ANNUAL REPORT 2019 MESSAGE FROM SIMON STUART Sonja Luz Nerissa Chao Chair of ASAP Governing Council, Wildlife Reserves Singapore - Governing ASAP Director representing IUCN SSC Council member and ASAP Host

2020 marks a critical time for biodiversity. Ten many within decades. In Abu Dhabi, where As a world-leading zoological institution In early 2019, we launched our new strategy, years ago, the 194 countries that form the 300 IUCN Species Survival Commission located in a region of incredible biodiversity, we setting out our approach to addressing the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed (SSC) leaders came together, an urgent call believe that Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) species extinction crisis hitting Southeast Asia. on 20 objectives, the Aichi targets, to end to ‘massively scale up conservation action in has a responsibility to contribute towards the Our vision of averting species extinctions, biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems. It was response to the escalating biodiversity crisis’ conservation of species in Southeast Asia. while ambitious, could not be more urgent. a time of optimism in conservation. was issued, urging governments to take With every update to the IUCN Red List emergency measures to save species at the Since 2016 WRS has been the proud host of of Threatened Species™, more species are A decade on, and most targets have not been highest risk of extinction. ASAP, a partnership that brings together a listed as Critically Endangered, known to be met - we are still seeing species declining at a wide range of stakeholders who have a shared teetering on the brink. The number of species devastating rate. The latest Living Planet Index For the year ahead, I look forward to the interest in reversing the trend of species now captured within ASAP’s focus has risen to found that vertebrate populations declined by IUCN World Conservation Congress, bringing decline in our region. The ASAP mission is 226, a number which calls for immediate and 60% between 1975 and 2014, and this shows together the leaders and decision-makers from very much aligned with our own and sits at the wide-spanning collective effort. no sign of reversing. For those of us working in government, civil society, indigenous groups heart of our conservation strategy. Through conservation, this can be discouraging. and business. Achieving change in Southeast WRS’ hosting of and collaboration with That’s why it’s so encouraging to see our Asia requires collaboration and commitment ASAP, we have been able to strengthen our partnership continue to grow. ASAP is now a But on the other hand, the urgency for action from all these stakeholders. I truly believe that conservation work and increase our positive collective of 98 Partners involved in progressing is becoming more widely acknowledged than as a Partnership, ASAP can achieve a great deal impact for Critically Endangered Southeast conservation action for ASAP species. The ever before. Significant global coverage was for the species most at risk of extinction. SSC Asian species. Currently, more than 50% of potential for collaboration is huge, and is given to the UN’s ground-breaking statement gives its full backing to the work of ASAP, which WRS’ overall conservation budget contributes something we facilitate as a Secretariat. in 2019 that 1 million and plant species provides a platform for combining resources to conservation efforts for ASAP species. In are now threatened with extinction, and capacity to achieve big collective impact. the future we hope to invest even more in As we enter a new decade, we are determined the recovery of the species most at-risk, in to turn the tide on species declines. Catalysing collaboration with and under the guidance of conservation action for ASAP species is ASAP. central to our strategy, and we believe building conservation capacity in the region The threats to species in Southeast Asia show is a key component in achieving this. Building no sign of abating and especially under the on the many discussions and feedback, we concept of the “One Plan Approach” a world- will be rolling out new initiatives to support leading zoological institution like WRS has ASAP Partners over this coming year, creating an important role to play in protecting their new opportunities and providing tailored future existence. Saving species cannot be support. I am also delighted to announce that done in isolation, so we support ASAP as we 2020 will see ASAP launch a Conservation are convinced this is the right platform for Grants programme to support ASAP Partners sharing skills, knowledge and strengthening conservation efforts on ASAP species. As we impact for the whole region. embark on these exciting new ventures, we continue to strengthen the Partnership as a whole, working together to reverse the trend of decline.

