WWF - News: Eastern & Southern Africa Programme

Total to keep out of Virunga World Heritage Site

2013-05-17

Addressing investors in Paris today, Total Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie affirmed that the company will not explore for oil within the boundaries of Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Responding to questions posed by conservation group WWF, de Margerie told the annual shareholder meeting that Total is making a "commitment to respect the current limits" of the park, which is Africa's oldest World Heritage Site.

"We welcome Total's clear and comprehensive assurance that no oil exploration or exploitation activities will be conducted by the company within Virunga National Park. We urge British oil exploration company Soco International PLC immediately to stop all activities in the park and to make a similar commitment," said Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Conservation at WWF International.

"Virunga National Park has been recognized by UNESCO and the DRC government as a place of outstanding natural value, and we will continue to fight to preserve it for the people that depend on it for their sustainable livelihoods. This is our line in the sand. Oil exploration in Virunga National Park is simply unacceptable," Gustavsson said.

WWF presses Total for protection of World Heritage Sites

2013-05-16

WWF today has issued an open letter to investors in French oil giant Total expressing concerns over the company's ongoing activities on the edge of a prized national park in Africa. The conservation group is calling for assurances from Total that it will keep out of Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park.

WWF believes that the area currently covered by Africa's first national park and the continent's oldest World Heritage Site is a 'no go' zone for oil exploration. The organization fears that possible future changes to park boundaries could open a loop hole that would allow for drilling in sensitive habitats, which would endanger wildlife and local livelihoods.

"At its annual general meeting, Total has a unique opportunity to live up to the expectations of our fellow citizens and some of its shareholders and financial partners," said WWF-France's J.B. Roelens. "By making a public commitment never to operate within the current boundaries of Virunga National Park, nor any other UNESCO World Heritage Site, Total could make May 17th a landmark date in corporate social and environmental responsibility."

An opinion poll conducted by an independent surveyor this month on behalf of WWF has revealed significant public support for protection of World Heritage Sites from oil and gas extraction. Fully 8 out of 10 French citizens say they would "very much" like French companies to promise not to exploit such places. Even more think that the financial partners of these companies bear some of the responsibility for the environmental impact of exploiting these hydrocarbon deposits. Similarly, 80 per cent of the French declare that they would be more likely to buy petrol or heating oil from an oil company if it promised never to engage in oil or gas extraction in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

WWF message to Total investors in advance of tomorrow's meeting is that the risks inherent in exploration activities could compromise the integrity of Virunga National Park. WWF is seeking a clear and comprehensive guarantee by Total that this exceptional natural place and all other World Heritage Sites will remain forever untouched by the company.

UN recognizes severity of wildlife crimes

2013-04-26

Governments meeting to discuss responses to global crime waves are urging countries to impose strict penalties for the trafficking wildlife products like elephant ivory and rhino horn. Members of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Friday passed a resolution encouraging UN member states "to make illicit trafficking in wild fauna and flora a serious crime" and to ensure organized criminal groups are prosecuted.

Under UN rules, serious crimes should receive sentences of up to four years in prison or more. In many instances wildlife smugglers are released after paying fines significantly lower than the value of the illegal goods.

"Today the commissioners took a critical step forward by recognizing the serious, transnational and organized nature of wildlife and forest crime. These crimes are not only putting the survival of endangered species in peril, but are also threatening security and sustainable economic development," said Wendy Elliott, leader of WWF's campaign against wildlife crime. "We urge governments worldwide to use every tool available to combat these crimes, which are also taking human lives."

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN

During the crime commission meeting, governments identified links between the illegal trade in wildlife and timber products and other transnational organized crimes such as drug and arms running, human trafficking, money laundering and terrorism. The wildlife trafficking resolution was put forward by the United States and Peru.

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, told journalists, "Wildlife and forest crimes must be treated as serious crimes with minimum punishments of four years or more so that full force of deterrence can be used against criminals. The harder task, however, will be to curb the demand."

