The Babbler Number 40 - February 2012

Made in South Africa Consumed in Vietnam

Photo: Jonathan C. Eames Number 40 - February 2012

CONTENTS Working together for birds and people

• Comment 448 South African rhinos killed in 2011: A rhino lost every 20 BirdLife International in Indochina is a hours subregional programme of the BirdLife Secretariat operating in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and • Features The Future of the Mekong River Still Hangs in the Balance Vietnam. It currently has two offices in the region: Logging in the wild west

Vietnam Programme Office • Regional News Cambodia opens controversial mega-dam Room 211-212, D1 building, Illegal South African rhino killings hit record high Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound; Brown and Northern Boobooks both occur in Thailand 298 Kim Ma street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi, Vietnam Two new paper clip-sized frogs discovered in Vietnam

P.O. Box 89 • Rarest of the rare Hoan Kiem softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) 6 Dinh Le, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +84-4-3 514 8904 • Project Updates CEPF- Regional Implementation Team updates Securing the future for Gurney’s Pitta and its forest habitat

Cambodia Programme Office #9, Street 29 Tonle Basac, • Reviews Wild Mekong Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia • Publications Impacts of warming on lowland forests Historical and current status of vultures in Myanmar P.O.Box: 2686 Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius Tel/Fax: +855 23 993 631 • Photo spot • From the archives World Press Photo of the Year 2011 winner www.birdlifeindochina.org The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Comment

448 South African rhinos killed in 2011: A rhino lost every 20 hours

am recently returned from a study tour to South Africa: the objective of which was to help Cambodian government and private sector representatives appreciate the opportunity presented by high-end Isafari tourism and assess whether Cambodia could use a similar approach to ensure the long term conservation of its biodiversity-rich areas (as its protected areas system is failing). Four days into our trip and we were all confronted by the horror of a freshly dead white rhino: The result of the epidemic of rhino poaching sweeping South Africa because of demand from China and Vietnam. The bull white rhino that graces the cover of this issue and the photograph on this page was shot dead with two .375 caliber rounds, the first piercing the heart and the second, a coup de gras through the left eye, before its two horns were hacked off using an axe moments later. By the time of our arrival at the crime scene, the police and North-west Parks and Tourism Board personnel were present in force. Their mood was grim and for some the appearance of Asian faces at the scene was not a welcome sight. A shame there was no Vietnamese with us to feel this “heat”.

If knowing your enemy is an essential part of winning any war, it was clear on that November afternoon there is a long way to go before there is better understanding on the part of some South African authorities, as to who the enemy is they are facing. Based on that incident alone it was clear that some in South Africa cannot even discriminate between a Cambodian, a Chinese or a Vietnamese person: They’re all just Asians it seems. But it isn’t “just Asians” it’s Chinese and Vietnamese who are consuming rhino horn. Moving amongst the sombre crowd of uniformed and heavily armed men, they were shocked to discover that rhino horn was on open sale in Vietnam, that even well educated Vietnamese cared not whether South African rhinos were hunted to extinction. Tales of the documented complicity of Vietnamese authorities drew surprised looks and gasps of disbelief all round.

For the sake of South Africa’s rhinos those involved in the war need a strategic victory. Poachers are being caught and mules apprehended at Johannesburg’s’ international airport, and are receiving justice in the South African courts. How many Vietnamese have been tried, convicted and sentenced in courts The Babbler is the quarterly newsletter of BirdLife International in in Vietnam for rhino crimes? The answer is none since 2008. And I don’t mean the hapless fools who will Indochina. This quarter The Babbler was compiled by Tran Thi Thanh Huong run the risk for a few million Dong, I mean the well-educated middle class businessmen and women who [email protected] and edited by Jonathan C. Eames, Eames@birdlife. are aware of the law and who openly boast of using rhino horn at parties for the well heeled in Hanoi org.vn. The views expressed are those of contributors and are not necessarily and Saigon those of BirdLife International.

Jonathan C. Eames OBE Programme Manager BirdLife International in Indochina

3 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PHOTO SPOT

Rhino wars

n the war against rhino poaching officials from North-west Parks and Tourism Board in South Africa are micro-chipping and ear-notching all rhino populations Iunder their jurisdiction. All Black rhinos and a large proportion of White rhinos now carry micro-chips enabling the horns to be more easily detected and the source of the rhino traced. In 2010 In December 2010 two Vietnamese nationals were arrested in Beaufort-West, South Africa, in possession of 15 rhino horns. Subsequent scans using a trovan scanner revealed that one of the horns came from a rhino that was poached on the 5th of August 2010 in Mafikeng Game Reserve. During the recent BirdLife study tour to South Africa, we were lucky enough to be invited to see the operation in practice in Pilansburg Game Reserve. A helicopter with a veterinarian marksman quickly located and darted a young White rhino that was photographed, notched and chipped in around 10 minutes. The antidote was then administered and the rhino up on his feet again in minutes ------Photos and text: Jonathan C. Eames

4 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Feature

The Future of the Mekong River Still Hangs in the Balance

By Ame Trandem1

he past fifteen months have witnessed an biodiverse river in the world, constructing even one intensifying regional debate over whether mainstream dam is likely to cause significant harm to Tto approve the first proposed dam for the the river’s ecosystem and the people it supports. In lower Mekong River’s mainstream, the Xayaburi October 2010, a Strategic Environmental Assessment Dam located in Northern Laos. The decision that commissioned by the MRC revealed the irreversible is ultimately made will in large part also determine damage that mainstream dams would pose to the fate of the Mekong River, its ecosystems and its the region’s wild-capture fisheries, livelihoods, peoples. While the dam’s developers have pushed agriculture, and food security, and recommended that hard for approval, a temporary reprieve was granted any decision over mainstream dam projects, including on December 8th, when regional ministers of the the Xayaburi Dam, should be deferred for a period of inter-governmental Mekong River Commission (MRC) ten years. delayed deciding on the Xayaburi Dam and instead announced plans to approach Japan and other Then, in March 2011, a technical review of the international donors for assistance in carrying out a Xayaburi’s key project documents by the MRC was new study on the impacts of the Mekong mainstream conducted as part of the regional decision-making dams. process. Amongst its key findings, this study identified that the dam would threaten the fish migration The recent MRC meeting marks the second of between 23 to 100 fish species, including five delay the project has faced since Laos first initiated IUCN red-list species. The review also reconfirmed the Xayaburi Dam’s prior consultation process earlier conclusions made by top international fishery in September 2010. At an earlier MRC meeting scientists that the project’s proposed fish ladders on April 19th, the governments of Thailand, would be ineffective and that there are currently no Cambodia and Vietnam called for an extension to proven measures that could mitigate the impacts of the decision-making process, citing their concerns mainstream dams on the Mekong’s rich fisheries. about transboundary impacts and knowledge gaps that require further study and public consultation. When the Xayaburi Dam’s Environmental Impact Vietnam went so far as to request a ten-year Assessment (EIA) was finally made public in mid- deferment in decisions over all mainstream dams. March 2011, numerous scientists from around the globe voiced their concern to the MRC over the Although the fate of the Xayaburi Dam remains flawed and sub-standard quality of the document. uncertain, a body of evidence for why the project Major flaws identified with the dam’s EIA included should not be built has continued to mount. As the lack of appropriate technical information and the Mekong River is home to the world’s largest the report’s limited scope of study, which considered Fishing near the Xayaburi Dam site. Photo: International Rivers freshwater fishery, and is also the second most impacts only within a ten-kilometer radius of the

5 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Feature

The Future of the Mekong River...(Continued)

dam site despite the project’s anticipated transboundary harm under the 1995 Mekong welcomed the study under the framework electricity. The dam’s power purchase transboundary impacts. Agreement and international law, this new of the MRC and committed to helping agreement was reportedly signed in October study, if carried out in accordance with ensure the study incorporates the “best 2011 despite the fact that the project is far While the scope and timeline of the international best practice, could be a good international scientific, social and economic from winning approval of at least two of the new study agreed to by the ministers this opportunity for regional governments to be advice and holistic consultative processes region’s governments, let alone the public. December has yet to be decided, Laos’ better informed of the short and long-term that can be deployed.” Most importantly, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines told effects of any mainstream development. the statement called for the evidence-based In the upcoming months, International the New York Times that a comprehensive study to help inform future decisions over Rivers will continue to call on Laos to halt environmental study with Japan and other With so much at stake, one hopes that the the proposed Mekong mainstream projects. construction of the Xayaburi Dam, while international donors could take ten years. current debate over the Xayaburi Dam is not In order to help ensure this happens, a offering recommendations on how to ensure As the regional governments have a duty to merely rhetoric. In a joint statement given positive step forward in this process would that the new impact study meets best take a precautionary approach and prevent by donors to the MRC on December 9th, they be for the regional governments to commit practice standards. We will also work with to a participatory approach from the onset concerned groups around the region and of study. Furthermore, due diligence would internationally calling for the cancellation require adequate consideration of the fifty- of plans to dam the Mekong River’s plus studies recommended by the 2010 mainstream and for better energy solutions Strategic Environmental Assessment report to be pursued, so that present and future in order to ensure countries are in a better generations can continue to benefit from a position to make an informed decision over healthy and free-flowing Mekong River the dams. ------(1) Ame Trandem is the Southeast However, despite reservations about Asia Program Director with the NGO the Xayaburi Dam expressed by the International Rivers, an environmental governments of Cambodia and Vietnam, and and human rights organization based in significant opposition amongst civil society Berkeley, California, USA. Contact ame@ and the public, Laos has yet to demonstrate internationalrivers.org or visit www. that it will agree to its neighbor’s requests internationalrivers.org. for caution and cooperate in good faith over the process of designing and implementing the new impact study. This is most blatantly apparent given the fact that preliminary construction of the project’s roads and transmission lines is underway and Laos has given no firm commitment to suspend People protest at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge on December 6th inside Thailand against the construction. Additionally, Thailand has Xayaburi Dam. Photo: International Rivers quietly been advancing arrangements with Laos to purchase the bulk of the project’s

6 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Feature

Logging in the wild west

ambodia, December 21, 2011 - Illegal logging of finish, they will go to another area,” he said. staggering proportions abetted by military personnel Another villager, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Cis decimating stocks of luxury rosewood in the said that about 2,000 people were now logging in the area. Central Cardamom Protected Forest, while the conversation “Residents used to be farmers, but now they’ve become group tasked with protecting the area and its government loggers because of money,” he said. counterparts deny the trade is even happening. Chut Wutty, director of the Natural Resources Protection In a period of several hours beginning late on Sunday night, Group, estimates that tens of thousands of dollars worth of the Post witnessed at least nine industrial transport trucks, rosewood, which fetches between US$5,000 and $8,000 per seven pick-up trucks and one Land Rover packed with timber cubic metre, is being transported out of Thma Bang district drive out of Koh Kong province’s Thma Bang district in the every day. CCPF on one road alone. Large numbers of trucks could also be heard using a nearby connecting road. “This area is the last area in Cambodia [with any rosewood]. They’ve destroyed Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Bokor National Several of the trucks that the Post was able to inspect Park, Pursat – after that, they went to O’Som [commune]. closely were carrying heavy loads of illegal rosewood. After that, they went to Thma Bang,” he said. Villagers, loggers and conservationists have verified that Forestry Administration officials, military officers and In four or five months, stocks of rosewood would be rangers working in partnership with the NGO Conservation exhausted in Thma Bang district, at which point, previous International are making no effort to stop the massive trade in experience suggests, the loggers will turn their attention to protected rosewood. lower grades of timber, Chut Wutty said.

