Vigil saves rare birds

Bhagalpur, Feb. 19: The administration has stepped up vigil against poachers to save migratory birds at the eco-friendly Gangetic diara in the district.

The diara (sandbar) is considered a green belt and was in the news recently when the residents of Dharhara, a village in the riverine area, decided to celebrate the birth of a girl by planting saplings. But there are places in the Naugachia sub-division where many people earn their livelihood by catching and selling migratory birds.

These areas fall in the 63km-stretch between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon.

The administration’s bid to check poaching paid off on Saturday when a team of Naugachia sub-division officials caught six poachers and found 48 migratory birds on them.

“I had asked my officials to step up the vigil on such illegal activities. I had also told them not to divulge our plan to anybody,” district magistrate Narmadeshwar Lal said.

He said the officials posed as prospective buyers and approached some poachers at Birbanna village under Narayanpur block. Though the poachers demanded Rs 1,600 for a pair of birds, they finally agreed to sell them for Rs 1,000.

Naugachia sub-divisional officer Sushil Kumar said: “They handed me 48 birds that they had caught. It was then that the officials arrested the six poachers.”

Indian Bird Conservation Network and Wetlands International State co-ordinator Arvind Mishra said all the birds recovered were protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120220/jsp/jharkhand/story_15155877.jsp

Cockroach Hookup Signal Could Benefit Endangered Woodpecker

ScienceDaily (Dec. 19, 2011) — A North Carolina State University discovery of the unique chemical composition of a cockroach signal -- a "Let's hook up" sex pheromone emitted by certain female wood cockroaches to entice potential mates -- could have far-ranging benefits, including improved conservation of an endangered woodpecker.

Dr. Coby Schal, Blanton J. Whitmire Professor of Entomology at NC State and the corresponding author of a paper describing the discovery, says that the study, published the week of Dec. 19 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, advances the knowledge of fundamental biological and chemical properties of an important North American cockroach genus that serves as both a beneficial forest insect and as a pest in homes.

Parcoblatta lata is the largest and most abundant of the wood cockroaches. It also serves as the favored meal of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Schal says that the study, which characterized the pheromone and produced a synthetic version of it, could help scientists determine whether certain habitats have enough woodpecker food. If the synthetic pheromone attracts large numbers of adult male P. lata cockroaches, Schal says, then the roach supply is probably ample. Provided that other aspects of the habitat are also right, the area could be a suitable home for red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Read more at:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111219152516.htm

Timor Bush-warbler rediscovered

Timor Bush-warbler - Courtesy of Birdlife

December 2011. There had been no confirmed field observations of Timor Bush-warbler Bradypterus timorensis since two specimens were collected on Mount Mutis, West Timor, in 1932. A paper published online in BirdLife's journal, Bird Conservation International(BCI), reports the rediscovery of the Timor Bush-warbler in Timor-Leste (East Timor) in 2009, prompted by the discovery of a previously unknown population of bush-warbler on the island of Alor, Indonesia, to the north.

Bush-warblers
Timor Bush-warbler was first recognised as a full species in 2000, when along with Russet Bush-warbler B. mandelli and Java Bush-warbler B. montis it was split from Benguet Bush-warbler B. seebohmi. The authors of the BCI paper assign all these species to the genus Locustella.

Loud singing
On Alor at least 13 male bush warblers were heard singing from shrub and grass beneath woodland and forest edge at 859-1,250 m. On Timor, at least 40 males were heard from tall grassland at 1,720-2,100 m.

The songs are loud and can be readily heard from at least 100 m. However, the birds on both islands were skulking and hard to observe, even while singing. Brief direct views on Alor noted a large, buff-brown, long-tailed bush-warbler. Birds were observed to walk or scurry, mouse-like, on the ground on thin shrub and grass stems. Although they can fly, they do so rarely and probably mostly under cover.

There were substantial differences in habitat use by bush-warblers on Alor and on Timor, presumably resulting from island-specific differences in habitat availability, elevation and land-use pressure. High grazing pressure and repeated fires ensure that there is little or no suitable habitat over much of Timor's montane habitat, except on steep slopes. There are few known threats to bush-warbler habitat on Alor, but ongoing assessments are needed.

Timor Bush-warbler
Timor Bush-warbler is considered Near Threatened by BirdLife on behalf of the IUCN Red List, but will now require re-evaluation. The Alor population is currently well isolated from Timor (c.100 km between sites), and these islands have never been connected. The populations have little chance of interbreeding and the authors of the BCI paper say they should be considered as independent, evolutionarily significant units. Further field surveys are needed on both Timor and Alor to capture birds, clarify taxonomic relationships using molecular approaches, and further define habitat use and conservation status.

The 3 most important forests for birds

Seeing the good for the trees: Global assessment identifies world's most important wildlife forests

December 2011. As the world tightens its economic belt, resources to address the world's growing environmental problems are becoming increasingly limited. These reducing resources means the ability to establish the utmost conservation priorities is more important than ever to achieve the greatest returns for the investment.

Hawaii, Palau, and the tropical African islands of São Tomé & Príncipe
A new report - published in the journal PLoS ONE - identifies those forests that appear to be the most important for bird species, and are in most urgent need of conservation. The top three areas, according to the assessment, are: the forests of Hawaii; Palau in the Pacific; and the forests of the tropical African islands of São Tomé, Príncipe and Annobón.

The coastal and mountain forests of South America also scored particularly highly. Areas like the Amazon basin, which support large numbers of species, often scored lower because the species present there still have very large global ranges.

The authors of the report from RSPB and BirdLife International used species distributions and forest cover from satellite imagery to estimate the contribution that 25 square-kilometre blocks of forest make toward conserving the world's birds. By combining this information with rates of forest clearance (mainly logging), the most important forests for conservation were identified.

Around 6000 species of the world's birds (60 per cent) are dependent to a considerable extent on forests, and some of these are the most threatened species on earth.

Graeme Buchanan, who is an RSPB conservation scientist, is the paper's lead author. He said: "More birds are dependent on forests than any other habitat. Our analysis makes an objective assessment of the importance of every patch of forest on the globe for birds. We hope our report is used alongside other information to guide investment to those areas in most urgent need of conservation management.

"This is a particularly timely analysis, because the world's governments have recently agreed through the to increase the global coverage of protected areas, through the Convention on Biodiversity. Legal protection is one method by which areas could be safeguarded, and our analysis is a contribution towards deciding where new protected areas would have the greatest impact."