The poaching of elephants and rhinos has reached record levels across Africa, but increased law enforcement effectiveness is also needed throughout the trade chain and in consumer countries like China, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Up to 30,000 elephants are killed each year for their ivory tusks. In poaching epicentre Central Africa, governments will meet next week to address the ongoing security crisis, which is exacerbated by the proliferation of heavily-armed poachers.

"We are seeing that the killing of wildlife is increasingly connected to horrific violence against the rangers and community-members standing between these criminals and their targets. It is long overdue for the punishments to fit the crimes in these cases," Elliott said.

Governments also agreed to a proposal from Norway to address crimes at sea that impact upon the environment, including fisheries crimes. Illegal fishing undermines efforts by governments and responsible fishers to sustainably manage fisheries. It also threatens livelihoods, food security and sustainable development, and costs the global economy US $23 billion annually.

New Fisheries Act Lays Basis For Sustainable Fisheries In Mozambique

2013-04-23

The Mozambican Parliament has by consensus approved a new Fisheries Act which will address rights-based management of fisheries, mainly for the direct benefit of local fishermen and pro-poor conservation. The approval of this Fisheries Act makes Mozambique the first country in the Western Indian Ocean region to officially adopt legislation that embraces rights-based management of fisheries.

Rights-based management (RBM) is a fisheries management tool that creates rules which define both the right to use allocation of fisheries resources and the responsibility to manage them. Thus, fishermen, fishing vessels, fishing communities and so forth can be awarded a license, quota or fishing right to stocks.

According to Mozambique's Minister of Fisheries Mr. Victor Borges, the new fisheries act approved last week by parliament replaces the former one dated 1990.

"The previous act was out-dated and, therefore, not able to combat various infractions committed in this sector. In this new act, rights will be given to nationals for a certain period, depending on the fishery resource in relation to which the rights are given," said the Minister.

More than 100,000 Mozambicans depend directly on fishing and more than 530,000 depend on it indirectly according to Mozambique's Ministry of Fisheries. The new Fisheries Act is expected to give more rights to these fishermen along with addressing infractions in the fisheries sector that skew the playing field against local communities in Mozambique.

Mozambique lost revenues of US$67 million in 2012 due to illegal fishing, basically of tuna and shrimp, by foreign and national fishing vessels within its jurisdictional waters, particularly the bays of Maputo and Sofala Bank, Mozambican newspaper Correio da Manhã reported.

WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative Leader Peter Scheren congratulated the government of Mozambique for passing the act but noted that it is expected by many players in the sector that this new act will address loss of revenue with the aim of ensuring more socio-economic benefits to local communities whilst conserving precious and sometimes inadequate fisheries resources.

"This is a huge step taken by Mozambique to promote sustainable fisheries management, not only in Mozambique but also in the Western Indian Ocean region. We believe that this new approach will effectively empower local communities to actively manage their artisanal fisheries, bringing more socio-economic benefits to them while conserving fisheries resources," noted Mr. Scheren.

Fisheries experts have warned that mismanagement of fisheries is costing African countries between 2 and 5 billion dollars every year. Illegal fishing alone accounts for the loss of fish valued at 1 billion dollars every year from the waters of Sub-Saharan Africa. The new Fisheries Act will aim at addressing such losses related to Mozambique.

By John Kabubu

Civil Society Organizations help drive Marine Fisheries Policy Reforms in the Coastal East Africa Region

2013-04-17

The days of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) being relegated to the periphery in key marine fisheries decision and policy-making processes are fast coming to an end following various interventions by WWF's Coastal East Africa Initiative (WWF-CEAI) and other stakeholders in the Coastal East Africa region.

The formation of the Tuna Fishery Alliances such as the Tuna Fishery Alliance of Kenya (TuFAK), have provided an opportunity for CSOs to have a broader understanding of marine fisheries related issues, which have placed them in a position where they can influence national and regional marine fisheries policy reforms and management from an informed point.

CSOs involvement in tuna fisheries policy and reforms is expected to drive the Coastal East Africa states of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique towards a direction where they may derive more sustainable benefits from tuna resources. This, in turn, will support economic development through increased revenue generation, enhanced income to local communities and employment creation.