In many cases, it is alleged, they are actively profiting. The 402,000 hectare CCPF is one of the largest conservation Thuy Pet, 50, a former soldier from military division 5 now areas in Cambodia, covering six districts across Koh Kong, living in Thma Bang district’s Russey Chrum village, estimated Pursat and Kampong Speu provinces. It is considered to be that during peak logging periods, anywhere from 80 to 90 one of Indochina’s richest conservation areas in terms of trucks carried timber out of the protected area every night. biodiversity, with vast numbers of endemic Cambodian flora “I think nobody can stop this until they finish. When they that supports populations of pangolins, Asian elephants,

Photo: Will Baxter

7 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Feature

Logging in ....(continued)

Siamese crocodiles and other endangered or threatened only in number by the torrent of heavy transport trucks station overseen by a man dressed in a Royal Cambodian species. that clumsily rumble through the village during the day on Armed Forces uniform, and surrounded by RCAF their way to and from the forest. While investigating the paraphernalia. Standing beside a set of scales, a buyer, A conservation researcher who has worked extensively in trade, Post staff were stopped on two occasions by military who declined to give his name, said he paid 1,500 riel per Thma Bang but declined to be named, said the district was police or soldiers claiming to work as security guards for a kilogram of rosewood stump. He would not say to whom just one of four sites within the CCPF where tens of millions company the men refused to identify. or for how much he sold the timber or where the young of dollars of rosewood had been cleared by companies rosewood planks had come from. “I’m just a worker,” he abusing licences which only grant them permission to clear Both times, the journalists were threatened with arrest said. areas intended for dam reservoirs. “It’s like a gold rush – and ordered to delete photos of trucks carrying illegal the value of rosewood is so high, it’s irresistible for cutters rosewood. The soldiers refused to explain why. On the Mysterious Company and middlemen,” the researcher said. “It’s all relatively second occasion, military police set up a road block to Villagers, forestry officials, buyers and commune officials organised, how much the loggers and middlemen have apprehend the journalists in order to delete their photos. in Thma Bang district all say rosewood in the area is bought to pay, and to whom. They know which checkpoints they by “a company” that no one is able, or willing, to identify. have to go through. It has apparently reached the stage Migrant loggers Chut Wutty alleges that company is Timber Green, a firm where most young men in Tatai Leu commune [in Thma About two kilometres from Russey Chrum village, he says is paying villagers and workers employed for a Bang district] have been absorbed into the rosewood situated on a small side road, a group of about 60 migrant separate project to cut rosewood in the CCPF. “They always extraction.” Military personnel swarm Russey Chrum village loggers from provinces such as Pursat and Kampong Speu say they are clearing for hydropower, but they are not,” in Thma Bang district, an almost endless procession of have cobbled together a makeshift camp of tarpaulins and he said. “You can see it is a big amount. I think [what is 4WD vehicles rolling in and out of town. They are matched cooking stoves. From there, they make daily forays into the happening] in the Cardamom Mountains, I’ve never seen as nearby mountains in search of rosewood stumps, which big as this.” they sell for a small profit. Several sources have identified Timber Green as the Three months ago, Chhay Sengheng left his family in logging company licensed to clear a reservoir area that will Kampong Speu province and headed to the Cardamom be created by the completion of the Stung Tatai dam on the Mountains in search of a better salary. Previously, he had Tatai river – about 30 km away from Russey Chrum village. earned 20,000 to 30,000 riel per day as a builder. Construction of the 246-megawatt Stung Tatai Hydropower Now he ventures every day far into the surrounding Dam by the firm China National Heavy Machinery started in mountains searching for rosewood stumps left by previous January this year. logging operations. “Of course, it is quite difficult to go away from the family, but we have no choice, we have to CI country director Seng Bunra said Timber Green had support our livelihood,” he said. Chhay Senghy estimates been employing villagers to cut logs within the dam area, that in the previous three days alone, one to two tonnes but denied they had expanded logging into the forest area of rosewood had been trucked out of Thma Bang from his his organisation is tasked with protecting. “This [company] site. No one has told him it is forbidden to take rosewood in Thma bang district in Koh Kong…[they] only clear on out of the CCPF. the reservoir,” he said. He claims that a small number of A truck loaded with illegally cut rosewood passes through Russey individual workers had then gone on to illegally clear logs in Chrum village in Kok Kong province’s Thma Bang district on the No more than 10 minutes down the road, a thick pile of the CCPF by themselves. However, the reaction of military Sunday night in the central Cardamom protected forest. Photo: Will Baxter young rosewood timber lies poorly hidden next to a weigh officials to the photographing of illegal logs suggests a 8 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Feature Logging in ....(continued) coordinated operation is being tightly controlled by a single company. At 11.25pm on Sunday, five military personnel, two carrying assault rifles, stepped out of a Toyota Camry with no licence plates and surrounded two Post journalists who had just photographed a pick-up truck inside the CCPF that was packed with young rosewood. They claimed it was illegal to take shots of the vehicles because they belonged to a private company. After demanding the photographer clear one of his memory cards, the men returned and passed a mobile phone to Chut Wutty, who entered into a protracted and heated conservation with a man he says identified himself as the security chief of the company Timber Green. When a Post reporter called the man’s phone and asked if he was the security chief of Timber

Green, the man asked “what’s wrong?” and hung up when A man dressed in RCAF military fatigues watches over a cache of Military police official Chhorn Samol detains two journalists from questioned further. Timber Green is not publicly listed and rosewood at a weight station at Kok Kong province’s Thma Bang the post and conservationist Chut Wutty on Sunday. Photo: Will could not be reached for comment. district on Sunday. Photo: Will Baxter Baxter decree in 2002. The anonymous researcher alleges that The anonymous researcher concedes CI is in a difficult Enforcement or endorsement? officials working with CI stationed at a checkpoint on road position, acting against powerful individuals that have Just outside of Russey Chrum village, five military 48 – the only avenue out of Thma Bang – are allowing strong connections to a government intolerant of NGOs police and forestry administration officials sat around a trucks carrying rosewood to drive straight through in that are publicly critical, but questions at what point they fire cooking tarot roots while waiting in ambush. Forestry exchange for “taxes”. “In practice they have turned a become a self-defeating entity. “It’s a massive challenge Administration ranger Sou Sophal says they were there blind eye to illegal activity in the CCPF, allowing the FA and it’s a fine balance, but international conservation to catch loggers, but not the trucks carrying tonnes of and loggers to cover up and continue what is going on, NGOs should not be ‘green washing’ for the Cambodian rosewood. Instead, they’re going after individuals on for the sake of political convenience and expediency,” government or the FA,” the researcher said. “One of motorbikes. “All the trucks that transport timber are the researcher said. Two weeks ago, when the Post the key issues here, which makes the case stand out licensed,” he said. When asked which company was interviewed CI country director Sen Bunnra, he denied from other forest areas in Cambodia, is that you have licensed to log in the area, Sou Sophal said: “I don’t know that any large-scale, coordinated logging was taking a big international NGO that is receiving funds from the name of the company because I am under my superior, place in the CCPF. “I think to me, it’s not true, unless the international donors to protect the forest.” but I think it is licensed.” He added that ambushes were government has allowed this company to clear,” he said. not even conducted at night – when the overwhelming “Normally, anywhere Conservation International works in Meas Chan, 42, the chief of nearby Pruch village, majority of trucks carrying illegal timber in Thma Bang the world, we always be very careful about the corruption, downplayed the scale of illegal logging in his area. “When operate. we also follow up if we suspect someone involved in the they [the company] come and want to buy [timber], if the corruption.” Seng Bunra could not be reached for comment organisation says the forest will be affected, we cannot do. Sou Sophal’s patrol group are part of a CI-coordinated yesterday and a man answering the phone of CI regional But if they say it’s not affected, we can do,” he said. protection program that incorporates the Forestry director David Emmett hung up on a reporter before Administration and military police and was set up inside switching his phone off. Tip of the iceberg the CCPF in 2000 and officially recognised through a sub Stung Tatai is not the only dam clearance project in

9 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Logging in ....(continued) Cambodia opens controversial mega-dam the Cardamom mountains in which CI has been implicated in mass illegal logging operations. In 2009, Ouk Kim San, a Forestry Administration official environment,” he said in a speech broadcast on national radio, working for CI, was arrested after he was caught urging “extreme environmentalists” to “look at the whole unloading tens of thousands of dollars worth of forest rather than each single tree”. luxury timber at the Vietnamese border in Takeo province. The timber haul was connected to a CI US-based campaigners International Rivers said the forest protection program near the Stung Atai Kamchay dam had destroyed hundreds of hectares of forest dam, where the company MDS Import Export was and farmland and warned it would have a negative impact on licensed to clear timber from the reservoir area. fisheries and on local people’s livelihoods. Contact details for MDS, which is owned by tycoon Try Pheap, could not be found. Jeremy Ironside, a “Consideration of the dam’s environmental impacts had no consultant with conservation group Flora and Fauna place in the project’s decision-making,” said Ame Trandem, International who has worked in Koh Kong’s O’Som the non-profit group’s Southeast Asia programme director. As commune since 2002, said instead of doing their the first large dam in Cambodia, we hope this project does not job, MDS had simply cut rosewood from surrounding set precedent for future energy planning and development in the country.” protected forests. “They came in on the pretense Prime Minister Hun Sen said the start of operations of Cambodia’s that they were going to clear the reservoir, but 194-megawatt hydroelectric Kamchay dam, which cost more than basically all they did was clear all the rosewood out $280 million, in southern Kampot province was a “historic event” in Around a quarter of households in the impoverished nation the development of the nation. Photo: www.sophirom.wordpress. currently have access to electricity. Spiralling utility prices, of the forest. I didn’t see any of the clearing of the com reservoir,” he said, adding it was not profitable for a driven by the lack of supply, are a major obstacle for Cambodia company to clear dam sites. Since then, he alleged, to attract foreign investment, and the government has ecember 7, 2011 - Energy-starved Cambodia on struggled to find a way to bring down the cost of power. nothing had changed within the organisational Wednesday opened the country’s largest hydropower culture of CI or the Forestry Administration. “The Ddam to date, a multi-million dollar Chinese-funded Nine more dams, including at least four funded by China, close involvement of conservation organisations project that has attracted criticism from environmental are set to open by 2019, and once they are all operational with resources extraction in that area is pretty groups. astounding,” he said. The anonymous researcher the government says they will generate 2,045 megawatts of said between $40,000 and $80,000 worth of illegally power, serving all Cambodia’s provinces. The inauguration Prime Minister Hun Sen said the start of operations of the of the Kamchay dam came a day before Cambodia, Laos, cut timber was being trucked along four roads 194-megawatt hydroelectric dam, which cost more than $280 leading out of the CCPF from O’Som commune and Thailand and Vietnam are set to announce whether Laos million, in southern Kampot province was a “historic event” in will push ahead with the development of the controversial Russey Chrum, Roleak Kang Cheung and Mongri the development of the nation. villages, straight past CI checkpoints every day. “If Xayaburi megadam on the lower Mekong River. you come to Cambodia to do conservation, you He brushed aside the concerns of local and foreign activists, Cambodia has called for more examination of the cross- might as well do conversation,” the researcher said saying the environmental impact of the dam had been “well ------border impacts of that project before a final decision is made studied” and it would help bring down electricity prices in by Laos on whether to go ahead Source: David Boyle with additional reporting by Yi areas including the capital Phnom Penh. Somphose and Cheang Sokha (Phnom Penh Post) ------Source: www.france24.com “There is no development that will not impact on the 10 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Illegal South African rhino killings hit record high Final 2011 death toll of 448 represents one rhino lost every 20 hours, a slaughter driven by increased Asian demand for horn

anuary 12, 2012 - The illegal slaughter of rhinos in South Poaching gangs have become increasingly sophisticated, being conducted by sophisticated international criminal Africa surged to a record high last year with a final death using helicopters, silent tranquilizers, body armour, night- syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia. Jtoll of 448, official figures show. The total, representing vision equipment and mercenaries experienced in rhino one rhino lost nearly every 20 hours, marked a significant tracking. There are rumours of collusion by some park “It’s not enough to bust the little guy. Investigators need increase on 2010 and suggested the to shut down the kingpins organizing these country was still losing its war against criminal operations. Governments in Africa poachers. There has been a steady increase and Asia must work together across borders in rhino deaths through poaching in recent to stop the illegal trade.” The Convention on years. In 2010, the number killed was 333; International Trade in Endangered Species of in 2007, it was just 13. Campaigners warn Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has ruled that that, if the trend continues, the animal’s Vietnam needs to show progress in curtailing future could be in jeopardy. The 2011 toll illegal trade in rhino parts and derivatives. includes 19 critically endangered black rhinos, of which fewer than 5,000 remain “So far we have yet to see Vietnam respond in the wild. to this ruling from CITES,” said Colman O Criodain, wildlife trade policy expert at WWF Andrew McVey, species programme International. “For that matter, CITES must put manager at WWF-UK, said: “If left pressure on Vietnam to respond meaningfully, unchecked, poaching gangs could put as it has done with other countries whose the survival of these iconic species in compliance with the convention has been jeopardy.” The carnage is driven by called into question.” increased demand for rhino horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it carries Rhinos in other African and Asian range prestige as a luxury item, a post-partying countries are also being targeted. In October, 19 of the critically endangered black rhino were killed illegally last year. cleanser and – based on false science – a Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images WWF announced the extinction of rhinos in cure for cancer. Vietnam. The last Javan rhino in the country was killed by poachers and its horn removed. Tom Milliken, rhino trade expert at Traffic, the wildlife rangers and owners seeking to cash in. trade monitoring network, said: “Rhino horn has gained The rise continues unabated, despite increased law More than half of South Africa’s rhino deaths – 252 – last popularity among wealthy Vietnamese elites and business enforcement efforts. South African officials made 232 year occurred in Kruger park, which attracts millions of people to give as a gift, when currying political favour, poaching-related arrests in 2011, compared to 165 the tourists every year. There is no sign of respite so far in 2012. or taken as an antidote to over-indulgence. “But killing previous year. Sentences imposed for rhino crimes have endangered rhinos to mitigate a hangover is a criminal way also increased, with poachers and horn smugglers receiving Rangers found eight rhino carcasses with their horns to see in the New Year.” as long as 16 years in prison. Dr Morné du Plessis, chief missing in two sections of Kruger park on Tuesday [10 executive of WWF-South Africa, said: “Rhino poaching is January], South African National Parks (SANParks) said.

