Objectives of the AREAS Programme

Main objectives:

• Restore and secure wilderness
• Strengthen antipoaching efforts to reduce
  losses in species numbers
• Mitigate conflicts over resources to benefit
  both humans and elephants
• Facilitate creative land-use planning to solve
  problems facing wildlife and people
• Translocate rhinos to strengthen existing
  populations and establish new ones
• Monitor populations to improve management strategies for Asian elephants and rhinos
  

Asian elephants

The long-term goals (10-20 years) for the Asian elephant under WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) is for:

Programme Targets

• Target 1: Management - Help develop and implement Action Plans for conserving Asian elephants in at least one landscape in each of the three bio-regions by 2005
• Target 2: Illegal Logging - Illegal logging decreased by 50% in at least 2 landscapes by 2005
• Target 3: Connectivity - Connectivity maintained or restored in at least four priority elephant landscapes across Asia by 2010
• Target 4: Poaching - Effective anti-poaching measures (including functioning informers network) in place in 5 landscapes by 2005
• Target 5: Conflict - Cases of reported human-elephant conflict reduced by 25% of 2002 levels in at least 2 landscapes by 2010

Rhino

The long-term goal (10-20 years) for the Asian rhinos under WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) is:

Programme Targets

Teraï Arc (Nepal): A transborder landscape that supports two populations of 100+ rhinos, and adequate habitat for 1000+ elephants established by 2010.

• At least four corridors for elephant/rhino movement restored and secured by 2010
• A viable rhino population (>100) established in Bardia by 2005
• An effective informer network in the Terai Arc in place by 2003
• Establishment of Third Rhino population of more than 50 in Royal Sukhlaphanta Wildlife Reserve- Nepal by 2010

Borneo (Indonesia & Malaysia): A contiguous, multiple-use forest landscape (i.e. a Managed Elephant Range) from the Upper Sebuku-Sembakung to the Lower Kinabatangan watersheds is secured for viable populations of elephant, rhino and orang-utan by 2010.

• Connectivity between Sebuku Sembakung and Kinabatangan is secured by 2010
• Tabin is secured as a safe haven for rhinoceros and elephant populations by 2005
• Map the distribution of rhinos outside of protected areas in Sabah by 2005
• All Managed Elephant Range land users manage their land compatibly with elephants and rhinos by 2005
• Illegal logging activities minimised within Forest Management Unit areas by 2005

Ujung Kulon (Indonesia): At least a 20% increase in Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon by 2010.

• Zero poaching status for rhinos maintained
• Accurate census figures determined by 2003
• Negative impacts of ecotourism on rhinos and habitat minimised
• Habitat security maintained (zero encroachment)

Cat Tien (Vietnam): Improved status of rhino in Cat Tien National Park by 2010, as indicated by presence of rhino calves, and/or expansion of rhino range.

• By 2003, and thereafter, the rhino population in Cat Tien is secure from disturbance
• By 2004, information on the ecology of the Cat Tien rhino population is adequate for effective management
• By 2005, secure rhino habitat in Cat Tien is expanded from 6,500 ha to 15,000 ha
• By 2010, rhino habitat is improved in reclaimed agricultural land

Bukit Barisan Selatan (Sumatra, Indonesia): A stable or increased Sumatran rhino population by 2010.

• No net habitat loss due to forest conversion (e.g. for coffee or oil palm) or logging by 2007
• Accurate mapping of distribution by 2004 and population census/trend determined by 2007
• Functioning informer network is established by 2003