WLT News Spring 2016

WLTnews ISSUE No. 52 SPRING 2016

Inside this issue...

• Update: Forests in the Sky Appeal

• Help us create the Olympic Forest Reserve, Brazil

• Saving Orang-utans in Borneo • New opportunity in Patagonia • Keepers of the Wild: a dangerous job

Saving habitats Saving species since 1989 Sponsored by

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Forests in the Sky Appeal

Special Appeal

Aiming to raise £500,000

WE ARE NEARLY THERE! Amount raised: 29 February £425,000 We need to raise £75,000 to complete the Forests in the Sky corridor in Ecuador Will you help us reach our target?

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

Ecuador Los Llanganates NP Fundación Ecominga reserve area Sangay NP

Steve Backshall has backed us throughout this appeal

“

The Forests in the Sky Appeal is very close to my heart. I love Ecuador, its forests and its wildlife and the WLT’s journey to help their Ecuadorian conservation partner protect critical parcels of cloud forests is truly inspiring.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this wonderful challenge. The corridor is already taking shape and we just need to go that extra step to secure the properties that are so vital. I can’t wait to hear from WLT that the total half a million has been raised. Thank you again for all your help, you’ve been wonderful.

“

The Forests in the Sky Appeal is saving cloud forest for threatened and endangered mammals and birds such as the Blackand-chestnut Eagle, and Spectacled Bear, as well as myriads of tiny reptiles and amphibians, many waiting to be discovered.

Thanks to donations to the appeal up to the end of 2015, Fundación EcoMinga has been able to purchase 2,545 acres (1,030 hectares) of forest between the National Parks of Sangay and Llanganates in central Ecuador.

The purchases protect a strip of forest all the way from the high peaks of Los Llanganates (altitude 3,400 metres above sea level) down to the north bank of the Rio Pastaza.

At the Rio Pastaza they meet EcoMinga’s existing reserves of Naturetrek and Cerro Candelaria. These two reserves extend (with a few minor gaps) up to the high alpine grassland of Sangay National Park at 3,860 metres above sea level.

Land in the corridor has been purchased and protected within just a few weeks of the funds being raised and we are delighted that Fundación EcoMinga has been able to act so swiftly and successfully.

Steve Backshall Naturalist, TV presenter and writer

Ecuador

Project area to complete a corridor connecting Llanganates and Sangay National Parks

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Back to the Forests in the Sky for this Spectacled Bear Wildlife protected by Fundación EcoMinga in Ecuador

Special Appeal

Keepers of the Wild working for Fundación EcoMinga carry the Spectacled Bear into the forest ready for its release

Successful reintroduction in Rίo Zuñac Reserve This bear’s journey back to the wild began when a farmer found it sick and apparently dying. It was taken to Ecuador’s Ministry of the Environment for urgent medical attention; the bear was then moved to an animal rescue centre near Volcán Cotopaxi.

At the centre, wildlife expert Sebastian Kohn nursed it back to health while keeping it in isolation, to ensure that the bear did not come to associate humans with food.

When Cotopaxi volcano began to erupt after a 138-year slumber, it was deemed that the bear was well enough to be released into Rio Zuñac at the ministry’s request.

EcoMinga rangers, funded by WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme, assisted with the release. Ranger Luis Recalde, was the lead stretcher bearer, helping carry the sedated bear to its new home.

While the bear was under sedation, staff of the Ministry of Environment fitted

Trail camera screen shot

a radio transmitter to track its movements.

After being carried to the release site, the bear woke up and ambled off into the forest, to the delight of the assembled crew.

Spectacled Bears (Tremarctos ornatus) are wide ranging and require vast tracts of forest to roam in. Their habitat is threatened by the destruction and fragmentation throughout most of their range and it is heartening that the Forests in the Sky is a safe haven.

Forests in the Sky Appeal Target: £500,000 Still to raise: £75,000 (end February)

Mother and young Mountain Tapir. Captured by trail cam in the Chamana river valley near the town of Baños, now connecting them with other populations within the region. Mountain Tapirs are keystone species of the high Andes and are the most endangered mammal found in the Forests in the Sky corridor. You can view the video on the WLT YouTube channel

Great progress has been made in securing vital parcels of land within the corridor but there is still land to be saved. We must permanently protect continuous habitat for Mountain Tapir, Spectacled Bear and woolly monkeys.