11 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Charlie – life and death of a White Rhino Illegal South African... (continued)

ying with his head facing toward the rising sun, the first rays of while he was sleeping? Where is his neighbour who has launched In a follow-up anti-poaching operation morning light warming his neck and back after a cool summer this vicious sneaky attack? on Wednesday night [11 January], field Lnight, Charlie, an adult male white rhino, flicks his left ear. The Lurching forward Charlie smashes into some small thorn trees, rangers came into contact with a group of scabs from where he was ear notched a month back are almost the scab on his ear is ripped cleanly off but he doesn’t notice as suspected poachers. healed but the life of a rhino, especially a proud territorial bull like the bees in his head get even angrier and his leg is limp at his side. Charlie, is a rough one and the scabs have been catching on thorns The pain in his chest is excruciating but he must escape, he must There was a shootout between the opening them up and allowing the annoying flies to sit on the small get away to lie up and recover from this underhanded attack by the rangers and poachers, leaving two wound. He lets out a breath of air and a small cloud of dust lifts other bull (who must be nearby but he still can’t seem to see). suspected poachers fatally wounded. Both around his face. If one saw Charlie at that time one might even were from neighbouring Mozambique, in suggest it was a sigh of contentment. Putting his head down, his magnificent horn protruding in front common with many poachers motivated of him like a battering ram he pushes through the thorn trees. He by an apparent chance to escape poverty. In the trees around Charlie starlings and weavers are shrilly swings his head from side to side as he tries to run destroying and A .375 rifle and other hunting equipment rattling away at each other. The winter is over, the first rains have uprooting the trees. And then he falls. were discovered at the scene, SANParks come and gone, the veld is green and vibrant and full of life. Charlie His legs can no longer carry his weight. He feels so weak. The said. closes his eyes. He’ll rest for a little longer before beginning his angry swarm behind his eyes seems to have subsided but the Meanwhile, debate rages in South Africa daily ritual, patrolling his territory while grazing on the lush green pain in his chest is worse than ever. Lying under the sun he can no over how to curb the trend, with some grass that has come up after the fires in winter. Ultimately he’ll end longer hear the birds. His mouth is filled with a metallic flavour calling for the trade in rhino horn to be up at Kolobeng dam where he’ll sate his thirst before settling down now, he can no longer taste the green grass on his lips or feel its legalised. A wildlife agency’s decision to to rest again. He’s always wary when he’s at the dam because it’s softness on his tongue. Everything his quiet, save for the laboured sanction the hunting of a R1m (£81,000) on the edge of his territory and there is always the risk that he may breathing of a dying bull rhino. white rhino bull has also divided experts encounter his neighbour, a big and confident bull who carries a this week. Reynold Thakhuli, a spokesman scar over his eye under which sits a bullet from a poaching attempt Charlie, in agony and struggling to breath, closes his eyes. The for SANParks, said: “The 2011 total is an three years ago but for now he’ll rest a little longer... other bull must be gone because he’s not being attacked anymore, all-time high. We are very concerned and BANG! he can rest now and maybe the pain will stop. No... he’s still here... quite disappointed. We are drawing up or maybe not.... something else... plans for the year to deal with this problem Charlie is on his feet in less than a second, his head is pounding The sound Charlie hears approaching him is unfamiliar. The scuff, once and for all.” and he’s struggling to breath. Something has slammed into his scuff of footsteps is not one he recognises. In fear and unable to ------shoulder. And his chest. His chest is on fire. He lurches forward move he opens his eyes and looks straight up the barrel of the rifle. Source: David Smith, The Guardian and stumbles, falling and smashing his face into the ground as his powerful front left leg gives way under his weight. Why can’t he “That’s not my neighbour...” he thinks to himself. BANG stand on it? Why is hurting so much? He pushes himself painfully ------up, trying to shift his weight onto the other legs. The pain in his Source: This personal account of the poaching of Charlie (so called chest is worse now, a thousand times worse and there’s a rushing because he was tagged and had his biometrics taken in October noise in his head, like a swarm of very angry bees the noise is 2011) was written by Declan Hofmeyr, Operations Manager, getting worse, his vision blurs. Trying to maintain himself he spins Madikwe Game Reserve, North-west Parks and Tourism Board. around loses his balance, forces himself to his feet once more. Where is he? Where is the other bull that has snuck up on him 12 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

outh Africa, January 2011 - South African authorities continuing to escalate, demand for ivory continues to fuel the have arrested two Vietnamese nationals at poaching of elephants, especially in East and Central Africa. Giant catfish caught, SJohannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport as the released in Chapassak pair attempted to smuggle rhino horns and elephant ivory out Although used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries of South Africa. in the treatment of fever, the current high demand for rhino By Khamphone Syvongxay horn appears to be driven primarily from Vietnam, where Alerted by security x-ray scanners as the suspects’ it is being prescribed by some medical practitioners as a ientiane, January 13, 2012 - A 1.67 metre-long luggage passed through security, members of the Gauteng “detoxicant” and is popular among “high-flyers” trying to giant catfish Pangasianodon gigas weighing Department of Agriculture and Rural Development along with impress their peers. in at an estimated 200kg was released back the Police Service discovered two rhino horns, five elephant V into the Mekong River by agriculture and forestry tusks, 20 ivory chopsticks, 31 ivory bangles, 18 ivory blocks A rumour that a Vietnamese government minister was authorities yesterday after it was caught by fishermen and three ivory earrings. cured of cancer after taking rhino horn appears to be entirely in Champassak province on Wednesday. unfounded. The two arrested-a 40 year-old man and a 30 year-old Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department woman-have been charged with illegal possession of elephant “There is no doubt the demand for rhino horn in Asia is Deputy Director Mr Prachit Norasaeng told Vientiane ivory and rhino horn under the National Environmental directly responsible for the continuing rhino poaching surge Times yesterday the fish was lucky to still be alive. The catfish was caught in a fish trap in Hadsalau village, Phonthong district. Village authorities reported Two more Vietnamese caught with rhino horns in South Africa the catch to the district level, which then notified provincial authorities. Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). in Africa,” said Chris Shepherd, Deputy Director of TRAFFIC This was the third giant catfish caught in the Southeast Asia. province since 2008, after one in Khong district and “TRAFFIC commends the South African authorities on the another in Hadsalau village, but the other two died arrest of these two individuals, who appear to be among “Action, not talk, is needed. Enforcement agencies must immediately, Mr Prachit said. It was feared that the those riding on the criminal tidal wave currently sweeping increase their efforts now and put rhino and elephant latest catch would suffer a similar fate if fisheries away South Africa’s wildlife resources,” said Tom Milliken, poachers and traders behind bars. Currently, illegal traders are authorities were slow to act, as it was in a severely TRAFFIC’s rhino and ivory expert. running circles around the enforcement agencies, a situation weakened state after being removed from the river. that cannot be allowed to persist.” “If convicted, they should face severe punishment, to act as However, after officials quickly consulted with a deterrent to others that such actions will not be tolerated.” No arrests in Vietnam since 2008 the provincial governor, it was decided the fish According to TRAFFIC data, the last arrest of a rhino horn would be released back into its natural habitat and More arrests smuggler in Vietnam occurred in 2008, but since then there the fishermen compensated and given certificates The arrest comes only months after another pair of have been no arrests. of honour, Mr Prachit said. He said that provincial Vietnamese nationals were convicted of smuggling 20 authorities, most notably those in the livestock and rhino horns at O.R. Tambo International Airport. They were In September, South African and Vietnamese authorities fisheries sector, had previously allocated 25 wildlife sentenced to 12 and 8 years in jail respectively. formally agreed on a process to sign a Memorandum of protection areas after conducting extensive feasibility Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on natural resource studies. Worst year for rhino poaching management wildlife protection and law enforcement “In order to protect certain fish in the province, the A record number of rhinos-more than 430 to date------Agriculture and Forestry Department is working hard have been poached in South Africa in 2011, with the crisis Source: www.wildlifeextra.com to educate target groups about the Law on Wildlife

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Giant catfish caught... Brown and Northern Boobooks both occur in Thailand (continued)

hirty years ago, in my first months between the two. This is very distinct The only published record of Northern and Aquatic Species, also joining with the working at Dr. Boonsong’s Association from the widely spaced, upward-inflected Boobook for Thailand is a specimen listed Livestock and Fisheries Department to Tfor the Conservation of Wildlife, a who-up given by the eight subspecies by Deignan (1963) in his Checklist, N. s. hopefully allocate new protection areas,” he visiting Japanese lady ornithologist told of Brown Hawk Owls (King’s “southern florensis (a synonym of japonica) that explained. me that the Brown Hawk Owls (Brown group”) that are distributed from the Indian was collected in Trang. Though Robson Boobooks) resident in Japan had different Subcontinent eastwards through SE Asia to (2008) listed Northern Boobook for West, The law explicitly bans the catching or calls to those found in SE Asia. Even so, the the Greater Sundas and Palawan, and that Central and South Thailand, he provided no trade of giant catfish in an attempt to protect two were usually treated as conspecific until include the widespread race breeding in substantiating details. the species. Those who violate the law will 2002, when Ben King published a paper Thailand, N. s. burmanica. King additionally be fined three times the determined cost splitting the northern taxa as a full species, looked at measurements (especially wing For some years I have been on the of the fish, according to the Livestock and Northern Boobook N. japonica (King 2002). and tail ratios) and found there was almost look-out for Northern Boobook and was Fisheries Department. “Offenders will also King made a convincing case. Both N. s. no overlap between the two groups. Not therefore ready when we pulled a boobook serve a jail sentence of at least three months japonica (Japan and mainland Asia south, surprisingly, Northern Boobooks were out of a mist- net at Laem Phak Bia in late and up to one year,” Mr Prachit said. Since apparently to Fujian) and N. s. totogo (from markedly longer-winged.However King March. On that uncharacteristically cool the law was passed, the number of catches Ryukyu islands and Taiwan) have a call of was apparently not aware of any plumage day a strong, unseasonal, NE monsoon recorded each year has continually declined. two whoop notes, uttered 0.25-0.5 sec differences and considered the two to be wind had robbed us of most expected apart, which differs in only minor details “probably indistinguishable” in the field. northbound migrants such as warblers and The total population of giant catfish is estimated to be no greater than a few hundred worldwide but the species is endemic to the Mekong basin. Mekong basin countries can only continue to benefit from the giant catfish by understanding, monitoring and managing the population. Legal protection, whilst encouraging, will alone not be sufficient to ensure population stabilisation. There is a need to develop greater technical capacity and awareness in Laos to support the legal agreements protecting the giant catfish ------Figure 3. Same individual as in Fig 2. Note the Figure 1. Brown Boobook N. scutulata burmanica Figure 2. Northern Boobook Ninox japonica mist- Source: Vientiane Times mist-netted at Taksin Maharat, Tak, 30 August netted at Laem Phak Bia, 30 March 2011 . Note long, pointed wing, in which the second outer- 2008. Note the heart-shaped spots on the under- the drop-shaped spots on the underparts (P. D. most primary (P2) is longer than the fifth outer- parts (P. D. Round) Round) most primary (P5). (P2 is usually shorter than, or equal to, P5 in N. scutulata). Note the slaty crown. This feature may not be shown by all Northern Boobooks, however.