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/bird-forests.html

Predator proof fence boost for Hawaii's birds

First U.S. Predator-Proof Fence Delivers on Promises - Important Seabird Species in Hawaii Producing Chicks in Record Numbers

December 2011. The first predator proof fence in the United States is producing dramatic results that may eventually lead to a resurgence in decimated seabird populations in Hawai'i. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater, which nests in the remote coastal dunes on the now-fenced Kaena Point at the north-western tip of O'ahu, has produced the highest number of chicks since the annual survey began in 1994.

14% increase in chicks
"This is extraordinary news. It has been only eight months since the predator-proof fence was installed and already, we are seeing results. This year's chick count of 1775 is a 14% percent increase over the previous high count in 2007 and the highest number ever recorded at the point. So far, the fence has done a great job of preventing bird predation by rats, cats, mongoose, dogs, and even mice," said Dr. George Wallace, Vice President for Oceans and Islands at American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the leading bird conservation group in the United States.

The project has been a cooperative effort involving Hawai'i's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Hawai'i chapter of The Wildlife Society, and local communities.

"We are very excited to be moving into the next phase of the project now that the native species are able to exist without predation pressure and we can begin active restoration of the native species. We hope this is the first of many projects like this in Hawai'i" said Lindsay Young, the project coordinator with Pacific Rim Conservation.

Laysan Albatross
Ground-nesting seabirds in the area, which also include the Laysan Albatross, have been targets of predation by introduced mammals, with the result that up to 15% of chicks are killed each year. The predators have especially preyed on the young birds before they can fly, but they also eat seabird eggs and even attack adult birds. Despite intensive efforts to control these predators, they still pose a major threat to the survival of native species. The full moons in October and November often bring particularly devastating attacks on the Wedge-tailed Shearwater chicks as they leave their burrows for the first time at night and become vulnerable to predators roaming the area.

Read more here ...

Spain opens the public process to designate 41 marine Special Protection Areas (SPAs), totalling almost 50,000 km2

On 18 October, the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM), published a proposal designating 41 marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Spain.


This proposal mirrors the marine IBAs inventory elaborated by SEO/BirdLife in Spain within two LIFE projects, ‘Marine IBAs in Spain’ (2004-2009), complemented by the project “INDEMARES” (2009-2013), both funded by the European Commission.

Only three of the 44 areas proposed by SEO/BirdLife have been left aside by the MARM proposal: the Gibraltar Strait, the Concepción Bank and the Chafarinas islands, because their limits extended beyond Spanish waters.
Once formally designated, these 41 protected sites will be the first complete national network of marine SPAs in Europe, and will represent a model for other countries.

The proposal, based on the results of two LIFE projects and supported by BirdLife, is guaranteed to be credible and serious, and will be, for sure, automatically endorsed by the European Commission.

“This achievement would have not been possible without the support of the whole BirdLife community”, said Asunción Ruiz, CEO in SEO/BirdLife. “We want to highlight the support from the beginning from the BirdLife International Secretariat, the European Division and several partners, in particular SPEA/BirdLife in Portugal”.

SEO/BirdLife congratulates the MARM and encourages the new government to speed up the process of designation, as well as to add the three remaining areas to this process.

The following step will be the elaboration of the management plans. SEO/BirdLife is already working on it through two projects funded by the European Union programmes LIFE+ and Interreg IV, and has already started to involve the relevant stakeholders to the process.


http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/12/spain-opens-the-public-process-to-designate-41-marine-special-protection-areas-spas-totalling-almost-50000-km2/

Wild birds in artificial nests hatch eggs

Several cotton pygmy geese, locally known as bali hans, and jungle mynahs have laid eggs in the artificial nests set in Baikka Beel of Srimongal upazila under Moulvibazar district, thanks to the initiative of Integrated Protected Area Co-management (IPAC), Bangladesh.

Eggs of wild mynah have hatched in the nests that IPAC installed in an attempt to increase breeding of different species of birds in Baikka Beel.

The Hail Haor (water body) comprising Baikka Beel in Srimongal upazila was once rich in fish and aquatic plants but unabated fishing, felling of trees and aquatic weeds caused massive damage to its biodiversity, said IPAC sources.

With a view to reviving the traditional natural resources of the haor, IPAC started its work there with the financial assistance of USAID a few years ago.

Hail Haor, one of the most important marshlands of the country, has already made its place in the international list of important bird population areas.

Earlier in 2005, the IPAC installed 12 artificial nests on experimental basis at different places of Baikka Beel but no birds laid any eggs there that time. In 2007 the geese laid eggs in four nests.

In April this year, the local 'co-management committee', an affiliated body of the IPAC, installed 21 waterproof artificial nests at Hijal and Karach jungles of Baikka Beel. These special nests were manufactured with the technical advice of Paul Thomson, an international expert on birds.

An observation team led by Moloy Sarkar, IPAC director in charge of Sylhet region, completed the first phase of their survey of artificial nests at Baikka Beel on July 10 this year. During the survey, they saw that birds made their shelter in 14 artificial nests. They found 26 eggs in a nest and 15 eggs in another nest. The birds also started laying eggs in a few other nests. Young ones of wild mynah also hatched out from eggs in a nest.

"We have taken an initiative on experimental basis to install artificial nests to save native birds that have seen decrease in recent years. According to our preliminary observation, the result is positive. We are hopeful of success if eggs remain safe and young ones hatched out from them can grow without any disturbance," Moloy Sarkar said.

"Now only a few native birds reside here permanently. To save the artificially installed nests from the bird hunters, these are being kept under strict vigilance," said Ador Miah, a guard employed by the co-management committee in Baikka Beel.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=205736

Shrike 'could recolonise' UK after Dartmoor breeding

A rare bird that has bred for the second year on Dartmoor could start to recolonise the UK, conservationists have said.

Last year red-backed shrikes bred for the first time on the moor since 1970. Two pairs have raised seven birds at an undisclosed location this year.

A 24-hour watch was put in place by conservationists to guard the birds against egg collectors and disturbance.

The RSPB said the repeat breeding indicated a possible recolonisation.

Kevin Rylands, RSPB farmland conservation adviser, said: "We are already planning for 2012 to ensure that any nesting attempts next year are fully protected, as well as making sure there is enough suitable habitat for them.

"The success is testament to the effort of more than 30 volunteers and seven partner organisations working together."

The team watched the sites around the clock throughout the breeding season.