Lou Jost calls these threatened species, the ‘customers’ for the corridor. He says “We’ll do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for these large mammals to move across the valley so that they can find new horizons and keep genetic diversity high.”

See donation form enclosed or donate online:

www.worldlandtrust.org

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Saving the Atlantic Forest of Brazil Launch of new appeal to create the Olympic Forest Reserve

Special Appeal

Help us turn the Paloma Coelho property into the Olympic Forest Reserve. Only seven per cent remains of the Atlantic Forest

Common Potoo nesting at REGUA Report from Nicholas Locke, Project Co-ordinator, REGUA The Common or Grey Potoo (Nyctibeus griseus), above, is one of the most iconic birds found in the REGUA Reserve. It perches upright during daytime, motionless with its eyes closed, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible.

Its Portuguese name, “Mae da Lua” translates to “mother of the moon”, and its melancholic wails at night take on mystical significance that ancient cultures held to be a bad omen.

The Common Potoo photographed has nested for the second time in REGUA in a crevice of a dead tree where it doesn’t need to make a nest in order to lay its egg.

The egg successfully hatched resulting in a fluffy mini potoo. The mother looked after it magnificently and its growth was recorded by a series of photographs taken by REGUA volunteer, Sue Healey.

The above image shows the white juvenile feathers and the brown feathers that are starting to emerge giving it that camouflaged appearance.

Potoos are nocturnal and feed on insects. They are monogamous, staying with one partner throughout their lives.

Description of the area: Located within the Guapiaçu watershed, the Paloma Coelho property is an important section of the forested Tres Picôs National Park still in private hands. WLT is fundraising to purchase this parcel of land during the year of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; it will be called the Olympic Forest Reserve.

The natural rainforests contain a healthy composition of trees and palms with sub canopy and the forest floor in very good condition. The property also protects a stream that feeds the Guapiaçu River.

Evidence of hunting indicates the presence of large animal species, and it is clearly an excellent site for birds.

Geographical coordinates: The area can be located on Google Earth by using the coordinates: 23K 0727547 & 7506420 Biodiversity value: The remaining seven per cent of Atlantic Forest is today a mere shadow of its past. But despite so little forest remaining, what is left contains extraordinary biodiversity and endemic species, many of which are threatened with extinction. Approximately 40 per cent of its vascular plants and up 60 per cent of its vertebrates are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world.

Minas Gerais State

Rio de Janeiro State

Brazil

Nova Friburgo Teresópolis Petrópolis

Macaé

Cabo Frio

Rio de Janeiro

Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) project area Species diversity at REGUA: Recent studies show that 38 of the 69 severely endangered mammal species of Brazil are found in the Atlantic Forest, 118 of the 160 endangered bird species, 13 of the 20 endangered reptile species and all of the 16 endangered amphibian species.

Olympic Forest Reserve Appeal Target:

£40,000

We hope to reach this target by the end of the Olympic Games, on 21 August 2016. Please help us in our Olympian effort See donation form enclosed or donate online:

www.worldlandtrust.org

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Borneo Rainforest Appeal

D

COMPLETE

Special Appeal

One Million pounds raised for Orang-utans and their rainforest neighbours in Sabah Land purchase almost complete

The Borneo Rainforest Appeal was launched to save riverine properties on the north bank of the Kinabatangan River, to create the Keruak Wildlife Corridor One Million pounds was raised thanks to the wonderful generosity of donors to our Borneo Rainforest Appeal. And exciting news is that the purchase of the final privately owned plot in the first phase of Keruak Corridor is currently being negotiated by our partner, Hutan.

Once secure, this plot will complete an unbroken corridor of forest properties along the north bank of the Kinabatangan River between Keruak Virgin Jungle Reserve and Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

This was WLT’s dream when the Trust launched the Appeal for Big Match Fortnight in 2013.

Snaking through rainforests that are rapidly being cut down to make way for oil palm plantations, Keruak Corridor is a lifeline for Bornean Orang-utans, as well as Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkey and many other threatened and endemic species.

Adult Orang-utans range over large distances, up to three kilometres a day.

Protecting Keruak Corridor will allow these large, charismatic mammals to range freely, removing the threat of persecution by plantation workers, and ensuring individual animals do not become isolated from one another.