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Brown and Northern Boobooks....(continued) flycatchers, and the boobook was the only exciting new mm and the tail as 107 mm, a wing:tail ratio of 2.06, Chiang Mai and migrant landbird for the site. I realized the importance much greater than the 1.63-1.72 that King gives for N. Chiang Rai of obtaining accurate measurements, but even before scutulata burmanica and firmly placing our Laem Phak residents. But is we had got that far, my friend Jonathan Murray (not Bia bird as Northern Boobook (Fig 3). it a Northern or exactly a birder, but someone who enjoys handling birds a Brown? With and who, moreover, possesses a quirky, highly useful So how reliable are plumage differences between a wing of 222 propensity to notice those things that the rest of us migrant Northern Boobooks and resident Brown mm and tail of overlook) immediately drew my attention to the fact Boobooks? There are relatively few specimens of Ninox 123, the ratio that the only previous Brown Boobook that he and I in collections in Thailand, but among those we looked of 1.8 puts it at had handled had possessed profuse heart-shaped spots at, there is a fair consistency in ventral spotting. All the upper end on the lower breast and belly (Fig. 1). That particular residents, both N. s. burmanica and one apparent N. of the range for Figure 6. Apparent Northern Boobook, individual was an undoubted resident, from the hills near s. scutulata (the subspecies in peninsular Thailand and burmanica, and Phutthamonthol, Nakhon Pathom, 7 Tak. Before we caught and ringed it also gave the who- Malaysia), possessed similar heart-shaped spots that the lower end February 2011 (Apirat Kulsantipong). up call. Moreover the month of capture (late August) were broader than long. for japonica. I Note that although there are a few heart- shaped spots on the lower flanks, these was probably still outside the period when migrants are am betting it is a are fewer than in Brown Boobook, and present. Immediately following our Laem Phak Bia capture Northern as its additionally are longer than broad. Pornthep Katsura and Smith Sutibut put out an second primary These heart-shaped spots shown by our resident appeal for photos of boobooks. While most of those was longer than Brown Boobook were completely lacking in the Laem received conformed to the usual pattern for residents the fifth. Northern Boobook has a large range in N and Phak Bia bird, which instead had widely-spaced drop- (e.g, Pornthep’s own picture, from Chiang Mai, Fig. Central China, Russia, Japan and Korea within which shaped spots (Fig. 2). The wing was measured as 220 4), there were two from the Bangkok area, one from there may be a considerable amount of variation. Bang Krachao on 2 October 2008 (Fig 5), and another from Phutthamonthol on 7 February 2011 (Fig 6), both We need to know more about how plumages of Brown photographed by Apirat Kulsantipong, that showed the Boobooks and Northern Boobooks vary geographically , drop-shaped spotting of Northern. and whether seeming intermediates occur. Do they come into close contact in breeding areas in China and, if so, Clearly any birds that are not identifiable as residents how do they behave? Do they remain distinct, occupying on call, or are in situations where residents are unlikely, different habitats or elevational zones, as I would expect, as both Apirat’s bird were, should be looked at carefully. or might they hybridize and intergrade? In the meantime, Not all migrants will necessarily be japonica, since N. please keep sending us your photos of boobooks s. burmanica extends north into China, south of the ------Yangtse River, and migrant individuals of this subspecies Source: Philip D. Round on behalf on BCST Records may possibly also occur. Intriguingly, a specimen in the CTNRC collection from Chiang Mai, collected in Figure 4. Brown Boobook again showing profuse Figure 5. Apparent November 1970, had heart-shaped spots, but these were heart-shaped spots on Northern Boobook, Bang longitudinally stretched, unlike our residents, so that the underparts, Chiang Krachao, Samut Prakan, Mai. (Pornthep Katsura). 2 October 2008 (Apirat they were longer than broad. (This feature seemed to Kulsantipong) be shared by one of Apirat’s two birds, Fig. 6). It also has slightly longer, more pointed wings than typically marked 15 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Giant ibis discovered in new region Rare Giant Ibis loses habitat of Cambodia By May Titthara And David Boyle

ambodia, October 12, 2011 -The latest he world’s largest in a series of land concessions granted in Echoing government responses to almost every ibis, and one of Cprotected forests has cut nearly 10,000 ha land concession granted in protected forests Tthe world’s most from Cambodia’s largest wildlife sanctuary – home this year, Preah Vihear provincial environment endangered birds, has to the Kingdom’s critically endangered national bird, department director, Khoy Khoun Chan Roth, received some good the Giant Ibis. claimed the environment would not be affected as news. A giant ibis the concession area had already been degraded. (Thaumatibis gigantea) A September 7 sub-decree reclassified 9,237 ha “This is to provide land to the private company to has been photographed of land for private agro-industrial development by develop and grow the country’s economy and can Detail of camera trap photo showing gi- in the Kampong Som Cambodian Dawn Plantation Ltd in a section of the also protect the forest from the anarchy of people ant ibis in Cambodia’s Koh Kong Province. Valley in Koh Kong Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear who come to destroy the trees,” he said. Photo by: Wildlife Alliance. Province in Cambodia, province. It follows the reclassification of 28,270 ha Yem Louch, deputy governor for Mondulkiri, the first record from this of the 402,500-hectare sanctuary that spans Preah said that the government had a right to grant province in nearly a hundred years. Adults can grow to reach nearly Vihear, Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces concessions where they saw fit provided 3.5 feet (106 centimeters) long. The bird was captured by camera in July. Another 9,160 ha area in Mondulkiri’s the economic benefits outweighed minor trap by the NGO Wildlife Alliance. Listed as Critically Endangered by Phnom Pich Wildlife Sanctuary was also reclassified environmental damage. But Ou Virak, director the IUCN Red List, the species is believed to be down to only around in a September 7 sub-decree for development by of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, 100 breeding pairs. Most of these live in Cambodia, although a few the Kasekam Khmer Angkor Co. said somebody in the government had to take may survive in Laos and Vietnam. responsibility for protected forest areas that Pol Kham Narei, director of the Preah Vihear became degraded. “Who should be held to Wildlife Alliance writes that Kampong Som Valley “is an amazing provincial Forestry Administration, conceded account, what happens to the provincial governors, ecosystem of flooded grasslands, wetlands, small lakes and a wide yesterday that development in the sanctuary would why don’t they know about this? You have people river mixed with regenerating deciduous and semi evergreen forest. displace animals within it. “The birds and animals [officials] saying this concession’s okay now because This area of low population density and low human interference need to live in the forest and in a quiet place, so the forest has been destroyed under my watch,” he has been protected by the Cambodian Forestry Administration and when they come to develop and make a lot of noise, said. Wildlife Alliance for the last 10 years with the strategic objective of [the animals] will run away or fly to another place,” maintaining and restoring the corridor link between the western and he said, while defending the government’s need to The government appeared to have “lost control” eastern forest bodies of the Southern Cardamom Mountains.” promote development projects. of the amount of land it was cutting from protected forest areas, primarily for companies intending to The organization now plans to survey the area for giant ibises to Conservationists estimate that about 90% of the log, and was inviting an environmental “disaster” determine if the valley is home to a breeding population. The giant world’s remaining population of Giant Ibis’s live in given the escalating effects of climate change, ibis is threatened by hunting, deforestation, and the draining of Cambodia, with about 41 per cent of those found he added. Preah Vihear provincial governor Om wetlands. It may also depend on small pools created by megafauna, in the Northern Plains, where Kulen Promtep is Mara could not be reached for comment yesterday. such as elephants, which have vanished from much of Southeast located. It is also home to a vast array of other Neither development company could be reached Asia. The giant ibis appears to be particularly sensitive to human water birds including the world’s tallest flying for comment presence. bird, the Sarus Crane, as well as endangered Asian ------Elephants, Eld’s deer and a species of wild cattle Source: Phnom Penh Post Source: Jeremy Hance. Mongabay.com called Banteng. 16 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Inadequate protection caused Javan rhino extinction in Vietnam

anoi, 25 October 2011 - WWF and threatens the survival of many other species, the International Rhino Foundation “The last Javan rhino in Vietnam has says WWF. “Reintroduction of the rhinoceros to H(IRF) have confirmed the extinction of gone,” said Tran Thi Minh Hien, WWF- Vietnam is not economically or practically the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus Vietnam Country Director. “It is painful Illegal hunting to supply the wildlife trade feasible. It is gone from Vietnam forever,” annamiticus) in Vietnam. that despite significant investment in the has reduced many species in Vietnam to said Christy Williams, WWF’s Asian Elephant Vietnamese rhino population conservation small and isolated populations. The tiger, and Rhino Programme Coordinator. Genetic analysis of 22 dung samples efforts failed to save this unique animal. Asian elephant and endemic species like collected by a Cat Tien National Park - WWF Vietnam has lost part of its natural heritage.” the saola, Tonkin snub-nosed monkey The Javan rhinoceros is now believed survey team from 2009 – 2010 affirm that and Siamese crocodile are on the verge of to be confined to one population, less the samples all belonged to a rhinoceros that The rhinoceros was believed to be extinct extinction in the country. than 50 individuals, in a small national was found dead in the park in April 2010, from mainland Asia until 1988 when an park in Indonesia. The species is critically shortly after the survey was completed. The individual was hunted from the Cat Tien “The tragedy of the Vietnamese Javan endangered and with demand for rhino findings, presented in a new WWF report, area, leading to the discovery of a small rhinoceros is a sad symbol of this extinction horn for the Asian traditional medicine also point to poaching as the likely cause population. From the mid-1990s, a number crisis,” said Nick Cox, Manager of WWF’s trade increasing every year, protection and of the death, as the rhino was found with a of organizations were involved in efforts Species Programme in the Greater Mekong. expansion of the Indonesian population is bullet in its leg and had its horn removed. to conserve the remaining Javan rhino “The single most important action to the highest priority. population in Cat Tien National Park, but the conserve Vietnam’s endangered species The tragic discovery comes after a 2004 report highlights that ineffective protection is protecting their natural habitat and “This makes our work in Indonesia survey conducted by Queen’s University, by the park was ultimately the cause of deterring poaching and illegal wildlife even more critical. We must ensure that Canada, that found at least two rhinos living the extinction. This is a common problem trade – the report shows that these actions what happened to the Javan rhinoceros in in the park at the time. in most protected areas in Vietnam that were inadequate to save the Javan rhino in Vietnam is not repeated in Indonesia a few Vietnam and this continued situation will no years down the line,” said Susie Ellis of the doubt lead to the extinction of many more International Rhino Foundation. species from Vietnam. Vietnam’s protected areas need more rangers, better training and The report Extinction of the Javan monitoring, and more accountability.” Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) from Vietnam can be downloaded here WWF recognises that habitat loss played A short film about the extinction of a key role in sealing the fate of the rhino the Javan rhino in Vietnam can also be in Vietnam and warns that inadequate law downloaded here and photos can be enforcement and ineffective management downloaded here of protected areas, encroachment and ------infrastructure development occurring within News and photo source: WWF and close to Vietnam’s protected areas will Javan rhino in Cat Tien National Park (by camera Skeleton of a Javan rhino found dead in Cat Tien trap) National Park in April 2010 only exert additional pressures on already fragile populations of species.

