WWF - News & Publications

Uganda unveils the world's first Earth Hour forest

2013-03-14

Kampala, Uganda / Singapore: Preparations across the globe kick off for Earth Hour 2013 with the creation of the world's first Earth Hour Forest in the East African nation of Uganda, to fight against the 6,000 hectares of deforestation that occurs in the country every month.

WWF Uganda identified close to 2,700 hectares of degraded land, and set a goal to fill it with at least 500,000 indigenous trees as part of their Earth Hour 2013 campaign. Earth Hour 2013 will take place at 8.30pm on Saturday 23 March.

"We cannot afford to ignore this critical environmental threat we are facing today. So, we are calling upon every individual, business, government agency, friends and family members to join us in planting this new landmark for Uganda's environment," said David Duli, Country Director, WWF Uganda Country Office.

Businesses, government officials and individuals are quickly heeding the call and taking up the challenge set by WWF Uganda to reach their 2013 goal. Leading the way is Standard Chartered Bank - Uganda, which has already committed to plant close to 250,000 trees, and the Ugandan Minister of State for Water and Environment who has personally pledged to plant 1,000 trees.

"Earth Hour 2013 is the rallying point for millions of people in 152 countries and territories across the world to address the climate change challenge. It illustrates that it's within our reach and power to work together for a sustainable future," said Andy Ridley, CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour.

This tree planting initiative is one of thousands of Earth Hour's I Will If You Will challenges taking place worldwide. I Will If You Will is a campaign that encourages everyone to take a positive action for the environment, beyond the Earth Hour hour. In 2012, nearly 10,000 challenges were posted on YouTube.com/EarthHour driving more than 4.6 million people to interact with the challenges and 200,000 to accept challenges on the platform alone.

The action might be a simple lifestyle change or something that leads to political change. It might require 10 people to do something, or 10,000. I Will If You Will allows anybody – from a kid in a classroom to a President of a nation - to become the inspiration to their friends, family, colleagues and communities by sharing what they're willing to do to protect the planet.

Uganda's Earth Hour Forest is the second huge environmental outcome of the I Will If You Will campaign. In December, the Russian Parliament passed a strengthened law to better protect the country's seas from oil pollution after a petition carrying the voices of 122,000 people was successfully presented to the State Duma.

Join the Earth Hour global community and help save the planet at www.earthhour.org/signup.

Earth Hour 2013 will take place at 8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 23 March

-ends-

For further information please contact:

Benjamin Vozzo, Earth Hour Global E:benjamin@earthhour.org Ph: +65 8223 1728

Mai Tatoy, Earth Hour Global, E: mai@earthhour.org Ph: +65 8223 1654

To join the global community head to:

Earth Hour www.earthhour.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/earthhour

Twitter www.twitter.com/earthhour

YouTube www.YouTube.com/EarthHour

Google+ plus.google.com/+EarthHour

Governments fall short on immediate efforts to curb illegal ivory trade at wildlife trade meeting

2013-03-12

Bangkok, Thailand - World governments at the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) on Tuesday opted against immediate trade sanctions against several countries that have repeatedly failed to tackle the trade in ivory.

"We're disappointed by the lack of urgency from governments to speed up the sanctions process against countries that have failed to act for years to curb the illegal ivory trade in their countries, while the slaughter of thousands of elephants continues in Africa," said Carlos Drews, head of WWF's CITES delegation.

"However we will be watching to see that CITES holds these governments to account in the coming year."

Despite an early discussion in CITES on potential trade sanctions against countries failing to regulate their ivory markets, governments did not enact those rules against offenders including Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.

Governments instead directed those countries to identify actions and deadlines to ensure progress in controlling illegal ivory trade before summer 2014, with the potential threat that they could face trade sanctions then if there was no significant improvement in the situation. The nine countries were given just over a year to show improvements in their performance.

"Governments have been aware for years about the lack of compliance by several countries. Forest elephants in Central Africa are declining rapidly and running out of time," Drews said. "We hope governments will speed up compliance measures against countries flouting restrictions on the ivory trade."

The worst offenders, including top demand countries China and Thailand, the host country for the meeting, as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet Nam, are expected to be discussed in a separate session on Thursday.

"We hope that governments will take a stronger stance against these countries considered the biggest problems when it comes to the illegal ivory trade, and that should include much more urgency than we saw today," Drews said.

Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from orchids to crocodile skins.

Tuesday's decisions came as poaching of elephants has reached crisis levels. Up to 30,000 elephants are slaughtered every year to feed the illegal ivory trade. The ivory trade has been regulated under CITES since the early 1970s.

There were, however, several other measures adopted by governments to help curb the illegal ivory trade, including:

The creation of an Ivory Enforcement Task Force, which will allow for better law enforcement collaboration between countries
Better DNA-based forensic techniques to identify the origin of confiscated ivory
An acknowledgement of the need for demand reduction campaigns on ivory

For further information please contact:
Ian Morrison, ian.morrison@wwfus.org, +1 202 372 6373, +66 90 414 3853
Chris Chaplin, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Additional CITES media materials are available at www.panda.org/citesmedia . For updates from the conference follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.

Governments fall short on immediate efforts to curb illegal ivory trade at wildlife trade meeting

2013-03-12

Bangkok, Thailand - World governments at the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) on Tuesday opted against immediate trade sanctions against several countries that have repeatedly failed to tackle the trade in ivory.

"We're disappointed by the lack of urgency from governments to speed up the sanctions process against countries that have failed to act for years to curb the illegal ivory trade in their countries, while the slaughter of thousands of elephants continues in Africa," said Carlos Drews, head of WWF's CITES delegation.

"However we will be watching to see that CITES holds these governments to account in the coming year."

Despite an early discussion in CITES on potential trade sanctions against countries failing to regulate their ivory markets, governments did not enact those rules against offenders including Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.

Governments instead directed those countries to identify actions and deadlines to ensure progress in controlling illegal ivory trade before summer 2014, with the potential threat that they could face trade sanctions then if there was no significant improvement in the situation. The nine countries were given just over a year to show improvements in their performance.

"Governments have been aware for years about the lack of compliance by several countries. Forest elephants in Central Africa are declining rapidly and running out of time," Drews said. "We hope governments will speed up compliance measures against countries flouting restrictions on the ivory trade."

The worst offenders, including top demand countries China and Thailand, the host country for the meeting, as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet Nam, are expected to be discussed in a separate session on Thursday.

"We hope that governments will take a stronger stance against these countries considered the biggest problems when it comes to the illegal ivory trade, and that should include much more urgency than we saw today," Drews said.

Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from orchids to crocodile skins.

Tuesday's decisions came as poaching of elephants has reached crisis levels. Up to 30,000 elephants are slaughtered every year to feed the illegal ivory trade. The ivory trade has been regulated under CITES since the early 1970s.

There were, however, several other measures adopted by governments to help curb the illegal ivory trade, including:

The creation of an Ivory Enforcement Task Force, which will allow for better law enforcement collaboration between countries
Better DNA-based forensic techniques to identify the origin of confiscated ivory
An acknowledgement of the need for demand reduction campaigns on ivory

WWF statement on rhinos at CITES

2013-03-12

Carlos Drews, head of WWF's delegation at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued the following statement today in response to decisions from world governments to offer better protection for rhinos:

"Governments today made a clear choice at CITES to offer more protection to rhinos by agreeing on timelines that will help two of the worst offenders in the rhino horn trade, Viet Nam and Mozambique, clean up their act.

