WLT News - Autumn 2015

WLT_news_0815_Layout 1 19/08/2015 14:12 Page 2

WLTnews ISSUE No. 50 AUTUMN 2015

Inside this issue...

• Saving forests in the sky in Ecuador

• 1-15 October All donations matched

Saving habitats Saving species since 1989 Sponsored by

www.worldlandtrust.org

WLT_news_0815_Layout 1 19/08/2015 14:12 Page 3

www.worldlandtrust.org

2

Big Match Fortnight 2013 RAISED: One Million Pounds for land protection in Malaysian Borneo, providing a lifeline for Orang-utans

Big Match Fortnight 2014 RAISED: £500,000 to ensure habitat and protection for big cats including Tiger, Jaguar and Puma

Big Match Fortnight 1 - 15 October 2015: aiming to raise £500,000 to complete the Forests in the Sky Corridor in Ecuador Target to raise: £500,000 Land to save: minimum 2,000 acres

Ecuador

Ecuador

(more than 800 hectares)

Partner: Fundación EcoMinga Securing a corridor between Los Llanganates and Sangay National Parks Situated in the transition zone between the Andes and the Amazon in the province of Tungurahua, the corridor links to areas already purchased and protected by Fundación EcoMinga, with support from WLT, particularly Cerro Candelaria and Naturetrek Reserves.

Species to be saved

World Land Trust Blyth House, Bridge Street Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8AB, UK Tel: 01986 874422 Fax: 01986 874425 Email: info@worldlandtrust.org Registered Charity 1001291

Project area aiming to complete the corridor connecting Los Llanganates and Sangay National Parks Platystele species (world's smallest orchid) and new species of trees such as Blakea attenboroughii, a tree discovered by Lou Jost of Fundación EcoMinga and named for Sir David Attenborough (see opposite).

The land purchase will expand the range of a huge number of mammals including: Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir, Puma and several species of monkey. Birds include a full range of eastern Andean species including Black-and-chestnut Eagle and Giant Antpitta.

Big Match Fortnight: 1-15 October 2015 All donations will be matched pound for pound A message from Steve Backshall

“

During Big Match Fortnight 2015 WLT is pushing out the boat to raise half a million pounds to save a fabulous corridor of cloud forest in Ecuador.

If we are successful we will be able to create the Forests in the Sky Corridor between Llanganates and Sangay National Parks. By making your donation between 1-15 October your money will go twice as far, thanks to generous match funders.

You will be helping save some of the finest forest on Earth and providing a future for wildlife such as Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir, Woolly Monkey, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, and many endemic frogs. Forests are becoming increasingly fragmented and must be joined up. I’m backing this project and I hope you will too. Very many thanks.

“

Big Match Fortnight 2015 will save cloud forest for threatened and endangered birds and mammals such as the Blackand-chestnut Eagle and Spectacled Bear, as well as a myriad of tiny reptiles and amphibians, many still waiting to be discovered

This is a rich centre for plant endemism and a unique location for orchids, including new species of the orchid genus Teagueia. Also known to contain other rare and poorly known orchid species including

Los Llanganates NP Fundación Ecominga reserve area Sangay NP

WLT_news_0815_Layout 1 19/08/2015 14:12 Page 4

3

Big Match Fortnight 2015 Aiming to create the Forests in the Sky Corridor between Llanganates and Sangay National Parks in Ecuador Llanganates comprises 542,908 acres (219,715 hectares) Sangay comprises 1,280,000 acres (518,016 hectares) Lou Jost, of Fundación EcoMinga, presents Sir David Attenborough with a newly discovered species of tree found in reserve

April 2015: Margay returned to the safety of Cerro Candelaria Reserve

Wildlife rangers funded through WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme assisted in the release of a Margay near Cerro Candelaria reserve in Ecuador, earlier this year.

The Margay had killed and eaten more than a dozen chickens and many guinea pigs from local farms. Instead of shooting it, the local farmers asked the Ministry of the Environment to trap and remove the animal.

Fausto Recalde, Keeper of the Wild in Cerro Candelaria Reserve, filmed the release on behalf of Fundación EcoMinga.

EcoMinga staff were involved in the site selection (by invitation of the Ministry of Environment), and were the guides to the release site.

To watch the release of the Margay go to WLT’s YouTube channel Photo credits: Cover: WLT/Ruth Canning (Stream running through Naturetrek Reserve), Luis Recalde, (Black-andchestnut Eagle), Lou Jost (Spectacled Bear), Tropical Herping.com (frog Osteocephalus buckleyi); Page2: Steve Backshall; Page 3: Francesco Rocca (Margay, trail cam), Ellie Kurttz (Sir David and Lou Jost), Lou Jost (orchids); Back page: Lou Jost (hummingbird), Luis Recalde (Spectacled Bear).

At a World Land Trust event in 2008, Lou Jost of Fundación EcoMinga presented Sir David Attenborough with the photograph of a flower of a tree species new to science which was named for him.