Colin Marker, one of the volunteers, said "Having a successful outcome makes all the hours of watching, patrolling and being eaten alive by midges worthwhile."

The species used to be found across southern England in hay meadows, hedges, scrub and heath.

The UK population declined in the 1930s and the shrike was finally lost as a breeding species in the 1990s.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-15078751

UK Seabirds falling through safety net

Seabird feeding grounds not protectedAugust 2011. Despite the UK being globally-renowned for its immense populations of seabirds - including puffins, shearwaters, petrels, kittiwakes, terns and gannets - laws to designate marine protected areas in England and Wales are failing these iconic species because too few seabird sites are being protected, says the RSPB - Europe's largest wildlife conservation charity.
Kate Sugar is an RSPB marine policy officer. Commenting on the relative failure of seabird protection, she said: "The UK Government has an international commitment to designate a comprehensive network of marine protected areas by the end of next year. But for seabirds, at least, we're on course to fail because the number of sites being considered is woefully inadequate and in some cases seabirds are being excluded from the designation process.

Rich in wildlife and other economic benefits
The seas around the UK are rich in wildlife, but they also important for economic interests too. Fisheries, renewable-energy projects, oil and gas exploration, tourism, shipping and aggregate extraction are just some of the industries that are competing with each other and the environment for growth. We believe that wildlife must be safeguarded alongside the marine ‘gold rush' that's currently underway. Protecting the most important sites would take them out of jeopardy and would provide much-needed clarity for marine developers and industry.

Seabirds feeding grounds are vulnerable
"Thankfully, most seabird nesting sites are already protected, but the areas where seabirds feed at sea are not, meaning that these species are only generally afforded protection on land. This is a nonsense: it's like having robust laws preventing burglary, while having no laws preventing mugging. Seabirds need protection at sea too."

Unprotected areas
It is likely that the seabird interests of some important seabird sites will miss out on protection. These sites include: the Mid-Irish Sea; the Celtic Deeps (100km off the north Cornish coast); the waters around Beachy Head; and the Flamborough and Helgoland Front, in the North Sea.

Since 1979, the UK Government has had the power to designate marine sites of European importance for birds under the European Union Birds Directive. But, so far, it has dragged its feet and is currently running 30 years behind schedule, with only a minimum number of sites designated so far.

Seabirds excluded
There is also new legislation in England and Wales enabling the designation of marine sites that are important at a national level. Currently, there are four English projects and one Welsh project - involving a range of stakeholders - selecting a network of nationally-important marine protected areas under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, enacted in 2009. But these projects have been guided to largely exclude seabirds from the designation process around English coasts and restrict the number and size of sites around Wales, meaning that some of the best and most important sites are not even being considered. Furthermore, the UK Government has recently revealed that it does not expect to complete its ecologically-coherent UK network of marine protected areas until at least 2015 - three years after the internationally-agreed deadline of next year.

Kate Sugar added: "It is ironic that despite our global importance for seabirds we're consistently failing to protect them at sea. The UK has the largest European Union population of 15 species of seabird, including puffin, gannet and kittiwake. Therefore, it doesn't seem appropriate that countries with shorter coastlines and smaller sea areas, like Germany and Denmark, are shaming the UK with the extent of their marine protected area networks."

The RSPB is urging that people step up for nature and support the RSPB campaign to ensure seabirds are fully protected. To sign the RSPB pledge and call on UK Government ministers to ensure that seabirds are safeguarded at sea please visit:www.rspb.org.uk/marinepetition

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/uk-seabirds011.html

House Votes Down 'Extinction Rider' That Would Have Halted Spending to Protect New Species (Via Herp Digest)

House Votes Down 'Extinction Rider' That Would Have Halted Spending to Protect New Species Under the Endangered Species Act (Editor-Last count 38 more riders from Republican Party that sound like written by coal and gas industry to go.)

WASHINGTON 7/27/11- In a victory for imperiled species, the U.S. House of Representatives today voted not to include the "extinction rider" in an appropriations bill that would have stopped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from spending any money to protect new species under the Endangered Species Act or to designate "critical habitat" for their survival. The House voted 224-202 in favor of an amendment from Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) to strip the "extinction rider" from the Interior department's appropriation bill with at least 37 Republicans voting for the measure.

"The extinction rider would have been a disaster for hundreds of animals and plants across the country that desperately need the help of the Endangered Species Act to survive," said Noah Greenwald, endangered species program director for the Center for Biological Diversity. "Today's vote is a promising sign for wolverines, walruses and species in all 50 states that, without help, face the very real prospect of extinction."

The vote comes as plants and animals across the country are at heightened risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, global climate change, extreme weather events and other factors. Earlier this month the Center and the Fish and Wildlife Service reached a landmark agreement to speed protection for 757 imperiled U.S. species, including the wolverine, Pacific walrus, Rio Grand cutthroat trout and Mexican gray wolf. The passage of today's bill would have delayed protection for those species and made their recovery more difficult.

"While the vote on the extinction rider shows that the Endangered Species Act still enjoys support from both sides of the aisle, the House is still threatening wide-spread environmental damage with other amendments to this spending bill," Greenwald said. "We can't allow these measures to move ahead that will pollute our air and water, threaten public health and destroy pristine landscapes."

Among the measures still under consideration in the House are those that would:

* Stop more than 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon from being protected from new uranium mines;
* Force the Environmental Protection Agency to stop all work limiting carbon dioxide pollution from power plants, refineries and other large pollution sources;
* Halt efforts under the Clean Water Act from protecting human health and endangered species from pesticides;
* Interfere with the Environmental Protect Agency's work to protect the public from toxic coal ash;
* Hinder the EPA's and U.S. Corps of Engineers' work to protect wetlands and other waters of the United States;
* Expedite air-pollution permits for offshore drilling in the Arctic

The full appropriations bill for the Interior department is expected to be voted on by the House in the coming days. If it passes, it moves to the Senate. Last week, the White House signaled plans to veto the spending bill because of amendments that threaten wildlife, the environment, and clean air and water.

Noah Greenwald M.S.
Endangered Species Program Director
Center for Biological Diversity
PO Box 11374
Portland, OR 97211
503-484-7495

Turtles-at-risk study to be conducted by South Nation

Turtles-at-risk study to be conducted by South Nation
Media Release
South Nation Conservation Authority

Finch - Jul. 8, 2011 - For the sixth season in a row, South Nation Conservation is inviting watershed residents to become involved in its ongoing rare turtle protection and enhancement program both by helping turtles cross the road safely and by reporting turtle sightings.