According to WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative's Fisheries Programme Officer Edward Kimakwa, CSOs are playing roles they never had the opportunity to play before:

"In Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, CSOs have been involved in the development of the respective National Tuna fisheries management strategies which have now been finalized with the support of WWF. We expect that the these strategies, once fully implemented by all key stakeholders, will play an important role in ensuring that tuna fisheries resources are utilized sustainably for the benefit of all," said Mr. Kimakwa.

Mr. Kimakwa further commended national fisheries management organizations and regional fisheries management bodies for giving CSOs and Non-Governmental Organizations this space. A similar process of developing the national tuna strategy with the participation of CSOs has been initiated in Madagascar.

In a rapid departure from the past where Civil Society Organizations were sidelined in important discussions and decisions involving marine fisheries resources, CSOs are now key fixtures in major forums through out Africa.

At regional level, the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) CSO tuna forum significantly influenced the outcomes of the 1st Conference of African Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA) that was held in Banjul, the Gambia in 2010. The 1st CAMFA adopted most of the recommendations that were presented by the CSOs, including those from the SWIO.

Also, during The 3rd session of the South Western Indian Ocean (SWIO) Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Consultative Forum on tuna fisheries held on the 6th -7th of December 2012 in Mombasa Kenya and supported by WWF, SWIO range states Governments were urged to implement marine fisheries management and conservation decisions that they have since passed under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) to the letter.

During the aforementioned meeting, the Chairman of TuFAK, Becha Hadley, noted that the current state of fisheries access arrangements does often not favour the SWIO states that own tuna resources:

"The present generation of fisheries access arrangements are of little benefit to SWIO coastal and island states that own invaluable tuna resources," said Mr. Hadley.

CSOs are therefore contributing to SWIO Coastal and Island states moving towards a common approach and voice that will help them secure a better deal in all external negotiations that relate to Tuna and other migratory species in the Indian Ocean region. Various studies have indicated that less than a tenth of the benefits of the fisheries flow to African countries.

SWIO governments are steadily buying into CSOs call and had a common position of "like minded coastal and island states" during the recent Tuna Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Quota Allocation (QA) Criteria technical session that was convened by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in Oman in February 2013. This sent a strong signal to the whole world that it is no longer business as usual on tuna matters in the SWIO region.

By Peter Scheren, Edward Kimakwa and John Kabubu

Poachers kill at least 89 elephants in Chad

2013-03-19

Yaoundé, Cameroon - At least 89 elephants were killed by poachers last week in Chad, according to local officials, in one of the region's worst poaching incidents since the massacre of over 300 elephants in Cameroon's Bouba N'Djida National Park in February 2012.

According to Chadian government authorities, at least 89 elephants were killed on the night of March 14 – 15 near the town of Ganba in southern Chad.

Among those killed were 33 pregnant females and 15 calves.

The poachers, which rode on horseback, numbered around 50 and spoke Arabic, the officials said, adding that the Chadian army had been dispatched to stop these criminals.

"This tragedy shows once again the existential threat faced by Central Africa's elephants," according to Bas Huijbregts, Head of the Central Africa strand of WWF's campaign against illegal wildlife trade.

"This incident in Chad highlights the need for a regional approach to fight poachers, one that needs to be implemented on the ground as urgently as possible to stop these poachers," Huijbregts said.

The governments of Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad will be meeting in Yaoundé this week to develop a regional anti-poaching strategy.

"We urge governments to start putting in place this plan as early as next week, to safeguard the region's last elephants and rid it of this poaching threat once and for all," Huijbregts said.

"At its root, though, it is ending demand for ivory in countries like Thailand and China which will ensure the survival of Central Africa's elephants," Huijbregts added.

This month's Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which closed last week, saw decisions from world governments to start taking action against countries doing little or nothing to stop the illegal ivory and rhino horn trades.