Borneo’s Pygmy Elephants are genetically distinct from Asian elephants and have been isolated from them for at least 18,000 years. The largest single population of Pygmy Elephants (150-200 animals) can be found in the Kinabatangan floodplain.

They regularly bathe in the river

Wildlife Wardens protect the Wildlife Sanctuary As the negotiations for the purchase of the final parcel are under way Hutan’s team are working hard in the field with the support of WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme.

Berjaya Elahan, pictured right with his camera, is a member of a team of Honorary Wildlife Wardens in the village of Sukau. His post is funded through Keepers of the Wild. The Sukau warden team is supported by Hutan and Sabah Wildlife Department in a pioneering collaboration that recognises the need to empower the Kinabatangan community in the protection and management of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

In the course of his work, Berjaya

patrols the sanctuary, checking for illegal activities (mainly logging and poaching). He records wildlife he sees and works with communities, inspiring local people to protect the rainforest and look at other conservation initiatives.

Support Keepers of the Wild 2020 Please help us protect the reserve by funding Berjaya and the work of Keepers of the Wild See donation form enclosed or donate online:

www.worldlandtrust.org

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News from the Ranch of Hopes (Estancia La Esperanza) and a new opportunity to save more Patagonian steppe

North American students are benefiting from a biodiversity conservation programme at La Esperanza Wildlife Refuge, which is owned and managed

by WLT’s partner Fundación Patagonia Natural (FPN).

Thanks to WLT’s funding, in 2000 FPN purchased La Esperanza (The Ranch of Hopes) Wildlife Refuge.

Adrián Rodríguez, a ranger funded by WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme, photographed below is one of the course tutors. He inspires the students with his intimate knowledge of the Patagonian steppe and the species found there.

During their 10 day course in November, 10 American students studied Patagonian wildlife and flora, conservation, desertification, fisheries and wildlife rehabilitation. They carried out monitoring activities such as counting Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) and Guanacos (Lama guanaco), tracking Pumas (Puma concolor) and other species of the Patagonian steppe.

Students have been visiting the refuge for many years and La Esperanza hosts other research projects including Guanaco monitoring. The ranch’s farm buildings have been converted into basic accommodation for visitors and researchers.

The Guanaco is the emblem of the Patagonian steppe

New purchase opportunity in Patagonia Saving El Oasis The property called El Oasis is situated 80 kilometres north west of Puerto Madryn, in the Province of ChubutArgentina. It consists of steppe habitat, which is in need of protection; little of this habitat is protected in the region.

One of the greatest threats to have faced the native flora and fauna of Patagonia was the introduction of sheep in the 20th century. Sheep cause far greater damage to grasses as they graze than native herbivores like Guanaco. Damaged grasslands retain

Adrián Rodríguez, a ranger funded

by WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme acts as course tutor

less moisture, so the ground cover begins to break up and this hinders the regrowth of native, perennial plants that are more capable of absorbing carbon dioxide and enriching soils.

The importance of the El Oasis property is its proximity to both the La Esperanza Wildlife Refuge and also the wildlife-rich Valdes Peninsula which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The purchase is currently being explored and we will report further on progress.

Rangers like Adrián Rodríguez and conservationists from Fundación Patagonia Natural are demonstrating what can be achieved if a natural balance of the coastal steppe is restored. La Esperanza is a vital refuge for herds of Guanaco, Rheas, Mara (or Patagonian Hare), Burrowing Owls and Puma.

Please help us protect the reserve by funding Adrián and the work of Keepers of the Wild.

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The Kinangop Grasslands project Saving tussock grasslands Andrew Mwangi Waweru reports from Kenya Tussock grasslands save vital habitat for Sharpe’s Longclaw in Kenya

Sharpe’s Longclaw is an Endangered bird that is endemic to a small region of Kenya. Its tussock grassland habitat is rapidly being lost and WLT helped fund the purchase and protection of 51 acres (20 hectares)

Bird monitors have recorded sightings of the rare Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei) in reserves owned and managed

by Nature Kenya, a WLT conservation partner.

Sharpe’s Longclaw is classified as Endangered and, between 2009 and 2012, the species was the focus for WLT’s Kinangop Grasslands Appeal. The appeal successfully raised funds to save tussock grassland habitat for this and many other threatened birds, reptiles and amphibians which make Kinangop their home. species may be due to changes in climate.

