is a French non-profit organization dedicated to the continued conservation of the khulan and its environment. Founded in late 2007, it is the only conservation organization in the world that is solely dedicated to the khulan. It continues to stand for the animals as a communication and outreach program that focuses on local communities as much as international education.

Anne-Camille started the organization following a trip to the Gobi Desert in 2003. Fresh from a string of academic studies and internships in Paris for her MSc and BSc, she found herself studying the behavioral traits and movement patterns of wild Mongolian horses after a chance meeting at Paris Zoo with an expert on the subject. The intent was to figure out how best to apply in-situ conservation measures to these animals based on their behavior. While she was in the Gobi, several locals and wildlife rangers mentioned a different species—the khulan. Inquiring into the species led to the discovery of the profound underrepresentation of what, she knew immediately, was an extremely important species. The locals informed her of how few people have ever worked to try to protect the wild donkey, despite its clear importance to the wider environment of the Gobi. The locals admired them, the rangers were enthusiastic about them, and yet, no one outside of the country seemed to know about them at all.

In 2004, she switched the focal point of her research to be entirely hinged on the khulan, operating under a similar logic of observing them to learn how best to protect them. By learning about their behavior, their needs can be better understood and thereby can be catered to by interested conservationists. In doing so, she learned from the locals the reason they are such an important animal: the Gobi desert is dry. In Eastern regions, which is where most of the khulan can be found, rainfall will barely exceed 200mm in an entire year. As such, water is a scarce and valuable resource. The water that does sparingly fall as rain goes straight underground, as there is not enough of it to fill any river basin or saturate the ground. The khulan, however, are capable of finding pockets of water in the ground, digging holes with their hooves, and bringing the water back up to the surface. They are an engineer species, capable of creating watering holes

Anne-Camille in search of the khulans

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan

MONGOLIA

Gobi landscape, Mongolia

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan

MONGOLIA

in an otherwise barren desert. As such, they are important for countless other species as well as themselves, as they can provide water to any number of grazing mammals and other roaming animals, and thereby are often followed loosely by other species—they understand that the khulan is one of the best water providers in the desert.

A nomadic species, like the people of Mongolia, the khulan will travel the desert for its entire life. Mongolia is primarily a harsh and barren landscape, one of the most infamously difficult wildernesses to survive in, and constant movement is the only way to ensure thriving populations of healthy creatures. Staying still for too long will exhaust valuable resources (water, food, heat, etc.) that can often only be found in small doses. The khulan knows this instinctively. It helps maintain balance in the desert through watering hole production, the spreading of important plant seeds that may latch onto its body or in its excretion, and the local food webs in place that are held together by herbivorous nomads.

With the khulan being as important as it is, Anne-Camille was immediately excited by the opportunity to work towards preserving them, as well as educating people on them, and has been acting towards these goals ever since. On her first visit to her NGO’s project area in the eastern region of the Gobi Desert, she found herself immersed in the beauty of the desert when she came across a small monastery, Ungii, which was still in use by a convent of Buddhists. Becoming good friends with these locals, she quickly recognized the importance of local enthusiasm towards her project, which seemed to be in no short supply. The monks were very excited by the clear passion she displayed towards the khulan and were quick to offer help. The monastery itself lies right in the heart of where the species is found, a place extremely remote with only small patches of human activity. Anne-Camille recognized

frequent herds of the animal traversing through this area, making it a prime spot for fieldwork. Ever since, she has involved the locals, namely the Buddhist monks, in her research. She taught them how to set up and use camera traps, how to look at the readings from these traps, and where would be best to place them. The sense of personal

“SURVIVAL LIES IN MOVEMENT—LIKE MONGOLIA’S NOMADS, THE KHULAN ROAMS, SHAPING THE DESERT’S FRAGILE BALANCE.”

commitment towards this research provides a connection towards conservation within each and every person who helped out—something that Anne-Camille believes is essential for sustainable, long-term conservation. Citizen science is a great way to make people understand the importance of work by having them actually do it so that they can experience first-hand the fruits of their labor and how it fits into the wider picture of their local communities, and the ecosystems that support them.

In recent years, however, the work has changed somewhat. With other responsibilities in Ulaanbaatar—where Anne-Camille works as a science teacher—as well as a lack of funding for her NGO, she finds herself unable to get into the field as much as she would like. Also, she explains, there are more pressures that have been putting a strain on the work compared to when she started. The Gobi Desert is changing: as the Mongolian government reaches towards

Shepherds and livestock

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan MONGOLIA

MONGOLIA

Monastery guardians of nature

urban expansion, infrastructure is being erected all around the country that is disrupting natural activities. With linear infrastructure like roads and highways being built, natural migration routes and dispersal pathways for animals that have been pre-established for quite some time are being interrupted, and migration is becoming harder for species like the khulan. “This makes it harder to follow their movements,” she says, “due to the fragmentation of their journeys, as well as the disruption of their natural rhythms. The fieldwork was hard enough already, having to travel through extremely remote areas with no paved roads, no GPS collars on the animals to follow, and very harsh weather conditions, so these additional stresses can limit the ability to continue with our work. We have to adapt and adjust to these new threats to the species to be able to keep up our research.” She puts it down to a great deal of luck that she has been able to see the khulan every single time that she has traveled to the Gobi, much to the surprise and amazement

of the locals, who understand how hard the species is to track.

Another issue with the fieldwork is a sharp uptick in mining activity in the remote areas of the desert—both government-sanctioned and illegal. The Gobi is rich in valuable resources such as gold, copper, coal, silver, and even uranium. Within the last 20 years or so, Mongolia has become fixated on the economic benefit of mining since the discovery of the Oyu Tolgoi area, which yielded a huge amount of gold and copper upon its official opening as a mine. The mine was developed 10 years later by several huge mining corporations into what was, at one stage, ‘the biggest mining exploration project in the world’. There are international corporations spread out across Mongolia, including huge Canadian and French firms, and even smaller unregulated, illegal mining operations; all of which are forever altering the landscape of the desert. The increase in mining activity has led to an even steeper increase in

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan

MONGOLIA

linear infrastructural developments that lack the necessary wildlife safety features (e.g. wildlife crossings) as well as increasing the amount of fences in the desert due to the safety and legal boundaries of what will now be privately owned land. With so much changing, the future of Goviin Khulan and the khulan itself remain uncertain.

Fortunately, despite all odds, their population actually appears to be increasing. There are few natural predators in the Gobi—the gray wolf (Canis lupus) is the only predator that would actively hunt the khulan, as the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) does not share much of its range, keeping mostly to the most remote and high-altitude areas of the country. Between little predation and ample food sources due to their herbivorous diets being adaptable enough to be able to eat hardy desert plants, the khulan seems to be in a good position to maintain a healthy, large population within Mongolia. However, to ensure that this is the case, organizations like Goviin Khulan must keep up their diligent work to make sure the species’ needs are represented and understood.

Anne-Camille is equally optimistic that things

“WITH

RISING NUMBERS AND PROPER CARE, KHULANS HAVE A PROMISING FUTURE.”

are looking good—“the positive trends in the khulan’s numbers, along with the positivity I have received from the people I have worked with have convinced me that the species is looking to have a safe future, so long as the current viable population is cared for and the current threats affecting the species are addressed to help make this population functional in the long term.”

Her experiences in Mongolia have her adamant that its people are firmly pro-conservation and understand the delicate balance between humans and nature that needs to be upheld. It is fortunate

that Mongolian culture is rich in understanding and reverence of the natural world: as a nomadic tribe of people, animals are relied on in a number of ways, be it for food, warmth from clothes, and as insulation for traditional yurts made from shearing sheep and goats, using oxen and horses as pack animals, eagles for hunting, or dogs as livestock guardians. There is also a profound understanding of humanity’s place in nature that stems from centuries of living off of the land, and the outward expansion of urban living in the country is recent enough that Mongolia has not entirely forgotten its most important tenets. Having spent a great deal of time with nomadic Mongolians and monastic Buddhists, AnneCamille is grateful that such open-mindedness and understanding have made her job a lot easier in convincing these people of the importance of her work. As a teacher, she often mentions the Gobi and the khulan to her students, who are always fascinated. Recognizing the importance of involving the next generations, she is more than happy to tell them all about her work.

Beyond that, she thinks that focusing on this bond between humans and nature will help expand local economies and mindsets both—ecotourism

A waterhole made by khulans

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan

is an avenue that she has been exploring in recent years, having watched the country’s government encourage the idea more and more as populations the whole world over realize that ecotourism is a valid and sustainable source of local income, Anne-Camille has started a project within Goviin Khulan that lets enthusiastic tourists accompany her, alongside local experts, to witness the khulan and the other species of the Gobi first hand. Despite Covid-19 somewhat disrupting these plans and reducing interest in the last few years, she is optimistic that there will be an increase in interest over the next few years, as adventurous nature lovers search for more places to discover incredible, exotic ways of life. She intends to use the money gained through this venture to support her future conservation work in the Gobi and to empower other local communities engaged in wildlife conservation. She also believes

that in general, ecotourism would be “great for Mongolia, so long as it is managed correctly”.

The driving force behind Goviin Khulan is one that Anne-Camille believes in wholeheartedly: the idea that working together can bring change. She remains contagiously optimistic about the future of conservation projects such as her own and wishes to express that no matter who you are, you can help make a difference.

Group of khulans

Photo credits: Association Goviin Khulan

Hanna eDNA sampling

Photo credits: Aldahir Cervantes

Art and nature have always been intertwined, but Marie Griesmar is on a mission to revolutionize that relationship. Originally trained in fine arts, Marie co-founded rrreefs alongside an interdisciplinary group of friends, determined to restore the health of our oceans.

The rrreefs team is already making a global impact, with seven projects across three continents, and has won five awards. With that in mind, it’s easy to forget that rrreefs is a startup founded in 2020. These achievements are a testament to the unwavering dedication of Marie and her colleagues. Let’s dive into Marie’s journey from artist to conservationist and the captivating world of coral reef restoration.