"This is a big step forward for the protection of rhinos, a prehistoric animal that are being butchered for their horns at alarming rates to feed demand primarily in Viet Nam.

"A record 668 South African rhinos were killed by poachers last year, and close to 150 have died so far in 2013 - we're already moving at a pace that could see even more rhinos killed for their horns than last year.

"The challenge now is to ensure that Viet Nam and Mozambique make progress on their CITES commitments within the agreed time frame to avoid trade sanctions in the summer of 2014."

Viet Nam is the main destination for rhino horn and is now required to implement a strategy to reduce demand in the country and ensure horn traffickers are prosecuted and strongly punished.

Today's success also means that Mozambique, a major transit country for rhino horn, must strengthen legislation and enforcement to reduce trade flows exiting the African continent. It is currently only a misdemeanour to smuggle rhino horns through Mozambique. The country shares a border with South Africa's Kruger National Park, home to most of the world's rhinos and also the epicentre of illegal killing.

Rhino poaching has hit record highs and is currently exacerbated by increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. There is also a marked increase in consumption in Vietnam, fuelled by claims that rhino horn cures cancer and hangovers.

For further information:
Ian Morrison, ian.morrison@wwfus.org, (US) +1 202 372 6373, (Bangkok) +66 904 143 853
Chris Chaplin, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

www.panda.org/news for latest news and media resources

New agreement between South Africa and Viet Nam - A turning point in tackling rhino poaching crisis, say WWF, TRAFFIC

2012-12-10

Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 10th December — A pivotal moment in efforts to tackle the current rhino poaching crisis took place today as the governments of South Africa and Viet Nam signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve co-operation between the two states on biodiversity conservation and protection including tackling illegal wildlife trafficking.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by H.E. Edna Molewa, Minister for the South African Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam during a visit by Minister Molewa to Viet Nam. The main elements of co-operation outlined in the MoU include the field of biodiversity management, conservation, protection, law enforcement, compliance with CITES and other relevant legislation and Conventions. Based on equality and mutual benefit it comes into force on the date of signature and notes specifically that illegal wildlife trafficking remains a global challenge.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Edna Molewa said: "South Africa is looking forward to receiving the close co-operation from Vietnamese partners to stop the illegal trade of rhino horns from South Africa to Vietnam."

H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam also recognised the importance of co-operation between the two countries, stating that: "Fighting against crime on wildlife regulations especially on the rare, precious and endangered species including rhinos and its derivatives are always of concern to the Vietnam government."

He stressed: "The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in co-operation with related ministries and agencies, are submitting the Prime Minister to issue a Decision on banning the import of all rhino specimens to Vietnam in 2012."

Although the MoU between South Africa and Viet Nam refers only in general terms to addressing illegal wildlife smuggling, there are clear indications that rhino horn trafficking will be top of the new agenda on co-operation between the two nations.

"WWF and TRAFFIC welcome the new agreement, which marks a turning point in efforts to protect Africa's rhinos and look forward to seeing action being undertaken by both countries to end the current rhino poaching crisis," said Stuart Chapman, WWF-Greater Mekong Conservation Director.

"South Africa and Viet Nam have publicly signalled their intention to get tough on the criminal syndicates behind the rhino poaching spree," said Chapman.

Currently hundreds of rhinos are being poached each year in South Africa, their horns hacked off and smuggled to meet the soaring demand in Viet Nam, where rhino horn is in demand as a supposed "miracle medicine", despite a lack of supporting medical evidence.

Asian-run criminal syndicates are believed to be behind much of the crime, with couriers paid to smuggle poached horns from Africa to Asia, where they end up in the hands of wealthy Vietnamese. TRAFFIC's report released in August 2012 identified Viet Nam as the prime destination for much of the illegal rhino horn.

Rhino poaching numbers in South Africa have surged from 13 in 2007, to over 600 in 2012. In addition, there have been 246 people arrested in connection with the poaching of rhinos and the illegal trade of rhino horn in South Africa in 2012 alone.

In 2010, TRAFFIC convened a meeting between South African enforcement officials and their counterparts in Viet Nam to establish links between the two as part of a major effort to address the rhino horn crisis. This meeting and a subsequent return visit by Vietnamese officials to South Africa, laid the foundation for today's intergovernmental agreement.

"Rhino poaching is a key burning conservation issue, and through the public commitments of the two governments at this signing ceremony today, we have seen promising beginnings of collaborative action. This commitment now needs to be turned into urgent action to turn the crisis around," said Dr. Naomi Doak, Coordinator of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia–Greater Mekong Programme.

"The world's rhino populations are hanging by a thread, and today the opportunity was taken to throw them another lifeline," said Dr. Doak.

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WWF and its partner TRAFFIC, the wildlife monitoring network, are campaigning for greater protection of threatened species such as rhinos, tigers and elephants. In order to save endangered animals, source, transit and demand countries must all improve co-operation, law enforcement, customs controls and judicial systems. WWF and TRAFFIC are also urging governments to undertake demand reduction efforts to curb the use of endangered species products.

For further information or to schedule an interview with WWF or TRAFFIC, please contact:

WWF-Viet Nam and TRAFFIC in Viet Nam:
Tu, Nguyen Thi
WWF-Viet Nam
Email: tu.nguyenthi@wwfgreatermekong.org, Mob: +84 914419174

Brett Tolman
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia – Greater Mekong Programme
Email: brett.tolman@traffic.org, Mob: +84 1678020765

WWF International and TRAFFIC International:

Elisabeth McLellan
WWF International
Email: LMcLellan@wwfint.org,
Tel.: Mob : +41 79 212 9312

Richard Thomas
TRAFFIC International
Email: richard.thomas@traffic.org
Tel.: +44 752 6646 216

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

To learn more about WWF and TRAFFIC's campaign visit panda.org/killthetrade and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media, and www.facebook.com/vietnamWWF

Mountain gorilla population grows

2012-11-13

The total world population of mountain gorillas has risen to 880, according to census data released today by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The number of mountain gorillas has increased from the 2010 estimate of 786 after a count in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The critically endangered animals live only in two locations, Bwindi and the Virunga Massif area, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.

A total of 400 mountain gorillas have been confirmed to be living in Bwindi and 480 were counted in the Virunga Massif in 2010. Both populations have had positive trends in population growth over the last decade.

"Mountain gorillas are the only great ape experiencing a population increase. This is largely due to intensive conservation efforts and successful community engagement," said David Greer, WWF's African Great Ape Programme Manager.

Many mountain gorilla groups have been habituated to human presence and are a major tourist draw. In addition to supporting the important surveillance activities of park staff, visitor revenue has been reinvested into community projects such as wells and schools.

The greatest current threats to mountain gorillas are entanglement in hunting snares, disease transfer from humans, and habitat loss. The prospect of oil exploration in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park by petroleum companies is also cause for concern.

While oil drilling would not occur directly in gorilla habitat, industrial activity would compromise the integrity of Virunga National Park, Africa's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An influx of workers and heavy equipment could greatly threaten the park's prized biodiversity, which also includes elephants, hippos and the rare okapi antelope.

"More people in Virunga would likely lead to an increase in deforestation, illegal hunting and more snares in the forest," Greer says. "At least seven Virunga mountain gorillas have been caught in snares this year and two did not survive. The gorilla population remains fragile and could easily slip into decline if conservation management was to be disregarded in the pursuit of oil money by elites."

