Lily Cole Trainers

WIN! A PAIR OF LIMITED EDITION MAGAZINE LILY COLE SUMMER TRAINERS 2016 See page 30 THE EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE FOR WWF MEMBERS #33

ELEPHANTS AND US How you’re helping people to live alongside elephants

GOOD NEWS FOR TIGERS BE A HERO FOR OUR PLANET CONSERVATION HEROES How you’ve helped tiger 10 simple things you can do to live Meet the incredible men and more healthily and sustainably – women working on the front line time in conservation history and help protect our planet to keep precious wildlife safe CONTENTS TOGETHER, WE DID IT! 4 monitoring Scotland’s whales “WE MUST TAKE CARE A round-up of all you’ve helped us achieve in recent months OF THESE LAST GREAT 10 THINGS TO DO 26 SPECIES FOR HUMANITY. BIG PICTURE 6 Living a healthier and more Laurent Geslin stakes out the sustainable life is easier than OTHERWISE, WE’LL JUST rare and beautiful Iberian lynx you think with our top 10 tips BE TELLING STORIES WWF IN ACTION 8 OVER TO YOU 28 Conservation news, including A celebration of all the great ways TO OUR GREAT-GREAT- World Heritage sites in danger you’ve supported our vital work, from running to recycling cars GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT CONSERVATION HEROES 12 Meet six incredible people GIVEAWAYS 30 WHAT WE ONCE HAD protecting rare wildlife – and see Win a pair of limited edition how you’re helping to make this trainers, made from Amazonian AND LOST” possible. By Mike Unwin wild rubber, and other goodies ELEPHANT AMBASSADOR 20 CROSSWORD 31 In the Maasai Mara, David Leto Solve our wildlife crossword helps wild elephants and local and win a gardening set communities to live in harmony NOTES FROM THE FIELD 31 WHALES AND WARSHIPS 24

MEET THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Harrison David Leto Aimée Leslie Kamande A Maasai is our global Head rhino and elephant cetacean ranger at ambassador and marine Nairobi National Park, turtle manager. She Kenya, Harrison is proud helps the people of the says: “The beauty of the to be a ranger. He says: Mara to live with its largest planet is a reminder of our “I know all the rhinos here inhabitants. He says: “The responsibility for it. The by sight. When I see them elephants are an important more we give, the more my heart cheers up.” part of the Maasai’s world.” we receive.”

GET IN TOUCH MEET THE ACTION TEAM Acting editor Liz Palmer [email protected] [email protected] Loyalty marketing manager Ruth Simms Senior editor Guy Jowett 01483 426333 INSIDE THIS ISSUE... For Immediate Media Co. WWF-UK Living Planet Centre, Consultant editor Sophie Stafford Rufford House, Brewery Road, Art director Will Slater Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL Art editor Nicole Mooney OUR CONSERVATION HEROES Account manager Duncan Reid FOLLOW US Editorial director Dan Linstead They leave their families for months on end and live in the most wwf.org.uk/facebook THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS basic conditions. They trek for days through humid rainforests wwf.org.uk/twitter Ghana S Gurung, Barney Jeffries, wwf.org.uk/googleplus elusive species. They face many challenges and lethal Harrison Kamande, Aimée Leslie, David wwf.org.uk/pinterest Leto, Aleric Linden, Anna Behm Masozera, poachers almost every day. These are our conservation heroes Zhang Shengyuan, Mike Unwin, Christy – and this issue is all about them. wwf.org.uk/news Williams wwf.org.uk/youtube support devote their lives to protecting our most cherished wwf.org.uk/instagram wild spaces and species, such as tigers, rhinos, elephants and Produced in association with Immediate Media Co. www.immediatecontent.co.uk gorillas. These brave men and women working at the forefront WIN! A PAIR OF LIMITED EDITION

MAGAZINE LILY COLE SUMMER TRAINERS See page 30 2016 #33 this vital work without your continued support. Read how you’re Harrison loves his job as head rhino THE EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE FOR WWF MEMBERS JOIN OUR READER PANEL ranger in Kenya’s Nairobi National Thank you to everyone who’s already signed up to become an helping these conservation heroes in our special feature on Park. But even when he’s relaxing ’Action adviser’ – welcome to the team! We can’t wait to hear your back at base camp, he always has page 12, and see what else you can do: wwf.org.uk/heroes one ear open to the sounds of the thoughts about Action. There’s still time to join our advisers and bush – and potential trouble ELEPHANTS AND US How you’re helping people to live alongside elephants wwf.org.uk/actionadvisers BE A HERO FOR OUR PLANET CONSERVATION HEROES GOOD NEWS FOR TIGERS Meet the incredible men and 10 simple things you can do to live How you’ve helped tiger women working on the front line more healthily and sustainably – to keep precious wildlife safe and help protect our planet time in conservation history THANK YOU “The survival of our planet’s most threatened species depends on the hard-working, passionate and dedicated frontline staf protecting Together, we did it! wildlife around the world” Becci May, WWF’s specialist on tigers and Asian species Thanks to your membership, we continue to protect wildlife and Our work helps rare bitterns, wild places. Here are some of the 6 which need clean, clear water © ALAMY © with an abundance of small great things supporters like you 3 have helped to achieve fringe of reedbeds 6 UK 1 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 5 You helped us ﬁght for clean water DID YOU You helped give communities water Thanks to you, we’ve taken a major step Thanks to you, we’ve reduced the threats to mountain gorillas 1 4 forward for England’s most protected rivers KNOW? living in Virunga National Park by providing neighbouring and wetlands. Some of our iconic species, Only 17% of communities with fresh water. For these people, accessing 2 England’s rivers are in good health collect it. Their presence in the forest poses a major health farming. Soil carrying nutrients and pesticides risk to gorillas, as the apes are highly susceptible to human is washed into rivers, harming protected wildlife diseases. And it increases the chance of damage to gorilla and impacting on local people who rely on these habitat. To address the issue, the International Gorilla waterways for recreation and tourism. The UK government is Conservation Programme (IGCP), a joint initiative of required by law to take all the necessary steps to ensure these WWF and Fauna and Flora International, has helped to sites are in good health, yet it is failing to do so. We joined forces GORILLA © build rainwater harvesting tanks in local villages. This with the Angling Trust and Fish Legal to challenge Defra and the reduces the need for people to venture into the forest Environment Agency to better protect our rivers and wetlands. RHINO © ISTOCK

