annual conservation report of the Endangered Wildlife Trust Endangered Wildlife Trust Tel: +27 11 486 1102 Fax: +27 11 486 1506 www.ewt.org.za [email protected] 2009 Table of Contents Messages from the Chairman STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 5 and CEO 2 Explore and develop opportunities for mentorship and capacity building within the Introduction to the Endangered conservation sector 32 Wildlife Trust 4 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 6 Conservation activities Provide a leadership role in ensuring efficient The EWT Conservation and adequate implementation, compliance and Strategy 2008 – 2013 6 enforcement of conservation legislation 36 Addressing our Strategic Imperatives Project list 40 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 1 Broader engagement 44 Identify human-induced threats and the affected Human resources 47 species in order to halt or reverse species decline 8 Fundraising, marketing and STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 2 Ensure that the viability of threatened habitats communications 54 and ecosystems is maintained 16 Our supporters 2009 59 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 3 Scientific publications 61 Develop innovative, economically viable EWT Trustees 62 alternatives to address harmful impacts to the benefit of people and biodiversity 22 Contact us 63 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 4 Map of project and staff locations 64 Increase awareness and mainstream environmental considerations in daily lives of people and decision makers 27 Thank-you to the photographers who provided images for our conservation report at no cost. They are: Andre Botha, Marion Burger, Deon Cilliers, Rynette Coetzee, Steven Evans, Albert Froneman, Anique Greyling, Mike Jordan, Kirsten Oliver, Glenn Ramke, Rob Till and Graeme Wilson. Special thanks to the Cheetah Conservation Fund for providing the photograph of the Anatolian Shepherd and smiling man on back cover - www.cheetah.org. This publication was printed on environmentally friendly Sappi Tripple Green paper. 1 Message from the CEO The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s 2009 Conservation Report done our Board of Management, our Trustees, our partners, demonstrates how our Working Groups worked towards donors, members and friends all very proud. I am grateful to achieving a collective set of goals, defined by the seven work among such inspiring people who challenge me and Strategic Imperatives which drive our Conservation Strategy. motivate me every day and who demonstrate in everything that they do a tireless passion for the environment. You Developed in 2008, these Strategic Imperatives define the will no doubt pick up on this as you read the pages of this framework in which the EWT operates and set the tone for report which are peppered with their successes during the the work across all our programmes. As should be done year gone by. The Board of Management has also been an with any living strategy, we will update these annually with unfailing source of support and assistance, along with the refreshed objectives and targets. Measuring our progress is Finance Committee and other support structures of the critical in order to celebrate our successes and understand Trustee body. My immense gratitude is further extended our shortcomings. Moreover, it allows us to take stock and to our many partner organisations, with whom we have reassess how we can ensure that the EWT remains relevant brought to life visionary plans and ideas such as the first Message from and effective and maintains its place among the best multi-NGO magazine in South Africa, Environment. This conservation organisations in the region. I am therefore fantastic publication is the mouthpiece of conservation in pleased that we can report on far more successes than the region and is a result of our collective commitment to the Chairman shortcomings, despite 2009 being a challenging year. These partnership, trust and teamwork. This trend extends into the challenges presented themselves in the form of not only the Climate Action Partnership, the co-operative efforts of the global financial crunch, but sadly, in the steady decline in the members of the International Union for the Conservation of state of the planet’s natural resources. Nature (IUCN) and the many other forums and joint projects and activities which have been developed in recent years I am immensely proud of the contribution that the EWT is to ensure a greater sense of teamwork and partnershipping Welcome to the EWT’s 2009 Conservation Report. been able to complete the year’s significant contribution making to conservation. However, it seems that the political towards our common goals. to environmental protection. On behalf of the Trustees, will to put in motion the right plans to ensure a sustainable This report details the endeavours and performance of the management team and staff a heartfelt thank-you to you all. and socially and environmentally equitable future for all, is I am proud to work in the environmental sector, despite its dedicated staff of the Endangered Wildlife Trust during the simply lacking. Issues such as the lack of a legally binding challenges and setbacks. I