But be wary! One of the species involved in the program is the Snapping turtle which can deliver a sharp bite with its powerful beak to hands and fingers which come too close. If necessary in escorting one to safer surroundings, always pick up a Snapping turtle by the rear of its shell. Never pick up any turtle by its tail as it will more than likely result in injury to the turtle. 



Other species-at-risk are the Spotted Turtle, Stinkpot or Musk Turtle, Blanding's Turtle, and the Northern Map Turtle. The Painted turtle isn't endangered and isn't part of the program. 

Aimed at monitoring turtle locations, providing and protecting nesting sites, enhancing habitat, and redirecting turtles away from road surfaces and through culverts, the project relies on yearly funding of $25,000 from the province and about $60,000 from the federal government.

Provincial funding has been secured for the 2011-12 Rare Turtle study to date. If complete funding is not available, SNC hopes to continue with the program; however it may need to be scaled back accordingly. 

SNC Species-At-Risk Technician Karen Paquette notes that a high rate of road kills of mature turtles trying to reach preferred nesting sites, along with an assortment of predators going after eggs and hatchlings, means the chance of eggs surviving and then living to reach sexual maturity (anywhere from 10 to 25 human years) is less than one percent. 



Abundant turtles, she added, are seen as a good indicator of a healthy and ecologically stable watershed. Residents with nests on their properties can try to protect them with chicken wire covers. It's very important to remember to remove the covering after 3 to 4 weeks to allow hatchlings the ability to exit the nest. 

One of the program features are turtle crossing signs, with 40 already installed in the watershed and 30 more soon to be added.

New to the program this year are two illustrated outdoor tables being designed for conservation areas at High Falls in Casselman and Cass Bridge south of Winchester which describe the characteristics of the turtles in question. 

Paquette encouraged members of the public to report to SNC whenever a turtle is encountered, be it alive or dead, providing location, behavior (nesting, road-kill, on road, swimming etc.) and other species. Photos are extremely helpful in confirming identification.

3 June 2011 Last updated at 03:08

Bid to save sandpiper at risk of extinction in Russia

By Matt Walker Editor, BBC Nature

Will this spoon-billed sandpiper chick make it to adulthood?

Conservationists have embarked on a mission to save one of the world's rarest birds, the spoon-billed sandpiper, from extinction.

Fewer than 200 pairs of spoon-billed sandpipers were thought to exist in 2009, and since then, the population has thought to have declined by a quarter each year.

So a specialist team of bird experts are flying to the sandpiper's home in northeast Russia to collect and incubate eggs and set up a captive breeding population.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

This adaptation, entirely unique to its family, makes it one of the most weird and wonderful bird species on the planet”

End Quote Dr Geoff Hilton Head of Species Research, WWT

• Find out more about other wading birds
• Visit the WWT to find out more about the spoon-billed sandpiper

The captive population of spoon-billed sandpipers will be housed in Moscow Zoo for quarantine purposes, then moved to a specially built unit at the headquarters of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, UK.

The emergency mission is being undertaken by the WWT and Birds Russia, working with colleagues from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), BirdLife International, ArcCona, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force and Moscow Zoo.

Experts fear that, without intervention, the spoon-billed sandpiper could be extinct within ten years.

The count of 200 pairs in 2009 is an upper estimate and there may have been as few as 120 pairs at that time.

Surveys since suggest that the counted population is falling by 26% a year, with juveniles having a particularly low rate of survival.

Spoon-billed sandpipers (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) are a small Arctic wading bird, sporting a bill shaped like a spoon.

"This adaptation, entirely unique to its family, makes it one of the most weird and wonderful bird species on the planet," says Dr Geoff Hilton, Head of Species Research at the WWT.

The BTO's shorebird expert, Dr Nigel Clark, agrees: "There is only one wader that eats with a spoon and we need to try everything we can to save it from extinction."

Children release a captured spoon-billed sandpiper

The bird divides its time between northeast Russia and the Bay of Bay of Martaban, Myanmar (Burma) and the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh.

Travelling between, they migrate over 8,000km (4,970 miles) on a journey that may pass through Japan, North Korea, the Republic of Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh and India.

Unsustainable levels of subsistence hunting, particularly within the wintering areas in Myanmar and Bangladesh, are thought to be driving the species's decline.

Degradation and reclamation of the inter-tidal mudflats along many countries in Asia is exacerbating the problem.

No spoon-billed sandpipers currently exist in captivity.

Currently the team are in Russia waiting to locate and collect eggs from the breeding grounds.

They will construct an incubation facility out on the tundra where they will hatch the chicks before transferring the fledged young via sea and air back to Moscow Zoo for quarantine.

"It is absolutely clear that the spoon-billed sandpiper cannot be saved without action to reduce the threats to the wild population, but it is going to be difficult to achieve a turnaround quickly enough to avert extinction. Creating a captive population now may buy us some time," says Dr Hilton.

ARKive (Via Herp Digest)

ARKive http://www.arkive.org/

"A vast treasury of wildlife images has been steadily accumulating over the past century, yet no one has known its full extent - or indeed its gaps - and no one has had a comprehensive way of gaining access to it. ARKive will put that right, and it will be an invaluable tool for all concerned with the well-being of the natural world."
Sir David Attenborough
Wildscreen Patron

Mission
Promoting the Conservation of the World's Threatened Species, Through the Power of Wildlife Imagery
With species extinction now occurring at a faster rate than at any time in Earth's history, effective awareness raising and education programmes are ever more vital. Powerful wildlife imagery is an emotive and effective means of building environmental awareness and engagement, and quick and easy access to this imagery is essential in the digital mass communications society we live in today.
However, until now, this valuable imagery has been scattered throughout the world, in a wide variety of private, commercial and specialist collections, with no centralised collection, restricted public access, limited educational use, and no co-ordinated strategy for its long term preservation.
ARKive is now putting that right, gathering together the very best films and photographs of the world's species into one centralised digital library, to create a unique audio-visual record of life on Earth, prioritising those species at most risk of extinction. Preserved and maintained for future generations, ARKive is making this key resource accessible to all, from scientists and conservationists to the general public and school children, via its award-winning website - www.arkive.org

Contributors
The ARKive project has unique access to the very best of the world's wildlife films and photographs, with more than 3,500 of the world's leading filmmakers and photographers actively contributing to the project, and giving ARKive unprecedented access to their materials. Contributors include the most famous names in natural history broadcasting, commercial film and picture agencies, leading academic institutions and international conservation organisations, as well as myriad individual filmmakers, photographers, scientists and conservationists.
Please see the Media donors section for more information.