ANDY ROUSE / WWF Our legal victory last November means the government must £180,000 256,819 now consider using regulatory measures alongside voluntary WATCH THIS VIDEO to see how The magniﬁcent total amount raised The hectares of Kenyan coastal actions by farmers to ensure these precious places are properly IGCP is helping communities: by Size of Wales and supporters like forest we’re helping to secure protected and restored for people and wildlife. wwf.org.uk/gorillawater you over the past three years for wildlife and locals

4 2 BRAZIL 3 RUSSIA KENYA 5 NEPAL You helped protect Kenya’s coastal forests You helped increase vital ﬁsh numbers You helped Thanks to you, we’re helping to secure unique coastal forests You helped keep rhinos safe With your support, we helped Thanks to your support for Sky Rainforest Rescue, we’ve helped local in Kenya for local people and wildlife, including plants and secure collar four of the eight rare communities in Acre, Brazil, to develop a sustainable management animals found nowhere else. Over the past three years, your one-horned rhinos in Nepal’s plan for the giant arapaima. The arapaima is the Amazon’s largest – habitat for support has been doubled by match funding from Size of Khata corridor. Between Amur tigers Wales to help protect these forests from threats such as illegal November 2014 and January Last November, more than 11,600 sq km of beautiful forest were logging, agricultural expansion, poorly planned development 2016, three females and one raised by Sky Rainforest Rescue, we’ve helped local families who protected in the Far East of Russia. Bikin National Park was created and unsustainable use of forest products. With your help, in Primorsky Province to preserve the stunning forests that line local communities have GPS collars in the community- the Bikin river basin, an area often referred to as the ‘Russian been able to adopt more managed corridor (an area of habitat that allows wildlife to of arapaima to understand how they move between lakes, as well Amazon’. They represent the largest area of intact mixed forest sustainable livelihoods, migrate) that links Nepal’s Bardia National Park with India’s in the northern hemisphere, and are home to around 10% of the and strengthen their Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. We’ll use the data gathered county has increased by 49% Amur tiger population. The park’s creation is partly the result of © BRENT STIRTON / WWF-UK voice in decisions about

ARAPAIMA © ISTOCK the management of how the animals use the corridor so that the habitat can be families with a valuable and to secure key tiger habitats and help increase populations. Our natural resources. sustainable income. colleagues in Russia have been working tirelessly with government, indigenous communities and other partners to establish a network FIND OUT MORE wwf.org.uk/arapaima of protected areas for Amur tigers, with Land of the Leopard wwf.org.uk/sizeofwales WATCH THE VIDEO wwf.org.uk/trackingrhinos National Park designated in 2012, and now Bikin. 4 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 5 BIG PICTURE CONSERVATION IN ACTION

SAVING THE IBERIAN LYNX

An intensive conservation campaign we’ve supported has brought the Iberian lynx back from the brink of extinction. But we still need to do more to secure its future The Iberian lynx is one of the world’s most endangered felines. In 2002, there were just 52 mature individuals in two populations left in the world, both in south-west Spain. Amid real fears of extinction, we’ve been working hard with our partners to increase the number of Iberian lynx by securing proper protection and by supporting captive breeding programmes. We’re helping to conserve their habitat and pressing for further action to grow populations of their main prey – rabbits. As a result of our joint efforts, a 2015 survey counted 404 lynx in the species’ strongholds in Andalucia. This individual, photographed on a private estate in the region by Laurent Geslin, is known to biologists as Rapace. She was born in captivity and released into the wild about seven years ago. She successfully raised kittens in 2014, but didn’t have a new litter last year. Laurent set up remote cameras on the borders of Rapace’s territory and, when she came to mark her patch, their intriguing smell caught her attention. As she peered curiously into the lens, Laurent pressed the shutter from a hide nearby. Though the Iberian lynx’s prospects have improved, it isn’t in the clear yet. Habitat loss, declining numbers of its rabbit prey and high mortality caused by road accidents still threaten its recovery. That’s why we’re working hard to restore and protect Doñana National Park – a World Heritage site and one of the species’ strongholds. Find out more about Doñana on page 8 and join our campaign: wwf.org.uk/sharedheritage © LAURENT GESLIN

6 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 7 WWF IN ACTION WWF IN ACTION © BRANDON COLE / NATUREPL.COM, © ANTONIO BUSIELLO / WWF-US BUSIELLO © ANTONIO / NATUREPL.COM, COLE © BRANDON © OLIVER HINE PHOTOGRAPHY, © PA PHOTOS PHOTOGRAPHY, HINE © OLIVER

It’s estimated that reef- Earth Hour 2016 was the related tourism accounts biggest celebration of our for 20% of employment planet ever. It was even in Belize featured on the cover of of The Independent on Sunday newspaper