am proud to work with the EWT’s course of the past year. The Trust in numerous instances acts as an aggregator of the agreement with meaningful emission reduction targets in staff and Trustees and I am proud to be able to present to efforts of many, achieving a specific conservation goal for its the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December you what was a very good year all round for the EWT. We The EWT continues to direct its efforts in the field towards the stakeholders and partners in conservation. Thank-you to our 2009, the ongoing development of coal mines across South cannot wage our war on environmental destruction alone conservation challenges needing critical attention, adopting partners for your tireless efforts during the course of the year. Africa and the illegal trade in everything from cranes and and it is therefore comforting to know that with a growing the hands-on approach of implementable actions; a modus We look forward to continuing our working relationships in rhino horn to Wild Dogs and cycads, are worrying trends supportbase of committed ‘greenies’, we enter 2010 with a operandi which has been a cornerstone of the Trust’s ethos. the years to come. for a planet with little time to waste on apathy. Against stronger team than ever. The specialisation of the Trust’s numerous programmes this background, the EWT continues into its 37th year of represents thoughtful planning to match resources, both The EWT is blessed with staff who are not only seasoned Conservation in Action with its focus firmly on addressing human and financial, to the Trust’s strategic direction. experts in their fields, but display a commitment and a these issues. <<signature goes here>> passion for their tasks which is the envy of many a commercial The human community continues to show a heightened concern. Our CEO, Yolan Friedmann, has led by example and I work with one of the strongest, most passionate and Yolan Friedmann awareness of environmental issues and the need for her work ethic is an inspiration to all. Congratulations to the dedicated teams in the country and the staff of the EWT have EWT CEO committed change in the way we interact with planet staff in making such sound progress on all fronts in what was, Earth. As this environmental consciousness grows, the due to the economic downturn, a difficult year. need for conservation organisations to measure up to the task of increased demand for their expertise and project The Board and the Trustees’ responsibility is to ensure management capabilities will be felt. This will ensure rapid corporate governance has been executed with 100% growth in demand for the EWT’s services and, as a result, compliance. The diligence in the execution of all the Trust’s the Board and Executive Management have embarked on functions and responsibilities has ensured compliance with a process of preparing the Trust’s underlying operational the highest governance standards throughout. structures, to ensure it is able to answer the needs of the stakeholders it serves, in adopting the highest operational Heartfelt thanks to my colleagues on the Board. I look forward efficiency and world class functions. to your continued support and wise counsel. I wish to compliment the administrative and governance staff To all who respect our beautiful planet, join with us in finding on an excellent year’s work as we have an exemplary financial the balance which will ensure sustainability for all. performance record. The conservation staff have, as always, delivered superbly and we are all grateful for their dedication in sometimes difficult and demanding environments. The Trust is extremely grateful to all its donors without Dirk Ackerman whose tremendous efforts and assistance we would not have Chairman 2 Introduction to the The EWT’s organisational structure is informed by its Conservation Strategy: Endangered Wildlife Trust Contact (1) Strategic Industry Partnerships Endangered Wildlife Trust (2) Indicator Species and Critical Ecosystems + 27 (0) 11 486 1102 (3) International Partnerships [email protected] (4) People and the Environment www.ewt.org.za (5) National and Regional Interventions (6) Advocacy, Policy and Governance Vision (7) Biodiversity Research Projects A healthy planet and an equitable world that values and sustains the diversity of all life. The EWT fulfils its mission by: • Initiating and implementing conservation research and Mission action programmes; The Endangered Wildlife Trust is dedicated to conserving • Preventing species extinctions and maintaining threatened species and ecosystems in southern Africa to the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; benefit of all people. • Supporting sustainable natural resources use and The EWT partners with many organisations and individuals in order to ensure the most productive outcome for conservation. management; In 2009, the following partners were particularly involved in our conservation work: The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is a non-governmental, • Communicating the principles of sustainable living and non-profit, conservation organisation, founded in 1973 and empowering people by capacity building, education operating throughout southern Africa.