Supporters
ARKive also has the backing of the world's leading conservation organisations, including BirdLife International, Conservation International, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, and WWF, as well as leading academic and research institutions, such as the Natural History Museum, London; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; and the Smithsonian Institution. ARKive's web-based materials reciprocally link with and highlight the work of these organisations and others, helping promote their activities to ARKive's wide civil-society user base.
ARKive is also pleased to be working with Google to produce ARKive featured layers on Google Earth, and is a member of the Institutional Council of the Encyclopedia of Life, and a key content provider.

Goals and objectives
ARKive has achieved significant success since its launch in 2003, with numerous awards and accolades, fantastic visitor rates from all round the world and an impressive line-up of international partners and strategic alliances. ARKive's priority is now the completion of audio-visual profiles for the c. 17,000 species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Wildscreen
ARKive is a Wildscreen initiative: a not-for-profit charity organisation, with a long standing reputation for being at the heart of the international wildlife media industry. Wildscreen's mission is to promote the public understanding and appreciation of the world's biodiversity and the need for its conservation, through the power of wildlife imagery.

The ARKive project is also supported by Wildscreen USA, Inc., a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC.

Please see the Wildscreen section for more information.

"ARKive is a noble project - one of the most valuable in all biology and conservation practice."
Professor E. O. Wilson
Harvard University

The Egyptian Vulture – What’s going on in Africa?

Since 2003 BSPB (BirdLife Partner in Bulgaria) has been working to conserve the Egyptian Vulture in Bulgaria. The gained knowledge during these years firmly shows that the main reason for the species decline is the increased adult mortality due to various anthropogenic threats. A significant part of the loss of birds is happening outside Bulgaria during the migration and non-breeding period. In the last seven years probably more than 20 adult birds did not return from their wintering areas.


In 2009 BSPB started an initiative for creating of partnerships with the countries from the Middle East and East Africa aiming to survey the threats and and propose conservation measures s for the Egyptian Vulture along its migration route and in the wintering areas. Three expeditions were held-two in Ethiopia (2009 and 2010) and one in Sudan (2010) together with the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS/BirdLife in Ethiopia) and the Sudanese Wildlife Society.

Ethiopia
The Ethiopian expeditions were implemented in December 2009 and November-December 2010 by a BSPB team together with colleagues from EWNHS. The main study areas was the Afar triangle, where is located the biggest known congregation of Egyptian Vultures from the Palearctic, wintering in East Africa. The work also included parts of South Ethiopia and the Highlands., The team members were Ivaylo Angelov, Tsvetomira Yotsova, Vladimir Dobrev Nikolay Terziev (BSPB), Bruktawit Abdu, Yilma Dellelegn Abebe and Tesfaye Bikilla-driver)(EWNHS), Alazar Daka (WildCODE) and Samson Zelleke.


Results:In both years of the study, for one and the same transect in the Afar triangle respectively 1358 and 1400 Egyptian Vultures were counted. The vultures were recorded in a semi-desert area at an altitude between 140 and 1230 m. a. s. l. The vultures were recorded through counting of the individuals roosting on electricity poles along the main road in the region from the southwestern corner of the Afar triangle to the Djibouti border and in the region of Dire Dawa town (only in 2009). The count was implemented before sunset between 16:30 and 18:00.

The data gathered by interviewing local people shows that nowadays the Afar triangle is a relatively safe wintering place for the Egyptian Vultures. The use of poisons against carnivores seems to be not practiced, the electrocution is probably a very minor threat (no electrocuted birds were found) and the local people traditionally do not harm the vultures. Given the huge importance of Afar for the wintering birds from big parts of Asia, long-term work on the species needs to be initiated and the limiting factors closely monitored.

However, the developing and expanding medium voltage electricity network in Ethiopia, which is built mainly by dangerous for the birds pylons gives a strong alert for the future of the large birds of prey. We recorded electrocuted White-backed Vulture and the local people on a number of sites mentioned the deadly impact of the power lines on vultures. Another issue is the practice for control of the stray dogs, which was recorded to exist at least in the municipalities of Negele, Awassa and Addis Ababa. We collected information that poison is regularly used for control on the populations of stray dogs and in two sites we found poisoned Hooded Vultures.

A very interesting observation was the first in Africa record of an individual from the Indian subspecies of the Egyptian Vulture (N. percnopterus ginginianus). This observation enlarges the supposed area of origin of the vultures wintering in Afar to Pakistan and India to the east.

Sudan
In Sudan a joint expedition of BSPB and Sudanese Wildlife Society (September-October 2010) has found 17 electrocuted Egyptian Vultures. The main study area of the was the Red Sea coast in North-Eastern Sudan.

The finding of the dead birds under a particular power line in the surroundings of Port Sudan confirms a threat there which is known to cause the death of many birds since many years and continues to take victims. Still in 1982-83 the German ornithologist Gerhard Nikolaus found under the same power line almost 55 electrocuted Egyptian Vultures and during next visit in the area 21 years later, he found another 5 dead birds. With the new data until now there are found almost 80 electrocuted Egyptian Vultures but this is only the tip of the iceberg since the power line is built in the 50’s and probably has caused the death of many hundreds Egyptian Vultures.

Not only the Egyptian Vultures were found to be electrocuted by this particular dangerous power line, but also Lappet-faced Vulture, Steppe Eagles and Bonelli’s Eagle which was not found to breed in Sudan previously.

The probable high mortality during the non-breeding period is considered to be one of the main reasons in the complex of threats leading to the fast decline of the Egyptian Vultures in the Balkans. We assume that the decades of impact on the species by side of this dangerous power line may have caused the extinction the population of Egyptian Vultures which traditionally migrates along the western Red Sea coasts and breed in Eastern Europe and Asia. Following the results from the expedition, a huge priority in the species conservation will be the insulation of the dangerous power line near by Port Sudan and convincing the Sudanese Electricity Company to use a safe model of poles.