SAVING OUR SHARED HERITAGE We’re fighting to protect three key sites from imminent threats Belize’s reef at risk This beautiful and rich marine CAMPAIGN ecosystem is home to at least 1,400 species, of which 17 are threatened Another record-breaking Earth Hour with extinction. And it supports the On Saturday 19 March we celebrated livelihoods of 190,000 Belizeans. our biggest-ever Earth Hour, with a It was added to the List of World record-breaking 178 countries and Heritage in Danger in 2009 due to threats from ofshore oil drilling and to show they care about the future damaging coastal construction. of our brilliant planet From the Hong Kong skyline to Dubai’s Burj Spain’s premier wetland dedicated a song to Earth Hour during his threatened House, more than 400 iconic buildings and Millions of birds stop at Doñana The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve National Park as they migrate can’t thank you enough for your incredible System World Heritage site consists of seven individual areas spread over between northern Europe and Africa. more than 380km of coastline, and The area is also home to imperial dark for the hour, including Big Ben and the covering more than 96,000 hectares eagles and Iberian lynx. But there Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, are concerns because a nearby mine, CAMPAIGN which caused an environmental SEE OUR EARTH HOUR HIGHLIGHTS disaster in 1998, is being reopened. We loved hearing your stories from the Check out our Earth Hour highlights from And harmful dredging could be Saving Belize’s endangered reef, together allowed in the river that helps keep make a difference, not just for an hour, but the ecosystem healthy. organised by the Forestry Commission; these wwf.org.uk/earthhour OVER HALF of all natural mining, oil and gas drilling, and 50 sq km of mangroves have World Heritage sites are Tanzania’s wilderness threatened by harmful reef has been damaged since in danger NEWS IN NUMBERS activities. So we’re The elephants and rhinos of Selous working to protect these are under siege. The Selous World extraordinary places Heritage site is facing severe threats There are now eight Natural World Heritage sites World Heritage sites are from mining, oil and gas concessions, breeding finless porpoises manatees and marine turtles roads, dams and industrial-scale in the He-wang-miao/ too often governments and poaching. Damage to the reserve and Ji-cheng-yuan oxbow HOW YOU CAN HELP its wildlife from mining activities has reserve in China, following Help us protect the Belize led to a decline in tourism, followed our second successful by job losses. In May, Nepal marked two years since its last rhino translocation. Two males this fragile ecosystem for their Belize prime minister a was poached – and its fourth year of zero poaching of and two females were wwf.org.uk/belize We think these precious places are rhinos since 2011. This is the first time the country moved to boost the But they are coming under Yet the reef is threatened by Find out more and join too valuable to risk. Look out for has achieved two consecutive years of zero poaching. genetic viability of the increasing threat from harmful updates in a future issue. It’s helped increase Nepal’s population of greater population previously industrial activities such as wwf.org.uk/sharedheritage one-horned rhinos to 645, the highest number so far. introduced to the reserve. 8 | Action Summer 2016 4 8Action Summer 2016 | 9 WWF IN ACTION © WWF / GUANYINSHAN NATURE RESERVE NATURE / GUANYINSHAN © WWF © WWF-KENYA © ISTOCK The global decline may On Valentine’s Day, NEWS IN BRIEF have been halted but there Jeremy Irons and is still much work to do to Emily starred in a SHOP WITH PANDA STYLE protect tigers. South-east Asia, in particular, is at importance of nature We always knew you had award-winning imminent risk of losing its taste! The WWF credit card, which features tigers if action is not taken immediately a snow leopard image chosen by you, has been highly commended by the Card and Payments Awards. The card, which is issued by MBNA, raises significant funds for us ACTION INTERVIEW each year, supporting our vital work around BEN FOGLE the world. Ben has been filming our work RARE LEOPARD ON CAMERA in the Maasai Mara as part Rare images have been caught on camera traps of a northern Chinese leopard using of his new series The Great a wildlife corridor in the Qinling Mountains Migration on Channel 5. We of China. We’ve been working with local asked him a few questions... partners for the past 10 years to conserve CAMPAIGN and restore this area of natural habitat for What was the most memorable pandas and, in doing so, we’re helping other animal populations to recover. Watch the CONSERVATION moment filming the series? You showed your love for the planet video: wwf.org.uk/chineseleopard I was amazed by the great river crossings ON VALENTINE’S DAY clubs and communities shared when well over a million animals swim the people everywhere joined Wild tiger numbers increase for the first time in history Mara river. It’s breathtaking to watch us to show their love for our them all leaping into the water. But sadly, Wild tiger numbers have incredible planet across the UK turned green over we did find an elephant that had been increased globally for poached, a brutal reminder of the wildlife Governments at that meeting I Wish for You tells the story of war that rages across east Africa. conservation history. a grandfather sharing his love of Thanks to your support tigers are on the increase,” for our Tx2 initiative, said Marco Lambertini, What most interested you the estimated global director general of WWF about our work during filming? War Horse author Michael DOLPHIN’S DECLINE SLOWS population of wild tigers WWF-Kenya has done a lot of work with The decline of the critically endangered is now close to 3,900 local communities to protect wildlife and Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been their habitats. I visited a project working 50million slowed, according to a recent survey. The number of people reached by the governments, communities and to create wildlife corridors that bypass The census by WWF and the Cambodian Valentine’s Day #ShowTheLove campaign community lands, thus reducing the risk government found the dolphin population of conflict with elephants. had fallen to 80 in 2015, indicating that its a major tiger conservation FIND OUT MORE times, serving as a reminder for decline has slowed from about 7% a year in can be attributed to factors Explore the future for tigers You’re a WWF ambassador. SHOW THE LOVE 2007 to less than 2% in 2015. This is due including increases in tiger Action. to years of work to protect its habitat and What aspect of our work are wwf.org.uk/showthelove remove illegal gill nets, a cause of mortality. you most passionate about? © ISTOCK RESEARCH Filming The Great Migration gave me a unique insight into the challenges facing conservation. Our growing population PICTURE STORY Watch an incredible Adélie penguin-cam video means that human-wildlife conflict is picture of the penguins’ movements and inevitable, so WWF’s work to reduce on the backs of Adélie penguins has revealed conflict is vital. Seeing double: new gorilla twins a penguin’s view of life under the Antarctic ice. such as alterations in feeding strategies. With this vital knowledge, we can better Why is protecting the Mara who mounted mini video cameras on protect the penguins’ habitat and so important? The Maasai Mara is home to some of the The cameras didn’t interfere with the penguins’ a long-term picture of how climate most extraordinary animals on the planet. natural behaviour and were recovered when change is affecting them. But the region is under ever-increasing / WWF WENDEFEUER © JANIKA pressure – from poachers, human HOW YOU CAN HELP encroachment, corruption and climate Watch the footage at The exact number of change. Without WWF, the wildlife western lowland gorillas footage provides vital information about the wwf.org.uk/penguincam wouldn’t stand a chance. is not known because birds’ foraging strategies and interaction with and adopt a penguin they inhabit some of the Find out more about our work with most dense and remote wwf.org.uk/penguinadopt elephants in the Mara on page 22. rainforests in Africa 10 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 11 CONSERVATION HEROES ON THE FRONT LINE