Asian Species Action Partnership - Annual Report 2019 2 3 In a reflection of the global energy production are putting is worsened by the sheer trends identified by Maxwell pressure on more than 90% number of species that have Overview in Nature (2016), the same key of the , amphibians limited geographical ranges. threats are causing species and birds already listed as Nearly all ASAP species are 2019 saw the ASAP partnership grow from 80 Although some ASAP species have received to decline in Southeast Asia. Critically Endangered. Suitable Southeast Asian regional organisations to 98, demonstrating the healthy significant conservation attention over the Across all species groups, places for them are shrinking endemics, and over 140 are appetite for species conservation in Southeast years, many other species are not a focus of overexploitation and habitat dramatically. found only within one country. Asia. Unfortunately, alongside this, the number any conservation effort. It is therefore crucial to loss are the single biggest More than half of these are of ASAP species rose from 195 to 226. identify priority needs and catalyse action for threats. More than 60% of all The threats facing ASAP hyper-endemics, meaning these lesser known species as well as ramping Critically Endangered birds, species remain high, as they are extremely localised, Much of this increase came from fishes, which up species conservation efforts across the fish, mammals and reptiles we see the impacts from for example to a single are now the biggest group of ASAP species, region. are being taken from the forest fires, wildlife trade mountain or tributary. This making up 32%. Fishes are followed closely wild faster than they can and indiscriminate snaring. increases their vulnerability behind by alarmingly high numbers of Critically reproduce. A combination The deadly combination of and makes the efforts of ASAP Endangered birds, reptiles, mammals and of agriculture, logging, being intensely harvested even more vital. amphibians. urbanisation, transport and and seeing shrinking habitats ASAP SPECIES NUMBERS ENDEMIC ASAP SPECIES Amphibians 73 Birds

Fishes 55

Mammals

41 42 Reptiles

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

*as of July 2019

Single-country Endemic to Non-endemic 15 endemic ASAP region to ASAP region

The ASAP Secretariat has been working hard over 2019 to support Partners in their conservation Amphibians Mammals Reptiles Birds Fishes efforts. From speaking directly with Partners to find out their needs, to engaging with donors to create new funding opportunities, all our activities have the common goal of catalysing action for ASAP species.

Asian Species Action Partnership - Annual Report 2019 4 5 Areas of focus

Building conservation capacity in the region IUCN Red Listing workshop for Freshwater Fishes in the Sunda region

With the increasing human pressures being put on species in Southeast Asia, having highly Although freshwater ecosystems cover only a small fraction of the world’s surface, they support a skilled and knowledgeable regional conservationists could not be more important. Their job disproportionately high number of the world’s known species; yet these species and their habitats is not easy; they are required to be project managers, species experts, process specialists and are often neglected in the wider conservation challenges. Many fish in the region had not been excellent communicators amongst other things. ASAP collaborated with colleagues from Wildlife assessed for over a decade, if ever. Conservation Society (WCS) and Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology (DICE) to: ASAP co-organised the Sunda Freshwater Fish Red Listing workshop alongside the IUCN Freshwater ● Develop a competence register for species conservation Biodiversity Unit and WRS. This workshop, was two-fold: firstly assessing the conservation status ● Review current training opportunities of freshwater fish species in the Sunda region, and secondly identifying priority conservation ● Conduct an ASAP Partner capacity needs survey actions for these species, as part of IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group’s (CPSG) ● Review organisational capacity approaches new Assessing to Plan approach (A2P). During the year, these species were published on the Red ● Produce a roadmap for capacity development List increasing the number of ASAP fishes from 48 in 2018 to 73 at the end of 2019, making them the largest group of ASAP species. Read our article about the workshop, and the importance of We will be rolling out activities under this in 2020. Red Listing.

CITES Sunda Pangolin regional action plan launched

In efforts to address the Asian songbird crisis, ASAP actively participated in the CITES CoP 18 The plight of pangolins has received a dramatic increase in publicity during the last decade. and contributed to the adoption of CoP18 Doc. 79 on songbird trade and conservation management. The highly trafficked has gone from receiving little conservation attention to being the Decisions adopted by consensus included key actions to generate recommendations to the CITES focus of multiple organisations and conservation planning events. With so many stakeholders, Animal Committee for its consideration and eventual communication to the 73rd meeting of the coordination between parties is even more crucial. CITES Standing Committee. The Sunda Pangolin regional action planning workshop was co-organised by the IUCN SSC In addition, ASAP was involved in action to strengthen the Helmeted Hornbill Resolution (Resolution Pangolin Specialist Group, ASAP, CPSG and WRS. The regional action plan aims to secure the Sunda Conf. 17.11) to place greater reporting requirements and responsibilities across both range and Pangolin through six goals, which range from changing consumer behaviour and combating consumer countries. illegal trade, to ensuring better protection in the wild. Read the regional action plan here.