The results from the three African expeditions (Ethiopia 2009 and 2010 and Sudan 2010) will be published in a report which will mark the priorities for future conservation work for the Egyptian Vulture and the other scavenging birds of prey in Ethiopia and Sudan. The report will be available on BSPB’s website by the end of February 2011.
The work on the Egyptian Vulture in Africa was funded by Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Program, African Bird Club, Stitching Vulture Conservation Foundation and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, to which we express our gratitude.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/01/the-egyptian-vulture-what%e2%80%99s-going-on-in-africa/

The Egyptian Vulture – What’s going on in Africa?

Since 2003 BSPB (BirdLife Partner in Bulgaria) has been working to conserve the Egyptian Vulture in Bulgaria. The gained knowledge during these years firmly shows that the main reason for the species decline is the increased adult mortality due to various anthropogenic threats. A significant part of the loss of birds is happening outside Bulgaria during the migration and non-breeding period. In the last seven years probably more than 20 adult birds did not return from their wintering areas.


In 2009 BSPB started an initiative for creating of partnerships with the countries from the Middle East and East Africa aiming to survey the threats and and propose conservation measures s for the Egyptian Vulture along its migration route and in the wintering areas. Three expeditions were held-two in Ethiopia (2009 and 2010) and one in Sudan (2010) together with the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS/BirdLife in Ethiopia) and the Sudanese Wildlife Society.

Ethiopia
The Ethiopian expeditions were implemented in December 2009 and November-December 2010 by a BSPB team together with colleagues from EWNHS. The main study areas was the Afar triangle, where is located the biggest known congregation of Egyptian Vultures from the Palearctic, wintering in East Africa. The work also included parts of South Ethiopia and the Highlands., The team members were Ivaylo Angelov, Tsvetomira Yotsova, Vladimir Dobrev Nikolay Terziev (BSPB), Bruktawit Abdu, Yilma Dellelegn Abebe and Tesfaye Bikilla-driver)(EWNHS), Alazar Daka (WildCODE) and Samson Zelleke.


Results:In both years of the study, for one and the same transect in the Afar triangle respectively 1358 and 1400 Egyptian Vultures were counted. The vultures were recorded in a semi-desert area at an altitude between 140 and 1230 m. a. s. l. The vultures were recorded through counting of the individuals roosting on electricity poles along the main road in the region from the southwestern corner of the Afar triangle to the Djibouti border and in the region of Dire Dawa town (only in 2009). The count was implemented before sunset between 16:30 and 18:00.

The data gathered by interviewing local people shows that nowadays the Afar triangle is a relatively safe wintering place for the Egyptian Vultures. The use of poisons against carnivores seems to be not practiced, the electrocution is probably a very minor threat (no electrocuted birds were found) and the local people traditionally do not harm the vultures. Given the huge importance of Afar for the wintering birds from big parts of Asia, long-term work on the species needs to be initiated and the limiting factors closely monitored.

However, the developing and expanding medium voltage electricity network in Ethiopia, which is built mainly by dangerous for the birds pylons gives a strong alert for the future of the large birds of prey. We recorded electrocuted White-backed Vulture and the local people on a number of sites mentioned the deadly impact of the power lines on vultures. Another issue is the practice for control of the stray dogs, which was recorded to exist at least in the municipalities of Negele, Awassa and Addis Ababa. We collected information that poison is regularly used for control on the populations of stray dogs and in two sites we found poisoned Hooded Vultures.

A very interesting observation was the first in Africa record of an individual from the Indian subspecies of the Egyptian Vulture (N. percnopterus ginginianus). This observation enlarges the supposed area of origin of the vultures wintering in Afar to Pakistan and India to the east.

Sudan
In Sudan a joint expedition of BSPB and Sudanese Wildlife Society (September-October 2010) has found 17 electrocuted Egyptian Vultures. The main study area of the was the Red Sea coast in North-Eastern Sudan.

The finding of the dead birds under a particular power line in the surroundings of Port Sudan confirms a threat there which is known to cause the death of many birds since many years and continues to take victims. Still in 1982-83 the German ornithologist Gerhard Nikolaus found under the same power line almost 55 electrocuted Egyptian Vultures and during next visit in the area 21 years later, he found another 5 dead birds. With the new data until now there are found almost 80 electrocuted Egyptian Vultures but this is only the tip of the iceberg since the power line is built in the 50’s and probably has caused the death of many hundreds Egyptian Vultures.

Not only the Egyptian Vultures were found to be electrocuted by this particular dangerous power line, but also Lappet-faced Vulture, Steppe Eagles and Bonelli’s Eagle which was not found to breed in Sudan previously.

The probable high mortality during the non-breeding period is considered to be one of the main reasons in the complex of threats leading to the fast decline of the Egyptian Vultures in the Balkans. We assume that the decades of impact on the species by side of this dangerous power line may have caused the extinction the population of Egyptian Vultures which traditionally migrates along the western Red Sea coasts and breed in Eastern Europe and Asia. Following the results from the expedition, a huge priority in the species conservation will be the insulation of the dangerous power line near by Port Sudan and convincing the Sudanese Electricity Company to use a safe model of poles.

The results from the three African expeditions (Ethiopia 2009 and 2010 and Sudan 2010) will be published in a report which will mark the priorities for future conservation work for the Egyptian Vulture and the other scavenging birds of prey in Ethiopia and Sudan. The report will be available on BSPB’s website by the end of February 2011.
The work on the Egyptian Vulture in Africa was funded by Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Program, African Bird Club, Stitching Vulture Conservation Foundation and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, to which we express our gratitude.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/01/the-egyptian-vulture-what%e2%80%99s-going-on-in-africa/

China’s rarest bird discovered wintering in Indonesia

A wintering Chinese Crested Tern Sterna bernsteini has been seen and photographed in Pulau Lusaolate, north Seram, Indonesia, representing the first record of the species outside the breeding season for over 70 years.

First discovered in 1861, Chinese Crested Tern was largely presumed extinct until 2000, when four adults and four chicks were found amongst a colony of other tern species on Matsu Island off the Fujian coast in China. In 2004, it was discovered breeding on the Jiushan Islands. At present these and the Wuzhishan Islands in Zhejiang province, are the only known breeding sites in the world.

Asian bird expert, Craig Robson was leading a bird tour when he came across the remarkable record. He recounts, “I took the group out to Pulau Lusaolate on 4 December 2010 to see the well-known population of Olive Honeyeater Lichmera argentauris, that have been known from this tiny islet for many decades. Soon after arrival I noticed a roosting group of 30-40 Greater Crested Terns Sterna bergii on some rocks just off the beach. Checking through the flock quickly with binoculars, I noticed one that I thought might be a Lesser Crested S. bengalensis. Checking with the telescope, I immediately realised that I was looking at perhaps the first ever winter ’sighting’ of a Chinese Crested Tern. I quickly got a series of photos through the ‘scope. The bird flew off with a few Greater Crested Terns and was briefly seen foraging offshore before it disappeared around the island.”