The rainy season was late and there were severe frosts. The cold weather had other effects: for example, there were no records of the Long-tailed Widowbird breeding and it is likely that the females of the species failed to reach breeding weight due to lack of food.

Community conservation In his work Andrew has contact with local schools and in 2015 he trained children from Purple Hearts and Hianyu Primary Ranger Andrew Mwangi Waweru manages a bird monitoring programme for Nature Kenya, and his post is funded through WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme In the third quarter of 2015 Andrew monitored birds in three Nature Kenya nature reserves including the Leleshwa Nature Reserve. He recorded an average of 31 species across the reserves, including Sharpe’s Longclaw, Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne) and migrant species such as Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).

He also recorded birds that are not commonly seen in the area: Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) and Redcollared Widowbirds (Euplectes ardens).

The appearance of these uncommon

schools to identify birds.

He also has the support of local people.

During 2015 members of the Friends of Kinangop Plateau continued to participate in Kenya Bird Map, a project of Nature Kenya Bird Committee that is currently using ‘citizen science’ to develop a map for the distribution of birds in Kenya.

Andrew liaises with village leaders to monitor illegal activities in the nature reserves and to encourage local communities to support conservation activities.

Tree planting projects in Mount Kenya are thriving

Plant a Tree

Carried out in partnership with Nature Kenya, the tree planting programme focuses on restoring forests in areas that have predominantly been used for commercial plantation previously.

The challenge for any tree planting programme is to ensure that saplings, once planted, grow to maturity. Planting a tree is just the first step: protecting it from weeds, grazing livestock and wildlife may require many years of husbandry.

In Mount Kenya, WLT is supporting initiatives that give local people an incentive to provide ongoing care for young trees.

WLT’s Chris Smith (left) and Nature Kenya’s Joan Gichuki (right) with one of the farmers looking after planted trees in Mount Kenya Forest

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Buy an Acre, only £100

Buy an Acre

Saving Yungas forest in Jujuy province of Argentina El Pantanoso Reserve This land purchase, in partnership with Fundación Biodiversidad-Argentina (FBA), aims to create El Pantanoso Reserve.

Situated in the northern Argentine Yungas, covering around 10,900 acres (4,400 hectares) this area is in urgent need of protection.

The forest is home to a wealth of threatened species, but it is at serious risk from the spread of agriculture and illegal logging. Obdulio Menghi, President of FBA is constantly amazed by the range of wildlife at El Pantanoso. Trail camera records indicate that there are at least six individual Jaguars moving through the reserve, as well as Puma, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Margay and Pampas Cat. He told us: “El Pantanoso is a laboratory open to the sky, a biologist’s dream. We don’t know what we will discover there!”

El Pantanoso Chile

Photo credits: Cover: Francisco Sornoza; Page 2: Luis Recalde (Black-and-chestnut Eagle), Lou Jost (Spectacled Bear), Tropical Herping (frog); Steve Backshall; Page 3: Fundación EcoMinga (all); Page 4: REGUA (both); Page 5: Hutan/Mohd Daisah Kapar (Orang-utan), Hutan (elephants and Keeper of the Wild); Page 6: FPN/Leandro Legarreta (students), Bethan John (Guanaco), FPN (Keeper of the Wild); Page 7: Phoebe Munyoro/Nature Kenya Youth Committee (Sharpe’s Longclaw), Nature Kenya (Ranger Andrew), WLT/Natalie Singleton (tree planting); Page 8: Francesco Rocca (Jaguar), Armonia (beetles); Page 9: Fundación EcoMinga (landslide), Fundación Pro-Bosque (Keeper of the Wild and Great Green Macaws); Page 10: Viet Nature/Hoang Thanh Ha (forest), apple2499/ Shutterstock (White-cheeked Gibbons) ; Page 11: Viet Nature Conservation Centre/Ha Van Nghia (Keeled Box Turtle); Back page: Nigel Simpson (bird statues).

Paraguay

Argentina

This Jaguar was captured by trail camera on the land that is being purchased

Insect study on Fundación Armonia’s Beni Savanna Reserve A team, led by Bolivian entomologist Caroli HamelLeigue, has gathered the first ever systematic data on insect diversity and biomass in three areas of Bolivia’s Beni savanna, working with WLT’s project partner.