Written by Cara Blackburn

MARIE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH RRREEFS, AND WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CORAL REEF RESTORATION INITIATIVES?

So, I’m completely obsessed with everything underwater and I have been a scuba diver since I was a kid. Observing the ocean has naturally always been very important to me, so it only makes sense that the underwater world has been a source of inspiration for my art.

The complexity and information in creating nature artifacts through ceramics initially drew me in, it seemed only natural to explore more complex sculpture forms in my work. Art and science are both about observation and fit together well. Around ten years ago, I envisioned my first underwater sculptures to host corals.

Octopus sitting in a rrreefs brick Photo credits: Angela Alegria

The design was informed by studies of natural coral reefs and the influence of the water flows. By studying naturally occurring corals, we could make suitable habitats for marine organisms while facilitating biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Eventually, after many failings and new learnings, in 2019 I created the first prototype for what would later become the rrreefs brick, ensuring it would fit into the ecology of the marinescape.

We use clay to build our reef structures, which is a natural material. I think that’s what makes us a little bit special and different from other organizations, who often use concrete and steel as a main material. We are also an interdisciplinary team, meaning we look at the loss of coral reefs from different angles. My co-founders Ulrike, Hanna, and Josephine, and I each bring our own unique skill set to the project. While I manage

the production of the reef systems, Ulrike takes the lead on the science and, research and development, Hanna runs the field operations and partnerships, and Josephine is responsible for overseeing business development.

HOW DID YOU COME TOGETHER WITH ULRIKE, HANNA, AND JOSEPHINE?

It’s a very nice story. We were all friends from different walks of life. I first met Ulrike at ETH University in Zurich. She was doing her postdoc and I was conducting research. We immediately recognized a shared passion for oceans and decided we should work together for the future of coral reefs. Once we decided to launch our project, Ulrike said: “I have a friend I’ve known for fifteen years, I’m sure she would be the best at helping us on our crazy adventure,” and that was Hanna. Alongside that, I told a friend about the project and he mentioned his girlfriend would be a perfect fit for the project, so that’s how Josephine came along. We became the four musketeers, embarking on this exciting journey together.

CAN YOU TELL US WHY IT’S CRUCIAL TO REBUILD CORAL REEFS?

Coral reefs are very fragile ecosystems. The corals we are looking at are mostly in the tropics and while it’s only a small area of our planet, it hosts a fourth of all marine life! It’s a crucial ecosystem that not only provides habitat for countless species but takes care of our land too. Reefs create natural barriers, retain the energy of the waves, and protect our coasts from hurricanes and typhoons.

WHAT ARE THE KEY THREATS TO THEIR HEALTH?

There are many different types of threats, both locally and globally. Sedimentation of the coast from construction projects can suffocate the reef, for example. Another problem is acidification, where too much CO2 in the water can cause an imbalance. Human activity such as overtourism,

oil spills, and heavy boat traffic can also be a major factor. It’s a big and diverse problem, from climate change to overfishing and pollution. In combination, these stress factors are causing our reefs to decline rapidly. If the water temperature is too high, for example, the coral releases a part of their tissue, eventually leaving it bare—a visible skeleton—which can easily be infested with parasites. The result is a loss of the coral’s structure, which is known as a coral bleaching event.

We need to analyze how resilient these ecosystems still are. If we determine a lack of resilience as a result of these stress factors, we can provide a structure to help restore that ecosystem, along with all the animals that depend on a healthy reef structure to breed and feed. This is where rrreefs comes in.

WHAT’S YOUR PROCESS OF CREATING ARTIFICIAL REEFS?

We use 3D printing—for a variety of reasons. One is that we can create the exact design to address the needs of a specific coral reef. Another would be so we use less material while optimizing the design. We also wanted to have multiple production areas, in case we learn that a design can be adjusted from one geological location to another, due to slightly different environmental conditions. With 3D printing, we can tweak it from our lab/office in Switzerland and then send it to production, rather than changing the entire process.

WHY ARE YOUR ARTIFICIAL REEFS A SOLUTION TO BIODIVERSITY LOSS IN OUR OCEANS?

We have designed our bricks specifically for baby corals to settle, hide, and grow. We look at what the corals and larger-scale ecosystems require.

When building our bricks we create a variety of shapes and geometrics, thereby a habitat for small cryptic animals, but also bigger fish and even turtles. At first, this system replaces the function of a reef without the coral itself. In time, with corals reproducing once or twice a year, the currents will bring a new generation of coral to our reefs, which then settle on the structure. Eventually, our structures will behave like a natural reef.

WHAT

IS YOUR

TAKE

ON FINDING A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO SAFEGUARD REEFS FROM ONGOING AND FUTURE THREATS?

While we can create an impact by building structures and addressing immediate needs, I want to stress that for longterm solutions, political actions need to occur to protect marine life as a whole. We are like a plaster, the immediate answer, the emergency solution—with the aim of building long-term reef resilience. We must embed what we do with other organizations and projects, creating a network of people who care for our ocean. We already work hand-in-hand with governments to ensure they work to protect their coasts, which helps to avoid further aggravation. We also carry out scientific research by monitoring the state of biodiversity and health of our reefs. We need to show how biodiversity can thrive when reefs are protected.

CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

OR STORY THAT HAS MOTIVATED YOU TO CONTINUE THIS WORK DESPITE THE CHALLENGES?

When we get pictures of baby corals that have settled on our reefs, it gives me so much hope. Every challenge we go through is worth it. Every six months or so we get footage of our reefs, showing the development. When we see life, fish, octopus, whatever it may be, and they’re thriving,

Community reef in Pujada Bay, Phillipines

Photos credits: Leila Tazi

rrreefs reef in San Andrés, Colombia

Photos credits: Leila Tazi

“Artworks

can create a bridge to make science more accessible and easier to understand. When I think of what we do with the reefs, we always want to talk about this issue on various platforms and art allows us to do that.”

Coral reefs are home to fish, octopuses and other animals

Photos credits: Leila Tazi

we feel like there is hope for nature. There have been difficult moments, like when there was an El Niño phenomenon in the Caribbean. We had welldeveloped corals in our structure when the water became too warm for too long and all the corals that were once thriving died. Yet at the same time, we had a new generation of coral settling and thriving on another structure. You’re confronted with this sort of duality all the time. Yes, there is destruction of life, but at the same time, there is always hope. It’s about finding a balance that gives us the energy to keep going.

YOUR FIRST REEF “EL CASTILLO” IS 3 YEARS OLD AS OF SEPTEMBER, CAN YOU TELL US HOW IT’S DOING NOW?

It’s doing great! We have corals covering the overall shape of the structure. Every time we put a reef in the water, no matter the location, the fish come and settle there right away—even within a day! From the initial pilot, we were able to ideate different versions of bricks and platform systems. It allowed us to understand how to make our reefs even more modular and resistant. We also adapted some monitoring methods over the years for our next reefs. After three months we can already observe a similar level of life to real reefs and it’s quite incredible. We are still analyzing the data from the third anniversary of our first reef, but it’s looking really good and is making us so happy. It has also sustained some rough weather conditions thus far. We learn every day how to better create and design the structure. It’s complicated work, but we love it.

ART IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE PROJECT. HOW DO YOU SEE THE ROLE OF ART IN RRREEFS, AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM INCORPORATING ART INTO THE PROJECT?

As an artist, I use different sources of inspiration to create, and with a background in ceramics, it felt only natural to add complexity and information to

the process of making artifacts for nature. Art and science in the end are both about observation. One is about realistic hypothesis, the other is about perception. Creating the rrreefs brick is a blend of art and science, from the reef shapes to the ecology. It helps encompass a more holistic understanding of their ecosystems.

Art is also important because you can connect with people from a very different place. If you aren’t acquainted with the science or you don’t understand the language, it can all be a little bit complicated. Artworks can create a bridge to make science more accessible and easier to understand. When I think of what we do with the reefs, we always want to talk about this issue on various platforms and art allows us to do that. We are able to exhibit our projects in various museums and institutions, creating a tangible dialogue where people are invited to ask questions. What is it? Is it design? Is it science? It can be all of it. It’s my medium and I get to talk about what I care about: the underwater world and water ecologies. I think it’s a way to get emotion out of people. It’s a dialogue tool.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE FUTURE OF CORAL REEF RESTORATION, AND WHAT ARE SOME KEY MILESTONES YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE RRREEFS PROJECT?

First of all, I wish that we wouldn’t even have to restore coral reefs. That our jobs weren’t needed. We have an internal goal, which is quite ambitious: we’re hoping to rebuild seven hundred kilometers of coastal reef. We want to create a system that’s easy to implement, so that eventually we can make it open-source, allowing more organizations, even governments, to participate in coral reef restoration. There are a lot of legalities required to ensure it’s implemented on its intended use— overall becoming open-source requires a lot of research and investment—but we’re hopeful that we can get there.

Staghorn coral starting to grow on the bricks

Photos credits: Leila Tazi

Photos credits: Leila Tazi

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT CORAL REEFS AND WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CONSERVATION?

It depends on your resources. If you have financial resources, I would advise you to support people who are already working in that area. If you have time, enroll in an organization that is working on reefs local to you. One thing you can always do is help raise awareness, use your voice to advocate for our oceans, and try to convince people to live more sustainably. Work to make sure that the

topics voted for in your local area are respectful of the ocean and the environment. That’s super important. If you’re of age, be sure to vote for the people who stand up for what you believe in!

Testing the rrreefs brick in the Maldives Photos credits: rrreefs

Coral reef restoration is a complex and crucial endeavor, an art form in itself that holds the key to the survival of our oceans. The health of coral reefs is intimately tied to all life on Earth, making the work of Marie Griesmar and the rrreefs team a beacon of hope for our planet’s future. By blending art and science, they are not only creating innovative solutions to a global issue but also inspiring a new generation of conservationists. There is a potential for groundbreaking change when nature and art unite.