This amazing record begs-the-question of how many more are wintering in this region, and birders, should be encouraged to survey wintering groups of Greater Crested Terns around the numerous islands in the Seram Sea and perhaps even further south in the Banda Sea.

With an estimated population of not more than 50 birds, the Critically Endangered Chinese Crested Tern is China’s most threatened bird and much rarer than the Giant Panda. The greatest threat to the tern’s survival is egg collection by fishermen for food, which continues even though the breeding sites are within protected areas

Chinese Crested Tern is one of the species benefitting from the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. The programme is spearheading greater conservation action, awareness and funding support for all of the world’s most threatened birds, starting with the 190 species classified as Critically Endangered.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/chinas-rarest-bird-discovered-wintering-in-indonesia/

China’s rarest bird discovered wintering in Indonesia

A wintering Chinese Crested Tern Sterna bernsteini has been seen and photographed in Pulau Lusaolate, north Seram, Indonesia, representing the first record of the species outside the breeding season for over 70 years.

First discovered in 1861, Chinese Crested Tern was largely presumed extinct until 2000, when four adults and four chicks were found amongst a colony of other tern species on Matsu Island off the Fujian coast in China. In 2004, it was discovered breeding on the Jiushan Islands. At present these and the Wuzhishan Islands in Zhejiang province, are the only known breeding sites in the world.

Asian bird expert, Craig Robson was leading a bird tour when he came across the remarkable record. He recounts, “I took the group out to Pulau Lusaolate on 4 December 2010 to see the well-known population of Olive Honeyeater Lichmera argentauris, that have been known from this tiny islet for many decades. Soon after arrival I noticed a roosting group of 30-40 Greater Crested Terns Sterna bergii on some rocks just off the beach. Checking through the flock quickly with binoculars, I noticed one that I thought might be a Lesser Crested S. bengalensis. Checking with the telescope, I immediately realised that I was looking at perhaps the first ever winter ’sighting’ of a Chinese Crested Tern. I quickly got a series of photos through the ‘scope. The bird flew off with a few Greater Crested Terns and was briefly seen foraging offshore before it disappeared around the island.”


This amazing record begs-the-question of how many more are wintering in this region, and birders, should be encouraged to survey wintering groups of Greater Crested Terns around the numerous islands in the Seram Sea and perhaps even further south in the Banda Sea.

With an estimated population of not more than 50 birds, the Critically Endangered Chinese Crested Tern is China’s most threatened bird and much rarer than the Giant Panda. The greatest threat to the tern’s survival is egg collection by fishermen for food, which continues even though the breeding sites are within protected areas

Chinese Crested Tern is one of the species benefitting from the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. The programme is spearheading greater conservation action, awareness and funding support for all of the world’s most threatened birds, starting with the 190 species classified as Critically Endangered.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/chinas-rarest-bird-discovered-wintering-in-indonesia/

The Magnificent Seven (rat free Fijian islands)

Two years after the BirdLife International Fiji Programme implemented an operation to eradicate rats from the Ringgold Islands, all seven islands have been confirmed rodent-free. Early monitoring also shows that the birds, people and wider wildlife of these remote islands are already benefitting from the removal of these invasive pests. BirdLife staff are continuing to work with local people to ensure the rats don’t return.


Located to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji, the Ringgold Islands hold internationally important numbers of nesting seabirds. Seabird populations here, as elsewhere in the Pacific, were suffering because of rats, which eat eggs and nestlings. The Ringgolds are also an important source of natural resources and income for the islands’ landowners.

In August 2008, the BirdLife Fiji programme began working closely with the two landowning clans, Yavusa Naqelelevu and Mataqali Qilo, to eradicate the rats. A specially formulated rodent bait was dropped on the islands from a helicopter.

Among the positive changes recorded since 2008 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus have been observed for two of the seven islands. This species was not previously known in the area, and its appearance is a promising sign that birds vulnerable to the impacts of rats will establish breeding colonies.

In mid-November 2010, BirdLife’s Fiji team led a survey of the Ringgold Islands. Colonies of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster were recorded. These populations represent over 1% of the global number for each species, and qualify the island group as an Important Bird Area.


In addition, nationally significant numbers of Red-footed Booby Sula sula, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Common White Tern Gygis alba, and the globally Vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis were also present.

Significant numbers of turtle nests were recorded on three islands and skink activity had also increased, particularly the Pacific Black Skink Emoia nigra, which is listed under Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act.

The eradication programme was only the first step in keeping these islands free of rats and other foreign pests. Biosecurity plans have been developed for all the islands, and village representatives have been trained in techniques to prevent the introduction of alien species.

“BirdLife urges all visitors to these islands to check their boats and equipment for stowaway rats prior to departure”, said Mr Sialisi Rasalato, BirdLife Fiji programme Conservation Officer. “The introduction of just one pregnant rat would be enough to undo all the hard work, and set the clock back to a time where the islands were crawling with rats.”


Sia Rasalato added that the BirdLife International Fiji programme is grateful to the two land owning clans for their support. “Without this, the eradication and the islands’ ongoing pest free status would not have been possible.”

In association with the landowning communities, BirdLife has established a Site Support Group – the Ringgold Seabird Committee – to lead the islands’ management, communicate the results of the eradication, and champion the islands’ protection among the wider communities.

The seven islands are traditionally under the District (tikina) of Laucala. Mr Josefa Tale, the Mata ni Tikina (Laucala District representative), heads the SSG, and provides a link to the Cakaudrove Provincial Council in achieving support for the islands protection.

Mr Tale has affirmed the interest of the landowners in protecting the islands from invasive species such as rats.

“In order to achieve this, we the island owners must ensure that the islands continue to be rat free. On behalf of the Ringgold Seabird Committee and the Ringgolds Community, I therefore ask visitors to be especially careful when visiting the Ringgolds”, said Mr Tale.

Mr Tevita Mereti of Naqelelevu village thanked BirdLife International Fiji programme for eradicating rats off the islands, as they were damaging the islands unique biodiversity, and ruining their plantation crops and food stores. He urged fishermen and others who may visit the islands to check their boats and equipment for possible stowaways.