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Vietnam’s last rhino loses bones A New Species of Rhinolophus from China ovember 28, 2011 - A group of scientists at The skeleton will be put on display at Cat Tien the Central Highlands Biological Institute National Park, in an effort aimed at raising public new species of bat of the genus Rhinolophus has been recently has claimed that some bone parts of the awareness of protecting the critically endangered N described from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The new last Javan rhino in Vietnam, which was shot by animal. taxon belongs to the Rhinolophus “philippinensis-group” and is poachers in Cat Tien National Park last year, have A distinguished by differ- ences in the nose-leaf structures, craniodental disappeared during the process of restoring the Last month, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) characteristics, and bacular features. To date,Rhinolophus schnitzleri is only animal’s whole skeleton. announced that the Javan Rhino was extinct in known from the type locality. Further studies are required to deter-mine if Vietnam. it is more widely distributed in southwestern China or present in adjacent “Five hipbones, two cervical vertebrae, three areas of Myanmar, Vietnam, or Lao PDR. Read full paper ribs, teeth, nails, and a kneecap of the animal have The one-horned Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros ------vanished,” said Ha Thanh Tung, vice head of the sondaicus annamiticus) was believed to be extinct Source: Yi Wu and Vu Dinh Thong. A New Species of Rhinolophus institute’s museum. in mainland Asia, until a small population was (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) from China. ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE 28: 235–241 discovered in Cat Tien National Park in 1988. (2011) “However, this does not have much effect on the process of restoring the skeleton,” Tung claimed. The species is now believed to have a single population with less than 50 left on the island of Further records of Murina tiensa from The process is expected to be completed by Java, Indonesia, which gives the animal its name. late December. The museum’s staff is washing the ------Vietnam skeleton with chemical substances before arranging Source: Tuoitre News he fairy tube-nosed bat, Murina tiensa, is considered to be endemic the deceased animal’s unconnected bones into a Photo: The skull of the last known Javan rhino in to Vietnam. It is known only from the original description, when it full skeleton. Vietnam (WWF) Twas found at two localities in limestone karst areas. In 2008, the authors conducted a series of intensive field surveys throughout the country and obtained additional records of this species from various habitats, ADB provides $7.9 million loan for biodiversity including degraded to nearly pristine forests and an offshore island. The results indicate that M. tiensa is a sexually dimorphic species, females conservation in central Vietnam being considerably larger than males in all external and craniodental measurements. The species emits broadband, downward frequency- ietnam, 19 December 2011 - Thev Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a US$7.9 million moduled echolocation calls with a dominant first harmonic. When handheld loan for a biodiversity project in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam News Agency of when flying in a flight tent, signals had similar structure and were reported. V emitted in groups of 2-4 signals. On average, signals swept from 150 to Total costs are estimated at $8.8 million, of which $487,000 will be sourced from the province’s budget 49 kHz in 2.2 ms for handheld bats, and from 145 to 50 kHz in 1.9 ms for and $410,000 will be funded by the project’s beneficiaries. flying bats. M.tiensa often occurred in sympatry with M.cyclotis and several rhinolophids. Read full paper The project will be carried out in 10 communes in the mountainous districts of Nam Dong and A Luoi. ------Source: Vu Dinh Thong, Christian Dietz, Annette Denzinger, Paul J.J. Bates, The project is designed to enhance institutional and community capacity in managing the biodiversity Neil M. Furey, Gabor Csorba, Glenn Hoye, Le Dinh Thuy and Hans Ulrich corridor; restore the biodiversity corridor, protect the ecosystem and sustainably manage natural Schnitzler. Further records of Murina tiensa from Vietnam with first resources; and improve the livelihood and infrastructure for local residents information on its echolocation calls. Hystrix It. J. Mamm. (n.s.) 22(1) 2011: ------129-138 Source: www.thanhniennews.com 18 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Two new paper clip-sized frogs discovered in Vietnam

ecember 7, 2011 - Researchers have discovered frogs, the apparent rarity of the species may be due simply two new frog species living in the montane tropical The frogs’ discoverers fear the species may already be to poor detectability.” Dforests of Vietnam. Known as moss frogs, these endangered, although both are found in protected areas: Lead author of the paper describing the species, Jodi small amphibians employ camouflage as one way to keep the cloaked moss frog in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park and Rowley with the Australian Museum in Sydney, recently predators at bay, in some cases resembling the moss that the misty moss frog Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve. wrote that “Southeast Asian amphibians are both gives them their name. “They are likely to be restricted to relatively small patches poorly known and highly threatened. Facing the highest The new species have been evocatively dubbed the misty of high-elevation forest on the Kon Tum and Langbian deforestation rate on the planet, and huge over-harvesting moss frog (Theloderma nebulosum) and the cloaked moss plateaus, and hence particularly vulnerable to threatening pressure, Southeast Asian amphibians are being driven frog (Theloderma palliatum). The first was named after its processes such as habitat loss and over-collection. [...] towards an extinction crisis. At present, almost one-fifth of misty habitat on Kon Tum Plateau, while the second was Collection for the international pet trade is perhaps more of Southeast Asian amphibians are listed as threatened. We still named after its ability to change the colors and patterns an immediate threat [than habitat loss], even in protected don’t even have a reliable estimate of the true amphibian along its back. The frogs are less than 3 centimeters (1.18 areas, as members of the genus are popular in captivity,” the diversity in Southeast Asia, with the current figures being inches) long, around the size of a small paper clip. authors write in a paper published in Zootaxa. serious underestimates, and new species being continuously Both frogs were discovered above 1,500 meters (4,900 The cloaked moss frog may be particularly rare. According discovered. For example, 31 percent of amphibian species feet), but the misty moss frog survives at 2,000 meters to the paper, researchers only discovered three frogs of this known from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in 2005 had been (6,500 feet) in a climate that hits 5 degrees Celsius (41 species in 20 surveys carried out over three years. However described since 1997.” degrees Fahrenheit) in cold months. they add, “due to the small size and arboreal nature of these The world’s amphibians are in the midst of what may well be a mass extinction. If it weren’t enough to be pummeled by deforestation, wetland loss, pollution, overexploitation, the pet trade, invasive species, and climate change, amphibians are also combating a deadly fungal disease called chytridiomycosis. Currently the IUCN Red List has found that 41 percent of the world’s 7,000 known amphibians are threatened with extinction. It’s believed that at least 120 amphibians have gone extinct in the last 30 years ------Source: Jeremy Hance, www.Mongabay.com. Citation: Rowley, J. J. L., Le T. T., D.Hoang D. H., Dau Q. V., & Cao T. T. (2011). Two new species of Theloderma (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa 3098: 1-20.

The cloaked moss frog (Theloderma palliatum). Photo by: Jodi J. Second new species: the misty moss frog (Theloderma nebulo- L. Rowley/Australian Museum. sum). Photo by: Jodi J. L. Rowley/Australian Museum.

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A Rapid Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Habitats and Selected Species to Climate Risks in Chanthaburi and Trat (Thailand), Koh Kong and Kampot (Cambodia), and Kien Giang, Ben Tre, Soc Trang and Can Gio (Vietnam)

his report presents a rapid assessment included in planning for adaptation efforts. Koh of the vulnerability to climate change of Kong probably has the strongest natural resilience Tcoastal habitats and selected species in the to climate change in the project area, because eight focal areas of the IUCN project ‘Building it encompasses a large area of relatively intact coastal resilience in Vietnam, Cambodia and and protected coastal habitats with a range of Thailand’: Koh Kong and Kampot (Cambodia), elevations and latitudes. This will enable some Chanthaburi and Trat (Thailand), and Ben Tre, terrestrial and aquatic species to shift northward Can Gio, Kien Giang and Soc Trang (Vietnam). or to higher elevations, to more suitable climate The aims of this assessment were to identify spaces, as temperatures and sea level rise. coastal habitats of highest priority for adaptation planning in the project area, and management Protected areas in Ben Tre, Can Gio, Kien Giang issues for some selected species of birds, and Soc Trang probably have the least resilience mammals and reptiles, as well as to assess the to climate change, because they are small, at sensitivity and adaptive capacity of key fisheries low elevations and isolated within developed and aquaculture species in light of their expected landscapes. Chanthaburi may also have low levels exposure to climate change risks of resilience due to extensive loss of coastal habitats; Trat may lie between these extremes. Comparison of protected areas with Read full report undesignated Important Bird Areas (IBAs) ------indicates gaps in the current protected area Source: Bezuijen, M. R., Morgan, C., Mather, network, which reduces the resilience of habitats R.J. (2011). A Rapid Vulnerability Assessment of and species to climate change. Marine protected Coastal Habitats and Selected Species to Climate areas are under-represented in the project area. Risks in Chanthaburi and Trat (Thailand), Koh In some provinces, there is little overlap between Kong and Kampot (Cambodia), and Kien Giang, the locations of IBAs and designated protected Ben Tre, Soc Trang and Can Gio (Vietnam). Gland, areas. Switzerland: IUCN. Photo: Fisherman in Cambodia © IUCN Undesignated sites may be more vulnerable Fisherman in Cambodia © IUCN to climate change because they may not be 6

20 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

CALL ISSUED TO SAVE WILD TIGERS FROM EXTINCTION

ietnam, 2 November 2011 - Project Predator, “I’m particularly proud of the catalytic role being played At present, wildlife officials in most tiger range countries an initiative to protect and save the world’s last by the Global Tiger Initiative, and the Bank Group’s early are poorly staffed and under equipped to fight wildlife Vsurviving wild tigers was unveiled today at the 80th contribution toward Project Predator. This innovative crime on the ground, and are often outnumbered by well- INTERPOL General Assembly, a gathering of global law effort among tiger range countries – including right here armed poachers. enforcement officials from the organization’s 190 member in Vietnam – will reduce trafficking in tiger parts, with the countries. add-on effect of reducing other wildlife crime in Asia.” He “The Smithsonian Institution is proud to be part of further urged leaders “to give their criminal justice systems this international effort to improve the law enforcement Created by INTERPOL, Project Predator unites the the power and resources to protect wildlife, forests, and capacity of tiger range countries,” said Steve Monfort, efforts of police, customs and wildlife officials in the 13 fisheries from those who are plundering the planet’s natural Director of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute countries in Asia where wild tigers can still be found. This capital and countries’ living heritage.” (SCBI). “INTERPOL’s Project Predator will provide an new partnership under the Global Tiger Initiative brings excellent collaborative platform for protected area together officials from the 13 tiger range countries, the Due to poaching and habitat degradation and managers and other law enforcement professionals to share U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the fragmentation, the estimated 100,000 tigers that roamed the kind of intelligence essential to track down and destroy UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Asia in 1900 have now dwindled to fewer than 3,500 across illegal wildlife trade networks. (Defra), the World Bank, the Smithsonian Institution and the tiger range countries. INTERPOL. This will be a perfect complement to SCBI’s efforts to “If poaching and trafficking continue at present rates, help improve the effectiveness of patrolling on the front “Unscrupulous poachers are threatening the few we may have a generation that will never know what lines, within protected areas, and stop the flow of poached remaining wild tigers with extinction, and we must all work a live, wild tiger is. Project Predator will enable police, animals into the marketplace.” together to protect this iconic species. Through Project customs and wildlife officials to share information they’ve Predator, INTERPOL is again showing this commitment and gathered to keep tigers from disappearing forever,” said determination to protect not only tigers, but the wider Frank Donovan, Mission Director for USAID/Vietnam. wildlife and ecosystems at risk from criminals,” said David Higgins, Manager of INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Poachers have decimated the world’s tiger population to Programme. feed a large, illicit market in tiger fur, bone and other parts. Illegal trade and trafficking in tiger parts and products is The Project Predator initiative will provide capacity rampant across international borders, making enforcement building to law enforcement agencies to combat tiger of laws against it a challenge. crimes, strengthening their ability of work with wildlife officials using advanced, intelligence-led methods of The UK’s Natural Environment Minister, Richard Benyon investigation. In addition, the initiative will encourage said, “The UK Government has consistently supported countries to establish and resource National Tiger Crime efforts to protect tigers in the wild, so I’m delighted that Task Forces. we have been able to lend our support to Project Predator. Illegal poaching and trafficking continue to threaten this In a video address to the INTERPOL General Assembly much loved species and this global problem needs a global in Hanoi, Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank response if we are ever to see their numbers recover in the Group and founder of the Global Tiger Initiative, said, wild.” 21 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news

Call issued... (Continued) Avian conservation value of pine plantation The programme will move quickly into an operational forests in northern Vietnam phase with a meeting of senior police and customs officials from tiger range countries scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 13 and 14 February, 2012, to identify and ietnam - Decline of native forest cover is a mature forest, lower in second-growth forest, and lowest implement a plan of action. INTERPOL is organizing this worldwide concern. Recently, overall forest cover in pine plantation. The estimated number of forest workshop under the auspices of the International Consortium Vin Vietnam has increased, but most of the increase generalist species was similar between mature forest and on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), with a strategic goal has been attributed to plantations of non-native trees. second-growth forest and least in pine plantation. The and long term planning to strongly engage these officials in The conservation value of these plantations for birds is maintenance of native forest types should receive priority efforts to curb the illegal trade in tigers and other threatened unknown. The authors compared avian species richness for conservation in Vietnam and pine plantations should species. in pine plantations to that in second-growth and mature be managed to provide additional structure in the hope of native forests in Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam. increasing species richness. Read full paper In November 2010, top political leaders from the tiger Bird species were classified into two categories: forest ------range countries convened in St. Petersburg, Russia, to specialists or forest generalists. Source: Vu Tien Thinh, Paul F. Doherty, Jr., and Kathryn P. adopt the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation To account for strong heterogeneity in detection Huyvaert. Avian conservation value of pine plantation and a comprehensive Global Tiger Recovery Program, an probabilities, the number of species in each category forests in northern Vietnam. Bird Conservation unprecedented commitment to double the number of tigers was estimated using the Pledger-Huggins estimator. International, page 1 of 12. © BirdLife International, 2011 in the wild by 2022. The multi-country, multi-partner Global The researchers estimated total species richness and doi:10.1017/S0959270911000293 Tiger Initiative helped to spearhead this new united global number of forest specialist species to be highest in action starting in 2008. The launch of Project Predator marks an important milestone in scaling up the efforts of tiger range countries to increase the level of cooperation and information-sharing between wildlife officials, customs agencies and police forces in many Asian countries. Denmark to give $135 million ODA for green growth