Website www.rrreefs.com

Instagram @rrreefs

Facebook @rrreefs

LinkedIn @rrreefs

THE NORTH AMERICAN WOOD BISON

The North American wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) is one of North America’s largest and heaviest native ungulates. It is one of two subspecies of the American bison (Bison bison) with the plains bison (Bison bison bison) being the other. While the wood bison’s numbers have increased, it remains locally and functionally extinct in much of its historical range. Due to its nature as a keystone species, the absence of wood bison in many localities causes continual difficulties for species that rely on their ability to alter the landscape and shape local ecology.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HABITAT

Wood bison are the largest land mammals in North America. Adapted to cold climates, wood bison display distinct morphological traits that differentiate them from their close relatives (plains bison). They primarily inhabit wood meadow and forest ecosystems, favoring freshwater riparian zones year-round. Today, their range is mostly confined to northwestern Canada, with a small herd being recently reintroduced to Alaska.

Written by Thijs Montalvo

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

The wood bison holds deep cultural significance for many Indigenous North American communities. For example, the Alaskan Athabascan people maintain rich oral traditions detailing the historical importance of bison as a subsistence food source and their previous distribution across the landscape. As wood bison populations recover, they may once again serve as a vital resource for food security and sovereignty among tribes and communities.

ECOLOGICAL ROLE

Wood bison are widely regarded as a keystone species due to their profound impact on ecosystems. Their grazing behavior influences plant communities, creating a mosaic of microhabitats that enhance biodiversity. By selecting a variety of plant foods, they contribute to seed dispersal and nutrient cycling, shaping the landscape with their movements and rutting behavior. Their shed fur provides warm nesting material for other animals, further supporting

local wildlife. Unlike moose, elk, and caribou— browsers that feed primarily on woody plants— wood bison favor grasses and sedges, making their dietary habits complementary rather than competitive.

ENDANGERMENT HISTORY

The history of the wood bison closely mirrors that of its relative, the plains bison. Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands according to historical estimates, the population was devastated in the late 1800s by the North American fur trade. The species narrowly avoided extinction thanks to a combination of fortunate discoveries and dedicated conservation efforts. In 1957, a genetically pure herd of about 200 individuals was identified in Wood Buffalo National Park. Through careful breeding programs, the population has grown to approximately 8,500 wild individuals today with almost all residing in Canada. However, almost half of these individuals reside in populations with diseases (bovine tuberculosis brucellosis). While the species’ recovery is significant, it represents only a small fraction of the vast numbers that once roamed the forests of northwest North America.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Current conservation efforts within Canada and Alaska focus on management of the species against threats which include diseases, invasive species, severe weather events, habitat fragmentation, and a lack of public acceptance.

Canada has a species recovery plan that focuses on keeping diseased and non-diseased herds separate, increasing/maintaining genetic diversity, increasing wood bison habitat and connectivity, addressing key threats, and reducing human-wildlife conflict including its acceptance. Because of their large size and ability to shape the landscape, large herds are restricted to agreed-upon boundaries with stray bison often being relocated or hunted.

Within Alaska, one new wood bison herd has been established in the Lower Innoko river region within the last ten years, with two more herds planned. A herd within Minto Flats (a game refuge) is now being held in a holding area with release planned for next year.

Canada’s long-term vision is to:

“ENSURE THE EXISTENCE OF AT LEAST FIVE DISEASE-FREE, GENETICALLY DIVERSE, CONNECTED, SELF-SUSTAINING, FREE-RANGING

LOCAL POPULATIONS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THEIR ORIGINAL CANADIAN RANGE, WITH A MINIMUM SIZE FOR EACH LOCAL POPULATION OF 1,000 ANIMALS.”

SHORT LIST OF FACTS

• Species: Bison bison athabascae

• Genus: Bison

• Weight: bulls 840 kg, cows 475 kg

• Length: up to 2 meters in height

• Biogeographical Region: Northwestern Canada and Alaska

• IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened (Bison bison)

• IUCN Green Status Assessment: Critically Depleted

FROM SPAWN TO CLAMHATCHING A NEW GENERATION

The clams in the hatchery

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

Written by Serag Heiba

HEPCA, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, is by far the most visible environmental actor in Egypt’s Red Sea. I knew this before I arrived in Port Ghalib to visit their Tridacna clam hatchery (though the several USAID-sponsored billboards I passed along the highway were a good reminder of HEPCA’s reach). Theirs is simply a name that pops up in conversations about the Red Sea as though they are a part of its natural environment.

HEPCA was formed in 1992 after a concerted effort by several of Hurghada’s diving centers to protect coral reefs from the anchors of dive boats. Their solution was to install fifty mooring buoys across the most popular diving spots, and from this singular focus (which took several years to achieve) the NGO was born. Since then, HEPCA has installed over 900 buoys in what is the largest mooring system in the world. It has also launched many other projects, including solid waste management plants, public awareness initiatives, and conservation campaigns. The Tridacna hatchery I was visiting, the first of its

kind in Egypt and the wider region, is part of a marine research center launched in 2016. There I met Ahmed Amiin, a young marine biologist who oversees the hatchery.

The center is located at the northern edge of Port Ghalib and is a cluster of small buildings designed to appear ecologically and culturally congruent rather than high-tech. A stretch of sand separates it from the sea a few minutes’ walk away. It was quiet when I arrived, and the noon sun was made tolerable by a strong breeze. The only sound was the whirring of a large water pump.

Ahmed led me through a shady corridor of young trees to the hatchery. In shape and size, it appeared similar to a greenhouse and was likewise covered in a translucent tarp. Inside, more than twenty open-top tanks—the smallest filled with 300 liters of seawater—are divided into two groups along the length of the structure, with a shallow drainage channel separating them. On one side are the Tridacna hatchlings—“One mistake and they could die,” warned Ahmed—and

on the other side the older, less vulnerable clams. Tridacna are a genus of large saltwater clams, and the two species cultured in this hatchery (T. gigas and T. squamosa) are easily recognizable in the Red Sea by their brightly colored, psychedelic-looking mantles. Like corals, they rely on microalgae for food in a symbiotic relationship and contribute greatly to the healthy functioning of a reef ecosystem. For instance, their fleshy mantles are a food source for many predators and scavengers, while their hard shells of calcium carbonate provide substrate for smaller species to colonize. As filter feeders, they also play a crucial role in balancing the chemistry of surrounding waters and preventing eutrophication—the depletion of oxygen in coastal waters due to excess nutrients.

Where once these clams were abundant, however, Dr. Mahmoud Hanafy, one of Egypt’s foremost marine biologists and a scientific advisor to HEPCA, noticed their population declining in the Red Sea due to overfishing and poor fishing practices. In an effort to protect these valuable clams, the hatchery was launched in 2018.

It wasn’t until 2020, however, that they were able to successfully cultivate their first generation. That batch sits in a large rectangular tank in the corner of the hatchery, some of them as large as ten centimeters and all with vibrant blue mantles. HEPCA has already repopulated several parts of the coast with them, using divers to nestle the clams along the coral reefs. Clams from this hatchery have also been sold to aquariums abroad, which helps keep the project financially sustainable.

The hatchery is filled with containers full of seawater and clams in all stages of development

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

Crates full of clams await their final relocation to coral reefs in Egypt’s Red Sea

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

Another success of the project has been their ability to induce spawning inside the tanks of the hatchery. Tridacna begin their lives as microscopic spawn, and after fertilization, it takes five months before they are visible to the naked eye. Once that happens, they are very gently detached from the tanks’ surfaces and placed onto coral rocks sourced from the desert. These are in turn placed inside plastic crates that rest at the bottom of the tanks.

Ahmed begins his day by draining each tank until the water rests just above the crates. He then pours in a solution of water and algae to feed the clams. This nutritional mixture is kept on-site in a temperature- and light-controlled room inside repurposed plastic bottles. He then cleans out any excess algae and refills the tanks before conducting more checks, like making sure the water is properly aerated and that no rock is too crowded with clams.

“The benefit of pumping water directly from the sea,” Ahmed explains, “is that it ensures the correct pH, salinity, and water temperature resembling the clams’ natural environment—three fewer factors they would otherwise have to control.” The flip side, however, is that when their natural environment itself becomes less hospitable, the effects are echoed in the hatchery. “The success of Tridacna fertilization is affected by water temperature,” Ahmed continues, “and our most recent spawn was very poor, down from more than 100,000 to just 30,000. Last year’s scorching summer is likely to blame.”

For the clams that do survive, something exciting awaits them after their second birthday. Ahmed led me out the other end of the hatchery and over a sandy path in the direction of the beach. There, just beyond the hatchery, lies a deep fissure in the rock where clear, emerald-hued seawater surfaces eight meters beneath our feet.

It is a striking natural formation. Through the windtossed water you can see the rock extend down into the earth. The rock itself is layered, revealing glimpses of its past from millennia to just a few hours ago, where

A look into one of the containers in the hatchery

and

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

A solution

water

algae used to feed the clams

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

In Port Ghalib, a crowd of tourists has just spotted a

turtle in the marina

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

Fissures like these can be found perpendicular to the beach

Photo credits: Serag Heiba

the last high tide mark is seen. There are several of these fissures, all along the same perpendicular line from the beach. Plastic crates identical to the ones found inside the hatchery lay in the water beneath us, brimming with clams. Here, basking in sunlight, they await their final relocation to the watery world beyond, when HEPCA divers will find new homes for them among the sprawling coral reefs of Egypt’s Red Sea.

As for Ahmed, he hopes that this marine research center can do even more. He shows me a pilot project where they’ve attempted to nurse endangered reef fish, similar to what they’re doing with the Tridacna. Although it’s a much trickier process with fish than clams, he’s already deployed some 5,000 juveniles back into the water. There is also a large educational museum in the center, and Ahmed is anxious for it to officially open and for visitors to come learn about the Red Sea’s natural and cultural heritage. Ahmed only graduated from university a few years ago, but working with HEPCA has allowed him to measure the impact of his work through the generations of marine organisms he’s helped bring to life—and the entire Red Sea is better off for it.