Mountain gorillas live in social groups and the census results indicate that the 400 mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park form 36 distinct social groups and 16 solitary males. Ten of these social groups are habituated to human presence for either tourism or research.

The Bwindi mountain gorilla census was conducted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority with support from l'Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature and the Rwanda Development Board. The census was also supported by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (a coalition of the African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora International, and WWF), the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Conservation Through Public Health, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

This census was funded by WWF-Sweden with supplemental support from Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe e.V., the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

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For additional information:
Alona Rivord, +41 79 959 1963, arivord@wwfint.org

AfDB and WWF to launch Africa Ecological Footprint Report

2012-05-31

Arusha, Tanzania: The African Development Bank (AfDB) and global conservation group WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) have launched today a joint report on the state of Africa's environment.

The Africa Ecological Footprint Report: Green Infrastructure for Africa's Ecological Security takes stock of the health of Africa's ecosystems, as well as trends in resources use patterns. It also lays out recommendations on implementing green development pathways for Africa.

This report is intended to stoke up thinking on greener development in Africa and to rally action by policy-makers and investors in the lead-up to Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development taking place later this month in Brazil.

"Africa has choices", underlines AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka. "Embracing a more sustainable approach to development can generate benefits in terms of environmental security, human wellbeing, and increased competitiveness."

The Africa Ecological Footprint Report 2012 outlines two alarming trends, which if not addressed by policy-makers and investors are likely to lead to important social and economic impacts. First, by tracking the changes in wildlife populations as a proxy for ecosystem health, the Africa Living Planet Index shows a decline of nearly 40% in biodiversity in the last four decades. This decline reflects a degradation of the natural systems upon which Africa's current and future prosperity depends.

Second, rapid population growth and increasing prosperity are changing consumption patterns, with the result that Africa's ecological footprint – the area needed to generate the resources consumed by the people who live here – has been growing steadily. While Africa's total ecological footprint is set to double by 2040 in a business-as-usual scenario, the good news is that Africa is in an advantageous position to act. It is endowed with tremendous natural resources, which, if managed properly, will be able to meet the needs of a growing population. And its relatively low footprint may be maintained if forward-looking and large-scale solutions can be mobilised in the areas of renewable energy, urban planning, and sound management of forests, water and marine resources.

The opportunity and urgency to act to ensure adequate and equitable access to water, fuel and food in the coming decades is highlighted by Jim Leape, WWF Director General.

"Our ecological infrastructure – terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems – is as essential to human development as are industrial and social infrastructures such as roads, schools, hospitals and energy provision," said WWF's Jim Leape. "The Africa Ecological Footprint Report showcases successful and scalable initiatives across Africa in renewable energy, integrated water resource management, ecotourism and forest conservation. The report offers concrete recommendations for maintaining Africa's natural capital as the foundation for sustainable and inclusive development and I urge decision-makers to act on them."

Donald Kaberuka and Jim Leape launched the report together on 1 June as part of the AfDB's Annual Meetings in Arusha. The event, attended by AfDB senior staff, government ministers, NGO representatives, African business and financial leaders, and the African and international media, is intended to inspire interest and action from these key decision-makers. The report will also be featured at a side event of the Rio+20 conference in June.

AfDB and WWF formally entered into a partnership last July, agreeing to initially focus on three areas of cooperation: developing win-win partnerships with emerging economies and strengthening South-South cooperation; catalysing knowledge sharing and knowledge products for green growth and sustainable development; collaborating on energy and water resource management; and climate change. This report is the first joint product of this partnership.

With a recent tripling of its capitalisation to USD 100 billion, the AfDB is the most important multilateral institution financing development in Africa. As the continent faces rapid economic and population growth, and growing resource and climate pressures, the AfDB plays an essential role in ensuring sustainable and equitable development.

WWF is the world's largest environmental non-governmental organisation and has been active in Africa since its foundation more than 50 years ago. WWF works together with governments, businesses and local communities to deliver conservation and sustainable development worldwide.

To download the report, and to find out more, go to: www.panda.org/lpr/africa2012 or www.afdb.org.

Rare mountain gorilla found dead in poacher's snare

2012-02-12

An anti-poaching patrol in the Virunga Massif has discovered the carcass of a young mountain gorilla caught in a poacher's snare, according to International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP). The animal was one of only about 780 critically endangered mountain gorillas left in existence.

The male gorilla, estimated to be approximately three years old, was determined to have been dead for a few days before it was found on February 1. A post mortem exam revealed that the mountain gorilla was dehydrated and its stomach empty, pointing to the likelihood that the gorilla struggled with the snare for several days before dying. The rope snare was set to trap a small antelope for wild meat.

"It is a heart-breaking thing to see a mountain gorilla dead after struggling due to an act by a human being," said IGCP Director Eugène Rutagarama. "This incident does, however, stimulate us to take immediate action to strengthen law enforcement in this area and to collectively strengthen our work to encourage people and communities in the Virunga landscape to reject and condemn poaching."

According to authorities, one suspect has been arrested and three more are being pursued in collaboration with law enforcement authorities. In the last few months, an unusually high number of snares have been found in the area.

"Although the more numerous western gorilla species are dying daily at the hands of humans in Central Africa, the handful of remaining mountain gorillas will simply be unable to endure further significant losses from poachers and their indiscriminate snares," said David Greer, WWF's African ape expert. "We strongly urge the Rwandan and DRC governments to take swift, appropriate action to ensure that those individuals responsible are held accountable, creating the deterrent necessary to discourage future illegal activities within the park boundaries.'

Habituated gorillas, accustomed to the regular presence of people for tourism or research, are monitored on a daily basis and given on-site veterinary treatment in the case of a life-threatening injury or illness. This gorilla, however was part of an unhabituated group that does not receive these direct protection benefits. Unhabituated gorillas are protected through law enforcement, like anti-poaching patrols within the parks, as well as incentivizing conservation in communities living around the park, two important efforts supported by IGCP.

The Virunga Massif is a transboundary protected area incorporating parts of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Mountain gorillas move between the three countries making collaboration between the three parks is crucial for the long-term survival of the species.

IGCP is a coalition of WWF, African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora International.

Arrests made in Uganda mountain gorilla death

2011-06-22

Three men have been arrested for killing a critically endangered mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, according to Ugandan officials.

The male gorilla was discovered dead by Uganda Wildlife Authority trackers on June 17. Officials say the gorilla was speared through the neck and shoulder by the suspects who encountered it in the park while illegally poaching antelopes. Authorities believe an altercation may have occurred between the gorilla and the poachers' hunting dogs.

Wildlife authorities say the men were apprehended in a nearby town after police sniffer dogs tracked their scent from the scene. Evidence collected in the suspects' homes further implicates them in the incident, officials say. Injured hunting dogs spotted by trackers near the gorilla's body were also discovered in the homes of the suspects.

"The news coming out of Bwindi is very discouraging. This small population of just over 300 gorillas has remained largely untouched for more than 15 years," said David Greer, WWF's African Great Ape Programme coordinator. "With such a small population where long-term viability is always a concern, any losses are critical and must be met with swift deterrent measures."

The gorilla killed was part of a small group that has been habituated to the presence of humans for tourism and research. Although habituated, wild gorillas can still come into conflict with humans when they feel threatened.

"These gorillas are important contributors to the Uganda tourism industry and I suspect that present anti-poaching strategies will be revisited and vigilance will be significantly increased," Greer said. Each habituated mountain gorilla is estimated to generate $1 million per year in tourist dollars for the Ugandan economy.