For more information, please go to: http://www.interpol.int/Crime-areas/Environmental-crime/ ietnam, 20 October 2011 - The Government of climate change was an area of particular concern. Projects/Project-PREDATOR Denmark will provide US$135 million in official http://globaltigerinitiative.org Vdevelopment assistance (ODA) to Vietnam during “Two years ago, Denmark was one of the first sponsors ------the 2011-12 period, with the funds earmarked for projects of Vietnam in the field of climate change, as we know that Source: World Bank that foster green growth. the country is forecast to suffer great losses caused by Photo: Kabir Bakie climate change,” said Nielsen. Work funded by the ODA will include projects on clean water, energy efficiency, and research on climate change The ODA funding will be combined with transferring adaptation. Funding will be provided for improving quality high quality, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly and access to drinking water for poor households while technologies from Danish companies to their Vietnamese also reducing water loss in the country’s water supply partners in the waste management, solar energy and wind network. power sectors. “We hope to establish partnerships between John Nielsen, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, said enterprises from both countries especially in the area

22 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 regional news Denmark to give..(continued) Using fecal-DNA and capture- of wind power, as it is considered a strength of Danish that the projects reach expected results, he said. industry,” said Nielsen. mark-recapture to establish a Since 1993 Denmark has been a key ODA partner baseline Asian elephant population He added that with 125 Danish companies working for Vietnam, providing more than $1.2 billion in ODA, in Viet nam, he believed that it is possible for Danish which was provided to sectors including agriculture, for the Eastern Plains Landscape, companies to find suitable Vietnamese partners for the water and sanitation, fisheries, justice and private projects. business development Cambodia When implementing the projects benefiting from the ------ODA, the embassy would make annual check to ensure Source: Vietnam News sian elephant, Elephas maximus, are globally endangered and restricted to isolated populations across their Aancestral range, where they are threatened by poaching, illegal capture for trade, habitat loss and fragmentation, and A new species of ferret-badger, Genus Melogale, from Vietnam human-elephant conflict (Leimgruber et al. 2003, Choudhury et al. 2008, Loucks et al. 2009, Webber et al. 2011). Despite the Asian elephants’ perceived status as a conservation flagship, there are few robust population estimates from the species’ global erret-badgers, genus Melogale, are distributed in the range. Indochinese region, Java, Bali and NE Borneo. There are currently four species described each having very similar phenoteypes. F Protected areas of the Eastern Plains Landscape, eastern Cambodia In March 2005, a living ferret-badger of a different phenotype was have been identified as critical for the conservation of wild Asian confiscated by rangers from Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam. This elephant in Indochina. A 2006 study in Seima Protected Forest, using individual died and the carcass was not preserved. In January 2006, a fecal-DNA samples and capture-mark-recapture analysis, estimated newly deceased individual of the same phenotype was found at the an Asian elephant population of between 101 and 139 individuals. Endangered Primate Rescue Center, Cuc Phuong National Park. Due The authors conducted a similar fecal-DNA based capture-mark- to several different characteristics these individuals vary greatly from recapture study in order to establish a monitoring baseline for the current species. Thus, the authors describe an additional species, Asian elephant in two additional protected areas, Phnom Prich M.cucphuongensis sp. nov. from northern Vietnam, which occurs Wildlife Sanctuary (PPWS) and Mondulkiri Protected Forest (MPF), sympatrically with M.moschata and M.personata, but differs from in the Eastern Plains Landscape. A total of 98 wild Asian elephant both species clearly in skull morphology and other features. individuals were identified; 78 in PPWS and 21 in MPF. GPS or Based on a 423 bp-long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, M.cucphuongensis sp. nov. is a satellite collaring is recommended to further understand Asian member of the genus Melogale and represents a sister lineage to a clade consisting of M. personata and M. elephant movements across the Eastern Plains Landscape. As part of moschata. Read full paper the WWF Greater Mekong 2011-2015 strategic plan Asian elephant ------population monitoring, using the same methodologies as in this Source: Tilo Nadler, Ulrike Streicher, Clara stefen, Elke Schwierz and Christian Roos. A new species of ferret- study, will be repeated every 3-4 years. Read full report badger, Genus Melogale, from Vietnam. Zool. Garten N.F.80 (2011) 271- 286. ------Photo: The upper part of the head of M.cucphuongesis sp.nov. is brown and shows only small white spots on the Source: Thomas N.E. Gray, T.N.C. Vidya, Andrew L. Maxwell, D.K. forehead between the eyes and the ears. The rhinarium extents to the upper side of the nose and forms a small Bharti, Sheetal Potdar, Phan Channa and Prum Sovanna. Using fecal- naked wedge. The photo doesn’t show the holotype but the first found individual (© Elke Schwierz). DNA and capture-mark-recapture to establish a baseline Asian elephant population for the Eastern Plains Landscape, Cambodia. (2011) WWF Greater Mekong Cambodia Country Program

23 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Rarest of the rare

Large softshell turtle caught in the Red River, Hanoi causes a stir

ietnam, October 19, 2011 - A giant But the animal is also a symbol of the softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) plight of Vietnam’s wildlife, one of only four Vresiding in Hanoi, Vietnam gained known examples of the species known in international attention early this year existence. Once common in the Red River following successful treatment after delta of northern Vietnam and its range displaying potentially life threatening across into southern China, intensive hunting injuries. The individual in Hanoi’s Hoan in the 1980’s and 1990’s combined with Kiem lake is extremely old, most likely a increasing agricultural conversion of lowland centenarian to which legends give mystical wetlands and intensive fishing throughout status. A sighting of the animal in Hanoi the species range has pushed these giant bringing good fortune to those who see it turtles to the brink of extinction. and too Vietnam. The threat to the species was emphasised on the 12th of October 2011 when a fisherman, Mr Nguyen Ba Toan, in the Red River near the Chuong Duong bridge, Hanoi caught a large 22kg softshell turtle. The Markings at the front of the shell clearly identify this as an Amyda cartilaginea and not a capture caused much excitement with many Rafetus swinhoei Photo - VNexpress people initially believing he had caught another Rafetus swinhoei. On identification 180,000,000vnd ($8,000), apparently bought enforced and protected areas protected the species turned out to be a large Asiatic by a Chinese wildlife trader. Even though many more extinctions are expected in the Softshell (Amyda cartilaginea) which occurs such an action is illegal under national law coming decades. in southern Vietnam and elsewhere in Decree 99/2009/ND-CP section 3 article southeast Asia but is not native to northern 9 which protected CITES listed species Fewer individuals of the Hoan Kiem Turtle Vietnam or the Red River where this meaning the fisherman could be potential species (Rafetus swinhoei) are believed individual was caught. The animal is most be fine 200,000,000VND to 300,000,000VND to survive in the wild than other more likely an escapee from a farm or has been ($10,000 – 15,000) (Decree 99/2009/ND-CP charismatic and well known species such released. section 19 article 7a). as the South China tiger Panthera( tigris amoyensis) which has only 59 captive Sadly despite the species being considered Such neglect of wildlife and protection animals or the Mountain gorilla (Gorilla endangered by the International Union laws is an almost daily occurrence and it is beringei beringei) of which 600 are estimated for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on widely acknowledge that Vietnam’s wildlife to survive. Yet rarely do these giant turtles the red list of endangered species and is facing an extinction crisis, as is seen in which can reach over 150 kg in size gain protected from international trade under much of southeast Asia. 2010 saw the last of international recognition. However during the Convention on International Trade the last Vietnamese Javan rhino (Rhinoceros 2010 rescue and treatment of the large in Endangered Species (CITES) the local sondaicus annamiticus) hunted in Cat Tien and locally famous individual in Hanoi, and Mr Nguyen Ba Toan with the recently caught authorities did nothing to rescue the animal. National Park, Vietnam, representing the loss during an operation estimated at costing turtle – photo Vietnam Net It was sold two days later for a staggering of an entire sub-species and unless laws are over $400,000, the species did gain some 24 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PROJECTProject UPDATeS updates

Large softshell turtle.... lefantAsia (www.elefantasia.org): “Securing and (Continued) Increasing Asian Elephant Populations in Laos through Ethe Microchipping of Core Populations.” attention although most of was captured and treated with unprecedented media attention. ElefantAsia’s Elephant Mobile Libraries

It seems tragic that despite all the attention for Reading is not common practise amongst the local people the single individual in Hanoi little attention has of the Lao PDR, illiteracy is high among rural communities, been made by the national authorities to protect whilst resources remain scarce and when available are often the species elsewhere in Vietnam. The only known uninspiring. wild population identified in 2007 at Dong Mo Lake just outside Hanoi still remain unprotected, no To promote literacy within the rural schools of Sayaboury funding has been provided to the Forest Protection province, ElefantAsia, working in partnership with non- Department (FPD) or Fisheries Department (FD) governmental organisations Room to Read and Action with to secure the site with activities fully dependant Lao Children, and Lao business Xang Noi Publishing, has once on NGO’s the local communities and lake owners again hit the open road with their Elephant Mobile Libraries. who support conservation of the species. A newly constructed dam at Dong Mo Lake is not turtle proof The Elephant Mobile Libraries take an innovative approach and at present safety of the species is very much to encourage literacy within schoolchildren by distributing Lao dependant on nets put in place by contentious lake language resources using retired logging elephants. Capable owners to prevent any animals in the lake escaping of carrying up to 150kg, this making for a lot of books, through the dam once doors are opened to release delivery with elephants has dual purpose. Agile, elephants are water. able to access remote areas where roads and access routes are nonexistent allowing the Elephant Mobile Libraries to With the only breeding pair of Rafetus swinhoei reach those schools most in need, whilst interaction with the anywhere in the world maintained in China having elephants increases knowledge of the endangered species laid infertile eggs for the fourth year in a row time and understanding of elephant behaviour amongst both is running out for this species. How long must we young people and local communities, this being particularly wait before positive action is taken to save this and beneficial in areas experiencing human-elephant conflict. other species, time is ticking away, and with rapid development and continued loss and degradation of ElefantAsia and partners conducted their first Elephant habitat the clock is ticking faster than ever Mobile Library mission in 2010 in Sayaboury province and have since visited many rural schools across several districts ------within the province. Source: Tim McCormack – Asian Turtle Program (ATP). Covering four schools over five days in October in 2011, elephants Mae Kham Ohn and Mae Boun Nam became ambassadors of knowledge while distributing resources Tracy Brookshaw and mahout Mr Man deliver Lao language books with elephant Mae Boun Nam. Photo credit Sebastien Duffillot, ElefantAsia 25 v The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PROJECT UPDATeS

ElefantAsia Elephant Mobile Libraries (continued)

generously donated by project partners, together with The mission ElefantAsia’s own book ‘Xang Phuan Keo’ an elephant book conducted in designed for children. October reached close to 900 rural Amidst a sea of small awe-filled faces, an extended trunk children meaning presents each child with a storybook whilst the gift of knowledge the Asian elephant is reciprocated by tiny hands offering the elephants pieces of was perceived he Critical Ecosystem Partnership sugarcane, bananas, bamboo and banana leaves, followed swiftly in a positive Fund (www.cepf.net) is a joint by a gracious Buddhist ‘nop’, this is the traditional greeting and light by many initiativeT of l’Agence Française way of giving thanks in Laos as hands are clasped together in impressionable de Développement, Conservation front of body accompanied with a slight bowing of the head. On young minds. International, the Global Environment receipt of their books many of the children attentively read each ElefantAsia is Facility, the Government of Japan, the page where they stand, whilst others simply clutch the book to currently working to John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur their chest like a prized possession which in most cases it is, with implement further Foundation, and the World Bank. A the book most probably being the first item the child has ever missions in early fundamental goal is to ensure civil society owned. 2012. is engaged in biodiversity conservation. An additional selection of books, learning cards and posters In Sayaboury, CEPF began a $9.5 million five year including ElefantAsia’s series of three elephant posters is the heartland of investment plan in Indochina in July 2008, presented to each participating school. Environmental awareness the Lao elephant, Lao girl reads her new book supplied by the in partnership with BirdLife International, is actively promoted through the implementation of activities elephants are a way Elephant Mobile Libraries. Photo credit Tracy who provide the Regional Implementation based on a ‘fun and learn’ philosophy with Room to Read Laotian of life, yet still are a Brookshaw, ElefantAsia Team (www.birdlifeindochina.org/ staff facilitating drama, games and sing-along songs enjoyed by source of curiosity cepf). As the RIT in Indochina, BirdLife all. and adoration. On hearing the tinkle of the bell hanging from International will: raise awareness of the elephants neck, many families stop their activities and amble CEPF; solicit grant applications and to the entrance of their homes to watch the elephants lumber assist organisations to make applications; by. Small children excitedly run to the fence line shouting ‘Xang, review applications; give small grants and Xang, Xang!’ the word meaning elephant. The reaction from jointly make decisions with CEPF on large communities and the involvement of villagers during the Elephant grants; and monitor and evaluate progress Mobile Libraries instills a sense of the nations pride for their Asian with the investment strategy. elephant and the importance of this endangered species within their culture.