MEET OUR CONSERVATION

HEROES helping our conservation heroes

wenty-four hours can mean many things communities in which they now work; others tracking poachers through the snow or “I know all the rhinos in Nairobi National Park park by sight,” T says Harrison. “Each marks for monitoring, but we also give them Fortunately, what they all share is passion names. We account for © GREG ARMFIELD / WWF-UK each and every rhino every single day.” These conservation heroes come from many

12 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 13

CONSERVATION HEROES ON THE FRONT LINE © WWF-NEPAL © Kenya is home to 678 black rhinos, the largest population in east Africa GHANA S GURUNG SENIOR CONSERVATION DIRECTOR, WWF-Nepal

© MARK CARWARDINE / WWF SERVICE RHINO RANGER thanks to the three distinct lobes to the heelpad OF HARRISON’S RANK MUST TRAIN FOR UP TO 15 Having grown up in the mountains of MONTHS BEFORE THEY’RE DEPLOYED IN THE FIELD 15 targeting their horns, which are sought in HARRISON KAMANDE HEAD RHINO RANGER, The snow leopard has a long, thick tail that can be a metre long. It’s used for balance Nairobi National Park, Kenya when moving and extra warmth when resting, wrapped snugly around the cat’s face and body of these last great species for humanity,” he

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A RHINO RANGER MORNING AFTERNOON AFTER HOURS Harrison is out After a brief lunch Back in camp, on patrol by – if time allows – Harrison and 06.30. He notes Harrison returns his team relax at signs of activity the dartboard or from the night Late afternoon improvised gym. before, checks is when most After dinner, there up on the rhinos rhinos emerge are management © GREG ARMFIELD / WWF-UK

in his sector to feed. The reports to be © REINHARD / ARCO / WWF and compiles team spots them written. Then it’s reports from from security an early night other rangers. watchtowers, – but sleep is Each rhino must which give an not guaranteed. be accounted for elevated view “We go to bed every day. over the park. on standby.” 14 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 15 CONSERVATION HEROES ON THE FRONT LINE

PAVEL FOMENKO WWF’S SPECIES PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, Amur Heilong, Russia

© BRENT STIRTON / WWF “That’s the track of a male tiger,” says Pavel, bending to measure the massive pawprint with a piece of grass. Snow falls as he adjusts shoulder. “He passed by here three or four days ago.” ZHANG SHENGYUAN Pavel Fomenko, ‘Pasha’ to his friends, leads RESERVE MANAGER, Lake Hong, China the species programmes for WWF-Russia’s Amur branch. He’s known nationwide for his efforts to protect Amur tigers and was recently awarded the Golden Medal of the Russian Geographical Society. Pavel was once a hunter himself, and knows the forest inside out. That’s why, in 1994, WWF invited him to join the team. The Amur tiger is the world’s largest cat. Before Pavel started work, numbers had crashed due to poaching for its skin, meat and bones to feed the illegal wildlife trade. Thanks to the efforts of heroes like Pavel, the Amur tiger has made a spectacular comeback, with up to 540 (including about 100 cubs) living in the wild in Russia. But the situation is still critical. “The life of each and every tiger is precious,” he points out, holding up a tiger skin Today, he oversees a complex system of protection, in collaboration with state authorities: tracking poachers using stakeouts and road blocks, developing links with hunting lodges, and setting up camera traps to monitor the big cats’ movements. A TOUGH LIFE Life is tough in these northern forests. winter temperatures fell as low as -40oC. “Sometimes we used to sleep with our dogs on our chests to keep out the cold,” he explains. “They saved us from freezing to death.” It can be dangerous too: armed poachers have tried to run Pavel over. But his team’s / WWF SMITYUK YURY RONDEAU, © EMMANUEL achievements have been impressive: thousands “THE TIGER IS ONE OF THE EMBLEMS of poachers arrested, prey species returning and tiger numbers rising. The results of Russia’s OF RUSSIA. FOR IT TO SURVIVE, THE latest full-range survey already look promising. “The tiger is one of the emblems of Russia,” OTHER ANIMALS MUST SURVIVE TOO. Pavel explains. “For it to survive, the other animals must survive too. That’s why we work THAT’S WHY WE WORK SO HARD TO so hard to maintain the balance of nature.” There’s no doubt he’s the right man for the job. MAINTAIN THE BALANCE OF NATURE” 16 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 17 CONSERVATION HEROES ON THE FRONT LINE

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK ANNA BEHM MASOZERA WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative set DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL GORILLA up the Ranger Federation of Asia 1991 CONSERVATION PROGRAMME, Rwanda THE YEAR WWF CO-FOUNDED IGCP WITH to improve working conditions for FAUNA AND FLORA INTERNATIONAL, THE AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION, AND THE a survey with rangers in 11 tiger GOVERNMENTS OF RWANDA, UGANDA AND DRC about their work. Here’s a snapshot of their daily lives, trials and triumphs: each other,” recalls works closely with people in all three mountain gorilla range countries to conserve the 24/7 Asian rangers and Anna talks of the very special moments she The Asian elephant has disappeared from 95% frontline staf put their her inspiration comes as much from her fellow of its historical range lives on the line every so we’re targeting the causes of habitat loss day protecting wildlife of our programme is a testament to the people CHRISTY WILLIAMS 63% ASIAN ELEPHANT EXPERT of them have faced a AND COUNTRY DIRECTOR, life-threatening situation WWF-Myanmar 45% spend less than ﬁve days a month with their families 74% feel they need more ©ELEPHANT ISTCOK, © /WWF CARLOS DREWS equipment to carry out essential ﬁeldwork We’ve already made great strides in understanding how to make these rangers’ lives easier, but we need to do GORILLAS © NATURE PL.COM / CHRISTOPHE COURTEAU, © NATURE PL.COM more. Similar surveys are underway they realise that you mean no harm, they will across Africa and South America to improve life for frontline staff everywhere.