There are only 786 mountain gorillas remaining in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the most recent census numbers.

In the area where the incident occurred, officials from the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) have been working with district governments, local leaders and community members to combat poaching and other illegal activities.

"While there are several programs to share revenue from mountain gorilla tourism with communities around protected areas, we still have poaching for small antelopes happening in the park," said Stephen Asuma from the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), a coalition of WWF, Fauna & Flora International and the African Wildlife Foundation.

WWF supports the work of IGCP in the communities around Bwindi and other mountain gorilla habitats to reduce conflict between wildlife and people.

Law enforcement and government protection tends to be more robust for mountain gorillas than for their western lowland gorilla cousins, who are also critically endangered and suffering rapid declines from poaching. Gorilla meat has become popular among wealthy elites in Central African cities.

"While poachers that kill even one legally protected animal are often held to account in mountain gorilla range, poachers in Central African countries can often bribe their way to freedom after killing entire gorilla families," Greer says.

"Unfortunately, poaching deaths continue to plague Central African countries to the west of Uganda where the more numerous western gorillas reside. Daily killings in Cameroon, Gabon, Congo and Central African Republic are not the exception, but the standard."

To deter poaching, Greer says, Central African governments must apply their existing wildlife laws, ensure robust prosecutions of offenders, and impose severe punishments.

WWF is working with gorilla range governments to increase the number of wildlife rangers to protect against poachers. The organization also supports greater law enforcement cooperation between countries to disrupt illegal wildlife trade.

UPDATE August 9, 2011: The Uganda Wildlife Authority today expressed its dismay that the suspects in this case have been released after paying paltry fines ranging from $19 to $38. In her ruling, the presiding magistrate said that there was insufficient evidence to link the men to the killing of the critically endangered gorilla.

Twin mountain gorillas born in Rwanda

2011-06-10

A pair of twin mountain gorillas have been born in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, it was reported by International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), a coalition of WWF, African Wildlife Foundation and Fauna & Flora International.

Last month's birth marks only the seventh recorded case of twin mountain gorillas among Rwanda's habituated population since observations began 40 years ago. A previous set of rare twins was born in the park in February.

Upon hearing the news during a field assignment, a coalition of conservationists from Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda erupted into a spontaneous signing of "Happy Birthday".

There are only about 780 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild. A recent scientific report by IGCP and others has found that "extreme conservation measures" for habituated gorillas, such as veterinary care and daytime guarding against poachers, have led to population increases. In contrast, unhabituated gorillas, which only receive conventional conservation efforts, have declined in numbers.

"Thus by increasing protection and facilitating veterinary treatment, the daily monitoring of each habituated group contributed to most of the difference in growth rates. Our results argue for wider consideration of extreme measures and offer a startling view of the enormous resources that may be needed to conserve some endangered species," the report says.

Census finds increase in critically endangered mountain gorilla population

2010-12-07

A census of the world's largest mountain gorilla population has counted 480 animals, an increase of 100 - more than a quarter - since the last count in 2003.

The gorillas surveyed live in Central Africa's Virunga Massif region, a volcanic mountain ecosystem consisting of three adjacent national parks spanning parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and Rwanda.

A fourth park, southwestern Uganda's Bwindi, is home to an additional 302 mountain gorillas, the only other remaining wild population, which together with four orphaned mountain gorillas in a sanctuary in the DRC brings the wild population to 786.

The Virunga census was conducted in March and April 2010 by local authorities with the support of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), a coalition of several conservation organizations, including WWF.

''This is vivid testimony to the commitment of the Rwanda, Uganda and DRC governments, in addition to their supporting partners including IGCP, to ensuring the sustained protection of this charismatic species," said David Greer, African Great Ape Coordinator at WWF. "The survey results provide us with an excellent demonstration of how strong law enforcement efforts put in place to safeguard flagship species can advance species conservation, benefit local communities, and provide important revenue to governments."

The current figure represents an annual growth rate of 3.7% in Virunga despite the illegal killing of no less than nine mountain gorillas in the area over the past seven years, according to IGCP. Of the gorillas surveyed, 352 have been habituated to human presence, 349 living in groups and three solitary silverback males. Habituated mountain gorillas have been the basis of a sustainable eco-tourism programme since the late 1970s.

"Unfortunately, as we continue efforts to replicate the successful mountain gorilla eco-tourism model elsewhere in Central Africa, weak government support for wildlife protection, rampant corruption and an uninviting tourism culture make for a much more challenging environment," said Greer. "To date, no gorilla tourism programmes west of the Virungas have achieved fiscal success."

"The mountain gorilla is the only one of the nine subspecies of African great apes experiencing a population increase. While we celebrate this collective achievement, we must also increase efforts to safeguard the remaining eight subspecies of great apes," said Greer. "Elsewhere in African great ape range states, government support of wildlife law enforcement efforts is shockingly weak and great apes continue to be poached in an environment of pervasive, legal impunity."

To conduct the Virunga census, over 1,000 kilometres were systematically walked by six mixed teams of seventy-two people from DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda. Teams covered the entire range and meticulously documented fresh signs of gorilla groups. Mountain gorillas make a new nest each night. Genetic analysis of fecal samples were collected and analyzed to identify and correct for any double-counting of individuals or groups, ensuring the most accurate estimate for the population.

 ''While the results of the survey are encouraging, many imminent threats continue to loom over great ape populations throughout Central Africa including commercial poaching to supply bushmeat to wealthy urbanites, habitat destruction through illegal logging and land conversion, and the spread of highly infectious diseases such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever," said Greer. "Moreover, the recent decision by the DRC government to open the Virunga National Park, Africa's first National Park, a UN World Heritage Site, and DRC's only home to the mountain gorilla, to oil exploration, is extremely disappointing and reveals that there is much progress to be made in balancing the need to maintain critical biodiversity regions in the face of competing government interests.'' 

The Virunga Massif mountain gorilla census was conducted by the protected area authorities in three countries: L'Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The census was supported by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (a coalition of WWF, the African Wildlife Foundation, and Fauna & Flora International), the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund – International and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. The census was funded by WWF, Fair Play Foundation, and the Netherlands Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) through the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

Indian Ocean tuna commission fails again on tuna, does better with sharks

2010-03-05

Busan, Korea: Closing to fishing an area already largely closed by pirates is a long way short of being meaningful fisheries management, WWF said at the conclusion of the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) in Busan, Korea today.

"The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission continues to lag well behind nearly every other comparable fisheries regulator in its failure to introduce catch limits for the commercial fish species under its control," said Dr Amani Ngusaru, head of WWF's Coastal East Africa Marine Programme.

"We have agreement on a catch limit for bigeye and yellowfin tuna, as recommended by the scientists and this is a big step forward for the IOTC. And we have a non-binding commitment that catch limits for the tuna resources of the Indian Ocean will be considered at the 2012 meeting, which could be a big step nowhere."

"In the meantime, we have this laughable measure that an area off Somalia which is already largely off limits due to piracy will be closed to long-liners for a month and purse seiners for a month. Are we really serious about limiting fishing pressure on our already overfished stocks?"

But the IOTC did rather better on protecting sharks and seabirds.

"The vote to adopt a ban on commercial landing of endangered thresher sharks is not all we wanted in relation to sharks and to the trade in shark fins but it is a major advance for the commission," Dr Ngusaru said.