Mobilising support for ASAP Species Conservation across ASEAN Partnership support

This year, ASAP has been working in collaboration with the intergovernmental ASEAN Centre for The ASAP Secretariat continues to provide tailored support to relevant stakeholders. Our team Biodiversity (ACB), to raise awareness of the impending extinction crisis and increase support for provided largely behind-the-scenes technical support and advice throughout the year, as well as ASAP species conservation in the ASEAN countries. This project is providing baseline data and linking individuals or organisations to advance ASAP species conservation. analysis on ASAP species, a framework for investment priorities for ASAP species, and hopes to get direct commitment from ASEAN governments to address the needs and challenges facing species on the brink in Southeast Asia.

Asian Species Action Partnership - Annual Report 2019 6 7 Where we were in 2019 CITES CoP18 Drawing attention to trade of songbirds and Helmeted Hornbill. Annual Biodiversity Symposium

IUCN Red Listing workshop for Freshwater Fishes in The Philippines has a high number the Sunda region of ASAP species and high levels of endemism. Learning more about Red List assessments completed for 400 conservation efforts in the Philippines is August freshwater fish species; 115 assessed as crucial in catalysing future action. threatened. Jan 4th IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Leaders’ meeting pre-CITES meeting Malaysia The meeting called to massively scale up Developing information document to species conservation action in response to be presented at CITES CoP18 calling for the escalating biodiversity crisis. stronger reporting and law enforcement measures by range, transit and consumer 6th ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference states. Feb IUCN SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group meeting Drawing attention and gaining political support to address the extinction crisis Finding effective solutions to address the facing ASAP species is paramount. The growing and constantly shifting demand meeting recognised the need for a declaration on ASAP species. of the songbird trade. Oct March Western Conservation Workshop (Talarak Foundation Inc.) Multi-species conservation strategy for Building a stronger partnership ideas, success stories and novel approaches five endemic species to the Western can be shared. As an initial step, we launched Visayas including three ASAP species: our quarterly ASAP newsletter in 2019, Visayan Warty , Negros Bleeding-heart The ASAP partnership stands strong at 98 providing opportunities for ASAP Partners to and the Rufous-headed Hornbill. Partner organisations. While Partners work on June share their work whilst also providing updates ASAP species conservation in a whole host of Read about the workshop, in words from and news on ASAP species and funding and Society for Conservation Biology – International ways and countries, what unites us is a desire Talarak Foundation Inc training opportunities. Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) to see a drastic reduction in the risk of species extinctions in Southeast Asia. Meeting existing and new Partners to Over the coming years, ASAP will work on strengthen the partnership. creating more networking opportunities and Across the partnership there are a great many peer-to-peer engagement. We hope to work skills and experiences that can be shared Capacity Building for Conservation global conference closely with Partners and other ASAP species for the benefit of other organisations and conservationists to shape the future of ASAP, Presenting ASAP’s work on capacity individuals. From our many conversations, we building. and thus improve the status of ASAP species. July understand the need for more networking opportunities, and platforms through which Asian Species Action Partnership - Annual Report 2019 8 9 ASAP Governing Council ASAP Partners The conservation of ASAP species would not be possible without the continued dedication and innovative approaches of ASAP Partners: IUCN Species Survival Commission