SUPPORT OUR HEROES The mountain gorillas in Your membership helps our frontline teams to carry pays for food for one ranger on pays for GPS equipment for Virunga National Park out their vital work every day. Thanks to your support, have been studied for £20 £180 we can make sure they have the tools and training to more than 40 years, and pays for one pair of binoculars pays for a bush tent for monitored since the 1970s, do their jobs safely and successfully. for a community ranger making them one of the £50 £350 rangers to use for overnight most studied great ape monitoring snow leopards populations But if you’d like to give an extra gift to make their Please donate to show you care and help our rangers: wwf.org.uk/heroes

18 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 19 CONSERVATION HEROES ELEPHANT AMBASSADOR

David Leto is a conservation hero. He’s overcome personal tragedy to devote his life to protecting elephants and helping people live in harmony with them

The African elephant is the world’s biggest land animal. Mother elephants keep their calves close when on migration to © DAVID LLOYD

20 | Action SummerGOOD 2016 NEIGHBOURSAction Summer 2016 | 21 CONSERVATION HEROES ELEPHANT AMBASSADOR

Elephants need a lot Elephants have been part of my life Elephants have a range for as long as I can roam areas larger than 30,000 sq km of calls, including ‘Let’s remember. I saw my go’ signals to the herd and “MY PEOPLE, warnings that bees are around We used to hurry THE MAASAI, HAVE home from school before the elephants LIVED ALONGSIDE came out of the forest, to make sure we 470,000 didn’t get in their way. ELEPHANTS FOR There are around 470,000 My people, the Maasai, have lived African elephants in the wild alongside elephants for generations and GENERATIONS” have a powerful relationship with them. / WWF-UK ARMFIELD © GREG The Maasai name for elephant means

© ANUP SHAH / WWF SHAH © ANUP The African elephant is the David and the rangers from world's largest land mammal while we respect them, we’re not afraid of data on elephant movements them. We treat them as our closest relatives. – with males on average But I’ve seen this relationship changing. conservation area and the 6 measuring up to 3m high and Maasai Mara reserve tonnes In this region of Africa, the human weighing up to 6 tonnes population has grown rapidly. The economic our traditional lifestyles. Roads and villages, annual food supply overnight – and they’re population of elephants in Africa – around supplement their incomes. HOW YOU’RE HELPING Mara – the wide savannah where elephants pay for my education. The money came from 25,000 of them. The Maasai Mara ecosystem once roamed and my people grazed their – which joins up with the Serengeti National school afterwards. The community gets grow crops that elephants won’t eat, such as PROTECT THE MARA cattle. And this has caused elephants and ecotourism and other conservation initiatives. chillies, which will then yield more income The Maasai Mara is an area of outstanding beauty and incredible people to come into closer contact. There have My mother had never attended a single wildlife and has a healthy and growing retaliation. They use traps, poisoned arrows for the community. Local people are ©ELEPHANT ISTOCK elephant population. and spears. Since 2000, at least 50 elephants wildlife. Your membership already helps to university to study conservation. It was us tackle the increasing pressures on TRAGEDY STRIKES LONG-DISTANCE TRAVELLERS up and run conservancies, where local the region, but you can do even more: But elephants travel long distances in their landowners pool their land and manage Watch David Leto talking about his Despite what happened, I see elephants revenge is not the right solution; to convince work: Mara. And each incident reminds me of what as innocent creatures. And they really need them that we can coexist. It’s important for Read about Ben Fogle’s happened to my father. me to listen to the communities and relate to for elephants and other wildlife, and the visit to the Mara (p10). One morning, my father had left early and As more land is converted to agriculture them. My personal experience and Maasai You’re a hero to our frontline teams as your crying. Some men from the village came up to side, dancing with them and sharing stories. My dream is to see a secure and support helps them to attitudes are changing as more newcomers increasing wild elephant population, carry out their vital work people’s crops – particularly maize, pawpaw every day. But if you’d like to I was sad and angry. And I felt a huge sense and watermelons. make an extra gift, please visit so I was now the head of the family. and communities. farmers. One elephant can destroy a family’s When an elephant is stung, it runs away fast.

COLLARING ELEPHANTS

At WWF, we know elephants range across / WWF-UK ARMFIELD © GREG a wide area, and their journeys may bring But what pathways do they use and how can we help people cope? With your support, we’re working with Kenya Wildlife Service, Save the Elephants and the Mara Elephant This will provide us with information about FIND YOUR ELEPHANT USE A DART WITH A SEDATIVE ATTACH THE COLLAR ADMINISTER THE ANTIDOTE MONITOR YOUR ELEPHANT their movements so we can make smarter We look for matriarchs, the older female The elephants are darted with a strong We also assess the elephant’s health Once the collar is on, the antidote is given We use a radio telemetry receiver to decisions to protect them – and warn local elephants. They’re the leaders, so tracking and take measurements while it’s and we get out of the way. The elephant is track newly-collared elephants inside people of their approach. 1 them will tell us about the herd’s behaviour. 2Safety gloves are essential! 3 sedated to understand the herd better. 4 soon back on its feet with no ill effects. 5and outside the Maasai Mara reserve. 22 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 23 OCEAN RESEARCH WHALES & DOLPHINS

WHALESAND

Large and sturdy, Silurian is HWDT’s fully equipped research and education vessel. She’s a 16m ketch and was used in the WARSHIPS series The Blue Planet Aimée Leslie took to the waves around HWDT / FROUD KERRY © We spotted 125 common dolphins during our cetacean survey