"It also illustrates the truth of our assertion for all the world's Regional Fisheries Management Organisations that they make better decisions when they vote on recommended fisheries management measures than when they race to the bottom trying to achieve a consensus."

With studies showing that several endangered albatross and petrels were highly vulnerable to longline fishing in the Indian Ocean during their critical juvenile phase, the commission hardened seabird catch mitigation requirements for longline boats operating south of 25 degrees south.

Boats will now need to use two out of five recognised mitigation measures which include minimum light night operation, bird scaring lines, weighted branch lines and blue-dyed bait.

IOTC's scientific community had warned contracting country parties that bigeye tuna catches should be limited to 110,000 tonnes and yellowfin tuna should be limited to 300,000 tonnes. But although the meeting accepted these recommendations, action to institute catch restrictions is to wait on a process of setting country allocations.

Another key measure not adopted was a Seychelles proposal for a ban on discards of Skipjack, Yellowfin and Big eye tuna from purse seine vessels. This would have reduced the carnage from the practice of trawlers "trading up" or discarding previous catches if better catches of higher value fish are found.

"Developing Indian ocean states were rightly upset about the failure to pass this significant bycatch measure as it is a food security issue for them," said Dr Ngusaru. "If it is good enough for fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, why isn't it good enough for fisheries in the Indian Ocean."

A key development of the meeting was the growing assertiveness of Indian Ocean developing states in taking responsibility for their fish stocks, both in improving management of their own fishing industries and in seeking better practice from foreign industrial fleets in their waters.

"This was illustrated in the Maldives signing up to the IOTC," said Dr Ngusaru. "WWF is totally behind this new push for sustainable fishing in the Indian Ocean and will do all we can to support it as it benefits both the fisheries and coastal populations depending on them."

For further information:
Dr Amani Ngusaru,
Head of Marine Programme, WWF Coastal East Africa Network Initiative, ANgusaru@wwftz.org
+255 754 367362

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

www.panda.org/media for latest news and media resources

Highly Endangered Mountain Gorilla to Get Counted in Vital Census

2010-02-08

The critically endangered mountain gorilla's current status is to be revealed through a census to determine its population size in the Virunga Volcanoes area that straddles the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda in Eastern and Central Africa. The Virunga Volcanoes is one of only two locations where mountain gorillas live, whose total numbers are currently estimated at 680 individuals. Though the area is now relatively calm, recent conflict in the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park in the DRC has left the gorillas there vulnerable.

The last Virunga Volcanoes census in 2003 resulted in an estimate of 380 individuals, with the remaining individuals living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda. The Wildlife and National Park Authorities of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC will collaborate on the census, which is planned for March and April 2010. The census is funded by WWF.

The census is an opportunity to make an accurate count of the total gorilla population in the Virunga Volcanoes. Fecal samples will also be collected for genetic analysis to confirm the population size and for better understanding the genetic variability and health status of the population. Such monitoring is vitally important in understanding the long-term viability and measuring the effects of the recent history of conflict in the region on such a small population of critically endangered animals. Eugene Rutagarama, Director of census partner the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), stated, "The Gorilla census is an exercise enabling us to assess the impact of conservation efforts carried out by all gorilla conservation stakeholders. We are hoping that the census will confirm a continuous increase of the mountain gorilla population and guide us on how we can further contribute to the growth of this still endangered population."

Launching on March 1st, the census will involve 80 team members. Team members, which will be drawn from the staff of the various protected area (National Park) authorities and their partners, will traverse the entire Virunga gorilla habitat range over a period of approximately eight weeks.

The census is being carried out by the Rwanda Development Board/ Tourism and Conservation, the Congolese Wildlife Authority and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The exercise will be supported by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (a coalition of AWF, WWF and FFI), the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Results will be vital in looking at population trends and determining the best collaborative way forward for mountain gorilla conservation.

END

ICCN: About The Congolese Wildlife Authority. The Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) and its Rangers work throughout the country to protect the National Parks of Congo and their wildlife from poachers, rebel groups, illegal miners and land invasions. Over 150 Rangers have been killed in the last 10 years protecting the 5 parks of eastern DRC, and Rangers worked throughout the civil war, rarely receiving a salary. For additional information and/or photographs please contact: Samantha Newport, Communications Director, Virunga National Park: samantha@gorilla.cd or +243 99 384 1267. Emmanuel de Merode, Director of Virunga National Park: edemerode@gorilla.cd or +243 99 344 8133

RDB/ Tourism and Conservation. About the Rwanda Development Board/ Tourism and Conservation. The Rwanda Wildlife Authority was created in 1973 as the national authority managing Rwanda's parks and tourism sector. RDB/ Tourism and Conservation staff manage three national parks in Rwanda, the Parc National de l'Akagera, the Parc National des Volcans and Nyungwe National Park, and one forest reserve, the Gishwati Forest. : For further information, please contact RDB-Tourism & Conservation office at (+250)252576514/252576515 or email public_relations@rwandatourism.com or visit their website at www.rwandatourism.com

UWA. About the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) was established in August 1996 by the Uganda Wildlife Statute, which merged the Uganda National Parks and the Game Department. UWA is in charge of management of 10 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries and provides guidance for 5 Community Wildlife Areas. UWA's vision is "To be a leading self-sustaining wildlife conservation agency that transforms Uganda into one of the best eco-tourist destinations in Africa." For further information please contact Ms. Lillian Nsubuga, Publica Relations Manager, UWA. (+256 414 35500, 312 35500), lillian.nsubuga@ugandawildlife.org (www.uwa.or.ug)

IGCP: About the International Gorilla Conservation Programme. The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) is a coalition of three international conservation organisations that have been operating in the Great Lakes Region since 1979. The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) formed the IGCP in 1991 with the mission to empower people to jointly manage a network of transboundary protected areas so that they contribute significantly to sustainable development and protecting the mountain gorilla and its afromontane habitat. To learn more about the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, please visit: www.igcp.org, www.awf.org, www.fauna-flora.org, www.panda.org; or contact Jamie Kemsey (IGCP Communications Manager), +250 580465, jkemsey@awfafrica.org

MPI: About the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology is a research institute whose aim is to increase understanding of evolutionary anthropology, including the evolution, behavioural ecology and population biology of primates closely related to human beings. To learn more about The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology visit: www.eva.mpg.de/primat.html ; or contact Dr. Martha Robbins, +49 341 3550 210 or +256 0782083611, robbins@eva.mpg.de

DFGFI: About the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. The Fossey Fund operates the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda, and maintains a staff of scientists, trackers and anti-poaching patrols in Volcanoes National Park. The Fossey Fund also works with community-based reserves and national parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is building a rehabilitation center there for gorillas rescued from poachers. The Fossey Fund also operates health, education and community development programs in the region. More information: www.gorillafund.org

MGVP: About the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. Founded in 1986 shortly after the death of Dian Fossey, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project provides veterinary care to the approximately 680 mountain gorillas living in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It monitors the health of wild mountain gorillas, treats trauma and illness, researches significant issues in gorilla health, and develops protocols and partnerships to support the Mountain Gorilla One Health Program in the Virungas and environs. It works in close partnership with the governments of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other gorilla conservation organizations to achieve mutual goals, and its work is shared to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts around the world. The MGVP depends upon grants and donations to conduct its operations. More information: www.gorilladoctors.org.