“It has taken years of preparation and work to get rid of rats; a careless visitor could bring it back in a day, so we ask visitors to be especially careful” concluded Mr Mereti.

The BirdLife Seabird Island Restoration programme is supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Darwin Initiative. Assistance to the programme has also been provided by the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the Pacific Invasives Learning Network, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The Fiji Department of Environment and wider Fiji Government have also supported the island restoration programme.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/the-magnificent-seven-rat-free-fijian-islands/

The Magnificent Seven (rat free Fijian islands)

Two years after the BirdLife International Fiji Programme implemented an operation to eradicate rats from the Ringgold Islands, all seven islands have been confirmed rodent-free. Early monitoring also shows that the birds, people and wider wildlife of these remote islands are already benefitting from the removal of these invasive pests. BirdLife staff are continuing to work with local people to ensure the rats don’t return.


Located to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji, the Ringgold Islands hold internationally important numbers of nesting seabirds. Seabird populations here, as elsewhere in the Pacific, were suffering because of rats, which eat eggs and nestlings. The Ringgolds are also an important source of natural resources and income for the islands’ landowners.

In August 2008, the BirdLife Fiji programme began working closely with the two landowning clans, Yavusa Naqelelevu and Mataqali Qilo, to eradicate the rats. A specially formulated rodent bait was dropped on the islands from a helicopter.

Among the positive changes recorded since 2008 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus have been observed for two of the seven islands. This species was not previously known in the area, and its appearance is a promising sign that birds vulnerable to the impacts of rats will establish breeding colonies.

In mid-November 2010, BirdLife’s Fiji team led a survey of the Ringgold Islands. Colonies of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster were recorded. These populations represent over 1% of the global number for each species, and qualify the island group as an Important Bird Area.


In addition, nationally significant numbers of Red-footed Booby Sula sula, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Common White Tern Gygis alba, and the globally Vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis were also present.

Significant numbers of turtle nests were recorded on three islands and skink activity had also increased, particularly the Pacific Black Skink Emoia nigra, which is listed under Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act.

The eradication programme was only the first step in keeping these islands free of rats and other foreign pests. Biosecurity plans have been developed for all the islands, and village representatives have been trained in techniques to prevent the introduction of alien species.

“BirdLife urges all visitors to these islands to check their boats and equipment for stowaway rats prior to departure”, said Mr Sialisi Rasalato, BirdLife Fiji programme Conservation Officer. “The introduction of just one pregnant rat would be enough to undo all the hard work, and set the clock back to a time where the islands were crawling with rats.”


Sia Rasalato added that the BirdLife International Fiji programme is grateful to the two land owning clans for their support. “Without this, the eradication and the islands’ ongoing pest free status would not have been possible.”

In association with the landowning communities, BirdLife has established a Site Support Group – the Ringgold Seabird Committee – to lead the islands’ management, communicate the results of the eradication, and champion the islands’ protection among the wider communities.

The seven islands are traditionally under the District (tikina) of Laucala. Mr Josefa Tale, the Mata ni Tikina (Laucala District representative), heads the SSG, and provides a link to the Cakaudrove Provincial Council in achieving support for the islands protection.

Mr Tale has affirmed the interest of the landowners in protecting the islands from invasive species such as rats.

“In order to achieve this, we the island owners must ensure that the islands continue to be rat free. On behalf of the Ringgold Seabird Committee and the Ringgolds Community, I therefore ask visitors to be especially careful when visiting the Ringgolds”, said Mr Tale.

Mr Tevita Mereti of Naqelelevu village thanked BirdLife International Fiji programme for eradicating rats off the islands, as they were damaging the islands unique biodiversity, and ruining their plantation crops and food stores. He urged fishermen and others who may visit the islands to check their boats and equipment for possible stowaways.


“It has taken years of preparation and work to get rid of rats; a careless visitor could bring it back in a day, so we ask visitors to be especially careful” concluded Mr Mereti.

The BirdLife Seabird Island Restoration programme is supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Darwin Initiative. Assistance to the programme has also been provided by the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the Pacific Invasives Learning Network, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The Fiji Department of Environment and wider Fiji Government have also supported the island restoration programme.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/the-magnificent-seven-rat-free-fijian-islands/

Rare Bird Protected by Groundbreaking Land Deal in Peru

Critically Endangered Iquitos Gnatcatcher given a chance of survival

December 2010. For the first time in Peru, conservationists have purchased privately owned lands within a national protected area and then donated them to the national government. Twenty-nine privately owned properties totalling 1,196 acres within Peru's Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve were donated on December 1 to SERNANP, the government agency that administers national protected areas. The donated lands are home to the Iquitos Gnatcatcher, a Critically Endangered bird first described in 2005.

Near Iquitos
The 143,500-acre Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve is located only 15 miles from the city of Iquitos in northern Peru, protecting rare white-sand forests that are home to rare and unique plants and animals.

"This Reserve is one of the most important places for birds in Peru, supporting a community of 19 bird species, and is the only home for the Critically Endangered Iquitos Gnatcatcher," said Dr. Daniel Lebbin, Conservation Biologist with American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the leading U.S. bird conservation organization and one of the key supporters of the acquisitions.

An end to timber extraxtion & clearance

When the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve was created, much of the land remained under private ownership. Continued timber extraction, charcoal production, and land clearance for agriculture on privately owned in-holdings within the reserve continue to damage the reserve's forests and reduce habitat for its threatened wildlife. The protected area was first declared as a Reserve Zone in 1999, and elevated to a National Reserve in 2004.

With support from ABC, ConocoPhillips, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust, ProNaturaleza (a leading Peruvian conservation organization) purchased the land from willing sellers in the eastern portion of the Reserve where Iquitos Gnatcatchers live.

More to come
"The donation of this land to SERNANP allows us to better manage it for conservation," said Carlos F. Rivera Gonzales, the head of Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve.

To achieve this success, ProNaturaleza worked in cooperation with a coalition including SERNANP and other environmental groups, such as Friends of Allpahuayo Mishana (ACAAM) and CANATURA (a group conducting environmental education), among others.

"This experience is a clear example of joint work between public and private institutions benefiting the management of the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, the pride of Iquitos," said Martin Alcalde, Executive Director of ProNaturaleza, "We hope to build on this success to purchase more in-holdings to later donate to SERNANP if additional funds become available." ACAAM also purchased private property along the reserve's border, which will help protect additional forests.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/iquitos-gnatcatcher.html