Link to ElefantAsia’s latest December newsletter ------By Tracy Brookshaw, Communications Consultant, ElefantAsia

Rural children read ElefantAsia book ‘Xang Phuan Keo’. Photo credit Tracy Brookshaw, ElefantAsia

26 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PROJECT UPDATeS

of Kouprey persistence, based both on habitat type and orld Pheasant Association (www.pheasant.org.uk) survey effort to date. The overall goal of this project is “Strategic planning to safeguard the Green to produce recommendations (including maps) of areas WPeafowl” (Feb - Jun 2011) where follow-up surveys aimed specifically at detecting Kouprey persistence can be carried out. By the end of The project has three main objectives, which were project, the World carried out by the Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group Pheasant Association (AWCSG) led by R. J. Timmins: has completed a report (1) To review all recent survey efforts, primarily entitled “Status review camera trap photos but also survey and patrol records and conservation from the Kouprey’s historical range to determine strategy for the green whether any Kouprey records had been overlooked. peafowl”. The aim of This review work concentrated in Cambodia, where any this Status Review is to lobal Wildlife Conservation ( www. remaining Kouprey populations are most likely to be provide a summary of all globalwildlife.org) Searching for the Last Kouprey found; the factors relevant to G(April - Oct 2010) (2) To assess areas of potentially suitable Kouprey the conservation status habitat using remote sensing data, survey reports, and of green peafowl Pavo Kouprey (Bos sauveli) are currently listed as Critically other available data; and muticus across its range, Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (3) To conduct a gap analysis, based on the results presented in the format (Timmins et al. 2008) and will certainly go extinct in the from objectives (1) and (2), and identify regions with the proposed in Strategic near future unless effective action is taken immediately. highest likelihood of Kouprey persistence which would Planning for Species The primary threat to Kouprey is hunting for both form a set of high-priority sites for follow-up surveys. Conservation: A Handbook (IUCN/SSC, 2008). This includes local consumption and the wildlife trade. Any extant a description of historical and current conservation status populations are most likely to be greatly reduced and Additionally, the AWCSG gathered data on other and, where possible, information on its socio-economic and fragmented and therefore at risk from the demographic wild cattle species, particularly Banteng (Bos javanicus) cultural importance to humans. There is a significant account and genetic problems associated with small populations and Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) but also Gaur of the species’ history in BirdLife International (2001) and so (e.g., inbreeding, susceptibility to stochastic events). (Bos gaurus). The review of previous survey efforts this is only summarised in this review. Current information Ex situ conservation is not currently a possibility as no incidentally included data on the occurrence of these seeks to build on a status review conducted at the 1st Kouprey are currently held in captivity. species, which can provide information on hunting International Galliformes symposium in Malaysia in 1997 (see pressure as well as a proxy for assessing Kouprey habitat McGowan et al. 1998). Therefore, the emphasis is to provide Despite a growing concern that Kouprey may already suitability given the broad general overlap in regional new information that updates these two accounts. Read full be extinct, the 2008 Southeast Asian Wild Cattle wild cattle habitat requirements. Read full report report Conservation Strategy Workshop determined this ------conclusion to be premature because species-specific Source: Global Wildlife Conservation Source: World Pheasant Association survey efforts across the Kouprey’s range had not yet Photo source: www.cambodia.panda.org Photo: Jonathan C. Eames occurred (IUCN/SSC in review). They recommended that, prior to undertaking any additional surveys, all recent survey results be analyzed to identify regions within the Kouprey’s historical range with the highest probability 27 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PROJECT UPDATeS

nternational Centre for carrying out assessments or studies Environmental Management (ICEM relating to hydropower in Vietnam. It Iwww.icem.com.au) “Biodiversity and targets civil society, Government and Development of the Hydropower Sector: donors and aims to be an accessible, Lessons from the Vietnam Experience” practical summary of Volume I – which (Dec 2009 - Nov 2011) reviews current knowledge on the relationship between hydropower and its By the end of the project in 2011, effects on biodiversity as distilled from ICEM has produced a set of materials a number of Strategic Environmental on the biodiversity and development of Assessments conducted in Vietnam. hydropower in Vietnam which includes Download here.

Volume I: A Review of the Effects Volume IV: The use of SEA as an of Hydropower Development on Assessment Tool Policy Brief. This policy Biodiversity Resources in Vietnam. brief summarises a simple and locally Targeted at civil society, Government relevant SEA methodology that can and donors working within the fields of be employed to evaluate the impacts hydropower development and natural of a hydropower development plans resources management, the document on biodiversity. The methodology is will be an accessible, practical overview for use in the assessment of national, of current knowledge on the relationship provincial or river basin level impacts between hydropower development and on biodiversity. Based on Volume II, this the potential effects on biodiversity paper provides a snapshot of practical resources. Download here. guidance for the use of SEA as an assessment tool for assessing the effects Volume II: Hydropower and of hydropower on biodiversity resources. Biodiversity - The use of SEA as an Download here. Assessment Tool. This volume is targeted at an audience of civil society, Hydropower and Biodiversity: Lessons Government, donors, consultants and from the Vietnamese Experience CD- others involved in the assessment of ROM. A CD-ROM containing all the biodiversity issues in the hydropower project materials has been produced sector. Download here. ------Source: www.icem.com.au Volume III: Biodiversity and Hydropower Policy Brief. An overview Existing and proposed large hydropower reservoir development in Vietnam. Source: ICEM of relevant biodiversity issues for those

28 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PROJECT UPDATeS

Cooking for conservation...

promoting models of community co-management, the cheered on by many people, and came up with dishes Center for Water Resources Conservation and The Center that featured characteristics of Na Hang fisheries and food for Water Resources Conservation and Development culture. (WARECOD) in collaboration with People Committee of Besides the cooking contest, the volunteers of WARECOD Na Hang town, Na Hang districts, Tuyen Quang province also contributed a play to the local community: “Kitchen organised the contest: “Na Hang Kitchen King” on God” with the message: “No destructive fishing gear for November 16th 2011. Aiming at communicating on resource the future of ourselves and the next generation”. These protection, encouraging people to give up destructive activities not only helped people have the opportunity to fishing gear, honoring local food and women and promoting exchange and learn about the culinary culture of the lands local cultural, the contest has attracted the attention of the they live, but also contributed to propagandize and raise communities, especially the local fishing community. their awareness on the protection of fisheries resources The contest was organised along with the solidarity and water resources, the legal documents involved and the festival in the 13 townships, and there were five groups: objectives of the project. Village #2, Village# 5, Village# 6, Village# 13 and Village# After the contest, government representatives and he Center for Water Resources Conservation and 15. These groups include fishermen and fish-traders on local communities sent thanks to WARECOD as well as the Development (www.warecod.org.vn) Conservation the reservoir of Tuyen Quang hydroelectric dam. Three donor and desired to have more similar activities to raise Tof Aquatic Resources in Northern Vietnam through people in each team started a 120-minute cooking contest. awareness for people, helping them maintain cultural Promotion of Community Co-Management The dishes were made from local ingredients taken from identity and protect the local natural resources the river. In addition to the delicious food, the team ------As part of a project funded by CEPF to conserve fisheries ensured hygiene and safety standards, a beautiful display News and photo source: Hieu Nguyen, Linh Vu - WARECOD resources in mountainous areas of northern Vietnam by and meaningful comments. All the groups did their best,

29 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PROJECT UPDATeS

issouri Botanical Garden (www. based on the current IUCN Red List Categories and missouribotanicalgarden.org) Assessment of the Criteria. Of the 200 species evaluated, two-thirds were MStatus and Distribution of Globally Threatened classified as globally threatened with extinction. The Plant Species in Indochina principal threats to these species were identified to be over-exploitation and habitat loss and degradation. A Over the past two years, under a grant from the second workshop organized by the project took place Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), the Missouri in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 1-5 November 2011 to Botanical Garden (MBG) has been leading efforts for the assess non-timber species such as aroids, gesneriads, nations of Indochina to analyze the conservation status gingers, impatiens, and orchids — components of the of the region’s native plant species so that resources for flora that are as important as the tree species. Thirty- species conservation can be prioritized. These threat two botanical experts from ten countries (Vietnam, Lao assessments will help the countries accomplish Target PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Singapore, Russia, 2 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which United States, United Kingdom, and Denmark) attended aims to have an assessment of the conservation status the workshop. During the workshop, 317 species in 30 of all known plant species, at the national, regional, plant families were evaluated. The assessments indicated and global levels, to guide conservation action. The that 162 species (51%) are threatened, specifically, 49 collaborative project led by MBG brings together the critically endangered species, 60 endangered species and conservation expertise and botanical resources of the 53 vulnerable species. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), The project will make the assessments available on the and collaborating botanical institutions and academic IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (www.iucnredlist. universities in the Indochina region, Australia, Europe, org) in order to empower local people and national North America. governments to achieve three important goals: to utilize this scientifically sound baseline knowledge effectively During the project’s first workshop, held in Hanoi to guide conservation decision-making and planning, on 1-4 December 2010, forty-five botanical experts to raise awareness of threatened plant species, and to used available species data to carry out assessments promote the integration of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the region ------Source: Jacintos C. Regalado Jr., Project Manager, Missouri Botanical Garden Left photo: Botanical experts on Indochina flora gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November 2011 for a Red Listing workshop. Right photos: (top to down, left to right) An Orchid Paphiopedilum micranthum, an aroid (Hapaline locii) and a pitcher plant (Nepenthes thorelii) is an example of the dozens of Critically Endangered species assessed during the workshop. 30 Tin Htar Swe , [email protected] The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Project news

Judges and Prosecutors meet to improve enforcement of wildlife crimes in Northeastern Vietnam

development, many methods need to be appliance of current regulations, provided done at the same time; among which, it recommendations to add, change and is very important to detect and handle complete the regulations to make them wildlife crimes timely, completely, strictly in applicable and realistic; shared experience accordance with the law. in fighting, detecting and handling these violations and crimes. Workshop “Handling crimes and violations of regulations on wildlife protection” Mr. Nguyen Huy Mien, a Prosecutor from was held with the purpose of exchanging the Supreme People’s procuracy, who is and providing information, helping raise also the Editor in chief of Procuracy Journal awareness of prosecutors and judges about said: “Cross border wildlife trading and the importance of wildlife conservation and transporting lines are very tricky with many threats emerging from wildlife crimes. The ways of concealment, especially like taking workshop was also a chance for offices in advantage of the policy of “temporary different levels to share their difficulties and import, re-export”. To protect wildlife in problems in the perception and appliance particular and the environment in general, of regulations on handling crimes; exchange Vietnam developed some specific policies and share practical experiences among units on the management of trade in wild species ildlife Conservation Society (www. protecting rare and precious wildlife”. and experts in this field. of fauna and flora. However, in reality, wcs.org) Building Awareness and it is difficult to handle these crimes and WCapacity to Reduce the Illegal In the workshop, delegates from the The speeches at the workshop analyzed violations. The responsibilities of prosecutors Cross-Border Trade of Wildlife From Vietnam Procuracy, the Judge, CITES management and assessed current situation and results in different levels, therefore, need to China authority as well as foreign experts agreed of detecting and handling violations of improvement. More attention should be that, Vietnam is one of the countries where regulations on protecting wildlife through paid to strengthening national management On November 30, 2011, in Do Son, Hai biodiversity is very high with 12,000 different real experiences in provinces such as Hai of wildlife, raising responsibilities and Phong city, with the approval of the Supreme species of animal. However, this ecosystem Phong, Quang Ninh and Lang Son where cooperation among international and People’s Procuracy; Procuracy Magazine and is threatened seriously and many species of there are many illegal wildlife trading and national authority offices in different levels”. Vietnam program of Wildlife Conservation wildlife are on the brink of extinction. The transporting activities recently; some cases Society (WCS), cooperated to organize a main reason is increasing illegal trading and related to a large volume of illegal products. In his speech, Mr. Pham Minh Tuyen, scientific workshop on “Criminal sanctions hunting. Therefore, to protect and conserve Some speeches clarified theoretical and Deputy chief justice of the People’s court for crimes and violations of regulations on the ecosystem and contribute to sustainable practical issues of the perception and of Bac Ninh said: “There are still many