SAMUEL COOPER STARGAZER

Instagram @sams.wild.adventures

Website www.samuelcooperphotography.com

Instagram @sams.wild.adventures

Website www.samuelcooperphotography.com

I have always known that I would spend my life working in the animal industry. That passion eventually developed into my love for marine conservation and wildlife photography. I enjoy the idea of creating stories through my photography to promote the beauty that the natural world has to offer. So often, we as humans lose our connection to nature and it is so important for people to rediscover the significance of loving and conserving the planet.

Spending time underwater, observing, and learning about species is something that I never take for granted. The ocean is my greatest passion, shown through the energy I have during my time immersed in the waves. The ocean fills me with inspiration, I feel at home, and it gives me a sense of hope, whenever I witness a beautiful moment—whether that be swimming with orcas, or finding a nudibranch hidden on the reef—that one day, the ocean and its inhabitants will be able to thrive on a healthy and rejuvenated planet.

For me, to really appreciate the place you are visiting, you need to immerse yourself in the local way of life. I love to get involved in projects that align with my passions and those that impact both the species of interest, as well as the local community who live and work there. My goal in life is to continue the pursuit of making a difference in this world through creating photographic stories and conservation work that will help to ensure the future of the natural world.

- Samuel Cooper

Instagram @sams.wild.adventures

Website www.samuelcooperphotography.com

PASALO Journalism Club Session

Photo credits: Lokal Lab

Post Typhoon Odette farming training with local farmers

Photo credits: Camille Robiou de Pont

PHILIPPINES

CASE STUDY FOR SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE ISLAND LOKAL LAB

When an island undergoes rapid tourism growth, what happens to the resident communities and what benefits do they see? Sadly, development and economic growth are rarely seen by the people living on the island, but they are, of course, impacted by the ecological harm caused by rapid development. Balancing sustainability and development is a major issue faced by communities all over the world, especially on small islands. Tourism and international investment create complicated situations that can often negatively impact nature and local communities.

Siargao Island, surfing capital of the Philippines and national park, has not been immune to these forces. Lokal Lab is one of the NGOs working to change this story. They started with the aim to connect farmers, food, and the environment. This goal evolved into a vision of a self-sustainable island empowered by the community—a model for what a sustainable island could be. We talk to Mark Pintucan and Iris Aroa, founders of Siargao-based NGO Lokal Lab, to understand in detail how Lokal Lab is working to support Siargao residents through sustainable development.

Written by Will Westwood

PHILIPPINES

YOU’VE HAD AN INTERESTING PATH THAT LED TO BECOMING AN NGO, COULD YOU SHARE HOW LOKAL LAB BEGAN?

Mark: We didn’t set out to start an NGO. Iris and I had just moved to Siargao’s north coast, away from the main tourist area in 2017. It was quiet and peaceful, but we were missing social spaces to spend time with friends. We decided to open up our own snack bar, but it was important to us that local people weren’t priced out. However, when we tried to buy local produce, we couldn’t find it. There was no infrastructure to purchase from local farms. We saw a problem and wanted to find a way to fix it.

Our first project was creating a market space for the farmers to sell. We quickly realized that this space could do even more. We planned to expand the marketplace to artisans, and create

a community space where the kids could gather, and skills, knowledge and support could be shared. So we renovated this old townhouse, the ground floor being a market, and the upstairs being a community space. We commissioned artists from all around the Philippines to come and paint the building and at the same time, they painted the town as well, which left a great Instagrammable effect. Suddenly the building became a landmark—the old structure with beautiful paintings on it. Once we had completed the space, we set guidelines to ensure fairness in the community and to promote sustainable practices.

Iris: Our main guidelines were that the people should use no pesticides, no chemicals, and no single-use plastic. Those are the core guidelines if you want to sell in our market. Later on, we banned middlemen, because suddenly we

Building creative skills as part of the community-building project

Photo credits: Lokal Lab

Involving and educating the next generation

Photo credits: Lokal Lab

PHILIPPINES

Murals to remind the people about traditional farming practices

were exposed to people that were buying from farmers and wanted to sell to us. We truly wanted to avoid the middleman to keep the profits with the farmers as much as possible. After two years of running the market, we wanted to continue to expand our activities and funding, so in 2019 we formally registered as an NGO.

LOKAL LAB HAS FOUR CO-FOUNDERS AND MANY DIFFERENT PROJECTS. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE COMPLEX STRUCTURE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Mark: We try to have a horizontal hierarchy in the organization. As a Swiss person, I’m not from here and I really want us to make decisions together, to co-create this NGO together both within the NGO and with community partners. It’s a very difficult task, especially at times because community partners are more used to somebody making all the decisions for them, and they are less familiar with a collaborative approach. So we

try to always maintain that horizontal structure where we talk together and we’re debating on what needs to be done.

Sometimes we can be passionate about it all and it becomes a bit difficult, but we have been doing this for seven years now, and it works. We know each other well and are aware of our individual strengths, so we know the areas where we can rely on another team member to take the lead there. We only formally created the organization’s current structure after the COVID pandemic and a major earthquake caused a lot of damage to the island, and we needed to take stock of the organization and what we needed to do.

Our goals are to provide nature-based education, expand sustainable livelihoods, and promote intercultural dialogue between visitors and residents. To achieve these we founded our three core causes: the Tropical Knowledge Academy, our community-building projects, and the Hub. The

Photo credits: Lokal Lab

PHILIPPINES

Tropical Academy is about building sustainability and developing skills, our community building consists of youth clubs and artisans and The Hub is there to raise funds. It’s too much for one person but we know we can always rely on each other to get all the jobs done.

SPEAKING OF LOKAL LAB’S PROJECTS, YOU’VE SET OUT A RANGE OF GOALS TO IMPROVE ON KEY ISSUES, ONE OF THEM BEING UPSKILLING RESIDENTS WHO DON’T HAVE GOOD ACCESS TO TRAINING. HOW DO YOU DEVELOP COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL SETS?

Mark: The Tropical Academy is our main focus for training. It is a vocational center to build skill sets that are nature-based and tailored to the local environment, aiming to improve opportunities and build a community of eco-citizens. Tropical Academy started when we noticed that there were a lot of young people who were unable to go to the university or to leave the island, and

therefore didn’t have good access to training and education. That’s why we set up a vocational school, the Tropical Academy. Even if they don’t have the resources to go out to get higher education in the traditional sense, then they could still develop money-earning skills.

Iris: We have three main programs: farming, construction, and tourism. These courses were chosen as they represent the most common industries on the island—these industries are large employers for people on the island. There are jobs producing food, building structures, or working in hospitality businesses. Unfortunately, when we first started, we found a lot of the businesses would bring in people from outside the island. So in a sense, neither the business nor the employees were local. Therefore, nobody from Siargao is really benefiting from the rise in tourism. We want to help equip the local community with the skills that will help them take advantage of the development of their own community and the growth of tourism.

Lokal Tabo Burgos

Photo credits: Edoardo Zobel

PHILIPPINES

COULD YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF A PARTICULAR SUCCESS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY-BUILDING PROJECTS?

Mark: We have a bunch! So for example, Pasalo is a journalism club that we started during the pandemic with the intention of building skills in creative thinking, curiosity, and fact-checking. We started that club with just four to five kids, having journalist mentors coming in and inspiring the kids. Of those who took part, none of them had the funds to be able to go to university. But through the club one of our donors sponsored a student, Garlette, for a full scholarship in whatever field she wanted. Now she’s studying psychology at one of the best universities in the country, and she has her equipment, monthly salary, food, and accommodation all included, and donated by that sponsor. The club has continued to be successful and motivated a lot of kids to be interested in new opportunities and get some experience. From just those enthusiastic five, I think the club has now grown to about 100 students, so that’s a huge improvement considering our start.

ONE OF THE BIG PROJECTS FOR LOKAL LAB IS THE HUB, WHICH HOSTS EVENTS, WORKSHOPS AND TOURS, COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT IT?

Iris: The Hub is the term we use for the physical spaces the NGO hosts, but it also covers our fundraising activities. Within “The Hub” we now have two locations, the original location of the snack bar and farmers marketplace, and then the second in the main tourist town where we have a cafe, another market, and also run tourism activities like workshops and tours. We run a cooking class and a traditional weaving class, which raises money we then put back into the programs. We also host community events that we see as more of a cultural exchange, acting as a platform that directly links tourists and residents.

The community events are mostly rooted in culture or design, showcasing the community. And of course, all our events are also free for the

neighbors and the local community. Most recently, we had Design Week Philippines, which we hosted last October. These events help the community reach the bigger tourism market. But it isn’t only events. For example, the farmers market makes partnerships with a lot of tourist restaurants to sell their locally grown produce. The overarching goal we’re trying to reach is to create a foundation of sustainability in the community—through buying local, putting money back into the economy, and supporting eco-friendly products/produce.

“WE TRULY WANTED TO AVOID THE MIDDLEMAN TO KEEP THE PROFITS WITH THE FARMERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.”

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE NATURE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT/FARMING STAYS THE PRIORITY, INSTEAD OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND DEMAND?

Mark: That’s a good question. How are we going to do that? The Tropical Academy is going to be the core element of embedding that in the long term, by being an educational center that’s focused on tropical settings. Our courses on the Ihayas farming model (small-scale sustainable farming techniques) and sustainable construction practices focus on teaching practical skills that are applicable to Siargao’s climate. The academy focuses on nature-based solutions and knowledge of how to develop sustainability; we’re hoping that this project is going to stay forever.

On the other side, we’re creating a fourth branch in the NGO, Sustainable Futures. Its purpose is advocacy in local and national politics, to bring more decision-making to the people it impacts. For example, we’re starting with the municipality of San Ysidro, working to be on the board of their

PHILIPPINES

development council and advising on more sustainable ways to develop the city. It is still in its early stages but we are making progress quickly.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT FOCUS OF LOKAL LAB? ARE THERE ANY PROJECTS IN THE WORKS THAT YOU COULD TELL US ABOUT?

