ANNUAL REPORT TH 2018 2018 Since 1961, WWF has grown into the world’s largest independent conservation organization contributing to 12,000 initiatives with the aim to bring sustainable living between human and nature. The World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) aims to conserve nature and ecological processes by preserving bio- WWF-Thailand implements a strategy that diversity, ensuring sustainable use of natural harnesses the strengths of the WWF network resources and promoting the reduction of to focus on six major goals : freshwater, wildlife, pollution and highlighting the wasteful use oceans, climate & energy, forests, and food of resources and energy. WWF works in more while focusing on 3 key drivers of environmental than 100 countries around the world. WWF problems : markets, finance and governance. has been working in Thailand since 1983 In support of this strategy WWF-Thailand and WWF-Thailand was founded in 1995. works with government, business, civil society and individuals to achieve our global goals for the benefit of the people of Thailand and the world. 09 Sustainable Rubber ....32 SUSTAINABLE LIVING 04 SIDA Project ....17 Sustainable Markets ....25 10 Sustainable Finance ....35 05 Lao-Thai Fisheries ....19 07 Sustainable Fisheries ....27 Co-Management Project ....29 06 Nong Han Wetland ....22 08 Sustainable Aquaculture Ecological Restoration and Improve Local Livelihoods Project URBAN DEVELOPMENT WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION 11 Youth Water Guardians Program ....37 ....39 01 Mae Wong & Khlong Lan Project ....6 12 Eco-Schools Programme ....41 02 Kuiburi Wildlife Conservation Project ....10 13 Sustainable Consumption ....45 03 Illegal Wildlife Trade ....14 14 One Planet City Challenge I am pleased to report to friends, donors and partners that 2018 was a very good year for WWF-Thailand. I would like to mention a few highlights below and you can read about more of our successes in the following pages. In the past year, WWF has expanded “ its working area to include the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (DP-KY), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second highest priority for tiger conservation in Thailand after the Western Forest Complex. WWF has also expanded its tiger conservation work to include the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, a large area that borders our longtime tiger recovery sites at Mae Wong and Khlong Lan National Parks. To the south, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) invited WWF to assist with camera trapping in Kaeng Krachan National Park to assess how many tigers are living in the country’s largest national park. WWF has also purchased satellite collars so that the DNP can track the movement of elephants in the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, which is in eastern Thailand, near the border with Cambodia, where human elephant conflict is a growing problem. The Freshwater Team, which has been working in the Songkhram river basin for several years, has successfully nominated the lower Songkhram river basin as the 15th Ramsar Site in Thailand. Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance that are managed for sustainable use in perpetuity. The IKI SCP Sustainable Consumption Project has pioneered new methods to reduce deforestation due to maize production in two pilot sites in Nan and Chiang Mai provinces. The project covers the entire supply chain to create changes in food consumption and production to solve problems and take actions to restore the food system, protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change. We have achieved these successes through the generous support of donors, cooperation with partners and collaboration with the Thai “ government. We thank you all for your support. Yowalak Thiarachow Country Director WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION 01 Mae Wong “ “-Khlong Lan Forest of Hope : The Tiger Recovery Project in Mae Wong and Khlong Lan National Park 6 9 adult tigers MKM8 MKM13 MKF1 MKF9 (5 females and 4 males) MKF5 and 2 cubs found in 2018. MKM2 MKF8 MKF4 MKM12 Tiger density is 0.38 adults per 100 sq km, slightly higher than in 2016. Other endangered species found include tapir, Asian elephant, dhole, 90 rangers given sun bear, gaur and SMART Patrol training Fea’s muntjac 7 The tiger population in Mae Wong National Park and the Khlong Lan National Park (MWKL) has been monitored since 2012. In 2018, the research team identified nine adult tigers – five females and four males – as well as many other endangered species such as tapir, Asian elephant, dhole, sun bear, gaur and Fea’s muntjac. Long-term conservation of tigers and other wildlife requires effective protection and law enforcement, as well as cooperation from local people. To ensure this outcome, WWF supports the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) in the use of the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART Patrol) to strengthen the tactics of patrolling, including providing