Governments mandated China, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, Tanzania and Viet Nam – the countries of highest concern in terms of their failure to clamp down on large-scale illegal ivory trade - to submit time-bound plans to deal with the problem in two months, and make progress before the next CITES meeting in summer of 2014.

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

Its Full speed ahead for Fisheries policy and institutional reforms in the South West Indian Ocean

2013-03-12

The Western Indian Ocean State's efforts to help bring about improved marine fisheries reforms and governance in the South West Indian Ocean range states are beginning to bear fruit following a recent decision to reform the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission from an advisory body to a full management body.

Through its Coastal East Africa Initiative, WWF has consistently lobbied the South West Indian Ocean range states of Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania and Yemen to strengthen their policy, legal and institutional framework in order to help bring about fisheries stock sustainability and increase socio-economic benefits to the over 65 million people that inhabit the coastal zone of the Western Indian Ocean.

During a special adhoc session of the South West Indian Ocean Commission (SWIOFC) held in Dar es Salaam Tanzania on the 27th – 28th of February 2013, members unanimously agreed and endorsed the decision to reform the SWIOFC from an advisory body to a full management body. This important transition will enable the Commission to facilitate binding and non-binding decisions that ensure adequate and professional management of fisheries in the region.

The member states furthermore decided to host the secretariat of the Commission in Mozambique, in an effort to bring the centre of coordination closer to the region.

Speaking during the meeting, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Tanzania Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries Dr. Johana Budeba welcomed the decision, noting, "The SWIOFC is an important Regional Fisheries Management Body and it is prudent that we put in place mechanisms and interventions to have it strengthened for improved fisheries governance".

WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative Fisheries Programme Officer Edward Kimakwa, speaking during the same meeting urged South West India Ocean member states to continue with their efforts to collectively promote sustainable development and management of the marine fisheries in the region.

"We need to see in the near future a situation where SWIO states are effectively controlling and equitably benefiting from sustainable marine fisheries stocks. Strengthening the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission as a fisheries management body will certainly go a long way in bringing about stock sustainability and increased socio-economic benefits to the SWIO coastal states," noted Mr. Kimakwa.

Fisheries experts have warned that mismanagement of fisheries is costing African countries between 2 and 5 billion dollars every year. Illegal fishing alone accounts for the loss of fish valued at 1 billion dollars every year from the waters of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The decision to establish a regional fisheries management commission comes at an opportune time considering that the South Western Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP) is coming to a close. The SWIOFP project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Bank, has been an important factor not only in establishing a much improved knowledge base on the fisheries of the region, but also in building up a strong coherence between the countries of the region.

The transformation of SWIOFC into a Fisheries Management Organisation is the icing on the cake for this project and provides an important basis for future interventions in the sector. WWF, in this regard, is engaged in discussions with the World Bank and other partners on a follow-up project that will build upon the success of SWIOFP and other initiatives.

By Edward Kimakwa, Peter Scheren & John Kabubu

Killing elephants threatens Kenya's Economic Security

2013-02-26

Kenya's tourism industry faces a gloomy future if the current killing of elephants is not contained.

This scale of illegal ivory trade was demonstrated early this year when a gang of heavily armed poachers entered Tsavo National Park and slaughtered eleven elephants. This event, and others like it, constitutes an invasion and a threat not only to wildlife but people, territorial integrity and stability.

"Illegal wildlife trade has risen to alarming levels across eastern and southern Africa. Through the proposed Wildlife Bill, Kenya has a unique opportunity now, to strengthen its governance and poor law enforcement and stop this menace," says Mr. Niall O'Connor, Regional Director for WWF's Eastern & Southern Programme.

"It is time for us all to 'Kill the Trade' that destroys our tourism potential. A strong will is needed to clamp down on the cartels involved in the transport and sale of ivory, including punitive measures when perpetrators of the trade are apprehended," he adds.

Elephants are being driven into a dangerous decline in Kenya due to poaching for their tusks, according to a report issued under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

It is estimated that tens of thousands of elephants are being killed each year for their tusks, which are in demand in Asia particularly China and Thailand. East Africa is identified in the report as the centre of illicit ivory transport to Asia, with an escalating number of illegal consignments exiting seaports there.