About the Mountain Gorilla One Health Program. As a partnership between the MGVP and the University of California, Davis Wildlife Health Center, the Mountain Gorilla One Health Program investigates the disease threats facing mountain gorillas, helps expand medical care for the humans working in and around the gorilla parks, and improves the health and well-being of livestock to benefit the families who depend on them for nutrition and income. The program was established in April 2009 with a leadership gift from the Packard Foundation, and involves some of the world's leading great ape scientists and conservationists. Utilizing both public and private support, the program is a model for the One Health approach to conservation (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whc).

Forests fundamental to effective climate deal

2009-10-25

Buenos Aires, Argentina – The world's ability to control climate change could be crippled if global leaders do not support clear and effective targets to arrest deforestation at climate talks in Copenhagen in December, WWF said at the conclusion of a key global foresty summit.

As the XIIIth World Forestry Congress finished Friday, WWF called for an ambitious and bold climate deal at Copenhagen to give clear guidance and incentives for the forestry sector to do its part in stopping catastrophic climate change and adapt to predicted changes.

"Setting immediate deforestation targets is a key component of any climate change agreement," said Rodney Taylor, Director of WWF International's Forest program.

"If the global deal on climate change ignores the dangers of unchecked deforestation, it will set the world on an accelerated path to savage climate change."

Despite conservation efforts, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate – 13 million hectares per year, or 36 football fields a minute. It generates almost 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and halting forest loss has been identified as one of the most cost-effective ways to keep the world out of the danger zone of runaway climate change.

To this end, WWF during the Congress proposed a global target of zero net deforestation by 2020 to avoid runaway climate change and stop the current catastrophic trend of species loss.

"A zero net deforestation by 2020 target will set the scale and urgency needed to gather the political will to stop forest loss," Taylor said.

WWF will continue to advocate for a strong deforestation target to be included in all other relevant international treaties and agreements, including in the Convention on Biological Diversity.

In Copenhagen, negotiators need to agree to strong financial and emissions reduction commitments to craft a climate deal that enables developing countries to halt forest loss.

"WWF received strong feedback at the Congress from various sectors, including governments, other NGOs, and the private sector to support our target on deforestation," said Gerald Steindlegger, WWF International's Forest Manager on Global Policy.

Many developing countries already are adopting major deforestation policies that mirror WWF's call for zero net deforestation by 2020.

On Wednesday, government representatives from Argentina and Paraguay pledged during a special ceremony co-hosted by WWF and its partner organization Fundacion Vida Silvestre at the Congress to work towards zero net deforestation in the Atlantic Forest, and to implement a package of measures that include national legislation to enforce those commitments.

The Atlantic Forest initially spanned 500,000 square kms, shared between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. However, only 7.4 percent of the forest is left today – or about 35,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most threatened and fragmented subtropical forests in the world.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian government already has established a zero deforestation target by 2010 for the Atlantic Forest. Brazil also has pledged to establish protected areas covering at least 10 percent of the forest.

This year, the World Forestry Congress brought together more than 4,000 participants in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

'Mountains of the Moon' get nod for international wetlands protection

2009-05-13

Kampala, Uganda – Part of the Rwenzori Mountains – home to some of the last glaciers in Africa and likely Ptolemy's 'Lunis Montae' – received international recognition on Wednesday as a protected wetland site under the international Ramsar convention, a major conservation decision that will help protect the region's vast ecological riches.

The Rwenzori Ramsar Site covers a 99,500 hectares area of the mountain region located in western Uganda and bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the DRC, the mountains are part of Virunga National Park, which is also designated as a Ramsar Site and recognized as a World Heritage Site.

The Rwenzori region received Ramsar Site designation primarily for three main reasons: it contains important wetland bogs that support plant and animal life, it contains dozens of endemic threatened and restricted range species – of which many are endangered such as the Rwenzori Duiker (Cephalophus rubidus), Elephants (Loxodonta africana), Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Rwenzori Otter Shrew (Micropotamogale ruwenzorii) – and because many of those species play an integral role in maintaining the region's biological diversity.

WWF International's Freshwater Programme has been supporting wetlands conservation in Uganda since 2000, including for the designation of another nine of Uganda's Ramsar Sites in 2006.

The Rwenzori Mountains are one of the only three places in Africa with unique high altitude wetlands, including glaciers at the equator – the other two being Mount Kilimandjaro in Tanzania, and Mount Kenya in Kenya. Located in the western arm of the African Rift Valley, the Rwenzori Mountains act as a natural water tower for the Nile River basin. In 300 AD, the Alexandrine geographer Claudius Ptolemy suggested that the Nile had its source from snow peaks on the Equator, the 'Lunis Montae' or 'Mountains of the Moon'.

But the fascination and reverence for the Rwenzori Mountains has continued since Ptolemy's time. In 1888, H. M. Stanley while on expedition at the shores of L. George sighted the snow peaks of Rwenzori. Early mountaineers, most notably the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906, fighting upwards through dense forests of trees and bamboos, discovered a surreal landscape beautiful foliage, surrounded by spectacular lakes and equatorial glaciers flowed down from the snow capped peaks.

Since 1906, the Rwenzori Mountains have become a paradise for botanists and mountaineers alike. Research has revealed a wealth of endemic species in the range within a series of remarkable concentric, altitudinal, vegetation zones.

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There currently are 1,842 wetland sites, totaling 180 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, according to the Convention's website.

The Ramsar designation has major conservation significance for the Rwenzori Mountains which for years have suffered because of climate change. The region's high altitude glaciers are rapidly melting, from 6.5km2 in 1906 when it was first surveyed by Duke of Abruzzi to 0.96±0.34km2 in 2003, according to a report published by Dr. Richard Taylor in 2006. This in turn affects wetlands in the lower altitudes that provide a needed water supply for people and the species living in the area.

"The Rwenzori Mountains are very important for the ecology and the hydrology of the region; in particular, they supply water to Lake George, Uganda's first Ramsar Site (designated in 1988), which has one of the highest fish diversity in Africa," said Paul Mafabi, Commissioner for Wetlands and the Ramsar Administrative Authority in Uganda.

Denis Landenbergue, Wetlands Conservation Manager at WWF International added that "together, the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda and the Virunga in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo offer the potential to become Africa's second transboundary Wetland of International Importance"

Since the 1960s, the Rwenzori Mountains have been increasingly threatened by the demands of a growing population, and the cultivation of ever-steeper land below the protected area boundary caused serious soil erosion. This has been generating increasing siltation or rivers and lakes, which has seriously affected the livelihood of people, especially fishermen.

In 2005, WWF in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority commissioned a 3.2 million USD project to support and maintain the integrity of the Rwenzori Mountains ecosystems. The project has since strengthened the management capacity of UWA, registering reduced illegal activities, improved park management infrastructure, helped develop local environmental action plans, restored degraded sites through forest landscape restoration and facilitated trans-boundary dialogue and community based resources management. The relationship between the Park Management Authority and the surrounding communities also has improved through awareness raising, revenue sharing and resource access schemes.

Conflict zone Mountain Gorillas viewed by rangers for first time in more than a year

2008-12-23

Eastern DRC – Mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been seen by park rangers for the first time since the rangers were forced out of areas of Virunga National Park by Laurent Nkunda's army 15 months ago.

Virunga National Park director, Emmanuel de Merode, successfully negotiated with Nkunda and got confirmation that Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) would be allowed to reenter and work in the southern part of the park.

ICCN, the government institution in charge of protected areas management, park rangers and their families were forced out of the park when rebel leader Nkunda and his army took control of several parts of the park including the areas where mountain gorillas are found in September 2007. Since that time, no one outside of Nkunda's army has been allowed to monitor the gorillas.