The data will be used to inform grassland management strategies for

Yungus forest

Barba Azul Nature Reserve.

The field work over a three week period, obtained a broad range of taxonomic groups, including a group with excellent bioindicator properties: the Scarabaeinae dung beetles.

The information gathered will be used to give a better understanding of the health of the entire ecosystem.

Buy an Acre Save one acre for £100 (half an acre for £50 or quarter of an acre for £25) Current Buy an Acre projects are in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico See donation form enclosed or donate online:

www.worldlandtrust.org

Brazil

Uruguay

The Southern Andean Yungas (prounounced Jungas) ecoregion of Bolivia and Argentina covers 23,600 square miles (61,100 square kilometres). It lies along the eastern slopes of the Andes at an altitude of between 800 and 3,000 metres above sea level. More than 90 per cent of Yungas foothill forest have been cleared for agriculture

Update on land purchase in Ecuador 64 acres SAVED at La Ceiba The main threat to the property was deforestation to make way for corn production and goat pasture. This purchase allows Naturaleza y Cultura Ecuador (NCE) to expand and consolidate La Ceiba reserve and the property itself is a key place to control the access of illegal loggers.

166 acres SAVED at Nangaritza This is a critical area for NCE because of the high quality of its forest as well as the habitat connectivity and control of access.

Initially this land was not for sale, but the owner decided to offer NCE the property which had been on their ‘wish list’.

Five hectares of the above property had already been cleared prior to purchase and this will be reforested using funds donated to Plant a Tree.

Plant a Tree

One tree £5 Five trees £25 www.worldlandtrust.org

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Keepers of the Wild 2020 Appeal to raise £750,000 to fund WLT’s ranger programme for the next five years Protecting the reserves that you have helped create WLT has launched an appeal for £750,000 to fund WLT’s wildlife ranger programme (Keepers of the Wild) until 2020.

The Keepers of the Wild programme has been running since 2011 and is a vital tool for WLT’s network of conservation partners across the world to employ rangers to monitor and protect reserves supported by WLT. Protecting large areas of land can put a strain on partner organisations. The Keepers of the Wild programme relieves this pressure by helping them better look after vulnerable habitats.

Ranger duties cover a range of tasks such as patrolling the reserve to police illegal activities such as logging, hunting and encroachment; monitoring species and assisting research teams; creating and maintaining paths and other infrastructure; guiding visitors and working with local communities.

Lou Jost reports from Ecuador The 2015 rainy season was the worst in many years, causing landslides that destroyed houses and roads through central Ecuador where Fundación EcoMinga is based.

Keepers of the Wild, what it means to WLT’s conservation partners Eric Horstmann, Executive Director of WLT’s partner, Fundación Pro-Bosque in Ecuador reports: “Thanks to the support of Keepers of the Wild, the important work of our ranger Armando Manzaba is possible. His work includes the care and upkeep of a group of Great Green Macaws in the process of being habituated before being released back into the wild.

Armando has also documented with his cell phone a new species of frog for the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest as well as the presence of a flock of six wild Great Green Macaws.”

In Ecuador Keepers of the Wild, Luis, Santiago, Fausto and Jesus Recalde, worked as a team to restore paths, including the one to Cerro Candelaria Reserve (above). What the image doesn’t show is the drop of several hundred feet almost straight down to the river below - and a wall of hundreds of feet of loose material above them too The main work of the Keepers of the Wild over the past few months has been to try to rebuild trails across these landslides, and to remove fallen trees that blocked them. It was difficult and dangerous work.

Supporter Peter Johnson posted the following comment after our recent web report: “Brave, dedicated rangers indeed: perhaps the climbing community could advise on simple, low cost ways to provide safety lines given the level of risk described in the article?”

Lou Jost responds: Peter, that's a good comment, and we have been pursuing that course as well.