In October, I was whale behaviour, including two minkes been spotted around the Hebrides, including We saw an incredible 125 common lucky enough moving at high speed and regularly leaping dolphins, too. They are regular summer to spend a week clear of the water. This behaviour – known the area in the summer to feed in the rich and visitors, but their numbers seem to be NEW PROTECTED AREAS cruising around the as porpoising – is rarely seen in undisturbed productive waters. increasing. Although the reasons for this are There’s good news for minke whales waters far from human activity. At the same Spotting cetaceans is harder than it sounds. unclear, one theory relates to climate change, and other marine wildlife around coast of Scotland. time, sonar noise was recorded on their All day long, we worked in 30-minute shifts, where warming waters mean plankton and Scotland, as the Scottish government During the day, we underwater microphone. It’s unlikely with two people at the mast, each scouting 90 prey species are spreading further north. is planning four new marine protected spotted dolphins, this was a coincidence. degrees of ocean for signs of life. Hours can The dolphins often congregated around areas to safeguard some of the most porpoises, seals and After that, HWDT worked with the pass without seeing anything, but suddenly the boat in groups of 15 or more, leaping over microphone. As much as we wanted to see iconic species and habitats. However, seabirds, and at night, the colours of Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy to there’s a shout of “Sighting!” and a buzz of the waves rippling in our wake. Of course, the whales, it was a relief that we didn’t encounter simply designating these sites isn’t the northern lights danced overhead. introduce measures to reduce interference excitement. With each sighting, we noted the any while the exercises were under way. enough, as whales and dolphins travel It was a wonderful experience – but to marine life caused by military exercises, species, its location, where it was heading and wildlife as little as possible, but you can’t help It seems the sensible whales stayed well away. across large areas to feed and breed. it wasn’t a holiday. As WWF’s whale and such as avoiding areas where whales have what it was doing. enjoying such a joyous spectacle. The more we know about the numbers and We’ve joined forces with many dolphin expert, I had joined a research been spotted. The goal of our expedition was Only one of the team was lucky enough movements of cetaceans in Scottish waters, marine conservation organisations to expedition run by the Hebridean Whale and to assess how successful these measures have MARINE POLLUTION to spot a minke whale, which surfaced the better decisions we can make about what call for the next Scottish government Dolphin Trust (HWDT), and partly funded been and provide insights that can be used to All the while, we kept a sharp eye out for to introduce a fully resourced marine

by WWF supporters, on board the beautiful protect other whale and dolphin populations. disappeared from view. Sadly, though, we all monitoring strategy, to ensure that all © PETER STEVICK / HEBRIDEAN WHALE AND DOLPHIN TRUST research vessel Silurian. An impressive 24 species of cetaceans have interactions between marine mammals and got to witness a dead minke that had stranded to identifying when and where military the waters around Scotland are in a I was part of a team of six volunteers who on a beach on the Isle of Skye. The whale exercises like Joint Warrior would have the healthy state. Ongoing monitoring is were there to monitor the impact on whales problem, even in these largely unspoilt waters. looked to be a young, healthy female, but least impact. That’s why this research trip is vital to make sure that the seas are and dolphins of a massive military exercise scars around her neck indicated entanglement so much more than just a wonderful holiday. well managed, now and in the future. known as Joint Warrior. This involves There’s more good news south numerous warships and aircraft training in within a few minutes of leaving Tobermory whales have similar wounds. We took some of the border, with the government the air, on the ocean surface and underwater. samples for further investigation in the lab. announcing 23 new ‘marine One concern is the use of sonar – underwater than dolphins, the small triangles of their It was sad to see, but at least by collecting DO YOUR BIT conservation zones’ in England. sound pulses that can disturb cetaceans evidence we can help to reduce the risk of You’re already helping to support healthy (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and have sociable than dolphins, you tend to see them future fatalities. marine ecosystems around the world, but if been linked to strandings. Minke whales are often on their own or in small groups. Over the As for the warships, we spotted them in you’d like to do even more, why not adopt a new protected areas around the UK: During a Joint Warrior exercise in 2010, seen in coastal waters course of the week we spotted 137 individuals the distance from time to time, and their Hebridean dolphin and keep up with news wwf.org.uk/porpoise around the Hebrides © ALAMY the HWDT team observed some alarming from April to October – the most HWDT had seen that year. sonar signals boomed on our underwater from Silurian at wwf.org.uk/dolphinadopt 24 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 25 10 WAYS TO LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY GROW YOUR OWN FRUIT AND VEG RECYCLE EVEN MORE WASTE LESS FOOD Growing fruit and veg is great fun, and something the The things we consume and the packaging they come Changing the way you eat is something you can do THINGS YOU family can do together. You don’t need a lot of space. in create a huge amount of waste. And even though every day to reduce your impact on the environment Start with fruit and veg that are family favourites and easy we’re recycling more than ever, we’re also creating and improve your health. Start by only buying and to grow, such as strawberries, tomatoes, beans, more rubbish. To improve your impact, buy products cooking the food you need. By carrots and potatoes. Growing from seeds that have minimal packaging or are made from thinking ahead and planning CAN DO FOR 1 is inexpensive, and you’ll soon have the 2 recycled materials. Ask your local council what you 3 your meals and portions rewards of eating what you grow. So go can recycle, and where. carefully, you’ll save money on, get your hands dirty and eat fresh! Simply by recycling and minimise waste. Write as much as possible, a shopping list and check YOUR PLANET you can make a real use-by dates, and take this into account when planning the week’s meals. Don’t throw 1You’re0 already a hero to us, but are you a away leftovers – try to use all green hero as well? Follow our top tips to the food in your fridge. If you enjoy an even more sustainable lifestyle. can’t use it, compost it.

