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CEPF Final Project Completion Report CEPF Final Project Completion Report Organization Legal Name Wildlife Conservation Society Emergency funding for the recovery of a globally Project Title significant population of critically endangered Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) in Lao PDR CEPF GEM No. 77636-000 Date of Report 31 December 2015 Report Author Alex McWilliam Author Contact Information [email protected] CEPF Region: Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot Strategic Direction: 1: Safeguard priority globally threatened species by mitigating major threats. Grant Amount: USD 19,956 Project Dates: 1 May 2014 to 30 November 2015 1. Implementation Partners for this Project (list each partner and explain how they were involved in the project) Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR Program (WCS) WCS was responsible for overall project management, technical support, and coordination with partners such as the Lao Zoo. Village Crocodile Conservation Committee (VCCC) The VCC at Than Soum village was jointly responsible for implementation of actions with local the local community. The VCCC at Than Soum is one of nine community-based committees that were established around the XC wetlands under previous phases of the program. Each committee consists of between 5-7 elected representatives from a given village. The committee took a leading role in project consultations, coordinated village engagement and directly participated in all project activities. They also represent each village in all meetings associated with the project. Provincial and District Offices of Natural Resources and Environment (DoNRE/PoNRE) In the respective districts, and at the provincial government level, these agencies were responsible for coordination of implementation with local government authorities. District officers currently assigned to the project were involved in all actions undertaken with communities. Conservation Impacts Emergency funding for the recovery of a globally significant population of critically endangered Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) in Lao PDR Page 1 of 17 2. Describe how your project has contributed to the implementation of the CEPF ecosystem profile The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is listed in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile as and Priority Species for CEPF Investment in the Indo-Burma Hotspot. Previously widespread in the Mekong, Chao Praya and Mae Klong Basins this species is now classified as critically endangered and is restricted to a few small populations in widely scattered localities. This significant reduction in the species’ population is due to widespread habitat destruction, over collection to stock crocodile farms, and illegal hunting for skins and meat. Because the populations of this species are at such critically low levels, additional impacts from climate change, such as increased temperatures and longer periods of drought, make the species even more vulnerable to extinction. The Xe Champhone (XC) wetlands (16°23’N, 105°13’E), located in eastern Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR (Figure 1). This extensive wetland is recognized in the CEPF ecosystem profile as Key Biodiversity Area LAO40. The XC wetlands are a large floodplain area, part of one of the key river basins connected to the Mekong River, the Xe Banghieng River basin. It is one of only two Ramsar sites in Lao PDR designated by the government in September 2010, and the highest priority site in the country for Siamese crocodiles. On the basis of observations in the last 10 years by local people acknowledged as the most familiar with crocodile occurrence in the XC wetlands, a minimum of 75 crocodiles was estimated to persist at the site. The WCS Lao PDR Program has been working with the government of Lao PDR and local communities in the XC wetlands since 2008 to implement the Community-based Crocodile Resource Management Program (CCRMP). This CEPF supported project contributed to the completion of one component of this multi faceted program. The project most closely aligned with CEPF Strategic Direction 1: Safeguard priority globally threatened species by mitigating major threats, and specifically Investment Priority 1.2: Develop best practice approaches for conservation of highly threatened and endemic freshwater species. However the project does integrate CEPF Strategic Direction 4: Empower local communities to engage in conservation and management of priority KBA’s. This CEPF supported project primarily addressed the threats to Siamese crocodiles, and contributed to the implementation of the CEPF ecosystem profile, by reversing Siamese crocodile population declines at the site. During the project period we continued to rear and successfully released a total of 45 Siamese crocodiles into the XC wetlands, an estimated 60% increase in the local population, previously estimated to be 75 individuals. The projects also contributed to the implementation of the CEPF Ecosystem Profile by engendering community support for crocodile conservation. Emergency funding for the recovery of a globally significant population of critically endangered Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) in Lao PDR Page 2 of 17 The WCS program had already established community level crocodile conservation committees. These committees are intimately involved in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities in this project and the wider program. As such these communities are informed and empowered to effectively improve the management of the wetlands and species that are culturally and spiritually important to them, including the Siamese crocodile. 3. Summarize the overall results/impact of your project Planned Goal (as stated in the approved proposal) List the project Goal from the proposal The overall goal of the Community based Crocodile Resource Management Program (CCRMP), as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Lao PDR, was the recovery of the local crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked with socio-economic incentives that substantially improve local livelihoods. The specific goal of the CEPF funded project was the recovery of Siamese crocodile populations in the Xe Champhone (XC) wetland in Lao PDR. 4. Actual progress toward Goal at completion This CEPF Small Grant Project contributed to this goal by significantly contributing to the recovery of the global population of Siamese crocodiles. The project also reinforced the role of communities in biodiversity conservation and wetland management. The increased number of crocodiles at the site has also resulted in increased interest in wildlife tourism opportunities and the community has, with the assistance of other donors, already started a small community based wildlife tourism product at the site. This, along with other program activities such as improved wetland management, has contributed to the securing of local food security and diversification of economic opportunities. Planned Objectives (as stated in the approved proposal) List each Objective from the proposal The summary objectives of the CCRMP are characterized below. a. Livelihood improvement. Improvement of local livelihoods linked to enhanced water and wetland resource management. b. Wetlands conservation. Strengthen the management of crocodile habitat areas by increasing the knowledge and awareness of local communities, improving wetland zoning and regulations, and instituting community organizations to lead local management. c. Crocodile species recovery. Increase the population of Siamese crocodiles in the XCP wetlands. Emergency funding for the recovery of a globally significant population of critically endangered Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) in Lao PDR Page 3 of 17 The objectives of the CEPF funded project were as follows; i. Forty six juvenile Siamese crocodiles released to the XC wetland complex. ii. Community support for crocodile conservation engendered. 5. Actual progress toward Objectives at completion The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species suggests that the global wild population of Siamese crocodiles is between 500-1000 individuals. Most experts agree that the actual population is likely to be towards the lower end of this range. Thus if we assume the population is 500 individuals across the entire range of the species, and 75 of these were present in the XC wetlands, then this project has made a significant contribution to the number of individuals in the wild. During the entire period of the CCRMP a total of 64 Siamese crocodiles have been reared and released into the XC wetlands, of which 45 were completed with direct support from CEPF. This reintroduction of 64 individuals is a 13% increase in the global wild population and an 85% increase in the population at the XC wetland Ramsar site. Community and local government support for crocodile conservation was engendered through the hosting of two release ceremonies in conjunction with the release of crocodiles implemented in August 2014 and November 2015. At each ceremony local government and community members participated in technical presentations highlighting the status of Siamese crocodiles in the wild, and how communities can contribute to reducing and mitigating threats to the species through better management of wetland areas. Further to this local community members facilitated spiritual and cultural rituals. These ceremonies reinforced the goal of the project and strengthened community support for species conservation. 6. Describe the success or challenges of the project toward achieving its goal and objectives We successfully achieved
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