"Poaching of elephants is an economic crime because it jeopardizes the US$ 5 billion wildlife-based tourism contributes to the national GDP," says Sam Weru, WWF Kenya Country Office Conservation Manager (source: World Bank, 2011).

"Moreover poaching kills people (highly skilled wildlife protection units) and increases national insecurity with the possibility of the sophisticated weapons used by poachers landing into wrong hands." he adds.

According to Mr. Lamine Sebogo, WWF's African Elephant Programme Manager, 2011 recorded the highest number of large-scale seizures of illegal ivory ever. Such seizures indicate the involvement of organized criminal networks, but very few cases have been followed up with proper investigations, arrests, prosecutions or the imposition of credible penalties.

The Ivory Walk

WWF, Born Free Foundation, Elephant Neighbours (ENC) and other supporters have organised a campaign dubbed "Ivory belongs to the elephant". Part of this campaign includes sponsoring ENC's Jim Nyamu to walk from Mombasa to Nairobi to raise alarm over the illegal killing of elephants and to call upon the Kenya Government to stop cartels involved in the illegal trade of ivory to South-East Asia.

The walk started on 9th February 2013 and will ended Saturday 23rd February 2013 in Nairobi. The walk culminated with a public function at the Nairobi Arboretum to make an urgent call for Kenyans – citizens, private sector to policy-makers – to show there commitment to take practical action against this illegal trade and senseless killing of elephants and rhinos.

First Kinshasa public gathering on oil organized in part by WWF

2013-02-24

Kinshasa, DRC - The issue of oil and its impact on people and their land was discussed by civil society, the oil industry and representatives from the Congolese government at a two day conference in Kinshasa, co-organized by WWF-Democratic Republic of Congo. It was the first time such a meeting on oil took place.

For the first time ever, members of civil society, representatives from the oil industry and Congolese government officials met to discuss emerging issues around oil exploration and its impact on the people and landscapes in DRC.

The high pertinence of the oil issue in the country was evident by the participation of over 80 individuals.

Oil is expected to bring more income to the country than mining, which could potentially change the country's economy. However oil extraction is also threatening communities and some of the country's most prized landscapes, including World Heritage sites such as Virunga National Park.

Floribert Masani from the Goma-based organization Réseau CREF came to Kinshasa to share his experiences with oil company Soco, which is operating in an area that contains part of Lake Edward and the Virunga National Park, a World Heritage and Ramsar site.

"We fear that oil will yet be the new resource triggering even more conflict in our region and will destroy our lake and its fish stock, on which we depend," Masani said.

WWF co-organized the conference with Réseau Ressources Naturelles, the national network of environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Southern African Resource Watch.

At the meeting, the organizations drafted a list of recommendations for the DRC government and the oil companies, including:

Transparency of oil contracts and agreements and a thorough consultation process with affected local communities living in and near oil concessions.
Upholding of commitments under international agreements like the World Heritage Convention.
Respect for Congolese law that forbids oil exploration in protected areas like Virunga National Park.

"With this conference, WWF and its partner NGOs have send a clear signal to the oil companies and the government that we are following the oil development very closely and will fight for laws to be respected in order to save our precious habitats and communities that depend on them," said René Ngongo of WWF-DRC.

"We have seen how oil exploration has brought little to nothing to the people in Bas-Congo [the most westerly province in DRC] and has destroyed the ecosystems on which they so heavily depend. This story cannot be repeated in Virunga," Ngongo said.

All eyes on countries fuelling illegal ivory trade

2013-02-21

The international body that regulates wildlife trade should begin proceedings to impose sanctions on the countries most complicit in the illegal trade of ivory, which causes the deaths of up to 30,000 African elephants each year.

WWF and TRAFFIC are urging the 177 governments gathering in Bangkok early next month under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to begin a formal procedure that would lead to strict trade restrictions against the worst offenders in the illicit ivory trade.