Representative: Simon Stuart – Chair 1StopBorneo Wildlife Madras crocodile bank trust and centre for herpetology Wildlife Reserves Singapore – ASAP host Aaranyak Malaysian Nature Society Allwetterzoo Münster Manchester Metropolitan University Representative: Sonja Luz Amphibian Ark Monitor Conservation Research Society (Monitor) IUCN Asia Regional Office Amphibian Survival Alliance Noe Conservation Representative: Alessandro Badalotti Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity Orangutan Foundation Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Oriental Bird Club Bogor Agricultural University Environment (ATREE) Oxford Martin Programme on Illegal Wildlife Trade Asian Arks Philippine Center for Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Representative: Mirza D. Kusrini European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Bali Safari & Marine Park Philippine Eagle Foundation Begawan Foundation Planet Indonesia Representative: Myfanwy Griffith BirdLife International (Asia) Poh Kao Global Wildlife Conservation Borneo Nature Foundation Project Anoulak Bristol Zoological Society Rainforest Trust Representative: Barney Long Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project Working Group GreenViet Satucita foundation Representative: Ha Thang Long Cikananga Wildlife Center Save Asian Vultures from Extinction Cloud Mountain Conservation Save Pangolins TRAFFIC Conservation International (CI) Save Vietnam’s Wildlife Creative Conservation Alliance Southeast Asian Bat Conservation Research Unit Representative: Kanitha Krishnasamy Denver Zoo (SEABCRU) Wildlife Conservation Society Department of Forest Resources Conservation and Seabird Indonesia Representative: Colin Poole Ecotourism,Faculty of Forestry,Bogor Agricultural Selamatkan Yaki University Shoal Des Requins et des Hommes Species360 Dupot Stay Wild - Tiger Protection Trust Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP) E Family Games Sumatran Orangutan Society East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Sumatran Ranger’s Project European Association for Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Synchronicity Earth Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Talarak Foundation ASAP Secretariat Friends of the National Parks Foundation Taronga Conservation Society Australia The ASAP Secretariat is made up of: Gaia The Parosphromenus Project Global Wildlife Conservation TRAFFIC Greenhood Nepal Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre Turtle Survival Alliance Haribon Foundation (BirdLife Partner,Philippines) Viet Nature (Birdlife Partner in Vietnam) Helmeted Hornbill Working Group Vietnam Edwards’s Pheasant Working Group HUTAN Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) Indo-Myanmar Conservation/Asian Turtle Program Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Indonesian Ornithologists’ Union (IdOU) Wildlife Alliance Indonesian Parrot Project Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) International Rhino Foundation Wildlife Observer Community IUCN – Asia Regional Office Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) Nerissa Chao Madhu Rao Will Duckworth Vicki Guthrie IUCN – Species Survival Commission World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Greater Mekong IUCN SSC White-bellied Heron Working Group Yayasan Masarang – Unit Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa Director Strategic Advisor Species Advisor Partnerships & Katala Foundation Incorporated (PPS) Tasikoki Communications Key Conservation Yayasan Pelatuk Indonesia Manager Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife Zoological Garden Liberec Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Little Fireface Project Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Mabuwaya Foundation Populationsschutz (ZGAP) Asian Species Action Partnership - Annual Report 2019 10 11 Acknowledgements

We give our heartfelt thanks to those that have provided financial contributions to the ASAP Secretariat during 2019: • WRS • IUCN SSC through their partnership with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi • Synchronicity Earth through, in part, their partnership with Taiwan Forestry Bureau • EAZA • WCS • An anonymous donor.

ASAP has also received in-kind contributions from WRS, GWC, WCS, Synchronicity Earth. We are particularly grateful to WRS for hosting the ASAP Secretariat. Cover page: Bleeding Toad © Sasi Kirono, Straw-headed Bulbul © Chiok Wen Xuan, Northern White-cheeked Gibbon © Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, Arakan Forest Xuan, Northern White-cheeked Gibbon © Lao Conservation Trust Bulbul © Chiok Wen © Sasi Kirono, Straw-headed Cover page: Bleeding Toad Image credits Page 8: Reserves Singapore. Pangolin © Wildlife Page 2: Sunda Koshkina from Pixabay. Roland Wirth, background © Larisa Mekong Giant Catfish © LLC, Turtle © Scott Trageser/NatureStills Singapore Icons from www.flaticon.com Island Snake-necked Turtle © Wildlife Reserves 12: Roti Pig © Chester Zoo. Page Visayan Warty Helmeted Hornbill © Morten Strange,

The ASAP Secretariat is hosted by: ASAP is an IUCN SSC initiative:

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