We’ve just received a grant from the Botanical Gardens Conservation International based in London, which includes funds for climbing equipment (static cords, Gibbs ascenders, harnesses) to safely work in the canopy of two new species of Magnolia that were discovered in our Rio Zuñac Reserve. This equipment could also be used in cases of extreme danger in other situations, though the danger of material falling from above is difficult to remedy. For that, one has to be sensible. Our rangers make their own choices about this, with safety paramount. I have often emphasized to them the importance of safety, and tell them not to take any risks. They've told me not to worry: "No te precupes, no quieremos morir tampoco ("Don't worry, we don't want to die either!").

www.worldlandtrust.org

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Climate change is a reality WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme protects the forest of Khe Nuoc Trong in Vietnam

When it comes to climate change, are you putting your head in the sand?

Despite the enormity of the problem, each and every one of us is capable of taking steps, however small, towards addressing the challenges posed by a warming planet.

In recent weeks, the impact of climate change has been felt across the world. In late 2015 exceptional levels of flooding displaced 150,000 people in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Closer to home, the great floods of 2015 have brought devastation and misery to Great Britain and Ireland.

WLT’s supporters recognise the role that WLT can play in tackling climate change through forest conservation. One donor

Above left: The forests of Khe Nuoc Trong are an important region for biodiversity and watershed protection Above right: The Southern White-cheeked Gibbon is an Endangered species only found in Vietnam and neighbouring Laos At present WLT’s Carbon Balanced work is primarily with Viet Nature Conservation Centre (Viet Nature) to protect the entire forest of Khe Nuoc Trong. The area covers 49,420 acres (20,000 hectares) and is part of a larger 202,626 acre (82,700 hectare) area which extends into neighbouring Quang Tri Province said of a Christmas gift: “This donation is in lieu of some presents because one of my friends has had her house flooded recently and the climate changes seem to be the most important issue on earth at present.”

unavoidable carbon emissions with appropriate forest conservation measures.

Forest conservation

• Ways in which you personally can reduce your carbon footprint

Since its founding WLT has raised funds to save the planet’s forests and biodiversity.

Plus, in the past 10 years, WLT has developed specific projects to balance

• Offsetting your flights through our Calculator (see below, left) • Asking your printer to use Carbon Balanced Paper

If you want to do your bit to tackle climate change please consider:

Offset your flight emissions

Carbon Balanced supporters

WLT’s handy Flight Emissions Carbon Offset Calculator makes it very easy for travellers to calculate and offset their flights’ carbon dioxide. Each offset is individually assigned to a WLT Carbon Balanced project designed to maximise biodiversity benefits and the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. www.myflightcarbon.com

A number of organisations such as Airport Parking and Hotels, Nikwax, VW Heritage and Wildlife Travel support WLT by offsetting their unavoidable carbon emissions through WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme.

Carbon Balanced Paper WLT’s Carbon Balanced Paper makes it easy for everyone to balance the carbon impacts of their paper through WLT’s conservation projects. When you next need to order paper, please remember to ask for Carbon Balanced Paper. www.carbonbalancedpaper.com

Please support WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme by buying the goods and services of the supporters listed on our website: www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/ sponsors/carbon-balanced-sponsors

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WLT Action Fund makes rapid response Rescue of critically endangered turtles in Vietnam Protection of wildlife following Nepal earthquakes

Rescued freshwater turtles included Bourret’s Box Turtle (Cuora bourreti) (left) Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii) and Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum).

Illegally trafficked turtles rescued Nearly 200 endangered, freshwater, turtles of three species were seized by the Vietnamese authorities. WLT was able to respond quickly by donating US$2,000 so that the turtles could be properly fed, rehydrated and moved to a turtle centre south of Hanoi.

WLT staff visited the Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Centre on a recent site visit to Vietnam and were pleased to see the care and attention provided to the turtles. While rehabilitation for these turtles is going to take a long time due to the condition they were found in, they are being given the best possible chance of survival.

Disaster Fund set up for wildlife following earthquakes in Nepal Following the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, WLT launched an emergency appeal for funds to assist anti-poaching measures in Nepalese national parks.

With the country’s security forces focused on humanitarian relief efforts, in the national parks endangered species such as tiger, rhino and elephant were left unprotected and vulnerable to poaching.

Quang Binh Province, where WLT works with Viet Nature, has some of the highest levels of herpetofaunal diversity in Vietnam, making Khe Nuoc Trong vital for their conservation WLT was able to secure a donation of £10,000 from the Generations Trust which was channelled to Nepal via Wildlife Trust of India, WLT’s conservation partner in India. In a concerted fundraising effort, WLT was able to match a donation to Nepal’s wildlife relief effort made by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Funds were used to purchase heavy duty tents to provide temporary accommodation and other equipment for staff of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation after buildings and infrastructure were damaged.