Evidence shows that Thailand, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have failed repeatedly to address their rampant domestic ivory markets despite CITES rules that outlaw the unregulated sale of ivory. 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 timbers to crocodile skins.

"These countries have been identified in every ivory trade analysis for the past decade as those most implicated in the illicit ivory trade," said Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC. "With the demand for ivory driving a widespread poaching crisis, CITES member countries must demand compliance with international law."

In Thailand, the host country for the CITES conference and one of the world's largest unregulated ivory markets, criminals are taking advantage of Thai laws allowing the sale of ivory from domestic elephants to launder massive quantities of illegal African ivory through Thai shops. Much of this ivory is purchased by foreign tourists.

"Thailand can easily fix this situation by banning all ivory sales in the country, and in doing so would eliminate the need for trade sanctions," said Carlos Drews, Director of WWF's Global Species Programme. "WWF is petitioning the Thai prime minister for an immediate ban on ivory trade. Nearly 400,000 people from Thailand and across the world who want a future for wild elephants have joined this call."

"Elephants are disappearing from more and more places in Africa because the ivory trade has exploded out of control. Every country that has signed the CITES treaty has a responsibility to protect elephants by holding member governments accountable for their involvement in this deadly trade," Drews said.

TAKE ACTION NOW! TELL THE THAI PRIME MINISTER TO BAN IVORY

WWF and TRAFFIC are also urging China to rectify serious issues with enforcement of its legal domestic ivory markets. CITES should require that improvements be made in China, and should consider imposing trade restrictions next year if significant progress is not made.

There are also some measures that all countries could take to help address elephant poaching, say WWF and TRAFFIC. They include the establishment of a mechanism to track global ivory stockpiles, the compulsory registration of all large scale ivory seizures, and routine forensic examination and follow-up investigative collaboration by enforcement officers across continents.

"Currently, vital information from large-scale ivory seizures is being lost or not acted upon. Investigations into who was behind each shipment, how it got onto the transportation used, and who was going to benefit from its arrival is not being sought or acted upon. It's little wonder there's been an escalation in ivory trafficking," Broad said.

The plight of Africa's rhinos is also cause for concern to WWF and TRAFFIC. A record 668 South African rhinos were killed for their horns last year. Viet Nam has been identified as the primary consumer country for rhino horn yet has done little to stop traffickers.

Both Viet Nam and rhino horn smuggling hub Mozambique should be pressed at the CITES meeting to demonstrate progress over the coming months or face future actions.

Rhino poaching toll reaches new high

2013-01-10

Rhino poaching statistics released today by the South African government reveal that a record 668 rhinos were killed across the country in 2012, an increase of nearly 50 per cent from the 448 rhinos lost to poachers in 2011. An additional five rhinos have been killed since the beginning of this year.

A majority of the rhino deaths, 425, occurred in Kruger National Park, South Africa's premier safari destination. Poaching incidents in Kruger rose sharply from 252 in 2011.

Arrests of suspected poachers and smugglers also increased in 2012, with 267 people now facing rhino-related charges. In November, a Thai man was sentenced to a record 40 years in prison for conspiring to smuggle rhino horns to Asia.

A recent TRAFFIC report found that rhino horns are believed to have medicinal properties and are seen as highly desirable status symbols in some Asian countries, notably Viet Nam. The increased value of rhino horn has enticed well-organized, well-financed and highly-mobile criminal groups to become involved in rhino poaching.

"Viet Nam must curtail the nation's rhino horn habit, which is fuelling a poaching crisis in South Africa," said Sabri Zain, TRAFFIC's Director of Advocacy.

"Rhinos are being illegally killed, their horns hacked off and the animals left to bleed to death, all for the frivolous use of their horns as a hangover cure."

In December, Viet Nam and South Africa signed an agreement aimed at bolstering law enforcement and tackling illegal wildlife trade including rhino horn trafficking. The agreement paves the way for improved intelligence information sharing and joint efforts by the two nations to crack down on the criminal syndicates behind the smuggling networks.