Blakea attenboroughii is a beautiful tree with magnificent bright blue flowers that has now been formally described and published in the

Proceedings of the Californian Academy of Science.

The discovery was made in November 2007 when Lou Jost was walking in the newly created Cerro Candelaria Reserve.

He was taking Andy Orchard from WLT corporate supporter Puro Fairtrade Coffee to visit the newly created nature reserve at Cerro Candelaria in Ecuador, which Puro helped fund.

John Burton, WLT CEO commented, "Ever since the scientific naming of species commenced it has been used to honour great contributions to biology. In this case everyone involved agreed that Sir David's contribution to scientific knowledge of animal and plant life is second to none.”

Land protection in Ecuador will uncover species new to science

Species of Teagueia orchid, new to science, discovered by Lou Jost

One of the most spectacular plant radiations in South America was uncovered at Fundación EcoMinga’s Cerro Candelaria Reserve: an explosion of speciation in the Teagueia orchid genus. Originally only six species of this genus were known worldwide, however 28 new species to science have been discovered on four neighbouring mountains in the Upper Pastaza Watershed; 16 of which were found in Cerro Candelaria.

DNA analysis (from University of

Florida, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Ohio State University) shows that all these new species evolved locally, and are not closely related to the previously known species in the genus. This species radiation is thought to be the densest and richest localised plant radiation in South America and far more dramatic than the famous species radiations Darwin discovered in the Galapagos Islands. Lou Jost cannot wait to explore the new area which will be purchased for conservation by this appeal.

WLT_news_0815_Layout 1 19/08/2015 14:12 Page 1

www.worldlandtrust.org

Big Match Fortnight 2015

WLT Autumn events Controversial Conservation

Saving precious forest and priceless species in Ecuador

8 October:

Hosted by Chris Packham with guest panel Debate: Does burning ivory save elephants?

Destroying ivory stockpiles may seem a positive action and it certainly creates discussion and awareness. But the burning of these stockpiles may be artificially driving up the price. Our panel will debate their views and also suggest alternatives that may or may not save elephants from extinction. Come and have your say.

Puya bromeliad visited by a Great Sapphirewing hummingbird, on the páramo of Volcan Chiles, Ecuador and known to occur in the Forests in the Sky Corridor. This photograph was taken by Lou Jost in the fading evening light The Great Sapphirewing is one of the largest species of hummingbird; it has a relatively slow wing beat. Males are greenish-teal with mostly blue wings.

Females are green above, cinnamon below and have blue on the upper wing. Both

males and females have forked tails. They inhabit upper Andes cloud forest, forest edges, elfin forest, shrubby slopes, and grassy areas in the páramo.

Spectacled Bears are present in the EcoMinga reserve and they have been seen several times by Luis Recalde, one of the reserve wardens funded through WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme. Lou Jost says:

“

Big Match Fortnight: Please help us raise £500,000 to complete and protect a wildlife corridor between Llanganates and Sangay National Parks - pristine cloud forest in Ecuador. All donations matched between 1-15 October, 2015

“

Spectacled Bear, photographed by Luis Recalde, WLT-funded Keeper of the Wild with Fundación EcoMinga

The first time I saw a Spectacled Bear in the forest it literally fell out of a tree from fright when it saw me! The second time, several years later, the bear paid no attention at all, and I was able to approach closely and take as many photos as I wanted.

When ranger Luis first saw the bear in this image he realised he had left his camera at home, an hour’s walk from the spot. He ran home, then went back up the mountain with his camera, and the bear was still there, eating Clusia (balsam apple) fruits!

Venue:

The Great Hall on the Strand, King’s College, London

Time:

Doors open 6.15pm, debate starts at 7.30 (Pay bar)

Tickets: £25, £10 students Available online: www.worldlandtrust.org Or call WLT to purchase tickets over the phone: 01986 874422

Crickets and Bats 23 October:

An evening with David Gower and Simon Barnes

Reflecting on a lifetime's passion for sport David entertains his audiences with his laid back humour and amusing anecdotes. He has a passion for wildlife, resulting from his childhood in Africa. Simon Barnes is a sports writer and wildlife lover who has visited several WLT project areas. He and David will discuss sporting highlights and fascinating wildlife encounters.

Venue:

The Cut in Halesworth, Suffolk. Part of Halesworth Arts Festival Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £15, £40 including champagne reception with David and Simon after the event (limited number only) Available from: www.halesworthartsfestival.org.uk/ Or phone 01986 874264, leave a message with your requirements, name and number and your call will be returned.

WHAT IS THE ‘MATCH POT’?

John Burton, WLT CEO, explains: “For the past three years, a small group of WLT donors (made up of individuals and corporate support) have offered to match funds raised for a specific appeal. The purpose is not only to help get to the target as quickly as possible, but also to help spread the word about what WLT is capable of achieving.”

Designed by www.wearedrab.co.uk

Follow World Land Trust on social media