Mark: For the next two years Sustainable Futures is going to be starting but the main focus is the Tropical Academy. We really want it to run independently of the NGO, which we’re now actively working on. We’ve gained funding from the UN for developing new modules and we are partnering with the Department of Agriculture to train 500 farmers next year.

Murals and paintings in town, such as on the walls of

Iris: In fact, we’re the first nature-based vocational school in the Philippines, it’s an accolade we’re very proud of. But we want to develop it further, in the next stage we’re changing to a paid model, by introducing course fees, where the profits go back to developing sustainable solutions, the farmers or the knowledge sharing. We are searching for outside investors to help subsidize the course fee, so hopefully the students will only be paying a small fee to access that technical education.

the Navarro Store

Photo credits: Lokal Lab

Thanks to Lokal Lab’s initiative, the town is now brightly colored with murals like these

ON YOUR WEBSITE,

SAYS YOU ENVISION

THE NGO DISAPPEARING. COULD YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT VISION? WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE AFTERWARD?

Mark: The intention was to try to avoid becoming something that people rely on. We always aimed to start by assisting and then to kick-start this project making the island self-sufficient because the NGO cannot be there forever.

Ideally, we dream of an island that doesn’t need us anymore. The model is designed for the communities to start taking the lead on what they need and in a sustainable way. For example, the school (Tropical Academy) is one part that will be staying, fully run by local people.

The NGO started with this goal in mind. Later, we started considering replicating the project by moving Lokal Lab to another island dealing with

over-tourism in the Philippines and rebuilding it again—and why not in another country? But it’s important that it is not just replicated but focused on specific solutions that work in that area. The main question is, ‘How did we do what we’re doing here?’ And how do we do it somewhere else? Rather than letting it grow and grow, we want to restart somewhere else.

WHAT CAN INDIVIDUALS READING THIS DO TO SUPPORT LOKAL LAB?

Mark: We are very open to receiving support. There are many ways people can support us. One thing we are always looking for is help adding to our knowledge of sustainability. We’re an open platform, and we would love for people to share their knowledge with us. Especially in tropical settings, if you have knowledge to share on permaculture and regenerative farming, we would benefit from hearing from you.

Fostering creativity in local children

Photo credits: Lokal Lab

THROUGH THE LENS OF A CONSERVATIONIST

KENYA

Warren Samuels: Wildlife enthusiast, filmmaker, animal behavior expert, tracker—all attempts to describe the Emmy-nominated cameraman, yet they still fall short. We get to know him as an animated, colorful and incredibly passionate storyteller. Warren’s love for the art of filmmaking and capturing the behavior of wildlife is unmatched, even after decades of success with wildlife documentaries such as “Big Cat Diaries” or his latest series: “Serengeti”.

Get ready to dive into Warren’s world and be inspired by his incredible stories, told from his perspective.

Written by: Patrizia Baldi

KENYA

THE MAKING OF A STORYTELLER

I grew up on a coffee farm in Kenya and my greatest passion has always been wildlife. Daily walks along the large permanent river that flowed through our farm and watching crocodiles, hippos and birds was fascinating to me. These sorts of experiences sparked an interest early on and inspired me immensely. Although he was a hunter and not necessarily a conservationist, my grandfather would also tell me all of his amazing stories about interactions with animals and safaris that he went on in some of the remotest areas of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Sitting at the dinner table I would listen to him for hours and hours, and it was then that I decided I wanted to lead a life of adventure—just like he did.

Once I finished school, I went to South Africa, where I was recommended to apply for a job at the Londolozi Game Reserve, a private game reserve bordering the famous Kruger National Park. I started as a guide and did that for a couple of years, but I kept thinking there was more I wanted to do. I really wanted to contribute to wildlife conservation in a more positive way.

John Varty, one of the owners of Londolozi, was filming and producing wildlife documentaries at the time. I was amazed by how his films, with a combination of great imagery and music, were able to capture the audience’s attention. I thought I’d like to try something like that. I bought myself a little video camera, which I started carrying around on my game drives, to film wildlife behaviors, actions and sounds. Before having dinner with my clients every evening, I’d quickly replay it on my TV screen to see what I’d filmed. I soon realized that this gave me great pleasure.

Photo credit: Brennan Rapaport

KENYA

FIRST STEPS OF THE FILMMAKING JOURNEY

After some time working at Londolozi, I was promoted to the General Manager position. However, it had become more of an administrative office job. When I realized I didn’t want to lose touch with the wildlife side, my partner Heather and I decided to go back to Kenya to set up our own safari operation. John contacted us around that time to ask us if we would be keen to get into the wildlife film industry and work for him as part of Londolozi Productions. Of course, we said yes, we thought that would be fantastic! We embarked on our first journey to the Maasai Mara in 1988—my wife was 4 months pregnant at the time. It was a whole new adventure for us. With it being one of the greatest wildlife places in the world, the Mara seemed like the obvious choice. John gave us about two weeks of really intense training in South Africa, during which we learned how to use the Arriflex film cameras, and understand the basics of exposure, composition, sequence building, and so on. Back in Kenya, we bought everything we needed; tents, cars, cameras, etc.

Soon it was time to start filming! Back then, you had to record sound separately from film, so while I was doing the filming, Heather was recording the sounds and doing all the driving. We had a roof hatch with a camera mount, which meant that I spent a lot of time up there looking for our subjects and filming them, but also giving Heather directions of where to go. This turned out to be a real test of our marriage, because she did at times have trouble telling apart her left from her right… Jokingly, I suggested painting a big L on her left hand and an R on her right so she could reference this whenever necessary, and react quickly.

A group of topi during sunrise

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

I remember the first time we were going to capture a hunt of two male cheetahs. I was so excited. This was it! Adrenaline was coursing through my veins. As we were getting closer to the cheetahs and the wildebeest, I shouted “Go, go go!”, but instead of going around a small puddle on the bush track, Heather drove right through it and we got stuck! As I watched the cheetahs get further and further away I was starting to despair, thinking that we were going to miss the whole hunt! Thankfully somebody got us out of the puddle, and we did manage to catch up with the cheetahs. I’m thinking this is it now, I got the camera set on high speed, everything was ready. But as I finally began recording and the cheetahs started running, I heard a suspicious noise. Flat battery. I couldn’t believe it! Now it was definitely both our faults that we missed our first hunt. It was just one of those basic learning curves. In

filmmaking, you do not go out without charging all of your batteries! You have to pay attention to detail. It’s like flying an airplane, you’ve got to do all your checks and make sure you have got everything, before you go out. So, hard lesson learned. Anyway, our marriage survived all our early frustrations and mistakes, and that was the most important thing!

CAPTURING HUNTS AND OTHER ADVENTURES

I also worked with a local guy, named Lakakeny who was a Maasai, high cheekbones, handsome looking, very tall and skinny, and with a great sense of humor. He played a really important role as my spotter. We would often go out looking for cheetahs together. Lakakeny’s eyesight was legendary. Growing up as a herd boy, he was used to looking for things in the distance, and

Male leopard

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

KENYA

knew how to differentiate prey from predators by their different profiles. I remember this one time, whilst parked on top of a hill looking for a cheetah mum with cubs, he spotted 13 different cheetahs in all different directions. He was incredible.

Those early days were a lot of fun. We continued filming, and got some amazing footage of thousands of wildebeest and zebras crossing the flooded Mara River, and some wonderful scenes with lion and cheetah cubs, playing with their mums. Once Heather was six months pregnant with our first son, and couldn’t comfortably drive

Warren operating a camera mounted onto a vehicle

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

able to get some amazing shots. I do remember filming my very first cheetah hunt a few months in. The cheetah was chasing a Thomson’s gazelle, and I managed to get the action from start to end. It was the most incredible chase and lasted for about 400 meters. The cheetah managed to trip the gazelle and then grab hold of its throat. I shot it all at 75 frames a second, so it could be played back in slow motion. I knew we had something amazing. But, in direct contrast to the digital cameras now, we couldn’t just play back the film and watch it immediately. I had to immerse my two hands into a black bag and take the film

the car anymore, Moses, another local, continued to do the driving for me. From then on, we would go out as a team, the two Maasai guys and myself. We spent the years right up until 1995 making 11 documentaries based in the Maasai Mara. All of these experiences really boosted my journey and passion for filmmaking.

The wonderful thing about the Maasai Mara back then was that we had the luxury of spending a lot of time following cheetahs on our own. There were a lot less tourists than today, so we were

very gently out of the magazine without exposing the negative, pack it into the film can, wrap it up, tape up the film, and then send it to South Africa, where it was finally developed. It took about 3 weeks before I eventually heard back from John. He congratulated us and told us that we had managed to capture the most amazing sequence and the best cheetah hunt that he had ever seen! I was over the moon!

We were also able to film some of the biggest crocodiles we’d ever seen hunting zebras and

“THE ANIMALS DECIDE ON THEIR OWN TIME WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO BE ACTIVE. THEY ARE THE ONES WRITING THE SCRIPT.”

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

KENYA

wildebeests crossing the Mara River. Once there were 21 Thomson’s gazelles about to jump into the river, and all the crocodiles were lined up, waiting. They had seen the gazelles approaching—it was all about to go down. The first gazelle jumped in, the next one followed, and then of course the whole flotilla of deadly reptiles started to move. As they swam across, you could see the crocodiles turning and heading straight for the gazelles like a series of torpedoes fired from a submarine. Probably three or four got out, the rest were all taken. This was the most incredible sight of crocodile predation I’d ever seen!

One of the documentaries I worked on in the past, was a series called “Wildlife on One”, which was very popular in the UK, and narrated by David Attenborough. I filmed a program on warthogs called ‘Hogging the Limelight’ and the one sequence that really stood out for me was the warthog birth. It was only the second time warthogs had been filmed giving birth underground. We went down to Eswatini to a well-known wildlife conservancy to film the event. It took us three weeks just to build the set that consisted of both a natural and an artificial burrow. We built a trench in between them where I sat with my camera. We knew there were two sows that were going to give birth soon, so it was all about sitting and waiting.