"Whilst we commend South Africa and Viet Nam for signing a Memorandum of Understanding regarding biodiversity conservation, we now need to see a joint Rhino Plan of Action being implemented, leading to more of these rhino horn seizures," said Dr Jo Shaw, WWF-SA's Rhino Co-ordinator. "There is also an urgent need to work closely with countries which are transit routes for illicit rhino horn, specifically Mozambique."

Two Vietnamese men were detained in separate incidents earlier this month in Viet Nam and Thailand for smuggling rhino horns, which were believed to have been exported from Mozambique.

Both Mozambique and Viet Nam have been given failing grades by WWF's Wildlife Crime Scorecard for failing to enforce laws meant to protect rhinos. The study also outlines important actions needed by South Africa, such as ensuring those arrested for rhino crimes are prosecuted and punished.

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY

2012-12-19

Kenya's economic fortunes are bound to dramatically change following the discovery of oil and gas in some parts of the country.

However, civil societies warn that this could either be a blessing or a curse depending on how stakeholders handle this newfound wealth. WWF is working with CSOs across East Africa to ensure harmonious utilization of these resource and cordial coexistence between human beings and nature.

The Civil Society groups are urging players in the mining sector and the Government to enhance transparency, responsibility, accountability and good governance in the industry to ensure sustainable utilization of these resources.

They were speaking at a conference held in Nairobi on 4/12/12. The conference, dubbed "Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative" (EITI) was convened by WWF Kenya Country Office through the Coastal East Africa Initiative. The objective of the conference was to explain to the public and civil society organizations about Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative and how to participate effectively in it.

In attendance were representatives from the Kenya Government, the National Oil Corporation of Kenya, WWF, Kenya Oil Gas Working Group, and Community Action for Nature Conservation and Transparency International among others.

Director WWF Kenya Country Office Mr. Mohamed Awer promised continued support to the civil society movement in Kenya but emphasized that leadership of the movement must come from the movement itself.

"You are the watchdog of society and keep up the good work you are doing to prevent exploitation of natural resources by the elites at the expense of the locals," noted Mr. Mohamed.

A representative from Transparency International called for an effective mult-isectoral approach to harvesting of natural resources including the Government, the mining companies, locals and the civil society.

"Politicians must be true in explaining the harvesting of natural resources. All contracts must be posted on all media including websites to enhance transparency, responsibility, accountability and good governance. The Government must avail all information on their contracts with oil gas companies in good time to allow the CSOs to interrogate it further. The mining industry must publish what they pay," said the representative.

Mr. Peter Kazungu, chairman of Kipini Division Oil Gas Sensitization Group, Tana River County welcomed the EITI and noted that the common man would only benefit if all stakeholders worked together.

"If all players in this industry are involved and there is transparency in planning and implementation of oil and gas programs hostilities like the ones that happened in 1961 when some companies came and started surveys and exploration will be avoided," he said.

Kenya has been urged to join EITI to promote openness and accountability in the oil, gas and mining sector. This will make it easier to address challenges associated with extractive industry including deadly confrontations as witnessed in the DRC and Nigeria.

EITI has set rules and requirements that detail what candidate countries must do to join, achieve and maintain compliance with the initiatives global standards for reporting extractive revenues.

By Johnstone Mulary
WWF Kenya Country Office

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

Tana River Delta Ramsar Site Status a Plus for Coastal East Africa

2012-11-23

Conservation efforts by WWF and other environmental organizations have continued to forge ahead following Kenya designating the Tana River Delta as a Wetland of International Importance. With the Ramsar Secretariat's announcing that the Tana River Delta is now a Ramsar Site, the 163,600-hectare delta (02°27'S 040°17'E) becomes East Africa's second most important river mouth wetland after the Rufiji Delta in neighbouring Tanzania.