security for forest patrol officers. SMART Patrol training was conducted for a total of 90 rangers. Each ranger learnt how to use a map, compass and GPS. Additionally, WWF, WCS and the DNP joined forces to build a central headquarters where SMART Patrol data is gathered and analyzed, with a view to improving patrolling and cooperation among conservation groups in the vicinity. The Community Outreach team focused on educating students and villagers living near MWKL in order to provide a better understanding of tigers. The activity attracted 1,000 students from ten schools and 3,600 villagers from ten villages. The team also organized a tiger and wildlife recovery pilot project in four schools, creating artificial saltlicks in order to increase the mineral sources for tiger prey, including sambar, muntjac and gaur. Meanwhile, another activity, River Spy, involved the monitoring of water quality in both forests and communities. Focusing on tigers and wildlife in the ecosystem, these outdoor activities not only help students learn about the importance of nature, but also raise awareness about wildlife conservation and habitat preservation, especially in their hometown, Mae Wong and Khlong Lan. It also helps establish a sense of pride and appreciation of having wild animals such as tigers near their hometown. This is one of the sustainable ways that will help protect these endangered species to forever remain in the MWKL forest. 8 Resident tigers New tigers found in 2018 MKM8 MKM13 MKF1 MKF5 MKF9 MKM2 MKF8 MKF4 MKM12 *Tigers identified by camera traps in Mae Wong and Khlong Lan National Parks in 2018 9 02 Collaboration in “ “ Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex : The Kuiburi Wildlife Conservation Project 10 Camera traps installed in 16 locations In 2018 the Kuiburi Wildlife Conservation Project 32 mammal species identified collaborated with the DNP and WCS to improve monitoring of tigers and other wildlife in Kaeng Krachan National Park, the largest national park Critically endangered species in Thailand. Camera traps were installed in sixteen locations and 32 species of mammal were identified, including pangolin, tiger, tapir, Asian elephant and dhole, leopard, Asiatic black bear, and gaur, golden Endangered jackal, red muntjac, leopard cat, Asiatic golden cat and Fea’s muntjac, and mouse deer according to the IUCN Red List. Vulnerable Status of IUCN Red List CR (Critically endangered species) Near Threatened EN (Endangered) VU (Vulnerable) NT (Near Threatened) Least Concern LC (Least Concern) DD (Data Defif icient) Data Defif icient 11 Patrol distance in 2018 SMART Patrol training was given to 50 forest totaling 13,841 kilometers officials from Kaeng Krachan National Park, Kuiburi comparable to walking from National Park, Chaloem Prakiat Thai Prachan National the northernmost to the southernmost part of Thailand 7 times Park and Mai Nam Pachee Wildlife Sanctuary. This aims to create an effectiveness of patrolling tactics and also provide security for forest patrol officers. WWF is working in this forest complex alongside WCS and the International Union for Conservation 50 forest officials participated in a of Nature (IUCN). SMART Patrol training or the distance From Dallas, United States, In 2018, rangers in Kuiburi and Kaeng Krachan to Sydney, Australia. conducted 992 SMART Patrols on 1,157 days and 165 nights, covering an area of 13,841 kilometers or 71.73 percent of the national parks. DALLAS SYDNEY 992 SMART Patrols conducted 12 Patrol Comparison 2017-2018 7000 140 6000 120 Patrol team 5000 100 4000 80 Signs of hunting 3000 60 Patrol team increased 2000 40 from 2 to 9 teams Distance 1000 20 0 0 2016 2017 2018 In 2018, the number of patrol teams was increased from 2 to 9, as a result, more threats were discovered. Distance in Discovery of Threat Factors in 2016 - 2018 60 50 Signs of hunting 49.9 reduced 40 40.5 to once every 50 kilometers 30 29.9 20 2016 2017 2018 Foot patrol data from 2016 found showed of wildlife hunting once in every 30 kilometers. In 2017, signs of hunting were discovered every 41 kilometers and every 50 kilometers in 2018. This proves the effectiveness of a smart patrol training. 13 03 Another Step “ in Tackling “ Illegal Wildlife Trade : The Illegal Wildlife Trade Project 14 2018 was a successful year for the fight against the illegal wildlife trade. The effective crackdown on the illegal ivory trade by the Thai government was recognized by the 70th meeting of the Standing Committee of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). As a result, Thailand graduated from the National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) process. The Thai government has shown a determination to protect and suppress any illegal ivory trade and has now expanded its operations to cover other endangered species. However, the fight is still far from over. WWF will continue to work with our partners to end the ivory trade in Thailand. The reason is that the current system, which permits the sale of domestic ivory, is unclear and causes confusion.