Cheetah on the lookout

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

KENYA

They’d come in, roll around, leave again, and we were thinking, when is it going to happen? We were spending a lot of money staying there. Time was running out and we were getting desperate. We even called experts on wild boars in Germany to get information about early birthing signs of pigs. Finally, during the last week at about three o’clock in the morning, we managed to film the birth. The most incredible sequence! These tiny little piglets popping out, shivering in the cold, looking so very cute, but also so vulnerable, and then climbing onto their mom’s stomach for protection and warmth. Experiencing this made it all worth it.

40 or 50 of us. We had three cameramen focused on the three big cats; leopard, cheetah, and lion. Then we had presenters, in-car cameramen, producers, as well as a number of spotters. I was labeled ‘the cheetah guy’—or the long lens guy. I loved being part of my big cats’ team. The cheetahs were really active, kept us on our toes all the time, and when we’d get back at the end of the day, we usually had some amazing footage to show for it!

The first cheetah I started working with on Big Cat Diary was called Amber. I had an interaction with her and her cubs before, whilst filming for

PAGES OUT OF THE “BIG CAT DIARY”

During my time filming in Kenya, I got talking to cameramen from the UK. They got to know me and saw that I was good at working with cheetahs, so I received a call in 1998 to collaborate on the “Big Cat Diary”. I was the most junior cameraman on the project. There were all these other cameramen who had been doing their job for 15, 20 years, so I was very intimidated by the whole thing, especially as it was my first time away from film cameras and shooting on new high-tech video cameras!

The whole crew lived together in the Mara for eight weeks. It was just incredible to get to know and interact with all of these creatives and I remember it was a lot of fun and hard work at the same time. I was part of a big crew—I think there were about

another program. Fortunately, we were following and filming her when she disappeared into a small, forested ravine. When we relocated her, she was doing cartwheels in the air to free herself from a wire snare that was very quickly strangling her. We were able to cut her free from the snare wrapped around her neck just in time before she would have choked to death. It was one of the most incredible experiences to be able to save this animal. It’s amazing how attached I got to her and her cubs during these eight weeks of filming. Because we were spending all this time with them, we started to feel like they had become family. That was really special.

PASSION AND INSPIRATION BEHIND CAPTURING WILDLIFE

I think what really excites me about wildlife

filmmaking is animal behavior. Spending many hours watching animals I get to see things a lot of people never would—some really amazing, rare events. To have the luxury of somebody paying me to spend all my time sitting with a mother cheetah and her cubs or a pride of lions is mind-blowing to me. And then being able to capture that on film and build a story around it, makes it even better!

My goodness, I spent many, many hours out there in nature. Sometimes there is a lot of waiting involved. The animals decide on their own time when they are going to be active. They are the ones writing the script. As a wildlife cameraman, you just have to be ready to capture the action when it happens. As I began to understand the animals more and more, it gave me the ability to read their body language, and by doing that, I was able to anticipate what an animal was going to do. Being at the right place at the right time really helped me get some amazing sequences. But at the same time, it’s important to remember that with filming you can have your good and bad days, just like with any other job.

What keeps me inspired and wanting to keep going during these moments are definitely the reactions of other people to my craft. While I was filming “Big Cat Diary”, I remember my cousin calling me one day and telling me that his son Matthew, who was 6 years old at the time, knew every single animal and character in the series. Every time it came on, that boy would be glued to the TV, and so were millions of other kids. That’s why we make these films. If I can inspire some of these kids to become wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists and filmmakers, then what an amazing outcome.

THE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARIES

I think filmmaking is one of the best ways of creating awareness about nature and wildlife conservation. It allows people to understand the animals and connect with them. Unfortunately, a number of broadcasters are moving away from natural history and focusing more on reality TV programs, because they feel like that’s where they are getting the bigger audiences. We need to reverse that trend. We need to change audiences’ perceptions to make them more excited about nature. How we do that is something we need to address, not just to save the industry, but to save our planet! Of course, you want to get the conservation message across, although I think you have to be a bit subtle when it comes to educating the viewers. We’ve got to keep them entertained with great imagery and engaging storytelling. I would say that the combination of the two is the key to success.

KENYA

Jackhal and her young

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

Lioness sisterhood

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

Elephant herd being led by the Matriarchs first daughter

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

KENYA

I recently finished a series called Serengeti, which was a revelation for me. A very different way of making films, but it worked extremely well. We created a wildlife drama as opposed to a documentary. Although we still captured the natural behavior and didn’t distort any of the science and facts, we did embellish the story a little bit and underlined it with great music. Yes, from the documentaries you can learn a lot, but we wanted to try a different approach. Serengeti managed to reach a huge audience. So many people loved watching the series, they immersed themselves in the drama with all of the interacting characters, from mongoose to warthog, to leopard and hyena. Now they’ve developed an interest, a passion for wildlife— and that is how it starts. I believe that once that foundation has been laid, people are more likely to stand up for nature and take greater care of it.

Even though it’s not the easiest time for wildlife documentaries right now, I think it’s our responsibility as filmmakers to continue promoting the need to protect the wild places and animals of our planet. We need to teach the significance of sustainability, so this knowledge can be passed on to the next generation. Wildlife filmmaking is a very powerful tool to communicate conservation and awareness, so it’s really important that we maintain it and promote it as much as we can.

There are currently a lot of young guides here in Kenya, who are knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife. Not only are these attributes making them great guides, but these are also the basics of getting into wildlife filmmaking. Once they have acquired a good understanding of the behavior and biology of animals, as well as the composition, exposure, etc. in stills photography, then they can move on to filmmaking. But even if they don’t become wildlife filmmakers, wildlife photography is a great option as well. I encourage guides to

“IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS FILMMAKERS TO CONTINUE PROMOTING THE NEED TO PROTECT THE WILD PLACES AND ANIMALS OF OUR PLANET.”

Male lion

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

Zebra stallion fight

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

take photographs and share them on Instagram or YouTube. If you want to communicate about wildlife conservation, that’s a wonderful way to do it! The better imagery you have, the more people you’re going to be able to reach—and teach. Using social media provides a unique opportunity. Rather than relying on networks and TV programs that may be in a depressed state right now, platforms like YouTube are not only easily accessible but in my opinion the way to go. Social media is the way to go.

PAYING THE WAY FORWARD

When it comes to my own future, I’m currently in the process of moving away from the filming side towards our business (Wild Vision Adventures) that we founded in 2008, which essentially involves taking people on safaris, and teaching them how to use their stills or phone cameras. Over a ten-day period, they

Leopardess

Photo credits: Warren Samuels

KENYA

learn everything they need to know about how to take really good photos. All of us inherently have a sense of creativity within us. Give people the right tools to become creative, whether they are doctors, accountants or artisans, and they’ll be able to capture some amazing imagery of their own! So yes, I see myself doing more of these specialized photographic tours, where I can also use my experience from being a field guide taking people on game drives in the early days. An interesting backstory can open up a whole new world, so it’s all about sharing information on wildlife and getting people excited about what they’re seeing. Expanding their knowledge allows them to gain a deeper understanding of how, for example, elephants are connected to their natural surroundings and other wildlife within their ecosystem. This will undoubtedly make the guests better observers and therefore better photographers.

“AN INTERESTING BACKSTORY CAN OPEN UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD, SO IT’S ALL ABOUT SHARING INFORMATION ON WILDLIFE AND GETTING PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THEY’RE SEEING.”

I would also like to involve more wildlife guides throughout Africa in photography and filmmaking. If they are eager to learn, I’d love to teach them. I will probably also start setting up my own YouTube channel, where I will be teaching people how to improve their photography skills and shoot better videos. I have over 45 years of experience in wildlife behavior and operating all sorts of cameras, both for film and stills. I want others to benefit from that. It would be a shame to sit here and let it all go to waste, wouldn’t it? That’s why it’s important for me to give something back.

Website www.wildvisionadventures.com

Instagram

@wildlifewarren2025

Email warren@wildvisionadventures.com

LinkedIn @warren-samuels

Facebook

@warren.samuels.96

WILDLIFE AT RISK: The Hidden Dangers of Social

Media and AI Trends

Social media has proven to be a powerful tool for raising awareness, sharing stories, and inspiring hope. Yet, it also harbors a darker side—one that threatens the very creatures it seeks to celebrate. Wildlife selﬁes, staged rescues, and even “cute” AI-generated videos are adding to existing pressure on species. It's time to uncover the truth behind these trends and their impact on wildlife.

WILDLIFE PHOTO MOMENTS

As tourism has ﬂourished, so too have opportunities to encounter wildlife in exotic settings. From safaris in India to bear-watching in the forests of Finland, nature is more accessible than ever. But in many places, these encounters have morphed into a disturbing trend: photos together with wildlife.

In these situations, animals are often taken from their natural habitats and, in some cases, separated from their families.

Refrain from touching, petting, or posing with a wild animal. They are drugged and forced into unnatural positions for photos.

With the rise of social media, wildlife selﬁes have become increasingly common, perpetuating the false notion that such exploitation is harmless and even normal. This, in turn, fuels greater demand for these practices.

STAGED ANIMAL RESCUES

Staged rescue videos follow this outline:

A dangerous situation where a healthy animal is deliberately put at risk

A "hero" who just happens to be passing by steps in to release and save the animal

They proceed to ask for shares, likes and donations

These fabricated rescues may go viral, racking up millions of views and likes, but behind the superﬁcial attention lies a disturbing truth. Such videos exploit human compassion for proﬁt, while the animals involved are subjected to unnecessary stress and harm.

Avoid direct interaction with wildlife at all costs. Observe them in their natural environments, free and undisturbed by humans.

@tigerguy245 look at this #cuddlytiger

What can you do?

As a conscious online consumer, question the authenticity of videos, consider the source, and report any content that could be misleading or harmful

THE COST OF AI

Alongside the disastrous effects on AI generated videos on social media, AI tools also use energy and water resources heavily.

AI servers produce a lot of heat, so water is used to cool them down and keep them running.