“The main concern was the high probability of poachers going in after tigers, rhinos and elephants in the

WLT Friends’ donations support the Action Fund Become a WLT Friend and your regular donation will be used for our most urgent projects. Regular monthly contributions made by Friends are tremendously important because knowing funds have been pledged in advance enables us to plan future land purchase and

Action Fund

conservation projects, and also respond quickly with emergency funds.

Please consider becoming WLT Friend or giving the Gift of Friendship www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/friends

southern Terai parks like the world heritage site Chitwan National Park during the aftermath of the earthquake,” explained Diana Bell, who is Director of the MSc in Applied Ecology & Conservation at the University of East Anglia, and a WLT Council member.

“Because Nepal's economy is so dependent on wildlife tourism there are humanitarian as well as biodiversity reasons for helping DNPWC,” she said.

DNPWC’s Field Officers are an essential deterrent to poachers on the hunt for threatened species such as Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).

Occasional emergency relief While WLT’s focus is always on land protection WLT will, when the need is urgent, approve funds for conservation to an area stricken by a natural disaster. Following the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, WLT responded quickly and launched the Reef and Mangrove Appeal, and has continued to respond to emergencies when threatened wildlife is at risk.

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Ecuadorian partner, Fundación Jocotoco’s role in saving endemic birds recognised through postage stamps & statues

In 2015 Correos del Ecuador, the Postal Service of Ecuador, released a set of stamps depicting “The Endemic Birds of Ecuador”.

Illustrated by Paul Greenfield, who also illustrated the Birds of Ecuador, written by Robert Ridgely, they feature the Jocotoco Antpitta, White-breasted Parrakeet, Paleheaded Brush-finch, and Esmeraldas Woodstar, all species protected by Fundación Jocotoco reserves. The other image shows a Lilacine Amazon Parrot which Fundación Jocotoco hopes to protect in the future.

Last word

Enterprise Plants specialises in supplying and maintaining plants in offices, grounds maintenance services, wormeries for food waste composting and Christmas decorations.They offer a nationwide service and are one of the UK’s leading horticultural companies.

Enterprise Plants is a key sponsor of WLT News and has supported WLT for over 22 years by making regular donations to a variety of projects.

www.enterpriseplants.com

Using Carbon Balanced Paper is a simple way to reduce the carbon impact of your marketing communications, and supports WLT’s land protection projects at the same time. Ask your printer to specify Carbon Balanced Paper. www.carbonbalancedpaper.com

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WLT thanks Antalis for ARBON donating the paper for WLT News and our Donation Form which is printed on Cocoon 100gsm, 100% recycled.

Printed by Kingfisher Press Ltd, wide format, digital and Litho Carbon Balanced Printer based in Suffolk. www.kingfisher-press.com R PE

Every legacy we receive, whether large or small, will be a lasting legacy to safeguard the world’s remaining wilderness.

We always recommend seeking legal advice when writing or amending a will but for a confidential conversation please contact Vivien Burton, Director of Communications, by phone 01986 874422 or by email: vburton@worldlandtrust.org. Or you can write to her at WLT, Blyth House, Bridge Street, Halesworth IP19 8AB.

WLT News is sponsored by

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Remembering WLT in your will

Two statues have been erected by the Pinas town council while constructing a new road leading to Buenaventura Reserve.

El Oro Parakeet (right) and the Jocotoco Antpitta (far right) are flagship species of Jocotoco reserves. El Oro Parakeet, discovered in 1988 has a small range and is protected by the Buenaventura Reserve.

The Jocotoco Antpitta, discovered in 1997, occurs in Jocotoco’s Tapichalaca Reserve.

PA

These Jaguarundi kittens were photographed by Francisco (Pancho) Sornoza, Conservation Director of Fundación Jocotoco, in the Buenaventura Reserve.

Buenaventura is one of 10 reserves that have been created and are now owned and managed by WLT’s Ecuadorian partner, Fundación Jocotoco. WLT contributed through Buy an Acre donations.

More recognition for Ecuadorian birds protected

by Jocotoco

ED

Cover image