GROW YOUR OWN HERBS USE YOUR PEDAL POWER EAT LESS MEAT EAT SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD If you have a garden or even just a windowsill, Some meat is high in saturated fat and meat why not try growing your own fresh herbs? Basil, the car at home and cycle instead. There are no production is a major source of greenhouse gas always look for Marine Stewardship Council or oregano, mint, chives, parsley, sage, rosemary and nasty exhaust emissions and no need for fuel, emissions, so consuming less of it is good for you and Aquaculture Stewardship Council labels. These toxic batteries or motor oil with this mode of the planet. Try replacing red and white meats with guarantee your purchase has come from well- to your food, making them a good substitute for salt transport. What’s more, it takes a lot less energy other sources of protein, such as peas, beans and nuts. 4 – and growing them at home can be easy. Start out 5 to manufacture a bicycle than a car, and fewer 6 Introduce ’meat-free Mondays’ and make a smaller 7 By choosing to eat only sustainable seafood, you with seedlings and give them food and a little water natural resources such as water. portion of meat a tasty complement to a meal, rather can contribute to the health of our oceans, support than the centrepiece. wwf.org.uk/eatlessmeat bushy, green lushness. They look and smell great, others to follow suit. wwf.org.uk/seafood so what’s stopping you?

SAVE ENERGY MAKE YOUR GARDEN WILDLIFE FRIENDLY HELP YOUR CHILDREN TO EAT WELL Our homes are responsible for 26% There are plenty of simple ways to make your garden Show your children the importance of consuming food 4 TONNES of the UK’s overall carbon emissions, in a way that’s not harmful to our planet. Try designing 60% of the world’s land surface The amount of carbon attract bees and other insects. Fruiting a healthy dinner plate together using our Livewell today is used in agriculture dioxide emitted by the bushes also provide food for birds guide to create a sustainable diet that’s good for you. and food production average car every year and mammals in autumn. Leave Include plant-based proteins, carbs and lots of fruit 8 chargers for mobile phones, and 9 piles of logs and sticks under 10 and veg, add small bushes and in shady corners, and portions of meat, standby when not in use. Insulate let your lawn grow longer around and avoid foods your loft and cavity walls, draught- the edges to provide shelter for that are high 1 TONNE 40% proof your windows and doors, and insects. Save rainwater in a butt in fat, salt and The amount of rubbish a of the food that’s planted lower the temperature on your and use this on your garden. sugar. Draw an household makes each year in the UK is wasted heating by one or two degrees to make ideal meal with your kids at good for the planet – and your pocket! wwf.org.uk/ OVER TO YOU! wwf.org.uk/saveenergy livewellplate We’d love to print your best tips for greener and more healthy living in our next issue, so email us: [email protected]

26 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 27 DO IT FOR THE PANDA! REMEMBER US EARTH HOUR 2016 Enjoy nature, live life, support WWF When I was young, my dad would take me for I feel I want to give something back, OVER TO YOU! nature walks, and as I’ve grown older I’ve come I’ve decided to remember WWF in my will. to appreciate how precious the natural world We don’t have children but I want to ensure is. I’ve been lucky to travel the globe and visit that all the beautiful wild places and amazing places such as the Amazon. But I’ve wonderful animals that have meant so much since the last issue of Action, so why not tell us about also seen with my own eyes the heart-breaking to me are still around for future generations. damage people are causing, such as tons of Jill Nalder, London it? These are your pages – let’s celebrate you! plastic rubbish strewn all over a beach in Peru. WWF is my favourite charity. I love that it LEAVE US A GIFT IN YOUR WILL BritishMonarchy: Lights will be out at works to create harmony between people and Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and endangered species around the world, and Holyroodhouse at 8.30pm tomorrow #EarthHour supports communities as well as animals. Now wwf.org.uk/gifts

Something for nothing STAR When my car broke down and couldn’t INSPIRE US LETTER Tim Peake: Planet Earth is beautiful. Protect it and take part in #EarthHour We were so thrilled to see these WILD AT ART lovely drawings that we’re that my much-loved car could continue to sending Mr Cooper’s class two Last winter, my class at Willington Primary School signed Michael Morpurgo books including War Horse. Running in WEAR IT WILD! species on the endangered list and decided to adopt remembrance of Guy an animal with WWF. To raise the funds, we held I wanted to run the Royal Parks a drawing competition and a sponsored ‘wake and ROYAL half marathon as part of Team shake’, where we danced to 14 songs back-to-back! REWARD Panda because WWF was my I thought you might enjoy seeing the winning brother Guy’s favourite charity. drawings by Ever (age 10), Gracie (10), Bailey In 2012, we tragically lost Guy (9) and Maizey (10). Everyone helped to raise a aged just 22 in an accident, and fantastic £246 in just one week and we adopted ever since we have adopted three an Amur leopard named Narva. The cuddly toy commemorative book animals a year in his memory. Carla Shannon: An endangered Lucy Hodgson: I’m going to dust leopard we received from WWF now keeps watch But last year I wanted to do group: Arctic fox, giant panda, red panda, of my bird of paradise costume for over the class from the top of our board. more, so I applied for a place on giant tortoise and a leopard! #wearitwild #wearitwild on 27 May. I’m excited! Mr M. Cooper, Derbyshire Team Panda. Dr Hanne Hof, Surrey The experience was amazing – I felt part of the team from the start. The fundraising pack was great and regular emails Three more ways you can get involved this summer… really helped. On the morning of the race I was very nervous! But the Team Panda supporters were GET CLOSER PLAY OUR 3 JOURNEY TO so loud and encouraging, they gave me a huge boost. I was proud 1 TO OUR WORK 2 RAFFLE THE YANGTZE to be a Panda on the day – and afterwards I felt such a sense of Palace & Opera House: #WearItWild Charlotte Bagg: Can’t wait for achievement. I know my brother would’ve been proud of me. for @wwf_uk #passthepanda #wearitwild Bring on 27 May! Emma Litchﬁeld, Shafesbury, Dorset learn more about why GOT ANY GRRREAT NEWS? SHARE IT WITH US... and we wwf.org.uk/ wwf.org.uk/ thewaterhub.org/ tigerexperience alivingriver