31 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Project news

Judges and Prosecutors.... (Continued) limitations in handling cases in accordance with the law. The number of illegal wildlife trading cases FPT And WCS Join Hand To Protect Wildlife account for only 10% of the actual number in the reality. The main reason is that investigating agencies ildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org) can only prosecute the cases not the individuals, Leveraging support from the Vietnamese corporate the legal framework of wildlife management and Wsector to reduce illegal consumption of protected protection is not coherent and consistent, the threatened species cooperation in law enforcement is not effective”. Hanoi 26th October 2011 - Wildlife Conservation Society According to Dr. Scott Roberton, Country (WCS) Vietnam Program and FPT launched an innovative representative of WCS Vietnam, “We should start campaign to reduce the consumption of protected wildlife by with looking at the prosecution of wildlife crimes in FPT staff. The “Go For Zero consumption of protected wildlife” a different way. Wildlife crimes have a close relation campaign is the first of its kind in Vietnam and marks a new with other crimes mentioned in the Criminal code direction and unprecedented collaboration with the private like bribes for law enforcement officers, transporting, sector in wildlife conservation. storing and using weapons, smuggling prohibited products, violating border regulations, tax evasion,... Mr. Truong Gia Mrs. Truong Thi Thanh Thanh and Dr Scott Roberton Wildlife trade is an organized crime, so prosecution Binh (CEO, FPT), Mrs. shake hands to protect wildlife in Vietnam. offices and judges have to spend a lot of effort in Truong Thi Thanh pushing many species towards extinction. Research has shown detecting effectively and handling the cases seriously”. Thanh (Vice CEO FPT), that the business sector is a main consumer of protected Dr Scott Roberton wildlife in Vietnam. They either don’t care or don’t know Background information: (WCS Country that consuming wildlife is illegal, dangerous to their health, • The workshop is within the framework of the Representative), Miss supports organized crime, threatens local livelihoods and program “Minimize illegal trade in protected wildlife Victoria Kwakwa the very existence of Vietnam’s natural heritage. The “Go through Vietnam- China border”. The project is (Director, World Bank For Zero” campaign will raise awareness of FPTers on wildlife sponsored by CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Vietnam) joined forces conservation issues and provide guidance on how to ensure Fund). with ‘Miss Vietnam’ compliance with national laws on wildlife consumption. • The workshop called the attendance of nearly 50 Dang Ngoc Han, the delegates from key provinces in wildlife smuggling campaign ambassador “Joining “Go For Zero”, we, FPT, really desire to do our like Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Lang Son. Participants and Vietnam Idol Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through real actions are the Procuracies, the Courts of Hai Phong, Quang Winner 2010 Uyen such as raising awareness of wildlife protection for FPT staff, Ninh, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, delegates from agencies in Linh to officially contributing to environment protection. It also matches with the Supreme People’s procuracy, CITES management launch the campaign. company’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy is to become authority, Department of biodiversity conservation and a “Green Company””, said Mrs. Truong Thi Thanh Thanh – Vice some foreign experts in conservation field Illegal wildlife trade CEO of FPT. ------is the main threat to The co-operation between FPT and WCS will presents an News and photo source: Le Minh Thao, Program wildlife in Vietnam Miss Vietnam 2010 (second) and innovative approach that aims to reduce wildlife consumption officer, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - Vietnam Vietnam Idol 2010 (fourth) at the event. and across the region Program 32 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 Project news FPT And WCS Join..(continued) through a series of activities of preventing FPT staffs from illegally consuming protected wildlife animals. A commitment to wildlife conservation would form a key part of a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy (CSR) that will present Final Report: Securing the future for an image of a modern, progressive, company favorable to international partners, customers and media coverage”, Gurney’s Pitta and its forest habitat

Wildlife conservation in Vietnam is at a critical crossroads – the status quo must change. The extinction of the Rhino he Endangered Gurney’s Pitta (Pitta and the continued decline of other species are evidence that gurneyi) is the only bird endemic conservation approaches to date have not worked. FPT’s Tto the Thai/Burmese Peninsula. participation in this pioneering campaign is a major positive Its lowland Sundaic forest habitat is boost for wildlife in Vietnam and a sign that the private sector is threatened, largely by oil palm and rubber starting to realise that taking positive social and environmental plantation. The original project developed actions is good business said Dr. Scott Roberton, Country methods to restore critical areas of nesting Representative of WCS Vietnam. habitat and raised important questions about the species’ altitudinal and latitudinal FPT is leading the Vietnamese corporate sector in the area limits. This project has addressed the of wildlife conservation and along with WCS, FPT will raise problem of loss of lowland tropical forest staff’s awareness, using their internal newspapers, posters through reforestation from an established throughout the offices, competitions, wildlife videos amongst nursery and awareness raising with local other activities. This event is one of a series of events belonging communities. It has also significantly to WCS’s project “Leveraging support from the Vietnamese filled in gaps in knowledge of the entire corporate sector to reduce consumption of protected threatened distribution of Gurney’s Pitta in Myanmar species” funded by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and central Thailand. Read full report ------Source: Le Minh Thao, Program officer, Wildlife Conservation Source: Royal Society for the Protection of Society (WCS) - Vietnam Program Birds (RSPB) Photo: Cover of BCST Bird Bulletin June 2011. Distributed to all BCST members and ducation for Nature-Vietnam - ENV (www.envietnam.org) other organisations in Thailand “Strengthening Public Participation in Tackling the Wildlife ETrade in Vietnam” ENV has released the December issue of Wildlife Crime Bulletin. The main features in this issue: Ha Long bears - A simple question of law made difficult. Download the newsletter here

33 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 REVIEWS

within the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia that WILD MEKONG spans Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the south-western Chinese province of Yunnan. The report reveals an average of one new species recorded by science New species in 2010 from the forest, wetlands and every two days in the region. Read full report ------waters of the Greater Mekong, Asia’s land of rivers Source: www.wwf.panda.org

say the monkey can be spotted with its head between its knees in wet weather to avoid rain running into its upturned nose.

GREATER MEKONG A staggering array of 28 reptiles was also newly REPORT discovered in 2010, including an all-female lizard (Leiolepis ngovantrii) in Vietnam that reproduces via cloning without the need for male lizards. Five species of carnivorous pitcher plants were also discovered across Thailand and Cambodia, with some species capable of luring in and consuming small rats, mice, lizards and even birds.

“While the 2010 discoveries are new to science, many are already destined for the dinner table, struggling to survive in shrinking habitats and at risk of extinction.” added Chapman.

The extinction of the Javan rhino in Vietnam, recently confirmed by WWF, is one tragic indicator of the decline Wild Mekong of biodiversity in the region. The Mekong’s wild places New species in 2010 from the forests, wetlands and waters of the Greater Mekong, Asia’s land of rivers and wildlife are under extreme pressure from rapid, unsustainable development and climate change.

“The region’s treasure trove of biodiversity will be ietnam , 12 December 2011 - A new monkey, a self- lost if governments fail to invest in the conservation and cloning skink, five carnivorous plants, and a unique maintenance of biodiversity, which is so fundamental to leaf warbler are among the 208 species newly ensuring long-term sustainability in the face of global A new psychedelic gecko species was discovered this past V year on Hon Khoai Island,18 km off the southern tip of the environmental change,” concluded Chapman. described by science in the Greater Mekong region in Ca Mu Peninsula in southern Vietnam. The new species 2010 and highlighted in a new WWF report, Wild Mekong. is unique in that it displays a remarkable psychedelic Among the ten species highlighted in the WWF report is Wild Mekong spotlights 10 species newly identified pattern of bright orange appendages; a dense, yellow neck by science, among the 145 plants, 28 reptiles, 25 fish, 7 overlying thick, black, lines; and a blue-gray body bearing the snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri). Found in yellow bars on its bright-orange sides. Myanmar’s remote and mountainous Kachin state, locals amphibians, 2 mammals, and 1 bird all discovered in 2010

34 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PUBLICATIONS

Impacts of warming on lowland forests Historical and current status of vultures in Myanmar efore the end of this century, tropical rainforests will be subject to climatic conditions that have not existed Banywhere on Earth for millions of years. These forests oncerns for the long- are the most species-rich ecosystems in the world and play term survival of vulture a crucial role in regulating carbon and water feedbacks in Cpopulations on the the global climate system; therefore, it is important that Indian Subcontinent, owing to the probable impacts of anthropogenic climate change are widespread poisoning by the understood. However, the recent literature shows a striking veterinary drug diclofenac, have range of views on the vulnerability of tropical rainforests, led to increased conservation from least to most concern among major ecosystems. This focus on South-East Asian review, which focuses on the impact of rising temperatures, countries where diclofenac is examines the evidence for and against high vulnerability, not used and relict populations identifies key research needs for resolving current of vultures occur. The authors differences and suggests ways of mitigating or adapting to document here how White- potential impacts.. Read full review rumped, Slender-billed and Red------headed Vultures have declined Source: Richard T. Corlett. Impacts of warming on lowland substantially in abundance and contracted in range in Myanmar over the last 50 years. forests. Trends in Ecology and Evolution November 2011, Using a vulture restaurant method they determined that the population of vultures in Vol. 26, No. 11 Myanmar is at least 136 individuals, made up of at least: 62 White-rumped Vultures, 21 Slender-billed Vultures, 51 Himalayan Vultures and two Red-headed Vultures. The decline in the resident Gyps species is most likely due to declines in wild ungulate populations. The population estimates are provisional and the survey covered only a proportion of the possible vulture range within Myanmar. Himalayan Vultures were not recorded in Myanmar in historical times, and possible reasons for the recent upsurge in records are discussed. Myanmar presents an opportunity of global significance for vulture conservation, due to the persistence of three Critically Endangered vulture species in a country where diclofenac is not used. Read full paper ------Source: Htin Hla, Nay Myo Shwe, Thura Win Htun, Sao Myo Zaw, Simon Mahood, Jonathan C. Eames and John D. Pilgrim. Historical and current status of vultures in Myanmar. Bird Conservation International December 2011 21 : pp 376-387 Photo: Red-headed vultures (Jonathan C. Eames)

35 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 PHOTO SPOT Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius

his species was previously widespread and common across much of South and continental Southeast Asia but declined dramatically during the first half of the 20th century. It is known to breed only in India (at least 650-800 Tbirds in Assam), and at Prek Toal on the Tonle Sap Lake shore (c. 50 pairs) and Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary (c. 15-20 pairs), in Cambodia. The species is a known carrion feeder, and since 2006 birds have been visiting the vulture restaurant at Western Siem Pang. A group of five birds were present in that year, and numbers have steadily increased since then with up to 44 birds present in 2011. These photographs of a group of five, all immature birds were taken on 7 October 2011. Birds begin to appear in Western Siem Pang June to August, with numbers gradually increasing to a peak in October. They then rapidly move away. The pattern of occurrence is strongly suggestive of wandering individuals that breed elsewhere in Cambodia. Although Western Siem Pang appears to be only a part of the non- breeding range of the species, the increasing numbers are very encouraging, and with appropriate protection it is possible that a colony might establish in the future ------Photos: Jonathan C. Eames

36 The Babbler 40 - February 2012 From the archives

World Press Photo of the Year 2011 winner

rent Stirton of South Africa, a Getty Images photographer Bworking for National Geographic magazine, has won first prize Nature Stories for the “Rhino Wars” series. The picture shows a female rhino in Tugela Private Game Reserve, Colenso, Natal, South Africa, November 9, 2010, that four months earlier survived a brutal dehorning by poachers who used a chainsaw to remove her horns and a large section of bone in that area of her skull. The female rhino survived the dehorning and has joined up with a male bull who now accompanies her. Rhino horn is now worth more than gold on the international market. South Africa alone has lost more than 400 rhino to illegal poaching incidents in 2011. The demand for Rhino horn is fuelled by a wealthy Asian middle and upper class and used overwhelmingly as medication ------Source: The Telegraph Photo: REUTERS/Brent Stirton/Getty Images

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