Kenya already has 5 designated Ramsar sites in the Great African Rift Valley, namely lakes Naivasha, Elementaita, Nakuru, Bogoria, and Baringo; providing enhanced tourism, employment for Kenya's tourism sector, vibrant horticultural industry around Lake Naivasha, steam geysers in Lake Bogoria, and Kenya's first sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park. In total, Kenya's 6 Ramsar Sites cover 265,449 hectares.

The Tana Delta forms an area of rich biodiversity for sea species including fish and prawns, five species of marine turtles. There are a host of terrestrial animals such as the African Elephant, Tana Mangabey, Tana River Red Colobus, and White Collared monkey. In addition to more than 600 plant species, the Tana Delta is a home for many bird species and is a critical transit point for migratory water birds such as waders, gulls and terns.

According to Coastal East Africa Initiative leader Peter Scheren, the importance of the Tana Delta to Coastal East Africa cannot be underscored enough considering the numerous challenges facing the region.

"The Tana Delta is an important ecosystem for Coastal East Africa which continues to face several challenges. Statistics indicate that a mere 10% of the original coastal forests of Eastern Africa remain, fragmented into 400 patches that cover 6,250km² in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. The fact that the Tana Delta is now the latest Ramsar Site in Africa is a boost in efforts to conserve the remaining forest cover and help secure the livelihoods of communities' dependent upon this important ecosystem," noted Mr. Scheren

Currently, over 20 million people live in and along coastal forests and landscapes in eastern Africa. The survival of these people is highly dependent on the availability of basic natural resources such as timber, wood-fuel and charcoal, which are extracted from forests, causing a serious dilemma; their dependency and consequent exploitation of these resources destroying the very basis of their existence. The pressures are rapidly rising as the population is expected to double by 2030 putting a serious and already present strain on the meager natural resources present in Coastal East Africa.

WWF implements several conservation projects at the Kenyan coast including the rehabilitation and protection of the Kaya and Boni Dodori forests, the conservation of sea turtles and livelihood enhancing activities.

By John Kabubu
Communications Officer
WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative

Tana River Delta Ramsar Site Status a Plus for Coastal East Africa

2012-11-23

Kenya already has 5 designated Ramsar sites in the Great African Rift Valley, namely lakes Naivasha, Elementaita, Nakuru, Bogoria, and Baringo; providing enhanced tourism, employment for Kenya's tourism sector, vibrant horticultural industry around Lake Naivasha, steam geysers in Lake Bogoria, and Kenya's first sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park. In total, Kenya's 6 Ramsar Sites cover 265,449 hectares.

The Tana Delta forms an area of rich biodiversity for sea species including fish and prawns, five species of marine turtles. There are a host of terrestrial animals such as the African Elephant, Tana Mangabey, Tana River Red Colobus, and White Collared monkey. In addition to more than 600 plant species, the Tana Delta is a home for many bird species and is a critical transit point for migratory water birds such as waders, gulls and terns.

According to Coastal East Africa Initiative leader Peter Scheren, the importance of the Tana Delta to Coastal East Africa cannot be underscored enough considering the numerous challenges facing the region.

"The Tana Delta is an important ecosystem for Coastal East Africa which continues to face several challenges. Statistics indicate that a mere 10% of the original coastal forests of Eastern Africa remain, fragmented into 400 patches that cover 6,250km² in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. The fact that the Tana Delta is now the latest Ramsar Site in Africa is a boost in efforts to conserve the remaining forest cover and help secure the livelihoods of communities' dependent upon this important ecosystem," noted Mr. Scheren

Currently, over 20 million people live in and along coastal forests and landscapes in eastern Africa. The survival of these people is highly dependent on the availability of basic natural resources such as timber, wood-fuel and charcoal, which are extracted from forests, causing a serious dilemma; their dependency and consequent exploitation of these resources destroying the very basis of their existence. The pressures are rapidly rising as the population is expected to double by 2030 putting a serious and already present strain on the meager natural resources present in Coastal East Africa.

WWF implements several conservation projects at the Kenyan coast including the rehabilitation and protection of the Kaya and Boni Dodori forests, the conservation of sea turtles and livelihood enhancing activities.

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