In recent years, generative AI has made it easier than ever to create hyper-realistic content, including fake wildlife rescue videos. These AI-generated clips often mimic the drama of real rescues, yet they are completely fabricated.

For example, videos of a young polar bear being rescued in the Arctic and returned to its mother have circulated online. While these scenes are far from realistic, they gain signiﬁcant traction, overshadowing real conservation efforts that struggle to get similar attention or funding.

The best approach is to verify sources of hyper-realistic wildlife content and support organizations that focus on authentic wildlife conservation and stories.

AI content can desensitize viewers to emergencies and undermine trust in actual conservation efforts.

Ways to spot AI

See for yourself

Scan the QR code for an AI generated rescue video and see the difference for yourself.

A Google search: 0.3 watt-hours

A ChatGPT query: 2.9 watt-hours

Watch the faces

The animal typically stays the same, but the human may switch clothes or even faces throughout the video.

Count the ﬁngers

AI often adds more than ﬁve! Limbs also tend to get blurry and distorted.

Humanized animals

Wild animals acting unusually human, such as dancing, jumping with joy or cuddling humans.

USING AI AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GOOD

Fortunately, not all social media and AI-generated content is harmful to wildlife conservation. Many individuals and projects are using these platforms to promote accurate and valuable messages. Additionally, AI is playing a signiﬁcant role in conservation. Machine learning has revolutionized the processing and analysis of camera trap imagery, reducing the need for human intervention.

AI also enhances the ability to predict and reduce risks to wildlife populations, such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conﬂicts, allowing conservationists to implement targeted and more effective interventions. These are just a few examples of how AI is being used for the greater good of wildlife preservation.

Written by Manon Verijdt and Jana Rogers

The Nakawe Project

The Nakawe Project highlights the importance of portraying wildlife in ways that inspire respect and stewardship. Their #KeepBajaWild campaign aims to raise awareness and respect for wildlife while supporting conservation initiatives in the region.

Project CETI

Project CETI uses advanced machine learning and state-of-the-art robotics to listen to sperm whales—and translate their communication. This way, they hope to learn more about interspecies communications and use this knowledge to connect us humans to for example sperm whales.

By 2030, AI is projected to consume as much electricity as the entire country of France every year.

ECUADOR

GARDENERS OF THE FOREST MOVEMENT OF LIFE

The Andes mountain range in South America is home to the tapir, one of the oldest animal species on earth. Often referred to as the ‘Gardener of the forest’ due to their natural ability to promote biodiversity, the tapir is considered to be an umbrella species around which the surrounding ecosystems thrive.

Perhaps the most elusive of the tapir subspecies is the mountain tapir. With their woolly coat and rounded bear-like ears, the mountain tapir favors the high altitudes of the paramos and cloud forests making the resident populations notoriously hard to monitor. Reports have indicated that the number of mountain tapirs in their home ranges has fallen below 2500 individuals, as the direct result of habitat loss and encroachment of human development on the wildlife corridors that they rely upon to move across their territories.

At the forefront of the efforts to conserve the mountain tapir is Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi, Research Physiologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Dr. Budhan currently leads a pioneering research team in two of the national parks in the Andes, monitoring resident mountain tapir populations; the hope is that the data collected on these wild individuals will help safeguard this enigmatic subspecies from falling further into decline.

Written by Faith Millward

A mountain tapir in its natural habitat

Photo credits: Erika Hemenway

ECUADOR

DR. BUDHAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR CURRENT CONSERVATION PROGRESS; PERHAPS YOU COULD START BY EXPLAINING A LITTLE ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN TAPIR PROJECT IN ECUADOR?

Yes, of course. We are currently working in Ecuador in two national parks (Cayambe Coca National Park and Llanganates National Park) and our main work revolves around assessing the state of mountain tapir populations. To do so, we capture and collar animals with a GPS, collect biological samples, and record morphometry (external observations like shape and size; specifically anatomical characters). Lastly, health assessments are conducted to determine the health of individual animals.

As we know relatively little about this subspecies, GPS collaring permits us to understand their habitat usage patterns in various landscapes and analyze the potential for tapir-human or tapirlivestock conflict; information that could also help with the future design of corridors to establish habitat connectivity. Biological samples such as blood and serum permit us to assess the genetic health of animals and population structure, whereas fecal samples help us to understand more about their diet and intestinal parasites. Additionally, morphometry helps us to generate baseline information on wild mountain tapir to estimate the age and sex of the animal from sight. Lastly, health assessments are routinely conducted to determine the health status of captured animals. A thorough physical exam is performed focusing on body temperature, respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, eyes and cardiac function, dentition, and reproductive status via ultrasonography.

Tapir project team

Photo credits: Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi

ECUADOR

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MOUNTAIN TAPIRS?

Tapirs are evolutionarily prehistoric, and they have survived several extinction cycles. Despite their prehensile nose, they are related to horses and rhinos. Tapirs are the largest native species in the Andes and are considered an umbrella species for conservation efforts as their protection supports the entire ecosystem around them. The mountain tapir is highly adapted to highaltitude ecosystems and could serve as a sentinel species for understanding the impacts of climate change. Additionally, they play a significant role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems—as they are herbivores, they are excellent seed dispersers. However, amongst the four species of tapirs, three (Baird’s, Malayan, and Mountain) are

listed as endangered with extinction by the IUCN Red List. Major threats to their survival include habitat destruction, exposure to domestic animal diseases, loss of wildlife corridors, and low levels of poaching.

TAPIRS ARE UNIVERSALLY CONSIDERED ‘GARDENERS OF THE FOREST’ DUE TO THEIR ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE ON THE HEALTH OF THEIR HABITATS, IN PARTICULAR AS PROLIFIC SEED DISPERSERS. WHAT WOULD THE ECOSYSTEMS LOOK LIKE WITHOUT MOUNTAIN TAPIRS IN THEIR HOME RANGES?

Fruits and seed pods form a significant portion of a tapir’s diet. Most seeds are excreted undamaged and since tapirs traverse their habitat extensively, this allows efficient dispersal of seeds. Tapirs may

Mountain tapir team at a school outreach event

Photo credits: Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi

ECUADOR

also defecate in water, and as a result, seeds may be transported even farther. Without tapirs, the forest composition will likely change over time. Fewer saplings will be present, forests may become less dense and diverse. These changes would alter the ecosystem of extant forests, and habitats might change, impacting insects, birds, and mammals who rely on the current habitat for their survival.

AT PRESENT, WHAT IS THE CURRENT ESTIMATE OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE WILD POPULATIONS ACCORDING TO MONITORING DATA?

The current estimate is that there are 2,500 mountain tapirs left in the wild, distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. We are excited to share that we often see female tapirs with a calf. Although we do not pursue any tapirs with a young calf to prevent separation, we did capture a pregnant female in the field season. These

observations suggest that the extant population of wild mountain tapirs in Llanganates National Park currently does not experience compromised reproduction.

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST THREATS CURRENTLY FACING WILD POPULATIONS?

The biggest threat is habitat fragmentation and destruction, but mining and water harvesting also threaten this species. In certain areas, the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming is increasingly imposing more stress on wild tapirs and their habitats. To a lesser extent, tapirs in

ECUADOR

the wild are also being impacted by increasing numbers of stray dogs within national parks and in the buffer areas.

THE MONITORING AND TRACKING OF MOUNTAIN TAPIRS IS CONSIDERED KEY TO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS OF THE PROJECT. WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR LOCATING AND COLLARING INDIVIDUALS?

Mountain tapirs are highly specialized herbivores. They inhabit montane forests, ‘paramos’ (or highaltitude grasslands), and cloud forests. They occur within 2,000-4,000 meters above sea level. Animals also use most water features present in their habitat. Generating new knowledge on habitat usage patterns (especially within their home ranges), activity patterns during day and night, habitat preferences, conflict with humans and livestock, and how often animals cross highways, supports the development of conservation action plans and strategies. Additionally, it contributes to the study of climate change’s impact on mountain tapir habitat and survival in the wild. The GPS collars used to track the animals also permit us to determine the altitudes these animals use and when they seek out specific areas of their home range. It also improves our understanding of the wild tapirs’ social structure and behaviors (such as if they are solitary or if multiple individuals

stay together if males seek females or females seek males). These are just a few examples of the information we can collect using these advanced tracking devices.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST INTERESTING DATA FOUND THROUGH TRACKING AND MONITORING?

We are still analyzing the data. However, we have determined the rough home range size of mountain tapirs in these landscapes is 21 km2. We have also seen evidence of a male and female coming together and staying together for an extended period, possibly for courtship and breeding. Most animals we have captured and collared reside deep inside the national park. Therefore, we haven’t yet identified cases of animals crossing major highways in these two national parks. But we have documented at least one case wherein the animal frequented a lake close to a large local community. We have also documented poaching activities including the deployment of snares and the killing of two tapirs that were part of our GPS tracking study.

The risks imposed by the broad-scale use of pesticides, changing landscapes, and interactions with domestic livestock could impact their overall health and well-being. We are currently evaluating the transmission of diseases from livestock to

“TAPIRS ARE EVOLUTIONARILY PREHISTORIC, AND THEY HAVE SURVIVED SEVERAL EXTINCTION CYCLES. DESPITE THEIR PREHENSILE NOSE, THEY ARE RELATED TO HORSES AND RHINOS.”

Mountain tapir habitat

Photo credits: Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi

ECUADOR

wild mountain tapirs. For this, we collect serum from captured animals and submit these samples to veterinary diagnostic laboratories to examine previous exposure to pathogens that cause disease in livestock species. Some of these pathogens could lead to chronic illnesses, unthrifty body conditions, and in some cases compromised reproductive output. We also intend to analyze serum samples for the presence or absence of pollutants/ pesticides/heavy metals. At this time, we do not have sufficient data to prove that environmental pollutants are compromising reproduction in wild mountain tapirs.

HOW DOES THE ENGAGEMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES PLAY A FACTOR IN YOUR CONSERVATION WORK?