"We were very worried about the mountain gorillas as we had not any contact with them for over a year but ICCN rangers have already seen many of the mountain gorilla families and we are happy to report that most of them seem to be doing well," said de Merode. "We are continuing our census of the gorillas and are reinstating our antipoaching operations."

In spite of this good news in the southern part of the park, the central and eastern sectors of the park remain very unsafe. Over half of ICCN's staff and their families who work in Virunga National Park (over 2000 people) are now living at IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) sites outside of the park because of fighting between Nkunda's army and the Congolese army.

The conflict in the Congo has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and there are now an estimated 145,000 IDPs scattered in 6 sites just outside of the national park. The people living in these sites are in desperate need of food, shelter and fuelwood.

WWF has been focusing its efforts in the area on the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict and is distributing fuelwood from sustainable tree plantations to people living in IDP sites. WWF has also been passing out improved cooking stoves, which use half the amount of wood as a normal stove.

"WWF believes that the needs of people displaced by the fighting and the gorillas are inextricably linked—we are providing displaced people with the basic resources they need for shelter and cooking, while at the same time protecting Virugna National Park's forests, which are already heavily damaged by illegal logging for wood and charcoal," said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF International's Species Programme. "We hope that a normal life can quickly be restored for local communities living near and benefiting from the park and its gorillas."

Virunga National Park was created in 1925 as Africa's first protected area and is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Rwanda and Uganda. Despite its protected status, encroachment for farming and settlement, as well as by warring rebel factions, is leading to uncontrolled exploitation of its forests.

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Climate Witness: Mbiwo Constantine Kusebahasa, Uganda

2008-06-26

My name is Mbiwo Constatine Kusebahasa. I was born in 1938 to the Bakonjo tribe, a hardy and friendly people in the Rwenzori Mountains. I have a wife and children.

English | Español
I am a farmer on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. I started farming around 1954; we would plant our crops and get good harvest. We grow maize, beans, sweet potatoes, cassava, and vegetables. However, starting in the 1970's, I started to notice gradual changes in our environment.

Changing our farming practices

We used to have two planting seasons. The first was in March-April and the second was in July-August. But now, planting our crops as we used to earlier is no more. Now we start planting in September, hoping that the rains would come and our crops would flourish. We have been forced to adapt to cope with the changing weather patterns.

Decline of snow on the mountains

We used to have white stuff (glaciers and snow) that was spreading all over the mountain tops. It was clearly visible from the foothills. That is where we thought the rains came from. However, all the glaciers have disappeared!

Rise of malaria

When I was young, this area was very cold. We needed heavy blankets to keep warm, especially during the night. Now the area is much warmer. Before the 1970's, we did not know what malaria was. The mosquitoes that spread malaria are thriving due to the higher temperatures. At present, there are many cases of malaria in the Kasese area.

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Stretching across an area 112km long and 48km wide along the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the Rwenzori Mountains. The mountains' glaciers and biodiversity are spectacular and a marvel to behold. Rivers emerging from the glaciers provide life-sustaining freshwater to wildlife, livestock and communities over an even larger area.

Agriculture has formed the principle livelihood of the Bakonjo–a tough and friendly people living in the mountains. The Bakonjo owe their existence to the Rwenzori Mountains. In fact, Rwenzori is derived from "Rwenzururu"; "people belonging to snow".

For the community around here, they are noticing physical evident signs of change in the environment. The once clearly visible snow and glaciers on the peaks of the Rwenzori are slowly but surely receding, quite a distressing phenomenon for Constantine.

According to a scientific survey, the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains have reduced from 650 hectares in 1906 to about 105 hectares in 2005.

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Below is a transcript from a speech Mbiwo gave at Greenaccord 2009

"I am Mbiwa Constantine Isebahasa, 73 years old, married and I have a family. My education level is primary. I am an environmentalist of goodwill. I am glad to have been invited to participate in this event.

I have lived in the Rwenzori region, at the foot of the mountains, since I was a child and I am very much aware of the changes that have taken place within the region. Rwenzori region is a range of mountains that harbours the National park, water sources, forests, settlements, cultural sites and is a source of rain. Rwenzori Mountains are the highest in Uganda and has glaciers at the peak. It covers 3 districts in Uganda and a small part crosses to Congo. In this region, the effects of climate change are evident.

As last as 1958, glaciers could cover 100% of the mountain peaks and could be seen every morning, after raining and whenever the sky was clear. Margherita, Stanley, Speke and other small peaks were always covered with glaciers. Rains were regular, longer and predictable. First season planting of crops used to start on 25th of February to 15th March, while the second season could start 25th of July to 15th August. No one feared to plant because seasons were not changing. In a year, 9 months could receive rains; December, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, and November.

Crop yields were high and there had never been famine, and no one could use fertilisers or sprays on any of the crops. Dry season were shorter; only 3 months in a year. Usually, January, June and July. Forests were only indigenous and used to cover 80% of the area and all ridges and river lines were forested. Exotic species of trees were not common. Rivers had such big volumes of water throughout the year that only adults could cross at a few points and only in a dry season. Mountain people never suffered from diseases like malaria.

Today, however, glaciers are rare to see. One must stand on one of a very few sites in order to see glaciers. Peaks are often seen bare. Its now by chance they can be seen maybe twice a year. Some people have spent 4 years in the region and have never got the chance of seeing the glaciers. Others see them only when they climb far up the mounts at about 4500m above sea level.

Rain seasons have reduced to 5 months in a year. It rains in April, May, September, October and November. Even there are little rains and seasons are not predictable, this year it comes in April, next year in may not come at all, or comes towards the end of May. Crops are failing every year due to prolonged dry seasons. Most crops are attacked by pests also. Dry season now takes 7 months in a year. In fact to us farmers drought is our big indicator of climate change because it affects us badly. Now we face lack of food and money because of too much drought.

Indigenous forests have all been cut down except the few in the park which the government protects. Now exotic trees like Eucalyptus cover 1% of the area. River volumes have reduced most of the year to a level that children of 5 years can cross them and some wells have dried. Malaria is everywhere.

Due to poverty, managing of this situation has become difficult, because most of the people in that region are jobless. We keep in advocating to the youth to take initiative in preserving our environment by planting trees along the water catchments areas and reclaim the deforested areas occupied by human settlement, by resettling them away from those areas. We also appeal to the local honey gatherers to keep away from the mountains and the forest areas surrounding because they are the major source of mountain and forest lives.

Farmers cope by planting drought tolerant crops like fruits and perennial crops, and using fertilisers and sprays. The planting of early maturing crops has helped, and we have diverted some rivers for irrigation.

We think the cause of these problems is global climate change due to gases from industrialised countries, from industries, vehicles, green house gases, testing of smoke from war areas, shells and all types of war activities.

Increased human activity in the mountain region is also having an impact, with people grazing cattle along the mountains and forested areas, as well as sporting activities such as racing, mountain climbing, creating much passage way towards the mountains. The draining of swamps and cutting all trees for uses such as firewood in lime factories, or simply to clear land for building in the region has also had an impact.

To combat these changes, we need to put a stop all the cutting of trees along with mountain and the forest surrounding it, and every effort should be done to educate the local to use local methods of preventing those areas. Planting all bare hills with trees and shifting away from using wood products to gas for firewood, or metal items could help save our forests.