28 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 29 COMPETITIONS NOTES FROM THE FIELD CROSSWORD An unexpected rescue mission

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13 WIN A PAIR OF TRAINERS WIN A COPY OF 14 15 16 17 We’ve got 10 pairs of limited edition Veja trainers, designed by Lily Cole, to give away TALES FROM GOMBE 18 19 20 We’ve got three copies of this stunning book by Actress and environmentalist Lily Cole has created a range of Anup Shah and Fiona Rogers to give away thing. They move with such grace and poise colourful canvas trainers with French ecological shoe brand Veja. 21 22 23 – it’s as if the world is turning at a slower pace The soles are made from Amazonian wild rubber, sourced by Experience life with the chimpanzees of Tanzania’s Gombe National for them. But that doesn’t mean they never rubber tappers in Acre, north-west Brazil. Lily visited the area Park – one of the most studied wild animal communities in the put a foot wrong… as part of her role as ambassador for Sky Rainforest Rescue, our world – through the camera lenses of Anup Shah and Fiona Rogers. six-year partnership with Sky. Thanks to you, the partnership The photographers have spent much of the past decade at Gombe, 24 25 with elephants in Kenya’s Maasai Mara when we came across a raised over £9.5m, including £4m match funding from Sky, and exploring the complexities of chimp life. Tales from Gombe is has helped keep one billion trees standing in Brazil. To be in with a sumptuous collection of their intimate images and incredible WWF Action Crossword 33: summer 2016 issue. Compiled by Aleric Linden and truly stuck in a hole in the ditch by the side of the road. a chance of winning a pair of these unique trainers, just follow the After solving the crossword, take each letter from the shaded Soil erosion is a big problem in the Mara and heavy rains turn instructions (below), mark your entry ‘Trainer Comp’ and include three copies to give away. Just follow the instructions (below) squares (from left to right and top to bottom) to spell out the your preferred UK shoe size (subject to availability). and mark your entry ‘Chimp Comp’. prize word. To be in with a chance to win, just send a postcard probably out on a nocturnal excursion with its mother when it with the prize word to the address on page 30 or email it to slipped into the mucky trap and was unable to climb out. [email protected] The closing date is 18 July 2016 Now, the poor creature was covered in mud, all alone and Clues across Clues down looking very sorry for itself. If this wasn’t bad enough, one of its 1 Travel industry sector bringing vital 2 The Earth’s atmosphere contains income to the locals, though sometimes about 21% of this element (6) the culprit – a feral dog that was waiting expectantly nearby. HOW TO ENTER at the expense of the environment (7) 3 Nature site – the Maasai Mara is a Though we considered all our options, including allowing WIN A GREAT 5 The Maasai Mara is home to hundreds national one (7) ACTION MAGAZINE of species of them, such as hornbills (5) 4 Closest star to Earth – basis of all nature to take its course, we knew, deep-down, that we couldn’t 8 _ and Ears, a WWF initiative against things solar (3) BARRIER REEF DVD the illegal wildlife trade (4) 6 A fjord is an example of one (5) from the hungry dog. It was just a question of how... GIVEAWAYS 9 Pine leaves (7) 7 The Atacama or Gobi (6) We’ve got ﬁve DVDs of this award- To enter, please send your 11 Striped participant in the famous 10 Wind and geothermal power provide name, address and phone migration into the Mara every year (5) renewable forms of which precious GIRAFFE WRESTLING winning series up for grabs 12 Endangered species of dolphin native resource? (6) number on a postcard clearly to New Zealand (7) 13 Common fuel for internal combustion to grab whatever part of it we could reach, and push and pull Take the plunge and dive into the crystal clear addressed to the competition 14 The annual Great Migration into the engines (6) waters of the Great Barrier Reef with this you wish to enter – e.g. Maasai Mara begins in this Tanzania 15 Philippine _ , one of the world’s until the poor animal was out of the hole. I was grateful I had park (9) smallest primates with distinctively incredible BBC DVD. Let David Attenborough Trainer Comp, Chimp Comp, the assistance of four strong men! Eventually we managed to lift 18 Oil transporters (7) large eyes (7) be your guide to the rich reef life and explore etc – to Action Mag, WWF- 20 Woodland _ , UK conservation charity (5) 16 The blue whale is the world’s the 2,300km expanse of living coral using UK, Living Planet Centre, 21 Golden _ tree-kangaroo, a rare species (7) largest one (6) It was only now that I realised how fragile and frightened 23 Middle East country – home to the 17 Sumatra or Madagascar, for pioneering camera technology. See one of the Rufford House, Brewery critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (4) example (6) most important biodiversity hotspots on the Road, Woking, Surrey 24 A spotless description of green 19 The Maasai Mara is located in planet in a whole new way, and learn about all GU21 4LL. energy (5) which country? (5) the latest research in this UNESCO natural 25 Petrol-electric vehicles such as the 22 _ season, annual period of stepped into the bush, presumably in search of its mother. Only one competition per entry Toyota Prius (7) little rainfall (3) please. Or send an email with your chosen competition in the away. Simply follow the instructions (right) SPRING 2016 ANSWERS: Across 6. Indian 8. Corals 10. Sun bear 11. Lease and mark your entry ‘Reef Comp’. subject line to competition@wwf. 12. Nets 14. Andreas 17. Harbour 18. Fish 20. Solar 21. African 23. Ionian org.uk. The closing date for the 24. Circle Down 1. Linsang 2. Panel 3. Boilers 4. Kalahari 5. Isle 7. Den competitions is: 18 July 2016. 9. Orangutan 13. Trawling 15. Iberian 16. Channel 19. Fruit 20. Skip 22. CFC Greg Armﬁeld

30 | Action Summer 2016 Action Summer 2016 | 31 • ACTION • SUMMER 2016 • ISSUE #33 WWF.ORG.UK

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