When we are in the country for animal captures, we regularly visit local schools (elementary, middle, and high) to share information about biodiversity preservation, the importance of tapirs, threats to tapir survival, and the efforts underway to save this charismatic species; we also encourage students to spread the message via their social media network.

For example, during a recent visit to Baquerizo Moreno, the community leadership organized a grand celebration involving local residents, students, and others. This involved festivities on the street with music and traditional dancers. We concluded the celebrations with an informational lecture to the public. This event was well attended and participants engaged in extensive conversations about the conservation of the mountain tapir.

Another great example can be found with our local women’s soccer team. Our local wildlife biologist Edgar Martinez is also the coach of this team, so we sponsored new soccer jerseys with tapir images. We renamed the team—Team Tapir. We also designed a trophy and medals to be handed out to the winners of the annual tournament, and we also installed a large banner with an image of the mountain tapir and conservation messages in the indoor arena where these games are held. Further, we commissioned multiple large wall arts on major intersections showcasing the mountain tapir in its landscape. All this helps to increase awareness in the communities and elevate the profile of mountain tapirs in the region. But, we are also exploring options to launch a new project to be led by these women— so they can become personally involved. Specifically, they would install

“THE BIGGEST THREAT IS HABITAT FRAGMENTATION AND DESTRUCTION, BUT MINING AND WATER HARVESTING ALSO THREATEN THIS SPECIES.”

ECUADOR

“EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PREVENT THE EXTINCTION OF THIS CHARISMATIC SPECIES IN THE WILD. TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THESE EFFORTS SHOULD INVOLVE BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES.”

camera traps within the national park and collect novel data on species diversity within this park. We are in the process of raising the funds needed to launch this important community-led project.

IF THE WILD POPULATION OF MOUNTAIN TAPIRS CONTINUES TO DECREASE IN NUMBERS AND GENETIC VIABILITY, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR CONSERVING THE SPECIES AND PREVENTING IT FROM BECOMING EXTINCT?

First of all, it is important to draft country-wide policies and practices that reverse habitat loss and fragmentation. The protection of remaining animals in the wild should be our primary focus. Every effort should be made to prevent the extinction of this charismatic species in the wild. To be successful, these efforts should involve both the government and local communities.

Parallel to the conservation efforts in the wild, establishing a self-sustaining population in human care (either in the range country or elsewhere) could serve as a hedge against extinction of the mountain tapirs.

SO, HOW MANY ANIMALS ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN ZOOS?

Currently, there are only five (two in Colombia and three in the United States) mountain tapirs in

human care globally. Of these, there is a single wild-caught male, whilst all other mountain tapirs kept in human care are born in zoos and inbred. We also suspect that some communities may keep orphaned tapir calves as pets. Unless a detailed survey of most communities is conducted, it might be impossible to determine the total number of animals in human care.

FROM BOTH A GENETIC FEASIBILITY AND A LONGER-TERM CONSERVATION POINT OF VIEW, WHAT WOULD BE THE SOLUTION TO BOLSTERING CURRENT MOUNTAIN TAPIR NUMBERS IN HUMAN CARE TO ENSURE THAT THE SPECIES IS SAFEGUARDED FROM EXTINCTION?

Except for a single male mountain tapir, all known individuals in zoos are of post-reproductive age. Several years ago, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Tapir Taxon Advisory Group determined that the probability of maintaining a self-sustaining population of mountain tapirs in the United States was near zero without import of several reproductive-age animals from range countries.

If additional wild-caught or orphaned animals are found, zoos in South America and the US may be able to establish an ‘insurance’ population for this species. However, the logistics of obtaining these animals, permitting requirements, and government-imposed regulations might make these efforts challenging. Establishing an ex-situ (conservation) population in Ecuador could be a first step, which can be accomplished by caring for orphaned tapir calves or via the confiscation of animals from local communities. Animals could be bred in these facilities and returned to the wild, to re-populate areas where mountain tapirs once lived, or to augment the remaining wild populations, provided there is no risk of disease transmission from ex-situ animals to wild mountain tapirs.

THANK YOU FOR TELLING US MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK, DR. BUDHAN. LASTLY, WHAT ARE YOUR PRIMARY GOALS FOR 2025?

Although our team has been studying the mountain tapirs in Ecuador since 2016, we believe there is still a lot more to learn about this species. Working in collaboration with the Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transición Ecológica, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABio), the Andean Bear Foundation, and our various United Statesbased partners, we are planning to conduct camera trapping surveys within Llanganates National Park to assess the extant biodiversity and monitor for the presence of stray dogs. Further, we plan to complete a reference genome for this species, generate new information on the mountain tapir diet via analysis of plant DNA in fecal samples, and train women from local communities in wildlife monitoring techniques. Alongside that, we have also started collaborating with zoos and conservationists in the other two home range countries, Colombia and Peru to better understand and address conservation threats in those regions.

Website www.movementoflife.si.edu/species/tapir

Tapir in a riverbed

Photo credits: Rodrigo Ascanta

Myloplus sauron

Photo credits: Valéria Machado

NEW TO NATURE

REDISCOVERING A SPECIES FROM THE AMAZON:

MYLOPLUS SAURON

Among the 2,500 identified fish species in the Amazon River is one with fiery markings and a lineage tied to the infamous piranha that has been identified from scientific obscurity. Myloplus sauron, a new species of pacu, carries a name as striking as its appearance.

Written by Marc Kranendonk

AMAZON RIVER BASIN

DISCOVERY

The story of M. sauron’s discovery begins nearly two hundred years ago, when researchers discovered its relative, Myloplus schomburgkii, during an expedition to the Amazon in 1841. At the time, the fish was cataloged as a new species, noted for its flat teeth and vegetarian diet.

Fast forward to the present, a team of scientists belonging to Neotropical Ichthyology (the official journal of the Brazilian Society of Ichthyology) were conducting a genetic analysis on a population of M. schomburgkii and made an incredible discovery. The single species turned out to be three different fish altogether. Through modern testing techniques like DNA sequencing, the researchers were able to identify subtle differences in genetic material. But it doesn’t stop there. All three species have physical traits with minor but consistent variations. M. sauron has a unique number of vertebrae and dorsal fin rays, and the female specimens’ bottom fins are arranged differently. These fine distinctions in traits were ultimately enough to separate the species from its relatives and earn its new identity.

CHARACTERISTICS

M. sauron is a pacu, a close relative to the piranha. While its cousin is known for its razor-sharp teeth and ravaging carnivorous diet, pacus like M. sauron are remarkably different. M. sauron is a peaceful vegetarian fish, relying on its flat, human-like teeth to crush seeds and vegetation. Its distinctive markings and striking color set the fish apart even more. The bold black line streaking across M. sauron’s body is recognizably similar to that of the Eye of Sauron, which of course is a reference to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. On top of that, its fiery orange color—seen on its bottom fin and at times near its eyes—likens to that same fiery rim that surrounds the all-seeing burning pupil from Peter Jackson’s film adaptation.

Aesthetics aside, M. sauron also plays a critical ecological role in its murky home, the Amazon River. Like other pacus, its teeth and diet contribute to seed dispersal, which is vital to maintaining the health of the river and rainforest ecosystem.

These fish are frugivorous, meaning they feed on fruits and seeds that fall into the water or grow along riverbanks. The seeds that pass through the digestive system intact are often surrounded by nutrient-rich feces, providing a favorable microenvironment for germination and seedling growth. Due to pacus traveling long distances in rivers, lakes, and flooded forests, they excrete in different locations. This not only expands the range of plant species and the forest, but it helps prevent diseases from spreading easily.

WHY THIS FINDING MATTERS

The discovery of Myloplus sauron is more than just identifying another fish in the Amazon River. It reminds us that we still have so much to learn and understand about the complex and rich tapestry of species within this habitat.

M. sauron is one of many animals in the Amazon that greatly contributes to its ecosystem, and one

Myloplus sauron

Photo credits: Mark Sabaj

that is fragile to human-influenced factors such as deforestation and climate change. Discovering this pacu gives conservationists a better understanding of the web of life that sustains the Amazon River and its surroundings. To quote Matthew Kolmann, assistant biology professor at the University of Louisville:

Member of the Genus: Myloplus

Habitat: Freshwater, Amazon River Basin

Size: Typically 30–40 centimeters (12–16 inches) in length

Diet: Herbivorous; primarily seeds and vegetation

Biogeographical Region: Xingu River, Amazon River Basin

While this pacu’s name might carry an ominous reputation, its story is an exemplary reminder to protect the Amazon and its remarkable wealth of life for future generations.

Common Name: Sauron pacu

“WE RUN THE VERY REAL RISK OF LOSING THOUSANDS, IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SPECIES BEFORE WE KNOW THEY EVEN EXIST, AND BY PROXY, NOT EVER UNDERSTANDING HOW THESE SPECIES CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHY FUNCTIONING ECOSYSTEM. INVENTORYING WHAT SPECIES ARE FOUND WHERE, AND WHEN, IS THE FIRST STEP IN ANY FUTURE CONSERVATION EFFORT.”

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/13/science/newpiranha-pacu-species-sauron-amazon-scn/index.html

COLOFON

DIRECTOR

Manon Verijdt

ART DIRECTOR

Arina van Londen

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Vincent Seydoux

Arina van Londen

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER

Tobias van Krieken

ILLUSTRATOR

Stefán Pétursson

Renée Balsters

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Tobias van Krieken

Joosje Heringa

Nathan Turnbull

Thijs Montalvo

Patrizia Baldi

Marc Kranendonk

Cara Blackburn

Will Westwood

Katy Ellis

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joosje Heringa

Santiago Fioretti

CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EDITION

Serag Heiba, Samuel Cooper, Anne-Camille Souris, Warren Samuels, Marie Griesmar, Iris Aroa

Mark Pintucan, Faith Millward, Valéria Machado Dr. Budhan Pukhazhenthi, Jana Rogers and thanks to all contributing photographers! CONTACT DETAILS UBUNTU