The International community should come up with good programs to help the poor nations to manage the resources from the local to International level without exploitation. To look for technology that will match the gap between the civilised and the evolving civilisations of developing countries, e.g. motor vehicle industries should make vehicles which are not environment polluters. Industries should have mechanism to stop those smoke from getting into our atmosphere.

Malaria is the major killer in the region so as to curve this menace the preventive method should be put in place; e.g. eradication of mosquitoes.

I wish this meeting will save this problem of glacier melting of the sake of the future generations.
Thank you.
For God and my Country,
Mbiwa Constantine Isebahasa
From Kasese Rwenzori region, Uganda"

Scientific review

A scientific review by a member of the Climate Witness Science Advisory Panel is pending.

Vanishing central African glaciers signal climate danger

2008-03-17

Nairobi, Kenya – Forget the snows of Kilimanjaro – Africa is at risk of losing the central African glaciers that are the highest permanent source of water to the Nile.

A WWF and partner organization team of 27 people of eight nationalities recently returned from the Rwenzori Mountains after gathering data showing that the mountain's glaciers have shrunk by 50 per cent in the last 50 years and more than 75 per cent in the last century.

Visually, the change is obvious with the team finding the exact locations from which photographs were taken in 1952 and 1956 and taking new photographs. "I have never seen the glaciers shrink to this level in my 25 years of climbing the Rwenzori Mountains," exclaimed one porter accompanying the team.

The Rwenzori, straddling the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are Africa's third highest mountains and, along with Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, are the only African peaks with permanent snowpack.

The range also borders another African icon, the Virunga National Park, Africa's first and the home to the only remaining populations of mountain gorillas. The mountains play a vital role in supplying water to the forests and about 2 million people in the area.

WWF, together with the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) had organised an ambitious 10-day expedition from DRC to Uganda that criss-crossed the massif and reached the Margharita peak at 5,119m above sea level.

"The impact of melting of glaciers was felt by the team when it discovered that the route leading from DRC to Uganda used a glacier that no longer exists, forcing the team to open a new route" says Marc Languy, head of WWF's Programme in the Great Lakes region.

"However, the impact is more severe on wildlife and the vegetation that can not adapt to the new condition fast enough. While it was comforting to find many signs of leopards, chimpanzees and other wildlife, one wonders how they will survive if changes continue at the present rate".

The team was armed with historical data showing that the Rwenzori glaciers covered 650ha in 1906 and were down to 352ha in 1955. The team's surveys showed a current total glaciated area of 148 ha and at this rate, WWF estimates that the glaciers will completely disappear in the next 30 years.

The expedition, comprising WWF, the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, undertook a number of conservation projects in the Virunga and the Rwenzori Mountains National Parks.

The Ugandan part of Rwenzori and its glaciers, high altitude lakes, bogs and rivers are soon explected to be designated as a Ramsar site (a wetland of international significance) .

"The rivers and wetlands that I saw in this amazing ecosystem were just phenomenal. But the simple fact remains–they are threatened," says Dr. Musonda Mumba, WWF's Freshwater Programme Coordinator for eastern Africa.

"Their ability to provide water for both nature and man is really jeopardised by the changes that are taking place. Speaking to local people it is already clear that the rainfall pattern has changed and this is having an effect on water resources," adds Dr. Mumba.

Contacts and more details

Congo, Rwanda and Uganda united to save mountain gorillas

2008-02-22

Borders will matter less to central Africa's mountain gorillas, following the launch of a strategic conservation plan and an associated project which covers adjoining areas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There are only about 720 gorillas left in the tropical mountain forests shared by the three countries, the Central Albertine Rift Area Network. The gorillas' natural habitat is threatened by the destruction of these forests and the great apes themselves are victims of poachers.

Protected area authorities of the three countries launched their 10-year Transboundary Strategic Plan for the Central Albertine Rift Protected Area Network on 20 February 2008 in Kampala.

The project is part of the 10-year strategic plan developed by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and is supported by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP). IGCP is a coalition of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). The project secretariat is to be hosted by IGCP.

Also launched was a 4 million euro transboundary conservation project funded by the Dutch Government through the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Kigali Rwanda.

The new transboundary strategic plan aims to improve community livelihoods and contribute to the stability of the region. It will also assist in strengthening and making similar the three countries's policies and laws on the conservation and management of the protected areas.

"This is an exciting development", said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF International's Species Programme. "We applaud this tremendous contribution of the government and people of the Netherlands, which recognizes that species conservation and sustainable development and poverty alleviation go hand in hand."

Saving the endangered mountain gorillas of Africa will be a key component of the 4-year project.

Mountain gorillas are the main tourist attraction in Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, earning these countries about US$ 5 million every year, and are thus a critical element of livelihood programmes in the region for local communities.

WWF joins the chief executives of the three partner organizations (ICCN, ORTPN, and UWA) in calling for enhanced political support from their respective governments.

For further information:
Kimunya Mugo, Communications Manager, WWF Eastern Africa Regional Programme Office (WWF-EARPO), tel. +254 20 38726 30; KMugo@wwfearpo.org

African nations boost gorilla protection

2007-10-26

Paris, France – A new agreement endorsed by nine African countries to better protect gorillas is a major conservation achievement, said WWF and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

This is the first time that countries where great ape species are found in the wild are to be legally obligated to act in a coordinated manner against threats to these animals.

The agreement, finalised today at a meeting hosted by the government of France and the UN's Convention on Migratory Species, specifies efforts that governments need to undertake and to collaborate on, including combating poaching, supporting law enforcement and building capacity in the legal and judicial areas.

The agreement will be legally binding, unlike previous declarations from the range countries, such as the GrASP Kinshasa Declaration in 2005.

"This new agreement is a powerful tool because it has the potential to reshape the way gorilla conservation is conducted," said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's Global Species Programme.

"It will promote collaboration and political will to secure habitat, and stop escalating threats such as poaching and Ebola outbreaks, all threats to the future of the world's gorillas."

Central African Republic, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cameroon and Gabon participated in the talks, while Rwanda was unable to attend.

WWF and TRAFFIC, who are active in gorilla conservation in most of the range countries, were heavily engaged in the negotiation process and final text.

"The priority now is to make sure that the agreement's recommendations can be turned into conservation action as soon as possible," said Roland Melisch, TRAFFIC's Global Programme Coordinator.

"Only then will we see an upturn in the fortunes of these magnificent animals."

END NOTES:

• Six countries signed what is called the "final act" of meeting which outlines and endorses the agreement.

• Great apes comprise gorillas, bonobo, chimpanzees and orang-utans. Like all great apes, eastern and western gorillas are endangered with extinction in the wild. The two gorilla species inhabit the shrinking habitat of equatorial Africa. There are two subspecies of western gorilla: western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), and the more recently discovered Cross River gorilla (G. g. diehli). The two eastern gorilla subspecies, mountain gorilla (G. beringei beringei) and eastern lowland or Grauer's gorilla (G. b. graueri), inhabit the upland and mountain forests of eastern Central Africa.

• GrASP is the UN's Great Ape Survival Project. It is an innovative and ambitious partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

• Other agreements and conventions encompass great apes, such as CITES, but are not specifically targeting these species.

For further information:
Joanna Benn, Communications Manager
WWF Global Species Programme
Tel: +39 348 726 7313
E-mail: jbenn@wwfspecies.org

Richard Thomas, Communications Coordinator
TRAFFIC International
Tel: +44 1223 277427
E-mail: richard.thomas@trafficint.org